"Captain Qin, I'm inviting you to lunch at the Mingzhu Hotel," Chen Yang said directly.
Qin Moya looked puzzled. "Why such a formal place for lunch all of a sudden?"
Chen Yang chuckled, "I have something to discuss with you. You'll understand when you get there."
Without thinking too much, Qin Moya agreed. Chen Yang was a unique man in her eyes, so she was willing to spend more time with him.
Next, Chen Yang invited Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing. Both women were curious but agreed nonetheless.
Finally, Chen Yang called Su Qing to report on his progress. Su Qing was happy yet anxious. "Will they agree?" she asked.
Chen Yang wasn't worried. "They're my first choices. If they don't agree, I'll find another way. Money is the least of our problems."
Su Qing was familiar enough with Chen Yang not to think he was boasting.
At noon, all the ladies arrived. Su Qing came with Mu Jing.
As soon as Tang Qingqing entered, she attacked Chen Yang verbally. "Chen Yang, why did you summon the five of us here? What's the plan? To rob us or something else?"
Chen Yang laughed. "I've gathered you for a feast, a grand event."
Tang Qingqing immediately retorted, "Go to hell!"
The others couldn't help but find the exchange strange. Chen Yang's words were bold and included everyone in the room. His remark about a feast and grand event was reminiscent of the debauched games of King Zhou of Shang and his consorts.
Lin Qingxue, with her delicate nature, blushed slightly but said nothing.
Qin Moya and Mu Jing, knowing Chen Yang's nature, weren't surprised. Su Qing was already used to it.
"Ladies, please have a seat!" Chen Yang then invited everyone to sit and ordered the food.
Before the food arrived, Tang Qingqing spoke again. "Chen Yang, it's rare for you to treat us to such a formal meal. Are you announcing your wedding to Su Qing?"
Chen Yang was momentarily stunned, and Su Qing blushed even more.
Quick on his feet, Chen Yang replied, "I'd love that, but Sister Qing doesn't agree!"
Tang Qingqing laughed, "Su Qing is a swan, and you're a toad. I advise you to forget it." She always addressed Su Qing by her name, not as Sister Qing, partly out of disdain and partly out of jealousy, though she hadn't realized it herself.
Chen Yang chuckled and didn't argue with Tang Qingqing.
Instead, Mu Jing spoke up. "Chen Yang, I know you don't do things without a reason. We're all friends here. If you need our help, just say so."
Taking the cue, Chen Yang stood up. "Sister Jing, you know me well!" He cleared his throat and said seriously, "I, Chen Yang, am new to Binhai City and don't have many friends, just you five. I'll get to the point. I want to open a bar, but I don't have any funds. I'm looking for some investment from you. I promise you won't lose money. If you trust me, I'm grateful. If not, I'm still grateful. That's all I have to say." He then sat down and drank a large glass of water in one gulp.
It was the first time he spoke so seriously to everyone.
The group was momentarily taken aback. Even Tang Qingqing didn't make a sarcastic comment.
Surprisingly, the first to speak wasn't Mu Jing but Lin Qingxue. She smiled slightly and said, "I'm willing to invest two million. If it's not enough, I can add more."
Su Qing's heart skipped a beat. Once again, she felt Chen Yang's charm. He could easily make people willingly give him such a large sum.
Next, Mu Jing spoke. She smiled faintly and said, "I'll invest two million as well. If it's not enough, I can add more."
"Thank you!" Chen Yang stood up and bowed to both women.
Tang Qingqing laughed. "Chen Yang, since you bowed, I'll also give you two million to play with."
Chen Yang smiled and bowed to Tang Qingqing as well. She blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Finally, it was Qin Moya's turn. She smiled bitterly. "You all are so rich. I only have fifty thousand if I empty all my savings. How about I invest fifty thousand?"
Chen Yang said, "No need for fifty thousand. Just thirty thousand will do."
Qin Moya agreed. "Alright."
Chen Yang assured her, "Don't worry. I won't let you lose your money."
Qin Moya smiled. "It doesn't matter." She genuinely didn't care about the money. If she wanted, she had ways to get as much as she needed.
