Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 1496 Going to Thailand?

However, just as Zhao Yajing was imagining how she could make money effortlessly by continuously expanding the number of franchise stores, Qin Hao poured cold water on her hopes.

"Don't be too optimistic." Qin Hao's expression was serious: "Based on our current management capabilities, opening up a maximum of one hundred franchise stores is already the limit. Any more than that, and we won't be able to manage them."

Zhao Yajing's smile froze on her face. She frowned: "What do you mean? What do you mean by 'can't manage'? Haven't we already established a comprehensive management system? Regional manager system, standardized processes, remote monitoring system..."

“These are just tools,” Qin Hao interrupted her. “Tools need people to use them. What we lack most is not tools, but people who can use them—experienced, capable, and responsible managers.”

He stood up, walked to the whiteboard in the office, picked up a pen, and began to draw: "You look at thirty stores now and think it's easy to manage. Because our team can barely cover these thirty stores. Each regional manager manages five to eight stores, so we only need four to six regional managers."

He wrote on the whiteboard, "30 stores → 4-6 regional managers".

"But what if we open a hundred stores?" Qin Hao continued writing: "With a hundred stores, and the same management radius, we would need at least fifteen regional managers. Moreover, as the number of stores increases, the management complexity does not grow linearly, but exponentially."

"Above the regional manager is the regional director, and above the regional director is the operations director. Raw material procurement, logistics and distribution, quality control, marketing, personnel training... all these functional departments need corresponding personnel to support them."

Qin Hao drew a huge organizational chart on the whiteboard: "One hundred stores means we need a headquarters management team of at least fifty people, plus regional supervisors, the total number of managers may exceed one hundred. But our current headquarters team, including regional managers, only has more than twenty people in total."

He put down his pen, turned to look at Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona: "We are severely understaffed, especially in terms of middle and senior management personnel who are educated, have strategic vision, and can work independently. What we lack most right now is not money, but talent."

Zhao Yajing fell silent. She had to admit that Qin Hao was right. In recent weeks, she had felt the pressure on the team increasing. Regional managers complained that they were too busy to manage; headquarters staff were working overtime, but still couldn't finish their work. If dozens more stores were added now, the team would definitely collapse.

"Then tell me, what should we do next?" Zhao Yajing asked, her tone tinged with helplessness.

Qin Hao sat back down in his chair and said seriously, "There's only one way: recruit people. We need to recruit on a large scale, especially college students. Today's college students have received systematic education, have strong learning abilities, and are ambitious. As long as they are properly trained, they can quickly become our backbone."

Shi Xiaona shook her head: "I'm afraid it's not that easy. There were less than 62 college graduates in 1990. And nowadays, college graduates' first choice for employment is often foreign companies. Foreign companies not only have good benefits, but they also have prestige. If they can't get into foreign companies, they will consider working in factories or government agencies, after all, they have secure jobs."

She paused, then continued, "As for private companies? No matter how large they are, their appeal to college students is limited. Many college students would rather work for a state-owned enterprise with a low salary than work for a private company. That's the reality."

Qin Hao nodded: "Xiao Na is right, that's reality. But reality can be changed. Why are foreign companies able to attract college graduates? Because they offer good salaries, high benefits, excellent working environments, and opportunities for overseas training. If we can provide these things as well, or even better than foreign companies, why can't we attract college graduates?"

He leaned forward, his tone firm: "Whatever benefits foreign companies offer, we offer even better; whatever career development opportunities foreign companies provide, we offer even more. As long as the money, respect, and development opportunities are all there, why would we be afraid of not being able to attract talent?"

Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona exchanged a glance, both seeing hesitation in each other's eyes. Qin Hao's idea was bold and risky. Improving employee benefits meant increased costs. While Burger King was currently profitable, it was still in its expansion phase, requiring significant capital investment. Would using those funds to improve employee benefits hinder the expansion speed?

