Chapter 52: A Wish Fulfilled, Visitors from the Huo Family Arrive

Early the next morning, a thunderous broadcast resounded throughout Tangwan Town.

“Good news! Great news! The Dali Toy Factory has attracted a powerful Hong Kong investor, with a total investment of 500 million Hong Kong dollars. Soon, a new factory will be established to expand production.”

“Now hiring more workers—once you’re employed, you’ll receive meal subsidies and accommodation, overtime pay of ten yuan per hour, and a base salary...”

Zhang Tianfeng, who was sleeping soundly, was abruptly awakened. He opened his door and stepped onto the balcony, searching for the source of the noise. In less than half a minute, Gao Ran also appeared.

The young woman was dressed in a short nightgown, and as she stretched lazily, for a moment, Zhang Tianfeng felt as if spring had returned to his heart.

He bent over in greeting, then staggered back into his room.

Gao Ran, still unaware of what had happened, stood there in confusion for a moment. When the sound faded away, she returned to her room to continue sleeping.

“Damn it, Hu Xuelian, that little vixen, really broke my seal.”

After yesterday’s close temptation, it was impossible for Zhang Tianfeng to feel nothing at all. After all, he was a young man full of vigor. The fact that he had managed to restrain himself in that situation was already a testament to his strong willpower.

Having barely survived yesterday’s ordeal, his morning resolve was shattered by this new provocation.

“It seems it’s time to find a girlfriend,” he sighed, taking a towel and a change of clothes to shower.

...

Life had returned to normal, and the things that had to be done still needed doing. After washing up, he headed to the late-night eatery. From a distance, he could see a large crowd there helping out.

Most of these people were workers who had benefited from his help; after recovering, they had rushed over at the first opportunity.

“Hey, Boss Zhang is here!”

“Good morning, Boss Zhang.”

“Thank you for your help yesterday, Boss Zhang.”

“Boss Zhang...”

The scene was livelier than a celebrity’s appearance, with everyone on the street greeting him warmly.

Zhang Tianfeng only responded to the workers; as for the rest... forget it. They were all late-night eatery owners who had kicked him when he was down.

Yesterday afternoon, the late-night food street had been reopened.

The eatery owners hurriedly prepared ingredients and opened promptly at night, only to find there were no customers.

No, all the customers were waiting outside “Youle Late Night Eatery.”

Even when they lowered their prices, the customers refused to come.

It was then that they realized they had made a grave mistake—one that would affect their livelihoods!

As soon as Zhang Tianfeng entered the shop, a chubby man barged in, holding a pack of cigarettes.

“Boss Zhang, have a smoke.”

“And you are?” Zhang Tianfeng looked at him quizzically.

The man smiled awkwardly. “I’m the owner of the shop next door. About yesterday—I’m truly sorry for what I said. Please forgive me.”

“It’s all right; it’s only human. I understand.”

“That’s wonderful. Then could you talk to the reporter from Zhucheng Daily? Ask them to take down the exposé. Our livelihoods depend on this business.”

After his release yesterday, Zhang Tianfeng had accepted another exclusive interview with Liu Jue.

This time, he’d held nothing back, verbally thrashing those who had slandered him, using only the cleanest of words. He’d also asked Liu Jue to create an exposé column, editing in interviews with all those who had kicked him while he was down. He bought space and airtime, playing it on a loop and ensuring their infamy would last forever.

“That’s not something I can do. I’m just a small eatery owner. Zhucheng Daily isn’t someone I can direct.”

“Boss Zhang...”

“Please step aside; I have a business to run. Don’t interfere with my work.”

Seeing Zhang Tianfeng’s resolute expression, the man’s hand hovered in the air for a long time before he sighed helplessly.

Now, no one dared use force with Zhang Tianfeng. First, he was an honorary citizen and a favorite of the local leaders. Second, a little investigation would reveal his real strength.

Anyone with sense knew to admit fault and seek his forgiveness at a time like this.

As the chubby man left, Fourth Uncle entered.

Wiping sweat from his brow, he said, “Ah Feng, since we’re doing business on this street, maybe we should let things go when we can?”

“Who said I’m staying in this business?” Zhang Tianfeng replied, “I only bought this place out of boredom. I’ve got serious plans now, and I probably won’t keep this shop open.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“Open a factory!” Zhang Tianfeng declared. “Fourth Uncle, you’re a great talker—how about helping me develop some distribution channels?”

“No, I don’t think I can keep up with your pace anymore.”

Back in Xiyan City, Zhang Jizheng could still barely follow Zhang Tianfeng’s train of thought and guess his next move.

But after coming to Tangwan Town, he found himself completely unable to predict what Zhang Tianfeng would do next.

Starting with a late-night eatery, he’d branched out into the job placement market. Before the job market plan was even set, now he wanted to open a factory—like hunting for rabbits while collecting grass!

Never mind whether he had the capital for all this; just his way of doing things was hard for Zhang Jizheng to adapt to.

So often he wanted to help, only to find there was nowhere for him to step in—he felt invisible.

He’d thought it over for days, and the night Zhang Tianfeng was detained, Zhang Jizheng finally figured it out.

Do what you want to do; as for Zhang Tianfeng, he has his own future. He needs more talented young people to help him climb higher on his business path.

As an elder, Zhang Jizheng could only watch from behind and offer support when Zhang Tianfeng needed it.

After hearing his reasoning, Zhang Tianfeng nodded. “All right, then I’ll give you this late-night eatery.”

“Give... give it to me?” Zhang Jizheng was momentarily speechless.

He’d originally paid a hundred thousand for the shop, and now it was the star eatery of Tangwan Town. The value must have multiplied several times over.

Zhang Tianfeng said, “We agreed before leaving—you’d come with me so my parents wouldn’t worry. When I make money, I’ll finance your arcade.”

“Now I’m transferring the shop to you. Whether you sell it or run it yourself, that’s up to you.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Jizheng said, “I’ll keep running it. I’ve grown to like this line of work.”

“All right. When those bosses come to beg again, I’ll play the villain and you play the hero. We’ll put on a final act, and then I can make my exit.”

Handing the shop over to Fourth Uncle, Zhang Tianfeng felt no regret—in fact, he was even a little happy.

At least he’d set Fourth Uncle back on the right path, so he wouldn’t suffer through a hard life like in the past.

After an hour spent staging this drama, Zhang Tianfeng became the villain in the eyes of the late-night eatery owners, while his Fourth Uncle became the righteous man who cut ties for justice.

Though the old hands saw through the act, the rest no longer concerned Zhang Tianfeng. He had his own bright future to pursue.

On his way to the Bole Job Agency, a black sedan suddenly pulled up beside him.

The window rolled down, and an unfamiliar middle-aged man smiled warmly. “Mr. Zhang, I’m an employee sent by Mr. Huo to handle some matters. May I invite you into the car for a discussion?”

My dream of running a factory is finally coming true!