Chapter 177: Little Uncle Shows His Power

The location of the new car beauty shop was quickly determined. The specific price was negotiated by Zhao Guozhong with the relevant departments in the town. He did know a lot of people in his town. A few packs of good cigarettes and a meal settled the matter.

The price was relatively favorable. Moreover, according to Chen Feng’s request, the lease was for ten years. The annual rent was only over 8,000 yuan. The first five years were paid in advance, and then paid annually. It was very cost-effective.

It was Zhao Guozhong’s ability to negotiate such conditions. Of course, he would have to give some gifts afterwards. This was a necessary courtesy.

After signing the contract, Chen Feng gave him 12,000 yuan as a handling fee, as he had said.

In this way, fifty or sixty thousand yuan was spent in the early stage, but these were all necessary expenses.

Next, the brand’s head office of the beauty car shop sent a professional team to carry out decoration and training.

The main thing was the decoration. The training could be done in a few days.

Another problem was the choice of the shop manager.

After they mobilized their circle of relatives and friends, they found two candidates the next day.

One was the nephew of the eldest aunt’s eldest son-in-law. He had graduated from university for three or four years, was twenty-six years old, and had achieved nothing after struggling in a big city for several years. He returned to his hometown in disgrace and was looking for a job.

The other was the cousin of his sister-in-law, Li Guihong. He graduated from a vocational high school, was twenty-four years old, and had worked in a factory and as a salesman before.

These two candidates actually indirectly represented the two parties who had contributed money. One was Zhao Xiaolan, and the other was the eldest aunt, Zhao Xiaomei.

From the perspective of Chen Feng’s two brothers, they would definitely choose their mother’s side, or rather, their sister-in-law’s side.

But from Chen Feng’s personal point of view, in terms of relatives, they were about the same. They were not very close relatives to Chen Feng.

Because Chen Feng was the largest shareholder and said he would contribute 300,000 yuan, the choice of the shop manager was of course ultimately decided by Chen Feng.

It could only be chosen by Chen Feng. Otherwise, whether it was his older brother, Chen Rui, his mother, Zhao Xiaolan, or his little uncle, Zhao Guozhong, choosing either side would offend the other side.

So, after negotiating the land lease contract the next day, Chen Feng asked these two people to come to Qingpu Town.

Chen Feng directly invited them to meet at his home. After all, they were relatives. So he specially set up a table of wine at home to treat them.

Just the three of them, eating and drinking while chatting, were not particularly restrained. The three of them were not very different in age.

The nephew of the eldest aunt’s eldest son-in-law was surnamed Li. Although he was only a few years younger than Chen Feng, he was a generation younger in terms of seniority. He was a relatively thin man with glasses.

Li Guihong’s cousin was surnamed Wang. He was a little fat. According to him, he was learning to be a chef now and had been learning for almost two years. So he was not short of food and unknowingly became fat.

After a few glasses of wine, the two of them gradually relaxed. First, under Chen Feng’s guidance, they each talked about their situation in recent years.

Xiao Li graduated from a third-tier university. At that time, he was also arrogant and wanted to make a name for himself in a big city. As a result, after struggling for three or four years, the pressure of life became greater and greater. In addition, his girlfriend, who had lived with him for more than two years, broke up with him because she saw no hope in life. He was a little discouraged and returned to his hometown.

When he was in a big city, he first worked as a salesman, and then worked in an electronics factory. It was very tiring. In the end, he became a freelancer. He worked as a tutor, a tour guide, a food delivery man, a designated driver, and so on. Although it was also tiring, it was a little more free. At his best, he could earn nearly 10,000 yuan a month, but on average, he only earned six or seven thousand a month.

And his girlfriend’s monthly salary was only over 5,000 yuan.

Even so, the pressure of living in a big city was still very great. The one-bedroom apartment they lived in together cost more than 3,000 yuan a month. In addition, there were miscellaneous expenses such as property management fees, water and electricity bills, gas bills, and broadband fees, which were close to 4,000 yuan.

The combined salary of the two people was over 10,000 yuan, which seemed to be not a small amount. But in this big city, life was still a bit unsatisfactory. They could never afford a house. His girlfriend didn’t want to go back to the countryside with him to live, so she finally found someone else.

So, if Xiao Li was not lying, his personal ability was actually quite good. After all, he had been struggling in a big city for so many years and had always been relatively hardworking and able to endure hardships.

If his girlfriend hadn’t broken up with him, he might not have come back to his hometown.

And Xiao Wang graduated from a vocational high school. He started working in a factory at the age of nineteen. After that, he also worked as a salesman and sold insurance. In the end, at the suggestion of his family, he went to learn to be a chef and followed a master. He has been learning for almost two years now.