On the other hand, they also knew Qin Hao was right. Without talent, even the best business model won't work. The success of a franchise model largely depends on the headquarters' management capabilities. If management is inadequate, the more franchisees there are, the greater the risk.

Ultimately, both of them acquiesced to Qin Hao's proposal.

“Let’s give it a try,” Zhao Yajing said. “But we need to be careful and not blindly raise salaries. We need to attract the talent we need in a targeted manner.”

"Of course." Qin Hao smiled: "I have already asked the HR department to prepare a detailed salary plan, which takes into account the compensation levels of major foreign companies in Beijing and has increased by 20% on that basis. In addition, we have also added benefits such as housing allowance, transportation allowance, training fund, and annual travel."

He took out a document and handed it to the two of them: "Take a look. If there are no problems, we will publish the job advertisement according to this standard."

Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona took the document and read it carefully. After reading it, they both nodded.

"Let's do it this way."

As the year draws to a close, Burger King placed a recruitment advertisement in several mainstream newspapers, including the Beijing Daily and China Youth Daily. The advertisement was professionally designed, clearly laid out, and detailed, listing dozens of positions, ranging from management trainees to department heads, from marketing to operations management, covering almost all major functions of corporate management.

But what really caused a sensation was the salary and benefits advertised in the advertisement.

"Management trainee, annual salary of 5500 yuan, double pay at the end of the year, accommodation allowance, transportation allowance, annual medical check-up, paid annual leave..."

This salary was considered astronomical in Beijing in 1990. Keep in mind that an average worker's monthly salary at the time was only a couple hundred yuan, less than two thousand yuan a year. Burger King's annual salary was almost five times that of an average worker.

The advertisement quickly caused quite a stir among university students in Beijing after it was released.

In a student dormitory at Peking University, several senior students huddled together, looking at job advertisements in the newspaper and discussing them animatedly.

"An annual salary of 5,500 yuan, plus double pay at the end of the year? Is this a scam?" a bespectacled boy said suspiciously.

"You're so naive," another guy said, pushing up his glasses. "That's the typical pay at foreign companies. My cousin works at IBM, and he makes four thousand a year."

"Is this 'Burger King' also a foreign company? The name sounds like a foreign brand."

"Probably. I've eaten at Burger King before, the one in Wangfujing. Their fried chicken and burgers are pretty good, but they're a bit pricey."

"Whether it's a foreign company or not, the benefits are really good. Why don't we give it a try?"

Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Beijing Normal University… similar scenes are playing out at various universities. Many graduating college students, seeing such high salaries for the first time, are starting to feel tempted.

Meanwhile, some neighbors also saw Burger King's job posting. In Jiudaowan Hutong, several middle-aged women gathered together, discussing it while holding newspapers.

"Hey, isn't this Xiao Hao's company hiring? Look at the benefits, they're really good."

"An annual salary of 5,500? My God, that's more than my husband Lao Li earned in ten years at the factory."

"Aunt Wang, isn't your son graduating this year? Why don't you let him give it a try?"

The news spread quickly. Neighbors with children who were about to graduate or had already graduated and were looking for jobs approached Li Yuxiang, hoping she could put in a good word with Qin Hao to get their children jobs at Burger King.

Li Yuxiang's house suddenly became lively. One day someone would come to visit with fruit, and the next day someone else would come with snacks, all trying to get Li Yuxiang's help.

"Aunt Li, look at my Xiaoqiang, he graduated from high school and he's very smart. Could you talk to Qin Hao and ask him to find me a job?"

“We’ve been neighbors for a long time. My daughter is graduating from junior college this year with a degree in accounting, which is a perfect match for her major. Could you please help her out?”

"Aunt Li, my son..."

Unable to bear being pestered by these people any longer, Li Yuxiang had no choice but to call Qin Hao.

"Son, we've had people coming to our house every day these past few days, all wanting you to help us find a job. What do you think..."

