Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 183 - 182: A Hundred Scenarios

Chapter 183: Chapter 182: A Hundred Scenarios

Of course, Chen Shi was willing to let Chen Ming join.

With Chen Ming, it was like having Afu. With Afu, they’d have great ideas, the strong backing of the Senator’s Mansion, and good chefs and managers. The business would certainly prosper.

The reason Chen Afu wanted them to open a wine-shop was because when he heard that Yang Mingyuan had pawned his wine-shop, the former manager Mr. Xu and a few chefs didn’t want to leave their home. The new owner said they were willing to employ them, so they stayed. But later, they clashed with the new team brought by the new owner, who were being sidelined.

Chen Afu had a good impression of the former employees at the Xile Restaurant and wanted to invite them to their new wine-shop through Yang Mingyuan. Since Dingzhou was only a few dozen miles from Sanqing County, they should be willing. Moreover, with Chen Shi’s acumen, the wine-shop should do well.

It would be even better if they could negotiate with Yang Mingyuan to "buy back" the Luwei and the Gold Series, and make them a signature dish at the new wine-shop.

Chen Afu called over Chen Ming and the group started discussing.

After lunch, discussions continued.

Chen San Lu Chuan was left to Chen Ayu to manage; it remained its independent venture. Chen Shi was in charge of the wine-shop and was the main investor, with Chen Ming assisting...

Chen Ye, who was watching this from the side, burst out, "Our family should also invest. We can put in a hundred taels, no, a hundred and fifty taels of silver!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Hu nearly passed out and exclaimed, "What nonsense are you talking about? Where would we get so much silver?"

Chen Shi snapped back, "Who’s talking nonsense? We have more than fifty taels of savings, and if we sell twenty acres of land, we’ll have enough."

Hearing this, Mrs. Hu cried out, as if her heart had been torn apart. "That’s not possible! If the restaurant doesn’t turn a profit, we’ll be left with nothing...

All the shouting and crying upset Chen Ming and his wife, and Chen Shi and his wife. No one wants to hear about a potential loss during the Lunar New Year.

Besides, if Chen Ye were to join in, Chen Ming and Chen Shi, including Chen Afu, won’t be too happy. It wasn’t because they thought little of his contribution, but rather, they were wary of his habit of control and how it could negatively affect the business.

But if they were to leave the eldest brother out of the profitable venture, it wouldn’t be fair either. Chen Ming and Chen Shi were torn and didn’t know what to do.

Seeing Mrs. Hu crying and mumbling, and Chen Ye being restrained from fighting, the whole place was in chaos. Chen Afu said, "Uncle, don’t be angry. Aunty, don’t cry. How about this: My dad and Uncle San invest the same amount and hold forty percent of the shares each. Uncle’s family doesn’t have to put up any money, but will be given ten percent of the shares as a gift from my dad and Uncle San. A further ten percent of the shares will be given to Manager Luo. With him on board, he could not only bring in clients to the wine-shop, but also protect us in the capital city. Moreover, with his inclusion, both my dad and uncle could stand taller in our hometown."

Everyone was willing when Chen Afu said this. Chen Ye chuckled, "Our family doesn’t have to put in any money nor do any work. How could we accept shares?"

Mrs. Hu was already beaming through her tears, and eagerly responded, "What’s there to be shy about? It’s the eldest son who nurtured his two younger brothers and even paid for their education" she rattled on.

Chen Ming asked Chen Afu, "Is it alright to just give it to Master Luo and not Mr. Chu?"

Chen Afu laughed, "The Chus wouldn’t even bat an eye at a wine-shop like this."

After further discussion, they decided that the wine-shop should be middle-grade. Including rental, renovations, contract arrangements, food purchase, staff wages, an initial five hundred taels of silver was needed. That is to say, Chen Ming and Chen Shi each had to fork out two hundred and fifty taels of silver.

Chen Shi had not long started his Lu Chuan business and had only saved a little more than a hundred taels of silver so far, but he planned to borrow from his father-in-law. Chen Ming also felt embarrassed; where could he find that much money? He initially thought that a little over a hundred taels of silver would be enough, planning to take out the ninety taels of savings and borrow a little from Afu.

Chen Afu said, "Dad, don’t worry about the money. I’ll cover for you."

Chen Ming responded, "If you’re the one putting up the money, then the shares should be in your name."

As soon as Chen Ming said this, Chen Ye and Mrs. Chen were opposed.

Chen Ye quickly chimed in, "Brother, Afu is a good girl. If she offers you something out of respect, and you refuse, she might feel bad."

Mrs. Chen’s face grew red as she responded, "Yes, this is a symbol of Afu’s respect for you. You must accept."

Chen Ming stubbornly refused, saying it wasn’t right to accept since Afu had already built them such a large house. Chen Ye and Mrs. Chen were extremely anxious, fearing that Chen Afu would take up Chen Ming’s suggestion and put down her name. They were both talking and scolding, and Mrs. Chen even jabbed Chen Ming’s head with her finger in anger.

Witnessing all this, Chen Afu sighed inwardly. Indeed, a child that isn’t of your own is different. It seems no matter how respectful and obedient you are, it’s never enough. She was the one who came up with the idea of the restaurant, she had the connections, she was the one who provided the money. Yet, when it came to gaining profit, they were afraid that she would take up too much, while the real family members wouldn’t gain any advantage.

Luckily she wasn’t an actual fifteen-year-old girl, or else this would have hurt more profoundly. She had lived until she was thirty-two in her previous life and also knew life as an orphan – she was familiar with all forms of human behavior...

Chen Ye and Mrs. Chen’s performances were also normal, most people would behave this way. It was Chen Ming’s father who was the honest and upright one. Everything they did was for his sake...

She said, "Dad, please accept it. You know I am capable. There are other ways I can raise the money."

At last, Chen Ming agreed, but insisted on writing a promissory note, saying he would repay her with the profits later.

Mrs. Chen was so angry, she started to scold him again, "You fool, do you know how long it would take to earn two hundred and fifty taels of silver back? Afu is the daughter you raised, and she’s not short on cash, if she wants to show you her filial piety, why can’t you accept it?"

Chen Shi also advised, "Brother, just accept it. Afu can handle it, and it’s not about the money. Given your father-daughter relationship, documentation is not necessary. If our business does extraordinarily well in the future and we earn big, you could give her a big red envelope filled with five hundred taels of silver."

Chen Shi was persuading Chen Ming to accept as well. His words were received warmly, not just by Chen Ming, but also by Chen Afu.

Smart people really are different.

Before dinner, they sent Alu and Dabao to invite Manager Luo and his son.

After hearing about the matter, they all agreed with smiles on their faces. The shares of an average wine-shop in Dingzhou wouldn’t even be looked at by their master. Since their master didn’t care, and they were familiar with the Chens and trusted Chen Shi and Chen Afu, they agreed.