We agreed not to date, so why are you crying now that I've become the richest man?

At six o'clock in the evening, the streetlights along the street lit up one by one.

Ye Chen chose a clean-looking, home-style restaurant.

The two sat down by the window.

As soon as the dishes were ordered, Shen Anran picked up the kettle, carefully rinsed the bowls and chopsticks, and then pushed them in front of Ye Chen.

She took out a tissue and wiped the water stains off the table before sitting back down.

Ye Chen looked at her and smiled, "An Ran, you've done a good job of preparing. When you come here to eat, does the boss have to give you a checklist?"

Shen Anran pursed her lips: "It's safer to eat if it's clean."

"Then I'm lucky to have gotten here today."

You should have been relieved.

Her tone was serious, but Ye Chen could detect a hint of concern in it.

He stopped teasing her and simply pushed the plate of food in the distance in front of her.

The meal was eaten quietly.

Shen Anran kept her head down as she ate, occasionally glancing up at him.

Ye Chen didn't deliberately try to start a conversation; he simply pushed the plate forward when she couldn't reach the food.

There wasn't much conversation at the table, but there wasn't a moment of awkward silence.

After finishing their meal, Ye Chen was just about to greet the boss when Shen Anran stood up.

She took a black wallet out of her canvas bag and walked quickly to the cashier.

"I'll pay."

She turned to look at Ye Chen, her tone very serious.

"You paid for this, and you even bought me a computer before, so this time it's my treat."

Just as Ye Chen was about to get up, he heard these words and leaned back in his chair.

"OK."

Shen Anran visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

She carefully counted out the banknotes and handed them to the shopkeeper, then checked the change again before slinging her canvas bag over her shoulder and walking back.

"Let's go."

Ye Chen stood up and followed.

He didn't argue with her, nor did he try to take care of everything under the guise of "taking care of you."

Shen Anran, on the contrary, felt much more relaxed.

She can accept Ye Chen's kindness, but she doesn't want to become someone who only accepts.

The autumn night wind carried a chill.

The two walked side by side along the street, the streetlights casting long shadows that occasionally overlapped and then separated with each step.

Ye Chen escorted Shen Anran all the way to her doorstep.

"arrive."

He stopped in his tracks.

Shen Anran stood on the steps, not turning around immediately.

She put her hands behind her back, the tips of her shoes lightly touching the edge of the steps.

After a few seconds, she raised her head and looked straight at Ye Chen.

The dim light fell on her face, and the girl's undisguised anticipation was almost entirely written in her eyes.

Are you free tomorrow?

I have something to do tomorrow.

Ye Chen smiled.

Shen Anran's eyes darkened slightly.

Ye Chen saw it and added, "I'll send you a message on QQ when I'm done with my work."

Her eyes immediately lit up again.

"it is good."

Shen Anran nodded.

"Then you should get back to your business."

"Go in."

"Um."

She turned and walked into the stairwell.

When she reached the corner on the second floor, Shen Anran stopped and looked back down.

Ye Chen remained standing in the same spot.

Their eyes met briefly across the dimly lit stairwell.

Ye Chen raised his hand and waved, then turned and walked into the night.

Shen Anran leaned against the mottled wall, covering her burning face with her hands.

She stared at the direction Ye Chen left in for a long time, then slowly curved her lips into a smile.

It's okay if I have something to do tomorrow.

He said he would contact her when he was done with his work.

This is enough.

……

The next morning.

Ye Jianguo stood in front of the full-length mirror and carefully straightened his collar.

He was wearing a brand-new white shirt, his trousers were neatly pressed, and his old leather shoes were polished to a shine.

Chen Xiulan changed into the dark red coat that she only wore during the Lunar New Year, and her hair was combed neatly.

The couple exchanged a glance and simultaneously straightened their backs.

There were over four million yuan in cash in the bank account.

Today I went to the factory to find workshop director Zhang Jianping, not to beg for help, but to resign and leave.

The humiliation I suffered yesterday, I must return today dressed impeccably and with interest.

Ye Jianguo gripped the doorknob, just about to open the door.

"Dad, Mom, wait a minute."

Ye Chen came out of the bedroom, holding a half-full glass of warm water, and stood in the entryway.

"What's wrong, Chenchen?" Chen Xiulan stopped in her tracks.

"Resign to vent your anger, there's no rush." ​​Ye Chen took a sip of water. "You can run away, but you can't hide. Tomorrow, Zhou Bin, the North China regional investment manager from Semir headquarters, will be bringing his team to our county for an inspection."

Ye Jianguo was taken aback.

"Coming tomorrow?"

"As a big brand, of course they're efficient," Ye Chen said naturally, putting down his water glass. "They also require franchisees to provide health certificates to prove that their physical condition can withstand the operation of the store."

Chen Xiulan was somewhat puzzled.

"Do I need a physical exam too?"

"The brand needs to conduct a basic review, which is a normal procedure." Ye Chen said without changing his expression. "So we won't go to the factory today. Let's go directly to the city, get the medical check-up done first, and then pick up the car."

"Pick up the car?"

Ye Jianguo's voice rose a notch.

Ye Chen nodded.

"They're bringing their team tomorrow, we can't exactly go pick them up by bicycle, can we? When it comes to business, store location, capital, and image are all factors the other party uses to assess our capabilities."

He paused, then added:

"If the brand is willing to offer more in terms of initial order, decoration subsidies, and quarterly rebates, the cost of this car can be quickly recovered from the cooperation terms."

Ye Jianguo's mind was originally filled with how to go to the factory and give them a hard time.

Upon hearing about the franchise business, he immediately understood its importance.

It may feel good to vent one's anger, but the business that the son is setting up is the hope for the whole family's future.

"Okay, I'll do as Chenchen says, let's go to the city first!"

Ye Jianguo decisively released the door handle.

……

At 8:15 a.m., a long-distance bus bound for the city drove out of the county town.

The family of three sat in the car.

Chen Xiulan and Ye Jianguo discussed in hushed tones how to receive the brand representatives tomorrow, even making arrangements in advance whether the representatives preferred tea or coffee.

Ye Chen leaned back in his chair, watching the trees rushing past the window, his expression gradually darkening.

Semir needed a health certificate, which was obviously a reason he made up on the spot.

He actually took his parents to the hospital because of the tragedy in his previous life.

More than a decade later, my father suddenly collapsed at the construction site. When he was taken to the hospital, he was already in the late stages of a terminal illness.

Over the next two years, exorbitant medical expenses bankrupted the entire family.

The mother's hair turned white overnight by the bedside, while the father lay in the ward, unable to eat a complete meal.

Ye Chen still doesn't dare to think about that memory.

More than a decade before the tragedy occurred.

If the lesions have already begun to develop, early detection allows for intervention as soon as possible.

Money can be earned later.

Parents' health cannot wait.

……

An hour and a half later, the bus entered the city.

After getting off the bus, the three took a taxi straight to the First Municipal Hospital.

The hospital lobby was bustling with people, and long queues had formed in front of the registration windows.

Ye Chen turned to his head and said, "Dad, Mom, please go sit over there and rest for a while. Give me your ID cards, I'll go register."

"OK."

Chen Xiulan took out their ID cards from her bag and handed them to Ye Chen.

……

I'm adding an extra chapter today mainly because the data has dropped drastically in the last few days. I'm hoping this extra chapter will have some effect. If it does, I'll continue adding more chapters; if not, there's nothing I can do.