Chapter 85: Maximizing Marital Value

Chapter 85: Maximizing the Value of Marriage

The restaurant's opening day went better than expected. After closing that night, Cao Xu gave everyone a red envelope. Zhao Yu, sucking on his iced soy milk through a straw, said to Pang Ze, "Manager Pang, your friend really came through. When's he free? I wanna take him out to eat."

Pang Ze thought, "He's already eaten," but smiled and said, "I'll pass along your thanks. He just likes helping people, no strings attached."

"I see. Then you gotta thank him extra for me."

"You bet."

Zhao Yu got up to prep the ingredients for tomorrow, then did a final sweep of the kitchen with Cao Xu before killing the lights and locking up.

Zhao Yu's Kaiyue was parked in the underground garage. He said goodnight to Cao Xu and Pang Ze, then turned and walked the other way.

Just as he got to the parking lot entrance, he spotted a man standing under a big tree. The streetlight shone through the leaves, and as they rustled, the dappled light moved, making the man's shadow flicker on and off the ground.

Zhao Yu walked right past him without looking.

"I'm sorry."

Zhao Yu stopped in his tracks.

Gu Hansheng stayed in the tree's shadow, his face hidden in the gloom.

He had too much to apologize for—putting a price tag on Zhao Yu's worth, insulting him freely because he knew Zhao Yu wouldn't fight back, comparing him to Chen Xitong... the list went on, too many to know where to start.

But Zhao Yu said, "Don't apologize. You had your fun with me, and I got paid. We're square."

"But some things money can't buy, right?"

Zhao Yu turned, confused. "Who taught you to talk like that?"

Gu Hansheng stepped out of the shadow, his face clear in the streetlight. He was a businessman—in his world, almost everything had a price. But when Zhao Yu slapped a price tag on their past, he started to hate that feeling. If anyone had taught him that lesson, it was Zhao Yu.

"Forget it, never mind." Before he could answer, Zhao Yu turned away.

It was weird—when Gu Hansheng said that, something indescribable stirred in his chest. Gu Hansheng wasn't going to change. How could someone so full of himself change his ways for anyone?

This guy was just putting on the same fake act he used on everyone else, and only an idiot would buy it.

Zhao Yu walked into the garage without a backward glance and soon roared off on his bike.

Gu Hansheng looked at Jinyan, already dark, and realized he hadn't even wished him well on the opening.

If he didn't say it today, would it even matter tomorrow?

...

Sunday morning, Gu Hansheng drove out to Old Master Gu's place.

He'd skipped the meeting, and the old man was pissed. So the next day, he had Tuotu's quarterly financials sent over, and before his European colleagues took off, he quickly set up another meeting.

But the old man didn't show up for the second meeting. Guess even the solid numbers on the report didn't cool him down.

Today, Gu Hansheng had been called home, ready to get chewed out.

The car rolled slowly up the long driveway to the villa. The moment Gu Hansheng got out, he saw a woman waiting at the door.

"Mr. Gu, Grandpa sent me out to meet you." The woman was dressed to the nines, walking up with a smile in her eyes.

"Miss Tu?" Gu Hansheng knew her.

"You actually remember me." She was thrilled.

"President Tu's pride and joy—of course I know you." Gu Hansheng offered a polite smile.

Tu Muhe moved to take his arm, her intentions plain on her face—half excited, half shy.

Gu Hansheng sidestepped her touch. "Didn't expect you here, Miss Tu. I should've come later. Am I interrupting?"

"No, not at all! We've been waiting for you!" Tu Muhe tossed her hair.

But no matter how she tried to play coy, Gu Hansheng kept his gaze straight ahead and walked inside.

The old man was having tea in the garden. Gu Hansheng approached, refilled his empty cup, and handed it over with both hands. The old man took it but didn't drink, simply setting it on the table. "President Tu's daughter is here. Go have a chat with her, and we'll have a meal together later."

"Yes." Gu Hansheng said, "Shall I book the usual private club you frequent?"

"Don't play dumb with me." The old man looked up at him. "You know exactly what it means when I invite her here. I didn't care when you fooled around with those Annas and Angels before, but now that you're at marriageable age, it's time to settle down. It'll also keep you from doing more reckless things."

Gu Hansheng said, "President Wan tried to set us up once. I already declined."

"Muhe is President Tu's precious daughter. In terms of family background and education, how does she fall short of those actresses you chase after outside?"

"She's perfect in every way, but I don't love her."

"Love?" The old man scoffed. "Hansheng, you're becoming less sensible than your father. He at least knew to marry your mother and keep her at home before pursuing other matters. Have I raised a lovesick fool in the Gu family?"

Gu Hansheng's eyes darkened. He suddenly turned and opened the garden door, addressing Tu Muhe inside: "I can marry you, but you're not to question how many lovers I keep outside. How about that?"

Tu Muhe's delicate face went pale instantly. She genuinely liked Gu Hansheng, which was why she had come to the Gu residence despite her pride. Having been doted on her entire life, when had she ever heard such humiliating words?

"Outrageous!" The old man was furious. He rose and struck Gu Hansheng hard on the shoulder with his cane!

