Debts

Early the next morning, Jiang Feng boarded a flight to Beiping with Professor Li.

Jiang Feng knew almost nothing about property transfer procedures. He had looked them up online the night before, but barely understood any of it. Professor Li thoughtfully hired a lawyer for him as well, and after they got off the plane, he took Jiang Feng all over the place to sign the necessary paperwork.

The lawyer reviewed the documents and agreements and found no issues. It was practically a half-sale, half-gift. After two full days of running around, Jiang Feng signed the agreement in the presence of both parties' lawyers and the notary office.

Holding the IOU worth 300 million in his hands, Jiang Feng was overcome with mixed emotions.

The contract specified no repayment deadline, no concrete repayment requirements, and did not mention interest at all.

Over the past few days, Jiang Feng had also realized that Professor Li might genuinely not want him to repay the money. He truly did not care about such a small sum. But a debt was still a debt, especially when Professor Li had lowered the price so drastically.

There were many rumors about Professor Li at A University. People said he came from a prominent Beiping family, that he was the only son of several generations, that his family owned several homes in the capital, and even had a courtyard residence.

All of it was true.

Li Mingyi's grandfather had been a Hanlin scholar, while his great-grandfather had held an official post of the third rank. When his father was young, he attended a private school, studied the eight-legged essay, and even passed the Juren examination. Later, the imperial examination system was abolished, so he received a modern Western education, studied abroad, returned home to establish factories and engage in charity work, and became a renowned figure in his day. Even Li Mingyi himself attended university in China before fleeing overseas during the War of Resistance, where he studied abroad as well. Even Jiang Huiqin earned a bachelor's degree in finance overseas.

After reform and opening up, the government returned the Li Family's property. Naturally, it was impossible to return the factories, but all the real estate was given back. The antiques that had once been in those homes were nowhere to be found, but together with the compensation payment, it was still an astronomical fortune for an ordinary family. Professor Li told Jiang Feng that his family had originally owned six courtyard residences. Later, when they were demolished, they received more than a dozen apartments in compensation, all of which were rented out.

Jiang Feng: ...

Wasn't this branch of the family they had acknowledged a little too illustrious?

Professor Li took Jiang Feng to Tai Feng Lou.

The area where Tai Feng Lou stood had been completely transformed into a commercial district, surrounded by massive shopping malls. Only Tai Feng Lou remained, an old-fashioned restaurant. It was not as though no real estate developers had ever coveted the land, but Professor Li's family did not lack money. They had originally planned to keep Tai Feng Lou as a memento for Li Mingyi. Now that they were transferring it to Jiang Feng, the couple instead felt that it was being returned to its rightful owner and put to good use.

The first time Jiang Feng saw Tai Feng Lou, he felt that it looked somewhat out of place beside the surrounding buildings.

It was not because one was modern while the other imitated an ancient style. Tai Feng Lou was simply far too old. Jiang Feng even saw two young women who clearly seemed to be tourists from elsewhere taking pictures of Tai Feng Lou from a distance, posing as though they were photographing a scenic attraction.

Professor Li's entire family had settled in A City. Although they had hired people to maintain the place regularly, they rarely came to Beiping, so the caretakers did not put much effort into it. After years of exposure to wind and sun, the entire restaurant had deteriorated badly. If it was not renovated, it would definitely be impossible to reopen for business in its current state.

"Professor, if Tai Feng Lou is completely renovated and redecorated..." Jiang Feng asked.

"I know a construction crew, but if we do that, it will cost at least a few million," Professor Li said.

Never mind a few million—Jiang Feng could not even come up with a few hundred. The Jiang Family was now 300 million in debt!

Before he left, Old Master Jiang had made it very clear to Jiang Feng: since Li Mingyi had specifically designated Jiang Feng as the recipient of Tai Feng Lou, he had to shoulder the responsibility. The elders could help with the work involved in Tai Feng Lou, but they absolutely could not contribute money.

In other words, Jiang Feng would have to earn the renovation costs through his own abilities.

And Jiang Feng felt that earning a few million through Jiang Jiankang and Comrade Wang Xiulian was not very realistic either.

Professor Li had originally wanted to cover the renovation costs too, because he privately believed that his father's wish was to see Tai Feng Lou reopen and continue operating. But Old Master Jiang Weiguo's attitude was exceedingly firm. The Jiang Family had already accepted a tremendous favor from the Li Family by shamelessly taking Tai Feng Lou. If they borrowed more money, he feared he would be too ashamed to continue associating with the Li Family as relatives.

Professor Li was also very curious what method Jiang Feng would use to reopen Tai Feng Lou.

Professor Li led Jiang Feng inside.

Tai Feng Lou was even larger than he had imagined.

It had three floors, with private rooms and partitioned areas fully equipped. In such a prosperous location with such heavy foot traffic, it would definitely have more than enough customers once it opened.

300 million.

Professor Li had really gone to great lengths, thinking up so many reasons to discount the restaurant until its price had been slashed all the way down to 300 million.

They did not stay long, since they still had a flight to catch. Professor Li had taken so many days off that the classes he owed were piling up like a mountain.

After returning to A City, Jiang Feng gave the property ownership documents for Tai Feng Lou to Jiang Weiguo. The old man stored them away with utmost care and, for the first time in his life, went to the bank to rent a safe-deposit box.

Now, whether it was the Good Taste Culinary Competition, the several million needed for renovations, or the 300 million debt hanging over his head, everything reminded Jiang Feng that it was time for him to hone his cooking skills.

If he did not hone his cooking skills, he would not even be able to repay the money.

If he did not hone his cooking skills, Tai Feng Lou would become a joke even if it reopened.

That evening, after returning to his dormitory, Jiang Feng opened his status panel. Under the options for A Memory from Jiang Weiguo in the item inventory, he clicked yes.

The next second, he heard the sound of flowing water.

And...

Why was everything shaking so much?!

Before Jiang Feng could even make out what was beside him, he landed hard on the ground on his backside.