Finally, it was Su Qing's turn. She was a bit embarrassed. "I only have about twenty thousand."
Chen Yang laughed. "We have over six hundred thousand in total. That's more than enough to open a bar. Next, we need someone to run it. I've decided that Sister Qing and I will manage the bar. She'll be the general manager, and I'll be her assistant. Does anyone have any objections?"
At this point, everyone understood why Chen Yang suddenly wanted to open a bar. It was all for Su Qing.
Lin Qingxue, Mu Jing, and Qin Moya had no objections. Tang Qingqing was a bit uncomfortable but didn't show it.
So, everyone agreed unanimously.
Chen Yang then took out a bank card and said, "Please note the card number and transfer the money. I'll start preparing for the bar. Every penny spent will be accounted for. As for the shares and dividends, let me explain. There are six of us here. Regardless of the amount invested, everyone will have an equal share. When we make a profit, everyone's initial investment will be returned first."
Lin Qingxue said, "No problem." Mu Jing also agreed. "No problem."
Qin Moya had no issues either. Tang Qingqing said, "No problem."
With that settled, Chen Yang felt relieved. "Thank you all for your trust."
The meal continued pleasantly, except for Tang Qingqing, who felt a bit unhappy about Chen Yang's special attention to Su Qing.
Su Qing noticed Tang Qingqing's expression but was more excited about the future.
After the meal, everyone left. Su Qing formally resigned from her job with Mu Jing, who understood and agreed.
An hour later, everyone transferred the money.
Chen Yang and Su Qing stayed together and went to an ATM to check the balance. Seeing the string of zeros, Su Qing felt it was unreal.
This amount, if used frugally, could allow her and Chen Yang to live comfortably.
However, since the money was transferred, it meant the bar was no longer just a dream but a responsibility to be fulfilled.
Su Qing asked, "What's our first step?"
Chen Yang smiled. "Of course, we celebrate our first step towards success with a drink."
Su Qing smiled.
It was already five in the afternoon. The sunset was fiery, and the sky was painted with vibrant colors.
A little girl on the street was happily running with an ice cream cone, which was melting and spreading a sweet aroma.
"Chen Yang, can you buy me some ice cream?" Su Qing suddenly asked, spotting an ice cream shop.
Without hesitation, Chen Yang replied, "Of course." They headed to the ice cream shop. Inside, they saw that most of the patrons were couples. They were young and full of energy.
Above them was a large mirror. Su Qing looked up and saw their reflections. She realized her cheeks were rosy, like a young girl's, and Chen Yang looked carefree and charming. They actually looked well-matched, like the couples around them.
A feeling of inexplicable joy and happiness filled Su Qing.
Chen Yang, however, didn't notice these details. They found a seat and started enjoying their ice cream. Su Qing couldn't remember the last time she had ice cream. She ate it with such joy, feeling like she was back in her college days.
It was as if the failures she had experienced didn't exist.
"By the way..." Su Qing suddenly thought of something and asked, "You said you want to run a bar. Do you have any experience?"
Chen Yang was momentarily stunned. Then he said, "I have no experience!"
Su Qing was shocked. "Then how can you guarantee we won't lose money?"
Chen Yang replied, "Experience can be learned. What's there to fear? Be bold, careful, and innovative. It won't go wrong." He was always confident, never shying away from any challenge.
Seeing his confidence and thinking about his special skills, Su Qing felt reassured.
"Tonight, let's go to the bar street to do some research," Chen Yang said.
Su Qing nodded. "Alright!"
As night fell, the sky was dotted with stars.
Binhai City was bathed in lights, dazzling and splendid.
The sea breeze blew in, salty and serene.
Bar Street was a unique feature of Binhai City. Tourists would always visit it. Here, you could find love or casual relationships. It was also a hotspot for one-night stands.
Bar Street was near the beach.
The air was filled with the scent of the sea, and you could occasionally hear the waves.
After a day at the beach, having a drink at a bar and perhaps a friendly match at a nearby hotel with someone you fancy was a comfortable and enjoyable thing.
Chen Yang drove his Xiali car and brought Su Qing to Bar Street...