The entire afternoon, Song Qiao, following the aforementioned method, led A Wei through the city's numerous restaurants, both large and small.
It was nearing evening when Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu store successfully established partnerships with ten restaurants. Contracts were signed with all their owners, and they were ready for business the next day.
"Thank you all for your hard work today," Song Qiao said as he returned to the shop, surveying his tired subordinates.
"Boss, this is a small matter, hardly worth mentioning. It's much easier than helping Brother Kun chop people, and there's no danger," A Wei said, scratching his head sheepishly.
Song Qiao smiled slightly, patted A Wei's shoulder, and said to them, "From now on, you'll be doing legitimate business with me. Don't always talk about the fighting and killing in the martial world. It might cause misunderstandings with customers."
"Understood, boss. I was just trying to scare that guy surnamed Xu today; I wouldn't really chop him. Killing people leads to prison," A Wei quickly explained, thinking Song Qiao might be scolding him for his impulsiveness at Xu Ji.
"Alright, let this be the last time something like this happens. It's getting late, so go home and rest. Remember to report to the shop at eight tomorrow morning."
Song Qiao didn't dwell on the matter, merely instructing everyone before letting them go home.
"Boss, where did you find these people? They all look fierce, not like good people," Lin Jing couldn't help but remind him from the side after the others had left.
"They were Duan Kun's men, and now they're working for me," Song Qiao replied, glancing at the somewhat fearful Lin Jing.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them, and they won't cause any trouble for me," he added, fearing Lin Jing and Li Lili might worry about the legitimacy of the shop's business.
The two women didn't say anything further. Having been with Song Qiao for half a month, they understood his character.
They now wholeheartedly believed that this generous and loving husband, their boss, would not engage in any improper business.
...
Days turned into weeks. In less than half a month, Song Qiao's shop, through its collaborations with these restaurants, had earned 200,000 yuan.
This profit even surpassed that of many large factories in the area.
Food is the paramount necessity of the people; this saying was never empty.
While the catering industry might not be as outrageously profitable as some others, it was closely related to everyone's life.
With China's massive population base, success could be achieved through sheer volume.
"This is your bonus for the past half month," Song Qiao said calmly, gesturing towards the fourteen stacks of cash on the table, addressing his fourteen subordinates.
"A Wei, distribute it to everyone. One thousand yuan each."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.
Over the past half month, they had gradually adapted to this stable job and lost interest in their previous life of fighting and killing.
After all, while the work was a bit more tiring, it was far better than wielding knives and risking their lives outside.
Living hand to mouth, constantly visiting the hospital every few days – it was no way to live.
Since following Boss Song Qiao, they not only had a stable salary but also received substantial bonuses.
Even their families' opinions of them had changed, believing they were no longer loitering on the streets and were earning money diligently.
For a few of the better-looking ones, neighbors were already starting to introduce them to potential partners.
This kind of treatment was something they had never experienced while following Duan Kun.
"Thank you, boss," they said to Song Qiao from the bottom of their hearts, happily receiving their bonuses from A Wei.
Unbeknownst to them, Song Qiao's standing in their hearts had far surpassed Duan Kun's. Including A Wei, they had all come to recognize this new leader.
Song Qiao looked at the excited crowd and readily accepted their gratitude.
In his past life, he had long learned a principle from management: to make a horse run, you must feed it.
In the face of absolute interest, no one would be absolutely loyal. Those so-called loyalties were merely insufficient bargaining chips for betrayal.
As long as he offered enough, he wouldn't fear these people not following him.
"Brother Qiao, something's happened! Brother Kun needs A Wei and the others to go back and help," a subordinate of Duan Kun suddenly burst into the shop, panting as he reported to Song Qiao.
His eyes had already secretly darted towards the men, each holding a stack of cash.
"What happened?"
"Brother Kun has so many subordinates; how could he encounter trouble?" Song Qiao asked calmly.
"Early this morning, Brother Kun arranged a fight with another gang. We didn't expect the other side to have more people than us."
"Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Brother Kun quickly sent me to request reinforcements from you."
Seeing Song Qiao's impassivity and his subordinates' lack of reaction, the messenger's heart sank.
"Where is it?"
"Grab your weapons and head out with me immediately."
Unexpectedly, Song Qiao didn't hesitate further and immediately gave orders to his subordinates.
"Yes, boss!" A Wei and the others immediately responded. They had followed Brother Kun before, and if they stood by and did nothing now, they would be cursed behind their backs.
They hadn't expected their boss, despite being a businessman, to be such a righteous and chivalrous figure in the jianghu.
...
The group arrived in a grand procession at the agreed-upon location for Duan Kun's confrontation. Many people were already waiting, and Duan Kun was engaged in discussion with the leader of the opposing group.
His manpower was clearly inferior to the other side, and his demeanor was naturally weaker.
Seeing this, Song Qiao couldn't help but scoff inwardly, "I never expected Duan Kun to be in such a situation. It seems today is a good opportunity for me to get revenge."
"Since you had the audacity to kidnap my daughter, you will pay with your life."
Forcing down his internal nervousness, Song Qiao carefully observed both groups.
"What are you still dawdling for? Just fight! If they kill Duan Kun, it'll save me trouble."
After observing for about five to six minutes and seeing neither side make a move, Song Qiao grew impatient.
"A Wei, the enemy is out in the open, and we are in the shadows. In this situation, we should charge out directly, catch them off guard, and support Brother Kun," Song Qiao said sinisterly, glancing at A Wei, who was behind him.
Without waiting for A Wei's response, he gave the order, and his subordinates rushed forward.
The previously calm situation was immediately thrown into chaos by their intervention, turning the entire area into a muddle and igniting a large-scale brawl between the two sides.