Reborn in 2000: I just want to love a few people properly.

"By the way, have you paid the final payment for the renovations?" Gu Lin suddenly asked in the car.

Xu Boqian chuckled twice. He had originally planned to pay the other party later, but he had completely forgotten about it after taking a nap in the afternoon.

Xu Bo took out his phone and called the contractor across the street.

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry, but if it really doesn't work, you can come to my store tomorrow to collect the cash."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Bo looked at Gu Lin in the rearview mirror and continued speaking.

"Don't forget to hang up the banners and standees for the welcome event tomorrow."

Speaking of this, Gu Lin also remembered: "Oh right, come to the small auditorium at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, and I'll introduce you to the student council members."

Xu Bo nodded and agreed to Gu Lin's request.

"Let's warm things up first. We'll officially open next Friday, so let's use this week to train the staff."

Gu Lin hired mostly day laborers from the surrounding area, each with their own place to live, so there was no need to set up staff dormitories. Of course, if there were any staff changes in the future, it would be necessary to rent a house as staff dormitories.

"Let's have some training at the store tomorrow morning at eight o'clock."

After a 20-minute drive, the group arrived at the clubhouse that Zhong Weiyong had booked. After getting out of the car, Xu Bo paid the fare.

He handed Wang Yanxian a cigarette, and the two of them started smoking.

Upon arriving at the entrance and giving Zhong Weiyong's name, the three of them were able to enter the club without any problems.

The pristine white marble paired with golden lighting made Gu Lin's eyes practically pop out of their sockets.

Although Wang Yan had seen a lot, he couldn't help but estimate the value of the luxurious decoration in his mind.

I guess my dad can only come to places like this when he's invited to a banquet.

Especially the girls passing by in twos and threes, dressed provocatively, with gold powder shimmering on their faces, exuded a unique charm under the golden lights.

Guided by the waiter, the three took the elevator to the third floor and arrived at the door of a private room.

After a gentle knock, the waiter opened the door and showed half of himself, allowing Xu Bo and the other two to enter.

"Come here, Xiao Bo! It's been so long! How's university life?"

Zhong Weiyong was wearing a shirt and black-rimmed glasses today. When he saw Xu Bo come in, he immediately stood up to greet him warmly.

Wang Kangmei was the same, but compared to Zhong Weiyong's enthusiasm, he seemed much more reserved.

"This is my relative, Zhong Qiangguo. He does wholesale business in the Hangzhou market," Zhong Weiyong said, pointing to a man next to him who looked similar to him.

After shaking hands, Xu Bo introduced his friend to the other person.

After taking his seat, Zhong Weiyong clapped his hands to signal the waiter to bring the dishes.

"Want some drinks?" The three men were definitely going to drink, so Zhong Weiyong picked up the wine jug and asked Xu Bo.

"Okay, have some." Things definitely can't go on without drinking in this kind of situation, Xu Bo thought with a wry smile, but he quickly stood up, took the wine pot, and poured a full glass of wine for everyone around the table.

Wang Yan was the same, but he couldn't hold his liquor well, so he gave advance notice. Zhong Weiyong also said that he would just enjoy himself to the fullest.

Since parting ways on the train, the three had not seen each other for more than ten days. This friendship, despite the age difference, had left a deep impression on them. However, their circumstances had also changed significantly during this time.

Wang Kangmei was not satisfied with her work in the restaurant kitchen and had already started looking for jobs in other restaurants. Zhong Weiyong's business in Shanghai was also facing various obstacles, and he recently went to Hangzhou to relax.

Xu Bo was preoccupied with a host of pressing matters, so the three of them started eating as soon as they poured themselves a drink.

Zhong Qiangguo was straightforward and would drink as much as the three of them. Wang Yan, on the other hand, was a bit weaker. Every time he drank baijiu, he would quickly eat some cold dishes to counteract the effects of the alcohol.

Zhong Weiyong had obviously mentioned Xu Bo to his relatives many times. Zhong Qiangguo had a good impression of Xu Bo, and soon after drinking, he sat down next to Xu Bo.

The two chatted about everything from the external environment to the trivialities of life, from the past to the present. Wang Yan couldn't hear clearly, but from their laughter, he could tell that they were having a very pleasant time together.

"Uncle Qiang, I really do have something to ask of you," Xu Bo said, holding his wine glass and grasping the other man's hands.

Hearing that Xu Bo needed a favor, the two unsuspecting people perked up their ears, eager to know what Xu Bo wanted.

"I recently opened a hot pot restaurant of about 400 square meters near the school. Everything else is ready, and the only thing missing is the supply of ingredients."

Xu Bo directly expressed his troubles, and everyone present, being shrewd individuals, immediately understood what he meant, though they all gave awkward smiles.

Xu Bo's request at this time also gave both parties an opportunity to cooperate. A 400-square-meter hot pot restaurant, not to mention whether it can be operated in the long term, just the amount of food needed every day is a considerable sum. As long as the cooperation can be maintained for a long time, Zhong Qiangguo will definitely be able to make a profit.

After exchanging a glance with Zhong Weiyong, Zhong Qiangguo began to discuss the matter in detail with Xu Bo. During the discussion, Xu Bo also called Gu Lin, who was standing next to him, to accompany them.

"This is my manager. She will be in charge of the daily operations and management of the hot pot restaurant from now on."

"This is Wang Yan, my partner. His father works in the Huxi District," Xu Bo briefly reintroduced the two.

Taking a piece of paper, Gu Lin began to list the number of dishes the store needed each day to Xu Bo.

Xu Bo and Gu Lin had significant disagreements regarding meat.

Gu Lin suggested purchasing from established factories to maximize profits, but Xu Bo had a different idea.

The two had discussed this many times, and Xu Bo always said...

"It will be great when we have our own factory in the future." Gu Lin didn't understand what Xu Bo meant.

After finalizing the quantity for the first delivery, the three agreed to deliver the goods next Friday morning.

While the three were deep in discussion, Zhong Weiyong and Wang Kangmei, on the other side of the table, were filled with mixed emotions.

"Who would have thought that this kid would open a hot pot restaurant in just over a week since he came to Hangzhou?" Wang Kangmei sighed as she looked at the cigarettes Zhong Weiyong had brought.

"Yes, who can predict what life will bring?" Zhong Weiyong flicked his cigarette ash and continued, "I really don't want to consider going to Shanghai; it's much better than Hangzhou."

"No, I'm too old to bother with all that. If things don't work out, I'll just go back to my hometown in Northeast China."

Wang Kangmei waved his hand and refused again. He had heard that the pressure in Shanghai was immense. Tianya was a nearly fifty-year-old man and couldn't handle the pressure.

I came out to work to earn some money and ease the burden on my child, but it would be bad if I developed a lot of illnesses and caused trouble for my child.

"How about..." Zhong Weiyong shook his head, nodding his chin towards Xu Bo.

Wang Kangmei understood immediately, and after thinking for a while, she slowly nodded.

"Xiao Bo, your old man Wang still needs your help with something," Zhong Weiyong said with a smile, interrupting the group's lively conversation.