The Greatest Joy on Earth

The Mid-Autumn Festival is followed immediately by National Day.

With National Day just a few weeks away, Zhang Yang decided not to rush back to Magic City and planned to go back after the holiday.

In the past few weeks, he has not only firmly established himself at the Four Seasons Hotel, completely taking control of this landmark in Yinghai, but has also gained considerable renown in Yinghai's business circles.

Who doesn't know Chairman Zhang of the Four Seasons Hotel?

All in all, this trip was well worth it.

At Haiqin Restaurant, the business continues to thrive, with word-of-mouth recommendations from many of Yinghai's Gourmet making it incredibly popular.

It's the taste of home for someone far from home.

It's the top choice for gatherings with colleagues and friends during breaks and leisure time.

It's a late-night diner, but also a glimpse into the everyday life of ordinary people...

With its immense popularity, Haiqin Restaurant has become so popular that it has no friends left. As a result, several nearby restaurants are all in dire straits.

Under these circumstances, Zhang Zhaohai and his wife began preparing for their second store.

This time, the location was chosen to be Dongyuan Road, a well-known restaurant street in Yinghai.

On Dongyuan Road, various restaurants are clustered together, including the long-established high-end restaurant Yinghai, which has been open for more than ten years.

"Our shop is in an absolutely prime location; you can start operating as soon as you take over," the original owner said enthusiastically, practically drooling with anticipation.

Zhang Zhaohai and Song Wenqin stood in front of the brand-new restaurant for a long time.

This shop doesn't seem to have been open for very long; it has all the necessary facilities and kitchen equipment, so you can really start operating right away.

Moreover, the place is large enough.

If this restaurant opens, it will be enough to draw all the diners who couldn't fit at the first Haiqin Restaurant to this second location.

"With such a good location, how could you not take it?" Zhang Zhaohai suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, the shop owner looked a little embarrassed and looked away without giving a direct response.

Song Wenqin, however, understood the situation and revealed the truth.

"Look at Dongyuan Road, those old shops have remained unchanged for so many years, while other shops have come and gone like a revolving door. What do you think is the reason?"

"The competition is too fierce? We can't compete?" Zhang Zhaohai pondered.

"That's the reason. So think it over carefully, whether or not you want to open the second branch of Haiqin Restaurant on Dongyuan Road." Song Wenqin asked Zhang Zhaohai seriously, "If we can establish a foothold on Dongyuan Road, it will be very meaningful for our family, but if we fail, we'll end up like this place today."

"Open it, we must open it, right on Dongyuan Road!" Zhang Zhaohai said decisively without hesitation, displaying a strong sense of ambition.

"Alright, let's talk then." Song Wenqin nodded.

A moment later, the couple approached the shop owner and continued their discussion about the transfer fee.

About half an hour later, the shop owner was probably in a real hurry to sell the shop.

The two sides finally reached an agreement.

Later that evening, Bentley and Maybach drove away from the restaurant, which was formerly known as Yinghai Flavor.

The hotel next door, not far away.

The shop owner and his wife came out and watched the departing car from afar.

"Someone's already taken it over? Wow! Bentley? Maybach? Who's the new buyer?" The proprietress couldn't hide her amazement.

The old shops on Dongyuan Road have remained steadfast for so many years, and they must be confident in their abilities.

However, they were also afraid that a powerful new business would come and stir up trouble on Dongyuan Road! A strong new business taking over the company was not a good thing for anyone.

··

Inside the Four Seasons Hotel office, Zhang Yang was not idle.

Although he was physically in Yinghai, he was managing his various businesses remotely.

As the big boss, he doesn't necessarily have to be meticulous about every detail, but the overall direction of the formation, under his control, will certainly not go wrong.

However, Zhang Yang also admitted that it wasn't that he was particularly capable, but rather that the system was powerful, and the experience books provided by the system were invaluable. With this experience empowering him, he could manage the various businesses under his name with remarkable ease.

The physical industries, including hotels, office buildings, and commercial streets, are actually not something to worry about.

The only things he needs to pay attention to are Cloud Sea Capital and Soup King Hotpot.

Cloud Sea Capital has made the most of its resources, with no waste whatsoever, whether it's the 300 million yuan annual investment amount or the 100 million yuan annual operating capital.

Moreover, Zhou Zhaodong's ability and loyalty as CEO are absolutely reliable, so he can actually let go of him.

Since Soup King Hotpot introduced the concept of product-centricity, all its stores have upgraded and implemented it, striving for excellence in their dishes, ensuring that every piece of tripe, beef, mutton, and potato has a story to tell.

