Chapter 017

Chapter 017

For a moment, Chen Jian understood the helplessness his teachers must have felt back in school, standing in front of a classroom of fools.

But this realization actually helped calm his nerves. After all, as long as he didn’t stutter constantly, he was a stellar shop manager in front of someone who even made Zhi Xi Kuo run after him with questions.

The content for the next part wasn’t hard to explain either; it was mainly about work arrangements, with everyone taking on multiple roles.

The front desk, apart from handling check-ins, would have to provide some basic services for guests when they weren’t too busy. The cleaners had to take care of cooking, and the security personnel—no, the “safety personnel”—apart from what Boss Chen had mentioned before, now had to help clean the yard and the road outside the homestay.

The shop manager also had the job of trimming the plants and trees.

The shop manager also needed to learn how to drive and gain some knowledge of gardening since the boss couldn’t afford to hire a gardener all the time.

The shop manager couldn’t help but glance at the boss.

“That’s about it,” Chen Jian scanned the contents on the paper once more to ensure nothing was missed, “If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to bring them up now for discussion.”

“I have a suggestion,” Hu Pan raised her hand.

“Go ahead,” Chen Jian said.

“Can we get the café up and running again? The space next to the restaurant is the café, right? There are coffee cups and such, but no equipment,” Hu Pan asked, “I noticed there aren’t any coffee shops in town, only bottled coffee sold in the supermarket.”

“Who drinks that stuff?” Chen Erhu said, “A fancy person like Boss Shan drinks cola every day.”

Chen Erhu’s observation was actually quite sharp.

“The day we signed the contract, he was drinking tea,” Chen Erhu added.

That day, he was drinking cola.

“We’ll also sell tea in the future,” Chen Erhu continued.

...Sell tea? What?

“How many fancy people have you met?” Hu Pan said.

“You’re picking a fight here,” Chen Erhu looked at her.

“Didn’t you start it?” Hu Pan said.

“Discussion,” Chen Jian cut them off, “It’s a discussion, not a fight.”

“We can give it a try,” Shan Yu leaned back in his chair, looking very relaxed, “But who knows how to make coffee?”

“I know a little, nothing special, but I can manage simple stuff,” Hu Pan was quite honest.

“People coming here to relax won’t be too picky about the coffee flavor, as long as there is coffee,” Shan Yu said, “After the meeting, discuss the details with the shop manager.”

“Sure,” Hu Pan nodded.

“I also have a question,” Zhao Fangfang raised her hand too, “About the cooking task, should I follow the old menu? There are some dishes I don’t know how to make.”

“Forget the old menu. Write a new one with the dishes you know how to make and give it to the shop manager,” Shan Yu said, “It doesn’t need to be extensive, just some home-cooked dishes.”

“I can do that,” Zhao Fangfang nodded.

After Hu Pan and Zhao Fangfang had spoken, Chen Erhu, being a Chen boss, had only argued with Hu Pan and was even shut down by the boss. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he raised his hand, “Boss Shan.”

“Go ahead, Chen Boss,” Shan Yu gave him face.

“It’s about… tonight…,” Chen Erhu started with a mysterious expression, “Tonight…”

“Tonight what?” Shan Yu looked at him, “Are you inviting me for dinner or a walk?”

Chen Jian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Chen Erhu glared at him, feeling quite displeased. He had just offered to help Chen Jian, and now Chen Jian was mocking him.

“Chen Boss is referring to the special operation tonight,” Chen Jian quickly cooperated, looking at Shan Yu, “Should we discuss the specific action plan?”

“Chen Boss shouldn’t stay at the homestay this afternoon and should only return tomorrow morning,” Shan Yu said, “Go find some blood. Don’t look around here; go to a farther village and find some pig or chicken blood.”

“Got it,” Chen Erhu nodded, then added with a fierce expression, “Should we bring some live animals and slaughter them on the spot for a more brutal effect?”

“Why don’t you just cut your wrist and splash it around,” Shan Yu said.

Chen Jian really wanted to remind him not to talk like that to everyone. Chen Boss might not understand.

“Alright, alright, I’ll find ready-made blood,” Chen Erhu said.

Oh, he understood.

