Chapter 71 Li Hanzhou is going to Thailand

At 10:00 AM sharp, the ribbon-cutting ceremony began.

Fang Che, Li Hanzhou, and He Shirong stood in the middle, while Cheng Tieniu and Xi Rong stood on either side.

The scissors fell, and firecrackers went off in unison.

"Northeast Tiger BBQ Portland Second Store is officially open!"

Amid applause, the kitchen open day began.

Neighbors flocked into the kitchen to watch Cheng Tieniu and his children cut, skewer, and grill the meat.

The meat was purchased from a legitimate butcher shop that day, and the quarantine certificate was posted on the wall.

The charcoal is made from fruitwood, producing less smoke and a stronger aroma.

"It's so clean!"

"This meat looks fresh!"

The rumors were disproven on their own.

At noon, the restaurant was packed.

Fang Che was busy greeting guests when suddenly, a commotion arose at the door.

Several uniformed people walked in—the Department of Health, the Bureau of Commerce and Industry, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and the Joint Inspection Team.

The leader was still the same short, fat man, but this time, he was followed by an unfamiliar middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and with a serious expression.

"Boss Fang," the short, stout man began, "we received a report that your shop is suspected of using uninspected meat, operating without a license, and failing to meet hygiene standards. We are now conducting an inspection in accordance with the law. Please cooperate."

The entire room fell silent.

The neighbors looked at each other in bewilderment.

Fang Che's heart sank, but he remained calm on the surface: "Officers, please make yourselves at home. Our credentials, purchase orders, and quarantine certificates are all on the wall. The kitchen is open; you are welcome to look around."

The short, stout man waved his hand, and his men began the inspection.

The inspection was completed ten minutes later.

"All documents are complete, purchase orders are in order, and hygiene standards are met," the short, stout man reported, looking embarrassed.

The middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses suddenly spoke up: "Wait a minute."

He walked to the wall and pointed to the sign that read "Community School Partner": "Does this 'community school' have an approval document from the Education Bureau? If it doesn't have an approval document, it's operating illegally. Mr. Fang, this is suspected of fraud."

Fang Che was taken aback.

Grandma Lin has been working on obtaining the school's approval document, but she hasn't received it yet.

This matter can be big or small.

Xi Rong's face turned pale.

Cheng Tieniu clenched his fist.

Jiang Tianqi sat in the corner, slowly sipping his tea, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Li Ruoxue lowered her head and played with her nails, a look of pleasure flashing in her eyes.

The atmosphere froze.

A deep, resonant voice came from the doorway:

"Who said there was no approval document?"

Grandma Lin, leaning on her cane, was helped in by A-Ming.

She slammed the file folder on the table.

"The Education Bureau's approval came through last week. I have mobility issues, so I only delivered it today. Section Chief Zhang, would you like to take a look?"

Section Chief Zhang's expression changed: "Grandma Lin, what's wrong...?"

"If I don't come, are you going to shut down the first community school on Portland Street?" Granny Lin glared at him. "Zhang Ming, you used to eat here when you were a kid, and now you've learned to bully your own people?"

Section Chief Zhang was sweating profusely: "It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding?" Granny Lin snorted, then turned to Fang Che, her gaze softening. "Ache, the approval is here. The school can officially open for classes. Come and sign it next Monday."

"Thank you, Grandma!"

Crisis resolved.

The health department staff left.

The neighbors applauded.

Jiang Tianqi put down his teacup, his smile fading.

He glanced at Li Ruoxue, whose face was grim.

The opening ceremony continued.

As the number of customers dwindled in the afternoon, Fang Che went to the backyard and lit a cigarette.

I'm too tired today, so I'll make an exception.

The cigarette was taken away after I had only taken two puffs.

Li Hanzhou stood behind him and stubbed out his cigarette: "Smoke less."

"Brother Li, thank you for today." Fang Che said, "If you hadn't invited Granny Lin in advance, things would have been difficult today."

“You did a great job.” Li Hanzhou looked at him. “Ache, you did very well today. You were calm and collected, and you even used the opponent’s strength against them.”

Fang Che smiled.

The two stood side by side, looking at the old banyan tree in the backyard.

After a moment, Li Hanzhou spoke: "Jiang Tianqi and Li Ruoxue joining forces is just the beginning. What follows will be even more ruthless."

“I know,” Fang Che nodded, “but I’m not afraid. Brother Li, I have you, I have Tie Niu and Xi Rong, I have the children, I have He Shirong… and the entire neighborhood of Portland Street. They want to bring me down? It won’t be that easy.”

His eyes were bright, as if they were burning with fire.

As Li Hanzhou watched, the worry in his heart suddenly dissipated.

