Ruan Shanshan came from a modest background. To support her university education, her family sold their old plow ox just to scrape together the tuition fees. With a younger brother still attending high school, the family could no longer afford her living expenses and next year's tuition. Thus, from the moment she enrolled, she began looking for part-time jobs to cover her living costs and tuition.
With her only source of income now cut off, she felt helpless and worried. Part-time work wasn't as easy as rumored; not only was the pay low, but the workload was substantial. Coupled with her classes, the short working hours meant she couldn't earn much. It was already a struggle to make ends meet.
She had been tempted and grateful for Li Haochen's invitation, but she didn't hold out much hope. Starting a business wasn't that easy, yet his earnestness made it difficult for her to refuse.
"What do you mean, 'whether or not'? If you get too busy later, just call me to help out. I'm still quite strong,嘻嘻!" Ruan Shanshan didn't forget to flex the biceps on her slender arms and smile.
Li Haochen understood Ruan Shanshan's thoughts. After all, starting a business wasn't easy, especially for a university student; it was natural not to have much faith.
The three deliberately avoided the topic, easing the awkwardness. Their conversation flowed harmoniously, lively and engaging. From time to time, a hint of killing intent would be felt nearby, making Li Haochen feel restless.
After parting ways with the two women, Li Haochen returned to the dormitory. Seeing that Chen He and the others were not there, he specifically inquired. It turned out they had already tidied up the shop perfectly and procured the necessary coconut-shredding machines and several large freezers. All that was needed was a quick coat of paint on the walls, and they could open for business.
Li Haochen was astonished by their speed, "Do you have to be so eager?"
The three's enthusiasm was something Li Haochen welcomed. Since they had to purchase everything anyway, it was better to do it a little earlier. As long as the relevant licenses were sorted out, they could choose an auspicious day to open.
After resting in the dormitory for a while, Li Haochen drove his electric tricycle to the administrative center, arriving right on time. He had to admit that the service attitude and punctuality were much better now. A few years ago, if work started at 2:30 PM, arriving at 3 PM to begin processing would have been considered impressive, and the staff would look at you with an indifferent, upward gaze, not even acknowledging your presence.
The person who handled Li Haochen's paperwork was a beautiful woman in her early forties. Her features and figure were top-notch. In her youth, she must have been a campus beauty. Such mature women possessed an inherent allure, exuding pheromones that were irresistible to young men – no, anyone would be drawn to her. Of course, Li Haochen was no exception. The entire process left him blushing and his palms sweating.
"Xiao Chen, you just need to sign here. Then go to the tax office on the second floor to get your tax registration certificate and to the health department on the third floor for your health permit. Remember, you can only start operating once all the permits are in order. Don't take any chances."
"Thank you, Sister Lian. Thank you!"
Xie Baolian smiled and handed Li Haochen a business card. "Xiao Chen, I've already spoken to my superiors. You can go straight up. This is my card. If you have any business-related questions in the future, just ask me. Alright, you can go up now."
Li Haochen took the card with some confusion and looked at Xie Baolian again, bowing gratefully. "Sister Lian, thank you. I'll head up now. I'll treat you to a meal once my shop opens."
"Then I'll be waiting for your treat, hehe!"
"Uh...?" Li Haochen was unsure how to respond and just gave an awkward smile.
"Alright, I'm just kidding. Hurry up and go upstairs."
Li Haochen thanked Xie Baolian again and quickly ran upstairs.
...
"Sister Lian, why are you so attentive to this young handsome man? It's not like you. Could it be that when Mayor Ling is away on a business trip, you... hehe!"
Xie Baolian gave her talking female colleague a sideways glance. "Stop your chatter. Go back to work. After work, call a few of them to go out and get together."
"Yay, Sister Lian, I love you!"
Xie Baolian, recalling her interaction with Li Haochen over the past hour, looked into the distance with a touch of sadness. "He's really so much like him. If Liangliang were still around... he'd be about this old now!"
It was true that having connections made things easier, and as a testament to this, under Xie Baolian's attention, a process that would normally take three days was completed in just one afternoon.
Leaving the administrative center with all the procedures completed, Li Haochen still felt somewhat dazed, as if he were dreaming. "It's done? Once the shop is stable, I need to find a time to thank Sister Lian."
He initially thought of going downstairs to express his gratitude, but Xie Baolian had been too enthusiastic. After a moment's thought, he decided to leave first.
...
"Screeech..."
"Master, a little more, yes, right there."
Li Haochen arrived at the shop entrance, hearing the sharp sound of a hammer drill and loud shouting from within.
"Third brother, you're here. How is it?" Liang Minfeng pointed to the shop inside, which was decorated in a simple, elegant, clean, and bright manner, looking at Li Haochen with a hint of pride.
"It's really good. Where are they?"
"They went to print promotional flyers."
"Oh...?" Li Haochen was surprised, not expecting them to be so thoughtful. He was filled with confidence about this coconut business.
As if on cue, Chen He and Liu Dehui, drenched in sweat, entered carrying large bags. "Ah, it's so hot, we almost lost half our lives."
"You can say that again. This infernal weather."
"Third brother, you're here too? How did your side go?" Chen He saw Li Haochen and walked over, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a large roll of paper.
"We can open tomorrow, hehe!"
"Oh... what? So soon? You're not kidding us?" Chen He stared at Li Haochen, looking disbelieving.
Li Haochen smiled without answering, directly presenting the proof. When three crisp licenses, stamped with red seals, were laid on the table, Chen He and the other two could have fit their fists in their mouths.
Chen He looked at Li Haochen in disbelief. "Third brother, you're really not someone's illegitimate son from a certain leader in Binhai, are you?"
Liu Dehui chimed in, "I think so too."
"Damn... Third brother, you... you didn't sell your looks, did you?" Liang Minfeng's imagination ran wild.
Li Haochen could only offer a wry smile at their nonsensical assumptions. "Come on, you three brainless idiots, can you be a little more normal? Your Brother Chen might be several streets better-looking than you, but you don't have to be so jealous."
"Here... handsome one!"
The three simultaneously made the international gesture for pointing in disdain at Li Haochen.
"Alright, I won't bicker with you. I just ran into a benefactor when I went out. Otherwise, how could I have gotten these licenses in half a day?" Li Haochen briefly recounted the process of obtaining the licenses.
"Third brother, couldn't it be that she took a liking to your beauty?"
"Uh..." Li Haochen's initial feeling was the same as Liang Minfeng's reaction. However, after thinking back over the entire process, Xie Baolian's gaze towards him didn't seem lustful; he felt as though she viewed him like a family member.
"Alright, whatever she thinks is her prerogative. It's undeniable that she helped us, and we must remember it. Let's not dwell on this. Since everything is settled, let's discuss the opening date!"