Chapter 39: Boss Xiaoteng, help me open an account!

  The midnight of the night market is not just like the main street with only a few lonely street lamps illuminating the quiet road surface. The night market has already dispersed its prosperity for the night. The waiters in the restaurants have stacked up the tables one by one, and even the ground has been cleaned up. Only a few night market stalls that are still doing business, and a few scattered customers remain.

  The Dongxing restaurant was already pitch black, with only a few cold dishes and drinks left on the edge of Li Xiaoteng's pot. Zhang Dakuan leaned against the cold dish stall, muttering to himself in a low voice.

  Li Xiaoteng is sorting out the night's earnings. Zhao Baozi finishes collecting the ingredients and utensils for the spicy hot pot, and comes over to help Li Xiaoteng count the money. Looking at the pile of change, Zhao Baozi has lost his initial excitement, and jokingly shouts: "Teng Ge is the champion! Teng Ge must win!"

  Li Xiaoteng was counting the coins in his hand when Zhao Baozi suddenly shouted, causing Li's hand to shake. He almost spilled all the coins on the ground. Turning around with a displeased expression, he said: "Can you be normal for once? Stop yelling randomly all day long, okay?"

  Zhao Pàngzi said with a hint of grievance: "Téng Gē! It's been a whole day, isn't it time to relax? Only with you, my old friend, can I let loose. Don't stop me from unwinding!" Li Xiǎoténg looked at Zhao Pàngzi, whose face was covered in sweat and streaked with oil and dust. After a moment of silence, he suddenly burst out laughing: "Old Pàng, you gotta chill! There's still so much to do in the future! Relaxation doesn't have to be achieved through extreme means like this, haha!"

  Zhao Pàngzi nodded and said, "There are other ways to relax, but aren't we short of money?" Li Xiaoteng asked strangely, "You don't want to eat and drink a lot, do you? That's an easy way to get fatty liver disease!"

  Zhao Pangzi gently pushed Li Xiaoteng and said, "Damn! You're the foodie! Did you see that big-breasted girl roasting kebabs today?"

  Li Xiaoteng nodded, and all the thoughts asked: "You won't also want to give her a show? Buy her roasted skewers! We'll be roasting skewers soon too! By then you'll have smelled enough of me!"

  Zhao Pàngzi's face shriveled up as he said: "The big-breasted beauty opposite is my goddess! If I could... Hehe, hehe... Hahaha!" Li Xiaoteng looked at Zhao Pàngzi with a speechless expression, shook his head and then continued counting the money.

  Zhao Pangzi himself was delighted for a while, and asked: "Teng Ge, how much money did we make today?" Li Xiaoteng looked at the account book and said casually: "There are about 5,000 yuan now!" Zhao Pangzi heard that he had such a high income, and suddenly smiled brightly like a flower.

  Li Xiaoteng hastily said: "The cost and venue haven't been calculated yet! It's just a little over 4,000 yuan!" He then hastily added: "Dong Ge, don't laugh. It feels like the blooming of chrysanthemums. Too infiltrating!" Zhao Baozi heard the word "chrysanthemum" and suddenly his smile was gone, feeling extremely embarrassed.

  Zhao Pangzi looked at Li Xiaoteng, who was bowing his head to calculate the bill, and then glanced at Zhang Dakuan, who was still scowling in the distance, muttering under his breath, hoping that the guests would leave soon. He couldn't help but sigh and leaned over to whisper to Li Xiaoteng: "Teng Ge, that kid is still eating blood tofu! I think it'll take a while to finish. Why don't we go urge him on?"

  Li Xiaoteng looked at Kong Zhen, who was drinking duck blood and wine, and nodded helplessly. After counting the last ten dollars in his hand, he threw it into the pile of money. He stood up and walked over to Kong Zhen.

  Kong Zhen sat alone at a four-person table, the table was very clean, with only an iron tray on it. Except for the white vegetables that Zhao Baozi mentioned earlier, which were nowhere to be seen. The remaining frozen tofu and blood tofu that had turned white and could no longer be identified. Li Xiaoteng pulled over a chair and sat down, asking: "Brother? I'm the boss of this spicy hot pot place, my name is Li Xiaoteng! Haven't introduced myself yet?"

