Which way to go is the road?

After Xiang Fei agreed to be the manager of "Shuiyunjian" Internet Cafe, the conversation did not end. Qian Luomei recounted the grudges between the old man and Ninth Master, and explained the current situation, including both favorable and unfavorable factors.

"So, does that mean this scarred man named Li Qi won't come back to cause trouble?"

"At least they won't do it openly, and they won't resort to the methods of the old thugs! Fighting, extortion, and collecting protection money are methods they've phased out!"

"In normal competition, we have a first-mover advantage. It's not easy to defeat us. However, it will cost a lot of money upfront. After all, their internet cafes are newer, and their environments and machines are newer than ours. That's the advantage of being a latecomer!"

"Spending money is a given, I'm all set! So tell me, how do we leverage our first-mover advantage to weaken their late-mover advantage and ensure our own invincibility?"

Xiang Fei walked up to the water dispenser, fiddling with a hanging plant on the water bottle, analyzing the advantages of each subsequent option, and devising targeted countermeasures. A few minutes later, he gave Qian Luomei an answer.

"First, our internet cafe has an elegant environment, which is an advantage that we should maintain, and we also need to innovate to give people a sense of novelty. Second, all the internet cafe's machines and equipment should be replaced at least once, ensuring that we are not lagging behind the competition, thus eliminating their late-mover advantage. Third, offer free computer use tomorrow to attract our old customers before they open, while they upgrade their equipment and close for the opening promotion! Once their promotion ends, it'll be our turn to shine!"

"Okay, let's do it this way! I was just wondering how to deal with their opening promotions. Let them put on a one-man show, miss their first punch, and see how they feel!" Hearing these three measures, Qian Luomei beamed, but her eyes instantly dimmed again: "It's just a bit of a pity about my machinery and equipment; I just replaced them two years ago!"

"Sell it at a discount! This equipment is so new; it'll be a hit with small internet cafes waiting to upgrade their machines! It's much better than selling it to a junk dealer. I'll get in touch with them for you later!"

"I knew I made the right choice in choosing you as the store manager! You're quick-witted and have the ability to analyze and solve problems!" Qian Luomei suddenly felt like she had become a talent scout in ancient times.

"Sister Luomei, please stop praising me. I'm still feeling uneasy. I can offer suggestions when things happen, but when it comes down to it, I'm really afraid I won't be up to the task!" Xiang Fei said with a bitter face.

"Alright, alright, I won't praise you anymore!" Qian Luomei put away her joking expression and said seriously, "Spending some money in the early stages isn't a problem; there's no return without investment. But I'm worried about another, more serious problem!"

"Are you afraid they'll suppress us regardless of the cost?"

How did you know I was worried about that?

"After all, this matter stems from past grievances and conflicts. To vent one's anger, it's not uncommon to be willing to incur some costs, as long as one has the financial means! Some people even go bankrupt for a moment of anger. The real problem is when two ruthless individuals get stuck on this issue!"

"At present, it's not going to happen that way. Let's not worry unnecessarily. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. No matter what happens, we'll always find a way! By the way, when is Bai Xue coming back?" Qian Luomei didn't want Xiang Fei to be filled with worries so soon after taking office, and to prematurely deplete his fighting spirit, so she changed the subject by talking about other things that Xiang Fei was concerned about.

"They won't arrive until tomorrow afternoon, and they'll be riding in his uncle's car! By the way, when did Zhang Fang get back? He was just helping me carry my things, and when we were almost at the attic door, he handed them back to me and took them downstairs!"

"He's avoiding me!"

Why am I avoiding you?

"He didn't get back until the twelfth of the first lunar month, and even then, he wasn't in a hurry. He said he rested at home for a day and only came to see Dong Lu today. What kind of person is he?!" Qian Luomei said indignantly. "If you're going to be in a relationship, you should at least be together properly. Dong Lu was all alone in Beijing for the New Year, while you went to the south with your family to have fun! And when you came back, you said you'd rest for a day, leaving Dong Lu distracted and waiting all day! This kind of playboy deserves to be scolded, even beaten up!"

"You definitely won't be able to hit Zhang Fang; it's no wonder Dong Lu will protect him! She's too kind and always considerate!"

"Just as you guessed, but I didn't hit Zhang Fang. After all, I'm a woman of principle." She softened slightly, then continued indignantly, "However, Zhang Fang didn't escape being scolded. Even so, Dong Lu pleaded for him. She's quite considerate of her boyfriend! Women, no matter how smart, fierce, or strong they seem on the surface, can't hide their soft hearts!"

"Then what!"

"And then what? You probably saw it when you came in. The two of them were chatting and laughing together in no time. Zhang Fang really knows how to make a woman happy! He brought a bunch of fancy things, and Dong Lu surrendered!"

"The world is a vast and wondrous place! This is just another example of love! If it exists, it has its reason! It's only natural that they are mutually attracted and in love!"

"That's true, but do you think their way is better, or your way with Bai Xue is better?"

Xiang Fei thought about it carefully and wanted to say that both were good, but he accidentally said, "Neither of them are good!" After thinking about it, he realized that this was more accurate, so he didn't change his words.

"Why are neither of them good?"

"Although it looks beautiful and enviable, the foundation of their relationship is not solid and it is not able to withstand the storms."

"So, how do you plan to improve the foundation of your relationship with Bai Xue?"

"Let nature take its course. In today's fast-paced society, the existence of such a relationship is already a miracle. What more could I ask for? I can only do my best to cherish it. If I care too much about the outcome, our current relationship will become a regret!"

"Xiang Fei, you're so young, you shouldn't be so insightful! It's not a pleasant feeling to be the only one sober when everyone else is drunk; it's too lonely!"

"Hehe, you make me sound like the poet Li Bai!"

Xiang Fei felt that it wouldn't be good to delve too deeply into this topic, especially with Qian Luomei, so he quickly changed the subject.

"Compared to our two couples, I have more faith in Lao You and Zhang Chu. Lao You is willing to put in the hard work and has the courage to go all out. Although Zhang Chu didn't agree immediately, his feelings are slowly changing! Zhang Chu's attitude of being committed once he falls in love is out of step with society and the times, but it is the most precious thing right now. So I'm sure they will end up together!"

When Qian Luomei heard Xiang Fei's seemingly reasonable deduction, she didn't continue to praise him. Instead, she laughed inexplicably, leaving Xiang Fei bewildered.

"Sister Luomei, what's wrong? Your inexplicable laughter is giving me the creeps. I wasn't joking! Please don't take my painstaking deduction as a joke, okay?"

"No...no...it's your serious expression...it reminds me of...the fortune tellers on the street!" Qian Luomei's words were constantly interrupted by laughter: "They were practically saying...it would cost 200 yuan if you wanted to break the spell!"

This absurd answer was so powerful that it left Xiang Fei speechless: "Sister Luo Mei, keep laughing, the fortune teller is off to work!"

Just as he stepped out of the attic, he heard Qian Luomei calling from behind, "Master Xiang, when are Lao You and Zhang Chu coming back?"

"The train leaves at 10 AM tomorrow!"

"Oh, then you'll come with me to pick up this wonderful partner you've been talking about! Remember, Xiang the Half-Immortal?"

……