Chapter 90: Do You Have the Right to Be Aloof?

Night fell, and the Bund’s lights glittered brilliantly.

Standing in the massive flat at COFCO Haijing No. 1, everyone had their own feelings.

Zhang Yang stood alone on the balcony. Behind him, the living room was full of laughter. Bei Jiajia pulled Bei Wei along, whispering who knows what. Bei Tianfu and his wife sat comfortably, not leaving the sofa.

The massive hundred-inch TV played something indistinct, its picture so clear that even pores were visible, yet no one seemed to be paying attention.

“It really is a scene of pure joy,” Zhang Yang murmured, enjoying the river breeze on the balcony, feeling exceptionally relaxed.

In such a bright, spacious flat, if it were New Year’s Eve, the family eating fruits and snacks while watching the Spring Festival Gala, the Bund outside sparkling, Shanghai’s cityscape in full display, and fireworks lighting up the night-the feeling would be indescribable.

“Hmm, I must find a chance to let my parents experience this,” Zhang Yang muttered to himself.

The hundred-million-yuan flats of Shanghai would still require consideration of his parents’ comfort level. So next time he’d first expand the restaurant scale at home, then eventually get them a large house in Yinghai to enjoy, step by step.

Everything needed to be gradual. Others’ acceptance didn’t matter, but for his parents, he had to take it into account.

The WeChat Moments feed was full of people sharing their daily lives.

Bei Wei’s Moments had naturally been updated long ago.

Photos of the two of them were full of affection. The sweet young lady hugged his arm, looking happy and admiring, with the Huangpu River and the historic Bund behind them, Shanghai’s skyline stretching beyond.

Even mutual friends were flooding the likes.

Xiang Youde: “Ah, bro, just looking at the house? From this angle of the Bund… how am I supposed to handle this?”

Former colleagues were also liking the posts.

Whether Xiang Youde had said anything at work didn’t matter to Zhang Yang. Knowing or not, it didn’t affect him and carried no concerns. There would be no further intersection with those people anyway.

Zhang Yang scrolled through other Moments-striving individuals, insurance sellers, shop advertisers, people flaunting happiness, subtly showing off wealth… what had once intrigued or made him envious now seemed trivial, like fleeting clouds.

Truly… a view from above all others.

“Mr. Zhang, the dinner is ready,” a four-person high-end catering team arrived to report.

“Thank you, much appreciated,” Zhang Yang said, seeing them out, then turned to the Amazon-green stone dining table, already loaded with a sumptuous feast.

The kitchen was spotless, as if it had never been used.

“Time to eat!” Zhang Yang called everyone over, opening some fine wine.

“So fragrant!” Bei Jiajia ran over, staring at the dishes in awe.

Braised yellow croaker in broth, braised shark fin, South American red dragon baked in cheese, scallion-stirred Australian Wagyu…

Most notably, each person had a small portion of boiled cabbage, a famous Sichuan dish with a long-standing reputation.

This understated home feast radiated the luxury of a top-tier restaurant.

Zhang Yang invited everyone to sit, opened a bottle of aged Maotai, and poured some red wine for Bei Wei and the others.

“This wine is so rich, what kind is it?” Bei Jiajia sipped lightly, unable to hide her admiration.

Bei Tianfu stared at her, eyes nearly popping, watching the thick red wine cling to her glass and noticing the bottle casually placed nearby. Could wine like this even be shared?

He didn’t speak, only privately appreciating Zhang Yang’s subtle display of wealth.

What appeared as an equal partnership heavily tilted in his mind.

Would Zhang Yang care about the small profits he had given?

“Looks like I need to show a bit more sincerity,” Bei Tianfu thought.

At the table, cups clinked, drinks flowed, and everyone drank heartily.

Bei Tianfu and Shen Jie, unable to directly flatter Zhang Yang, found other ways to praise Bei Wei.

“Bei Wei, you must have saved the galaxy in a past life to find a guy like Little Zhang. As for our Jiajia, we don’t expect much. Even if she finds someone half as good, your uncle and I will be satisfied,” Shen Jie said.

Bei Wei occasionally hugged Zhang Yang’s arm, feeling as if steeped in honey-pure sweetness.

This was exactly what she imagined happiness to be.