Chen Feng asked him, since he had been learning for two years, wouldn’t it be a pity to give up like this?
The chubby Xiao Wang said with a helpless face, “It’s too difficult to learn to be a chef, and I don’t have a good talent in this area. My master is also very strict with me. The most important thing is that he only gives me a few hundred yuan a month now, and I haven’t learned much useful in two years. It’s a long way to go before I can become a master.”

After hearing their stories, Chen Feng had some ideas in his mind. Next, Chen Feng didn’t ask them much. The meal and wine ended in more than an hour, and then they left to wait for news.

In the evening, when the family was eating together, Chen Rui asked Chen Feng which of the two he had chosen.
Chen Feng didn’t hide it and said directly, “The one from my eldest aunt’s side is more reliable. And he graduated from a university after all, so his learning ability is also stronger.”

Li Guihong was a little unhappy when she heard this and said, “Although my cousin only graduated from a vocational high school, his learning ability is also very strong since he was a child. He learns everything quickly. Besides, a car wash shop doesn’t have too many technical requirements. What’s the use of a university degree?” Chen Feng smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, I’m talking about the matter, not the person. I think you also hope that our second shop can operate better and make more money, right? If we leave aside the fact that Xiao Wang is your cousin, and there are two people with the same ability, one graduated from a vocational high school and the other from a university, which one would you choose to work for you?”

Li Guihong was suddenly speechless. Although she definitely favored her cousin in her heart, she couldn’t lie with her eyes open.

Chen Rui said a fair word, “Although your cousin is also good, since the one from my eldest aunt’s side is more suitable, let’s choose the one from my eldest aunt’s side. Besides, my eldest aunt’s side also contributed money. It can’t be all people from our two brothers’ side.”

Chen Feng said, “The nephew of my eldest cousin-in-law has been struggling in a big city for several years and has done a lot of work. Not to mention other things, his vision is definitely okay. In addition, having gone to university is definitely better than not having gone. Of course, this is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that he is more hardworking and able to endure hardships. Sister-in-law, it’s not that I’m talking about your cousin. Since he has decided to learn to be a chef and has been learning from a master for two years, if he gives up, wouldn’t the effort of the past two years be wasted? I think you should persuade him. Since he has learned to be a chef, he should stick to it.”

Chen Rui also said, “Your sister-in-law’s cousin is indeed not very hardworking. He used to work in a factory and then complained that it was too tiring, so he went to do sales. As a result, he didn’t achieve much in sales. His family then pulled some strings to let him learn to be a chef.” After her husband exposed her cousin’s shortcomings, Li Guihong was a little embarrassed and could only lower her head to eat.

Seeing this, Zhao Xiaolan said, “Then let’s choose your eldest cousin-in-law’s nephew.”

The choice of the shop manager was thus settled.

After dinner, Chen Feng called this Xiao Li. First, he had to accept the training from the head office, and then there was a two-month trial period with a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan. After becoming a regular employee, the monthly salary would be 7,000 yuan, plus bonuses and commissions. The specifics could be discussed in detail after becoming a regular employee. Now it was just a trial period contract.

Xiao Li was of course quite satisfied with this treatment. A monthly salary of 5,000 yuan was considered a high salary in their 18th-tier county, not to mention in the countryside.

So, he happily accepted this job and would come to report tomorrow.

After finding the shop manager, Chen Feng was also relaxed.

After dinner, he casually found an excuse to go out, and then came to Lin Yujiao’s rental house.

She had come back two days ago and planned to open for business on the eighth day of the first lunar month.
The two of them hadn’t seen each other for a few days. They were both divorced adults. Now, of course, it was a reunion after a short separation, which was better than a new marriage. As soon as they met, they didn’t waste any time and got straight to the point.

The two of them were busy until midnight before they stopped. It could be said that it was a hearty and dripping experience.

Only then did Chen Feng have time to talk to her.

“What have you been doing these few days? Have you been visiting relatives?”

Lin Yujiao said with a slight gasp, “I visited two families, and then I was too lazy to go, so I came back here directly.”

Chen Feng didn’t ask her why she didn’t stay at home for a few more days. Thinking of her mother’s appearance, he knew the reason.

The facts were about the same. Her mother had been showing her off in front of her relatives during the New Year. She said she had found a new good son-in-law who was very rich and had given them a lot of good things. She also kept urging her to get married to Chen Feng as soon as possible. Even if they didn’t get married, they should have a child as soon as possible to tie Chen Feng down.

Lin Yujiao knew her own business. Chen Feng was not her boyfriend, and it was impossible for her to have a child with Chen Feng under such circumstances.

