26: Friend? Girlfriend, I guess...

A needle was inserted.

The old man's originally blue-purple complexion actually returned to a rosy hue at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Immediately after.

His chest heaved violently, and he gasped for air like a fish out of water before slowly opening his eyes!

The entire room fell silent, followed by an uproar.

"He woke up? He really woke up?"

"Just one needle... This is fucking more sci-fi than a movie!"

"Good heavens! This young man is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine? Aren't TCM doctors supposed to be better the older they get?"

...

"Dad! Dad, are you awake?!" The fat woman and the family members were both surprised and delighted, immediately crowding around.

Ye Chen withdrew the needle and stood up, saying indifferently, "Your father had an acute heart attack; it has nothing to do with the restaurant's food. It's best to send him to the hospital for a detailed check-up as soon as possible."

He could have cured him with one needle, but he didn't do so.

Because the attitude of the old man's family members just now was too atrocious; if he cured him easily, they might not acknowledge it.

In that case...

Not only would he fail to help the restaurant, but he might also invite unnecessary trouble.

Meeting by fate is fine, but there's no need to force a good outcome...

One can only blame the old man's fate for having this tribulation.

Sure enough!

"You... what are you spouting nonsense about!"

The fat woman, as if her tail had been stepped on, pointed at Ye Chen and shouted, "My father has always been in robust health. What heart attack? Who are you cursing? I think you guys just want to shirk responsibility!"

Just as she finished speaking.

The old man weakly tugged at her pant leg.

"A... A'fang..."

"This young friend is right; I do indeed have a heart attack!"

"Dad?" A'fang lowered her head abruptly. "When did you get a heart attack? Why didn't you say so earlier!"

The old man caught his breath and let out a cold snort.

"Did I not say so?"

"I told you a few days ago that I had chest tightness and felt uncomfortable!"

"You all said you were busy and didn't have time!"

"In the end, wasn't it me who went to the hospital for a check-up all by myself?!"

Once these words were spoken, A'fang and the other children's faces turned pale, their eyes darting away in shame, unable to speak.

The surrounding diners sighed.

Damn it!

I thought they were all in cahoots, but it turns out it was these people's own problem!

None of them fulfilled their duties as children, yet they actually shifted the blame to others first?

The old man looked at Ye Chen gratefully, "Young friend, thank you for saving me!"

Ye Chen shook his head and pointed at Min Xiaoya and the restaurant owner.

"Old man, you don't need to thank me."

"But your daughter just now, without asking about the facts, slapped this young lady and almost smashed their shop."

The old man's face darkened, "A'fang, apologize!"

A'fang bit her lip reluctantly, but forced by the eyes of everyone around her and her old father's command, she could only say in a low voice with a livid face, "I'm... I'm sorry!"

Min Xiaoya covered her face and shook her head gently.

The owner breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly tried to smooth things over, "As long as people are okay, it's good, it's fine..."

Just then, the sound of an ambulance siren approached from afar.

Medical staff carried in a stretcher, and with Li Yao showing his credentials to coordinate, the old man was quickly settled and taken away from the scene.

The fat woman and the family members also followed, looking dejected.

The crowd of onlookers, seeing that the excitement was over, gradually dispersed.

Once the people dispersed.

Li Yao let out a long sigh of relief, turned around, and patted Ye Chen's shoulder hard, "Brother-in-law, thanks to you today!"

Ye Chen chuckled and waved his hand, turning his gaze to Min Xiaoya, "Brother Li, what's the use of just thanking me? Aren't you going to introduce me?"

On Li Yao's stern face, a rare look of embarrassment appeared; he cleared his throat, his eyes drifting away.

"Ah, this is Min Xiaoya, the daughter of the shop owner, Uncle Min, and she is my... my friend."

"Oh? A friend, huh..."

Ye Chen intentionally drew out his tone, "I saw Brother Li so nervous just now, I thought she was... your girlfriend."

As soon as these words were spoken.

