CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: XIAO LAN’S FATHER

Qingwu County, Lakefront Road, Ningxia Barbecue Shop.

At this moment, the shop’s business clearly wasn’t as booming as it was at the start. Inside, only one table was occupied, while Xiao Lan sat at another table, looking at her phone.

Outside the door, a young man walked in.

"Qin Yun." Seeing the young man, Xiao Lan’s eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up to invite him to sit down.

Qin Yun smiled and said, "Xiao Lan, how’s business going lately?"

"It’s okay." Xiao Lan nodded, then shook her head with a sigh, "Doing business is really hard. If I didn’t need to cover rent, I would probably be losing money."

At first, business at Ningxia Barbecue Shop was good, and Xiao Lan felt proud, thinking she was cut out for business.

But as time passed and the initial buzz faded, the barbecue shop didn’t do so well anymore. The daily turnover decreased, and now, profits are negligible.

Fortunately, the place belongs to Xiao Lan’s family. If rent were included, it would already be operating at a loss.

"Qin Yun, why is your business always doing so well? Do you have any secrets?"

Xiao Lan looked at Qin Yun, resting her chin on her hands, her eyes filled with curiosity.

She knew that Qin Yun had opened four shops, all of which were thriving. It seemed easy, but when she actually opened a shop, she realized how difficult it was.

"I’m just really lucky, that’s all."

Hearing this, Xiao Lan clearly didn’t believe him and pursed her lips.

"By the way, what have you been busy with lately? I’ve invited you to the shop a few times for free food, but you never come?" Xiao Lan asked.

They had chatted a few times on WeChat, with Xiao Lan asking him for business tips. What did Qin Yun know about secrets? She didn’t believe what he said, so he just Googled for some good answers and sent them over.

Then, Xiao Lan invited him for barbecue.

"I recently went to Jinling." Qin Yun explained.

"Jinling? Did you go there for a trip?" Xiao Lan asked with curiosity, "Or did you specifically go to check out schools?"

"No, I’m preparing to open a Celestial Fortune Clothing store in Jinling." Qin Yun explained further.

Xiao Lan knew about him opening shops and he had nothing to hide.

Hearing this, Xiao Lan was very surprised, "Qin Yun, you’re amazing, expanding to Jinling."

They talked a bit more, and as the barbecue was served, they continued chatting while eating.

Just then, two people walked in from outside. One was wearing high heels and carrying a black leather bag, with a serious demeanor—it was Xiao Lan’s mother, Wen Yun.

Next to Wen Yun stood a middle-aged man who didn’t have the typical middle-aged spread, instead possessing a gentle and elegant demeanor.

"Dad, Mom." Seeing them, Xiao Lan stood up with a smile and called out.

"Is this middle-aged man Xiao Lan’s father?" At this moment, Qin Yun was also looking at the two, and hearing Xiao Lan’s words, a hint of surprise appeared in the depths of his eyes.

"If this middle-aged man is Xiao Lan’s father, then what is the wealthiest man in Qingwu County, Xiao Hengjun, to Xiao Lan?" In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Qin Yun’s mind.

When Xiao Lan first opened this barbecue shop, Xiao Hengjun suddenly appeared and seemed familiar with Wen Yun, leading him to think Xiao Lan might be Xiao Hengjun’s daughter.

But it turns out her father was someone else.

"Lanlan, who is this?"

Seeing Qin Yun, Xiao Lan’s mother Wen Yun’s expression seemed to change slightly, while her father Xiao Pingjun smiled and asked.

"Dad, this is my classmate." Xiao Lan introduced with a smile.

"Hello, Uncle and Aunt." Qin Yun said with a smile.

After exchanging a few words, Xiao Lan turned to Qin Yun and said, "Qin Yun, take your time eating. I’m going to take my parents to the back of the shop to have a look first."

"Sure, go ahead." Qin Yun replied with a smile.

In the private room at the back of the Ningxia Barbecue Shop, Xiao Lan’s father Xiao Pingjun and mother Wen Yun were both there.

"Lanlan, didn’t I tell you to keep some distance from this Qin Yun? You’re a girl, always hanging out with boys, what’s the deal?" Wen Yun asked with some displeasure.

"Mom, we’re just classmates, Qin Yun just came by for some barbecue." Xiao Lan explained helplessly.

Since the barbecue shop opened, Wen Yun had cautioned her after Qin Yun left not to get too close to him.

But Xiao Lan didn’t really take it to heart.

Her mom had a bit of a control issue, but whatever Wen Yun said, she chose whether to listen or not, and it didn’t really affect her much.

"Lanlan, I’m telling you, you’re still young. Unless you find someone truly outstanding, stay away so you don’t get tricked." Wen Yun advised cautiously.

In response, Xiao Lan retorted, "Qin Yun opened several shops, all making money, and I haven’t met anyone my age as outstanding as him."

"How can merely opening a few shops be considered outstanding? There are many clothing stores that are only popular for a while; even large international brand clothing stores have closed many stores in Huaxia over the years."

"You’re still young, and staying within Qingwu County means you meet too few people, which is why you think Qin Yun is exceptional."

Wen Yun said earnestly, "Your cousin from your uncle’s family brought home a boyfriend whose father is a senior executive in a state-owned enterprise, and whose mother started her own restaurant chain with assets exceeding a billion. Even he himself started a business while at school and achieved far more than ordinary people."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lan fell silent; Wen Yun’s words were harsh.

Beside her, Xiao Pingjun frowned slightly and said, "Wen Yun, what are you saying? Shouldn’t Lanlan just find someone she likes in the future? Why force her to choose based on your standards? We’re not short on money, so it doesn’t matter who she ends up with; life’s not going to be a problem financially."

Clearly, he was also displeased with Wen Yun’s words.

"Lanlan finding someone she likes is enough? Children from excellent families are mostly excellent too. Wouldn’t it be better for Lanlan to choose from among them? Isn’t it better to choose a tall one from among the tall ones, rather than picking the tallest from the short ones?" Wen Yun said toward Xiao Pingjun with dissatisfaction.

"Find an ordinary one, and your brother’s family will laugh their heads off."

Hearing this, Xiao Pingjun frowned even more, "What’s there for them to laugh about?"

"Xiao Pingjun, your brother’s family looks down on us, don’t you know that!"

At this, Wen Yun’s emotions were obviously stirred, "Back then, Hengjun Machinery Factory was founded by you and your brother Xiao Hengjun together, but your brother invested more money while you put in more effort."

"Without you, could the entire Hengjun Machinery Factory have been established? But in the end, what did you get? Five percent of the shares and that was it, despite saying it was based on capital contribution. Does your effort count for nothing?"