Chapter 707: Chapter 343: Acquiring a Shop

Lin Shen nodded. After finishing breakfast, he left with Qin Yuenan. Sitting in the car, he began scrolling through the contacts on his phone.

His task for the morning was quite simple: to see if he could contact a nearby convenience store and buy it outright in cash. However, since he rarely returned, Lin Shen felt a bit unfamiliar with his hometown. Therefore, he could only contact a childhood friend who still lived there.

"Hello, Xuxu. How have you been lately?"

"Shen?" Upon hearing the familiar voice, a stunned tone came from the other end of the line. "Why are you calling me so suddenly? Didn’t we agree to meet up tonight? What’s wrong? Did something come up so you can’t make it?"

"No, it’s not that," Lin Shen replied over the phone. "I just wanted to know if there are any convenience stores up for sale in our hometown?"

"A convenience store?" The person on the other end was clearly taken aback, so Lin Shen continued to explain.

"You know, the kind of shop that’s going out of business and preparing to sell. Just something that sells general merchandise."

"Why? Don’t tell me you want to buy it?" Xuxu asked curiously. "Shen, do you want to move back here to build your career? If you want to come back, you could just find a job! I can introduce you to some people."

"You’ll introduce me?" Lin Shen teased with a smile, playing along. "Don’t tell me our Xu has been promoted to President Xu?"

"Not quite." The voice on the other end carried an irrepressible hint of joy. "But I did get a small promotion. I’m a workshop director now. I’ll find time to treat you guys to a drink."

"Sounds good," Lin Shen agreed with a smile.

After spending so much time grinding in a place like Modu, Lin Shen always felt a sense of vigilance and guardedness toward his business partners or people he had just met. It was understandable. After all, who among those who climbed to the top of the business circle wasn’t a scheming old fox? This was also why Lin Shen felt somewhat mentally exhausted in Modu.

But returning to his hometown was different. His friends were all people he had grown up with. Because Lin Shen was a relatively sincere person, the people he knew were also genuine and lacked hidden agendas. Plus, due to the environment, everyone worked in stable government or state-owned enterprise jobs. While workplace politics existed, they weren’t nearly as glaring. Moreover, only people like this truly understood the value of the friends around them.

Because of this, Lin Shen didn’t put on airs with his childhood friend just because his own status had changed. He remained his usual gentle self. This was the kind of friendship he had always wanted to maintain. It was just a pity that their dynamic would likely undergo some changes when they met up tonight.

So, while their relationship was still as good as ever, Lin Shen hurried to ask about the matter he cared about.

"So, Xuxu, do you know if there are any shops up for sale?"

"Are you really planning to buy a shop and build your career in our little county?" Xuxu still couldn’t quite believe Lin Shen’s decision. "I thought you were doing pretty well in Modu? Besides, aren’t you and Tingting getting married soon? Have you guys gotten engaged yet?"

Hearing the name "Tingting," Qin Yuenan’s expression instantly turned icy, while Lin Shen’s face filled with utter embarrassment.

"Let’s not talk about Tingting for now. Just tell me if there is one."

"Well, there is one." Hearing Lin Shen suddenly say not to mention "Tingting," Xuxu figured there must be some juicy gossip to uncover. He chuckled mischievously. "If you promise to tell me all about it tonight, I’ll let you know."

"You won’t even need to ask; I’ll explain everything when the time comes."

"Alright." Xuxu thought for a moment before letting out a light laugh. "I actually do know of a convenience store right across from your residential compound. The owner is a friend of my mom’s. I heard his son is doing quite well in the Capital City and plans to bring his dad over to enjoy a comfortable retirement. So, he’s looking to sell the store first. Want me to contact him for you?"

"Yes," Lin Shen said immediately. "How about today? It’s the one right at the entrance of my compound, right? I’ll go take a look."

"Sure, I’ll give my friend a heads-up, and you can go ask him about it."

"OK."

After hanging up, Lin Shen hurriedly grabbed Qin Yuenan’s hand with an awkward expression. "Um, about..."

"There’s no need to explain."

Qin Yuenan wasn’t actually angry about this. After all, Lin Shen had been busy with his career lately and hadn’t had the time to deal with his personal life, let alone inform everyone around him about his breakup. For men, breakups weren’t usually something they casually brought up with friends and family. Unless they happened to be gathered together for a meal, in which case they might take the opportunity to bring it up. And tonight would be the perfect time.

However, if he brought Qin Yuenan to the gathering, they would definitely be bombarded with questions. Therefore, Lin Shen wanted to give Qin Yuenan a heads-up in advance.

"Nan, can you promise not to get angry tonight?"

"I definitely won’t get angry." Qin Yuenan raised an eyebrow, her expression remaining as indifferent as ever. "Why would I be mad? You have nothing to do with that ex-girlfriend of yours anymore, so what is there for me to be angry about?"

She shot Lin Shen a cold glance. "When tonight comes, I’ll prove who your real girlfriend is."

"..."

Qin Yuenan’s words left Lin Shen feeling completely helpless, but he had no choice. Matters of the heart simply had to be faced head-on. Just as he was at a loss for words, Xuxu sent a message, arriving like a firefighter to the rescue.

[Xuxu: Shen, I’ve contacted him. You can just go straight to him.]

[Lin Shen: Yeah, thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal later.]

[Xuxu: Oh? So generous? Then I’ll definitely have to bleed your wallet dry.]

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