On the other end of the phone, Qin Hao sighed, "Mom, you don't need to worry about this. If they meet the requirements, let their children come for an interview and go through the proper recruitment process. If they don't meet the requirements, there's nothing I can do. Our company isn't run by me alone; there are other shareholders, and there are rules and regulations. We can't just appoint people arbitrarily."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Tell them that the company's recruitment process is now open and transparent, and everyone must pass a written test and interview to be selected based on merit. If all else fails, you can come to my courtyard house to take shelter for a while, and go back after this storm has passed."

Li Yuxiang knew her son was decisive and that the company had its rules; she couldn't just do whatever she wanted. She had no choice but to agree, packed a few clothes, and moved to the courtyard house where Qin Hao lived, hoping to hide there temporarily.

Just as Qin Hao hung up the phone, the office door was pushed open. Zhao Yajing walked in, a mysterious smile on her face, holding a document in her hand.

"What's making you so happy?" Qin Hao asked.

Zhao Yajing handed him the document, smiled smugly, then turned and called out to the door, "Come in."

The door opened, and a young man in his early twenties walked in, dressed in a neat shirt and trousers, his hair combed meticulously, and a slightly reserved smile on his face.

It's Zhao Yaping, Zhao Yajing's younger brother.

"Brother Hao," Zhao Yaping chuckled, "you promised to let me join the company after I graduated. Now that I've graduated, I'm here to report for duty."

Qin Hao opened the document; it was Zhao Yaping's resume. He glanced at it, then looked up at Zhao Yajing, then at Zhao Yaping.

"Alright." Qin Hao nodded. "Since I promised you, I won't go back on my word. But Yaping, I have to be upfront about this. Once you join the company, you'll start from the most basic position. It could be a store clerk, a warehouse manager, or an office clerk. What you'll do specifically will depend on the Human Resources Department's arrangements."

He looked Zhao Yaping into the eyes: "And in the company, I won't give you any preferential treatment. You're a regular employee, so you have to follow the rules for regular employees. Being late or leaving early will result in a deduction in pay, making mistakes at work will be punished, and poor performance may lead to your dismissal. Understand?"

Zhao Yaping straightened his back and gave a salute: "No problem! Don't worry, Brother Hao, I will definitely do my best and never let you and my sister down!"

"That's good." Qin Hao smiled. "Go report to the Human Resources Department. They will arrange a position and training for you."

Zhao Yaping went out happily. Zhao Yajing watched his departing figure, a relieved smile on her face.

"Thanks, Lao Qin," she said.

"No need to thank me, I promised to do it, of course I'll do it." Qin Hao waved his hand: "But speaking of which, can Yaping endure hardship? If he can't, I really will fire him."

"Don't worry, his temper has been tempered since he came back from Hong Kong, so there shouldn't be any problem."

As the two were talking, the office door was suddenly pushed open with a bang, and Yang Shumo rushed in, covered in sweat and looking panicked.

Zhao Yajing teased, "What are you doing? Is a ghost chasing you in broad daylight?"

Yang Shumo patted his chest, panting heavily, and plopped down on the sofa: "Don't even mention it, my two older brothers are more troublesome than ghosts. They've been waiting for me at the company entrance for days, and I almost got caught by them today."

"What's the matter this time?" Zhao Yajing was already used to Yang Shumao's eccentric relatives. In recent years, Yang's parents and two older brothers had caused Yang Shumao a lot of trouble, always asking for money, jobs, or interfering in his private affairs.

Yang Shumo shook his head with a wry smile, picked up the water glass on Qin Hao's table and gulped down a few mouthfuls: "What else could it be? They were both laid off. The factory isn't doing well, so they have no jobs and no income. They're clamoring for me to arrange jobs for them, and they want to be managers, or at least supervisors."

He put down his water glass, looking helpless: "Tell me, those two, they didn't even finish junior high school, they've been working in factories for over ten years, they haven't learned any real skills, but they have learned to cheat, be cunning, and flatter. If I put them in the company, wouldn't they ruin it? Sifang Real Estate is doing quite well now, I can't let them destroy it."

