Chapter 116: My First Business

At noon, after a meal, Zhang Yang sent Wang Luyao home.

At parting, Wang Luyao looked reluctant to let go.

“So… are we just stopping at last night?” she asked, standing on her tiptoes and lightly wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Should be. Maybe in the future we’ll meet up for a friendly match or something,” Zhang Yang said, looking at the little scoundrel who had cheated on her boyfriend and even risked breaking up just to spend the night with him. His tone was unmistakably indifferent.

He knew clearly the difference between casual fun and genuine feelings.

“Dream on. Who do you think you are?” Wang Luyao huffed, glancing at the handsome face in front of her, realizing she would never truly have him. A faint sense of melancholy crept in.

“Suit yourself. If I can’t get in touch with you later, I’ll just find another,” Zhang Yang said, holding her slender waist in his hands, smiling nonchalantly.

Wang Luyao couldn’t stay in her twenties forever, but there would always be twenty-year-old Zhang Luyao, Li Luyao.

Once one’s fun is done, just move on to the next.

She pouted, leaned forward, and kissed the handsome man hard, then watched Zhang Yang get in the car and drive off.

Silently, she pinned his WeChat to the top and starred it.

That afternoon, Zhang Yang stayed home, returning to his empty apartment.

He opened the windows, let in the fresh air and sunlight, and waited quietly for his task to complete.

Enjoying the fruits of his labor wasn’t a bad thing-just like a boss, if you do everything yourself, a small boss is fine, but a big boss would be exhausted.

Around three in the afternoon, Bei Wei’s message lit up his phone.

“It’s signed! Historic moment! Our branches in Shanghai have now exceeded ten stores!”

Bei Wei’s excitement practically radiated through the screen.

Zhang Yang grinned, hearing the pleasant notification tone in his mind from the system, feeling thrilled, almost wishing he could fly over and hug Bei Wei.

“Hubby, how are you going to reward me?” Bei Wei asked in a message.

Zhang Yang paused, briefly letting material rewards flash through his mind. Then he noticed the message was a voice clip.

He opened it.

“My big darling, I only want you,” Bei Wei’s slightly coquettish voice rang in his ear.

Zhang Yang blinked, realizing he had been away for several days, and it was time to return to Shanghai.

After sharing the joy with Bei Wei, he put down his phone and focused.

“It’s time to check the rewards.”

He immersed himself in the system.

Rewards one and two were already received; reward three was long-term, so there was no rush.

“First, let’s collect the other rewards,” Zhang Yang thought.

The 50 experience points were already a huge step forward in leveling up.

But now, his attention was on the other reward.

One Random Business

Since acquiring the system, he had been steadily growing.

From a regular worker to earning tens of thousands daily, improving his appearance and skills step by step.

His wealth had grown from ten thousand to twenty, fifty thousand, and now a hundred thousand daily.

Luxury watches, cars, and eventually mansions-all acquired.

Still, despite all this, he had felt rootless and insecure.

That feeling only eased when he acquired a large apartment at COFCO Seaview No. 1.

Basically, it was a lack of security.

Now, the random business would greatly alleviate that insecurity.

Deep down, he preferred fixed-asset businesses.

“System, claim the business,” Zhang Yang silently commanded.

Ding!

Receiving in progress.
Congratulations, host. You have acquired Starlight Plaza in Yinghai City. Relevant property transfer has been completed. Please collect at Grant & Cole Accounting LLP.

“Starlight Plaza?” Zhang Yang muttered, still a little stunned.

He wasn’t unfamiliar with Starlight Plaza.

It was a cultural and creative commercial street, newly opened a couple of years ago, three floors high, with roughly two hundred shops of various sizes.

Located near the university district, it had always been popular. On weekends, students crowded in and out constantly.

Though he initially wanted a business in Shanghai, this property in Starlight Plaza was already worth several hundred million yuan.

Two hundred shops, big and small, would likely generate tens of millions in annual rent.

“Perfect!” Zhang Yang’s eyes sparkled with joy.

Even a local three-story street like this gave him immense satisfaction.

It wasn’t just the rent-it was the sense of security from owning two hundred shops.

Annual rent in the tens of millions, total value in the hundreds of millions.

Luxury cars, mansions, daily income of a hundred thousand-he was officially a real tycoon.

A small tycoon worth several hundred million was still a tycoon, far beyond ordinary wealthy people. He had taken a solid step toward becoming a magnate.

That afternoon, he didn’t wait any longer. He headed straight to the accounting firm to take possession of his business.

Before three, in Yinghai City, at Grant & Cole Accounting LLP, Zhang Yang sat cross-legged on the sofa, listening to a few accountants explain the business details.

“Two hundred ten shops, even more than I expected,” Zhang Yang thought.

Of course, not all shops were large; there were big stores, small stores, tea shops, small restaurants, and clothing stores.

“Mr. Zhang, all property certificates are here,” an accountant said respectfully to the young man who now owned an entire commercial street.

Zhang Yang accepted everything without hesitation, stood up, and headed out to visit his first business, Starlight Plaza.

Starlight Plaza had its own property management.

As the true owner, his first step was to check in and make his presence known, and see the rent situation.

Just as he left the accounting firm, his phone rang.

It was Meng Baihan, asking if he was busy.

“What’s up, old classmate?” Zhang Yang texted back while getting into his Cayenne.