“Wait for my call tonight,” Shan Yu said, “Go in and do the job. Our people stay inside. We’ll just watch the show tomorrow.”

“Will we need to go and call people tomorrow?” San Bing still remembered this matter.

“I won’t let you miss it,” Shan Yu lightly patted the table, “Meeting’s over. Shop manager, come to my office for a moment.”

Chen Jian let out a sigh of relief. Finally, the meeting was over.

He quickly folded the paper in front of him and put it back in his pocket, then followed Shan Yu into the elevator.

Shan Yu leaned against the cabin and looked at him.

Chen Jian turned his head, reached back, and pressed the floor button.

Thinking of Shan Yu’s blind button press, he hesitated for a moment, then turned back and reached out behind him, feeling the panel to figure out how Shan Yu had managed to press it.

"Are you stupid?" Shan Yu said.

"I'll try," Chen Jian continued to feel around behind him, "How did you press it?"

Shan Yu picked up the cane in his hand and tapped it on the metal strip next to the carriage, "Look here, store manager, I'll only teach you once."

Chen Jian looked over and saw that the buttons on the panel were clearly reflected on the metal strip.

"Holy shit," he said.

"Impressive, right?" Shan Yu asked.

"…Awesome," Chen Jian said.

To be honest, even if you can see it, it's still pretty impressive. After all, it's done with the backhand, using a cane, and it's precise and fast with just one try.

The fourth floor was quite quiet, with no sound of the enthusiastic conversations from the people downstairs.

"What's the matter with you looking for me?" Chen Jian asked after entering the office.

"How do you feel on your first day as store manager?" Shan Yu sat on the sofa, leaning to the side, "Sit down, let's chat."

Chen Jian sat down on the single sofa next to him, "My mind's a bit chaotic."

"Any thoughts on the employees under you?" Shan Yu asked, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

"Although…" Chen Jian thought for a moment, "Everyone is quite enthusiastic about the guesthouse, and Chen Erhu's cooperation was unexpected for me."

"He probably won't last long," Shan Yu said, "He's still fresh now, experiencing a life he hasn't before. After a while, when he finds the work boring and restrictive, he might get annoyed."

"Is that so?" Chen Jian said.

"San Bing is alright, his brain works better than his boss," Shan Yu said, "He can be cultivated, maybe learn to drive in the future."

"Hmm," Chen Jian nodded, "Lao Si and Lao Wu are probably similar to Chen Erhu, and I think Hu Pan is good."

"Yes," Shan Yu said with his eyes closed while rubbing his head, "Hu Pan is interesting and has her own ideas. She knows how to handle things when it matters."

Chen Jian didn't say anything, a bit worried about Shan Yu's headache problem. Xiao Dou'er's grandmother sometimes had headaches too, but a good night's sleep usually fixed it. Shan Yu's had been hurting for two days.

"If you have time, ask Hu Pan if she needs an advance on her salary. I think she's out of money. We can advance her probation salary," Shan Yu said, "Be discreet, the girl values her face."

"I'll talk to her later," Chen Jian said, cutting him off before he could speak again, "Your headache, didn't you say painkillers helped a bit? You seemed fine during the meeting..."

"Touching," Shan Yu stopped his hand movement, opened his eyes and looked at him, "Should I have skipped the meeting and just laid on the chair pressing my head?"

"Maybe you should see a doctor if there's a problem," Chen Jian said.

"Is there a massage place around?" Shan Yu asked, "My head hurts so much that my neck and back are a bit sore."

"A legitimate one?" Chen Jian asked.

"Even if it's not legitimate, my leg isn't convenient right now," Shan Yu said.

"...What the hell!" Chen Jian was stunned for a few seconds before raising his voice, "I'm talking about those legitimate, licensed masseuse places!"

"Oh," Shan Yu smiled, "Is there one?"

"No," Chen Jian said.

Shan Yu, holding his head, laughed even more, "Damn, this laugh made my head feel like it's about to explode... Is there an illegitimate one?"

"There's an old man in the old village who's good at bone-setting, Xiao Dou'er's grandfather trusts him a lot," Chen Jian said, "Many people from nearby villages and towns go to him, and even people from the city drive over."

"I have a headache, not a skull ache," Shan Yu said.

"He does massages too," Chen Jian said, "But are you sure a massage will help with your pain?"