"Your two older brothers are really something," Qin Hao laughed. "They're really going to fleece you like crazy, aren't they afraid of leaving you bald?"

Yang Shumo sighed: "That's right. The year before last, my eldest brother said he wanted to open a small shop, so I gave him 30,000 yuan; last year, my second brother said he wanted to open a restaurant, so I gave him another 50,000 yuan; this year, both of them were laid off, so I gave each of them 10,000 yuan for living expenses..."

He shook his head: "I'm not their younger brother, I'm their bank, the kind you don't have to pay back."

Zhao Yajing patted his shoulder sympathetically: "Your two brothers, really... I don't know what to say."

Yang Shumo said with a bitter face, "This is nothing. My parents are really difficult to deal with. I haven't dared to go home for months."

"What kind of trouble are they causing now?" Qin Hao asked.

Yang Shumo put down his teacup and took a breath: "I was planning to marry Ye Fei, and I told them last year, and they agreed. But recently, I don't know who instigated them, they changed their minds and are hiding their household registration book so we can't get our marriage certificate. They even said that if I want to marry Ye Fei, I have to leave my savings book with them and they'll keep it for me, because they're afraid Ye Fei is after my money."

He got angrier and angrier as he spoke: "What kind of nonsense is this? Ye Fei has been with me for so many years, is she after my money? She was with me when I had nothing. Now that I have money, she's the one who's after my money?"

Zhao Yajing shook her head upon hearing this: "If this happened to someone else, it would indeed be quite bizarre. But since it happened in your family, I'm not surprised at all."

Qin Hao laughed too: "Your parents are treating you like their private property. But speaking of which, what are you planning to do? Just keep dragging this out?"

Seeing the three men's gloating expressions, Yang Shumo became even more annoyed: "Are you still brothers? Why don't you help me think of something?"

Zhao Yajing spread her hands: "I dare not get involved in this matter. Otherwise, if your parents find out, won't they come after our family? My mother is getting old and can't take such a beating. Besides, even an upright official can't settle family disputes. If we outsiders get involved, it will only make things worse."

Qin Hao half-jokingly said, "If you ask me, it's fine not to get a marriage certificate. What era are we living in now? There are plenty of people who cohabit without a certificate. Just wait it out for now. When you and Ye Fei have a child, bring it back home. When the grandparents call him that, how could they not recognize him?"

"Go away, what kind of terrible idea is this?" Zhao Yajing shoved Qin Hao. "Do you think Ye Fei would agree to this? Being with that idiot Mao without any status, and even having a child with him? What do you take her for?"

Yang Shumo gave a wry smile: "Old Qin, things are really urgent, don't tease me. Ye Fei is under a lot of pressure too. Although her parents are open-minded, they can't accept that their daughter hasn't registered her marriage. Besides, I also want to give Ye Fei a proper status. I can't let her follow me like this without any clear definition."

Qin Hao dropped his joking expression and tapped the table: "Aren't your two older brothers trying to take advantage of you? Why don't you ask them to do some work for you? Ask them to solve this problem for you?"

Yang Shumo was taken aback: "You mean...you want them to help me steal the household registration book?"

His eyes lit up, but then dimmed again: "That's a good idea, but will they agree?"

Yang Shumo knew his two older brothers all too well. In the Yang family, their parents were at the absolute top of the food chain. Yang Shumo and his six siblings had all grown up being suppressed, developing an almost instinctive fear of their parents. Whenever their mother glared at them, no one in the house dared to make a sound. Although his two older brothers were bossy and domineering outside, at home they were just two paper tigers.

"Your two older brothers are always thinking about opening restaurants and making a lot of money, aren't they?" Qin Hao said slowly. "As long as you're willing to spend the money, you can open a restaurant for each of them, fully decorated, equipped, and staffed with chefs and waiters, letting them be the bosses. Tell me, wouldn't they be tempted by such conditions?"

Yang Shumo stood up abruptly, his eyes lighting up: "That makes sense! How come I didn't think of that?"

