Debt Owed

The next morning, Jiang Feng and Professor Li boarded a plane to Beiping.

Jiang Feng knew almost nothing about the property transfer procedures. He hadn't understood much of what he'd looked up online the previous night. Professor Li, being very thoughtful, had also hired a lawyer for him. After they landed, he took Jiang Feng around to sign the paperwork.

The lawyer had reviewed the documents and found no issues; the deal was practically a giveaway. After two full days of work, Jiang Feng signed the agreement under the witness of both parties' lawyers and a notary public.

Holding the three-hundred-million-yuan IOU, Jiang Feng was filled with mixed emotions.

The contract didn't specify a repayment deadline or any particular repayment terms, and it didn't mention interest at all.

Furthermore, over these past few days, Jiang Feng realized that Professor Li genuinely didn't want him to repay the money, as he truly didn't care about it. However, debts still needed to be repaid, especially considering how much Professor Li had discounted the price.

There were many rumors about Professor Li at A University. Some said he was descended from a prominent Beiping family, the sole heir of a lineage spanning generations, and that his family owned several properties in the capital, even a courtyard house.

All of this was true.

Li Mingyi's grandfather was a Hanlin scholar, and his great-grandfather held a third-rank official position. His father, in his youth, studied classical Chinese and passed the imperial examinations to become a Juren. Later, when the examination system was abolished, he embraced Western education, studied abroad, and upon his return, started factories and engaged in philanthropy; he was a renowned figure in his time. Li Mingyi himself, after graduating from university in China, took refuge abroad during the War of Resistance and continued his studies. Even Jiang Huiqin had earned a bachelor's degree in finance overseas.

After the reform and opening-up, the government returned the Li family's assets. Naturally, the factories couldn't be returned, but all the properties were. The antiques within the houses had vanished without a trace, and with the compensation, it amounted to an astronomical sum for an ordinary family. Professor Li told Jiang Feng that his family originally owned six courtyard houses, and later, due to demolition and resettlement, they received over a dozen apartments, all of which were rented out.

Jiang Feng: "..."

Was their family perhaps too distinguished for this connection?

Professor Li led Jiang Feng to Tai Feng Lou.

The area where Tai Feng Lou was located had been completely redeveloped into a commercial district, surrounded by large shopping malls. Tai Feng Lou stood alone as a traditional-style restaurant. Over the years, real estate developers had indeed set their sights on this land, but Professor Li's family had no shortage of money. They had initially intended to keep Tai Feng Lou as a memento for Li Mingyi. Now, transferring it to Jiang Feng felt like returning it to its rightful owner and making the best use of it.

The first time Jiang Feng saw Tai Feng Lou, he felt it was out of place compared to the surrounding buildings.

It wasn't just a matter of modern versus traditional; Tai Feng Lou was simply too old. Jiang Feng even saw two young girls, clearly tourists, taking photos of Tai Feng Lou from a distance, as if they were photographing a scenic historical site.

Professor Li's entire family resided in A City. Although they had hired professionals for regular maintenance, the caretakers weren't particularly diligent since the family rarely visited Beiping. Years of exposure to the elements had severely aged the entire building. It would be impossible to open for business without a complete renovation.

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

"I know some construction teams, but if we do it properly, it will cost at least a few million," Professor Li replied.

Forget millions; Jiang Feng couldn't even come up with a few hundred yuan. The Jiang family was currently three hundred million yuan in debt!

Before leaving, Old Master Jiang had clearly instructed Jiang Feng that since Li Mingyi had specifically designated Tai Feng Lou for him, he should take responsibility. While the elders could help with the effort, they absolutely could not contribute financially to Tai Feng Lou.

This meant that the renovation costs would have to be earned by Jiang Feng himself.

Moreover, Jiang Feng felt that relying on Jiang Jiankang and Wang Xiulian for a few million was unrealistic.

Professor Li had initially intended to cover the renovation costs as well, as he privately believed his father's wish was to see Tai Feng Lou reopened and operating again. However, Old Master Jiang Weiguo's stance was very firm. Accepting Tai Feng Lou, even with its steep discount, already put the Jiang family deeply in debt to the Li family. Borrowing more money would make him too ashamed to maintain the familial relationship with the Li family.

Professor Li was also curious about how Jiang Feng would manage to reopen Tai Feng Lou.

Professor Li led Jiang Feng inside.

Tai Feng Lou was larger than he had imagined.

It had three floors, with private rooms and compartments. In such a prime location with high foot traffic, as long as it opened, customer flow would certainly be abundant.

Three hundred million yuan.

It was truly difficult for Professor Li, who had come up with so many reasons to discount the building, ultimately settling on three hundred million.

They didn't linger, as they had to catch their flight. Professor Li had taken so much time off that his backlog of lectures was piling up like a mountain.

Back in A City, Jiang Feng handed the property ownership certificate of Tai Feng Lou to Jiang Weiguo. The old man treasured it immensely, even going so far as to open a safe deposit box at the bank for it.

Now, whether it was the Good Taste Culinary Competition, the millions needed for renovation, or the three-hundred-million-yuan debt hanging over his head, it all served as a reminder to Jiang Feng that he needed to hone his culinary skills.

Without improving his cooking, he wouldn't even be able to repay the debt.

Without improving his cooking, Tai Feng Lou, even if reopened, would become a joke.

That evening, back in his dorm, Jiang Feng opened his status panel and clicked "yes" on the option under [A Memory from Jiang Weiguo] in the item inventory.

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

And...

Why was it so shaky!

Before Jiang Feng could get a clear look at his surroundings, he fell onto the floor with a thud.