Remember the Young Man’s Lofty Ambition: Once He Vowed to Be the Finest in All the World Chapter 144: When Beating a Dog, Why Bother Considering Its Master?

Zhang Hao was still firmly supporting him, standing up almost simultaneously. “Damn it, Old Fang, I believe in you. If it weren’t for that forty thousand yuan you put in back then, we wouldn’t have made it this far. But about the money—you’ll have to wait a while. Such a large sum can’t come through that quickly.”

Fang Yu nodded with satisfaction, then waved for him to continue. “Second, I want to reorganize the company, integrating Qinglu Beverage, Baoleme, and even the mobile phone business into one cohesive whole. We’ll form a new joint-stock company and, with this round of financing, go all out!”

This proposal drew nods from everyone. “That’s right. Our company is too fragmented right now, and the accounts can’t be unified. It’s better to merge and manage everything under one roof.”

“Exactly. I have a beverage company myself; I’ll fold it into headquarters. Any future acquisitions will be handled the same way!”

Since Qinglu Beverage was a brand Fang Yu had founded himself, merging it posed no difficulty. Moreover, both Qinglu and Baoleme were profitable enterprises; their balance sheets were aligned with the banks, making accounting straightforward.

All they needed to do was notify the creditors—the banks—and publish a notice as quickly as possible. Banks typically wouldn’t interfere with such matters.

“Alright, no problem. Old Fang, that’s a great plan. We’ve been thinking along the same lines for a while,” Zhang Hao said excitedly, cracking his knuckles.

“Then it’s decided. After restructuring, the company will be renamed Jiuzhou Group. As for the personnel appointments, Old Zhang, get me the list as soon as possible in the next couple of days,” Fang Yu ordered, then headed back to Xianjiang. He drove fast all the way, his mood restless. He wanted to step onto a larger stage; Baoleme alone was no longer enough to support his ambitions.

As the roaring engine of the 640 entered the food street, familiar vendors knew Fang Yu had returned. Just as he reached the intersection, two employees from Qinglu rushed out, knocking on his car window.

“President Fang, you need to check the internet café quickly—something’s happened.”

“What’s going on? Don’t panic; tell me slowly,” he frowned and lowered the window.

“I don’t know exactly, but several people came causing trouble inside. You should go back and see. Boss Cheng’s there too,” one female employee stammered.

Fang Yu’s heart sank. He honked the horn, urging pedestrians to clear the way.

Minutes later, the 640 arrived at the entrance of Qixing Internet Café. He flung the curtain aside, finding Cheng Chen in a tense standoff with several student-looking youths at the cashier’s desk. Many students inside the café stood up curiously.

“What’s going on?” Fang Yu pushed past two loiterers and stood boldly by the counter.

“Damn, Fang Yu, you’re finally back. Guess who it is—Zhu Wei, and he brought his big brother,” Cheng Chen heaved a sigh of relief.

Fang Yu sized up those outside the counter. It was that gang from Tai Hongzhou, no doubt stirred up by Zhu Wei’s incitement to cause trouble again.

“I say, this isn’t over, is it? Where’s Zhu Wei? Tell him to come out and talk to me himself,” Fang Yu said impatiently, tapping on the counter. He showed no kindness to these students.

Unexpectedly, Tai Hongzhou seemed prepared this time. His square face covered in acne, he pulled an iron pipe from behind his back and slammed it on the counter with a clang.

“What’s the matter? Fang Yu, do you still think this is a school? Today, my guys are here to support you. Let’s put it this way: from now on, we’ll come by every day. You’re so capable—running a tea shop and an internet café, even hiring two foreign language girls as cashiers. What, you don’t welcome us?”

It was probably all about Xia Churan. The young girl couldn’t hold back anymore; she broke free from Li Jing’s hand, rushing forward, pointing at Zhu Wei behind the crowd.

“Zhu Wei, what do you mean by this? You’re learning all the wrong things. Wait until I get back to school and report you to the student affairs office for expulsion.”

Zhu Wei smirked arrogantly. “Churan, what are you talking about? I didn’t bring them here. What does it have to do with me? My big brother likes this café, so what?”

Seeing Zhu Wei and his gang’s shameless attitude, Fang Yu calmed down. Many students inside, afraid of trouble, began settling their bills and leaving, which was a significant loss for business.

“Tell me, what will it take for you to stop this nonsense?” Fang Yu stepped forward, staring down Tai Hongzhou and the others.

Tai Hongzhou, a scoundrel, banged the counter again with the iron rod. “Easy. Have Xia Churan go back to school. You know my brother likes her. If I see Churan coming here again, I’ll smash this place every time. Anyone who steps in, I’ll beat!”

He took a cigarette from a subordinate and lit it proudly.

Fang Yu nodded, pulling his wallet from his pocket and counting out several large bills, slapping them on the counter.

“Look, I’m a businessman. Consider this a treat for you guys.”

Tai Hongzhou’s eyes lit up. Fang Yu had placed ten bright red bills on the table—enough money to cover a family’s expenses for a couple of months in Xianjiang.

“Damn, Fang Yu, you’re interesting. Didn’t expect you to be so sensible. Haha, okay, since you said that, I can’t not save face. How about this: every month, you pay me and my brothers five thousand yuan, and this matter is settled. How’s that?”

Afraid Fang Yu might back out, Tai Hongzhou hurriedly pocketed the bills.

“Bullshit! Five thousand a month? Who do you think you are?” Cheng Chen couldn’t hold back and stepped forward, raising his eyebrows to strike.

Fang Yu quickly stopped him and nodded. “Fine, no problem. But my little shop doesn’t make that much a month. Now get out quickly—don’t disrupt my business.”

“Good, straightforward. We’re leaving,” Tai Hongzhou said, surprised by Fang Yu’s swift agreement. Taking money to smooth things over, he waved his cronies to leave.

Zhu Wei panicked. Tai Hongzhou was his hired muscle, and it wouldn’t do to back down now without doing anything. He forced a smile and blocked the exit.

“Big brother, didn’t you promise to help me take Churan back?”

Tai Hongzhou, even more of a rogue than Zhu Wei, narrowed his eyes and pointed at the café.

“Didn’t you see how they act? Honestly, having Churan with you is a waste. Look at them—throwing a thousand yuan around like that. How about this: you go home, ask your family for more money, and I’ll help you settle this. What do you say?”

Zhu Wei was stunned. His family was decent enough for an ordinary student, but there was no way he could be as generous as Fang Yu.

“Big brother, you promised before we came. Now you’re backing out. I even gave you a cigarette,” Zhu Wei said awkwardly, forcing a grin.

“Get lost. That cigarette’s not even worth smoking. Let’s go, brothers. Drinks on me tonight!” Tai Hongzhou called out loudly to his men.

The group hurriedly left the café, leaving only Zhu Wei behind, glaring venomously at Fang Yu.

“Alright, Fang Yu, you’ve got guts. We’ll see about this. I’ll shut down your internet café sooner or later!”