Lu Heng was boasting about his powerful father.

In the past two days, fearing that Jiang Zhou might be the original Jiang Zhou, he stayed at home, avoiding going out. Finally, when Jiang Zhou revealed that he too was a time traveler, Lu Heng ventured outside for a stroll.

He noticed the longer he stayed at home, the stronger the rejection reaction in his soul and body became, and those things disappearing when he went out.

With no memory of the original owner during time travel, he lacked the living habits of the previous inhabitant. Carefully disguising himself, he could only explore slowly, gradually understanding Zhuo Yan’s character— the more dissolute and domineering, the better.

So, when Liu Buping invited him again with his entourage, he agreed.

Unexpectedly, he encountered Jiang Zhou.

Lu Heng greeted him eagerly, “Brother Jiang.”

Seeing him, Jiang Zhou considered leaving, fearing he might lose control and confront him.

However, Lu Heng viewed him as a confidant and swiftly pulled him back, saying, “Brother Jiang! We said goodbye a few days ago. I’ve missed you so much. How about we have a cup of tea together?”

Liu Buping was surprised at the seemingly close relationship between the two, but considering Zhuo Bang helping Jiang Zhou cut the ribbon, it felt natural.

Then he also suggested, “Yes, why don’t we have a cup of tea together? We happen to be heading to your restaurant.”

Since Liu Buping had booked a table for hot pot, the usual gathering spot became Lujiang Restaurant.

Being a customer, Liu Buping and his group were not turned away, so Jiang Zhou accommodated them.

After settling the customers, Jiang Zhou headed to the back kitchen.

.

Due to Fenjiang Tower’s presence in the town, the customers in the restaurant had slightly decreased. Although the staff didn’t show it on their faces, there was a sense of urgent anxiety within them.

Everyone feared Jiang Zhou and Lu Dalang’s potential anger, working diligently without expressing their frustration to avoid trouble.

Without explaining, Jiang Zhou decided a bit of pressure would be beneficial. Offering benefits without any challenge might lead to complacency, and once that happened, controlling them would be difficult.

Liu Buping ordered two chickens and a pot of shrimp. With the waiter having a day off and limited manpower, Jiang Zhou assisted in bringing the pot of shrimp. As he entered, Chen Erping from Sihe Restaurant was loudly expressing his opinions, audible from half a floor away.

“What’s this guy from a broken-down family trying to do, stealing our business?”

Someone at the table suggested, “Hey, haven’t they closed down? You guys have already won, so why bother?”

Chen Erping rolled his eyes. “I find it disgusting. Every time we introduce a new dish, they follow suit and replicate it with the original recipe. Who’s the one being disgusting here?”

Liu Buping coughed.

Jiang Zhou smiled, bringing the pot in and pretending not to hear. “How about opening a bottle of wine? I just unearthed some wine that hasn’t been opened yet.”

“Since you have the wine, just bring it. It’s not like we can’t afford it. Stop nagging!”

Jiang Zhou wasn’t bothered and withdrew.

However, he didn’t leave and stood at the door for a while.

The building’s original renovation didn’t include much soundproofing, so even with the door closed, the voices from inside were audible.

“This is Jiang Zhou’s place. What are you talking about?”

“Can’t we talk about anything? It’s just that scumbag opening a restaurant again, trying to disgust people! As a restaurant, he can’t compete with Chen Erping. He’s resorting to crooked ways, opening a hot pot Restaurant.”

Liu Buping’s voice returned, “Don’t underestimate Jiang Zhou. He might have a temper, but his skills are impressive, and the apprentices he trained are outstanding. Remember Lu Xiangxi? The sponge cakes are really good, and there’s a wide variety. By the way, Erping, I remember their chef originally came from your family, right?”

Chen Erping coughed, “He is from our family. Tsk tsk tsk, it turns out his cooking is actually better than ordinary people. I thought that was it, but who knew his skills have improved.”

Lu Heng interjected, “This hot pot restaurant has a good concept, but it’s far from the capital and too distant from other places.”

They gradually changed the subject, and after catching a few words, Jiang Zhou went to fetch the wine.

.

Liu Buping and the others dispersed quickly. Having achieved their goals with enough food and drink, they left, leaving Lu Heng, who wanted to stay.

Jiang Zhou didn’t let anyone clean up and sat alone on the side.

Lu Heng, quite drunk, was persuaded to drink two more glasses. Now, in a daze, he sat there.

Seeing Jiang Zhou approach, he rolled his eyes and stopped moving.

“Who is that broken-down family they were talking about?” Jiang Zhou asked. Initially planning to find out on his own, he had overheard discussions and thought it was better to inquire directly.

Lu Heng leaned back on the table, rolled his eyes, and said a bit loudly, “I… heard them say it was… some kind of Shihe Restaurant!”

Jiang Zhou frowned, having never heard of Shihe Restaurant.

Lu Heng, already drunk and in a daze, slurred, “Hey! You… probably don’t know! That restaurant was opened when I was in your body!”

Lu Heng slowly recounted the tale of Shihe Restaurant.

The owner of this family had moved here, always fond of copying others’ ideas in his hometown. Operating recklessly, he frequently engaged in cutthroat price wars, ultimately leading to the downfall of his entire family. Due to public outrage, the whole family was boycotted and expelled.

After settling in this town, he failed to change his ways, copying Sihe Restaurant’s menu using his usual method, hoping to replicate past successes. However, Sihe Restaurant’s owner was formidable, backed by influential connections, and acquainted with the new member, Master Liu. Consequently, they forcefully closed down Shihe Restaurant.

Desperate for business, Shihe Restaurant returned, opening Fenjiang Tower in an attempt to compete with Jiang Zhou.

Jiang Zhou rolled his eyes.

Could anyone truly dine in such a shabby establishment?

Had he opened too few stores, failing to elevate the town’s taste?

This restaurant wouldn’t succeed this time!

Jiang Zhou thought of something else and asked, “By the way, I always feel that my soul is a little unsettled lately. Maybe I’m being rejected? Is there any way to lock yourself in the body?”

Lu Heng was momentarily stunned: “You’re being rejected?”

Jiang Zhou babbled, “Yeah, I think you were rejected because your personality was too bad. The original owner is famous for loving his wife. Suddenly losing your personality, isn’t it suspicious?”

Lu Heng slapped his thigh fiercely, exclaiming, “Yes! ……But there’s nothing I can do. I’m a straight man. I woke up and found out I will be a father, and the partner is a man! What can I do?”

He hadn’t considered the implications at all. This was Jiang Zhou’s life, and he had forcefully inserted himself into it, blaming other people’s families and disrupting their lives.

Jiang Zhou closed his eyes, saying, “Then is there any way I can keep myself stable inside?”

Lu Heng blinked, “You have to know, if you stabilize, you only have this life.”

Jiang Zhou pretended to be stingy, saying, “After all, after making so much money, I won’t be able to bear parting from it and giving it to others for free.”

Seeing his seriousness, Lu Heng hesitated and whispered, “…Yes.”