Thanks to the spontaneous promotion by various online influencers and the deliberate marketing efforts of Soup King Hotpot.

The most obvious manifestation of this is in the table turnover and flow rate.

It really is a straight upward trend.

Many business centers across the country have proactively offered their services, extending olive branches and promising rent reductions and other incentives to attract tenants.

However, Zhang Yang managed to stay calm.

The strategy of only opening stores in first-tier and new first-tier cities remains unchanged, and the stores will only be located in well-known business districts.

As for full-scale expansion, each new store must be supported by sufficient profits. Simply opening more stores blindly without increasing the revenue of each individual store is definitely not going to work.

Therefore, just like product-centric thinking, the dishes must be perfected. He requires every Soup King Hotpot to be perfected and will never open a store lightly.

His goal is to make Soup King Hotpot a hot commodity.

It's become the kind of place where every new store opening is eagerly anticipated by countless locals.

"Chairman Zhang, Chairman Zhang, when are you coming back?" Bai Xiaomi looked expectantly at the screen in the video.

"If I don't go back, you'll have nothing to do? Do you want me to arrange something for you?" Zhang Yang said with amusement.

"No... I have things to do, I have a lot of things to do. When you weren't at the company, Chairman Zhang, I asked General Manager Zhou for work. I've been busy at the company these past few days." Bai Jingyi raised her hand to assure him.

"I don't really believe Zhou Zhaodong can arrange any work for you," Zhang Yang shook his head.

Throughout the company, from Zhou Zhaodong down to every employee, who wouldn't give Bai Jingyi some face? After all, she was someone close to the chairman.

Who would dare assign her any heavy or strenuous work?

They're probably just doing menial tasks.

"Really..." Bai Jingyi smiled a little shyly.

"Alright, I know you want to do well. I'll give you a chance when we get back," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Instantly, Bai Xiaomi's eyes lit up in the video.

The bookstore near Little Sweet Girl's place has been incredibly popular since its grand opening, with various prepaid cards being used to fill up the shelves.

There's still a chance to pocket a few million.

On weekdays, office workers from the surrounding buildings often sit in the shop after get off work or at lunchtime, order a coffee, read a book, and chat.

Anyway, with this bookstore and cafe, driving her Panamera every day, and living in Lakeville Regency, the young woman is living a fulfilling and enjoyable life.

Lunch was served personally by Anderson, as usual.

These days, while Zhang Yang is making sweeping changes to the Four Seasons Hotel, both inside and out, he is also observing the hotel's GM.

Humans cannot withstand scrutiny.

He took a closer look at Anderson and found that he was relatively clean, although as the hotel's general manager, he would inevitably have some dealings with various suppliers and stakeholders.

But there aren't any large ones.

Moreover, Anderson's abilities are indeed outstanding, as evidenced by the previous performance of the Yinghai Four Seasons Hotel.

In addition, in the past few days, Anderson indeed been quite sincere and his attitude has been quite appropriate and proper when facing him.

Zhang Yang has, for the time being, passed the evaluation.

"Chairman Zhang, some fresh Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs just arrived. I steamed two for you to try. Um... shall I help you dismantle the crabs, or should I ask Xiao Wu over there in the front?"

Xiao Wu was a young woman who had just come in from the front hall. She was a recent graduate of Jinling Tourism Institute and was very pretty.

In the past few days, every time Zhang Yang came back, he would exchange a few words with this young girl in the front hall, but unexpectedly, Anderson noticed it.

"Xiao Wu, I guess," Zhang Yang said casually.

Anderson immediately understood, readily agreed, and left first.

A short while later, there was a gentle knock on the door, and Xiao Wu from the front hall peeked in, "Chairman Zhang."

"Come in," Zhang Yang beckoned.

This young woman, who had just graduated, was naturally incredibly youthful and radiant, with a fair complexion so fair that you could see the fine veins on her skin, and a blush that frequently appeared on her cheeks.

On the table are ginger and vinegar sauce and Shaoxing wine.

Xiao Wu stood to the side, stretching out her slender, white hands to gently peel away the crab roe and meat.

Zhang Yang didn't consider himself particularly valuable, but since he had the means to enjoy it, why not?

The crab meat was very fresh, and the crab roe and crab paste were very rich.

Paired with a refreshing ginger and vinegar sauce, it's absolutely divine.

Towards the end of the meal, Xiao Wu personally shredded some crab meat and fed it to him, giving Zhang Yang a new perspective on the phrase "food served to him."

That afternoon, the sunshine, the beautiful scenery, and the delicious hairy crabs all left a deep impression on him.

