Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Xie Baoyang took it and looked down at it.

The cover reads: "Chain Brand Expansion Plan".

He paused for a moment, then turned to the first page.

Brand positioning, target customer group, site selection strategy, supply chain plan, marketing promotion, investment budget... all are clearly listed in the table of contents. Flipping down a few pages, most of the content has already been written. Although some parts are still rough, the framework is complete and the logic is clear.

"You..."

Xie Baoyang looked up at Ding Heng, his expression complicated: "Didn't I say yesterday that my dad..."

"Are you really planning to let your dad make barbecue for the rest of his life?"

Ding Heng remained calm and continued, "Your dad is in his fifties this year. How many more years can he work? If you don't pave the way for him now, will you be able to take over when he can't work anymore?"

"I'm not……"

"Xie Baoyang, calm down first."

Ding Heng interrupted, "Even close brothers need to keep clear accounts. I'm just looking for a way to make money, so you don't need to feel embarrassed."

Xie Baoyang opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"But have you ever thought about it? Your dad's skills, his reputation built over twenty years, are just going to be kept in this small shop. Isn't that a waste?"

Ding Heng muttered, "I'll invest the money, your family will provide the technology, and we'll be partners. Once the branch opens, we'll split the profits 50/50, and your family will definitely bear the risk if we lose money."

"Old Ding..."

"Listen to me first."

Ding Heng analyzed: "You know better than I do what the late-night snack market in Xingcheng has been like these past two years. One after another, internet celebrity brands have sprung up, and capital is pouring money into them. Packaging, marketing, traffic—a whole set of combined punches—and the old shops are being squeezed out of business."

Your dad's shop has survived this long thanks to his loyal customers, but those customers will eventually age and be replaced by younger people. If you don't move forward, you'll be overtaken sooner or later.

Xie Baoyang clenched the project proposal in his hand, utterly speechless.

"Just consider it a favor. I have some money on hand right now, but I don't know where to spend it. I don't trust anyone else, but at least I know you well."

Ding Heng softened his tone: "I genuinely believe your flavor has potential. Think about it, X Bao Brothers, Juwei X Ji, Liangxia X Ge... didn't they all start from a small shop? If they can do it, why can't you?"

Xie Baoyang lowered his head and stared quietly at the cover of the project proposal.

The matter was mentioned just yesterday, and Ding Heng has already arranged for a plan to be prepared today.

Although one day was a tight schedule, it showed our sincerity!

The carriage was silent for several seconds before Xie Baoyang let out a long sigh: "I'll take it back to my dad first and give you an answer as soon as possible."

"No rush, I'll have someone come and discuss the specifics with your uncle after the New Year."

"Thanks, Lao Ding!"

"Stop being so dramatic, go back to work."

"Eh..."

Xie Baoyang sniffed and turned to walk into the store.

Ding Heng went upstairs again. The door to the private room was ajar, and the girls' conversation could be faintly heard from inside.

"Let me tell you, back in the afternoon, I really felt that he had reached his limit."

It was Zhao Yanxi's voice, sounding very serious.

How dare you say that?

Lin Man teased, "Who was the first to cry this afternoon?"

“I wasn’t just acting,”

Zhao Yanxi stubbornly replied, "Let him feel a sense of accomplishment."

"play?"

Wenjing was both amused and exasperated: "You seem to be crying quite genuinely."

"That's called creating the right atmosphere! Little Jingjing, you don't understand, men have their pride!"

"It's really not because Ding Heng took pity on you and let you go?"

"At worst, it's a lose-lose situation!"

Zhao Yanxi raised her voice by half an octave, but her voice sounded a little weak.

"Let's eat..."

Wenjing sighed softly, "When we were playing in a five-player team, everyone knew what each other looked like."

"How can that be the same! Xiaojing, whose side are you on?"

Lin Man chuckled and suddenly made a suggestion.

