Chapter 54 The Fake Barbecue Restaurant

The next morning, Ah Gui indeed brought two people with him.

The two were young men in their early twenties, one named Ah Hao and the other Ah Yong, both skilled fighters in the gang.

After Ah Gui finished introducing them, he said to Fang Che, "Fang Che, these two were sent to you by Brother Li. Don't waste them."

Fang Che patted his chest and guaranteed, "I will definitely put my heart and soul into it!"

"Alright, I'll head back now." Ah Gui glanced at him sideways. "Call me if anything comes up."

Fang Che nodded.

Watching Ah Gui leave, he turned to the two young men and smiled: "From today onwards, let's work hard together!"

The two readily agreed and went to the kitchen to work with Xi Rong...

With the help of the two people, things were indeed much easier at the shop.

Ah-hao and Ah-yong are not talkative, but they are quick to act and efficient at moving things and maintaining order.

After a busy lunch break, Fang Che was sitting behind the counter doing accounts when the shop door was pushed open again.

The person who came in this time was one of the people Fang Che least wanted to see.

Jiang Tianqi.

He was wearing a white casual suit today, fiddling with his car keys, and wearing his usual fake smile.

As soon as he entered, his gaze went straight to Fang Che.

"Mr. Fang, may your business prosper!"

Fang Che's heart tightened, but he still had to force a smile: "Young Master Jiang, it's an honor to have you here. What would you like to eat? It's on me."

"No need for a treat." Jiang Tianqi walked to the counter, leaned forward, and lowered his voice. "I just came to ask if Mr. Fang liked the flowers I sent."

Fang Che's smile remained unchanged: "The flowers are beautiful, thank you, Young Master Jiang. However, I'm a grown man, not interested in flowers and plants. If you're planning to give a gift next time, Young Master Jiang, how about something more practical, like... barbecue seasoning?"

Jiang Tianqi smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Fang Che, you're very interesting."

He suddenly reached out, wanting to touch Fang Che's face.

Fang Che instinctively tried to back away, but Jiang Tianqi's hand was faster, and it was about to touch him—

A large hand reached out from the side and firmly grasped Jiang Tianqi's wrist.

Ah Yong had somehow appeared beside Fang Che, looking at Jiang Tianqi expressionlessly: "Young Master Jiang, please have some self-respect."

Jiang Tianqi's face darkened: "Who do you think you are, daring to stop me?"

“I’m Brother Che’s bodyguard.” Ah Yong tightened his grip, and Jiang Tianqi winced in pain, his face turning even uglier. “Boss Li instructed that no one is allowed to be disrespectful to Brother Che.”

Upon hearing the words "Boss Li," Jiang Tianqi's eyes turned sinister.

He shook off A Yong's hand and straightened his suit: "Good, very good. Fang Che, you've raised this dog well."

Fang Che's face also darkened: "Young Master Jiang, watch your manners. Ah Yong is my brother, not a dog."

"Brothers?" Jiang Tianqi scoffed. "Talking about brotherhood in the underworld, Fang Che, you're adorably naive."

He paused, leaned closer to Fang Che, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "But I like your innocence. Don't worry, we'll meet again."

After saying that, he turned and left.

As Fang Che watched his retreating figure, his unease grew stronger.

Jiang Tianqi's visit today is definitely not just to say a few words of nonsense. He's definitely plotting something.

"Ah Yong," Fang Che asked in a low voice, "Does Brother Li know that Jiang Tianqi is coming today?"

“I’ve already sent someone to inform him,” A-Yong said. “Don’t worry, Young Master Che, with us here, he can’t touch you.”

Fang Che nodded, but the unease in his heart never dissipated.

Sure enough, something bad happened that afternoon.

First, the Department of Health came to inspect, and they found many problems.

Fang Che gave him a red envelope before sending him away.

Then the supplier called to say that the price of mutton would increase by 30% starting tomorrow.

