Chapter 168: The Agreement

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: The Agreement

"That’s right, Grandpa, Grandma. I haven’t even thought about running the business myself. Just having a share is enough for me. Once you all put in the effort and make the business grow, I’ll have money to spend without having to do a thing. How wonderful would that be?" Gu Nuan Nuan chuckled, looking as if she’d just struck gold.

"But..." Zhang Dazhuang hesitated.

"Dad, no more ’buts.’ Let’s just settle it this way. It’s easy to have an idea, but turning that idea into reality is hard. It’s not a simple matter; it takes a ton of effort. So, to make sure our family stays happy and harmonious forever, we should nip any potential sources of conflict in the bud right now."

Zhang Minzhen’s tone was resolute. "Take ten percent from my and Nuannuan’s shares and give it to Eldest Brother. And in the future, don’t give me the five percent share you’re holding—give that to Eldest Brother, too. If he feels that’s not right, he can just convert that five percent into cash for me later. It’s the same either way. This is the best solution. You really don’t need to feel like you owe Nuannuan and me anything, because we’re not losing out in the slightest."

"What do you think?" Zhang Dazhuang thought for a long moment before turning to Wen Xiu.

"Let’s do as Minzhen said." Wen Xiu pulled Gu Nuan Nuan closer, stroking her head. Her gaze was a mixture of complexity and conflict. "But, Nuannuan, splitting it this way still means you and your mom are getting the short end of the stick."

"Who says we’re losing out? If anyone is, it’s Eldest Uncle’s family. He’s the one who has to lead everyone in building this business from the ground up. That means not only a ton of hard work but also endless things to worry about. As the saying goes, ’It’s easier to conquer a kingdom than to rule it.’ It won’t be easy for my cousins in the future, either. When you think about it, Mom and I are the lucky ones! We get to enjoy the fruits of their labor without all the stress."

Seeing her grandmother still hesitating and looking like she wanted to say more, Gu Nuan Nuan smiled. "Grandma, we’re a family. If we have to keep such a clear count of everything between us, can we even call ourselves a family?"

"You’re right, we’re a family." Wen Xiu’s heart stirred, and she pulled Gu Nuan Nuan into a hug, her eyes filled with a deep warmth. "Good girl. To be honest, Grandma has her selfish side. When you get old, the last thing you want is to see your children turn against each other and destroy their bond. I can’t bear even the slightest hint of that. This time, no matter how you slice it, you and your mom took a step back. Grandpa and I will talk to your eldest uncle and aunt privately and make things clear. In the future, when it comes to what your grandpa and I leave behind, you and your mom will get a share, not just your eldest uncle."

"Mom, that’s for the future. Why are you talking about this with a child right now?" Zhang Minzhen chided from the side.

"Nuannuan isn’t an ordinary child. She’s incredibly smart. And I’m saying this to give you some peace of mind, so you don’t think your father and I are just biased toward your eldest brother. We both know that by taking this step back, there’s no telling how much you might lose out on in the future. What we can do to compensate you is nothing in comparison," Wen Xiu sighed. ’She had to admit to herself that between her eldest son and youngest daughter, she really did favor her son more.’

"What your mother said goes for me too. It’s settled then." Zhang Dazhuang finally nodded in agreement.

「The next day」

Gu Nuan Nuan began going with her grandpa, eldest uncle, and mother to help out in Lihua Village.

"Helping out" was a loose term. She mostly just tagged along when her mother delivered meals and snacks, helping push the cart. Her mother wouldn’t let her get involved with the actual cooking. ’The truly busy times are still ahead,’ Gu Nuan Nuan thought. ’I’ll probably have even less free time then.’ So, she didn’t press the issue and obediently used the downtime to catch up on her summer homework.

As for Han Bingquan, after a warning from her eldest uncle, he hadn’t dared to appear before the mother-daughter duo for the past two days. Today, as Gu Nuan Nuan and her mother were returning from delivering lunch, they once again passed his house. Just as they did, the door opened with a CREAK. He looked like he was about to step out, but the moment he saw them, his expression shifted. He let out an awkward laugh, then hastily retreated inside and slammed the door shut.