“Mom, what are you saying? Can anyone compare to my brother-in-law? My future boyfriend, my husband, won’t measure up either!” Bei Jiajia, now acting like Zhang Yang’s number-one fangirl, proudly hugged his arm too, imitating her sister Bei Wei.

Shen Jie watched her daughter and groaned.

Bei Wei can hug him like that, and you, the little aunt, have no sense at all! Not a bit ladylike.

After the meal, Bei Tianfu pulled Zhang Yang aside.

“Nephew-in-law, I’ve decided. I’ll give up my share of the Shanghai franchise fees. The more franchises you bring in, the better-consider it helping Shudu Spicy Roast Duck gain recognition.”

“How can I accept that?” Zhang Yang smiled.

“We’re family. No need for formalities. Just my small token,” Bei Tianfu said, beaming.

Shen Jie chimed in, urging Zhang Yang to agree.

They feared that Zhang Yang might not care for such small profits.

“Well… okay,” Zhang Yang nodded.

In vast Shanghai, there was room for dozens of Shudu Spicy Roast Duck franchises. It was all a matter of reciprocity; no one was incapable of returning the favor.

After dinner, Bei Tianfu repeatedly thanked Zhang Yang for his hospitality.

The main purpose of this Shanghai visit was to set up a headquarters and attract franchisees. His instincts hinted at a potentially lucrative opportunity, even if the cycle might be short.

Bei Jiajia had already completed much of the groundwork, and the company framework would soon be ready.

“Sis, I won’t bother you and my brother-in-law,” Bei Jiajia said cheerfully before leaving, skillfully avoiding Bei Wei’s hand.

With them gone, only Zhang Yang and Bei Wei remained in the flat.

Holding hands, Zhang Yang excitedly showed Bei Wei around, inside and out.

A huge suite, a bathtub in the bathroom, a maid’s room with a private elevator…

“You can stay here sometimes; it’s so big, not much atmosphere with just us,” Zhang Yang said, pulling Bei Wei onto the balcony for the evening breeze.

A house this large with few people feels empty; traditionally, a home’s energy is tied to its residents.

“Sure, but only occasionally. I still find your apartment more convenient,” Bei Wei said, cheeks flushed from the wine, hands gently looping around Zhang Yang’s neck. “Hey, have you missed me?”

Zhang Yang held her slim waist, breathing in her sweet scent, the Huangpu River and Bund nearby, Lujiazui’s lights always shining.

The sweet girl closed her eyes and leaned in.

He lifted Bei Wei in a lazy embrace and headed to the nearest large suite.

The next morning, Zhang Yang didn’t wake Bei Wei but stood on the balcony, greeting the first rays of his day.

Stretching lightly, the morning breeze on his face, he felt completely refreshed.

The store’s daily revenue task, reaching over ten thousand, was nearing completion. During the task, revenue steadily increased, and the daily midnight cashbacks were consistently delivered-fifty-six, sixty, sixty-seven thousand at times-providing a solid cash flow.

The battle power upgrade task had been ongoing for several days, with a few days remaining-no rush. Steady effort, as no one succeeds casually.

As he reviewed and summarized in his mind, someone quietly hugged him from behind.

“Awake?” Zhang Yang turned to see the sweet-faced, bare-faced but still lovely Bei Wei, smiling as he ran his fingers through her dark hair.

“I woke up early, too excited to sleep,” Bei Wei said, standing on the balcony railing, eyes bright with curiosity, gazing at the sparkling river and morning-lit Shanghai. Everything seemed fresh.

Waking up in a hundred-million-yuan mansion was a first for her.

They leisurely freshened up, adapting to the slow pace, then went out for breakfast.

At a breakfast shop near the store, Bei Wei ate while eagerly calling in the Rongcheng dialect.

Zhang Yang listened, guessing it was her mother.

“Yes, I know, okay, okay, bye,” Bei Wei said, cheeks slightly red.

“Was that your aunt?” Zhang Yang asked, drinking soy milk.

“Yes, my mom called to check on us,” Bei Wei smiled.

“What’s there to worry about?” Zhang Yang asked. “Next time, let me take the call.”

“Not that kind of worry,” Bei Wei said softly.

“Huh?” Zhang Yang set down his soy milk, curious.

“Ah, don’t ask,” Bei Wei said, covering her face. “My mom… my mom wanted us to stay safe.”

“Huh?” Zhang Yang blinked, looking at her flushed face.

