After learning the truth from Jian Zihan, my feelings became complicated again late at night. Then, Jian Zihan returned the 100,000 yuan to me. When I put this hot potato back into my pocket, I felt more bewildered than ever before. I don't know why, but the more I try to simplify things, the more complicated the results often become. This not only makes me feel confused, but also leaves me exhausted.
Because of these worries, I didn't sleep well that night; after 6:30, I couldn't fall asleep anymore.
I drew back the curtains, but it was still pitch black outside. That's just how Dali is; the sunrise and sunset are both later than in places like Shanghai.
...
After getting up and getting myself ready, I went to the ancient city. Right now, my biggest concern is the startup capital for "One-Click Travel," and I plan to contact all my acquaintances in the next few days. I try to convince myself not to be too pessimistic; after all, the bar business is doing well, and there will definitely be one or two people with investment needs who will be interested in the shares I hold.
This morning, I met with many people, some of whom lacked the financial means, while others were taking a wait-and-see approach. They were afraid that the popularity of bars was just a temporary phenomenon, so they wanted to observe for a long time before making a decision, but I couldn't wait.
Anyway, I'm in a really big predicament.
And until now, I haven't received a reply from Lu Jia; I know what her mentality is. The more helpless I appear in front of her, the more she enjoys the pleasure of gaining the upper hand.
...
Before I knew it, it was noon. Chen Jin invited me to lunch. We met at a noodle shop in the old town. Although it was just noodles, Chen Jin formally told me that he would treat me to lunch.
A short while later, the waiter brought over two bowls of noodles. Chen Jin pushed the bowl with the egg to me, while he took the plain bowl.
I smiled and said, "Even though I only have one more egg than you, I'm really feeling guilty... Just tell me what's wrong, we're brothers, no need for this kind of formality!"
"Eat the eggs first, and then I'll tell you."
I nervously finished the fried egg in my bowl, and then Chen Jin said to me, "I heard from Nicole that you're thinking of transferring your shares in the bar?"
"One-click travel" is a project I have to do. Although it might hurt feelings to say it, I didn't choose to hide it. I told Chen Jin, "Yes, I have other projects to do. I've been planning this for a while now."
Chen Jin looked a little downcast. After a moment of silence, he replied, "Before, when Nicole told me you were going to transfer your bar shares, I didn't quite believe it... Now that you've said it yourself, I really feel bad... But I have no right to complain, because you've supported me enough over the years I've been in Dali... But..."
..."
Chen Jin hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
“Speak your mind freely… Our friendship can’t be destroyed by a few harsh words.”
Chen Jin looked at me and finally spoke, “I’m not trying to say anything harsh… I just think you’re making trouble for yourself… You’ve seen how booming our bar business is right now. You’ll easily make over a million a year… That’s enough for you to live a carefree life in Dali… Why dig such a big hole for yourself and jump into it?… You know absolutely nothing about the mobile internet field!”
“My thoughts are different from yours. I think that living is a process of continuous exploration.”
Chen Jin ignored all of that and replied, “Let’s stick to the facts… If you’re determined to do this project, you’ll probably have to go to a first-tier city with resources… But can you really let go of Dali?… Over the years, we’ve traveled to so many cities, and we haven’t found a place more suitable for living than Dali, have we?… Here we have Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, the ancient city, and us carefree immortals… Going to a first-tier city, you’ll only repeat the pain of the past… If you succeed, great; if you fail, you’ll truly have nothing… By then, when you think about coming back, Dali probably won’t be as forgiving as it was when we first arrived!”
I remained silent for a long time, then looked up at Chen Jin and said, "We are not the same kind of people. I don't want to be content with the status quo."
“I’ve never thought of us as the same kind of people… but what will happen to the bar if you transfer your shares?… Ia and I have absolutely no ability to withstand risks!”
My heart was filled with mixed feelings. I lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then replied to Chen Jin, "Let me be selfish for once... No matter what the cost, I want to make OneClick Game a success... This is a very important goal in my life."
After a brief silence, I said to Chen Jin, "If you are also interested in this project, I welcome you to join us. Let's work together to build a business, just like we did back in Jiulongju."
“I have no interest in leaving Dali, nor do I want to… I feel that I have enough now.”
Don't you even have the slightest desire to improve?
"Everyone yearns for progress, but if it means sacrificing my current comfortable life, I'd rather not... You might think I'm unambitious... But I've also planned in my mind that I intend to open another guesthouse in Dali within the next two years, creating a synergy between the bar and the guesthouse; and then make my business a signature feature of Dali..."
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