He became more and more excited as he thought about it: "It's just a few tens of thousands of yuan, I'll pay it! As long as I can get the household registration book and get the marriage certificate with Ye Fei, these tens of thousands of yuan will be well spent!"

Zhao Yajing warned, "Have you thought this through? Your two brothers are simply not cut out for business. If you open a restaurant for them, they'll probably lose everything in just a few months."

"So what if they lose everything?" Yang Shumo gritted his teeth and said, "As long as we can steal the household registration book, these tens of thousands of yuan are just a drop in the ocean. Besides, if they can really run the restaurant well, that's a good thing, and they won't bother me anymore. If they can't run it well and lose everything, that's their own fault for not being capable, and they can't blame me. They shouldn't come to me for money again."

He glanced at his watch: "I'll go find them now. The sooner the better, lest something goes wrong."

……

Yang Shumo immediately found his two older brothers and explained his terms.

"What? Stealing the household registration book?" Yang Shusen's eyes widened. "Sha Mao, are you out of your mind? That's our parents' stuff, how dare you steal it?"

Yang Shulin hesitated and said, "Yeah, if Mom and Dad find out, they'll tear us apart. You know their temper; when they get angry, they won't even recognize their own family."

Yang Shumo was prepared and said calmly, "Weren't you laid off? Didn't you want to open a restaurant? I'll open one for each of you. You can choose the location yourself, but the area must be no less than 100 square meters. I'll cover the decoration, buy the equipment, and hire the chefs and waiters. You just need to be the bosses and collect the money."

He paused, observing his two older brothers' expressions: "If you don't want to do it, then forget it. I'll find someone else; there are plenty of people who want to help me. But then the restaurant will be gone, and you can just stay at home and wait for Mom and Dad to support you."

These words struck a nerve with Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin. They had been laid off for over a month, spending their days idly at home, nagging from their parents and complaining from their wives. They had long wanted to find something to do. Opening a restaurant had always been their dream, but they lacked the funds. Now that their younger brother was willing to invest, it was like a windfall.

Yang Shusen's eyes darted around, and he asked tentatively, "Sha Mao, are you serious? You're really going to open a restaurant for each of us? Or are you just kidding us?"

"When have I ever fooled you?"

Yang Shulin was tempted, but still a little scared: "But... what if Mom and Dad find out..."

"How would Mom and Dad know?" Yang Shumo lowered his voice. "Take advantage of their absence, sneak in, and grab it. They don't check the household registration every day; they might not find out for months. By the time they find out, Ye Fei and I will have already registered our marriage. What can they do then? Do they think they can force us to divorce?"

He added, "Besides, once the restaurant opens and you make money and become bosses, your parents will be overjoyed. They won't bother with this little thing. They might even praise you for being capable."

These words struck a chord with the two brothers. Yes, if they could really open a restaurant and make money, becoming wealthy, their parents would definitely look at them with new respect. Then, what would stealing the household registration book be?

“Okay, I’ll do it!” Yang Shulin slapped his thigh. “But you have to keep your word, Sha Mao. Here, take the household registration book, and give us the restaurant.”

Yang Shusen was initially reluctant: "This... the risk is still too great. If Mom and Dad find out that we got your household registration book, wouldn't they tear us up?"

"Alright, then you don't need to go." Yang Shumo deliberately provoked him: "I'll give both restaurants to Fifth Brother..."

Yang Shulin was overjoyed upon hearing this and was about to agree when Yang Shusen immediately objected: "Silly Mao, what's your rush? I have to consider such a big matter. Besides, without my cooperation, do you think Lao Wu could have stolen the household registration book by himself?"

Yang Shulin was extremely frustrated as the duck he had hoped to catch flew away.

Next, the two brothers, Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin, began their operation to steal the household registration book. They first secretly observed their parents' routine of going out for walks and discovered that every day from nine to ten in the morning and from three to four in the afternoon, their parents would go out without fail, one to play chess in the park and the other to buy groceries at the market.

