Chapter 117: The Attentive Landlady

For a commercial street like this, rent made up the bulk of the income, with some additional revenue from scattered advertisements and occasional fees from brands holding outdoor events.

Relatively speaking, the income was stable and didn’t rely heavily on employee performance.

Even though maintaining a certain distance from staff could help preserve a sense of authority, Zhang Yang didn’t want to put on a bossy demeanor.

Being friendly and approachable worked just fine.

Walking out of the property management office with Manager Chen, Zhang Yang strolled casually through the three-story commercial street.

He asked questions from time to time, and Manager Chen answered openly, showing a detailed understanding of each store.

There wasn’t much to say about the first floor.

It was fully rented, and as mealtime approached, many restaurants were already serving customers. Outside one of the bubble tea shops, students from nearby schools crowded around to buy drinks.

“Hello, Manager Chen.”

“Do you want a bubble tea, Manager Chen? I can make you one,” a shop owner called out cheerfully.

Throughout the walk, greetings came continuously, many shop owners just happened to be present and welcomed them warmly.

“You’re quite popular,” Zhang Yang remarked to Chen.

“Normal, really. As the property manager, he deals with these tenants every day. Some courtesy is expected,” Chen replied, wiping sweat and feeling a bit nervous.

“Relax. Don’t be tense. I don’t fuss over small formalities,” Zhang Yang said with a laugh.

Before owning this street, he had visited several times as a consumer and had always been impressed by the management efforts.

Chen exhaled slightly but remained vigilant, following closely. Who knew what a new boss might do?

After walking through the first floor, Zhang Yang had a rough idea of the tenants.

They then headed straight to the second floor.

There were fewer restaurants upstairs, but more internet cafes, women’s clothing stores, escape rooms, and training institutions.

Earlier, Zhang Yang had passed a dance studio. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, he could see some women lifting their legs elegantly, moving gracefully.

“Hmm? That shop seems busy,” Zhang Yang said, noticing people constantly going in and out.

“That one’s actually up for transfer,” Chen explained.

“Transfer?” Zhang Yang wondered.

They approached the shop, called Drunken Skewers.

“Manager Chen!”

Inside, an exceptionally beautiful woman greeted them with a smile. “What a rare guest! What brings you here to visit?”

Up close, she had a fair, rosy complexion, a graceful figure, and an aura of health and vitality.

Zhang Yang sized her up, guessing she was in her early thirties.

“And this is?” she asked, noticing the handsome man standing beside Chen.

“This is our boss, Mr. Zhang,” Chen said, clearing his throat to emphasize.

“Ah? The boss?” She froze for a moment, clearly surprised.

“The boss of the entire Starlight Plaza,” Chen reiterated.

Instantly, her expression softened into charm and a kind of heated enthusiasm.

“Hello, Mr. Zhang. I’m Li Xiaoxuan,” she said, extending her slender, fair hand.

Zhang Yang shook her hand once, then again, nodding politely.

“Your shop is doing well. Why transfer it?”

“Appearance only. I recently converted the self-service skewers to a buffet, planning to clear inventory and close soon, so more customers are coming lately,” Li Xiaoxuan replied, a hint of worry flashing across her face.

“By the way, Mr. Zhang, if you know anyone suitable, please recommend them,” she added.

“Manager Chen, if there’s a suitable tenant, help her out,” Zhang Yang said casually, glancing at Chen.

Chen nodded immediately.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Zhang. How about I let you try our dishes?” Li Xiaoxuan eagerly offered, guiding Zhang Yang and Chen into the shop.

“No need, go about your work,” Zhang Yang declined politely.

But she didn’t take no for an answer. “Not busy at all, it’s fine,” she insisted, dragging him inside.

Inside, the decor was stylish and vibrant, bolder than typical trendy styles.

The self-service section offered snowflake beef cubes, spicy pork belly, tender lamb, mini pigs, and more, all categorized.

Zhang Yang estimated the cost: casually eating here would run about two or three hundred yuan for two people. A roadside skewer shop could get fuller servings for the same price, but here it was a higher-end experience.

“Please, sit here, Mr. Zhang. Manager Chen, sit too,” Li Xiaoxuan insisted, pouring tea and arranging drinks before personally selecting skewers to grill.

Zhang Yang sipped tea, watching her back, the elegant silhouette highlighted by her fitted outfit.

Manager Chen sat opposite, somewhat uneasy, glancing between Zhang Yang and Li Xiaoxuan.

“This whole shop run by just her?” Zhang Yang asked casually.

Chen paused, then explained quietly, “Mr. Zhang, the landlady is single, so there’s no partner involved.”

Zhang Yang nodded. Single, stunning landlady-likely divorced at this age.

“Mr. Zhang, I should probably head back to the company…” Chen suggested tactfully.

“Go ahead,” Zhang Yang waved him off.

Moments later, Li Xiaoxuan returned with two large trays of skewers.

“Oh? Manager Chen already left?”

“Yes, the company had an event. You’ve brought too much; just grill some for now, don’t waste it,” Zhang Yang advised.

“No worries, eat as you like. Here, I’ll grill for you,” she said, adjusting her skirt and picking skewers with delicate fingers.

She grilled each skewer carefully, placing them on Zhang Yang’s plate, even pouring drinks.