Of course he’d been careful, but for her mother to call repeatedly about safety-it added a humorous little twist to breakfast.

On the way to the store, the sweet girl alternated between daydreaming and shyness, lost in her thoughts.

“Eh? The video’s out?”

Suddenly in the car, Bei Wei excitedly checked short videos, looking at Zhang Yang.

“What video? Oh, right, the store visit video? I almost forgot,” Zhang Yang said, smiling awkwardly.

Watching others’ videos was fine, but seeing himself on screen brought an indescribable embarrassment.

Though Bei Wei laughed at it beside him, he didn’t bother to look.

“Zhang Yang, this one is really good. Lots of likes, and many people are talking about you in the comments,” Bei Wei said excitedly.

“Really?” Zhang Yang drove on, eyes forward.

“Look, look,” Bei Wei wanted to share with him.

“No, no, nothing to see,” Zhang Yang said resolutely.

“Are you shy seeing yourself?” Bei Wei giggled at his expression.

At the store entrance, Zhang Yang had just stepped out of the car when several staff members hurried over.

“Boss, that video of ours seems to be really popular. People have already come by this morning.”

“They came for the boss. When you weren’t here, they left disappointed.”

They discussed it with obvious excitement.

“Um, Bei Wei, you’ll have to work a bit these days while I’m gone,” Zhang Yang said, eager to leave. He’d only taken a couple of steps when his arm was grabbed.

“Stay here, please,” Bei Wei pleaded.

The video had gone viral, meaning a wave of traffic would arrive. It was a rare opportunity, and letting it slip would be a shame.

Seeing the eager look in Bei Wei’s eyes, Zhang Yang couldn’t disappoint her, so he reluctantly agreed.

At noon, at Shudu Spicy Roast Duck .

Today’s customers far exceeded any normal day.

“Hey, look, that’s the boss!”

“Really! I told you, from the video, even just his silhouette and side profile look handsome. You doubted it? Now you see for yourself.”

“I heard the boss really pampers his girlfriend. This shop exists so she can always taste the flavors of home.”

“Wow, why are perfect boyfriends always someone else’s? Why can’t I find one like that?”

A few girls whispered and giggled from a distance, pointing at Zhang Yang and discussing quietly.

Zhang Yang ignored them.

Making money, no shame in it. Since the traffic had arrived, why not take advantage? A little patience, and it would pass.

“Boss, can I get your WeChat?”

One girl blinked her big eyes at him.

Zhang Yang casually pointed to a sticker nearby: Taken, do not flirt.

“No, I just want to make ordering easier. Can I contact you via WeChat beforehand?” the girl persisted.

“Ordering? Sure.” Zhang Yang revealed his private WeChat.

He had already decided: only for ordering. If any girl used ordering as an excuse to bother him, she’d be blocked.

He wasn’t a newly minted pretty boy anymore.

At first, being handsome and receiving attention was novel, but now he was completely indifferent. Too many girls coming on wasn’t happiness-it was harassment.

There’s a difference between women and beauties.

After lunch, Zhang Yang escorted Bei Wei home to rest while he stayed at the shop for a while.

The afternoon crowd was light, with two girls eating slowly, occasionally chatting awkwardly with him.

Zhang Yang responded briefly, but the conversation lacked interest.

“The boss is pretty aloof,” one whispered.

“Yeah, doesn’t seem to care about customers at all,” the other added, slightly annoyed.

Running a business meant all kinds of people. Zhang Yang didn’t care, leaving the shop and stepping into his Cullinan parked nearby for some peace.

The two girls saw the black Cullinan from afar, exchanged glances, and quickly fell silent.

Doesn’t the guy who drives a Cullinan have the right to be aloof? Of course he does.

For several days, Zhang Yang went to the store during the day and checked in at Crazy Shark Fight in the afternoon.

The store’s traffic surged. Reviews and short videos online increased steadily.

“Great food, very authentic. By the way, the boss is handsome and really pampers his girlfriend.”

“Everything’s great, just a bit aloof. Will the shop last with that attitude?”

“Don’t worry. As long as you don’t bother him, the handsome boss is polite. You know the Cullinan out front belongs to him, right? He only opened the store for his girlfriend.”

“Right, he doesn’t care about the business. Just playing around. But the food is really good.”

