Chapter 122: The Hongmen Banquet

"Please pay first. Our shop does not accept credit in any form. It is a small business, after all, so I hope you understand," Jiang Hao said with a pleasant smile.

The middle-aged man hurriedly used his other hand to open his phone and scan the code to pay. Only after seeing the payment go through did Jiang Hao finally let go.

The man, as if granted an amnesty, scurried toward the shop entrance while cursing, "Your shop will go out of business sooner or later! With the way you do business, you'll be deserted soon enough!"

Jiang Hao did not trade insults with him; he could not even be bothered to glance at the man.

"You really do get all sorts of people," Su Qingli said with a wry smile.

"A real internet celebrity wouldn't be this shameless. This guy is clearly just a nobody with fewer than a hundred followers, obviously here just to freeload," Jiang Hao said nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Su Qingli nodded in agreement. After all, a true influencer wouldn't act so disgracefully. If their followers found out they were freeloading, they would surely lose countless fans. How could someone with millions of followers not understand such a simple principle?

Looking at the business in the restaurant, Jiang Hao was very satisfied. It was not peak dining hours, yet the shop was more than three-quarters full, nearing capacity.

"How much has the shop made so far?" Jiang Hao asked with a smile.

Su Qingli thought for a moment and replied, "Two hundred thousand."

Jiang Hao was slightly surprised. Su Qingli had only invested eight hundred thousand in total to open this restaurant, and now, just half a month after opening, she had already brought in two hundred thousand. At this rate, wouldn't she be able to recoup her entire investment in just two or three months?

Thinking of this, Jiang Hao suggested, "Have you thought about opening a branch?"

"A branch?" Su Qingli was slightly taken aback.

"Exactly. The 'Qingli Health and Wellness' brand is already well-known and established. Opening a branch would surely attract more customers and increase revenue," Jiang Hao said earnestly.

Su Qingli felt tempted. If she opened a branch, the scale of the business would grow significantly, and her income would naturally rise.

However, she sighed with a bitter smile, "Where would I get that much money?"

"Have you forgotten? Zhao Tianlong paid you twenty million," Jiang Hao said with a grin.

Su Qingli retorted righteously, "That wasn't money paid to me; it was given to you."

"It's all the same. Isn't what's mine yours as well?" Jiang Hao said dismissively.

Hearing this, Su Qingli bit her lip. After a long moment, she nodded and said, "Alright then, let's... let's do it your way."

Seeing Su Qingli finally relent, Jiang Hao was overjoyed. It showed that their relationship had taken a step forward and that she was finally starting to accept him.

"In that case, let's go to the Business Administration Bureau tomorrow to register the company and trademark, establish 'Qingli Health and Wellness Corp,' and then open a second and third branch in Maple Leaf City. How about that?"

Jiang Hao’s words startled Su Qingli. Registering a company and opening two or three branches at once? This was a massive expansion, and the pace was far too fast!

"We have sufficient capital, so it’s quite simple," Jiang Hao said cheerfully, continuing, "Once the company is established, you’ll be the boss. You won’t have to work yourself to the bone every day anymore. You can leave the chores like cooking to the branch managers."

"But..." Su Qingli said hesitantly.

"No more 'buts'," Jiang Hao said, reaching out to pat her head. Su Qingli flinched at first but then quietly accepted his touch.

Just then, the college student working as a server ran over and said with a giggle, "Oh my, the boss and the lady boss are being all lovey-dovey in the shop? I’m turning green with envy!"

"Get back to work!" Jiang Hao glared at her playfully, and the girl ran off laughing.

Su Qingli pulled Jiang Hao’s hand off her head and said, "Let's start the company, then. But don't rush it; let's take it slow and give me some time to adjust. Besides, there is something else that needs to be handled tomorrow, and I was just about to discuss it with you."

"What is it?" Jiang Hao looked at her, puzzled.

Su Qingli seemed unsure whether she should tell him, her expression hesitant. After a long while, she finally said, "It’s like this: Pan Yixuan from the Pan family called earlier. He said he’s having his birthday tomorrow and is hosting a banquet at the Pan estate. He invited me to attend and asked me to bring you along."

"What?" Jiang Hao was stunned.

Pan Yixuan hosting a banquet and inviting Su Qingli made sense. After all, he had always had designs on her and was desperate to be with her; a birthday banquet was the perfect opportunity. However, knowing full well that Su Qingli and Jiang Hao were still married, it was truly strange for him to ask her to bring Jiang Hao. Wouldn't it be incredibly awkward? Or did Pan Yixuan have some other scheme in mind?

Jiang Hao’s brow furrowed slightly. "This isn't a birthday banquet; it's likely a trap!"

Su Qingli nodded. "I feel the same way—that he doesn't have good intentions—which is why I didn't agree on the phone and only said I would consider it. If you don't want to go, we won't. I won't attend his banquet either."

Su Qingli had never liked Pan Yixuan. She was a straightforward, earnest woman, while Pan Yixuan was a notorious playboy in Maple Leaf City who had been with countless women. How could she have any fondness for such a scumbag? So, even if it weren't for Jiang Hao, she had no desire to attend his banquet.

Seeing Jiang Hao’s furrowed brow, she immediately made her stance clear. To her surprise, however, Jiang Hao shook his head and rejected her suggestion.

"We are going," Jiang Hao said firmly.

"What? Are we really going to attend his birthday banquet?" Su Qingli stared at him in disbelief, unable to fathom what he was thinking. After all, Pan Yixuan and Jiang Hao were sworn enemies!