"Do you have any plans for tonight?" Li Zhi asked Mu Xiaomei as they left the Star Moon Bay Hotel. He had paid for the lunch, and he knew that favors, no matter when they are given, must be repaid.
Mu Xiaomei blushed and shook her head with a hint of shyness, saying softly, "No, my friends have gone back to the dorm, and I have nothing to do."
The meaning was obvious.
The ball was in her court.
"Well, I have some things to take care of this afternoon." "I didn't know it was your birthday today, and I didn't prepare a birthday gift for you, so I'll give you this." Li Zhi said, taking off the pendant from around his neck and hanging it on Mu Xiaomei's neck.
It wasn't anything valuable, just an ordinary jade pendant he had bought at the temple last time. But Li Zhi had worn it around his neck for a year.
He felt that the pendant had dispelled bad luck and brought him good fortune. He hoped that the silly girl, Mu Xiaomei, would also have good luck and good health in the future.
"I…"
Li Zhi smiled and said, "Enough with the 'I' and 'me'. If you have any genuine concerns, please call me. "Go back early and don't make me worry."
Mu Xiaomei felt that Li Zhi was being very considerate, which warmed her heart. But she also missed the times when this man was a bit more 'bad'.
Her "relative" had already left.
"People have left, and you're still looking!" Zhao Yafang pulled her away, pouted, and muttered, "I don't see what's so great about him that has you so infatuated."
Mu Xiaomei looked back, smiled, and said, "You don't understand his kindness!"
Zhao Yafang rolled her eyes!
After breaking up with Mu Xiaomei, Li Zhi called Sophie. There were some matters that needed to be discussed while Li Zhi was still in the city.
A week was enough time to see many things.
Sophie did not disappoint Li Zhi. She managed the Happy Fish Ball business much better than he did.
"In the afternoon?" "Can't we do it tomorrow?" Sophie frowned and mentioned that even though she was a junior, she still had a significant amount of coursework and a class in the afternoon.
"No, I only have time today." Li Zhi's tone was firm. He was the boss, and she was the boss too. He couldn't let her have her way with everything.
When he saw Zhao Mingyue, Song Hui, and the others today, although outsiders couldn't see the change in Li Zhi, he knew that he had been holding back.
In the past, he relied on his parents for ninety percent of his life and luck for the remaining ten percent.
In the future, he would rely on hard work for nine-tenths of his life and luck for the remaining one-tenth.
If he fell, he would get back up. Although they would be equal in the future, Li Zhi couldn't let others see him as someone who didn't respect himself.
Did he have any achievements yet?
No!
So, he had to work harder.
The 'Nebula I9 Intelligent Factory' system in his mind had too many things waiting for him to explore. Making fish balls was just a simple skill.
He wanted to stand at the pinnacle of the world and look down on all living beings.
Cloud and Rain Pavilion!
A very elegant and ancient tea house.
Sophie chose it, and Li Zhi was unaware of such a great place in Haicheng.
"A Pot of Rain Before Dragon Well." After Sophie chose the tea, she turned to Li Zhi and asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"
Li Zhi was taken aback and said with a wry smile, "What do I want to talk to you about?" "Come on, I'm the boss." "Shouldn't you be the one to talk to me?"
Sophie shook her head and said, "But I have nothing to say to you!"
"Nothing?"
"Nothing!"
Li Zhi rolled his eyes. He wouldn't let this girl fool him. Although he entrusted the management of Happy Fish Ball to her, it didn't mean that she could do whatever she wanted. In some important matters, it was futile for Sophie to make decisions independently. It required the big boss to make the call.
Did she want to sideline him? No way!
"You ladies from wealthy families are so calculating," Li Zhi said.
Sophie didn't get angry and calmly asked, "How are we calculating?"
Li Zhi shook his head and chose not to argue with her on this issue. Instead, he said directly, "I'm planning to establish the 'Happy Fish Ball Chain Company'." "I will send financial personnel over, and the income from the fish ball shops will be managed by the company from now on!"
Sophie furrowed her brow and looked at Li Zhi. "Do you not trust me?"
"Heh!" Li Zhi shook his head and said, "Come on, that's a childish thing to say." This has nothing to do with trust. In business, it is crucial to maintain accurate financial records to ensure clarity in the financial aspect. Second, "Happy Fish Ball" is a brand I created, and I don't want it to be out of my control!
A week was not long, but Sophie's performance had left Li Zhi very dissatisfied. Just because he entrusted Happy Fish Ball to her for management doesn't mean she can overstep her boundaries.
Listening to Li Zhi's words, Sophie furrowed her brow deeply but didn't interrupt him.
"Yes, I want to use your help to expand the Happy Fish Ball brand, but tolerance has its limits." I can provide you with what you deserve, but I absolutely will not allow others to take what is rightfully mine. Do you understand? Li Zhi looked at her and said calmly.
"Is this burning the bridge after crossing the river?" Sophie asked in return.
Li Zhi shook his head. "Not really, it's just a business." "I'm sure you understand that, Miss Sophie."
"I'm planning to open two more branches." The locations have been chosen, both in the university town. One store is located on the west side, similar to the one near the university entrance, and there is also a flagship store in the central square. The total investment for the two stores is around three million dollars, with the majority of the funds being invested in the flagship store at the central square. "Do you have enough money?" Sophie asked Li Zhi.
"Three million?" Li Zhi calculated in his mind. With the current revenue of Happy Fish Ball, it would take at least one and a half to two months to raise the three million.
"Do you have enough money, Miss Sophie?" Li Zhi asked.
"If we secure the two million investment from the Su Group, they will acquire thirty percent of Happy Fish Ball," Sophie said nonchalantly.
Li Zhi sighed and turned the teacup on the table, contemplating a solution.
"With the pf-word suggestion million investment from the Su Group, Happy Fish Ball won't have to worry about the initial expansion funds." Sometimes, time is money. Whether from my personal standpoint or yours, Mr. Li, I hope you can accept this financing," Sophie said earnestly.
"It's not possible!" Li Zhi directly refused.
Sophie was taken aback and frowned, "Why is it not possible?" Introducing the Su Group's investment will only benefit Happy Fish Ball!
"Thirty percent plus twenty percent already exceeds fifty percent ownership." "I've said it before, what's mine cannot be taken by others!" Li Zhi looked at Sophie and said calmly, "Miss Sophie, don't be too greedy." "You will get what you deserve, but I hope you won't touch what doesn't belong to you, okay?"
In his calm voice, there was no anger, resentment, or dissatisfaction—just a statement of fact!