“Last time we talked about a gathering. Are you free tonight?” Meng Baihan asked.

“Tonight?” Zhang Yang wasn’t sure. He had to visit Starlight Plaza’s property management first and inspect his first business. It wasn’t certain if he’d make it back in time.

“I’m not sure either. Send me the location; I’ll try to come.”

“Okay, busy big boss. Oh, just to let you know, tonight’s expenses are AA,” Meng Baihan said.

“AA? I’ll pay,” Zhang Yang joked.

It wasn’t about money-he just didn’t want the hassle of splitting a few thousand.

“That’s not allowed. Principle,” Meng Baihan said firmly.

“Fine, we’ll see tonight,” Zhang Yang said casually.

A moment later, he got the exact location: a restaurant in Yinghai with several branches, perfect for a small-to-medium gathering.

He glanced and set the phone aside, focusing on inspecting his first business instead.

By four in the afternoon, he was at Starlight Plaza.

Zhang Yang parked, got out alone, and paused to look at the familiar yet new commercial street.

Familiar because he had visited it during holidays.

New because this was the first time he came as the owner of the entire street.

Looking at each shop-McDonald’s, Ganso, Jiang Gutou, Snow King Milk Tea, various hot pot and barbecue restaurants-

Looking at each shop—McDonald’s, Ganso, Snow King Milk Tea, various hot pot and barbecue restaurants.

These places, once mere scenery to him, now had new meaning.

Now he was the landlord, and they were his tenants.

Standing there, looking over all his shops, he felt a complex mix of pride and disbelief.

As the sun set, Zhang Yang stood by the road for a long while, taking it all in.

Zhang Yang looked a little absent-minded.

Occasionally, a beautifully dressed, stunning girl would pass by, and such a tall, handsome man naturally drew her attention.

“Heartbroken? Or what’s going on?”

“I really want to go comfort him,” someone whispered.

But in reality, no one knew that this handsome man was just standing by his own property, lost in the surging waves of his inner world, completely absorbed in his thoughts.

Snapping back to reality, Zhang Yang smiled to himself and headed toward the property management office.

It was time to make an appearance.

Starlight Plaza Property Management Company

When Zhang Yang entered, the office looked busy.

A few young women in uniform were attending to tenants, and a meeting seemed to be happening in the conference room.

Zhang Yang didn’t rush to interrupt. He found a seat and sat down.

Nearby, the refreshment bar offered coffee and drinks.

He didn’t hesitate, grabbing a bottled drink and opening it. After all, it was his property-everything inside belonged to him. Why be polite?

On the other side, one of the property staff, after finishing with a tenant, finally noticed him.

“Huh? That handsome guy just grabbed a bottled drink from our bar without a word?”

They exchanged a glance, and one of the girls stepped forward.

“Excuse me, sir, are you here to rent a shop, or… do you need something else?”

“I’m looking for Manager Chen,” Zhang Yang said, smiling at her.

“Manager Chen?” The girl hesitated, unsure. “He’s in a meeting right now… would you like to wait?”

“No problem. Just let him know I’m here,” Zhang Yang said, glancing toward the conference room.

Seeing how calm and confident he looked, she sensed he wasn’t an ordinary client.

What if it was something important?

After a moment’s hesitation, she walked toward the meeting room.

Zhang Yang sat on the sofa outside, watching as she opened the door slightly and whispered something inside.

Immediately, the meeting room quieted down.

A moment later, the door opened fully, and a man in his thirties, smiling broadly, came out, bending slightly as he approached.

“Are you… Mr. Zhang Yang?”

“Yes. Are you done with the meeting? If not, no worries, I can wait,” Zhang Yang said casually.

“We’re done! Mr. Zhang, please, right this way,” Manager Chen said eagerly, guiding him to a small office.

Zhang Yang nodded and followed him in.

Outside, a few young women exchanged glances. One of them muttered,

“Could this Mr. Zhang be our new boss?”

“Seriously? So young?!”

“This is what a living super rich and handsome guy looks like…”

Forgive their exaggeration. In their eyes, a man owning over two hundred shops, an entire commercial street, was exactly that. Accessible yet grounded-truly enviable.

Inside the office, Zhang Yang sipped tea while Manager Chen briefed him.

“Mr. Zhang, the occupancy rate is over 93%. The only vacant spaces are mostly third-floor shops,” Chen explained.

Zhang Yang nodded, unsurprised.

The first floor was the busiest, the second floor slightly less so. Few tenants cared to go to the third floor, so naturally, those shops remained empty.

“Right, Mr. Zhang, about the rent…”

Chen summarized the key figures.

Based on last year’s data, projected rent this year would exceed ten million yuan. Rentals were collected semiannually, and the second half’s collection had just begun.

All current rent was in the company account and available for Zhang Yang whenever he needed it.

“Well done. Keep it up,” Zhang Yang encouraged.

“Mr. Zhang, would you like a tour? I can show you around,” Chen asked.

“Sure, let’s take a look,” Zhang Yang said.

They stepped outside.

By now, a few staff members were sitting formally, whether genuinely busy or just pretending, it was unclear.

“Is it always this serious around here?” Zhang Yang asked Chen.

“Yes,” Chen said, wiping sweat. “Everyone takes their work very seriously.”

“No need to be so tense. Relax a bit,” Zhang Yang commented casually. “Careful not to strain your back.”