After they were a good distance away, Gu Nuan Nuan deliberately glanced back. She saw the man reappear at his door and stare at their backs. Then, he gave himself a light slap across the face. Gu Nuan Nuan could just barely hear him mutter, "Look at you, you worthless coward."

Gu Nuan Nuan turned back around, unable to stop laughing. When she told Zhang Minzhen about it, she couldn’t help but laugh too. That evening, they shared the story as a joke with Zhang Dazhuang and Zhang Wei Qiang, and the two men roared with laughter as well. The whole incident made Gu Nuan Nuan sigh. ’It really is a world where looks are everything. Attractive people have a natural advantage.’

’If that Han Bingquan weren’t so ugly and creepy but a total heartthrob instead, I probably wouldn’t have even bothered telling Eldest Uncle about him as a precaution. Even if he was drooling over Mom, I might have let it slide, for the sake of his handsome face, as long as he didn’t do anything too outrageous...’

Days passed one by one, and there was no further news from her grandpa and uncle about the shares. Finally, after another five or six days, Gu Nuan Nuan’s grandfather gathered everyone to discuss the matter again. The final agreement was only slightly different from what Gu Nuan Nuan had initially proposed. Zhang Wei Qiang and Lin Qin would hold 35% of the shares; Gu Nuan Nuan would have 25%; Zhang Minzhen would have 20%; and the remaining 20% would belong to Zhang Dazhuang and Wen Xiu.

They also put everything in writing: Gu Nuan Nuan’s 25% share would be held under Zhang Minzhen’s name until she turned eighteen, at which point it would be transferred to her. As for Zhang Dazhuang and Wen Xiu’s 20%, it would all go to Zhang Wei Qiang after they passed away. However, Zhang Wei Qiang would have to convert half of that inheritance (i.e., a 10% stake) into cash. Half of that cash would go to Gu Nuan Nuan, and the other half would be divided equally among the three siblings—Zhang Minzhen, Zhang Weihong, and Zhang Weimin.

After everyone had signed and put their thumbprints on the three copies of the agreement, Zhang Dazhuang cleared his throat. "Minzhen’s new house in Lihua Village will be finished in a little over half a month. Scouting the mountain path should take five or six days, ten at the most. After that, our whole family will be together, working as one to make this bun business a success. Nuannuan was right before: a train needs a strong engine to lead the way. I’m getting old and don’t have the energy I used to, so I’m not the right person for the job. Minzhen also feels she isn’t suitable and has recommended Qiangzi. So, Qiangzi will have to be our engine. In the future, everyone can still voice their ideas about the business, but when it comes to the final say, we’ll all listen to Qiangzi."

Everyone nodded in agreement at Zhang Dazhuang’s words. A look of pure delight spread across Lin Qin’s face, and her gaze toward Zhang Minzhen and Gu Nuan Nuan grew noticeably softer.

Zhang Wei Qiang looked over at Zhang Minzhen and Gu Nuan Nuan and nodded. "Since Little Sis, Nuannuan, and Mom and Dad all trust me to take the lead, I won’t shrink from the responsibility. However, I have two conditions. First, for Nuannuan’s 25% share, she won’t need to contribute any more capital. Her profits will be paid out as usual. Second, from now on, Little Sis will handle all the bookkeeping and finances."

"Eldest Brother, I agree to the second point, but the first one isn’t necessary, is it? You know I have money on hand now." Zhang Minzhen and Gu Nuan Nuan exchanged a glance before Zhang Minzhen stood up to speak.

This time, it was Lin Qin who spoke up first. "Little Sis, just listen to your brother on this. Your brother and I already feel terrible that you two gave up that ten percent share. Besides, we’re only waiving the capital investment for Nuannuan’s portion, not yours."

"No more arguments. Just listen to your eldest brother on this," Zhang Dazhuang and Wen Xiu said in unison.