Chapter 125: Hearts Divided

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“I’m done with this. This job is impossible to keep up. Chen Huajiang only knows a bit about cooking; he doesn’t understand anything else. We men have to support our families; we can’t just mess around following him.”

“Exactly. This glass factory area is totally unsuitable for setting up stalls. There are no people, no money. If we want to make money, we have to go where the crowds are, like the city center or the East Gate district.”

“Well, at least we’ve learned something. At worst, we can find someone to get a food truck. We just can’t keep working here.”

At the entrance of Anrong Alley, five or six middle-aged men stood with annoyed expressions, arguing among themselves.

Gao Yun passed by the alley entrance and overheard their words. She couldn’t help but feel their righteous anger, though secretly, she felt a bit pleased.

Of course, she hoped Chen Huajiang would fail; only then could she exact her revenge.

“But is this really a good idea? Chen Huajiang helped us after all, and besides, they have quite a few people,” a short middle-aged man hesitated among the crowd.

“What’s there to be afraid of? Why should we fear them?”

“Exactly. We don’t owe them anything. Besides, the free training was their own advertisement!”

“Right, nothing to be scared of. Let’s go, all together!”

With that, the group buzzed noisily.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ll take charge of this for you,” Gao Yun stepped forward, fanning the flames.

Seeing her appear, the crowd grew a bit bolder.

So, the group noisily entered the training center and delivered their demands to Chen Huajiang.

“Boss Chen, we have only one request: to set up stalls elsewhere. If you agree, once we make money, we’ll pay you back for the food truck and ingredients. If not, sorry, we’ll leave the peach project, return your stuff, and start fresh on our own.”

The leader of the crowd was Zhang Hao, about thirty years old, tall and burly, naturally the leader among these men.

Of course, he was the one who stirred up this whole matter.

Zhang Hao was originally a transport worker at the glass factory but was only a temporary worker, not a permanent employee.

He helped out when there was work at the factory, and when there wasn’t, he took odd jobs elsewhere.

When Chen Huajiang’s training center offered free lessons, it happened to be during his off period, so Zhang Hao joined with the hope of learning some skills.

Most around him had similar thoughts; after all, free learning never hurts, and more skills never weigh you down.

“Yes, we support Brother Hao. This hellhole has no people; how can we do business? It’s just a waste of our time.”

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“Boss Chen, if you don’t stop us from setting up stalls elsewhere, we’ll return your stuff and start cooking on our own.”

With Zhang Hao’s words, the crowd echoed in agreement.

“I don’t care where you do business, but if you use my food truck and ingredients, you must operate on the glass factory side,” Chen Huajiang said sternly, unwilling to concede here.

Beginnings are always the hardest. Because it’s difficult, he offered such favorable terms—free training, partially free food trucks, and ingredients.

Why? Did he think he was some kind-hearted saint doing good deeds without expecting anything? He was a businessman, and no businessman wakes up early without profit.

“Of course, I won’t stop you from starting fresh elsewhere, but leave the food truck and ingredients here,” Chen Huajiang said, seeing their angry expressions and firm resolve, so he compromised.

“Boss Chen, you said that yourself. When we start fresh, don’t say bad things about us!” Zhang Hao shouted, cutting him off.

“Mm,” Chen Huajiang nodded.

With that, Zhang Hao and the others returned the food truck and leftover ingredients, then left.

Chen Huajiang turned to head back to the courtyard. At that moment, Gao Yun sneered behind him with a sarcastic laugh.

“Ha ha ha, I knew your catering training center wouldn’t last. Doing business here won’t make any money.”

“But I didn’t expect you to really give them free training. I thought you’d charge for returning the truck.”

“I’m curious, what exactly are you aiming for with this? Are you deliberately losing money?”

Gao Yun originally intended to mock Chen Huajiang but ended up genuinely curious.

She could never understand Chen Huajiang’s actions; it looked like he was just throwing money down the drain.

Chen Huajiang ignored her and walked straight back into the yard.

Gao Yun was left empty-handed, stomping her foot angrily. “I’ll see when you move out—you’re going to lose big!”

After saying this, she turned and left.

In fact, Gao Yun wasn’t the only one curious; all the neighbors in the alley were.

“I knew they wouldn’t make money. Their snacks taste good, but they picked the wrong place, and that boss is way too stubborn.”

“Exactly. There’s hardly anyone here; how could they make money? Business needs foot traffic. You need people to make money.”

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“I think this training center will close sooner or later. Even if he has money, no one will come to train, so it’s pointless.”

The training center students had started selling food, but business was poor. Naturally, this became hot gossip among the neighbors in the alley. Groups of elderly men and women satisfied their curiosity and social pride with this little piece of news.

Chen Huajiang returned to the house and found Liang Long there, chatting with Zhang Bao and the others.

“Liang Long, aren’t you working today?” Chen Huajiang asked with a smile, walking over to the table and drinking from a glass of cold water.

“Brother Chen, I—”

“I have something I want to talk to you about.”

Liang Long hesitated. He had actually been called over by Zhang Bao and the others.

Some things were difficult for Zhang Bao and the rest to say directly to Chen Huajiang, so they asked Liang Long to relay the message.

“Go ahead, are we still strangers?” Chen Huajiang scanned them and smiled at Liang Long, already having an idea.

Sure enough, Liang Long explained the situation, which echoed the others’ opinions.

There was little foot traffic near the glass factory; business couldn’t be profitable here. It would be better to move to a busier street or near a school entrance.

“Brother Chen, I really don’t understand why you insist on staying near the glass factory. Why not go where there are more people?”

Liang Long asked, puzzled. Zhang Bao and the others also looked at Chen Huajiang.

“Do you know why many people find it hard to make money?”

Chen Huajiang didn’t answer directly but instead asked a slow, thoughtful question.

Liang Long and the others were confused; they didn’t know.

Of course, Chen Huajiang wasn’t expecting an answer. He wanted to reassure them; as his core team, they needed confidence.

“It’s because they haven’t gotten in the door yet. That’s why making money seems hard. Making money comes down to two words: having a way in.”

“Once you’re in, the money comes quickly. What does ‘in the door’ mean? It means knowing what you’re doing, how much you can earn, how much you invest at the start, and how much you get afterward—everything clear as day. That’s what it means to be in the door.”

Chen Huajiang pressed down with his hand, signaling for them to sit as well.