Which way to go is the road?

Outside the attic, fireworks were constantly being set off in the night sky, rising with whistles and blooming around the moon. The bright sparkles conveyed a sense of peace and warmth, fermenting in people's hearts like mellow wine.

"Everyone's had enough to drink, so I have an announcement to make!" Qian Luomei stood up, looked at everyone's gaze, and continued with a bright smile, "From now on, Xiang Fei will be the manager of our 'Shuiyunjian' internet cafe, managing the day-to-day affairs on my behalf! Let's all applaud to congratulate him!"

Upon hearing that her boyfriend had been promoted, Bai Xue was naturally the first to applaud. After a moment of surprise, Dong Lu, Lao You, Zhang Fang, Du Xinpeng, and Tian Hai also applauded enthusiastically, happy for Xiang Fei!

As the most senior employee at "Shuiyunjian", Xiangzi looked a little awkward, and seemed to have mixed feelings. However, when he saw everyone clapping, he naturally clapped along as well, but was pulled back by Wang Haoming next to him, and forced a stiff smile.

"Sister Luo Mei, I have something to say!" Wang Haoming stood up abruptly, looking furious.

Qian Luomei frowned: "Does it have to be today? Today is a good day, and everyone is happy!"

"I'm sorry if this has disturbed everyone's enjoyment, but I have to say this. I've been holding it in for a long time, and I just have to get it off my chest!"

Wang Haoming rarely spoke, and everyone was used to his silence and eccentricity. So everyone was quite surprised that he was suddenly so polite and talked so much!

"Then you speak! I'm all ears!" Qian Luomei sat down, took a sip of red wine, but didn't put down the glass, playing with it in her hand.

"I don't think Xiang Fei is suitable to be the store manager!"

Xiang Fei wasn't too surprised by Wang Haoming's opposition. At this point, he had no say. Should he decline the position of store manager? Giving up easily wasn't in his nature. Should he argue with Wang Haoming and try to persuade him? As the newly appointed store manager, he could only escalate the conflict. So, he simply listened quietly to their conversation.

"What's wrong with it? Tell me!"

"He's the newest here, his skills are so-so, he's not really familiar with our internet cafe, and he's far less experienced than Brother Xiangzi. Nobody would accept him as manager!"

"Anyone who disagrees? Step forward and let's see!"

Wang Haoming stood ramrod straight and kept pulling Xiangzi up, trying to get him to stand up too. After finally managing to get him up, Xiangzi looked at everyone's gazes, gave an awkward smile, and slowly sat back down.

"Looks like you're the only one who's not convinced! Even if you include Xiangzi, there are only two of you. Our internet cafe has seven employees, including part-timers, so it's 2 to 5. You're still in the minority!"

"That's because Xiang Fei knows how to win people over!"

"You can try to win them over! Why can't you? How can you be a store manager if you can't even build basic interpersonal relationships?"

"Once you become a store manager, you naturally build relationships by interacting with more people! Who would bother with a lowly internet cafe manager like us?"

"Okay, even if you're right, regardless of the majority or interpersonal relationships, we still have to look at individual abilities! Technical skills aren't important for a store manager, and those can be learned, but the ability to handle specific tasks is essential! Who among you has that?"

"Did Xiang Fei have it? What problem did he handle?"

"Last time that scarred man came looking for trouble, wasn't Xiang Fei the only one handling things at the front desk?"

"I wasn't at the front desk that time, but I could have handled it just as well, and I would have done even worse than him, making those bastards regret it for the rest of their lives!"

"Being a store manager isn't about being brave and reckless; it requires courage, wisdom, responsibility, and patience!" Qian Luomei put down her cup, gritted her teeth, and said, "Fine, the front desk doesn't count this time. I'll give you a math problem, and whoever can solve it will be the store manager!"

"What's the question?" Xiangzi asked with concern.

