Chapter 148: The Fat Sheep Wants Half the Income Back

After hearing Manager Liu’s words, Jiang Zhou instantly understood what they meant.

So they were treating him like a fat sheep?

On one hand, they were unwilling to give up the cafeteria’s profits, but on the other hand, they were jealous of the profit that food delivery was making.

By blocking the gate and making trouble, they actually had the audacity to demand half of his earnings.

Since when was making money this easy? Wasn’t this no different from outright robbery?

Jiang Zhou thought he was shameless enough already, yet there were always people who could make him feel outclassed.

“Student Jiang Zhou, what do you think of my proposal?”

“I think it’s great. If there’s money to be made together, why not?”

Manager Liu’s eyes lit up instantly. “So you agree?”

Jiang Zhou smacked his lips. “But I do have one problem.”

“What problem?”

“If your cafeteria is shut down for rectification and can’t continue, I can’t just keep splitting money with you, right?”

Manager Liu chuckled. “I’ve been contracting cafeterias for many years, that has never happened.”

Jiang Zhou waved his hand. “Better safe than sorry. We’re all businessmen here, so it’s best to stay cautious.”

“Fine. If it really happens like you say, and my cafeteria can’t keep running, then of course I won’t stop you from delivering food, nor will I take any dividends.”

Jiang Zhou smiled and stayed silent for a while.

Not having to work yet still reaping profit felt too good.

Just opening one’s mouth to scoop money in. And looking at Manager Liu’s bright smile, Jiang Zhou almost felt like trying to grab half of someone else’s business too.

What kind of business? This was way faster at making money.

Unfortunately, this rotund manager had completely miscalculated.

“Student Jiang Zhou, why aren’t you saying anything? Do you still have concerns?”

“It’s just… giving up half the profit feels painful.”

Manager Liu smirked. “But if I don’t agree, you won’t make a single cent from these two universities.”

Jiang Zhou sighed. “That’s true. You’ve got me cornered. If I can’t beat you, I can only join.”

“Mm? That’s a good conclusion. After all, knowing when to bow to circumstances is the mark of a wise man.”

“But I still feel awkward inside.”

“Awkward about what?”

“Someone as handsome as me having to cooperate with someone with a face like yours. It’s awkward.”

The words dropped, and the entire school affairs office fell silent.

Manager Liu froze, then his expression twisted into anger.

People always said university students were arrogant, and today he finally witnessed it!

“So you’re saying you don’t want to cooperate? Then why are you wasting my time with this nonsense?!”

“No, didn’t I just agree to cooperate?”

Manager Liu frowned deeply. “But you just said working with someone like me felt awkward?”

Jiang Zhou nodded. “That’s why I’m choosing the second way of cooperating.”

“What damn second way? I said half your profits, so you give me half, otherwise no one gets into this campus to deliver!”

“Then I’ll just say it straight. My second way is to wait until you shut down.”

Manager Liu sneered and turned to Director Jiao. “Director, is he messing with me?”

Director Jiao hurried to smooth things over. “Student Jiang Zhou loves joking around, don’t take it too seriously, Manager Liu.”

“I’ve been running cafeterias for over a decade, I’ve never once closed down!”

“Walk by the river long enough, and your shoes will get wet sooner or later.”

Just as the words fell, Manager Liu’s phone rang.

He picked it up, listened for a moment, then looked at Jiang Zhou with disbelief in his eyes. Without another word, he dashed out the door.

“What’s wrong with Manager Liu?”

“Probably the cafeteria’s been shut down for rectification.”

Director Jiao laughed brightly at that, but Jiang Zhou didn’t smile.

He only looked at him quietly, until that stare made Director Jiao’s skin crawl.

The director’s smile froze. Then he shot up to his feet and rushed out as well.

Jiang Zhou loved excitement. Of course he wouldn’t miss this.

He shut the door and walked toward the Normal University’s cafeteria.

At that moment, a row of enforcement vehicles was parked outside.

Several workers in dark-blue uniforms were sealing the entrance with tape.

All the cafeteria staff were standing outside in shock — aprons on, ladles in hand, stunned.

“What’s going on? Who are you people? Who told you to seal the cafeteria?!”

“Hello, are you the person in charge? During our inspection we found serious violations, so we are ordering you to suspend operations for rectification.”