Of course, if there was an accident and she got pregnant, she wouldn’t be very opposed to it. It could only be said that it was fate. Chen Feng would probably not treat her badly.

“Have you been to Longhua Street to see it these two days?”

Chen Feng was still quite concerned about her future business plans. What’s more, he had already promised her.

“I went to the city to see it on the fifth day of the first lunar month. The shops there were all closed. I didn’t see any shops for rent. I don’t think this matter is urgent. The shops there are indeed very popular, and it’s not so easy to find one. I’ll continue to open my shop here for now.”

Lin Yujiao’s mentality was still relatively stable. She didn’t rush Chen Feng just because he had promised to let her open a shop in the city.

“Alright then. I’ll go to the city to inquire about it another day, or I’ll specifically entrust an agent. In addition, I’ll ask Wu Mengting to help me keep an eye out.”

Wu Mengting was very enthusiastic about helping her find a shop last time, but now that her family had encountered something, it was certainly not good to rush this matter.

“Thank you. But I’m really not in a hurry.”

“I’m going back to Xiuzhou at the latest after the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth. I hope to get this matter done as much as possible before then.”

“…Oh.”

The next day, the team from the brand’s head office arrived. Chen Feng personally received them, and then took them directly to Yuelou Town. Chen Feng called Xiao Li and his little uncle together. In the afternoon, the two sides signed the franchise agreement according to the process.

The other party was worthy of being a professional. A decoration team came over immediately and began the construction of the franchise store. In addition, there were also special personnel to give one-on-one training to Xiao Li, the prospective store manager.

As soon as their car beauty shop started construction, because it was located on the only way to the center of Yuelou Town, the news spread quickly.

The two original car wash shops in the town immediately learned of this news.

They didn’t expect that there were already two car wash shops in Yuelou Town, and someone would still force their way in.

First, Shorty Eight, the local snake, got more accurate news and knew that it was a partnership between Zhao Guozhong and his two nephews.

If it were more than ten years ago, Shorty Eight would have to politely call him brother when he saw Zhao Guozhong. But times were different now. He was at least a man of considerable wealth, while Zhao Guozhong was a down-and-out. He had long since stopped taking him seriously in his heart.

But they knew each other after all, and Zhao Guozhong was also a local snake in the local area, with many friends and cronies.

So, Shorty Eight planned to be polite first and then use force. He asked someone to invite Zhao Guozhong to a restaurant for a meal.

Zhao Guozhong came as promised, but he didn’t come alone. More than a dozen of his old sworn brothers came with him, including the big brother that Shorty Eight had followed for several years, nicknamed Three Fingers.

Shorty Eight used to be just a small gangster, but this big brother Three Fingers was a local tyrant. When he was fighting for the business of steam transportation, he was fierce. He chopped off two of his left fingers with two knives in front of the other party, and his face did not change. He picked them up and gave them to the other party, saying that if the other party also chopped off two fingers, he would withdraw.

As a result, the group of people who were fighting for business with him were so scared that they took the initiative to withdraw.

Three Fingers thus became famous in one battle and made a great name for himself in the local area.

Before Three Fingers became famous, when he was fifteen or sixteen years old, he and a group of more than a dozen young people in the local area became sworn brothers.

This was very popular in their area at that time. It was nothing more than that everyone formed a group to keep warm. When fighting, there was strength in numbers, so they would not be bullied by others.

But later, when everyone grew up and the social environment changed greatly, they naturally drifted apart. It was rare for everyone to get together. They even forgot about the matter of becoming sworn brothers.

And after Three Fingers became famous, he also deliberately and slowly distanced himself from his sworn brothers who were several grades lower than him. There were only about five or six people of the same grade who still kept in touch.

Three Fingers had been in prison once before. After he was released, he learned his lesson and slowly began to whitewash himself. Now he was almost completely whitewashed and was considered a relatively successful entrepreneur.

In the past, it was of course impossible for him to come out with Zhao Guozhong to give him face. But who would have thought that he had a capable nephew.

In addition, Shorty Eight used to hang out with him. It was also giving him face for Zhao Guozhong to call him.

So, the wine that Shorty Eight planned to be polite first and then use force could only be eaten peacefully. During the banquet, Shorty Eight also clearly stated that he would definitely support Brother Guozhong in opening a car wash shop, and said that everyone would cooperate in the future to squeeze out the shop opened by the outsiders.

Zhao Guozhong laughed and said, this is easy to say, we will discuss it slowly in the future.

The whole banquet, Shorty Eight was enthusiastic on the surface. After eating, he even sent a carton of Huazi to each person. It could be said that he was very polite.