“After you brought the money over, we made some simple modifications first. Later, I felt we needed to design it properly, so we stopped work. Then, due to your conflict with the Oriental Group, most companies were unwilling to do the renovations for us. The few that were willing to do the work were demanding exorbitant prices. My sister and I did the math and found it wasn't worth it at all, so we put the money aside. A while ago, the finance department of the Jiang Group came here and said that the company was having cash flow problems. They asked if we had any funds left, so we took out that investment fund.”

"A large portion of the company's money was transferred to Jiang's Group's account. Although there wasn't much working capital at the time, the store's business was still very good. Unexpectedly, the good times didn't last long. Mr. Lu, you had another falling out with Shanggan Group. They started to suppress the coffee shop. We also called the police. The police came and they left. The police couldn't do anything about them. After two days of this commotion, the customer traffic became what it is now."

Zhou Wen, feeling weak and listless, quickly recounted the whole incident to Lu Fan.

"I'm sorry, I apologize for my outburst earlier. I didn't expect it to cause such a huge chain reaction. I was the one who had those funds collected before. The company is indeed in big trouble. If you leave now, they won't continue targeting the coffee shop."

Upon hearing Zhou Wen's explanation, Lu Fan was surprised to find that it was all his fault. He first sincerely apologized to Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen had silently endured too much, so he offered her some words of comfort. He then handed her a tissue.

"Mr. Lu, what does this mean?"

Zhou Wen, who was crying, took Lu Fan's tissue and started wiping her tears, not understanding what Lu Fan meant for a moment.

"The Jiang Group is facing a huge crisis right now, and many companies have broken away from it. If you end up like them, I won't blame you. This coffee shop might get better and better. If you continue to follow me, you're likely to be suppressed by both the Dongfang Group and the Shanggan Group. In the end, all the hard work you put into building this coffee shop will only lead to one fate."

Lu Fan explained the pros and cons to Zhou Wen, wanting to see what she thought.

“Although I, Zhou Wen, am a woman, I am not the kind of person who forgets kindness. You helped me and my sister back then, and asked us to leave when you were in trouble. I’m sorry I can’t do that, even though this coffee shop is the result of my sister and my hard work.”

After listening to Lu Fan's words, Zhou Wen, who had been crying, suddenly became resilient and said a lot to Lu Fan.

"Okay, okay, I really didn't misjudge you. The path you've chosen will bring you great rewards in the future."

Upon hearing Zhou Wen's answer, Lu Fan couldn't stop smiling. Money is just an external thing; only loyal subordinates are priceless treasures.

"Rewards?"

When Zhou Wen heard Lu Fan mention reporting back, she didn't understand what he meant at first and asked him with a puzzled look.

"You'll find out later. As for those who left the Jiang Group, I'll make them pay the price too. I was just testing you earlier."

Seeing Zhou Wen's puzzled expression, Lu Fan didn't say much. But thinking of those who had received his favors in the past but turned their backs on him as soon as he got into trouble, Lu Fan's eyes were filled with anger. Noticing the way Zhou Wen was looking at him, he quickly smiled and said to her.

"Okay, Mr. Lu, are you here today to check out our renovations?"

Zhou Wen breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she still chose to cooperate with the Jiang Group. She had seen Lu Fan's eyes earlier and knew what would happen to those who left.

A wry smile appeared on his face. Looking at Lu Fan, he didn't seem to be there to look at the coffee shop. If it was about investment, he could have just made a phone call.

"Of course not. To be honest, this amount of money isn't worth me enough to warrant coming all this way in person. You are someone I trust, but after our conversation just now, you've become one of the people I trust the most. I'm here to discuss some things and don't want to be disturbed."

Lu Fan pursed his lips. Even if Zhou Wen spent all the money herself, Lu Fan didn't feel bad about it. He just asked Secretary Ge to come over. Now that Zhou Wen could be trusted, she told him the purpose of her visit.

A few minutes later.

Knock knock knock!

Zhou Wen, who was near the door, heard someone knocking and quickly went to the door, unlocking it from the inside.

Zhou Ruan stood at the door, holding a cup of coffee in each hand, with a middle-aged man with some gray hair following behind her.

"Secretary Ge, hello!"

Zhou Wen immediately recognized the person standing behind Zhou Ruan as Secretary Ge from the Jiang Group, whom she had met several times before when discussing cooperation. She quickly and warmly extended her hand to greet Secretary Ge.

Hello, hello.

Secretary Ge was also very enthusiastic, extending her hand and smiling at Zhou Wen.

Zhou Ruan, holding the coffee, didn't know who Secretary Ge was. She bypassed Zhou Wen and Secretary Ge, walked to the coffee table, placed the tray on it, and put the cappuccino that Lu Fan had ordered in front of him.

Thank you.

Lu Fan accepted the coffee Zhou Ruan offered and thanked her with a smile.

"It's nothing, sir. What would you like to drink?"

Zhou Ruan smiled and responded, then turned to leave. Seeing Zhou Wen welcoming Secretary Ge in, she knew that this person must also be a guest, otherwise her sister wouldn't have been so hospitable. She then smiled and asked Secretary Ge.

Zhou Ruan had never been to the shop before, always traveling around, and had never met Secretary Ge, so of course she didn't know Secretary Ge's identity.

"Just a glass of water will do, thank you for your help."

Secretary Ge looked at Zhou Ruan and then at Zhou Wen. The two had many similarities, and she realized that they must have a close relationship. She spoke to Zhou Ruan in a rather amiable manner.

"Okay!"

Hearing that Secretary Ge only wanted a glass of water, Zhou Ruan happily went to the water dispenser. There was no need to go outside for water; there was a water dispenser in the office. She filled a glass and placed it in front of Secretary Ge, saving herself the trouble of making coffee. Zhou Ruan liked people who ordered water the most.

"Chairman, these are the things you requested. Please take a look. There are also some materials I've compiled; please review them as well."

Secretary Ge approached Lu Fan, took out two folders from her briefcase, and handed them to him. After handing them over, she glanced at Zhou Wen beside her.

"Then I'll excuse myself for a moment, you guys talk."

When Zhou Wen saw Secretary Ge looking at her, she knew that it was no longer appropriate for her to stay there. It was clear that Lu Fan and Secretary Ge had something important to discuss.

He then prepared to leave the office, leaving it to Lu Fan and Secretary Ge to discuss matters.