Chapter 98: I Am Suited to Be a Store Manager or a General Manager

Zhu Senlin once again urged Liu Xiaoqin’s parents to eat the abalone while it was hot, his enthusiasm so intense that it was as if he were their son-in-law rather than Zhang Can. Liu Xiaoqin, however, smiled sweetly at Zhu Senlin and thanked him.

“What are you thanking me for? Zhang Can’s father- and mother-in-law are practically my... well... heh heh...” Zhu Senlin started off smoothly, the words tumbling out without a second thought, but midway he realized something was amiss and quickly checked himself, a sheepish smile spreading across his face.

Liu Xiaoqin blushed, thinking, this chubby guy, my parents don’t have such an old son-in-law as you!

Zhu Senlin, shrewd and experienced, took out a check and handed it to Zhang Can, saying, “Brother, the three stones from the shop sold for fifty-seven million. We paid seven million in taxes and labor, and there are fifty million left. We’ll split it fifty-fifty, so here you go—twenty-five million each. Take care of it.”

Zhang Can took the check and slipped it into his pocket without even looking at it, as if it were nothing more than a scrap of paper, showing no sign that he cared about the millions it represented.

With that, Zhu Senlin deftly shifted everyone’s attention, stunning them into silence.

Li Yong and Liu Xiaoli had always thought Zhang Can’s job paid well, but perhaps only a million or so a year—never did they imagine Zhu Senlin would casually hand him twenty-five million. And from Zhu Senlin’s words, it seemed he and Zhang Can were splitting things evenly. What was going on?

What boss would ever share half the profits with an employee? And what were these “three stones” Zhu Senlin mentioned? Could three stones really sell for fifty-seven million?

Li Yong, Liu Xiaoli, and her parents were all dumbfounded. Zhang Can’s situation was clearly far beyond anything they had imagined.

They had thought Zhang Can exaggerated about his life, but seeing Zhu Senlin hand him twenty-five million so casually, and Zhang Can accept it without so much as a flicker of excitement, made it clear this wasn’t the first time something like this happened. Had he been earning millions—or tens of millions—even before?

But why would Zhu Senlin give Zhang Can so much money? Was there something wrong with it?

Li Yong, unable to contain his curiosity, finally blurted out, “Brother-in-law, what kind of stones do you have that are worth fifty-seven million?”

Zhang Can smiled, but before he could answer, Zhang Hua spoke up, “Jadeite. Top-grade jadeite can easily fetch that price!”

Having worked a few days at Old Stone Studio, Zhang Hua had picked up a fair bit about antiques and jade, and though far from an expert, he understood the basics.

As Liu Dongsheng sipped his abalone soup, he also asked, “Boss Zhu, isn’t that a bit much to give as a bonus to your employee?”

Seeing the amount Zhu Senlin gave Zhang Can, Liu Dongsheng was incredulous—but since Zhang Can was his son-in-law, he felt free to ask.

Zhu Senlin laughed, “You don’t know yet? That shop isn’t just mine—it’s owned equally by Zhang Can and me. He’s also the boss, with half the shares. So, naturally, we split the profits evenly!”

At these words, Li Yong, Liu Xiaoli, and her parents were once again taken aback.

Especially Li Yong—after a stunned pause, he was overjoyed. Since Zhang Can was half the boss, getting a job at that shop would be a breeze. With his relationship to Zhang Can, he’d surely be given a managerial role. Surely, he was more capable than Zhang Hua or the Liu sisters, and as a man, that spoke for itself.

Li Yong was so pleased he couldn’t stop grinning. In an instant, his previous hesitation seemed utterly resolved.

Only now did Liu Xiaoqin’s mother find a moment to quietly ask Liu Dongsheng, “Old man, why are you so energetic today? You gave me quite a scare at home. What did the hospital say?”

After a pause, Chen Huiyu added, “Go easy on the greasy food, and also...”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been checked—there’s nothing wrong with me. Since I’m healthy, of course I should eat. The doctor said I should eat more nutritious food from now on!” Liu Dongsheng felt utterly relieved and elated—no one, after being told they no longer had a death sentence, could remain unmoved.

They chatted for a while as the waiters brought out dish after dish, most of which were seafood they’d never seen back in Zhang Can’s hometown. Having endured hardship for so long, Liu Xiaoli and Li Yong found the food delicious, as did Zhang Hua, Liu Xiaoqin, and her parents. Fortunately, apart from Zhu Senlin, everyone at the table was family; there was no need for restraint. Zhu Senlin’s excessive hospitality and constant laughter put them all at ease.

Zhang Can saw no need for formality. Zhu Senlin’s generosity was genuine, and even if it weren’t, he could easily afford to eat like this every day if he wished.

