I Really Didn't Mean to Make Money

“How could that be? President Chen’s workshop was just recently renovated. There’s no way there’d be a new...”

Before Wang Yang could finish denying Chen Jun’s words, he was suddenly interrupted by the ringtone of his phone.

He pulled out his phone and answered the call. After a brief exchange, Wang Yang looked at Chen Jun with a strange expression.

“Brother Jun, the manager from President Chen’s coffee shop just called. He said there’s a new branch that needs renovation and asked me to go take measurements.”

Chen Jun: ...

He had only said that as a joke—how did it come true?

Chen Jun looked at Wang Yang, conflicted.

“Where’s the address? I’ll drive you there.”

...

“Sister Shuyun, are you planning to open a clothing shop next door?”

Song Xia turned to look at Li Shuyun beside her.

After a few days of evaluation, they confirmed that using cats to attract customers really worked. So, after discussing it with Teacher Su, they decided to postpone Zhou Mei’s maid café concept. This new branch would adopt Lin Zhu’s plan.

They’d already chosen the name for the signboard:

Nanhe Café — Cat Café.

But since they were using cats to attract customers, the interior design couldn’t follow the old traditional style. That’s why Song Xia came in person today—to guide the measurement team on how the renovation should be done.

Li Shuyun nodded slightly at her question.

“Yes, both of these storefronts are mine. I’m leasing one to you, and the one next door will be a clothing store under a franchise.”

“Your café has good coffee. If I ever want a cup, it’ll be much more convenient.”

“Oh right, when the renovation team comes to measure, have them measure the unit next door too. That’ll save me the trouble of finding another company.”

The last time she visited a café, it had been renovated by this same company, and she was quite satisfied with the results. So she didn’t see any need to shop around.

“Okay, Sister Shuyun.”

Song Xia nodded.

Before long, Wang Yang and Chen Jun arrived at the storefront.

“Hello, I’m the café manager, Song Xia.”

When Song Xia saw them enter, she immediately recognized them as the same two people who had measured her café last time, and she stepped up to introduce herself.

“Hello, Manager Song. Is this the storefront you want to renovate?”

Wang Yang glanced around the layout and noticed that this store seemed even larger than their previous café.

“Yes. But this time, the café is going to be a cat-themed café. So the interior will differ from before. This one’s theme is cute, relaxed, and lively, with a warm color palette throughout.”

Wang Yang pulled out a notebook and quickly jotted everything down.

Once Song Xia finished, he asked,

“Any other specific requirements?”

Song Xia thought for a moment and walked around the store, pointing to several areas.

“I’ll need cat trees installed in these areas—ones that connect all the way to the ceiling...”

“The main goal is to make sure customers can interact and play with the cats freely. If you have any ideas or inspiration, feel free to incorporate them into the design.”

“Understood, Manager Song. I’ve noted everything. If there’s nothing else, I’ll begin taking measurements.”

“Nope, that’s all. Go ahead. Oh, and the shop next door also needs to be renovated. Once you’re done here, please go measure that one too.”

Song Xia pointed to the storefront on the right, then found a spot to sit and wait. She had to stay until they were done so she could lock up afterward.

Wang Yang was stunned by what she said.

He had been told only one shop needed work, but now there was another one out of the blue?

What a surprise.

Snapping out of it, he quickly got to work taking measurements.

After a while, Wang Yang packed up his tools and went to Song Xia.

“Manager Song, I’ve finished measuring. We’ll head next door now.”

“Alright.”

Song Xia nodded and followed them out to lock up. After saying a few words to Li Shuyun, she left.

“Hello, we’re from the renovation company, here to take measurements.”

Wang Yang and Chen Jun approached Li Shuyun.

“I know. Go ahead. By the way, I have two friends who also have shops that need renovations—both are clothing stores. I’ll give you their contact details. Head over afterward and measure those too.”

Li Shuyun gave them a glance. Song Xia had already told her about the two earlier.

Wang Yang froze again. Were renovation jobs capable of reproducing?

He thought one extra job was already a surprise. Now there were two more?

Standing beside him, Chen Jun felt like he had taken a psychological blow.

The way Wang Yang got jobs was unlike anything he’d seen before.

While other designers had to fight with many others for just one order, Wang Yang’s renovation jobs were falling into his lap one after another.

Why was it like this?

Chen Jun went silent. He simply couldn’t understand.

All his years of experience felt utterly useless in front of Wang Yang.

...

Xiguang County,

Inside a barbecue restaurant—

Chen Mo was treating Li Shen, Yang Dahai, and Yang Xingguo to grilled meat.

It was already the sixth day of their visit, and they had gone through all the surrounding villages. Every elderly person they wanted to help had already received aid.

Once they finished this meal, they’d head back the next day.

“Brother Yang, have you thought more about my proposal?”

Chen Mo looked across at Yang Xingguo. Earlier that day, he had explained his plan to establish a survey group to help disadvantaged communities and had extended an invitation to Yang Xingguo, who had yet to respond.

Yang Xingguo fell into silence.

He was indeed moved by Chen Mo’s offer. For years, he had been helping the vulnerable. Over time, it had become his passion. But his ability was limited—he could only help so many on his own.

Chen Mo’s plan clearly had the potential to help many more people.

And over the past few days, he’d come to realize that Chen Mo did have the resources to make it happen.

But what gave him pause was his current situation—he and his wife ran a fruit stall together. Every morning and evening, he had to help set it up and pack it up.

If he agreed to Chen Mo’s plan, he’d be traveling across the country, which meant leaving his wife and daughter at home.

The fruit crates were heavy. For two women, managing the stall would be extremely difficult.

He knew his wife well—she would definitely try to tough it out.

If she got hurt lifting crates, it wouldn’t be worth it.

With that in mind, Yang Xingguo looked at Chen Mo apologetically and explained his concerns.