Gu Hansheng didn't flinch. His cold expression made Tu Muhe realize instantly—when it came to someone he didn't love, this man would show no mercy.

"I... I can't accept that." She turned hastily, grabbed her bag, and rushed out.

"You—!" The old man was livid. "Go after her!"

Gu Hansheng said calmly, "I'll go apologize to President Tu myself, but I won't marry Tu Muhe."

"Then tell me, who do you intend to marry?!"

"In matters of the company, I follow your lead. But who I marry is my decision alone."

With that, Gu Hansheng turned to leave. The old man struck his cane heavily twice, and suddenly the butler led several bodyguards to block the entrance.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gu Hansheng looked at the burly bodyguards.

"If you won't have Tu Muhe, fine. Pick someone from a family of equal standing, and I'll have a matchmaker arrange it." The old man said.

"Don't bother. I don't want any of them."

"Then you're not going anywhere! Stay here and think about what you should and shouldn't do!"

Gu Hansheng let out a derisive laugh. When he was a child, this old man hadn't shown him much regard. Now that he was useful to the Gu family, even his marriage had to be maximized for value.

Those bodyguards were all ex-special forces. Even one-on-one, Gu Hansheng might not win. He turned and sat down on the sofa, poured himself a glass of water, swallowed his anger, and dug up some patience.

The old man couldn't touch him. Even with Tuotu, he'd already quietly scooped up over 51% of the shares, becoming the actual controller. The old man couldn't take it back even if he wanted to.

As for trying to restrict his freedom, that was so lame it wasn't even a real threat.

Taking a sip of water, Gu Hansheng calmly called Assistant Wu: "Bring my computer and the documents on my desk, along with any urgent files that need signing."

After that, he delegated some matters to the deputy manager and moved all scheduled meetings online.

This way, he was clearly gearing up for a long standoff. The old man pounded his cane heavily twice again, his chest heaving in anger, and said furiously to the butler: "Don't let him take one step outside this building!"

"Yes."

...

Jinyan had been open for about a week now. Aside from the packed house on opening day, business had been quite good every day since.

Several signature dishes quickly gained fame, spreading Jinyan's reputation even among high society. Although the restaurant's scale wasn't as large as Yatai's, Pang Ze's strategy of scarcity marketing and black card perks, combined with dishes that were both delicious and photogenic, had people lining up.

Before even knowing this month's revenue, Pang Ze was already thinking about how to spend money to make more and get Jinyan's name out there.

Everyone gave Manager Pang a thumbs-up for his business smarts and dedication. Even Cao Xu told Zhao Yu on the down low that they should give Manager Pang a raise next month, and Zhao Yu wholeheartedly agreed, since a monthly salary of less than twenty thousand was honestly a rip-off.

That evening, Zhuang Peiying walked into Jinyan. Even though she'd spend all seven days at the hospital if she could, she had still heard about this restaurant from friends. The kicker was that one of the two owners was actually Zhao Yu.

She sat down, ordered two dishes, snapped a photo and sent it to Zhuang Shubai, then started eating.

After finishing her meal, she waited around until closing, then approached Manager Pang and said: "I'm a friend of Zhao Yu's. Can you get him to come out?"

Pang Ze went in to relay the message, and shortly after, Zhao Yu came out, greeting her warmly: "Long time no see. If I'd known you were coming, I'd have treated you."

"Easy to say." Zhuang Peiying pretended to be annoyed: "Why didn't you invite my brother when you opened? He thinks about you the most."

Zhao Yu quickly explained: "I did invite him, but he's been too busy with work and hasn't had time to come."

Zhuang Peiying laughed: "Haha, just kidding. My brother really has been busy lately. So busy he doesn't even have time to go out, so I have to speak on his behalf."

"What does he want to say?"

"You know he likes you, right?"

"...Yeah."

"Then it's simple." Zhuang Peiying cleared her throat: "My parents are very open-minded about relationships, so whether my brother likes women or men, they support it. You can rest assured. My brother has already told the family that when it comes to marriage, it's you or no one..."

"Wait!" Zhao Yu raised his hand to stop her, his mind going blank for a few seconds, and asked: "He told his family?"

"Yes. Don't be fooled by my brother's gentle nature—he can be quite radical in his actions, and he never turns back once he's set his mind on something." Zhuang Peiying sighed: "I've never seen him like someone this much. He hasn't even won you over yet, but he's already setting things up for you at home. He wouldn't say these things to you, afraid of putting pressure on you. He says nothing and insists on being the selfless saint, so I have to be the one to say it."

She paused, then continued: "Knowing my brother as I do, once he's set his heart on someone, he'd rather live alone for the rest of his life than settle for anyone else. Zhao Yu, I'm begging you to consider my brother. You can fall in love after marriage, right? My family will absolutely respect you, and my parents will treat you just like they treat my brother. Since it's come to marriage, why not choose someone who will always be good to you?"

She grabbed Zhao Yu's hand and suddenly placed a square box in his palm: "I stole this. My brother has actually prepared everything long ago, except he's missing one thing—your 'I like you.'"

Zhao Yu looked down. Inside the box was a ring.