Knowing Zhang Can didn’t drink much, and since most of those present were women, with Liu Dongsheng’s health being poor, Zhu Senlin didn’t order any alcohol. He and Zhang Can still had to drive, and this was a family gathering, not a business banquet with heavy drinkers. The focus was on the food, not on drinking.

Only Li Yong wanted a drink, excited as he was, but seeing that neither Zhang Can nor Zhu Senlin mentioned it, he kept quiet, deciding to buy a bottle of Erguotou at Tianxin Plaza later and drink it at Zhang Can’s house.

By now, Li Yong had no intention of returning to the village—his place was with Zhang Can.

After a few bites, Zhu Senlin urged Liu Dongsheng and Chen Huiyu to eat more, then put down his chopsticks and said to Zhang Can, “Brother, tomorrow I’ll take you to Imperial Garden in the new southern district. Pick out a villa—it's the best neighborhood in Jincheng. Buy one, bring your family over, and leave the household registration to me. I’ll handle everything!”

For ordinary people, getting registered and obtaining documents was difficult, but for someone like Zhu Senlin, as long as there was money, everything was possible.

Zhang Can was momentarily stunned by Zhu Senlin’s suggestion. He actually found it tempting—the quality of life was the same anywhere as long as the income was good, and in a better environment, it would only improve. Now, the one thing he didn’t lack was money, and in such a place, money was the key to a good life.

“All right, let’s go have a look tomorrow.” Zhang Can quickly agreed, deciding to take Liu Xiaoqin along as well. Buying a villa, bringing his parents over—after making so much money, the first big matter was housing. Once that was settled, the next would be his marriage. Looking at the beautiful and gentle Liu Xiaoqin, he felt more than satisfied.

But what thrilled Zhang Can most was curing Liu Dongsheng’s uremia. First, it set Liu Xiaoqin’s mind at ease; she no longer carried such a heavy burden. Before, even with money, there was no assurance that Liu Dongsheng’s illness could be cured; if it couldn’t, what good was wealth? Second, this ability was his own—how could Zhang Can not be ecstatic?

Being able to see through objects and appraise antiques had already brought him joy, but he never imagined he could cure terminal illnesses as well. Even if he never treated others, his own family would never have to fear uremia again.

Moreover, Zhang Can wondered if his spiritual energy could heal other illnesses as well. That was something to test in the future, but if it could, so much the better.

Eating well, talking happily, Liu Xiaoqin, her parents, and the Zhang siblings were all in high spirits. Liu Xiaoqin felt an immense happiness—since meeting Zhang Can, she had gone from being forced to save her father, to wanting to repay him, to pursuing him, and now to truly loving him with all her heart. She felt so fortunate to have found a man so worthy of her love.

Everyone enjoyed the delicious meal—except for Liu Xiaoli, who felt only bitterness. The longer she stayed with Zhang Can, the more she regretted her choices, for he had become someone who astonished her far more than any fairytale prince.

She had once longed to marry into a family like Li Yong’s for a life of modest luxury, but now that seemed laughable. The man who once pursued her was now nearly a billionaire—far wealthier than Li Yong’s family. Besides, Li Yong had a younger brother and sister, and the family wealth would be divided. His parents were still young, in their fifties, full of vigor—it would be twenty years before they were too old to manage the family. By then, she herself would be old, and what would there be to inherit?

But Zhang Can, still so young, already possessed astonishing wealth. In that small county, even the richest tycoon probably didn’t have as much as he did.

Regret filled her heart—there was no medicine for remorse in this world.

Looking at her smiling sister, Liu Xiaoli wondered at her luck. Her sister never schemed or fought, yet good fortune always fell into her lap, while she herself chased after money and ended up with empty hands.

Sorrow welled up inside her, and as everyone else enjoyed the meal, her eyes grew moist. She hurriedly grabbed a napkin and bowed her head to wipe her tears.

Liu Xiaoqin noticed and gently tugged at her sister’s sleeve under the table, whispering, “Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Oh... something got into my eye. Xiaoqin, come to the restroom with me and help me clear it out.”

Hearing her sister’s concern only made Liu Xiaoli feel more miserable. She nearly broke into tears but quickly stood up and went to the restroom, with Liu Xiaoqin following close behind.

With Liu Xiaoli gone, Li Yong felt free to speak. He turned to Zhang Can and Zhu Senlin, saying, “Boss Zhu, I want to change jobs. Could you... Actually, let me be frank—could I work at your shop? I studied business management, so I’d be perfect as a manager or supervisor. It’s not ideal for the two bosses to handle day-to-day matters themselves, and besides, it’s always better to keep things within the family. You can trust me to take care of things.”

Zhu Senlin frowned slightly at Li Yong’s words. Although he was related to Zhang Can, he was flashy but lacked substance, always aiming high without the skills to match. Still, this was Zhang Can’s decision. If he wanted it, Zhu Senlin would go along with it.