Chapter 117

"Second brother, I heard from second sister-in-law that Damao is back?" The two were chatting when He Yuzhu's excited voice came from outside.

"Brother Zhu, I'm back." Hearing He Yuzhu's voice, Xu Damao hurriedly rose to go out.

"Not bad, kid. Looks like you're doing well—just from that sharp outfit you can tell your life's not bad." He Yuzhu joked.

"Not bad, enough to get by." Xu Damao also understood He Yuzhu's personality and didn't get angry at his teasing.

"Did you come back alone, or did your wife and kids come too?" He Yuzhu asked.

"This time it's me and Xiao'e who came back first."

"Fine. As long as you're back, I'll cook some hearty dishes tonight so we can have a good get-together." He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Sure, that's also what Strong Brother meant by having you come over." Xu Damao said.

"Brother Zhu, what delicious dishes are you planning to make for us tonight?" As He Yuzhu finished speaking, Lou Xiao'e's voice came from behind.

"Lou Xiao'e"—upon hearing the voice, everyone noticed that Lou Xiao'e had also come to Li Qiang's home.

"Strong Brother, sister-in-law, Brother Zhu," Lou Xiao'e enthusiastically greeted everyone.

"Xiao'e, you've changed so much that if I saw you on the street I wouldn't dare recognize you." Zhou Rong stepped forward, took Lou Xiao'e's hand, and said.

"Sister-in-law, you haven't changed much either," the stylishly dressed Lou Xiao'e said with a smile.

"No way, you're getting old," Zhou Rong said with a laugh.

"You're not old at all—your skin is still great and your figure hasn't changed." When women get together, they really do talk about nothing but clothes, skin, and figure.

"Alright, let's go inside and chat." Zhou Rong felt a bit embarrassed by Lou Xiao'e's remarks. After all, her thinking was still traditional; Lou Xiao'e had seen a different world over the years in Hong Kong, so chatting about these topics was normal. Yet Zhou Rong couldn't accept it right away. She felt quite embarrassed, especially with several men present.

"You guys chat first; I'll go prepare a welcome dinner for Damao and Xiao'e tonight." He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Then thank you, Brother Zhu," Xu Mao said.

"What's with all the formality among us? No need for pleasantries—just wait for tonight's meal." He Yuzhu said with a smile.

Li Qiang and his wife brought Xu Damao and his wife into the house, and Zhou Rong hurriedly poured another cup of water for Lou Xiao'e.

"Xiao'e, just now I talked with Strong Brother about our plan to build a bicycle factory; he fully agreed with our idea and even suggested we could later produce motorcycles and cars." Xu Damao said excitedly.

"Strong Brother, when we came back my father specifically told me to listen carefully to your opinion this time. Since you also support our factory plan, I won't stand on ceremony. Without you back then, our family would have been ruined. When we went to Hong Kong, we started our business in the industry you advised my father to choose, and everything we have today is largely thanks to you." Lou Xiao'e said gratefully.

"Xiao'e, don't say that. Back then I just advised you to leave; it was unavoidable. As for what you did in Hong Kong, that's entirely your own keen judgment—don't credit me. I merely gave Factory Director Lou a suggestion." Li Qiang said modestly.

"Strong Brother, how is the steel mill doing now?" Lou Xiao'e asked.

"About the same. The factory's equipment and technology are outdated, its benefits are poor, and I'm currently planning to take early retirement and start something on my own. With the country's improved policies, now is a good time to go into business." Li Qiang said truthfully.

"Strong Brother, since you're thinking of going into business, why don't we cooperate? I'll hire you as the director of our new factory; we won't interfere with management, and you'll have full say over factory affairs. Besides, I'll give you a thirty percent share." Lou Xiao'e said generously.

"Xiao'e, let me think about that offer. As for the thirty percent share you mentioned, I really can't accept it." Li Qiang said with a smile.

"Strong Brother, let me put it this way: whether you join our factory or not, you'll still get that thirty percent share—it's my father's demand. He said without you we wouldn't have what we have today, and this share is just a token of our gratitude." Lou Xiao'e said sincerely.

"Alright, since you've put it that way, if I refuse again it would seem ungrateful. If your inspection goes smoothly and the factory gets built, I'll accept your invitation." Li Qiang said after thinking.

"Strong Brother, then let me wish us a pleasant cooperation in advance." Lou Xiao'e is no longer the former Lou Xiao'e; her every word and deed exude the aura of a strong woman.

"Pleasant cooperation," Li Qiang said, shaking Lou Xiao'e's outstretched hand.

That evening He Yuzhu cooked a table full of dishes, and Li Bin and his wife also came.

"Brother Zhu, your culinary skills are too good to be wasted not running a restaurant." Xu Damao said after taking a bite.

"I've long advised him to go out on his own, but now the factory's benefits are poor and he still won't listen," Yu Li said resentfully.

"At least he's a cafeteria head now. Even if the factory's doing badly, he's still a great worker; going into business aside from whether we have the funds, we'd still have to take risks," He Yuzhu said with a laugh. As he ages, He Yuzhu's personality has become much steadier.

"Brother Zhu, let's discuss something," Lou Xiao'e said with a smile.

"What is it? Say it—given our relationship, if you need my help just speak up directly, no need to be polite." He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Let's collaborate once—since sister-in-law also wants you to go into business, here's what I think: I'll invest, you handle management, and we'll open a restaurant together, splitting the profits fifty-fifty." Lou Xiao'e's judgment is still excellent.

"Sounds good," Li Qiang said with a smile. He recalled that in the original story, Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng had once opened a restaurant, even hiring Shazhu as the chef. But back then the couple were too scheming, they eventually drove Shazhu away, leaving only his disciple Fatty, whose skills paled in comparison, and the restaurant went under. Now that Yu Li is married to He Yuzhu, she hasn't learned the Yan family's scheming ways; combined with her shrewd competence and He Yuzhu's culinary talent, the restaurant would be hard-pressed not to make money.

"Second brother, don't think opening a restaurant is no big deal just because it's lively—small ventures won't make money, big ones require huge investment, and what if we lose?" He Yuzhu shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Brother Zhu, you might not know this, but I've already told Strong Brother that we plan to build a bicycle factory together, with him as the factory director." Xu Damao said with a smile.

"Second brother, is that really true?" He Yuzhu asked.

"It's true, Brother Zhu. With your skills, opening a restaurant would definitely do well—just open a Sichuan cuisine place specializing in Sichuan dishes." Li Qiang nodded.

"Brother Zhu, Strong Brother already said it's fine—don't you believe him?" Lou Xiao'e said, seizing the moment.

"I trust second brother," He Yuzhu said, having always placed unconditional trust in Li Qiang.

"All right, then it's settled—later I'll build a bicycle factory with Strong Brother, and open a Sichuan restaurant with Brother Zhu. Here's to our pleasant cooperation!" Lou Xiao'e said happily, raising her wine cup.

"Pleasant cooperation," the others also exclaimed happily, raising their cups.

End of book.

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