"Let's go," Shan Yu sat up, "I'm about to puke from the pain."

It's been much more convenient since we bought the car, but there are only two people in the shop with a driver's license, Chen Erhu and Shan Yu.

Chen Erhu had already left the guesthouse for his plan tonight and was out on a stakeout.

With Shan Yu's headache almost unbearable, he still had to drive himself.

Chen Jian learning to drive suddenly seemed very important.

"Should we take the sidecar? Or should I take you on my motorcycle?" Chen Jian asked.

"Motorcycle, the sidecar might shake my head off," Shan Yu said.

Chen Jian brought his motorcycle over, and Shan Yu got on the backseat, his forehead pressing against his back.

"What's wrong?" San Bing was sweeping the fallen leaves in the yard and immediately came over.

"Headache…" Chen Jian glanced back.

"Why not find Chen the Masseur? A little massage might help," San Bing said.

"That's exactly where we're headed," Chen Jian said.

"Hang in there, boss Shan," San Bing looked at Shan Yu, "You'll feel better soon."

"...If you babble any more, I might not make it to the street corner," Shan Yu said.

"Let's go," Chen Jian twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle sped out of the yard.

Since his leg wasn't resting on Chen Jian's, Shan Yu had to lift his left leg to avoid hitting the foot peg, which was actually quite strenuous in this position, especially with a headache.

Chen Jian loosened his left hand, which was gripping the motorcycle handlebar, and reached to his side, grabbing Shan Yu's pants at the knee.

"What are you doing?" Shan Yu asked.

"Just relax your leg," Chen Jian said, "Don't keep tensing it. I'm afraid your head might explode and splatter blood all over me."

"Riding a motorcycle with one hand?" Shan Yu looked up at the road ahead, "On this kind of rough road?"

"On this kind of rough road, I can ride without hands," Chen Jian said, pulling up on Shan Yu's pants again, "Relax, you won't fall."

Shan Yu didn't say anything else but relaxed his left leg.

Chen Jian held Shan Yu's leg as they rode into the village. Chen the Masseur's house was quite close to Xiao Dou'er's place, so they didn't need to cross the busiest road in the village in such a state.

Shan Yu was lucky; not many people were at Chen the Masseur's place that day, just a local aunt getting a cupping treatment.

"I can't treat a fracture this bad," Chen the Masseur said after a glance at Shan Yu's leg through his pants.

It was quite severe.

"We're not here for the leg," Chen Jian said, "He's got a bad headache, and his neck and back are sore."

"A headache?" Chen the Masseur stood up and walked behind a chair, pointing at it, "Sit here. Where does it hurt, or where is it sore? How bad is the pain?"

"It's going to explode," Shan Yu sat on the chair, "It hurts from the temples back."

"Haven't been sleeping well lately," Chen the Masseur said, pressing his hand against Shan Yu's forehead while kneading the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I've been a bit insomniac lately," Shan Yu said.

Chen Jian looked at him in surprise. This guy usually went back to his room before 10 o'clock and didn't come out again. Chen Jian had always thought his routine was more regular than the village cows. Insomnia?

"Not just lately," Chen the Masseur said, holding Shan Yu's wrist to take his pulse for a moment, "It's been going on for a while."

Shan Yu didn't respond.

"Is that so?" Chen Jian asked.

"Mind your own business," Shan Yu said.

"I can make you feel half better with just a bit of massage, and after a good night's sleep, you'll be almost fine," Chen the Masseur said confidently, "But this insomnia needs some adjustment. Otherwise, the pain will return."

"Herbal medicine..." Shan Yu began, but Chen the Masseur suddenly applied a bit more pressure, causing Shan Yu to sit up straight in pain, grabbing Chen Jian's hand and squeezing it tightly, the last word coming out in a high pitch, "ma——"

"Ai ai ai ai ai yo... My hand..." Chen Jian's face twisted in pain, calling out in a string of exclamations. He now understood how Shan Yu could throw someone off balance just by grabbing their wrist. That grip, white-knuckled and strong, had him rubbing his hand, hoping Shan Yu would let go, "Relax, relax, relax..."

"Pain pain pain..." Shan Yu furrowed his brow.