Having figured out this pattern, the two brothers chose a Tuesday morning and sneaked into their home while their parents were out for a walk.

"Fifth brother, you find the wardrobe, I'll find the bedside table," Yang Shusen assigned the tasks.

The two began searching. Wardrobes, bedside tables, chests of drawers... they searched every possible place to put things. Clothes were rummaged through, drawers were pulled open, and they even checked under the bed, but they couldn't find the household registration booklet.

"That's strange, where can I put my household registration booklet?" Yang Shusen was panting heavily and plopped down on the bed.

Yang Shulin was also exhausted, wiping his sweat: "Fourth brother, do you think Mom and Dad might have taken their household registration book with them? Maybe even when they go for a walk?"

“Impossible.” Yang Shusen shook his head: “How could you possibly carry something so important on your person while taking a walk? What if you lose it? Think about it carefully, where do your parents usually put their valuables?”

“What’s the use of thinking about it?” Yang Shulin complained. “Mom hides all the valuable things in the house. How can you find what she hides? Even Dad doesn’t know where she hides the money.”

These words reminded Yang Shusen. Yes, his mother was skilled at hiding things; no one in the family knew where she hid valuables. Once, his father tried to sneak some money to buy cigarettes, but after searching the entire house, he couldn't find it. In the end, his mother discovered it and gave him a good scolding.

“That won’t do.” Yang Shulin said anxiously, “Sha Mao, do you still want that restaurant? I’ve been laid off for over a month. If I can’t find a job, your sister-in-law is going to divorce me. She told me a few days ago that if I can’t find a job, I’ll take the kids and go back to my parents’ home.”

Yang Shusen's situation wasn't much better. Although his wife hadn't mentioned divorce, she constantly gave him the cold shoulder, her words implying that he was incompetent and couldn't earn money. If things continued like this, divorce was only a matter of time.

"Keep looking! Keep looking!" Yang Shusen gritted his teeth: "Even if we have to turn the house upside down, we have to find the household registration book!"

The two brothers began a new round of searching. This time they were even more thorough, searching behind picture frames on the wall, under the mattress, and behind the radiator, but still couldn't find it.

Just when the two were about to despair, Yang Shulin suddenly remembered something: "Fourth brother, do you remember, didn't Mom used to have an iron box that she used to keep important things in?"

Yang Shusen was taken aback: "An iron box? I think there is such a thing. I saw it when I was a child, it was red and had patterns on it. But that was so many years ago, I don't know where I put it anymore."

"Could it be in the box?" Yang Shulin pointed to an old-fashioned wooden box on top of the wardrobe: "Mom never lets us touch that box, saying it's where her things from her wedding are kept."

The two men exchanged a glance and simultaneously lunged at the wooden crate. The crate wasn't locked, but it was very heavy. It took them considerable effort to lift it down and open the lid.

Sure enough, the box contained her mother's wedding belongings: a red wedding dress, several pairs of embroidered shoes, and some old photos and letters. The two of them took these items out one by one and placed them on the ground.

When the box was almost empty, Yang Shulin's eyes lit up: "Look! An iron box!"

Sure enough, at the bottom of the box lay a red iron box with faded peony patterns on it. Yang Shusen excitedly picked up the box, only to find it locked.

“It’s locked.” He frowned.

"Smash it open?" Yang Shulin suggested.

“No, if we break it open, Mom will definitely find out.” Yang Shusen thought for a moment: “Look for the key. Mom must have hidden the key nearby.”

The two began rummaging through the box again, and finally found a small brass key in the pocket of a coat.

Yang Shusen's hands trembled slightly, and it took him several tries to insert the key into the lock. With a "click," the lock opened.

The two eagerly opened the tin box. Inside, sure enough, were the most important things in the house: the household registration book, bankbook, grain coupons, cloth coupons, and several fixed deposit certificates.

"Wow, Mom has saved so much money over the years!" Yang Shulin picked up a savings book, opened it, and his eyes widened: "Fifty thousand! And this, thirty thousand! That adds up to more than eighty thousand!"