Then a new barbecue restaurant suddenly opened across the street, with the same signboard, decor, and menu as "Northeast Tiger," and even copied its promotional activities.

"This is clearly aimed at us!" Cheng Tieniu stomped his foot in anger. "Che, what do we do?"

Fang Che looked at the shop across the street, his brows furrowed.

He would never believe that this whole series of events wasn't orchestrated by someone.

The person most likely to be behind this is Jiang Tianqi.

"Don't panic." Fang Che forced himself to calm down. "Tiezi, go and find out who owns that shop across the street. Xirong, contact other suppliers and see if they have any cheaper sources of goods. Aming, take a few kids to hand out flyers. We're going to have a new promotion! Everything is 30% off for the first week after opening!"

"30% off?" Xi Rong exclaimed, "Then we won't make any profit!"

"We have to keep going even if there's no profit!" Fang Che gritted his teeth. "We need to keep our customers first. Jiang Tianqi wants to drive us out of business, but we'll show him what we're made of!"

The group split up and took action separately.

Fang Che sat behind the counter, looking calmly at the counterfeit store across the street.

Jiang Tianqi, you want to play?

Okay, I'll go with you.

Let's see who can outmaneuver whom.

In the evening, Li Hanzhou arrived.

As soon as he entered, he asked, "Has Jiang Tianqi been here?"

Fang Che nodded: "He came, said a few words of nonsense, and was chased away by A Yong."

Li Hanzhou's eyes turned cold: "He touched you?"

“We didn’t run into him, Ah Yong stopped him.” Fang Che paused. “Brother Li, that shop across the street…”

“I know,” Li Hanzhou interrupted him. “The boss’s name is Huang Si. He used to work with Ma Wang. After Ma Wang fell from power, he switched allegiance to Jiang Tianqi.”

As expected. Fang Che's heart sank: "Then the Department of Health and the suppliers..."

“It was all Jiang Tianqi’s doing.” Li Hanzhou walked to the window and looked across the street. “He wants to force you to close the door, or force you to beg him.”

Fang Che gritted his teeth: "I won't beg him."

“I know.” Li Hanzhou turned around, “but you’ll suffer if you go head-to-head with him.”

"Then what should we do?"

Li Hanzhou was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you trust me?"

Fang Che was taken aback: "Of course I believe you."

“Okay.” Li Hanzhou walked up to him. “For the next three days, listen to me. First, the 30% discount will continue; the branch will cover any losses. Second, I'll handle the suppliers. Third…”

He paused, his eyes sharp: "I'll handle that shop across the street."

Fang Che opened his mouth, but finally nodded emphatically: "I'll listen to Brother Li."

Li Hanzhou smiled slightly and reached out to ruffle Fang Che's hair.

The movement was very light, but it caught Fang Che off guard.

By the time he came to his senses, Li Hanzhou had already turned to A Gui and said, "Go investigate Huang Si's background and find something to hold against him."

"yes."

Li Hanzhou then looked at Fang Che: "Let's close up shop early tonight and get some rest. We have a tough battle to fight starting tomorrow."

As Fang Che watched his departing figure, the unease in his heart was gradually replaced by a sense of security.

With Brother Li around, he had nothing to be afraid of.

Over the next three days, "Northeast Tiger Barbecue" and the counterfeit store across the street engaged in a price war.

You get a 30% discount, I get a 40% discount.

You bring drinks, I'll bring fruit platters.

You enter the lottery, I'll give you your meal for free.

Both sides were fiercely competing, and the customers were happy to get a bargain, making the whole street very lively.

But Fang Che knew that if they continued fighting like this, they would both be severely injured sooner or later.

On the third night, a sign that read "50% Off Extravaganza" was hung across the street.

Cheng Tieniu rushed into the kitchen, pacing anxiously: "Che, 50% off! They've gone mad! How are we supposed to play like this?"

Fang Che also had a headache.