He reached out and ruffled Fang Che's hair: "Yeah, it wasn't easy."

Because I will protect you.

Protect me for a lifetime.

After closing time on the opening night, Fang Che called everyone together, including He Shirong.

A large table was set up in the backyard, and the hot pot was steaming.

"Everyone has worked hard today." Fang Che raised his glass. "This glass is to ourselves. To the fact that we survived the opening, the inspections, and all those who wanted to bring us down!"

"Cheers!" everyone shouted in unison.

Cheng Tieniu, his face flushed from drinking, put his arm around He Shirong's neck and said, "Shirong, your line 'This young master is here, who dares to misbehave?' was really cool today! I like you!"

He Shirong was so tightly embraced by him that he could hardly breathe, but surprisingly he didn't push him away. He just laughed and said, "Brother Tie Niu, the kidneys you grilled are better than any Michelin-starred restaurant I've ever been to."

Xi Rong chuckled to herself.

Amin and the other children were laughing and playing together.

Fang Che felt a warmth in his heart as he watched this scene.

This is what he wants to protect.

Home.

Halfway through the hot pot meal, Fang Che stood up and cleared his throat.

"Let me announce something while everyone's here."

The crowd quieted down.

"From today onwards, 'Northeast Tiger Barbecue' is officially established as a company." Fang Che's voice was clear. "I own 50% of the shares, Brother Li 20%, Tie Niu 10%, and Xi Rong 5%. The remaining 15% will be distributed as employee shares to all the brothers and sisters who work with us, including the children from the school, according to their contributions."

The entire room fell silent.

Cheng Tieniu was stunned: "Che, I also have shares?"

"Of course. You're the technical director; without you, the store wouldn't be able to open."

Xi Rong's eyes reddened: "Brother Che, I..."

“You deserve it.” Fang Che patted her shoulder. “From now on, you’re not only the store manager, but also the company’s financial director. You’ll also be in charge of the school.”

He then looked at He Shirong: "Shirong, although you're only staying for three months, your salary for those three months will be converted into shares, two percent of your income. When you return to the He family, those shares will always be yours."

He Shirong was stunned for a moment, then said in a hoarse voice, "Brother Fang, you're... too kind."

“We are family,” Fang Che said earnestly. “As a family, we share happiness and joy.”

Li Hanzhou sat beside Fang Che, looking at him with pride in his eyes.

This piece of wood not only came to fruition, but also grew into a large tree.

A large tree that can shelter you from the wind and rain.

That night, everyone drank until late into the night.

Fang Che was drunk and was helped back to his room by Li Hanzhou.

Lying in bed, he was still muttering, "Brother Li... the company... is going public... so everyone can live a good life..."

Li Hanzhou covered him with the blanket and sat on the edge of the bed looking at his sleeping profile.

Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on his face.

Li Hanzhou reached out and gently touched his cheek.

“Ache,” he whispered, “you will do it.”

Because you are the one I've chosen.

Because you are Fang Che.

The next day, Fang Che was woken up by noises coming from downstairs.

He rubbed his temples as he went downstairs and saw Cheng Tieniu and He Shirong squatting at the door, looking at a cardboard box with a troubled expression.

"What's wrong?" Fang Che walked over.

"Che, look at this." Cheng Tieniu took a doll out of the box.

A fluffy little tiger, wearing a red apron and holding a skewer of grilled meat, looks adorable. The words "Northeast Tiger BBQ - Portland Second Store Opening Commemoration" are printed on its back.

There were hundreds of these dolls in the box.

Who sent it?

"I don't know," He Shirong said. "I was at the door when I opened this morning, without leaving my name."

Fang Che picked up the doll and examined it closely.

Exquisitely crafted, made with high-quality materials, and not cheap.

Xi Rong ran in from outside, holding a letter in her hand: "Brother Che! There's this in the mailbox!"

Fang Che took the letter and opened it.

Inside was a greeting card with neat handwriting:

"Mr. Fang, congratulations on your grand opening! This is just a small souvenir, a token of my appreciation. May the 'Northeast Tiger' roar resound throughout Portland, and may your business prosper. Also: the doll has been patented and can be used as a mascot in your store. —A friend who appreciates you"

It was unsigned.

But Fang Che knew what was going on.

He looked across the street, where a black sedan was parked with its window half-rolled down, and the person inside nodded at him.

Lu Che.

The car window rolled up, and the car drove away.

"Is it Mr. Lu?" Xi Rong asked softly.

"Okay." Fang Che put away the greeting card. "Put out the plush toys, give one to each child, and use the rest as prizes in a raffle."

"good!"

Dolls are very popular.

In less than a day, every child had one, and even He Shirong secretly kept two, saying he wanted to give them to his younger sister.