  Kong Zhen looked up at Li Xiaoteng with a somewhat disappointed expression and said, "Hehe, my name is Kong Zhen!" Li Xiaoteng beckoned to Zhang Dakuan and casually said, "Bring a bottle of beer and a plate of fried peanuts over here!" Hearing Li Xiaoteng's shout, Zhang Dakuan almost spilled the pot. He opened his mouth wanting to say something, but when he saw Li Xiaoteng glare at him, he immediately shrunk back. Hurriedly grabbing a plate of peanuts and carrying two bottles of beer, he delivered them to Li Xiaoteng's table.

  Li Xiaoteng opened a beer and casually filled a cup for Kong Zhen, asking: "Brother, did you encounter something annoying?" Kong Zhen grabbed the beer and took a big gulp, his face looking sorrowful as he said: "There are quite a few frustrating things lately..."

  The night grew deeper, and Li Xiaoteng sent Zhang Dakuan away, promising to help clean up when he closed the stall. Zhao Baozi also gathered around Li Xiaoteng, listening to Kong Zhen talk about his own affairs with his girlfriend and his dissatisfaction with work, feeling very sympathetic and occasionally interjecting a few words.

  Zhao Baozi asked, "Isn't it said that being a fund manager is very profitable? I didn't expect it to be so miserable!" Li Xiaoteng said, "Being a fund manager just sounds mysterious to others, but actually, there's nothing special about it. Some small private equity fund managers are just given some funds by the company and only need to make one trade with a certain volume. As long as they don't lose money, that's enough. The fund managers of larger institutions are basically just figureheads, the company tells them what stocks to buy, at what price to buy in, and when it reaches that price, they just execute the order. Brother Dong, you can also do it, there's nothing special about it!"

  Kong Zhen looked at Li Xiaoteng with a strange gaze and asked, "Have you also worked in private equity?" Li Xiaoteng hastily waved his hand and said, "I used to know an older brother who was a trading floor manager!"

  Zhao Pàngzi said with a pleased expression: "You traders are really miserable, look at us. Although our business is not big, but the profit in one day is enough for you to live on for a month." Li Xiaoteng looked at Zhao Pàngzi and said helplessly: "Boss Dong, can't you be more low-key?"

  Li Xiaoteng looked at Kong Zhen, thought for a moment and said: "Kong Zhen, I think your job isn't good either! How about this, I'm short of people here. You come and help me out. I'll give you 2,000 yuan a month. It just so happens that I'm taking over the cold dish stall next door tomorrow and I need someone to help!"

  Kong Zhenyi heard that he was asked to be a waiter. He hastily shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Li! I want to do a job with prospects. I appreciate your intention!"

  Li Xiaoteng stood up, pointing to the Dongxing Restaurant and said: "This restaurant, I plan to take it down this summer!" He pointed to the opposite restaurant and said: "You see that restaurant across the street? Try to take it down next year! You've also seen the dishes here. Just now people were queuing for a table, if you hadn't given up half a table to other customers. I believe those customers will definitely appreciate you!"

  Zhao Pangzi watched Li Xiaoteng's big show of ignorance, and couldn't help but curl his lip in disdain. He really didn't understand what Li Xiaoteng was trying to do.

  Li Xiaoteng continued, "I plan to take down all the restaurants in this area. With Dongxing as the core, I'll make it a branded food and beverage chain! If you come, you'll have the opportunity to be part of something big! As for your trading skills... let's not mention that!"

  Kong Zhen looked at Li Xiaoteng's domineering and arrogant appearance. Dazed and dizzy...

  Li Xiaoteng looked at Kong Zhen and shouted to Zhao Baozi: "Go get 3,000 yuan from the account!" Zhao Baozi didn't move, looking at Li Xiaoteng in confusion. Li Xiaoteng said somewhat angrily: "Do I need to say it again?"

  Zhao Baozi hastily went over and counted three thousand yuan! A thick stack, a pile of tens and twenties, and only a few hundred-dollar bills. Looking at the notes on the table, Kong Zhen was stunned!

  Li Xiaoteng pointed to the money on the table and said, "Kong Zhen, if you're willing to come over and work for me, just take it directly!" Kong Zhen looked at the money on the table, his mouth twitched slightly, he wanted to reach out but his shoulders moved slightly. But didn't take it!

  Li Xiaoteng looked at Kong Zhen and said: "If you don't want to come over and help me, that's fine! Consider this money a loan from me! Take the money and get out of here quickly! Stop bothering your tofu... You've already bothered it white..." Kong Zhen felt a stinging sensation in her eyes, wanting to cry, but tears wouldn't fall. She blinked her eyes, then casually picked up the money and was about to stand up.