“I’ll skip the alcohol; I have to drive later,” Zhang Yang waved off, intending only a taste.

“You really should drink a bit. If not, I’ll drive for you,” Li Xiaoxuan offered with a smile.

Zhang Yang shook his head, tasting a skewer-it was indeed tender and flavorful. A pity the shop would close soon.

Watching her flushed, attentive demeanor, he realized her diligence wasn’t just about getting help with the shop transfer.

His phone buzzed-messages from Meng Baihan asking when he would arrive.

“Landlady, stop grilling. I have something to do. How much?” Zhang Yang said, gently stopping her hands.

“You’re too kind, don’t worry about payment,” Li Xiaoxuan insisted.

“Small business. If your shop were thriving and I ate, that’s fine. But since you’re transferring, I can’t take advantage,” Zhang Yang said, standing and heading to the bar.

Li Xiaoxuan hurried after him. Zhang Yang scanned the code and casually paid two hundred yuan.

“Oh! You paid! I’ll refund you,” she exclaimed, ready to reverse the payment.

“No need, I have something else to attend to,” Zhang Yang waved, heading out.

“Auntie, please watch the shop. I’ll be back soon,” she called, rushing after him.

“Mr. Zhang, wait for me!”

Soon, Zhang Yang noticed her running, slightly out of breath.

“Mr. Zhang, let me give you a ride-you drank earlier, right?” she asked.

“I’ll take a cab. Isn’t this a bit… much?” Zhang Yang said, blinking in surprise.

She pressed a hand lightly to her chest, breathing fast. “I insisted you drink, so I must see it through.”

“You’re actually here for something else, aren’t you?” Zhang Yang asked, smiling at her.

“No… really not,” Li Xiaoxuan blushed slightly, giving a small embarrassed smile.

“Fine, if you insist,” Zhang Yang said after a moment, nodding. “If not, we can just eat here briefly.”

Moments later, they reached his Cayenne.

Seeing the car, Li Xiaoxuan looked genuinely surprised.

Because she felt that, given Mr. Zhang’s wealth, driving a Cayenne was a bit understated.

“Go ahead, you drive,” Zhang Yang said, casually handing her the Cayenne’s keys while he went to the trunk to grab a couple of water bottles.

Li Xiaoxuan got into the car, fastened her seatbelt, and immediately noticed an invitation lying on the passenger-side floor mat. She picked it up and glanced at it.

It was a test-drive invitation for a new Rolls-Royce model, exclusively for Rolls-Royce owners. Instantly, she understood everything.

Driving a Cayenne didn’t mean he only drove a Cayenne.

Mr. Zhang simply drove whatever car he wanted; there was no need for deliberate appearances.

The car door opened and a figure stepped in.

“Want some water?” Zhang Yang handed her a bottle and sat in the passenger seat.

“Thank you, Mr. Zhang. By the way, where are we going?” Li Xiaoxuan asked.

“Just checking,” Zhang Yang said, opening the GPS and announcing a location.

“I know that place. I just had a friends’ gathering there recently,” Li Xiaoxuan said, giving an OK gesture and starting the car.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of Juyaxuan, a private room was filled with a group of old classmates who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Some were sitting, some standing, drinking tea, and chatting excitedly.

The girls were discussing their boyfriends, subtly showing off a little.

The boys talked about life, work, and recent events.

Some had seen each other recently in Shanghai, but most had been busy with work and hadn’t attended the last classmate’s wedding.

This return to Yinghai happened to coincide, making this gathering rare and coincidental.

“Do you remember Luo Wenhui from our class? I heard she’s dating a pilot who earns over a million a year and spoils her!”

“And Song Shaoqiang? He’s really handsome now. Last time I saw his posts, wow, he doesn’t even look like the same person.”

The girls chattered excitedly, increasingly animated, exchanging comments on their phones.

“Meng, are we waiting for anyone else? Seems like everyone’s here,” class president Zou Jun asked, looking toward Meng Baihan, surrounded by a small group.

The chatter paused as everyone turned toward Meng Baihan.

“Yeah, I think most people who could come have arrived. I don’t think anyone else is coming.”

They assumed that the classmates who were close in high school had all shown up; they couldn’t think of anyone missing.

“There’s still one more,” Meng Baihan said, checking her phone.

The chat had been paused half an hour earlier.

Zhang Yang had replied that he was on his way and that they didn’t need to wait for him.

“One more?”

“Who?”

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Weren’t they all here?

“Zhang Yang hasn’t arrived yet. I just contacted him-he’s on his way and should be here soon,” Meng Baihan said, raising her phone slightly.

“Zhang Yang?” someone muttered, recalling the distant and slightly unfamiliar name.

“Wow, it’s been years since we last saw him. I wonder how Zhang Yang’s doing now, what he’s up to.”

“Zhang Yang, huh…”

They whispered among themselves but didn’t question why he was invited. After all, it was a class reunion, and he was a classmate-he had the right to be there.

But a sense of curiosity lingered.

Subconsciously, everyone knew that in a class, there were tiers: top students, average students, those who stood out, and those who blended in.

Back in high school, Zhang Yang had been a typical background student, with no real connection to their small circles.

Now, including him in the reunion felt unexpected and a bit out of place.