How to achieve the goal?

Zhou Ling and Zhao Kun discussed it.

Forcing things is not advisable, just like what happened at the construction site before, in the end, you gained nothing.

We still need to start from the 'soft' aspect.

Zhou Ling decided to apologize to Zhou Chen later, make amends, and try to negotiate amicably to secure the stinky tofu business.

Zhao Kun was unwilling. Zhou Chen already looked down on him, and if he bowed his head, Zhou Chen would definitely despise him even more.

But he thought Zhou Ling was right. The stinky tofu business was so popular that it could earn hundreds of yuan a day and at least several thousand yuan a month, which was equivalent to several months' salary for others.

It's not shameful to bow your head temporarily for money. In ancient times, some people even endured the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs. As long as you eventually become a person of high status, it's all worth it.

“Brother Kun, let’s just beg him this once. Once we get the technology and learn how to make stinky tofu, we won’t have to put up with his attitude anymore. What’s wrong with cutting off all contact? At that time, even if he begs me, I won’t pay any attention to him and won’t acknowledge him as my brother.”

Zhou Ling persuaded her, and for the sake of money, she decided to temporarily compromise.

“For the sake of our family, for the sake of our unborn son, let’s do as you say.” Zhao Kun agreed, and the two reached a consensus.

Then, the two stood aside and waited patiently.

Seeing that the two were not leaving, Zhou Chen realized that this ungrateful third sister was probably up to no good again.

Could it be that they've got their eye on the stinky tofu business?

Zhou Chen knows Zhou Ling too well. Zhou Ling is both love-struck and likes to get things done without a reason. After buying a serving of stinky tofu, she stayed there and didn't leave, which most likely means she has her eye on this business.

He resolutely refused the previous business of running the construction site canteen, clearly still harboring ulterior motives.

Seeing through Zhou Ling's thoughts, Zhou Chen sneered and didn't care.

Two hours later, the last serving of stinky tofu sold out. Zhou Chen told Xu Dalong to pack up, while he went to several of Zhang Dafu's food stalls, chatted with the stall owners for a while, and asked about their customer acquisition efforts.

Because it did have some effect, the stall owners were quite polite to Zhou Chen.

"Honey, your older brother is leaving soon, let's go over there."

Seeing Zhou Chen and Xu Dalong push the cart away, Zhao Kun patted Zhou Ling and reminded her.

Zhou Ling nodded, and the two immediately came over and stood in front of her.

"Brother, can I talk to you for a bit?"

Zhou Ling took the initiative to speak.

When Xu Dalong saw Zhou Ling, she looked familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place her.

“I remember you said you didn’t have a brother like me, so obviously we have nothing to talk about.”

Zhou Chen didn't give Zhou Ling any face, and used Zhou Ling's own words to slap Zhou Ling in the face.

Zhou Ling's expression changed slightly, and she instinctively wanted to explode and retort angrily, but thinking of the stinky tofu business, she forcibly suppressed her anger. Not only that, she also had to force a smile on her face.

"Brother, I was angry at the time. After reflecting on it these past few days, I know I was wrong. I apologize to you. Can you forgive me?"

“Brother-in-law, my wife really knows she was wrong,” Zhao Kun echoed with a fake smile.

If Zhou Chen hadn't experienced the events of his previous life and known how ungrateful Zhou Ling was, and how adept she was at playing both sides, he might indeed have fallen for her tricks.

However,

In this life, Zhou Chen will not be deceived. Zhou Ling's ungrateful nature will not change, just like a dog can't stop eating shit.

As Lu Xun once said, "I'd rather believe in ghosts than believe a woman's words."

Countless bloody real-life cases prove this statement.

"You don't need to apologize to me, I don't need it. Just don't disturb my life, Da Long, let's go around you."

After Zhou Chen finished speaking, he gestured for Xu Dalong to change direction and bypass the two of them. He had no interest in the pretentious apology; it was nothing more than a prelude to achieve other goals.

Trying to pull this on him won't be easy; he won't take the bait.

Zhou Ling and Zhao Kun were both dumbfounded.

Zhou Chen didn't play by the rules. Even after apologizing, he showed no interest in talking to them, let alone giving them a chance to mention his stinky tofu technique.

Watching Zhou Chen lead Xu Dalong past them, getting further and further away,

Zhou Ling didn't want to give up, so she immediately chased after him from behind.

"Brother, to tell you the truth, Xiao Kun and I have our eyes on your stinky tofu business. Xiao Kun has been unemployed for a long time, and we have a baby now. We will need money for many things in the future. As my brother and my son's uncle, could you take Xiao Kun under your wing and let him make stinky tofu with you?"

You have a construction site canteen business and this stinky tofu business, you must be too busy to handle everything. Instead of hiring someone to work for you, why not hand it over to Brother Kun? He's your brother-in-law, not an outsider, so you can rest assured.

"As for the salary, you can decide how much. Xiao Kun and I have no objections. Just consider it helping your sister and your unborn nephew, okay, brother?"

Zhou Ling put on a pitiful look and played the family card.

It has to be said that this appearance could indeed fool those who are idle and unaware of the truth, but Zhou Chen's heart is as cold as that of the old master chef who has been slaughtering pigs for ten years at RT-Mart Fresh Supermarket.

Indeed, things turned out just as he had guessed.

Zhou Ling was indeed after the stinky tofu business, and she even claimed she was helping him out by letting him decide on the wages. Haha, he didn't need it.

Working for him is probably just a pretense to look after the stinky tofu business; his real intention is to learn how to make stinky tofu.

This little trick of yours to try and fool him is utterly ridiculous.

"The man in front of you is my business partner. Forget about your plans to do stinky tofu."

"I won't do it for anyone, and I don't need anyone's help."

Zhou Chen said coldly.

Then let Xu Dalong continue walking, ignoring the two of them.

These words made it impossible for Zhou Ling to continue speaking; Zhou Chen effectively shut down their hopes.

"Honey, your older brother is determined not to let us get involved in the stinky tofu business. What should we do?"

Zhao Kun dropped his fake smile and put on a look of displeasure.

Zhou Ling's smile vanished completely. She was furious, furious that Zhou Chen was so heartless, not giving her even the slightest chance to learn the stinky tofu making technique, leaving her completely helpless.

"We can't just give up like this. Since that person is Big Brother's business partner, it's very likely that he can make stinky tofu. We can start with him."

"Besides, I feel like he's a bit naive and easy to fool."

Zhou Ling narrowed her eyes.

Zhou Chen was unyielding, leaving everyone at a loss. Zhou Ling had no good solutions, but Xu Dalong's presence gave her hope.

She knew that Zhou Chen had never made stinky tofu before, but now that he was suddenly doing this business and had a partner, the one who mastered the technology must be Xu Dalong.

All we need to do is get Xu Dalong on board.

...