  Zhao Pangzi couldn't take it anymore, and shouted: "I'm going to...! Don't you even write an IOU?!" Kong Zhen hastily nodded towards Zhao Pangzi and said: "Right! Right! Brother Pang, lend me a pen and paper for a bit!"

  Li Xiaoteng shouted angrily: "What the hell is this IOU! Take it away! If you don't leave, I'll regret it!" Kong Zhen looked at Li Xiaoteng's sharp gaze and didn't dare to look straight at him. He quickly lowered his head, picked up the money on the table, stuffed it into several pockets on his body, stood up and left...

  Zhao Pangzi watched Kong Zhen leave, and said with some heartache: "Teng Ge! You lent him money, can he pay it back?" Li Xiaoteng was stunned for a moment, and after a long time, he said: "Just consider the meat bun hit the dog..."

  Zhao Pàngzi really couldn't understand why Li Xiaoteng was being so good to a complete stranger! Looking at Li Xiaoteng's serious and silent face, he wanted to ask but didn't dare. After a while, Li Xiaoteng suddenly said: "When I see Kong Zhen, it reminds me of my past... melancholy, helpless, lonely, and unlucky. But no one has ever helped me..."

  Zhao Baozi found it strange and wondered if Li Xiaoteng had gone mad! He sighed, got up and started packing his stall. Not long after, Li Xiaoteng silently came to pack his things too. He casually said to Zhao Baozi: "Today's money is on my account!" Zhao Baozi rolled his eyes and thought helplessly: "You're crazy and you still want me to foot the bill?!"

  The two of them agreed to meet at 10 am the next morning to take over the night market at Dongxing Restaurant before going their separate ways.

  That night, Li Xiaoteng tossed and turned, unable to sleep soundly. It seemed like he had dreamed of many unpleasant things from his past life. Suddenly the scene changed, and it seemed like he was dreaming that he was lying on a big bed with several girls around him, their faces unclear, except for Zhao Xun's face which was so vivid. It made Li Xiaoteng feel like it was so real, so within reach.

  He felt Zhao Xun nestled in his arms. Using a pair of breasts to rub back and forth against his chest, the two small cherry-like nipples rubbed against him. Making Li Xiaoteng's lower body feel like it was going to explode. Unable to withstand the temptation, Li Xiaoteng suddenly pressed Zhao Xun under his body. He lifted up Zhao Xun's beautiful legs and straightened his body, ready to find his target.

  The phone rang. Li Xiaoteng cursed and got out of bed, still savoring the pleasure from his dream, thinking to himself: "Why can't I ever finish having such a great dream?"

  Helplessly picking up the phone, he angrily asked: "Who is it?!"

  "Ah! Boss Xiaoteng! Why are you so angry?! I'm Zhao Xun. Didn't you save my phone number?" Zhao Xun coquettishly asked.

  "Huh? Who? Zhao Xun?" Li Xiaoteng asked in surprise. He suddenly remembered the coquettish look of Zhao Xun in his dream earlier. The feeling of her naked body nestled in his arms made him speechless for a moment!

  "Hey? Boss Li Xiaoteng? What's wrong?" Zhao Xun asked strangely. Li Xiaoteng calmed down and hurriedly said, "Sorry, I haven't woken up yet. I'm a bit irritable when I wake up, don't be angry!" He then dryly laughed twice.

  Zhao Xun said: "Boss Li Xiaoteng, can you help me with something?" Li Xiaoteng hurriedly and readily replied: "What is it? If I can do it, I'll definitely help!"

  Zhao Xiang said quickly: "You said it! No backing out, okay?" Li Xiaoteng said in a big manly way: "Hmm! Absolutely no backing out!" "Come over right away today and help me open a stock account!" Zhao Xiang swept away her previous tenderness and said strongly.

  Li Xiaoteng asked somewhat puzzled: "Didn't you say that the account would be opened around the 13th? Why are you in such a hurry?" Zhao Xun said unhappily: "You also said it was definitely going to happen! How come as soon as I mention opening an account, you immediately backpedal?" Li Xiaoteng suddenly became speechless. It's likely that Zhao Xun's previous sentence wasn't something good, and he changed his words on the spot.

  Li Xiaoteng said with some difficulty: "I really have something today. How about tomorrow?"

  He could feel Zhao Xun's loss on the other end of the phone, and all he heard was Zhao Xun saying: "You promised me! Don't go back on your word!" Li Xiaoteng thought of the dream from earlier and let out a sigh, saying: "Alright, I'll get up and head over. Where is Hai Shang Securities located? Send me a message with the address!"