Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 481 Not Afraid Not Afraid

The boss tilted his head and began to think.

Xiao Wei said, "You've contracted a hotel, and then you opened a restaurant inside the hotel—that's your main business. No matter what the outside of this building looks like, first and foremost, you need to make money from inside this building. To make money from this building, you need a large enough flow of people outside. They need to be willing to come, have fun, and when they're having fun, they get tired and exhausted, so they look for a place to rest and recharge. That's your path to wealth."

Whether it's a short break, a shower and change of clothes, or simply coming in to sit for a while, have a cup of tea, or cool off, all of this brings in foot traffic. Foot traffic not only generates profit but also indirectly attracts even more people. In certain environments, people's herd mentality is very strong and often subconscious.

As long as there's enough foot traffic, your hotel or restaurant, or even just a teahouse, will survive, and you'll have a secure livelihood. Then you can consider whether you can generate additional profit outside the building, whether it's adding an outdoor tea area or some other project. That's when you should start thinking about side businesses. You've got it backwards.

The boss stood there silently, deep in thought. Suddenly, Chen Hui shouted and patted the boss on the shoulder: "We're here! We're here! Wake up! We're going ashore!" The boss jolted awake, glanced ahead, and quickly reduced the throttle and adjusted the rudder. If they had waited another night, they really would have made it ashore.

The boat circled the water for a full lap before stopping at the small dock. Everyone went ashore. The rain had lessened by then, just a light drizzle, so there was no need for umbrellas anymore. Xia Maosheng helped the boss tie up the mooring ropes, and the four of them chatted as they walked back.

The boss said, "Hey you, you mean, no matter what method I have to use, even if it means begging others to come and make money, I'll just get the project up and running first. I won't think about anything else for now. I just need to get the foot traffic going, right?"

Xiao Wei said, "Just call me Xiao Wei, this is Lao Xia, and this is Xiao Hui. Yes, that's the idea, this is your true self."

The boss thought for a moment, then slowly nodded and said, "That makes sense. I used to feel uncomfortable letting others make money in this area since it was my property. But now that you mention it, I realize I was wrong. Oh, my surname is Zhang, just call me Lao Zhang."

Xiao Wei smiled and said, "Brother Zhang, if someone comes here to do a project, even if they earn millions a month, as long as they can bring in foot traffic, then you've made a profit, understand? Then you can figure out how to launch your project and increase your services, and then you're set."

Boss Zhang nodded and said, "I understand. I was definitely thinking too much before. Brother, you're really smart. Why did you just open a small restaurant? With your mindset, it wouldn't be hard to come up with some big-money projects, would it?"

Xiao Wei said, "Things have to be done slowly, from small to big, no rush, take it one step at a time."

They went inside and upstairs. Xiao Hong and the other two had already gone back to their rooms. Xiao Wei, Chen Hui, and Xia Maosheng didn't linger downstairs either; they went straight upstairs to their rooms. It was obvious that the three girls were together.

Upon entering, Chen Xiao was sitting against the headboard, supported by pillows and blankets. Geng Hui was lying beside her, and Xiao Hong was sitting on the corner of the bed. The three of them were talking when they heard the door open and turned to look. Xiao Hong asked, "Was it fun? Was the boat fast?"

Xiao Wei said, "It was alright, a diesel boat. I'm glad you guys didn't go, the waves on the lake were too big, it was so rocking you couldn't even stand up straight. And once you're in the lake, the feeling is completely different from looking out from here. How should I put it, fear? Not really, but it felt unsettling, a little scary."

Xiao Hong got off the bed, walked over to Xiao Wei, and stroked his head a few times, saying, "Don't be scared by my patting, don't be afraid, oh." Xiao Wei was stunned, as were Chen Hui and Xia Maosheng. Then, a burst of laughter erupted in the room. Only Xiao Wei understood and reached out to hug Xiao Hong.

He wasn't actually very brave, or rather, he was a bit timid. Only Xiao Hong, who had grown up with him, understood. When he said he was a little scared, he really meant it. Xiao Hong ignored Chen Hui and the others' laughter, wrapped her arms around Xiao Wei, and said, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm here."

Xiao Wei instantly recalled a childhood memory: by the river, he had lost his balance and fallen into the water, choking on it. Back then, his little Hong, who was only a few years old, had hugged him, stroked his hair, and said, "Don't be scared, don't be scared. I'm here for you. I'll help you fight it."

In this world, only Xiaohong knew that he was very timid and terribly afraid of water. This felt wonderful.

Xiaowei chuckled, kissed Xiaohong on the chin, and said, "Alright, people are watching. I'm not a child anymore." He had a fever for several days that time, which was frightening, and Xiaohong seemed to stay with him the whole time.

Chen Xiao said, "He couldn't kiss Xiao Hong's forehead." The laughter, which had already subsided, grew louder.

The next morning, after having an authentic farmhouse breakfast, the six of them went out of the hotel to the edge of the cliff to look out and take pictures.

The sky was still a bit overcast, the wind wasn't as strong, but it was still a bit chilly, with occasional streaks of water.

After a day and a night of intermittent rain, all the trees and grasses appeared lush and green, so vibrant and clear.

The lake water wasn't surging as violently as it had been yesterday. The deep blue water stretched from our feet to the unseen distance, and the steep peaks on both sides looked so majestic at this moment, quietly reflected on the scaly surface of the water, rippling with the waves.

In the distance, there are houses nestled in the mountains. No houses are visible, only wisps of smoke rising from the forest, swaying gently and adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the verdant woods, giving it a misty, otherworldly feel.

The highway winds its way along the lake shore, following the contours of the mountains and the flow of water. The road itself is no longer visible; only a horizontal line formed by groves of trees can be seen between the mountains and the lake, with the road breaking off neatly at the foot of the mountains. At the bend where the line breaks, a pavilion's golden roof emerges from the grove, reflecting dazzling glimmers of sunlight in the tranquil morning light.

"Cluck, cluck." A mother hen emerged from the fence made of branches on the side of the hotel with a brood of fluffy yellow chicks. The hen turned her head warily to stare at the group of people, making a warning sound. A bunch of fluffy little balls gathered at her feet. Some followed and looked at the group of people, some pecked at the ground without paying attention, some chased after them, and some looked around and chirped.

A large tabby cat lazily walked across the yard, causing the hen's pheasant feathers to flutter a few times.

Boss Zhang was feeding the pigs at the back of the building. When he called out, you could hear the pigs grunting and smacking as they happily ate their breakfast.

(End of this chapter)