That afternoon, an unremarkable domestic SUV quietly pulled up at the entrance to Chen Family Village.
The door opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out. He wore an ordinary gray jacket, had an average build, and a plain face. He looked like any city resident taking a weekend trip to the countryside, so ordinary that he would disappear into a crowd.
He was Zhou Hai, the founder of Haidilao.
Zhou Hai did not head straight to the Farmhouse Courtyard. Instead, he slipped his hands into his pockets and strolled along the village's concrete road like a genuine tourist.
His steps were steady, but his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, quietly taking in everything around him.
The new camping area had level lawns and a sensible layout. Quite a few visitors had already pitched tents, and laughter filled the air.
In the distance, the parking lot was packed with private cars of every description, with hardly an empty space left.
In the middle of the reservoir, the floating restaurant's foundation piles were already taking shape. Several construction boats were hard at work. Everything was thriving.
The sight stirred something deep within Zhou Hai.
The owner of this little restaurant not only possessed something miraculous, but also had business instincts and execution far beyond the ordinary. In such a short time, he had turned a remote mountain village into an emerging tourist destination. Even within his Haidilao group, few people could match that ability.
A few minutes later, he finally reached the entrance to the Farmhouse Courtyard.
The place buzzed with voices and activity.
All twenty tables in the courtyard were occupied, and a long line had even formed outside the gate.
Looking at a scene as busy as the opening of a viral restaurant in a major city, Zhou