Chapter 42: Drinking Cold Beverages Tonight?
Facing the series of conditions presented by Shen Yuan, Chen Na was greatly shocked.
Having worked at the Land Rover dealership for many years, she would make up to twenty thousand a month when business was good, but only a few thousand during slow months, making her income quite unstable.
Now, Shen Yuan was offering her a basic salary of twelve thousand.
Although this was roughly the same as her previous earnings, managing a coffee shop required much less energy compared to sales and had no pressure to meet sales targets.
This was just the base salary, not including a car, and working for him for three months would even come with a car worth two hundred thousand.
With this, her annual income would just exceed three hundred thousand...
The critical point was that Shen Yuan made no specific demands regarding the profitability of the store. Could it be that the world of the wealthy was so simple and unadorned?
At that moment, Chen Na suddenly thought of a frightening possibility.
Could Shen Yuan be planning to keep me as a mistress?
"Shen Yuan, you shouldn't do this for me. It's not worth it."
Enjoy new adventures from empire
After understanding the reason, Chen Na shook her head. Though the conditions were indeed tempting and required no struggle on her part, she did not want to be someone else's caged canary.
Having received more than a decade of education, Chen Na felt this was unethical, especially in the role of a third party.
"Don't think too much. I'm planning to open a chain of coffee shops, and this one is intended as a pilot project, so our relationship is purely that of employer and employee."
Shen Yuan had also guessed what Chen Na was thinking. Although he indeed hoped for some unspeakable encounters with Chen Na, his main goal was still to fulfill the task and earn a double cashback.
"I see…."
"Let me think it over."
Chen Na did not immediately agree. The idea of opening a chain of coffee shops did seem credible, but her instincts told her that it wasn't that simple.
After all, Shen Yuan could invest in anyone; why specifically invest in her?
And even if he did want her to work for him, offering such a salary was one thing, but why also give her a car?
She planned to go home and ponder carefully on this, and also to share the issue with her best friend to hear her opinion.
"No problem, please give me an answer as soon as you have considered it."
Shen Yuan was not in a hurry. If Chen Na was unwilling, he could invest the three hundred thousand elsewhere.
"Mhm."
Chen Na nodded, then suggested, "Let me treat you to a meal today. I feel somewhat sorry about how things turned out, plus you bought me a bag today, so I should thank you."
"Sure, I'll give you a chance to treat me."
Shen Yuan had no objections. This sort of mutual dining, where one person treats the other, would give Shen Yuan better pretexts to ask Chen Na out in the future.
Like, "Last time you treated me to a meal, this time let me treat you in return, so we're even."
Or, "Last time I took advantage of you, this time let me give you a chance to get back at me."
"Haha, sure."
Chen Na was also amused. Even though she was the one inviting him, his tone and the phrase "I'll give you a chance" made it sound as though it was she who couldn't get enough of him.
.....
At that moment, on the fifth floor of the IFC Mall in the Hong Kong-style tea restaurant, under the persuasion of the staff, Zeng Xianyong and Xie Haijie were finally separated.
Compared to their initial urban elite appearance upon entering the restaurant, both men now looked somewhat disheveled.
Xie Haijie was still cursing and swearing. His face was somewhat swollen, probably from the punches he had just received, and his shirt and trousers were wrinkled from the scuffle.
Zeng Xianyong, being sturdily built and robust, only had a few bloodstains on his face, but no other visible injuries.
But his current appearance was far from presentable; his shirt sleeve had been ripped off by Xie Haijie during their fight, making him look like a fat monk in a robe.
Zeng Xianyong wiped his face and was surprised to find traces of blood on his hand. He wanted to curse some more, but seeing the other guy's face wasn't in much better shape, he felt a bit better instantly.
"Look, brother, I have no quarrel with you, and I just bumped into Chen Na at this restaurant today. Why are you so worked up?"
Being the older of the two, Zeng Xianyong was the first to regain his composure, regretting having resorted to violence.
How old are you still fighting? Can fighting solve any problems?!
"Why am I worked up? You're hitting on my girl; how can I not be?"
Xie Haijie was still angry. If it weren't for the crowd around, he would've gladly taken another round with this fatso, except the guy bled too much, which put him at a disadvantage.
Zeng Xianyong admitted honestly, "To tell you the truth, I did have some designs on her, but she already turned me down just now."
"Turned you down?"
Xie Haijie scoffed coldly, "If she rejected you, she wouldn't have accepted that Prada bag."
"That Prada really wasn't from me. I noticed the bag when I entered the restaurant. You don't believe me, look at my spending today."
Zeng Xianyong also felt wronged, having been beaten up for no good reason, so he decided to pull out his phone to prove his innocence.
Seeing that Zeng Xianyong didn't seem to be joking, Xie Haijie leaned over and saw indeed there were no spending records on WeChat and his card. Though records could be deleted, Zeng Xianyong didn't look like he was lying.
Since it had escalated this far, Zeng Xianyong could have just admitted it.
By now, Xie Haijie had gradually calmed down, and he also noticed that Chen Na was no longer in the restaurant, probably having left straightaway.
Xie Haijie suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. Damn it, did he really attack the wrong person?
A cautious waiter approached them and tentatively asked, "Um, gentlemen, all the dishes are served. Would you like to finish your meal before paying, or pay now?"
Xie Haijie and Zeng Xianyong looked at each other, both remaining silent...
...
...
Meanwhile, Chen Na took Shen Yuan to a special Hunan cuisine restaurant. Being a Hunan girl herself, she particularly enjoyed spicy food, and Shen Yuan, hailing from Star City, also preferred his meals spicy.
During the meal, Chen Na also received a WeChat from Xie Haijie, rambling about whether there had been a misunderstanding. Chen Na didn't even respond and just blocked him.
What kind of person was he? She had already nothing to do with him, yet he stormed in the afternoon like it was a raid!
And to top it off, he had to start a fight like a child!
After a satisfying meal, Chen Na dropped Shen Yuan at the east gate of the International campus and then headed back to her apartment.
Just as Shen Yuan got off his Honda, he received a WeChat from Fang Minhui.
"Shen Yuan, are you free tonight? If you are, can we go out for a cold drink...."
Seeing this message, Shen Yuan was startled, a cold drink?
It took him a while to respond.
Hang on, is class belle that popular all of a sudden? He hadn't seen her act like this when he was with Zhou Wanting.
They say men peak between 20-30, and women usually only peak after 30. How did Fang Minhui get to this stage earlier?
Thinking of the class belle's smooth and lovely figure, as a man, Shen Yuan couldn't help but feel a warm surge in his belly.
Damn, this thing doesn't obey orders!
"Well, drinking is fine, but we should control the frequency a bit..."
"..."