Qian Luomei pursed her lips, staring at Xiangzi and Wang Haoming: "The internet cafe across the street opens tomorrow. Please come up with three countermeasures to give our internet cafe a competitive edge! Tell me, whoever comes up with the right one, I'll make them the manager! But let me tell you beforehand, Xiang Fei has already given me three measures. Whoever has a better idea than him, I'll make you the manager!"

Xiangzi initially wanted to give it a try, but after hearing the rest, he decided to give up! At the same time, he pulled Wang Haoming back from speaking.

"Alright, since no one is willing to answer the questions, then let Xiang Fei continue as store manager! But let me tell you beforehand, since Xiang Fei is the store manager, you have to listen to him. If you have any opinions, you can raise them with me, but work cannot be neglected. Whoever neglects work will be punished, or else get out of 'Shuiyunjian'!"

Grandpa Qian remained silent throughout, observing the situation closely. Seeing his daughter's anger rising, he quickly intervened to smooth things over: "Luo Mei, you've gone too far. These two young men are definitely doing this for the good of our internet cafe, not wanting you to appoint a manager so hastily. What kind of behavior is this? Caring about the internet cafe's development is a good thing, but don't get so worked up. Otherwise, who will dare to offer you advice?"

After criticizing his daughter, Grandpa Qian then lectured Xiangzi and Wang Haoming: "If you have any opinions, you can voice them below! Don't stir up trouble when everyone is happy. I know you're doing this for the good of the internet cafe, but you need to watch your manner of speaking! Uphold the authority of Luo Mei, the internet cafe owner. However, I really like your outspoken nature. In the future, if you have any opinions, you can not only raise them with Luo Mei, but also with me!"

Despite the old man's kind face, his voice carried a strong sense of pressure. Xiangzi and Wang Haoming naturally agreed obsequiously and apologized to Qian Luomei.

"Sister Luomei, we were wrong. As employees, we shouldn't have doubted your decisions and should have supported you unconditionally! We also shouldn't have raised such a pointed question at this happy moment. Please forgive us!" Xiangzi said respectfully.

"Alright, I was a bit harsh just now. Don't hold a grudge. Drink your wine, and let bygones be bygones!" Qian Luomei said readily.

"It's a bit too heavy!" Du Xinpeng, seeing the strange looks from everyone gathered around, feigned an innocent embarrassment once again: "I mean, this takeout is too salty! It's not as good as Xiang Fei's! You guys try it, it's true!"

Everyone was speechless, but Old Master Qian chuckled: "You little rascal, oh my! Not bad, what's your name again!"

"Reporting to the old man, my name is Du Xinpeng! Du is composed of the characters for 'wood' and 'earth,' 'Xin' in 'new bride,' and 'peng' in 'a bird standing next to a friend!'"

Grandpa Qian continued laughing, "The 'peng' in 'a bird standing next to a friend,' I think it's the 'bird' in 'a bird standing next to a friend,' just kidding. You're an interesting kid, very interesting! Luo Mei, your team is quite interesting, a gathering of talents, with diverse personalities—some with outstanding literary skills, some who can lighten the mood, some with artistic talents, and so on! Not bad, keep developing! You have a bright future!"

Hearing her father praise everyone, Qian Luomei's expression relaxed considerably: "Of course, Zhang Chu, go get your guitar and sing a song for our old man!"

Zhang Chu did not refuse. He went back to his room, took out his old guitar, moved a stool to sit on the open space in front of the TV, crossed his legs, plucked the strings, and his fingers flew across the strings. The sound of the acoustic guitar flowed into everyone's hearts like a gushing spring. He opened his red lips and sang a song called "Cherish" by Alec Su.

moored at the pier where we parted yesterday

Many dreams, layered and mottled.

People after sunset

Keeping company with the moon while waiting for loneliness

Youthful folly sometimes cannot withstand the autumn winds.

You have more worries than happy times.

After my deep affection and thin fate

Who says youth can't be wrong?

I'd rather shed tears than bow my head.

Cherish what you once had and the hands you once held.