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

Inside the barbecue restaurant, the charcoal fire crackled and popped.

The aroma of cumin-coated lamb fat wafted far and wide on the night breeze.

Ye Chen walked through the noisy crowd and sat down at a small square table in the corner.

Zhao Peng had already ordered a table full of meat skewers, with half a dozen ice-cold beers piled up next to them.

"Chenzi, you've finally arrived!"

Zhao Peng eagerly opened his backpack, pulled out a thick black notebook, and slammed it onto the table.

"Look, buddy, I haven't had a moment's rest these past few days."

Ye Chen opened his notebook.

The pages were covered with dense writing, interspersed with many crooked tables.

"The Xingji Internet Cafe near Huaicheng Middle School has 75 computers. It's about 80% full during the day and almost always full for overnight stays."

"It costs seven yuan for an overnight stay. Instant noodles, sausages, and cola are the best-selling items. Don't underestimate these small amounts; they can account for 30% of the profit."

Zhao Peng leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"There's also Feiyu Internet Cafe near No. 2 Middle School. The machines are so old that you can't even play CrossFire without losing frame rate, but it's cheap, only 1.5 yuan an hour, so people still go there."

"I think I understand now. The cost of living is different in Huaicheng and Shanghai, but students have similar ideas about going to internet cafes."

At this point, Zhao Peng's eyes lit up.

"If we were to open an internet cafe in Shanghai, the machines would have to be top-of-the-line, at least dual-core processors and dedicated graphics cards. If the games like World of Warcraft and Dungeon Fighter Online lag, people might not come back next time."

"As long as the experience is good enough, they'll still scramble to come even if it costs an extra dollar or two per hour."

Ye Chen turned the pages one by one without interruption.

Although Zhao Peng's handwriting was messy, his research was very thorough.

The occupancy rate, the number of people staying overnight, beverage sales, and the approximate profit of snacks were all remembered clearly.

Ye Chen picked up a skewer of mutton and took a bite.

"Okay, it wasn't a wasted trip."

Zhao Peng immediately sat up straight: "So, the internet cafe deal is sorted out?"

"What's the rush?"

Ye Chen picked up his beer mug and clinked it with his.

"After returning to Shanghai, you went through everything from site selection and equipment procurement to understanding the surrounding customer flow."

"Alright!"

Zhao Peng grinned.

"I'll follow Boss Ye's arrangements completely!"

After he finished speaking, he patted the notebook again.

"Besides, I really want to learn something this time."

Ye Chen glanced at him.

"Studying is just an excuse; what you really want is to live in internet cafes and never go back to the dorm, right?"

Zhao Peng chuckled as his thoughts were exposed.

"They're all the same, they're all the same."

The two chatted until late at night.

……

Early the next morning.

After washing up, Ye Chen drove Ye Jianguo and Chen Xiulan to handle the business license and other formalities.

Semir's headquarters has all the necessary brand materials, and the store lease agreement is in good condition.

After running around to several windows at the business registration and tax offices, the process went much more smoothly than I had expected.

Ye Jianguo, carrying his newly bought genuine leather briefcase, followed his son the whole time.

Finding the window, submitting materials, and checking forms were all done by Ye Chen with practiced ease.

The real shop owner, on the other hand, only needed to sign the papers on the side.

Seeing his son's calm and composed demeanor as he communicated with the staff, Ye Jianguo straightened his back a bit more than usual.

11:30 a.m.

Instead of driving the Passat home, he parked it in front of the largest construction bank in the county.

"Chenchen, the certificates are all done, what are you doing at the bank?"

Ye Jianguo pushed open the car door, looking puzzled.

Ye Chen put his arm around his father's shoulder and walked inside with a smile.

"Provide start-up capital to the two bosses."

The bank lobby was quite crowded.

After Ye Chen showed his gold card, the lobby manager immediately invited the family of three into the VIP room and personally brewed three cups of tea for them.

The staff member behind the counter asked with a smile:

"Sir, what service do you need?"

"Transfer money."

Ye Chen took out the note he had prepared beforehand and handed it through the window.

"Transfer four million to this account."

"puff……"

Ye Jianguo spat out the mouthful of tea he had just taken a sip of.

He hurriedly grabbed some tissues to wipe his pants, but his eyes were fixed on Ye Chen.

The teacup in Chen Xiulan's hand also wobbled slightly.

"Four, four million?"

Ye Jianguo's voice changed tone.

"Dad, take it easy."

Ye Chen handed over two tissues, responding casually, his tone revealing no hint of nervousness.

"The car has been bought, and the rent for the storefront and the 100,000 yuan deposit have been paid. Next, the decoration, shelving, lighting, and POS system must all be done according to the headquarters' standards."

"The initial payment for goods alone will amount to several hundred thousand yuan. How can I open a store if I don't have the money?"

Ye Jianguo quickly waved his hand.

"That wouldn't cost four million!"

"Five or six hundred thousand is the most you could ask for, why are you transferring it all to me?"

Ye Chen leaned back on the sofa and slowly reminded him:

"Wasn't the remaining money already agreed upon?"

"Buy an old house."

"We can't make a fuss about winning the lottery. It's no use keeping the money in the bank. We'll use some of it to buy a house. If we get a house demolished in a couple of years, we'll make a profit."

Ye Jianguo listened, completely stunned.

Just a few days ago, he was still being bullied at the factory over a buyout fee of tens of thousands of yuan.

Now my son is asking for four million yuan without even asking, and he wants me to use the money to open a shop and buy a house.

Life has taken such a turn for the better that he hasn't fully recovered yet.

After comforting his father, Ye Chen recited a series of bank card numbers.

"Transfer another 200,000 into this card."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiulan immediately became anxious.

"This is my card!"

"Why are you transferring so much money to me? Your dad can manage the money from the family business. How much do I spend on groceries?"

Ye Chen grasped his mother's rough hand in return.

"The money in my dad's account is public funds, which he uses specifically to open shops and buy houses."

"This 200,000 is for living expenses. You can manage the card and decide how to spend it."

"From now on, when you go to the market, don't always pick the discounted vegetables. If you want to eat ribs, buy ribs. If you see clothes you like, just swipe your card."

Ye Chen added with a smile:

"Playing mahjong is fine if you want; occasional leisure and entertainment are still necessary."

Chen Xiulan felt a lump in her throat.

Her lips moved a few times, but she couldn't say anything for a long time. She could only hold her son's hand tightly.

In the past, when the family of three lived together, they would try to stretch every penny in half to make ends meet.

Now her son suddenly tells her that the 200,000 yuan in the card is for her to spend as she pleases.

She had never heard such extravagant words in her life.

After verifying the information, the salesperson quickly printed out two transaction slips.

Four million was transferred into Ye Jianguo's account.

Two hundred thousand yuan was transferred into Chen Xiulan's account.

All funds have been received.

Ye Chen had the staff print out another balance slip and casually pushed it in front of his parents.

"Dad, Mom, look."

The two of them moved closer.

At the bottom of the receipt, the account's real-time balance is clearly printed.

RMB 30013.00.

No more, no less, exactly 30,013 yuan.

Ye Jianguo stared at the number for a few seconds, and his initial shock immediately turned into anxiety.

"Xiao Chen, why did you transfer them all to us?"

"Eating and living in Shanghai costs a lot of money, and you live so far from home. What if something happens to you? We'd feel more at ease if you had more money on you."