Da Liu knew how it all started.
But he wasn’t entirely clear on how things progressed.
He only remembered agreeing to sit down with Wen Ying for a proper chat. Once they started talking, there was no turning back. Wen Ying had a silver tongue—she made it sound like missing out on “King Prawn” was missing the opportunity of a lifetime.
In her mouth, a temporary stall became the next KFC, destined not just for chain stores everywhere but, with some consolidation, even a stock market listing. Such grand boasts would send most people running, yet Da Liu found himself intrigued.
When Wen Ying showed him the contract for a Shanghai franchise, Da Liu’s head was spinning. He agreed to join “King Prawn.”
Wen Ying had a blank agreement ready, carried with her, originally printed for Qin Yi. She gave it to Da Liu instead.
Da Liu, thoroughly swayed, was ready to sign on the spot. Wen Ying held his hand back, her tone brimming with sincerity.
“Brother Liu, take this franchise agreement home and read it carefully. Think it over before signing. We’ll be working together for a long time—no need to rush.”
Da Liu’s excitement cooled slightly, his feelings growing complicated.
Wen Ying even praised his business sense, saying he’d surely strike it rich. He thought Wen Ying might get there first.
He knew those tactics himself.
On a street full of late-night food stalls, with no fewer than eight barbecue joints, why was his the most popular?
Because Da Liu treated customers like friends, always putting their needs first.
He remembered their preferences.
He knew their drinking limits.
For those who couldn’t handle much, he’d urge them to drink less, never pushing alcohol just to sell more.
Customers felt genuine care. Combined with his insistence on quality ingredients, over time, regulars couldn’t stay away from his barbecue shop. Some even came not to eat but to chat with him, catching up like old friends.
Da Liu was puzzled. It made sense that he understood these principles—starting out at fifteen or sixteen, clueless, he’d been schooled by life for a decade or two. He’d learned.
But why did Wen Ying get it, and wield it so masterfully?
With such cunning, there was no way “King Prawn” wouldn’t succeed. Da Liu picked up the pen. “I’d still pay after thinking it over. Let’s sign now and keep things straightforward!”
He scrawled his name on the agreement, crooked and uneven.
Da Liu never thought his messy handwriting mattered before. A junior high education didn’t stop him from making money or being a boss. But compared to Wen Ying, he felt like he’d attended a “fake junior high.”
Wen Ying gave him a thumbs-up for his decisiveness.
Da Liu hesitated. “Can I ask you something… Is it really hard to get into that provincial key school you’re at?”
The question stumped both Wen Ying and Wang Shuang.
Wen Ying hadn’t passed her school’s entrance exam yet, so she couldn’t give specifics.
Wang Shuang had been sent to the key school after his dad paid off a debt—he had no sense of whether the exam was tough.
Da Liu’s question silenced the two underachievers, leading him to misunderstand.
It must be really hard!
With his kid about to enter junior high, Da Liu suddenly wanted to aim for a top school.
Once Wen Ying figured out what he was asking, she encouraged him. “It’s not that hard, but parents need to value education. If needed, arrange tutoring. To be honest, Brother Liu, even though I got into the key school, I’m taking extra lessons this summer.”
Da Liu decided to look into it properly.
This exchange seemed to bring them closer.
Already talkative, Da Liu became unstoppable when it came to his son.
Small-time businessmen like him didn’t want their kids following their path. He’d forced smiles and bowed for money—he hoped his son could earn a living with skills, standing tall.
The summer sun left Da Liu drenched in sweat, his short-sleeve shirt soaked, but he was still grinning.
Wang Shuang saw a shadow of someone else in Da Liu.
Though his dad was richer, the feeling behind sending him to the key school must be the same as Da Liu’s now.
But what had he done since getting there?
Spent money like a champ.
Got a girlfriend, top of the class.
Grades… near the bottom.
Wang Shuang’s cheeks burned. He turned to Wen Ying. “How are the teachers tutoring you?”
Wen Ying blinked, confused. “Aren’t they all from our key school? Haven’t you seen how they teach?”
He’d seen it, sure, but never paid attention in class, so it didn’t sink in.
Wang Shuang felt stifled. “Do you think I should get tutoring too?”
This was a first—Wang Shuang asking about extra lessons on his own.
If Wang Jun were there, he’d probably franchise ten “King Prawns” to celebrate.
Wen Ying understood but didn’t immediately agree. Like she’d done with Da Liu, she urged caution. “Studying or how far you go—no one can decide for you. You’re learning for yourself, not friends or family. Tutoring’s your call, Wang Shuang. You can’t force it.”
If he didn’t want to learn, even a key school was just a place to coast.
Without a mindset shift, the best tutors in the country wouldn’t help—lessons would go in one ear and out the other.
If Wang Shuang was just caught up in the moment, better not to bother.
Anyway, the Wang family had accepted his “slacker” persona. If a slacker suddenly wanted to improve, the family would be thrilled—until he gave up after two days.
Wen Ying’s pushback sparked defiance in Wang Shuang.
No one was forcing him—Master Shuang wanted to study!
It was just reading, right?
He didn’t believe studying was harder than making money!
Tomorrow—no, tonight. He’d tell his dad tonight to hire tutors.
Once decided, the gloom that had hung over him for half a month lifted.
Ever since meeting Qin Yi’s classmates, Wang Shuang had been off.
He didn’t want to admit why.
Only after making up his mind did he face it.
Qin Yi’s classmates, all from top Shanghai universities, might not have his family’s wealth, but they were brimming with confidence.
Not the kind money could buy. Their casual banter showed Wang Shuang they clicked with Qin Jiao, even Wen Ying—not him, the slacker. Even if his dad paid big bucks for a fancy degree, money could buy a diploma, not substance.
No need to guess how the Wang family reacted to Wang Shuang’s tutoring request. Qin Jiao, Tang Yifeng, and Geng Xiao saw Wen Ying and Wang Shuang go with Director Lü to check out a storefront. The deal didn’t happen, but Wen Ying, halfway through, didn’t scam—er, persuaded—a franchisee to join.
“Boss Liu’s really signing on?” Qin Jiao asked.
“No doubt. Agreement’s signed, payment’s ready anytime,” Wen Ying replied.
Qin Jiao eyed her up and down. “Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, you surprise me again. You said you grabbed a contract template online and used it as is. My brother had a lawyer check it—the lawyer said not a word needed changing. Wen Ying, how many more tricks do you have up your sleeve that we don’t know about?”