The branch's business is getting back on track.

But Fang Che knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

Three days later, Li Hanzhou was going to Thailand.

Jiang Kun was frequently active in Bangkok, and He Hongsheng was pressing him for more opportunities.

On the eve of his departure, Li Hanzhou summoned Fang Che to the hall.

“Ah Che, this trip will last at least a week, and at most half a month,” Li Hanzhou said. “While I’m gone, Portland Street is in your hands.”

Fang Che nodded: "Don't worry, Brother Li, I'll take good care of the house."

Li Hanzhou took a box out of the drawer and pushed it in front of him.

"Open it and take a look."

Fang Che opened it, and inside was a car key—the Mercedes logo.

"This is……"

"This is the car I've arranged for you," Li Hanzhou said. "Now that you're the company boss, you need a decent car to go out on business. I've also arranged a driver; A-Yong will be with you."

Fang Che felt a warmth in his heart: "Brother Li, this is too much trouble..."

"Of course." Li Hanzhou paused. "There's one more thing."

"you say."

“A tattoo.” Li Hanzhou looked at him. “I’ll get you one when I get back from Thailand.”

Fang Che's eyes lit up: "Great!"

Li Hanzhou raised his hand and ruffled his hair: "But A-Che, a tattoo is for life. Have you thought it through?"

"I've thought it through." Fang Che said without hesitation, "Once I get the tattoo, I'm Brother Li's person. For life."

These words were blunt, and Li Hanzhou's eyes darkened.

He stood up, walked up to Fang Che, leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Remember your words."

A warm breath brushed against his earlobe, and Fang Che's face flushed.

"I remember."

Li Hanzhou straightened up and ruffled his hair again: "Go back and get some rest. You don't need to see me off tomorrow."

"That won't do..."

"obedient."

Fang Che had no choice but to nod.

As he was leaving the temple, he ran into Ah Gui at the door.

Ah Gui was leaning against the wall smoking when he saw him and, unusually, took the initiative to speak: "Fang Che."

"Um?"

“Brother Li’s trip to Thailand is very dangerous,” Ah Gui said. “Jiang Kun has been operating there for many years and is a local bigwig. You stay here and don’t cause him any trouble.”

Fang Che said solemnly, "I understand. Brother Gui, I'm entrusting Brother Li to you."

Ah Gui glanced at him, nodded, and said nothing more.

Back home, Fang Che lay in bed unable to sleep.

He got up, walked to his desk, and took out paper and pen to write down his plan.

During Li Ge's absence, he needs to streamline the company, manage the branch stores, and run the school.

We also need to... guard against Jiang Tianqi and Li Ruoxue.

He didn't put down his pen until 3 a.m.

The paper was covered with blueprints for the future.

Outside the window, the sky was already beginning to lighten.

A new day begins.

Meanwhile, a storm is brewing in Thailand.

Li Hanzhou stood by the window of his Bangkok hotel, looking at the city lights, holding a photo of Fang Che in his hand.

The photo was taken secretly; the boy is skewering meat and smiling broadly.

Li Hanzhou's fingertips brushed over the photograph, his eyes gentle.

"Wait for me to come back, A-Che."

I'll get you a tattoo when I get back.

I'll tell you when I get back...

How much I love you.

At the same time, in Hong Kong.

In Jiang Tianqi's office, Li Ruoxue handed him a document.

“This is Fang Che’s company’s shareholding structure,” she said. “Fifty percent is in his hands, twenty percent is in Li Hanzhou’s hands, and the rest are distributed among his subordinates. If we can bribe a few of the employees who hold shares…”

Jiang Tianqi took the document, glanced at it, and smiled.

“No rush,” he said. “Li Hanzhou has gone to Thailand, which is a good opportunity for us to make our move. But this time, we need to play it differently.”

"What kind of gameplay?"

Jiang Tianqi walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Portland Street, his eyes dark and gloomy.

What does Fang Che care about most?

“Those children.” Li Ruoxue said without hesitation.

“Yes.” Jiang Tianqi turned around, his smile icy. “So this time, we won’t target Fang Che, we’ll target those children. Didn’t he open a school? Then we’ll make sure the school… goes out of business.”

Li Ruoxue's eyes lit up: "You mean..."

“Start with the teachers,” Jiang Tianqi said slowly. “There aren’t many teachers in Hong Kong willing to teach on Portland Street. We’ll ask those we can to leave. As for those we can’t ask to leave… we’ll make sure they don’t dare to come.”

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Also, didn't Section Chief Zhang suffer a loss at the Education Bureau? Send him a message saying that the procedures for the community school... can be reviewed 'more carefully'."

Li Ruoxue smiled: "I understand."

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with calculation.