Chapter 214: "Not the Boss Anymore? Switched Careers?
Chapter 214: Chapter 214: "Not the Boss Anymore? Switched Careers?
Fu Cheng was no longer the man he used to be. He was no longer the young master of the Fu Family, nor the top student at the military academy. A crippled Superpower User had no value to speak of.
If Fu Cheng went to use his connections now, he would just be burning through what little goodwill he had left.
This petty suppression only angered Shen Lu. It wasn’t as if she was powerless to resist.
What she and the people from the Commerce Association were after were fundamentally different, but they just didn’t know it.
’She doesn’t want my help?’
Fu Cheng felt terrible. He knew full well that Shen Lu was in trouble, yet she wouldn’t let him help.
"Don’t... don’t feel burdened. I’m willing," Fu Cheng did his best to convey his true feelings. "We’re partners, right?"
"Yes, but your main task is to focus on your recovery," Shen Lu replied smoothly. "This is just a small hiccup right now; I don’t need you to step in yet. When we face bigger trouble in the future, that will be your time to shine."
Shen Lu was quite experienced when it came to placating Fu Cheng.
And Fu Cheng, well, he always fell for it.
After the staff meal, Shen Lu went out for a stroll.
Boss Cao’s noodle stall had gone out of business. The spot where he used to set up was now empty. Only a few grease stains on the ground that couldn’t be washed away proved that a stall had once been here.
Shen Lu glanced over and then looked away. It was no surprise that Boss Cao couldn’t make it.
With his level of skill and his idea of service, the only reason his noodle shop had stayed open for years was that his customers were easy to fool.
Now that customers weren’t so easily fooled, his business naturally failed.
But soon enough, Shen Lu and Boss Cao met again.
"Hello, check out the grand opening sale at Fragrant Sky!"
A flyer was suddenly shoved into Shen Lu’s hand. The voice sounded strangely familiar, and when she turned her head, who should it be but Boss Cao?!
Boss Cao had traded his apron for a work uniform with "Fragrant Sky" printed on it and was energetically handing out flyers.
"Boss Cao?" Shen Lu said with a smirk. "Not a boss anymore? Changed careers?"
Boss Cao wasn’t the least bit annoyed. He gave a dry laugh. "For someone like me with no skill and no talent, being an employee is the safest bet."
On the surface, it was self-deprecation, but it was actually a veiled barb.
"Indeed. The hardest thing is to recognize your own limitations," Shen Lu shot back sarcastically. "For you to have this epiphany in middle age, Boss Cao, it’s not too late. Keep up the good work, strive to become a supervisor, and you’ll get promoted, get a raise, and reach the pinnacle of life."
’Fuck.’
Boss Cao cursed viciously in his heart. ’How can this young bitch be so sharp-tongued?’
Boss Cao’s smile was stiff. "Well, Boss Shen, you must be busy. I have to get back to work."
He couldn’t win an argument with her, but he could certainly avoid one.
Shen Lu continued on her way, wandering through a few of the nearby streets.
Fragrant Sky was a fast-food chain. As expected, it was a business belonging to either Mr. Sun or General Manager Chen.
The promotions were huge, and a large crowd had gathered to check it out. Shen Lu didn’t squeeze her way inside, just observed from the entrance.
The way you bought food at Fragrant Sky was different from her shop—they sold it by weight.
They offered a wider variety of dishes, but there were very few meat options, and frankly, the food didn’t look very appetizing.
There were only two Fragrant Sky chain stores on the nearby streets. After inspecting both, Shen Lu had a basic understanding of the situation.
Her actions were also reported to Mr. Sun and General Manager Chen.
Mr. Sun laughed. "She’s panicking. She must be panicking to come scout us out so eagerly."
General Manager Chen clapped his hands. "What good will panicking do? She’s just one person, and we have the entire Commerce Association behind us. A newborn calf truly doesn’t fear the tiger. It’s time to teach her a harsh lesson!"
...
In Boss Jin’s villa, Jin San paced restlessly around the living room.
"Can you please sit down?!" Boss Jin was getting annoyed by the pacing. "You’re making me dizzy walking back and forth."
"Bro." Jin San was in no state to sit down. "What exactly is your plan? I haven’t had any food that can soothe my Spiritual Sea in days. My head is killing me."
Before, when Shen Lu wasn’t mixing in local ingredients, Jin San would eat one meal a day, and his Spiritual Sea would feel comfortable all day long. There was no pain, no burning sensation, he slept soundly, his training was effective, and his power grew by leaps and bounds.
Ever since Little Deer Cuisine started using local ingredients, the soothing effect on his Spiritual Sea was almost gone. His Spiritual Sea had returned to its previous state, and the constant, dull ache was distracting and infuriating.
Boss Jin glanced at his brother. "If you’re that uncomfortable, go to a hospital and get it treated."
"That’s not the point! The point is we need to get Shen Lu’s supply channel, and fast!"
"You think I don’t know that?" Boss Jin sighed. "Jin San, I told you not to be so impatient."
"You keep saying not to be impatient, but then you pull all these pointless schemes. I really don’t get you!"
Boss Jin lit a cigar and took a puff. "Fine. I’ll tell you my plan. After you hear it, you’re going to behave yourself, stop bothering me every day, and don’t you dare ruin things for me."
Jin San’s eyes lit up. He immediately sat down on the sofa next to Boss Jin. "Okay, Bro, I’m listening."
"To deal with someone, you first have to figure out all their trump cards. What we’re doing now is probing for her secrets," Boss Jin explained, trying to simplify things. "Once they’ve forced her into a corner, I’ll step in and earn her goodwill. By then, that Shen girl’s guard will be way down. Then, with a little guidance from me, won’t I be able to coax the identity of that mysterious supplier out of her?"
"Besides, this Shen girl is skilled and pretty. Subduing her would be a huge benefit. Jin San, stop thinking about everything in terms of fighting and killing. Use your brain. You have to maximize the value of every person, understand?"
That’s right. Boss Jin didn’t just want to dig up the identity of Shen Lu’s mysterious ingredient supplier; he was also planning to take the woman for himself.
That was why he deliberately stayed out of it for now, letting Mr. Sun and General Manager Chen be the villains. Then, when they had driven Shen Lu to her wit’s end, he would make his appearance, play the part of the peacemaker, and rescue her from the mire.
Jin San pursed his lips. He still thought Boss Jin’s plan was too convoluted and a waste of time.
’Besides, how can you guarantee she’ll go along with your plan?’
Still, it wasn’t like he had any say in the matter.
He stood up, planning to go out for a walk. It was getting suffocating staying at home all the time.
"Don’t cause any trouble, Jin San," Boss Jin warned, seeing him about to leave. "Now is not the time to be throwing your weight around."
"I know. I won’t ruin your plan."
Jin San said sullenly. He wasn’t really interested in Shen Lu anyway; what he wanted was to see Xue Can suffer.
Speaking of which, Jin San licked his lips. He wondered if Lei Li had gone to cause trouble after he’d tipped her off last time. ’No, I should ask Jiang Hua and Liu Wei.’
Opening his Communication Device, Jin San sent a message to Jiang Hua and Liu Wei, arranging to meet them at a club on Gold Street.