Chapter 193: The Serf Sings of Liberation
After Li Houliang got home, he kept mulling over Zhou You’s words. Today had once again reshaped his understanding of Zhou You. He’d thought that spending every day together meant he knew him a little, but he’d still underestimated him.
A rough estimate: fifteen apartments, each at least 100 square meters. Even at 1,600 square meters total, Zhou You would have to shell out at least 12 million for this batch, plus the 23 million from before—that’s at least 35 million. And then there were the current martial arts gym and the swimming pool. Unimaginable.
Besides, having assets worth a hundred million and having a hundred million in cash were two different things. Thinking about it, he couldn’t help but grin. Today, Zhou You had mentioned giving him a big gift. He had no idea what it was, but even a car would be fine. His wife had a car, and he wanted one too. Sure, he occasionally drove the GL8, but it was too businesslike—no thrill behind the wheel.
His wife, Wang Yanan, saw him grinning like an idiot alone and couldn’t help asking, “Are you sick? Laughing to yourself in the middle of the night.”
“Heh heh, just thinking about something happy,” Li Houliang chuckled foolishly.
Wang Yanan wasn’t amused. “I’m exhausted every day, and you’ve got the nerve to be happy?”
Li Houliang deflated instantly. How could he forget that? Women—they just can’t stand seeing a man happy.
“How about you switch jobs and come work at our martial arts gym?” Li Houliang had been thinking about this for a while, but earlier, he could barely keep the place afloat. If his wife joined and it went under, they’d be eating wind together.
Wang Yanan had originally been at a sports school, studying trampoline—never achieved anything. After graduation, she could only do sales, couldn’t even land an office job. Her education was low, and her family background was average. Now she sold clothes at a mall. The pay wasn’t much, but the work wasn’t too draining.
Hearing Li Houliang bring it up on his own, she couldn’t contain her excitement. “Really? What would I do? Would Zhou You have a problem with it?”
Of course, Wang Yanan wanted to go. Ever since Zhou You invested, there was no shortage of money, and business was booming. If she went, she definitely wouldn’t be stuck with the hardest work. But Li Houliang had never budged on it, so she couldn’t do anything. Now that he was offering, it must be okay.
“Should be fine. I’ll talk to Brother You tomorrow. He bought another building to open a higher-end place right at his neighborhood gate. It’ll be convenient and safer. The old gym won’t see as much action, but we still need our own people keeping an eye on it,” Li Houliang explained briefly.
Hearing this, Wang Yanan grew a bit worried instead. “Are you in danger, following him around every day? What does he do?”
“What danger? He’s a university professor and does investments. He has me tag along just in case. Besides, for guys like us, this is the best path. Stick with a big boss, and you’ll never worry about food or drink for life,” Li Houliang explained.
“True. It’s fine locally, but when you go out, bring a few more people. There are plenty at the gym. Oh, and what were you laughing about just now?” Wang Yanan almost got sidetracked.
“Today, Brother You asked when I’m getting married. Said he’d give me a big gift then. I was wondering if it might be a car.” Li Houliang grinned again at the thought.
“Ah, is Zhou You that generous?” Wang Yanan was surprised.
Li Houliang shot her a glance. “Where did the money for our house and car come from?”
“Didn’t you sell your shares?” Wang Yanan said.
“I told you that back then so you wouldn’t worry. That rundown gym of mine—nobody would take it for free. It couldn’t have sold for that much. Brother You gave me that as a reward for my hard work.” Li Houliang had held that in until today.
“And now, I’m drawing a salary too—10,000 a month, plus year-end bonuses.” Saying it, Li Houliang finally understood how Wang Ping had felt back then. Only a fool would go it alone, especially someone who’d been burned before.
Wang Yanan finally got it. “Then you’d better work hard. All those fellow disciples of yours—none of them have had your luck.”
Li Houliang let out a long sigh. “Yeah, I’ve got to stay committed. Meeting a benefactor isn’t easy.”
“Our little life is getting better. When are we having kids?” She traced little circles on his chest.
“Heh heh, right now. I can afford it.”
Li Houliang, the serf, sang of liberation.
The next day, Li Houliang arrived early at Zhou You’s place. Zhou You still often stayed at the old house, occasionally spending a night at the new one. Though there was no smell anymore, it still felt off to him.
The two of them went to the sales office, where Manager Zhao was already waiting. Zhou You glanced over the prices and additional terms—all written to his specifications—and signed the contract without hesitation.
“Mr. Zhou, the sales office can be cleared out today. Are you satisfied with the decor? Do you want us to remove anything?” Manager Zhao offered some extra service.
“No need. Leave everything here. I’m too lazy to bother. If it works, it works. If I need anything, I’ll find someone myself.” Zhou You still had a construction crew.
“Alright. The parking spots should be finished this week, connected to this area.” Manager Zhao was even more eager than Zhou You—the sooner it was done, the sooner he’d get his commission.
Zhou You paid the full amount for the apartments and half for the sales office. Seeing it was still early, he called Wang Fangfang and Wang Ping over.
“I’ve bought this sales office. From now on, it’s our base!” Zhou You dropped a bombshell right away.
Wang Fangfang was fine—she’d heard Zhou You mention it before—but Wang Ping had no idea.
“The first floor will be a comprehensive martial arts gym. The second floor, a small cafeteria—for us, the staff, and occasional guests. The third floor has a few showrooms that’ll serve as staff dorms for now; we’ll figure it out when there are more people. The fourth floor is for offices, entertainment, and leisure. You’ll each have your own office for meetings. Save the innermost room for me.”
Zhou You laid it all out in one breath, then washed his hands of it.
The others stood there exchanging glances. They knew Zhou You’s style, but this was a huge deal to them, and he’d just settled it like that? No rush—they’d take it slow.
Seeing Zhou You heading back to the neighborhood, Li Houliang quickly pulled Wang Ping aside. “Has your wife joined the swimming pool yet?”
“Not yet. I was about to ask Brother You, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.” Wang Ping had been stressing lately—his wife had mentioned it several times.
“I was planning to ask Brother You today. Want to come with me?” Li Houliang wanted to bring Wang Ping along. He figured his asking would go over better than Wang Ping doing it himself.
Wang Ping was thrilled. He knew Li Houliang was in a different position now—if he spoke up, it would basically be fine.
“Thanks, Brother Liang. I’ve been worried about it.”
“No problem. I’ll do the talking. Just follow along.”
After a few quick words, they hurried after Zhou You.
“Brother You, there’s something I’d like to ask you, but I’m a bit embarrassed to say it,” Li Houliang said quietly.
Zhou You chuckled. Whenever someone started like that, it usually meant they’d thought it through thoroughly.
“Go ahead, tell me.”
“My wife wants to find a job at our martial arts gym. Wang Ping’s wife too. They’re both just drifting around outside now.”
With that, the two of them stood still, waiting.