Step Forward!

"Grandpa, there's a nice new rural villa near our old home. I'll buy one for you to live in," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

The new rural villa is only about a kilometer away from my old house. It has its own gate and courtyard, more than 200 square meters, with a small yard of several dozen square meters in front of the gate. It is very clean and tidy.

Moreover, the area has everything you need, including supermarkets, community hospitals, and small farmers' markets.

It can be said that it allows people to get close to nature and enjoy a life away from the city and close to the countryside, while also enjoying the convenience of modern life and improving their living standards.

As for the elderly, we should definitely go along with their wishes.

Since they are not used to city life, we should improve their standard of living as much as possible within the limits of what they can adapt to.

A small villa costs several hundred thousand yuan, so they definitely don't want a lavish renovation. A simple renovation will cost several hundred thousand yuan, maybe a million or so, and the two elderly people can live happily and contentedly.

If you're still worried, you can hire a trustworthy caregiver to take care of the elderly person at home.

As soon as he said that, a chorus of praise erupted from those around him.

They all kept Zhang Yang was filial.

The two elderly people initially shook their heads, but after accepting the fact that their family was no longer what it used to be, they opened their hearts, nodded, and reassured Zhang Yang, their eldest grandson, to make the arrangements.

Not far away, Zhang Yang saw his uncle and his wife huddled to the side, both of them forcing smiles.

"Uncle, have a cigarette?"

Zhang Yang casually offered him a cigarette and exchanged a few polite words.

He had some complaints about his uncle, but he didn't harbor much resentment. Well, the premise of not resenting him was that the Zhang family was no longer what it used to be. If they were doing poorly, he couldn't guarantee he would be so magnanimous.

"Thank you, thank you, my nephew." Song Wenbo stammered as he accepted the gift, then glanced at his aunt Zhou Xiaona beside him.

"Auntie, when is Song Yumeng coming home?" Zhang Yang asked his aunt.

"Mengmeng, Mengmeng won't be back for now," the aunt said somewhat flusteredly.

"Not coming back?" Zhang Yang blinked, not giving it much thought.

He exchanged a few brief pleasantries with the couple before turning and leaving. A few polite exchanges were enough; it was also a way of giving his mother face.

In the garage in the backyard of the villa, Zhang Yang also met his aunt's older brother, Li Kaiguang.

Li Kaiguang was holding his phone, circling around the cars in the garage.

"Brother, what are you looking at?"

"Haha, you caught me." Li Kaiguang awkwardly put away his phone and laughed sheepishly. "I need to build up some bragging rights. Last time I told my colleague my brother drives Cullinan, and no one believed me. Let me prove it."

"Sit down for a bit?" Zhang Yang said with a smile as he opened the car door.

Li Kaiguang paused for a moment, then nodded and got into the passenger seat.

A short while later, the two brothers sat in Cullinan, chatting under the Cullinan Sky Dome.

"It's all so surreal. In the blink of an eye, I never imagined my aunt's house would become like this. It's like a dream," Li Kaiguang sighed deeply.

Third Aunt is Song Wenqin, because she was the third child in her family.

Zhang Yang smiled without saying a word, half-opening the car window and idly looking at the scenery in the backyard of the villa, and casually turned on a song to let the music surround him.

"Zhang Yang, tell me, what does it feel like to be rich?" Li Kaiguang asked abruptly.

"A feeling..." Zhang Yang pondered, "Does standing taller mean you can see farther?"

"I understand. Standing on the mountaintop, all you see is magnificent scenery and endless beauty. Standing at the foot of the mountain, all you see is human suffering, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness." Li Kaiguang covered his face, shrugged his shoulders, and his voice came out from between his fingers.

"I really want to improve too, I dream about it."

Zhang Yang blinked.

To be honest, Zhang Yang knew his aunt's older brother very well, since they had grown up together.

In terms of ability, he's just average.

But that doesn't mean he has no good points. First of all, he is down-to-earth and hardworking, quite reliable, and very helpful to his family.

Li Kaiguang wants to advance, and it's not that he can't help him.

"Brother, wanting to improve is no problem. What do you want to do? Open a shop? Start a business? I can lend you some money, or what?" Zhang Yang said with a smile, "Just tell me what you're thinking."

Borrowing money to start a business... is possible.

If he wants a better platform, or wants to work anywhere, Zhang Yang can find people to help him.

Or you could simply want a sinecure, that's fine too.

He has plenty of positions in his businesses that can be assigned to him; just consider him an idle person, someone who can do whatever he's capable of.

