"That's different, maybe my luck will run out sometime! I'm still very optimistic about the internet cafe project," Qin Tian said with a smile.
"Good heavens, four or five million at once, that's beyond me," Zhao Mingyuan said with a wry smile.
"Pfft!" Xia Nuannuan was amused by his words and couldn't help but chuckle.
Qin Tian and Zhao Mingyuan turned to look at her with smiles.
"Sorry, sorry!" Xia Nuannuan quickly apologized.
"It's nothing!" Zhao Mingyuan waved his hand with a chuckle and looked at Qin Tian, saying, "We don't need that much. Let's each contribute three million. Ten stores should be enough."
As he said this, he felt a little ashamed. He had been worried that Qin Tian wouldn't be able to come up with the money and had thought about contributing more himself and getting a bank loan. Now, it turned out he was the one who was poor. He had made quite a bit of money running internet cafes over the years, but after buying a house and car, household expenses, and previous investments, he had spent a lot. This three million was almost all the funds he could currently access.
"Alright, let's do as you say, Brother Zhao. I'll sell some of my stocks and transfer it to you in a few days," Qin Tian readily agreed to the plan.
"No, no," Zhao Mingyuan hurriedly shook his head and refused, saying, "What are you thinking? Why give me all the money at once? Just call me when you need it. The longer your money stays in that stock account, the more it can earn!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"That works too!" Qin Tian nodded with a chuckle.
"Then it's settled. Come on, let's toast with drinks. Too bad you can't drink, otherwise, we'd have to drink until we drop." Zhao Mingyuan raised his glass with a broad smile.
"Next time. Some afternoon next time I'll come find you, and we can have some skewers and a drink," Qin Tian reciprocated, raising his glass.
"Sure, sure, that sounds great." Zhao Mingyuan nodded repeatedly with a smile.
Then, as they ate heartily, Qin Tian also offered some suggestions for the internet cafe. Since Tianming Internet Cafe was themed around League of Legends, it should incorporate more elements related to the game. For instance, like many internet cafes in later years, it could offer discounts on internet fees and other rewards based on the game's ranking. The internet cafe could also regularly host 5v5 matches every week, where the winning team would receive snacks, drinks, or discounts on internet fees.
Zhao Mingyuan listened attentively and took it all in, feeling even more impressed by the quick thinking of young people. Little did he know, these were all well-worn strategies of internet cafes in later years.
After eating their fill and discussing business, Qin Tian stopped Zhao Mingyuan from rushing to pay the bill, paid for their meal, and they walked out of the restaurant together.
"Brother Zhao, we'll be going now."
"Aren't you going back to the internet cafe?"
"Not today, we're going to do some shopping nearby."
"Alright, you go ahead then!" Zhao Mingyuan nodded.
"Thanks for your hard work, Brother Zhao. Call me if anything comes up. It's not far, I can drive over anytime," Qin Tian said with a smile.
"Okay, you just relax and enjoy your college life. I'll handle the business matters!" Zhao Mingyuan patted his chest. In fact, he was worried that Qin Tian would get too involved. Otherwise, with Qin Tian's capabilities, he might lose control.
"Brother Zhao, you're too reliable! We're leaving." Qin Tian grinned and then took Xia Nuannuan's hand.
"Goodbye, Brother Zhao!" Xia Nuannuan also said goodbye with a smile.
"Bye!"
...
...
After bidding farewell to Zhao Mingyuan, Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan walked hand in hand along the pedestrian street. It was the weekend, and there were many young couples like them on the street. There were also many handsome guys and beautiful girls, but the girls were often with guys who weren't particularly handsome, and some even looked quite ordinary. Of course, these beautiful girls were generally dressed fashionably and exquisitely, and while the men beside them might not have outwardly shown off their wealth, they often had one or two items that showcased their financial status. For example, the keys to a luxury car hanging from their waist, or an expensive watch on their wrist. Therefore, pairings like Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan, with both being handsome and beautiful, and their looks being top-tier, were quite rare. As they walked down the street, they were constantly turning heads.
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan strolled aimlessly, occasionally stopping in small accessory shops and trendy toy stores to browse.
"Brother, look at this mug, isn't it pretty?" In a bustling shop, Xia Nuannuan picked up a mug from the shelf and looked at Qin Tian with a sweet smile.
"It's very pretty!" Qin Tian nodded in agreement.
"I think so too. It's a couple's set. Should I buy a pair?" Xia Nuannuan asked with expectant eyes.
"Sure!"
"Hee hee..." Xia Nuannuan giggled happily and took a new pair from behind the display.
Just then, Qin Tian suddenly saw a familiar figure walking down from the second floor, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"What's wrong?" Xia Nuannuan noticed the change in his expression and asked.
"Look over there by the stairs." Qin Tian gestured with his chin.
Xia Nuannuan followed his gaze, and her face instantly showed surprise.
"Is that Lü Yanran?" Qin Tian asked.
"It looks like her," Xia Nuannuan nodded, her face full of disbelief. She wasn't surprised to encounter Lü Yanran here, but rather because Lü Yanran wasn't alone. She was with a boy, and that boy wasn't Cao Mingliang. Lü Yanran was holding a few small items and walking down the stairs, chatting and laughing with the boy. They weren't holding hands, nor were they acting overly intimate. But for a girl with a boyfriend to go shopping alone with another guy on a day off was simply inexcusable. A platonic friend? A confidant? Heh! Only a fool would believe that!
"They're coming over, what should we do?" Xia Nuannuan asked, a little flustered.
"What's there to be afraid of? Shouldn't she be the one afraid?" Qin Tian said expressionlessly, his gaze somewhat cold. Even though he knew neither Cao Mingliang nor Lü Yanran had been serious about each other, how long had it been? Such a seemingly betraying act made him feel Cao Mingliang was wronged.
"If she sees us, I don't know what to do." Xia Nuannuan turned her head, leaning into his tall frame to shield herself.
While they were talking, Lü Yanran and the boy had already walked over. To Qin Tian's surprise, the boy looked very familiar.
"Isn't that that senior?" Xia Nuannuan's face showed even more surprise, and she lowered her voice.
Qin Tian turned his head, his gaze asking for clarification.
"It's him. The one we met when we were eating barbecue that first time during the late roll call. We almost got into a fight," Xia Nuannuan reminded him.
"Oh, it's him!" Qin Tian suddenly realized. He had a habit of forgetting people and things he didn't care about. With Xia Nuannuan's reminder, he remembered.
"Was his name Liang Yu?"
"Yes, that's the name."
"Heh, that makes it even more interesting."
At this moment, Lü Yanran and Liang Yu, who were approaching, saw them. Both of them froze. Lü Yanran looked as if she had been struck by lightning, her face instantly draining of color.
"Hello, what a coincidence!" Qin Tian greeted them proactively with a bright smile.