Chapter 28: The Grand Opening of the Supermarket

“There is indeed something. Do you remember Director Hong from last night?”
Director Hong?
Zhao Fan’s pen paused in his hand. Director Hong from the food processing factory—if not for Bai Yu’s interruption last night, the matter of the goods would have been resolved already.
“Of course I remember. Is Director Hong at Manager Mu’s place?”
“No, he isn’t. He just called me and said he’d like to talk with you. Would you be interested?”
“Certainly. Manager Mu, you can set the time and place, and I’ll host.”
“Very well.”
That evening, Zhao Fan entered a private dining room on the second floor of a restaurant.
“Manager Mu, Director Hong.”
After exchanging greetings, Director Hong offered a brief self-introduction.
“My name is Hong Yongchun. I’m not much of a scholar, so the factory is named Yongchun after myself. I’ve been running a food processing business for over a decade now—it’s something of a local brand.”
“So you’re the director of Yongchun. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”
Zhao Fan flattered him with a few well-placed compliments, and seeing Hong Yongchun beam from ear to ear, he raised his glass in a toast.
It’s often said that things are settled quickly over drinks. After a few rounds, Zhao Fan and Hong Yongchun reached a preliminary agreement regarding their cooperation; the specifics would have to wait until Yongchun provided a detailed list before proceeding further.
Nevertheless, this did not hinder their conversation. With several more toasts, even Mu Tianrong was all but forgotten.
When the banquet ended, Zhao Fan escorted Hong Yongchun to his car, then turned back to see Mu Tianrong waiting.
“Manager Mu, I really owe you this time.”
Mu Tianrong waved it off. “It’s only fair to return favors—no need to thank me. By the way, have you thought about last night’s matter?”
Understanding that he referred to the bet with Bai Yu, Zhao Fan replied calmly, “I haven’t made any plans for the moment.”
“Do you need my help?”
Zhao Fan was about to decline, but after a moment, he reconsidered.
“Manager Mu, do you have any contacts in Harbor City?”
Yangcheng Xiaxing was the largest bank in Yangcheng, and Zhao Fan figured that, as the manager, Mu Tianrong would have a wide network.
Mu Tianrong was no fool. He immediately understood Zhao Fan’s intentions.
“Are you hoping to send that Song-style shadow-glazed vase to Harbor City?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that Christie’s has many experts with sharp eyes. I want to send the Song shadow-glazed vase there.”
Mu Tianrong frowned. “But the last Christie’s auction was only half a month ago. Even if you send the piece over, you’d still have to wait. The Bai family, on the other hand…”
Zhao Fan replied with confidence, “My Song shadow-glazed vase is worth Christie’s breaking their usual schedule to hold a special auction.”
Mu Tianrong’s heart skipped a beat. He knew of the vase being declared a replica, and also knew that Zhao Fan had driven up the bidding at the auction, raising the price to three million.
It was only after the competitor dropped out that Zhao Fan secured it in the end.

But even so, that didn’t prove the Song shadow-glazed vase was genuine. After all, experts don’t make mistakes.
Unconsciously, Mu Tianrong voiced his doubts.
“But what if the experts were wrong?” Zhao Fan emphasized.
Mu Tianrong’s eyes flickered. “Mr. Zhao, be honest with me—is that Song shadow-glazed vase…”
“Shh—”
Zhao Fan made a gesture for silence and lowered his voice. “As long as we know the truth, that’s enough. About Harbor City…”
Mu Tianrong picked up, “I’ll make the necessary arrangements for you.”
“That’s very kind, Manager Mu. Once this is done, I’ll give you a one-percent commission.”
Just then, a taxi pulled up nearby. Zhao Fan smiled and asked the driver to wait a few minutes while he went inside to settle the bill.
As the taxi was about to leave, Mu Tianrong suddenly said, “Xu An was dismissed by Yilan Residence.”
Zhao Fan’s eyes flickered, but before he could ask for details, the taxi had already gone.
So Zhao Fan let the matter drop.
Xu An wasn’t someone he knew well; if he was dismissed, so be it.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Amidst constant busyness, Zhao Fan’s Feiteng Supermarket finally took shape. After hiring staff, Zhao Fan provided them with training.
During this period, he went to the provincial capital several times, always with the same purpose: to make payments.
On opening day, Zhao Fan specially hired a lion dance troupe and set off firecrackers, making the entrance lively and drawing in crowds of passersby.
Following promotions he remembered from his previous life, Zhao Fan launched a grand opening sale; thanks to low prices and convenience, the first day’s sales reached fifty thousand.
Given the supermarket’s scale, Zhao Fan was more than satisfied with this performance.
That evening, Zhao Fan had the staff check inventory and tidy up before sending them home. He was the last to leave, making a final walkthrough before turning off the lights and locking up.
As he turned around, he noticed a BMW parked not far away. On closer look, it seemed familiar—wasn’t it the same BMW Bai Yu had driven before?
Could it be Bai Yu?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the BMW’s rear door opened.
“Zhao Fan.”
It was Yang Yuqing.
Zhao Fan’s eyes flickered, but he approached casually. “Miss Yang, what brings you here so late?”
From behind the car door, Yang Yuqing replied, “I happened to be passing by and saw you coming out, so I thought I’d say hello.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
After a few brief exchanges, the two lapsed into silence, gazing at each other with nothing more to say. The atmosphere grew awkward.
Yang Yuqing pressed her lips together and took the initiative to start a new topic. “So, are you heading home now?”

“Ah, yes.”
“I’ll give you a ride.”
Zhao Fan hesitated.
He glanced ahead to confirm that it wasn’t Bai Yu driving, then sat inside without fuss.
“I’ll gladly accept the favor today. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
On the way, Yang Yuqing asked Zhao Fan a few questions—she seemed quite interested in the supermarket.
So Zhao Fan gave her a thorough introduction.
“So, you mean you can buy just about anything at that supermarket?”
“Well, not everything. It’s just opened, and space is limited, so we only carry daily necessities for now.”
Yang Yuqing smiled softly. “That’s impressive as it is. I never realized you were so capable in business.”
Zhao Fan coughed. “I manage, that’s all.”
“Can I visit the supermarket sometime?”
“Not tonight. How about tomorrow? I’ll show you around myself.”
“All right.”
When the car stopped, Zhao Fan watched the BMW drive away. For some reason, Yang Yuqing’s smile replayed in his mind, leaving him momentarily dazed.
“Xiaofan, what are you standing at the door for?”
His father’s voice came from behind, snapping Zhao Fan out of his reverie. He cleared his throat and feigned nonchalance as he went inside.
“I was just lost in thought.”
Father Zhao sized him up and glanced at the road.
“Just now…”
“Dad, how is my older brother’s family?”
“Your mother says everything is fine there. Yun’er’s condition has been stable lately—even the doctor says she’s recovering well.”
“That’s good.”
Hearing that Zhao Yun’er was well, Zhao Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn’t help but worry—after all, that little girl was completely different from his previous life, and he inevitably took it to heart.
In the middle of the night, the phone rang.