Yang Shusen also came over to take a look, and indeed there were quite a few. But he was still relatively clear-headed: "This passbook doesn't have a password, what use is it to you? Put it back quickly. We only need the household registration book."

He took out the household registration booklet from the box, confirmed it was indeed theirs. Then he put the other items back as they were, locked the box, and put it back at the bottom of the trunk.

"Quickly, put everything back and restore everything to its original state," Yang Shusen urged.

The two hurriedly put the wedding dress, shoes, photos, and other items back into the chest, carried the chest back to the corner, and tried to restore it to its original state. Then they tidied up the rest of the room that had been ransacked.

After doing all this, the two were covered in sweat. Looking at the time, they realized their parents would be home soon. Not daring to linger, they quickly climbed out the back window, closed it, and ran away from home.

Finding a secluded spot, Yang Shusen called Yang Shumao: "Shamao, we got the stuff. Where are you? We'll bring it to you."

On the other end of the phone, Yang Shumo's voice was filled with excitement: "Come to my company. Hurry up!"

……

Half an hour later, Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin arrived at Sifang Real Estate Company, panting, and handed the household registration book to Yang Shumao.

Yang Shumo took the household registration booklet, looked at it carefully, and after confirming that everything was correct, a smile appeared on his face.

"Okay, that's fair." He took out two sets of keys from the drawer: "Here, this is what I promised you. I've taken over both restaurants, one in Dongsi and one in Gulou. The chefs and waiters are already in place, you can go and take over tomorrow."

Yang Shusen took the keys, still somewhat uneasy: "Sha Mao, this restaurant... you're really giving it to us? We don't have to pay you back?"

"No need." Yang Shumo waved his hand. "Consider it a gift from me. But let me make this clear from the start: the restaurant is yours now. Whether you run it well or poorly, whether you make a lot or a little money, is entirely up to you. If you make money, that's your skill; if you lose money, don't come looking for me. That's all I can do to help."

"That's right, that's right." Yang Shusen nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, Sha Mao, we will definitely do our best and never let you down."

Yang Shulin patted his chest and assured him, "Yes, we will definitely run the restaurant well and make a lot of money!"

The two left happily, clutching the restaurant keys in their hands, already plotting how to become bosses and how to make money.

After they left, Yang Shumo held the household registration booklet, feeling a surge of excitement. He immediately called Ye Fei: "Feifei, I got the household registration booklet! I'm coming to pick you up right now, let's get our marriage certificate tomorrow!"

On the other end of the phone, Ye Fei's voice was choked with emotion: "Really? Shu Mao, you're not lying to me, are you?"

"It's true, absolutely true! Wait for me, I'm coming to pick you up!"

After hanging up the phone, Yang Shumo drove straight to Ye Fei's house. Along the way, he felt incredibly cheerful, as if the sky was bluer and the sunshine brighter than usual.

Upon arriving at Ye Fei's home, Yang Shuma excitedly showed her the household registration booklet. Ye Fei took the booklet, flipped through it carefully, and confirmed its authenticity, a smile spreading across her face.

But soon, her smile vanished, replaced by a hint of worry.

"Shumao, did you steal this household registration booklet?" she asked in a low voice.

"Uh... I guess so." Yang Shumo said a little embarrassedly, "But don't worry, my two older brothers will cover for me. Once we get our marriage certificate and it's a done deal, even if my parents find out, they can't do anything about it."

Ye Fei shook her head: "I'm not worried about that. I'm worried that if your parents find out, they'll definitely hate me even more. They're already unhappy with me, and now that I stole the household registration book, they'll definitely think I encouraged you to do it."

Yang Shumo held her hand: "Feifei, don't think too much. I'll handle things with my parents. Don't worry, no matter what they think or say, I've made up my mind about you. I'll only marry you in this lifetime."

He paused, then continued, "Besides, we've got our marriage certificate, so we're legally married. From now on, we'll live separately and not with them. They can think what they want; we'll live our own lives."

