Chapter 73

One afternoon, Zhou Andong took Gu Shengjie around various arcades; by the time they returned to the distillery, Jian Qiu and An Jing had already come back.

“Did you sign the contract?” Zhou Andong asked.

An Jing said, “We got a ten-year lease with no rent increase, and if the shop is sold, we have first refusal. Also, the contract starts from today, meaning they’ve given us time to renovate.”

Zhou Andong gave a thumbs-up: “Awesome!”

An Jing rolled her eyes: “We can clear the place out in a week. Next, find a designer and plan the shop layout properly. Also, contact the renovation crew and lock in the schedule.”

Zhou Andong said, “No need to find a designer—I already designed it. I’ll bring you the drawings tomorrow.”

An Jing was surprised: “You know interior design?”

“Of course!” Zhou Andong lifted his chin. “Besides getting pregnant and giving birth, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

Jian Qiu laughed: “Enough. I’m starving—let’s eat first. We can talk while we eat.”

The group left the factory office, and Zhou Andong went to Workshop Two to fetch Yao Jun.

After eating, Gu Shengjie said, “I’m heading back to Beijing tomorrow. Any other business?”

Gu Bing asked, “Aren’t you staying a couple more days?”

Gu Shengjie didn’t want to leave with An Jing here, but he had too much to do—he’d already stayed too long. He had to go.

“Arcade gambling involves many minors—it’s shocking. I’m sure this isn’t just in Jiangzhou; it’s probably the same nationwide. I need to get back quickly and report this. Only if the higher-ups pay attention will the local authorities crack down hard.”

“Alright!” Gu Bing nodded. “What time’s your train? I’ll see you off.”

“No need. We’ve been brothers for years—why bother seeing me off?”

Gu Shengjie looked at An Jing, his eyes full of hope, but the woman remained expressionless, giving no sign at all—it disappointed him, yet he still couldn’t let go.

“An Jing, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. If you ever come to Beijing, be sure to contact me—I’ll treat you as my guest.”

“Okay!” An Jing shook his hand and said just one word.

Gu Shengjie sighed inwardly and told Zhou Andong, “Same with you—I know your number. If you ever come to Beijing, call me.”

Zhou Andong had already noticed Gu Shengjie had feelings for An Jing, but it seemed like flowers in the wind, water without intent. He wanted to help Gu Shengjie, but he wasn’t close enough to An Jing to do anything—so he just sighed.

“Safe travels.”

Gu Shengjie frowned: “You wish me safe travels, but why sigh? Where are you trying to send me?”

Zhou Andong burst out laughing, gave Gu Shengjie a big hug, then whispered, “She won’t leave Jiangzhou for at least a year—there’s still a chance. And Jiangzhou isn’t far from Beijing—you can visit often. Don’t lose heart. If an opportunity comes, I’ll definitely give you a push.”

Gu Shengjie smiled and patted Zhou Andong’s back: “Good brother—if I ever win An Jing, I won’t let you down.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Jian Qiu, dressed lightly, shivered. “Can we hurry? I’m freezing.”

Zhou Andong grinned. Gu Shengjie waved at Jian Qiu: “Alright, Miss Jian, we’ll meet again. I’m off.”

Jian Qiu asked Zhou Andong, “Where are you going back to?”

Zhou Andong said, “I’m going to Tanghezi!”

Jian Qiu nodded: “I’ll drive you.”

“Too late!” Zhou Andong said. “You and An Jing go home. Let Gu Da drive me.”

Gu Bing grumbled: “Why should I drive you?”

Zhou Andong said, “Fine, if you won’t, I’ll quit tomorrow and focus on my shop.”

“You’re such a character!” Gu Bing grinned. “I was just joking—you take it seriously?”

Zhou Andong ignored the fool, waved down a yellow minivan, and told Jian Qiu, “Get in quick. You wear so little every day—don’t you fear freezing to death? Wear more tomorrow.”

Jian Qiu’s heart warmed; she obediently got in: “You go home early too.”

Zhou Andong nodded, slammed the door shut, watched the yellow minivan vanish into the night, then strolled back to the distillery with Gu Bing and Yao Jun.

“Da Jun, how much money do you have right now?”

Yao Jun said, “Less than twenty thousand.”

Zhou Andong blinked, then slapped Yao Jun’s shoulder hard: “Nice! You’ve been quietly saving up this much?”

“Hehe!”

Yao Jun chuckled: “If I don’t save, how am I supposed to get married?”

Zhou Andong smiled: “Give me ten thousand tomorrow.”

“Sure!” Yao Jun didn’t hesitate.

The next day, Zhou Andong went to Gu Bing’s office, only to find Jian Qiu and An Jing already there—earlier than him.

“Did you bring the design drawings?” An Jing asked.

“I brought them!” Zhou Andong pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to An Jing.

An Jing took it, glanced, and her face darkened: “What is this?”

Zhou Andong said confidently, “It’s the renovation blueprint. You don’t understand it? Don’t blame me.”

Jian Qiu had been holding back, but hearing Zhou Andong’s tone and seeing his smug expression, she burst out laughing—ungracefully.

An Jing pointed angrily at the paper: “What are these circles and squares?”

Zhou Andong said, “Tables and chairs.”

An Jing pointed again: “And these two lines?”

“Aisles!” Zhou Andong shouted loudly. “You’re too dumb—you can’t see the empty space between them?”

An Jing took a deep breath, fighting the urge to scratch his face: “And what’s this?”

Zhou Andong said, “That’s the cash register. Behind it is the kitchen. This is the food pickup area. Here’s the kids’ play zone. This is the restroom…”

An Jing’s face turned completely black. She grabbed a pen from her desk and scribbled labels all over the drawing—she had to mark each zone with text, because she couldn’t understand the sketch at all, and without labels, she’d forget.

Zhou Andong said, “Go ahead and write. I’m going to chat with Chang Tai.”

Jian Qiu grabbed him: “You’re really going?”

“Of course!” Zhou Andong said. “I keep my word.”

Jian Qiu sighed and let him go, but added, “You can chat with him—but don’t hit him.”

“Relax!” Zhou Andong grinned. “I’d even feel dirty hitting him.”

That morning, Chang Tai walked into his office and his left eye began twitching nonstop. He poured himself tea to calm down, but his eye twitched even harder, leaving him restless.

As he sat uneasily, someone knocked on the office door. Before he could speak, the door swung open, and he saw a smiling face—his hand jerked violently, spilling tea from the cup.