Chapter 5: Fifteen Yuan for a Friendship

I really couldn’t understand why the owner of the noodle-shop chain had chosen my family’s property.

I’d arranged to meet Mr. Wang at ten in the morning, but I arrived twenty minutes early.

Mr. Wang was punctual too.

To my surprise, he knew me.

As soon as he saw me, he said, “Su Shu, it’s been a long time.”

Then he looked around the property and said with satisfaction, “For this location and this much space, paying you 150,000 yuan a month is a good deal for me.”

“If the price works for you, we can sign right now. I’d like a long-term lease—five years.”

Seeing how decisive Mr. Wang was, I was a little surprised.

I was even flustered.

After freezing for a couple of seconds, I decided to be honest.

“Mr. Wang, do you know I’m an internet celebrity right now?”

I gave a bitter smile.

“People call me a freeloader who takes advantage of others. So you only need to pay me a hundred thousand yuan a month for this property.”

Mr. Wang smiled at me and poured himself a cup of tea.

“Su Shu, have you forgotten me?”

I stared at him.

He continued, “Five years ago, I saw this property and wanted to rent it for a hundred thousand yuan a month. Do you remember?”

I froze.

So he was the man from back then.

I nodded.

“Of course I remember. Five years ago, you came to see me several times because you wanted to rent the property, but I turned you down.”

Mr. Wang took a sip of tea and smiled at me.

“I remember why you refused. You said your best friend had just gotten divorced, left with nothing, and had a two-year-old child. She needed a place to open a noodle shop and a stable source of income.”

“I asked how much you were charging her. You said fifty thousand yuan a month.”

“You told me friendship mattered more than earning an extra 600,000 yuan a year. I’ve read your best friend’s post online. I believe someone willing to give up 600,000 yuan a year for a friend wouldn’t deliberately forget to pay for a fifteen-yuan bowl of noodles.”

“You’re nothing like the person your best friend described.”

Mr. Wang emphasized each word.

I was deeply moved.

“Thank you for believing me.”

Mr. Wang waved it off.

“I’m renting this place mainly because the location is excellent. You’re trustworthy, too. A rent of 150,000 yuan a month is perfectly reasonable. You know how successful my chain has become. I pay a hundred thousand a month for a shop on the east side of town, and its location is nowhere near as good as yours.”

Mr. Wang handed me the lease.

I signed it immediately, without a second thought.

Looking at the contract, Mr. Wang smiled.

“Su Shu, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask. Have you found a job yet?”

I was a little surprised, but answered honestly.

“My reputation online is so bad that most companies won’t even give me an interview.”

“I still haven’t found a job.”

Mr. Wang nodded with a smile.

“If you haven’t found one, I’d be happy to offer you an opportunity.”

He gestured toward the shop.

“I’ve opened several hundred branches and set up my own company. We mainly run livestream product sales and promote and sell noodle products online. I need someone capable to manage those areas.”

“You used to earn two million yuan a year. I trust your abilities.”

“How about this? If you help me run the company, I’ll pay you three million yuan a year, plus commission.”

I never expected that I’d find a job just by renting out my property.

I thought for fifteen minutes, then accepted.

When I agreed, Mr. Wang smiled even more broadly.

He asked, “I have a bit of a public profile now. Would you like me to explain things online for you?”

“I can vouch that you’re not the kind of person your best friend says you are. With my current reputation, people will believe me.”

“Then you won’t have to keep putting up with online attacks.”

I was genuinely touched by Mr. Wang’s offer.

But I still shook my head firmly.

“Thank you. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Mr. Wang frowned.

“Wait for what?”

I smiled.

“An honest person doesn’t fear a crooked shadow. I’ll make Li Lian come forward and clear up the lies herself.”

Mr. Wang asked, “If she does come forward and clarify things, will you forgive her and keep renting to her? I’ve signed a five-year lease with you. It’s in black and white!”

I smiled.

“Of course not. Don’t worry.”

Mr. Wang moved quickly.

The day after we signed, he began renovating the property. A week later, the shop officially opened.

Li Lian was still waiting for me to become a laughingstock.

A week later, when she saw my family’s property grandly open for business, she stood some distance away, glaring at me with clenched teeth.

Then she sent me a message:

“Don’t think you’ve won! I will never clear your name!”