At half price, let alone profit, we can't even cover the costs.

The other side wants to overwhelm them with money.

"Young Master Che," Ah Gui said in a low voice as he walked in, "We have news from Boss Li."

"What news?"

“The meat used at Huang Si’s shop is problematic.” Ah Gui handed over several photos. “It’s not from legitimate channels; the source is unclean.”

Fang Che took the photo!

The meat is the wrong color and doesn't have a quarantine stamp.

"Fine!" He slammed his hand on the table. "We'll teach them a lesson tomorrow!"

The peak of passenger flow occurred at noon on the fourth day.

A sign across the street read "50% off, last day," and customers lined up in a long queue.

Fang Che stood at the shop entrance, watching the commotion across the street, and sneered inwardly.

He took out his mobile phone and dialed a number.

Ten minutes later, vehicles from the Department of Health, the Bureau of Commerce and Industry, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department arrived at the street corner at the same time.

A group of people rushed into the shop across the street, led by the short, fat man who had previously come to "Northeast Tiger" to cause trouble.

This time, the fat man had a serious expression on his face.

"We have received a report that your store is using uninspected meat! We are now sealing off the premises in accordance with the law! Everyone is not allowed to move!"

The store immediately descended into chaos.

Huang Si rushed out of the kitchen, his face pale: "Sir, it's a misunderstanding! Our meat is all legitimate..."

"Legitimate?" The fat man sneered, pulling a piece of meat from the freezer. "This color, this smell, it doesn't even have a quarantine stamp! You dare call it legitimate?"

He waved: "Close the shop! Take them away!"

Huang Si was handcuffed and taken away, and the shop was sealed off.

The queue of customers scattered, and many of them came to see the "Siberian Tiger".

"This place is more reliable!"

"You get what you pay for!"

"Boss, ten skewers of lamb, please!"

Fang Che greeted the guests with a smile, but he knew exactly what was going on!

This battle is not over yet.

Sure enough, Jiang Tianqi arrived in the evening.

This time he didn't bring anyone with him; he drove his red sports car alone and parked it in front of the "Siberian Tiger" statue.

He got out of the car and walked to the counter, looking at Fang Che with no expression on his face.

"Fang Che, you are very good."

Fang Che met his gaze: "Young Master Jiang, you flatter me."

"Did you do Huang Si's thing?"

"I'm just a barbecue restaurant owner, I don't have that kind of ability." Fang Che smiled. "Maybe he offended someone."

Jiang Tianqi stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

His smile was sinister.

"Fang Che, I'm growing to like you more and more," he said slowly. "You're courageous, resourceful, and know how to use others' strengths against you. Li Hanzhou has taught you well."

Fang Che didn't speak.

“However,” Jiang Tianqi changed the subject, “the game has only just begun. Huang Si is just a minor character; he’s gone, and that’s it. But guess who’s next?”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "The kids in your shop... seem to really like you. Especially that little girl named Xirong, she's so pretty."

Fang Che's expression changed drastically: "Jiang Tianqi! You dare to touch them and see what happens!"

"Let's give it a try." Jiang Tianqi straightened up, his smile bright. "Fang Che, we'll meet again. Next time we meet, I hope you'll be smarter! Following me will be more promising than following Li Hanzhou."

He turned and got into the car, which roared away.

Fang Che stood still, his hands clenched into fists.

My fingernail is digging into my palm, it hurts a lot.

But he felt even more pain in his heart.

He could tolerate Jiang Tianqi's actions.

But if you touch the people around him...

no.

Absolutely not.

“Ah Yong.” He turned around, his voice chillingly cold. “Starting today, increase manpower to protect Xi Rong and all the children. They must be accompanied by someone when they go to and from school or when they go out.”

"Yes." A-Yong nodded. "Then, Brother Che, you..."

"Me?" Fang Che sneered. "I'd like to see what other tricks Jiang Tianqi can pull."