Chapter 0412: Unable to Refuse

In this world, there are no absolute good people, nor absolute bad people. Some appear righteous on the surface but engage in all kinds of evil behind the scenes, while others look ferocious but are actually kind-hearted. A murderer might toss a few coins to a homeless person, but officials are not necessarily all loving parents to their people.

Zhao Fusheng was surprised and somewhat taken aback by Zhang Qian's story, but he didn't react otherwise. After all, deep down he was an adult, and having seen the vicissitudes of life, he had a deeper understanding of the word 'tragedy' than most.

However, Zhao Fusheng really hadn't expected the welfare home to be this dilapidated.

Through the old lady's introduction, Zhao Fusheng learned that this Red Star Welfare Home had existed since the founding of the nation, over half a century ago. From a state-run welfare home at the beginning to now a burden on the district, in the old lady's words, the annual funding was a drop in the bucket. The children here could only attend elementary school; they couldn't even afford middle school tuition.

After deducting the fare for the return trip, Zhao Fusheng left all the cash he had with the old lady and said, 'Grandma, I'll come again next week.'

Walking out of the welfare home, Zhao Fusheng said softly to Zhang Qian, who was following him, 'What I said to you that day still stands.'

Zhang Qian frowned, paused, and said, 'I promised Grandpa I wouldn't fight anymore.'

Zhao Fusheng nodded and smiled, 'Were you in the military?'

Zhang Qian grunted, 'Classified.'

Zhao Fusheng blinked but didn't ask further.

'I really can't fight.' Seeing Zhao Fusheng silent, Zhang Qian hesitated and repeated.

Zhao Fusheng laughed, pointing at himself, 'Look at me. Do I seem like someone who likes to fight?'

Zhang Qian was startled, looked at Zhao Fusheng for a minute, then nodded, 'Yeah...'

Pfft!

Zhao Fusheng was utterly speechless. He squinted at Zhang Qian. If he could beat this guy, he'd definitely teach him a lesson.

Is there something wrong with his eyes?

A simple and kind person like me, how am I someone who likes to fight?

Of course, at this moment, he conveniently forgot about his past fights and the fact that if the robbers hadn't been three and all armed with knives, he would have beaten that guy to the ground one-on-one.

'Don't judge by appearances,' Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Qian after thinking for a while. 'I'm in legitimate business. There's something I need your help with.'

This time it was Zhang Qian's turn to look puzzled, staring at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

He found it hard to believe that someone Zhao Fusheng's age was already running his own business.

Even though Chen Jianmin had told him that the fifty thousand yuan for the old man's medical treatment came from Zhao Fusheng.

'Don't worry, I want you to work for me because I need someone to help oversee this business,' Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

He was telling the truth. Zhao Fusheng had never intended for Zhang Qian to help him do anything bad.

As the saying goes, do not fail to do good even if it's small, and do not engage in evil even if it's small. In life, everyone has an angel and a devil inside. More accurately, no one is born liking to do bad things; even a murderer was just a clueless baby at birth. The reason they later go down the wrong path is due to environmental influences and personal qualities.

'As long as it's not illegal, I'll do my best,' Zhang Qian said.

Zhao Fusheng broke out in a cold sweat. What was this guy thinking?

'Here's the thing: I'm planning to open an arcade, the kind with all sorts of video games. I'll show you the materials later, and you'll understand,' Zhao Fusheng explained the concept of an arcade to Zhang Qian.

'I have other things to handle, so I won't have time to manage it. I want you to be the manager, got it?' Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian hesitated, then said quietly, 'I don't know how...'

Clearly, the position of manager made him a bit scared.

Every gain comes with a loss. Since the other party had given him so much, Zhang Qian was afraid he couldn't repay it.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. He naturally understood what Zhang Qian meant. In his view, Zhang Qian's thoughts were normal. If it were him, suddenly encountering such a situation, he might not even dare to continue listening.

The fact that Zhang Qian could still stand there and chat with him at least showed that he was someone who knew how to repay kindness.

A person who knows gratitude and has his own bottom line is at least trustworthy.

'This arcade will require an investment of about six hundred thousand. As for the location, I plan to choose the fifth floor of Wanda Mall.' Zhao Fusheng walked ahead. In mid-April in the north, the weather had warmed up. The early spring breeze blew, and the tender buds that had hidden all winter emerged, making people feel the vitality of spring.

'That much?' Zhang Qian was stunned when he heard the number.

It wasn't thirty or fifty thousand, but a full six hundred thousand.

'Because the arcade we're opening isn't a small game room; it's a comprehensive entertainment facility,' Zhao Fusheng explained. 'Simply put, young people can have a great time here.'

'Have you seen a dance machine?' Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian shook his head. 'I joined the army right after high school.'

Zhao Fusheng gave him a helpless look and tactfully didn't ask further. The guy was good in every way, but whenever it came to his time in the military, he played dumb.

'You definitely can't manage it alone. Later, you can do this: if anyone in the welfare home is over eighteen and unemployed, they can come work at the arcade,' Zhao Fusheng suddenly said to Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian was taken aback, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise. 'You, you mean it?'

Zhao Fusheng looked at him speechlessly. He had given him money, helped treat his grandfather, and even offered him a well-paying job, but the guy hadn't been this excited. Now, just mentioning the welfare home, he got like this—it was infuriating.

'Of course I mean it.' Zhao Fusheng shot him a look. 'But I have two conditions. First, you must ensure that these kids from the welfare home don't get into fights at the arcade. Second, you must ensure that no one causes trouble in the arcade.'

After saying that, Zhao Fusheng waved his hand. 'As for salary, six hundred yuan a month, including room and board. For now, we need ten people: cashiers and service staff.'

Zhao Fusheng blinked and said to Zhang Qian, 'You'll be the manager and head of security, with a salary of one thousand.'

Head of security?

Zhang Qian was stunned. He felt that this seemed to be the real reason Zhao Fusheng wanted him at the arcade.