"How about we think of something? I'd really like to see what it's like when the boss raises the white flag and surrenders."

"Add one."

Zhao Yanxi immediately echoed.

Hua Qing didn't speak, and Wen Jing didn't respond either.

They had already come to terms with reality and would not provoke Ding Heng excessively, lest they suffer the consequences.

Ding Heng reached out and pushed open the door, and the private room instantly fell silent.

Four pairs of eyes turned to look at us simultaneously.

Zhao Yanxi lowered her head to peel shrimp.

Lin Man picked up a piece of roasted eggplant and chewed it slowly.

Hua Qing remained expressionless, picked up her water glass, and took a sip.

Wenjing smiled at him and asked naturally, "Ding Heng, do you want to drink? We'll be driving later."

Ding Heng didn't say anything, walked to the table and sat down, then reached out and placed a dozen grilled oysters from the table in front of him.

Zhao Yanxi's hand, which was peeling shrimp, froze in mid-air.

Lin Man stopped chewing the eggplant.

Hua Qing put down her teacup, her eyes subtly revealing her emotions.

Wenjing blinked, looked at the oysters, and then at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng picked up an oyster... dipped it in sauce, slurped it up, and swallowed it.

A dull mouth.

Then pick up the second one.

Lin Man was the first to react and quickly surrendered: "Boss, I didn't say anything. It was all Zhao Yanxi who stirred up trouble and gave me these crazy ideas!"

"Hey! Lin Man, you..."

Before Zhao Yanxi could finish speaking, Hua Qing immediately followed suit and raised the white flag.

I'll be sleeping alone tonight.

"no!"

Zhao Yanxi grabbed Hua Qing's wrist and said urgently, "Sister Hua Qing, if we're going to die, we'll die together."

Wenjing didn't say anything, but silently picked up the drink on the table, poured a glass for Ding Heng, and placed it next to him.

"Ding Heng, don't choke."

The little white rabbit was as well-behaved and sensible as ever, hoping that Ding Heng would be lenient with it that night.

Ding Heng didn't look at her, swallowed the third oyster whole, and then opened a bottle of strong liquor and gulped down half of it in one go.

He wiped his mouth, giving a forced smile.

"Hmph! Trying to escape?"

Chapter 260: Giving the Prince a break?

It's already the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, time to welcome the God of Wealth.

Despite working hard all night, Ding Heng was full of energy. He got up, made a cup of coffee, and went to the French windows to quietly gaze at the river view.

The doorbell rang suddenly.

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, who?

Ding Heng walked over and opened the door. Outside, Bai Ma tilted her head and smiled at him.

A bright red dress embroidered with gold thread depicting the God of Wealth.

Her hair was styled into pigtails with a red ribbon tied into a bow that hung down beside her ears, and a piece of gold sequins was pasted on her forehead, sparkling.

Thick white pantyhose covered her short legs, with red thread tied around the mid-thighs, leaving a shallow mark on her skin.

The little girl held the gold ingot in both hands, her eyes crinkling with laughter, revealing two small tiger teeth.

"Brother! The God of Wealth is here to bring you fortune!"

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated: "What kind of outfit is this?"

"God of Wealth! Can't you see?"

Baima tiptoed forward and shoved the gold ingot into Ding Heng's chest: "Catch it quickly, catch it quickly, it's so heavy!"

Ding Heng reached out and took the gold ingot. It was indeed quite heavy. When he opened it, he found it filled with candies and chocolates, with colorful wrappers crammed together, and a few Ferrero Rocher chocolates wrapped in gold foil.

He was both amused and exasperated: "Where did you get these clothes?"

"I bought it online."

Baima crawled under Ding Heng's arm through the door and bent down to change her shoes.

The red skirt rode up a little with the movement, revealing the rounded curve of her buttocks encased in white pantyhose: "This was specially prepared for you, aren't you surprised?"

"I was quite surprised, but I didn't feel any joy."