Chapter Ninety-Two: Acceptance

"The matter with the restaurant—what do you think, maybe we should...?" Liu Xiulan looked at her son, her tone tentative.

Lu Hao glanced at his mother. He knew she was frightened and deceived by Lu Weiming. She was trying to intervene in his affairs, though she neither understood the path ahead nor could she bear the responsibility. Still, he couldn't blame her; Lu Weiming's honeyed words were simply too persuasive.

Ignoring his mother's suggestion, Lu Hao spoke directly, "Second Uncle, your price isn't necessarily unacceptable."

"But let's wait a few more years and see. If I can't make it work, I'll transfer it to you then. What do you think?"

"For now, I have enough capital, and I'm pretty confident."

Lu Weiming's expression changed immediately. He hadn't expected such a response from Lu Hao.

"Lu Hao, don't be so unreasonable," he said earnestly, rising from his seat. "I'm talking about now, not years later. If you wait, how can your second uncle save you then?"

"Sign the contract with me now, right here. Transfer the restaurant to me, and we'll run it together."

"I'm your true second uncle—would I try to trick you?"

Lu Weiming sounded almost desperate.

"Trust me, you can't manage the Neijiang Restaurant, but if your second uncle takes over, it'll easily turn a monthly profit of a hundred thousand. No problem at all."

"Then I'll split fifty thousand with you. You collect your share without lifting a finger, earning money while you relax. How does that sound?"

His words were sincere.

Liu Xiulan was tempted by the offer, looking at her son. "Hao’er, maybe you should think it over."

"This is your uncle. He wouldn't steer you wrong."

"How else would he have managed to build such a large pig farm?"

Lu Hao touched his nose, intending to ask his mother not to interfere, but realizing it was impossible.

"Second Uncle, if you like restaurants, there are plenty in the village. You can negotiate with them. As for mine, I still want to manage it myself; I can't hand it over to you just yet," Lu Hao replied.

"I've just bought it. Who knows if it's good or bad?"

Lu Hao continued to play coy with Lu Weiming, who felt his efforts were wasted. Sweat broke out on his brow from anxiety.

"Lu Hao, after all these years, how have you become like this?" he exclaimed.

"Will you agree or not? Give me a straight answer."

Liu Xiulan, seeing her son quarreling with his uncle, hurried over to intervene.

"Lu Hao, no matter what, he's still your second uncle. Stop now."

"What did I say?" Lu Hao said, exasperated, looking at his mother.

"Second Uncle, as I said, if you want to take over a restaurant, look elsewhere; I have no intention of doing so here," Lu Hao reiterated.

"Your business plan is perfect, but I simply don't need it. I want to go it alone."

With that, to avoid further conflict with Lu Weiming, Lu Hao stepped outside.

"Xiulan, you really need to talk some sense into your son. Don't let him be so stubborn," Lu Weiming said seriously.

"Don't just focus on his profits; think about the losses. If he loses money, you could end up selling your house and still not make ends meet."

"This is no joke. Talk to him. Don't let him make a foolish decision."

Finishing his admonition, Lu Weiming stood up, preparing to leave.

As for Lu Hao's father, Lu Weiguo, Lu Weiming hadn't spared him so much as a glance.

"Weiming, stay a while longer. At least have a meal before you go," Liu Xiulan pleaded.

"Your son is too aggravating. I can't eat," Lu Weiming waved her off, as if deeply angered by Lu Hao.

Without another word, he picked up his briefcase and left the family’s home, not even bothering with a farewell.

Liu Xiulan watched his angry retreat, then turned and went outside, seeking Lu Hao.

"Lu Hao, how could you talk to your uncle like that? Even if this deal doesn't work out, you could at least negotiate."

Lu Hao took a deep breath and replied, "Mom, can't you see? He never considered our family at all."

"He came here solely for the restaurant, didn't even bother to see Dad, and had no appetite for our food."

"Can you really trust someone like that to run a business with you?"

Liu Xiulan paused, then said, "Lu Hao, whatever else, he's still your uncle."

"He's one of your father's most respected relatives."

"All the aunts are watching us. With his support, we’d have more standing among the family."

"If he distances himself from us, imagine how we'll face the relatives during festivals and New Year. How will we hold our heads high?"

Lu Hao shook his head. "Mom, you're overthinking."

"He never respected our family even before. Do you really believe he'll speak well of us during the holidays?"

"If I hadn't bought the restaurant, he wouldn't even have bothered to visit."

Liu Xiulan sighed.

"Honestly, you have no experience running a restaurant. You'd be better off closing it and taking a comfortable manager's job at your uncle's pig farm."

"After all, he's your uncle; he wouldn't harm you."

Lu Hao fell silent. His mother was thinking of his well-being, but she hadn't heard the ancient saying: better to starve than work your father-in-law’s land, better to die hungry than toil for relatives.

He had his own clinic and restaurant, life was good. Even if he lost money, he'd accept it as his own failing.

But if he went to his uncle’s pig farm and suffered, there’d be nowhere to cry.

"Mom, you're right, but for now, I have no intention of doing that," Lu Hao said calmly.

"Besides, I’ve heard recently that his pig farm is facing troubles and needs cash flow. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so interested in our family," Lu Hao explained.

"I’ll handle this myself, Mom. You don’t need to worry." He drew a deep breath.