[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-wage-slave-to-tycoon":3,"chapter-from-wage-slave-to-tycoon-from-wage-slave-to-tycoon-chapter-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Wage Slave to Tycoon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1886238,2508,"Chapter 12: Taking a Girl Out to Eat","from-wage-slave-to-tycoon-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>Outside the Volkswagen dealership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well, old classmate! I can’t believe it. It’s only been a few years, and you’ve already struck it rich?\" Chen Xiaobai said, circling Su Chen and looking him up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish I’d struck it rich. But no... I just handed over years of savings to you!\" Su Chen said with a forced, wry smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Su Chen pulled open the car door and got in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s keep in touch!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You got it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world’s three biggest joke phrases are...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s keep in touch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll treat you to a meal next time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll definitely pay you back tomorrow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is outrageous! It’s just outrageous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen stared at the freshly-made instant noodles on the table, his stomach churning with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he got home, his father and mother had decided to go on a spontaneous trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their excuse was, \"We’ve been married for so many years... but we’ve never really traveled. We want to see the world, just the two of us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that... the two of them abandoned Su Chen and set off on their one-and-a-half-day getaway for two!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Time for just the two of them?’ Su Chen was dumbfounded when he heard that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So all those years I was out there working my butt off, the two of you at home *weren’t* living in your own little world?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Am I an eyesore around here??’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen was just about to take a bite when he heard a knock. He quickly got up and walked to the front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"CLICK!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened to reveal a pretty young woman standing on the doorstep, dressed in a schoolgirl-style uniform. Her eyes were bright and lively as she looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, who are you looking for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro?\" The greeting left Su Chen completely bewildered. ’Do I have such a beautiful younger sister?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Su Chen’s confused expression, the young woman spoke again, \"Big Bro, it’s me, Su Qingya!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingya? You’re Qingya?\" Su Chen couldn’t just call it surprise anymore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was pure shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qingya was the only daughter of his third uncle, Su Zhixin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Su Chen’s memory, Su Qingya was a scrawny, acne-prone little thing who looked like a bookish runt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the lively, radiant, and adorable young woman standing before him, she was like a completely different person... really!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Is it true what they say about a girl changing as she grows up?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong? It’s been years, aren’t I allowed to get prettier? By the way... Big Bro, are you going to let me in or what?\" Su Qingya said, putting her hands on her hips and pouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen scratched his head sheepishly and stepped aside to let her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qingya huffed softly and strode in on her long legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How’d you know I was back?\" Su Chen asked, lounging on the sofa and looking at Qingya, who had sat down beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph~ Big Bro, you’re really good at keeping secrets. If I hadn’t called my eldest uncle to ask you about something, none of us would have known you were back in Fuzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Su Chen gave an embarrassed laugh. \"Hey, I’ve only been back for a few days!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said you wanted to ask me something? What’s on your mind?\" Su Chen quickly changed the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe~ Well, since I got into Shanghai University, I wanted to ask what Shanghai is like. After all, you’ve been there for so many years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait? You got into what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shanghai University. What’s wrong?\" Su Qingya looked at Su Chen in confusion, not understanding why he was so surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen sat up straight and sized up Su Qingya for a long moment before saying slowly, \"This makes no sense. A genius like me never even made it into college, so how did a silly girl like you get in? And into Shanghai University, no less?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro~ You’re the silly one!\" Su Qingya retorted, rolling her eyes dramatically at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How come I didn’t know the Su family produced a student for a top-tier university? How could no one tell me about something this huge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What would have been the point of telling you? You were in Shanghai. Were you going to make a special trip back just to celebrate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people might think getting into college is a piece of cake, but the reality is quite the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Wudu, for example. Outside of the main urban districts, even Fuzhou—the economic leader among the districts and counties—had only just shed its \"poverty-stricken\" designation. The other areas were even worse off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Economics is the foundation for everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the year Su Chen graduated, plenty of students got into \"college,\" but ninety-nine percent of them were for vocational programs. Those who made it into a four-year university were as rare as phoenix feathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one at all got into a top-tier university.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many didn’t even bother with vocational college and just joined the tide of migrant workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why people from the Southwest make up the largest portion of migrant workers in the coastal regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no other choice. We’re poor here. If we were well-off, who would willingly leave home to work so far away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro, tell me, is the cost of living in Shanghai really high?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen gave Su Qingya a slightly surprised look. \"Why do you ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qingya lowered her head and said nervously, \"I was thinking... after Grandma’s birthday banquet, I could go to Shanghai with you. I want to find a part-time job early and earn some spending money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Su Qingya’s nervous face, Su Chen reached out and patted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never realized our little Qingya was so sensible. It’s not impossible for your big bro to help you, but I have one condition!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro~ I knew you were the best! Just say it... I’ll agree to any condition!\" Su Qingya exclaimed, excitedly scooting closer and grabbing his arm, acting cute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem~\" Feeling the intermittent contact against his arm, Su Chen discreetly pulled it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your big bro here still hasn’t eaten. Aren’t you going to treat me to a big meal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem! I have over six hundred yuan of my own money saved up. Treating you is definitely not a problem!\" Su Qingya said, full of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright~ Then let’s go to that Chaoshan beef place downstairs!\" A mischievous grin instantly appeared on Su Chen’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Su Qingya had no idea what she was about to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the lunch rush, and business at the Chaoshan beef restaurant was booming. The main dining hall was almost completely full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They found a table near a corner and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The waiter handed the menu directly to Su Chen. \"Sir, what would you like to order?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen didn’t hesitate. He took the menu and started ordering up a storm, making Su Qingya, who was listening beside him, tremble inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingya, take a look. See what you want,\" Su Chen said, passing the menu to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qingya frantically waved her hands. \"I don’t need to order, you got more than enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then~ We can always add more if it’s not enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The waiter took the menu and quickly walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food arrived quickly. In less than five minutes, eight or nine plates of beef were on the table, each one a different cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen, whose stomach had been growling with hunger, picked up a plate and started adding meat to the pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the special dipping sauce, Su Chen ate with absolute delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Su Qingya forgot her earlier worries and started digging in, occasionally mumbling, \"This beef is so delicious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, all the beef on the table had been swept clean by the two of them. They both patted their full, round bellies with satisfied expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro~ That was a great meal, wasn’t it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmm~ It really was. I’m stuffed!\" Although Su Chen had initially intended to prank his cousin, he had to admit the restaurant’s beef was genuinely excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waiter, the check!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, your total is 875 yuan. Will that be cash or card?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? 875?\" Su Qingya, who was just about to pull out her phone to pay, was completely stunned. It seemed her money wasn’t enough to cover the bill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Su Qingya’s awkward expression, Su Chen burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bro~\" Su Qingya’s eyes started to turn a little red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Su Chen knew he’d taken the joke far enough and promptly pulled out his phone to pay the bill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the Chaoshan beef restaurant, Su Qingya pouted. She finally understood that her big brother just wanted to see her make a fool of herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you learn any lessons from what happened today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen’s sudden words made Su Qingya jolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her beautiful eyes to look at Su Chen walking ahead of her, and after a long moment of thought, she said, \"A honey trap!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Su Chen paused for a step. \"When you’re out in the world from now on, remember to be more careful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know, Big Bro!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1544,"2026-06-10T06:54:56.831Z",1,"novelbin.me","e84c52b5113a7abd3f960ab13489a4557072de0b55a25d41ea4cfd357665f63c","from-wage-slave-to-tycoon-chapter-13","from-wage-slave-to-tycoon-chapter-11",47,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-wage-slave-to-tycoon-cover.jpg"]