The Truth Is Sweet

"Slap~"

Li Ye slapped Li Dayong on the forehead.

"Did you finish the problems I gave you today?"

"Did you write the three essays I assigned last night?"

"Did you memorize the English words I told you to memorize?"

"You're going to follow them to the provincial capital to take the university entrance exam for me next year?"

This barrage of questions almost made Li Dayong shut down.

In the past, Li Dayong's grades were better than Li Ye's, but he never showed off his academic prowess in front of Li Ye, always careful not to hurt Li Ye's self-esteem.

But now the tables had turned. Li Ye, for some unknown reason, had suddenly made huge academic progress. He'd corner Li Dayong and "force-feed" him problems like cramming a duck.

If Li Dayong still didn't understand after two explanations, the contemptuous look in Li Ye's eyes could make Li Dayong die of shame.

After the shame, Li Dayong felt grateful. His grades were so bad, and his brother was genuinely helping him.

But now they were all working together to make money, even taking his bicycle to haul goods, and they were keeping it from him and not letting him join. No matter how generous and open-minded Li Dayong was, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

After spitting in Li Dayong's face, Li Ye said hatefully, "Didn't I borrow your bicycle? Why aren't you coming with us? Your bicycle is considered an investment. You'll get your share of the profits later."

Li Dayong was shocked and quickly said, "Brother, I'm not doing this for money, I'm not asking you for money, I..."

It was true that Li Ye had borrowed his bicycle to transport goods, but he had traded it for a 26-inch Phoenix bicycle. If he were to take money based on this reason now, wouldn't that be slapping himself in the face?

"Of course, I know you, Li Dayong, aren't greedy for money."

Li Ye held Li Dayong, who was eager to stand up, and said seriously, "We're all brothers. For this endeavor, everyone contributes people, effort, and shares in the blessings. Making money and spending it together is what makes us close."

"Brother, I really didn't..." Li Dayong was almost crying with anxiety. He really wasn't thinking about money.

Li Ye waved his hand and said to the people present, "Actually, I have a few things I want to say to everyone today.

Maybe you guys think money is very important right now. But years from now, when you look back, you'll realize money is nothing."

"..."

Hao Jian, who had a smile on his face, was stunned. Jin Peng, who was clever and sharp, was stunned. Even Wang Jianqiang, whose mind was filled with "This lamb soup is so delicious," was stunned.

Money is nothing?

Then please add more. I'll take it here. I won't ask for much, just give me a little.

But at this moment, the atmosphere had been completely controlled by Li Ye.

The eyes of the four people followed Li Ye's gestures, his words, his aura, and their moods were gradually colored, their hearts filled with the word "loyalty."

Li Ye ordered a bottle of white wine and poured two liang for each of them and himself.

"I just hope that one day in the future, when you want to do certain things, you'll remember this bowl of lamb soup here, remember the days when we were sincere and helped each other, and then decide what you should do."

"Come, bottoms up!"

"..."

"Bottoms up!"

"Bottoms up!"

Hao Jian and the others didn't understand Li Ye's words, but they all downed their wine in one gulp.

Many years later, whenever they recalled Li Ye's words at this moment, they would sigh with gratitude for their good fortune, thinking, if not for Li Ye...

Two liang of wine doesn't make you drunk, but it certainly livens things up.

After the meal, Hao Jian insisted on paying the bill and then exchanged a look with Li Ye.

Li Ye and Hao Jian left first, while Jin Peng took Li Dayong and Wang Jianqiang to watch a movie.

"We sold a total of 186 jin and 6 liang of malt candy today. I rounded down some of the change for them, totaling 111 yuan and 6 jiao. After we ate one and a half jin of fried dough sticks in the provincial capital this morning, we had 109 yuan and 4 mao left. Deducting the cost, the remaining balance is 61 yuan and 3 mao and 6 fens. What do you think we should do with this money?"

Hao Jian took out a small notebook where he recorded the accounts. Although not very formal, it was clear.

This was a good sign. If Hao Jian, the market developer, were to play tricks or create confusing accounts, then this startup team would be close to disbanding.

Li Ye said, "What do you want to do?"

Hao Jian licked his lips and said, "Technically, you invested the capital, and now that we've made money, you should get 50 first.

But they need the candy urgently in the provincial capital. Our current volume of one or two hundred jin at a time is too small. I think we should owe you for now..."

Li Ye nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll talk to my classmate tomorrow and let you use that 26-inch Phoenix bicycle too. That way, we can transport two loads at a time.

From now on, I won't rush you for the money, so you don't need to worry about withdrawing the capital. Just focus on expanding production and the market."

If Hao Jian and the other two were to carry four hundred jin of candy, they would need two bicycles. This meant the third person would need a separate vehicle.

"Okay then," Hao Jian put away his notebook and said, "If the next few trips go smoothly, I propose we buy a handcart. We can tow it with two bicycles, and transporting eight or nine hundred jin won't be a problem."

Hao Jian hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Were you serious about letting that classmate invest just now?"

Li Ye slanted his eyes and said indifferently, "What, you object?"

Hao Jian's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "No, how could I object? I'm just afraid that if there are too many people, we won't make enough to compensate you."

What Hao Jian really wanted to say was, Is this you partnering with me in business, or are you trying to help out your brothers? Are they ever going to end?

But Li Ye's gaze made him afraid to speak the truth. If he still harbored resentment from being "ordered" to the provincial capital by Li Ye a few days ago, he was now filled with anxiety about losing out.

After counting the money from selling candy three times that morning, Hao Jian's heart had warmed up.

One trip to the provincial capital earned sixty, two trips earned one hundred and twenty. If he ran ten trips in a month, that would be six hundred yuan.

Six hundred yuan!

Even if he got a hundred yuan, they could build a large tiled house in a few months.

But with such huge profits, wouldn't Li Ye be tempted?

Looking at Jin Peng's shrewd expression, Hao Jian was very afraid of being kicked out of this small group by Li Ye, especially since he felt he wasn't indispensable.

So he felt he should show more value, be a good chief steward who managed both income and expenses, and then...

"If we don't make enough to compensate, it's my money anyway. Why are you so anxious?"

Li Ye shot Hao Jian a look, with a hint of sarcasm, "Are you actually wondering how we'll split the profits from this business?"

Hao Jian was caught off guard by his mind being read and said sheepishly, "I... If it doesn't work, you can just pay me a salary. You're the boss anyway."

Li Ye glanced at him, dismissively saying, "Then it's four-six! You get four, I get six."

Hao Jian froze for a few seconds and mumbled, "Four-six? You get four, I get six?"

Li Ye rolled his eyes and retorted coldly, "What? Do you want me to get four and you get six?"

Hao Jian waved his hands frantically and said nervously, "No, no, no, I get four, you get six. I get four, you get six is fine."

"Tch~"

Li Ye chuckled and said, "I know you think it's too much. But I can tell you something: Don't be jealous of your subordinates earning more, because the more they earn, the more you earn."

This wasn't Li Ye's original saying; it was something a self-made business magnate from his past life had told him. Based on Li Ye's experience, this saying was still applicable, at least during the initial stage of team formation.

Subordinates?

He considers me a subordinate?

But... that's good too.

Hao Jian didn't know what "true fragrance" meant, but at this moment, his anxious heart finally settled down completely.

Good times were coming!