“The boss is handsome, I and my friend can vouch for that!”

Zhang Yang casually scrolled through, seeing some complaints about his aloofness but didn’t respond.

No one could please everyone.

A young man living in a hundred-million-yuan mansion doesn’t need to constantly flatter for business. A polite demeanor was enough.

Despite some dissenting voices, Shudu Spicy Roast Duck truly started to earn its reputation for popularity.

That day, in the COFCO Haijing No. 1 flat.

Ding!

“The task is already finished?” Zhang Yang was momentarily stunned.

After ten consecutive days, accustomed to daily hundreds of thousands in cashback, now returning to the usual ten-thousand daily cashback felt strange-luxury to frugality is easy, frugality to luxury is hard.

This task was complete, and only a few days remained on his battle power upgrade task.

He was eagerly anticipating the final results.

Glancing at the time, he was about to leave when his phone unexpectedly rang.

It was Luo Xinyu.

“What’s she up to now?” Zhang Yang muttered, still answered the call.

“Are you home?” Luo Xinyu asked immediately.

“What is it?” Zhang Yang responded.

A soft laugh came through. “You really think I’m calling for no reason? I’m bored? Actually, I think I left something important at your place. Can I come get it?”

“Oh, that’s fine, come on over,” Zhang Yang agreed immediately.

Moments later, he opened the door.

“Come in.”

Outside, Luo Xinyu wore a short skirt, her eyes full of complexity.

Last time, she had appeared as the homeowner; this time, their roles were reversed.

Zhang Yang didn’t interfere as she entered to retrieve her item and waited in the living room.

After an unknown amount of time, there was no sound from the room.

“Aren’t you done yet?” Zhang Yang called.

“Wait, I’m still looking,” a distant voice replied. “Do you want to come help?”

Zhang Yang took a step forward, then stopped.

“You can handle it yourself; I won’t rush you.”

“You’re… it’s a bit hard to reach. Can’t you just help?” Luo Xinyu said, slightly annoyed.

Zhang Yang remained motionless.

Eventually, the door opened.

Zhang Yang’s eyes widened.

She had been looking for something, yet all her clothes were gone?

“Stop dawdling, come in already,” Luo Xinyu said, pouting, stretching out her delicate arm and pulling him inside.

Before noon, the room echoed with rustling as she dressed.

“Take me out to eat,” Luo Xinyu said, wrapping her arms lightly around Zhang Yang’s neck, her fair chin resting on his shoulder.

Zhang Yang noted the contrast between her playful, clingy side and her usual proud, aloof demeanor.

He wasn’t opposed-she was attractive and well-proportioned, just annoyingly clingy.

And he hated trouble.

“What exactly are you thinking? Say it,” Zhang Yang asked, wanting clarity.

“Be my boyfriend,” Luo Xinyu said without hesitation.

“Impossible,” Zhang Yang rejected firmly.

“Fake! In the room just now, you weren’t gentle with me at all,” Luo Xinyu laughed. “Don’t tell me a man your size is weaker than a woman’s-you’re just being insincere.”

Zhang Yang’s face flushed, and he stayed silent.

“Don’t worry, I won’t push. Just have a meal with me, it’s not much, right?” Luo Xinyu said softly.

“Put on some clothes and let’s go,” Zhang Yang said, standing.

As she dressed, he considered her carefully.

Spoiled since childhood, naturally arrogant. Her previous habit of slapping others had revealed it.

Such a woman likely never failed to get what she wanted.

Once she clung to him, he had three options: avoid, submit, or… completely tame her.

But leaving wasn’t realistic, the house was right here.

Submit? Impossible.

Then… completely tame her?

Huh?

Did I just dig a hole for myself? Zhang Yang thought, sinking into contemplation.

“What are you thinking about? Let’s go,” Luo Xinyu said, linking her arm through his very intimately.

“Mm,” Zhang Yang muttered.

A moment later, they went down to the underground garage. Luo Xinyu didn’t hesitate at all and slid into the front passenger seat.

“Where do you want to eat?” Zhang Yang asked casually.

“I want something spicy. How about Shudu Spicy Roast Duck?” Luo Xinyu tilted her head slightly, her eyes half-smiling.

“Threatening me?” Zhang Yang cursed inwardly, started the Cullinan, and drove off, planning to find any place to eat and just appease her.