The team leader, Du Weiliang, handed him a document.

Manager Liu scanned it quickly. “Impossible! I’ve run this cafeteria for over ten years without problems.”

“That only means you’ve been lucky not to get checked before. It doesn’t mean you don’t have issues.

“Cockroaches and rats in the kitchen, thirty percent of the counters moldy, garbage not sorted. Those don’t count as reasons?!

Du Weiliang handed him a hygiene manual. “Take it, read carefully. Call me if you don’t understand.”

Manager Liu swallowed his anger and forced a smile. “Comrade, I actually know Director Lu very well…”

“Connections are useless. Rules are rules.”

“When can I reopen? Students need to eat!”

“After you fix everything, call us. We’ll recheck. If it meets standards, you can reopen.”

“I’ll start fixing right now. Can we reopen tomorrow?!”

“As long as you pass, sure. But…”

Manager Liu’s heart tightened.

Why was there always a ‘but’? That kind of phrasing was terrifying.

“What ‘but’? Just say it straight!”

Du Weiliang pointed at the black enforcement car. “We’ll also test your food samples. If issues are found, suspension will be the least of your worries.”

Manager Liu’s face stiffened. “And if there are issues?”

“You, your staff, and the school will all face penalties.”

“What about me? What punishment for me?”

Du Weiliang patted his shoulder. “Relax, at most a fine. And then you’ll lose your contract. Nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious?! Losing my job is nothing serious?!”

“Anyway, we’re busy. We still have to inspect the Fashion Institute’s cafeteria. They also got student complaints. See you later.”

“Y-you’re checking… which one?”

“The Fashion Institute.” Du Weiliang smiled faintly and got in the car.

Manager Liu’s eyes went wide in panic.

No cafeteria ever followed all the rules to the letter. As long as it wasn’t excessive, nothing usually happened.

But now, his cafeteria was being sealed. And the officials came so suddenly, without any warning.

This was impossible. Something was off!

Then he suddenly remembered Jiang Zhou’s earlier words: I’ll wait for you to shut down before I deliver food.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhou strolled up to the cafeteria doors.

“Didn’t expect I’d jinx it, huh? Sorry, Manager Liu.”

“This was you?! You did this to me?!”

Jiang Zhou feigned disbelief. “I came here to cooperate with you. How could you accuse me?”

“You’re too shameless! If you do this, how will students eat?!”

Jiang Zhou turned to Director Jiao. “Good question, Director. How will students eat?”

The director hesitated, then said, “Jiang Zhou, you should show mercy. Why don’t we just let this go?”

Manager Liu nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, let’s not fight. You can still deliver food in the future, okay?”

“No. I want half your cafeteria’s revenue.”

“You’re insane! Asking me to cut half?! Why don’t you just rob me?!”

Jiang Zhou laughed. “Funny, hearing you say that.”

Director Jiao’s face darkened. “Jiang Zhou, enough! Students can’t go without food!”

“That’s your problem. I’m from Shangjing University. Look at our cafeteria. It behaves properly.”

“Manager Liu already compromised. What more do you want?”

“Nothing. I’m just here to watch the fun. Why are you blaming me?”

Manager Liu finally realized his mistake.

He thought Jiang Zhou was just a student he could scare into obedience.

He never expected to be played from the very start.

Were there really students like this? Scheming, ruthless, with such a harmless face?

“Jiang Zhou, fine, just say it. What do you want from me?”

“I’ve lost a lot of orders these two days.”

Manager Liu gritted his teeth. “I’ll compensate you! Is that enough?”

Jiang Zhou nodded. “And also, I’m giving students from both schools a five-yuan coupon.”

“…”

“If you don’t agree, fine. I’ll go see the Fashion Institute next.”

Manager Liu inhaled sharply. “Fine! You win!”

“Good, then it’s settled. I’m busy. Bye.” Jiang Zhou waved, got in his car, and drove out of Normal University.

He never actually intended to shut Liu’s cafeteria down.

Du Weiliang didn’t even have that authority. At most, he could enforce temporary rectification. Half a month later, the cafeteria could reopen if it held on.

So Jiang Zhou’s words earlier were all just to scare him.

But the cafeteria did have real problems.

This wasn’t Jiang Zhou’s trick, it was Liu’s own mess.