Seeing Yang Shumao's serious expression, Ye Fei felt a warmth in her heart and nodded, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

The next morning, Yang Shumo and Ye Fei arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau early. After queuing, filling out forms, taking photos, and swearing an oath, they were both too excited to speak when the staff handed them the two red marriage certificates.

“From now on, we are legally married.” Yang Shumo held the marriage certificate tightly.

"Mmm." Ye Fei's eyes reddened.

Holding their marriage certificate, the two were as happy as children. Yang Shumo suggested going to Quanjude for Peking duck to celebrate, and Ye Fei readily agreed.

However, their good mood didn't last long. In the afternoon, Yang Shumao took Ye Fei home and proudly showed their marriage certificate to his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Yang were stunned when they saw this. When they came to their senses, Mrs. Yang was trembling with anger, pointing her finger at Yang Shumo's nose: "So, you...you're playing games with me, acting first and asking questions later? Who let you go to get the marriage certificate? Did you get our permission?"

Yang's father chimed in, "Look how angry you've made your mother! She's so inconsiderate! We've raised you all these years, and now you're getting married—such a big decision—and you don't even consult us?"

Yang Shumo had anticipated this scene, so he simply went all out: "Anyway, we've already registered our marriage, and it's protected by law. If you're happy, you can come when we have our wedding. If you're not happy, that's fine too. We'll have our own wedding and just invite our friends and colleagues to join in the fun."

"You...you're trying to kill me!" Yang's mother cried, hitting Yang Shumo as she sobbed, "I raised a thankless wretch! He's forgotten his mother now that he has a wife..."

Yang's father sighed and lamented, "What a tragedy, what a tragedy..."

Ye Fei stood to the side, fidgeting, her face pale.

Yang Shumo grabbed her hand and held it tightly. He turned to his parents, his tone firm: "Dad, Mom, Ye Fei will be my wife and your daughter-in-law from now on. Please respect my choice, and please respect hers!"

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, leaving no room for argument. Mr. and Mrs. Yang were stunned; they had never seen their son so assertive.

Yang's mother's sobs gradually subsided. She looked at her son, then at Ye Fei, and finally sighed, "Fine, you've grown up, you're independent now, we can't control you anymore."

Mr. Yang shook his head: "Whatever you want. But the wedding must be held; it can't be done secretly, or people will laugh at us."

Yang Shumo and Ye Fei exchanged a glance and both breathed a sigh of relief. Although the process had been complicated, they had finally obtained their parents' tacit approval, which was the best possible outcome.

……

On New Year's Day, 1991, Yang Shumao and Ye Fei's wedding was held at the Beijing Hotel. The wedding was a grand affair, with many guests invited. Old friends such as Qin Hao, Zhao Yajing, Shi Xiaona, and Xie Laozhuan all attended, as well as some partners from Sifang Real Estate and Burger King. Although Yang's parents still harbored some resentment, they were outwardly cooperative.

At the wedding, Li Yuxiang looked at Yang Shumao, who was dressed in a suit and looked radiant on the stage, and then looked at Ye Fei, who was dressed in a red cheongsam and had a bright smile on her face. She was filled with emotion.

She took the opportunity to tug at Qin Hao's sleeve and whispered, "Look at Sha Mao, he's already married. You have to give Ya Jing and Xiao Na an explanation, right?"

As she said this, Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona were sitting next to her. They both heard her and their eyes turned to Qin Hao at the same time.

Qin Hao cleared his throat: "How about we take a trip to Thailand during the Chinese New Year?"

Li Yuxiang looked puzzled: "Why would you go to Thailand out of the blue?"

Zhao Yajing also looked bewildered, while Shi Xiaona blushed. She had heard in Hong Kong that Thailand allowed polygamy.

"Pah, who wants to go to Thailand with you?"

Seeing Shi Xiaona's shy expression, Zhao Yajing snapped out of her daze: "I can tell you're up to no good. I'm not going with you." (End of Chapter)