"I haven't really thought about it yet." Li Kaiguang was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Zhang Yang to be so quick to offer his help. He was both surprised and delighted, and didn't know what to say.

Zhang Yang was not surprised.

People who don't achieve much are probably a bit indecisive. If Li Kaiguang had any guts, he would be doing much better than he is now.

"How about this, your third aunt's new restaurant is in the works and she's short-staffed, so why don't you go and manage it?" Zhang Yang said with a smile, making the decision for him.

For someone who seeks stability, is unwilling to leave their hometown, and wants a stable income.

This is almost the optimal solution.

Anyway, there's no need to worry about the restaurant's business; all you need to do is assign a trustworthy person to manage it.

Even if Li Kaiguang wasn't familiar with the work at first, there are only so many things to do in a restaurant, and once things are on track, he'll become more and more familiar with it and more and more adept at completing his work.

I believe my mother would be willing to arrange for her own nephew to work at the store, and she wouldn't mistreat him.

"Huh? Will this work?" Li Kaiguang was taken aback, a hint of interest in his eyes.

"Why not? As long as you agree, I'll talk to my mom about it later," Zhang Yang said casually.

That's not bad either.

With Li Kaiguang's current salary, what kind of future can he achieve? When he becomes a manager at a restaurant, knowing his mother's personality, she'll give him at least ten or twenty thousand yuan a month, not to mention the year-end bonus.

"That's great! I'm willing, I want to go!" Li Kaiguang finally nodded emphatically and said hurriedly.

In the distance, faint calls could be heard.

"Let's go, they're urging us to go to the restaurant." Zhang Yang smiled, opened the door, and got out of the car.

A moment later, the whole family of relatives and friends headed to the second branch of Haiqin Restaurant to attend the housewarming banquet.

Relatives, friends, and business partners.

Zhang Zhaohai arranged several large private rooms at his own restaurant to host his housewarming banquet.

It was nearing noon at Haiqin Restaurant's second branch.

The restaurant was bustling with activity, the entire place a scene of lively activity.

Some of the family relatives were seeing the business situation of Haiqin Restaurant for the first time.

Upon closer inspection...

The restaurant was packed, with people waiting outside.

Most importantly, it's not a holiday today. This kind of business is simply... simply a mini money-printing machine!

"This has to keep going!" several aunties exclaimed in astonishment.

"It's all set. We plan to open two more stores after the New Year," Song Wenqin said with a smile.

This time, they took a slightly bigger step, because the business performance and reputation of the first and second stores were already excellent, giving the couple great confidence. So, after some deliberation, they decided to open both stores simultaneously.

With this, Haiqin Restaurant now has four locations simultaneously.

Many relatives were taken aback upon hearing this, and were filled with emotion.

We're opening two more stores.

If the two shops below had business like this... that would be simply...

Making a fortune every day, that's what they call making a fortune every day!

"Mom, I have something to tell you." Zhang Yang still remembered Li Kaiguang's matter, so he decided to talk to Song Wenqin about it as soon as possible.

"What's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?" Song Wenqin muttered to herself as she went over.

"That's right, Mom. Li Kaiguang and I chatted this morning, and he seemed quite lost," Zhang Yang said with a smile. "Anyway, you need to hire people for your new restaurant, so why don't you just let him manage one of them, or let him manage one of the established restaurants? You can focus your energy on the new restaurant, and you can trust your own family."

"Hmm?" Song Wenqin nodded slightly. "It's not that it won't work. My nephew may lack the ability to expand, but he's more than capable of maintaining the status quo. Family members are always more trustworthy than outsiders."

"Right? If it's suitable for you, Mom, you should talk to Li Kaiguang," Zhang Yang said.

I managed to give this older brother a small helping hand.

As for Li Kaiguang's desire for advancement, given his current conservative nature, he will never have the chance to see truly exciting things; at most, he will only live a life of comfort and security.

It's a personal choice.

Later that evening, many relatives and friends gathered to celebrate the Zhang family's move.

Zhang Zhaohai, beaming with pride, stepped forward and gave a brief speech.

He's practically a boss now, with several dozen people working for his two stores, so naturally he speaks with a clear logic and a commanding presence.

"Thank you all for attending our housewarming party. On behalf of my entire family, I would like to express our sincere gratitude."

"I hope everyone enjoys the wine, eats and drinks to their heart's content, and doesn't leave until they're completely drunk."

He paused as usual after he finished speaking.

"Good!"

"Mr. Zhang speaks well!" Zhang Zhaohai's classmates and friends cheered and applauded, creating a lively atmosphere.