Li Yao's ears turned red; he opened his mouth to explain, but couldn't squeeze out a single word.

Beside him, Min Xiaoya was even more embarrassed, lowering her head, her cheeks instantly turning crimson.

Seeing the two's reactions, Ye Chen understood perfectly in his heart.

Between these two...

It's definitely not as simple as "friends."

He chuckled and didn't continue to press the issue.

Some things are only interesting if the parties involved poke through the window paper themselves.

However...

This Brother Li is a completely different person compared to when he was busting his sister Li Qin's operation last night!

Uncle Min also stepped forward, holding Ye Chen's hand with a face full of gratitude.

"Little brother, thank you so much for today!"

"If it weren't for you, this little shop of mine would have been in trouble!"

"This meal is on me. Order whatever you want; don't be polite with me!"

Li Yao, upon hearing this, took the opportunity to accept, "Uncle Min, don't go to any trouble. Actually, the two of us came here today just to have a drink!"

"Then you must come inside!" Uncle Min enthusiastically stepped aside to lead the way, "Fresh brew just arrived; I'll open a jar for you!"

Ye Chen smiled and just stepped to follow Li Yao, but when his gaze inadvertently swept over the counter, his steps came to a sudden halt.

Just then.

On the side of the counter, a piece of A4 paper was pasted with a few striking bold characters printed on it—

[This Prime Shop For Transfer]

Below was a string of mobile phone numbers.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow and asked, "Uncle Min, are you planning to transfer this shop?"

Uncle Min sighed, his face full of sorrow.

"Sigh, to tell you the truth, little brother, business is really hard to do this year!"

"I spent over 300,000 to take over this shop, originally thinking I could make a living, but as a result..."

"I haven't even earned back the rent; I've been losing money and can't hold on anymore."

Ye Chen, hearing this, carefully scanned the interior of the shop.

The location of this shop is actually quite good; the old street has a lot of foot traffic, and it's close to the residential area where he and Yi Yue rent, making it an ideal choice.

The only problem is...

As soon as you enter, you feel the energy is stagnant; the cold business isn't a coincidence. It's likely due to the Feng Shui layout of this shop!

Ye Chen only observed for a moment before reaching a conclusion.

The bar counter and the back kitchen both have problems.

The bar counter faces the main door directly, forming a clashing evil.

The location of the back kitchen suppresses the wealth-generating position. It would be strange if such a layout could make money.

He asked calmly, "Uncle Min, how much do you plan to transfer this shop for?"

"Just 200,000 will do."

Uncle Min smiled bitterly, "I've lost over half a year of rent, but we paid for the renovation ourselves, so I have to recoup some of the capital."

Ye Chen thought for a moment and said straightforwardly.

"How about this, Uncle Min, I'll pay 300,000, and the shop is mine."

"But I have one condition: you and Min Xiaoya must stay to help me for two months to get familiar with the situation."

"During this time, I will pay your wages. After two months, if you want to stay and continue working, I welcome you; if you want to leave, I won't stop you. How about it?"

His main energy now must be focused on dealing with Zheng Hu, so he can't manage the restaurant himself for the time being.

But handing it directly to the inexperienced Yi Yue would also easily lead to problems.

And Uncle Min and Min Xiaoya are ready-made staff who are familiar with the shop's operations. As long as he adjusts the Feng Shui and they assist in managing it, Yi Yue should be able to get the hang of it quickly.

This gives Li Yao face and also solves the practical problem.

Without waiting for Uncle Min to respond, Li Yao, who was on the side, interrupted in surprise, "Brother-in-law, you... want to open a restaurant?"

Ye Chen nodded.

"One must have their own business; I can't just keep driving for others, right?"

Li Yao understood.

If Li Qin really marries Ye Chen in the future, he has to be able to pass his parents' test.

His parents are old-fashioned people within the system; if Ye Chen is just a driver, it's indeed not very good...

Immediately, he looked at Uncle Min and Min Xiaoya and asked, "What do you think?"