Chen Jian patted Chen the Masseur's arm, "Uncle Chen, lighter, lighter, lighter... He's in pain..."

"Alright, that's enough," Chen the Masseur eased up, gently scraping Shan Yu's neck, "I didn't even use much force. A young man like you shouldn't be this sensitive to pain."

The aunt getting cupping treatment laughed, "This boss looks like he can't handle pain at all. I can still work with a headache."

Chen Jian thought, this aunt should see how this boss, who can't handle pain, handles people.

Shan Yu slowly eased his grip but still didn't let go of his hand.

"Can't take the pain? Should we stop?" Chen Jian asked, a bit worried. He had never taken Shan Yu to see Chen the Masseur before and didn't know if it would cause new problems.

"Wait," Shan Yu squeezed his hand, signaling him not to rush, seemingly feeling, "It feels... less painful."

"A case of fighting poison with poison," Chen Jian said, "Your hand hurts from a cut, but if you get a cut on your leg, the hand stops hurting. Uncle Chen, do you have a sense of this?"

"You don't know anything," Chen the Masseur said, letting go of Shan Yu and patting his shoulder, "Alright, check how you feel now."

Shan Yu leaned back in the chair, his head tilted back, and he breathed out deeply.

Chen Jian looked at his profile. Perhaps because of the headache and the just-endured treatment, Shan Yu's face looked a bit pale now with his eyes closed. Gone was the usual relaxed and indifferent demeanor. For a moment, the Shan Yu who seemed to have everything under control appeared a bit vulnerable.

"How is it?" Chen Jian asked quietly.

Shan Yu let go of his hand and put a finger to his lips, "Shh," still with his head back and eyes closed.

Chen Jian didn't say anything else and took the opportunity to shake his hand.

When chatting with Zhao Fangfang before, she had also mentioned that the Benevolent Boss was good-looking, the best-looking boss in the town.

At this moment, with Shan Yu being handled by Chen the Masseur, he looked quite good indeed, too preoccupied to be sarcastic.

After a while, Shan Yu put his hand on the back of his neck and straightened his head, "It doesn't hurt much anymore."

"Really?" Chen Jian asked.

"Do you not want me to feel better?" Shan Yu shot him a glance, "No, it's about to explode, so watch out for blood splatter."

"Seems like it's better then," Chen Jian said.

"Master Chen, how much do I owe you?" Shan Yu asked.

"It was nothing," Chen the Masseur said, "No charge."

Chen the Masseur had his principles; he generally didn't charge for small treatments. Chen Jian was a bit worried that Shan Yu might insist on paying, but he didn't. Instead, he just asked Chen the Masseur for some medicine to help with his insomnia.

"Do you know how to decoct it?" Chen the Masseur asked.

"Do you know how to decoct it?" Shan Yu asked Chen Jian.

"Of course he would," said the aunt standing nearby. "He prepares all the medicine for Xiao Dou'er's grandfather. There's nothing he can't do. He's been capable since he was young."

"He can," Chen Jian said.

"He can," Shan Yu nodded at Chen the Masseur.

After getting the medicine, Shan Yu showed no intention of getting on the motorcycle. After leaving the village, he leaned on his crutch and slowly strolled along the small path by the river.

Chen Jian had no choice but to straddle his motorcycle and slowly push forward with his legs, following him.

After a while, he couldn't help but ask, "Are we walking back?"

"Just breathing in some fresh air," Shan Yu said.

"Those medicines," Chen Jian continued pushing, "are you really planning to drink them?"

"Not planning to. They're too bitter," Shan Yu said.

"I knew it," Chen Jian said, "but if something happens to you... Is it because there's too much going on at the shop? Too much pressure and you can't sleep?"

"That's funny," Shan Yu glanced at him, "even you, who lives in a peaceful place like Xi Stream, can't sleep? If the shop can continue, it continues. If not, treat it like a villa to live in. What pressure do I have?"

"Then why are you insomniac?" Chen Jian asked.

Shan Yu sighed, "Were you good at writing essays when you were in school? We've gone a full circle, and you're still looping back to the previous topic?"

"The boss needs to be fine for us to make money," Chen Jian said.

Shan Yu smiled and looked at him, "How much money does your father still owe in total?"

"Exchange," Chen Jian said.