Today's housewarming banquet, although held at our own restaurant, is no less grand than that of a five-star hotel. Not to mention the Moutai and 999 liquor served at every table, the dishes alone feature expensive ingredients such as Australian lobster, sea cucumber, and black abalone, making it a truly high-class event.

Numerous relatives and friends mingled and toasted, creating a lively atmosphere.

Throughout the banquet, everyone took turns vying to offer a toast.

Some well-informed individuals, knowing that the changes in the Zhang family are mainly due to Zhang Yang, went to great lengths to toast and befriend him, addressing him as "General Manager Zhang" repeatedly.

"Mr. Zhang, let me propose a toast to you."

"I've long heard that Mr. Zhang is a man of exceptional talent, and seeing him today, I can confirm he is indeed a man of outstanding character. My daughter is a freshman in college; would Mr. Zhang be interested in getting to know her?"

Zhang Yang accepted every toast offered.

However, Zhang Yang could only laugh off these overt and covert hints, brushing them off throughout.

After some time, a wine glass was brought closer.

"Huh? Uncle?"

Song Wenbo actually got up from his seat and ran to Zhang Yang's side.

Zhang Yang was a little surprised, picked up his wine glass and stood up, "Uncle, you're being too polite, aren't you?"

"Of course, of course," Song Wenbo said, his face full of shame. "Your uncle used to be such a scoundrel, and now that I think about it, I'm really ashamed. Your uncle toasts you."

Zhang Yang, holding his wine glass, casually remarked.

"Where is my aunt?"

Only my uncle came to offer a toast.

"Ah... her..." Song Wenbo's expression changed several times, unsure of what to say.

"Uncle," Zhang Yang said with a smile, "Let's not talk about it... We didn't take it to heart, so why are you so hung up on it, right? As long as your family is harmonious, you don't need to worry about us."

Song Wenbo's expression changed, and he looked somewhat embarrassed.

Zhang Yang, however, didn't take it seriously.

If you're going to bow your head, then bow it decisively and completely.

Who doesn't know that the younger brother's family is in charge?

The person in question is sitting firmly on their Taishan, ordering their younger brother-in-law over to submit—that's just unacceptable...

My uncle's easy-going nature is certainly hateful, but the real troublemaker is yet to come—my aunt... She's the one who stirs up trouble time and time again.

Of course, whether they back down or not is their business. They might not have anything to ask of them, so why should they bow their heads?

My uncle lowered his head, too ashamed to say anything more, and turned to leave.

The banquet was still going on, but towards the end, the younger brother and his wife seemed to have received a phone call and hurriedly left the banquet, heading straight out of the private room.

With so many people at today's housewarming party, no one really noticed who was coming and going.

Zhang Yang naturally didn't care.

··

After an unknown amount of time, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

Several figures rushed in.

Also entering were Song Wenbo and Zhou Xiaona, a couple whose expressions had drastically changed.

"Owes money and doesn't pay it back, yet still wants to eat?" The leader smiled, his eyes narrowed. "Hiding? Still hiding? Where do you think you can hide?"

"Brother Wei, it's not that we don't want to pay you back, please give us a little more time," Song Wenbo said with a smile.

"Grace period? How long are you going to give us grace period?" the man chuckled. "I've seen you hiding here and there, hiding from us for quite a while now. Stop hiding today."

Most of the people in this private room are family and friends.

Upon hearing this, they all began to whisper among themselves.

"Owe money? Did Song Wenbo and his wife borrow money from loan sharks?"

"Who knows? This couple is obsessed with making money. They only do what they're capable of, but they insist on doing things head-on!"

During the meal, Zhang Zhaohai looked around, then quickly stood up and stepped forward with a smile, trying to smooth things over.

"Friend, what's wrong? Let's talk this out."

The men exchanged glances, then looked them over with half-smiles. "So, what do you mean? You want to get involved? Who are you to him?"

"This is my brother-in-law," Zhang Zhaohai said amiably. "We're having a housewarming party today. We can talk about this later. Why don't we sit down and have a drink together?"

"Drink your mother's ass!" The man pointed a finger at them. "What the hell does your family's banquet have to do with us? I'm just asking you, are you going to pay this money for him? If you're going to pay, then pay; if not, then shut up!"

Zhang Zhaohai's expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant.

With so many people at the table, they naturally wouldn't be afraid of just a few individuals.

Immediately, a chorus of curses erupted from the private room.

"Where did this punk come from! Trying to cause trouble here?"

"Call the police!"

Without a word, the man grabbed a bottle and pointed, "Who! Step forward, anyone have a problem with this?!"