As a Magnate, I Started Checking in at a Convenience Store

Chapter 597: You Can’t Play Without a Brain!

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation | Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Li looked at Zhou Chao with excitement.

Zhou Chao, who hadn’t had hotpot in a long time, was thoroughly satisfied with his culinary indulgence today.

After leaving the hotpot restaurant, Zhou Chao didn’t immediately take Jiang Li home. Instead, he decided to visit his childhood friend to catch up on recent developments. He had noticed something was amiss with Lei Mingtang during their last confrontation over stock market speculations.

“Aren’t you going to call Third Aunt and let her know you’re back?” Jiang Li hugged Zhou Chao’s arm and asked.

“No rush. We can call her later and grab a meal together,” Zhou Chao replied casually.

Jiang Li nodded and followed Zhou Chao into the car.

The studio where Lei Mingtang worked wasn’t far from where Zhou Chao had dinner, just about a five or six-minute drive. Soon, the two cars arrived steadily at the studio’s entrance.

As Zhou Chao looked through the glass and saw the studio, which seemed even more deserted than before, his brow furrowed, and he strode in.

Upon entering the studio, Zhou Chao spotted a young woman in her twenties sitting at the front desk, engrossed in playing a game on her phone. She muttered to herself, “Come on, Wild King, I’ve lost several rounds already!”

Seeing this, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but feel a bit impatient. He lightly tapped on the desk.

The young woman, still immersed in her game, looked up only when Zhou Chao stood before her, and hurriedly put down her phone.

“Sorry, do you need something?” The young woman asked apologetically.

“Is Lei Mingtang in the studio?” Zhou Chao inquired.

Upon hearing Lei Mingtang’s name, the receptionist’s eyes flickered, and she glanced at the several black-clad bodyguards behind Zhou Chao, her voice tinged with nervousness. “May I ask who you are?”

“I’m his friend,” Zhou Chao replied softly, though he was starting to feel impatient.

The receptionist glanced discreetly at the office area, her eyes betraying her anxiety.

“I’m sorry, but the boss isn’t here. Could you come back tomorrow?” The girl’s voice this time was much louder than before as if she were informing someone that someone was looking for him.

Seeing this, Zhou Chao became increasingly certain that something was wrong with his childhood friend. With a smile at the receptionist, he said, “I’m a good friend of your boss. If you don’t believe me, just ask him to come out.”

The receptionist remained skeptical of Zhou Chao’s words and became a bit agitated. “I already told you our boss isn’t here. If you keep bothering us, I’ll have to call the police.”

Perhaps hearing the receptionist’s impatient tone, faint sounds could be heard from the office. Shortly after, Lei Mingtang’s loud voice rang out, “What do you want? I’ve already compensated you! Why are you still bothering me?”

Before Zhou Chao could see him, Lei Mingtang’s voice preceded his appearance as he stormed out of the office, wielding a baseball bat aggressively.

Upon seeing Zhou Chao standing at the reception, Lei Mingtang’s initially fierce expression softened, and he dropped the bat to the ground.

With a smile on his face, Lei Mingtang jogged up to Zhou Chao and Jiang Li. “Bro Chao, sis-in-law, why didn’t you let me know you were back? When did you get back? You didn’t even give me a call.”

“Boss, is this really your friend?” the receptionist interjected unexpectedly.

Zhou Chao chuckled. “Didn’t I tell you earlier? I’m your boss’s friend.”

“Sorry, I thought you were…”

Before the receptionist could finish her sentence, Lei Mingtang silenced her with a stern look. “Xiao Chen, playing games during work again? I might have to dock your pay!”

“Alright, let’s head to your office. It’s not good to keep blocking the entrance to your studio,” Zhou Chao lightly patted Lei Mingtang’s shoulder and led Jiang Li towards the office.

Lei Mingtang gave the receptionist a displeased glare and glanced at the bodyguards sitting on the sofa. Then, he gestured to Xiao Chen and said, “Get these handsome gentlemen some water and bring some fruits too.”

“Got it, boss,” Xiao Chen replied with a slight grimace.

With a nod, Lei Mingtang briskly walked towards his office. As he entered, he saw Zhou Chao sitting at the tea table, brewing tea.

“Brother Chao, you’re back! You could’ve called, and I would’ve arranged something for you, given you a warm welcome,” Lei Mingtang said with a smile.

“I just arrived in Fuzhou at noon. I had lunch with your sister-in-law and came straight here,” Zhou Chao replied as he poured a cup of tea and handed it to Lei Mingtang.

Jiang Li, sitting beside them, automatically poured herself a cup of tea and drank silently. She had gathered from the receptionist’s words that Lei Mingtang was dealing with some issues.

“Why did you suddenly come back to Fuzhou? Is something wrong?” Lei Mingtang inquired.

“It’s nothing major. It’s my grandfather’s 80th birthday the day after tomorrow, so I came back to pay a visit,” Zhou Chao explained, pausing for a moment before fixing his gaze on Lei Mingtang.

Feeling uncomfortable under Zhou Chao’s gaze, Lei Mingtang said, “Bro Chao, why are you looking at me like that? You’re making me feel awkward!”

“Come on, tell me what’s going on. It hasn’t been long, but it seems like your studio is about to collapse!” Zhou Chao pressed.

Hearing Zhou Chao’s words, Lei Mingtang’s expression became even more despondent. He took several sips of tea, hesitated for a moment, and looked at Zhou Chao. Despite opening his mouth a few times, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Frowning slightly, Zhou Chao said, “Can’t say it? Should I call your wife and ask what’s going on?”