Chapter 172: I Regret It So Much

Wei Yan’s eyes lit up after hearing the idea. “Xiaoluo, that’s a brilliant suggestion. If I do set up a decoration company, I’ll give you 30% of the profits.”  

Fang Xiaoluo was taken aback. She had only mentioned it casually because she thought Wei Yan was a good person.  

“There’s no need for that,” she said. “I was just offering a suggestion. It won’t be easy, you’ll be the ones doing all the planning, management, and actual work. I don’t know anything about running a business like that, so I won’t be able to help.”  

Wei Yan shook his head. “That’s different. Do you realize how valuable a good idea is? Xiaoluo, don’t reject it outright. I haven’t even started yet.”  

After thinking for a moment, Fang Xiaoluo agreed. “Alright, let’s talk about it later.”  

After lunch, Fang Xiaoluo handed Wei Yan the key to her shop. “I’ll go back and draw up the blueprints. I’ll have my brother deliver them to your factory tomorrow.”  

Wei Yan pocketed the key. “Got it. I’ll update you if there’s any progress on my end.”  

As they left Dongfeng Hotel, Fang Xiaoluo mentioned wanting to visit Honghe Village. Wei Yan insisted on driving them there.  

First, they stopped to purchase some supplies before heading to the Fang family home.  

When they arrived, Fang Xiaoluo noticed an unfamiliar car parked outside the house.  

She glanced at the yard and house, then turned to Wei Yan. “Wei Yan, tell me, if my parents want to renovate this house, how long would it take?”  

Wei Yan, who had been preparing to leave, got out of the car immediately.  

“It depends on the extent of the renovations. A major overhaul would probably take two months,” he said after surveying the property.  

Frowning slightly, Fang Xiaoluo replied, “Two months is too long. It’s going to get cold soon. A month would be better.”  

The Fang family’s house was old and in poor condition. Winter frost would only make things harder for her family.  

Wei Yan thought for a moment. “I’ll go back and consult with some experts. I’ll see what they think.”  

“Great,” said Fang Xiaoluo. “If it’s feasible, please help me arrange it.”  

“Consider it done,” Wei Yan assured her.  

—

As soon as Wei Yan left, someone stepped out of the Fang family home.  

It was not just Fang Shijun, Fang Qiang, and Zhang Xinyan. Standing with them was a middle-aged man in a suit.  

Recognizing him instantly, Fang Xiaoluo’s expression turned guarded. It was Ma Yongfeng, the owner of Peace Hotel.  

‘He actually came all the way here, likely following Fang Qiang,’ she thought.  

Indeed, Ma Yongfeng had tracked down Fang Qiang and decided to visit him in person. He had pleaded and reasoned with the Fang family, but neither Fang Qiang nor his parents gave in. They merely repeated that they were working for someone else.  

When Ma Yongfeng spotted Fang Xiaoluo, his eyes widened as something clicked in his memory.  

He walked up to her and exclaimed, “You… are you the young lady who came to my restaurant this summer to sell me food?”  

Keeping her expression neutral, Fang Xiaoluo replied calmly, “Boss Ma has a good memory.”  

Ma Yongfeng Regrets His Actions

Ma Yongfeng slapped his thigh in frustration. “Oh, I really failed to recognize true talent before! Young lady, what’s your name?”  

Before Fang Xiaoluo could respond, Shen Zheng stepped forward with a cold expression. “What do you want?”  

Startled by Shen Zheng’s intimidating demeanor, Ma Yongfeng stammered, “I… I just want to apologize to this young lady for my behavior before.”  

“There’s no need for apologies,” Fang Xiaoluo replied calmly. “I assume Boss Ma followed me here to talk about the food, right? Unfortunately, I’ve already signed a contract with Dongfeng Hotel. My produce is exclusively for them.”  

Hearing this, Ma Yongfeng froze. “Girl, business is about making money! Whatever Dongfeng Hotel is paying you, I’ll offer you more. How about it?”  

Without responding, Fang Xiaoluo pulled Shen Zheng toward the door and handed the items they were carrying to Zhang Xinyan and Fang Shijun.  

Zhang Xinyan glanced at the packages. “Why did you bring so many things again? Didn’t I tell you last time not to bring anything?”  

Fang Xiaoluo pointed at Shen Zheng and said, “Your son-in-law insisted on buying them. I couldn’t stop him.”  

Fang Qiang chuckled. “Brother-in-law, it seems you hold quite a position in this family. And you’ve got deep pockets!”  

Shen Zheng smiled back. “Not bad, I’d say.”  

—

Seeing them leave, Ma Yongfeng grew anxious and followed after them.  

Turning around, Fang Xiaoluo said, “Boss Ma, your understanding of business is off. While making money is important, it must be based on integrity.”  

“Besides, do you remember what you said to me last time?” she added, clearing her throat and mimicking his tone with exaggerated gruffness. “Our dishes are the freshest in Jiangcheng. There’s no place fresher than our restaurant. You’ve come to the wrong place. The ingredients we use are even better than yours!”  

She smirked. “Boss Ma, I have a surprisingly good memory. Did I quote you correctly?”  

Ma Yongfeng’s face flushed with embarrassment. He had initially thought she was a gentle and easygoing girl, but now he realized she was sharp and resolute.  

“Girl, I didn’t know how to speak back then. It was all my fault for not recognizing your abilities. I’m willing to offer you…”  

“Stop!” Fang Xiaoluo interrupted firmly. “Boss Ma, I’ve already made myself clear. If it’s about anything else, I’m open to discussion. But if it’s about my vegetables, then no. I won’t breach my contract.”  

—

Ma Yongfeng left, deeply regretting his earlier actions. Had he not turned her away that summer, he might have been the one enjoying the enormous profits that Dongfeng Hotel was now reaping.  

He never imagined that selling vegetables could support an entire family so successfully. Watching Dongfeng Hotel’s growing popularity while his own restaurant struggled, he couldn’t sit still but no matter how hard he tried, his dishes could never achieve the same high-end taste.  

After Ma Yongfeng left, Fang Xiaoluo and Zhang Xinyan went to inspect the greenhouse together.  

“Xiaoluo, the vegetables are growing so well,” Fang Qiang said, walking alongside her. “We’ve been following your instructions when to ventilate, when to water and everything looks great now.”  

He hesitated for a moment. “But if you open a noodle shop, we’ll need wheat. With so little land left, where are we going to grow it next year?”  

Looking out over the lush vegetable field, Fang Xiaoluo smiled, clearly pleased. “After the villagers harvest their crops, I’ll ask around to see who’s willing to rent out their land next year.”  

Fang Qiang nodded. “Good idea. Also, I think we should hire someone to keep an eye on the produce, just in case.”  

“That’s a great point, brother. You handle hiring the people, and I’ll pay their wages.”  

In the quietest part of the greenhouse, Fang Qiang pulled Shen Zheng aside, speaking in a low voice to avoid being overheard by Zhang Xinyan and Fang Shijun.  

“Xiaoluo, brother-in-law, could you lend me Xiaxia for a day tomorrow?”  

Confused, Fang Xiaoluo asked, “What do you mean, ‘lend Xiaxia for a day’?”  

Glancing toward Zhang Xinyan and the others, Fang Qiang whispered, “Someone introduced me to a potential match.”