In the afternoon, Zhang Yang left the Four Seasons Hotel and drove directly to Li Xiaoxuan's place.

Knowing he was going, Li Xiaoxuan specially arranged for the shop assistants to be on duty at the store early today, while she went home early to wait for him to arrive.

It's the same building, the same floor.

The door opened, and a face as beautiful as a peach blossom came into view.

"Mr. Zhang, you're here." Li Xiaoxuan had been eagerly waiting for this moment.

Zhang Yang looked at the beautiful, mature face in front of her, and at the floral dress that accentuated her curves.

He immediately smiled, put his arm around her, and closed the door.

Throughout the afternoon, after several rounds of lovemaking, Zhang Yang showed no signs of fatigue, lingering deeply in the mature and gentle embrace of this single mother.

The sun is about to set.

Zhang Yang gazed at Li Xiaoxuan's fair and delicate back, watching her put on a strapless bra with her back to him. Inevitably, scenes from the afternoon replayed in his mind.

A fair back, long, disheveled black hair...

"Mr. Zhang, what are you looking at?" Li Xiaoxuan suddenly turned around and smiled, exuding charm.

Zhang Yang smiled but didn't reply.

"Want a cigarette afterward?" Li Xiaoxuan opened a pack of cigarettes she had specially bought, gently unwrapped it, and affectionately leaned over to offer him one.

With a snap.

The cigarette was lit.

Zhang Yang took a couple of light puffs, gently holding Li Xiaoxuan in his arms, his eyes unfocused, but his heart was suddenly completely relaxed.

It truly is true that if you have no worries on your mind, then every day is a good day.

Zhang Yang sometimes even thinks that many years later, when he recalls the most relaxing and ultimate enjoyment of his life, this day will surely hold a place in his memories.

"Oh right, I still need to pick up the kids." Li Xiaoxuan lay down for a while, then suddenly sat up as if she remembered something.

"But, in the shop..."

She muttered to herself, a little annoyed.

"How about this..." Zhang Yang suddenly laughed, "If you're not worried, I'll go pick up the child."

"Huh? Mr. Zhang, you're going to pick him up?" Li Xiaoxuan was stunned.

"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"No, no." Li Xiaoxuan suddenly leaned in, her eyes full of joy and tenderness, and gave Zhang Yang a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm so, so happy, I'll be happy all day, all week."

"So easily satisfied?" Zhang Yang was immediately surprised.

"Mr. Zhang, you are my ideal man. Even if only a ray of your moonlight shines on me, I will be content." Li Xiaoxuan murmured softly as she hugged Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang gently patted Li Xiaoxuan on the back.

To be honest, what Li Xiaoxuan brought him was not just her mature and charming body; the emotional value of this single hot mom was also immense.

I don't think I'm lying.

Even though Zhang Yang was fully aware of the situation and remained rationally clear-headed, he still benefited from it nonetheless.

A moment later, Li Xiaoxuan called the kindergarten and explained the situation to the teacher in detail.

"Mr. Zhang, I've already spoken to the teacher. You can just pick Tongtong up directly when the time comes, and then, if it's convenient for you, could you drop her off here?"

"I know, but there's no rush. I can take the kids out for a meal first," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Li Xiaoxuan gently rested her head on Zhang Yang's chest, and suddenly, as if possessed, said, "If you become a father in the future, you will definitely be the best father in the world."

Zhang Yang was taken aback when he heard this.

Be a dad?

Yes, he'll be a father someday too.

With whom? Who is the child's mother?

Everything is still uncertain.

At twenty-five, it's only the beginning.

Zhang Yang spent a few more tender moments with Li Xiaoxuan in her house before getting up and getting dressed.

A moment later, Li Xiaoxuan set off first to the store.

Her shop was incredibly busy; every night, there was a constant stream of people delivering drinks and alcohol, and she didn't feel comfortable leaving it unattended.

As for Zhang Yang, he naturally went straight to the kindergarten.

Getting ready to pick up Tongtong.

Inside the kindergarten, Ms. Xu, Tongtong's homeroom teacher and a recent graduate of a preschool teacher training college (who had only been in school for two years), repeatedly gave Tongtong instructions.

"Tongtong, your mother said she won't pick you up tonight. Your Uncle Zhang will pick you up instead, understand?"

"Uncle Zhang?" Tongtong's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Teacher, will Uncle Zhang be my dad someday?"

Teacher Xu was speechless for a moment.

She knew about Tongtong's family situation; she knew that Tongtong's parents were divorced and that Tongtong's mother was living alone.

But this Uncle Zhang who suddenly appeared...

Could it be that he really is Tongtong's mom's new boyfriend?