Tenant’s Secret Love

Chapter 100: An appointment with Robert

After a round, I returned to the entrance of the bar, and Violetta, CC, and Robben arrived as promised.

Robben, who I hadn't seen for a long time, joked with me, saying, “Lucas, after a round, you have returned in the guise of a savior.”

I smiled and said with gratitude, putting my arm around his shoulder, ‘You've taken care of the bar during this time!”

“We’

Robben's temperament is similar to mine. I nodded and didn't say any more pretentious things. I pulled out a cigarette and handed it to him, lit one for myself, and then looked at the bar's sign.

Violetta's bar, named “Bobo Music Bar,” is a very fashionable name, but many bars are using this style of name, so it is drowned in fashion and individuality, and there is nothing special about it.

The bar opens after 7 pm. Violetta opens the closed door and guides us in, then turns on the lights.

Looking at the bar's hardware configuration and decoration, I believe the investment in this bar was definitely not less than one million yuan, but in this commercial street, where a commercial atmosphere has yet to form, such a huge investment is obviously very risky.

Of course, if someone is brave enough to spend 10 million yuan on the most luxurious bar in Suzhou, that would be a different story, and it could even drive the development of the entire commercial street. But then again, with 10 million yuan, who would be interested in investing in a commercial street that has not yet formed an environment?

An investment of more than one million yuan is just the standard investment for a bar, and it simply does not create a sensation. Therefore, the hope for business can only be pinned on the development of the entire commercial street.

But it is really too difficult to change consumers' consumption habits and get them to spend money in a different commercial street from the one they were originally in. This is no longer something that can be solved by conventional marketing methods, and the marketing environment is extremely poor. This is entirely due to the weakness of the entire commercial street, not just the bar.

After further analysis, I became even more pessimistic. At

I thought for a moment and asked, “How much money do you have in hand?”

Violetta replied with some despondency, ‘Less than 100,000 yuan.”

“That's okay, it can still support for a while. Let's postpone the bar's operation and first find a way to pay off the loan sharks you borrowed money from.”

As soon as I finished speaking, CC said, ’I have more than 200,000 yuan in savings, let Violetta use it first.”

This was no time for false modesty, so without waiting for Violetta to speak, I agreed.

Robben, who had been silent, also said, “I don't have much in the bank, less than 20,000 yuan, but it can be used for Violetta for now.”

“You're awesome, you even have 20,000 yuan in the bank, when I left Suzhou I didn't even have 2,000 yuan on me!” I exclaimed!

Robben laughed and said, “You Lucas are not someone that just anyone can surpass!”

In such teasing words, everyone forced a smile, but Violetta refused to take Robben's 20,000 yuan, because Robben had been singing for free at the bar for more than a month.

After forcing a smile, Violetta told us, “I will find a way to get the rest of the money myself, thank you all.”

I immediately asked, ”Tell me, where will you find a way?”

“I will definitely find a way,” Violetta said vaguely, without saying where she was going to get the money.

“Violetta, listen to me. We'll figure this out together. Whatever you do, don't do anything stupid, understand?” I reminded Violetta seriously, afraid that she would get herself into deeper and deeper trouble.

CC then said to Violetta, ”Lucas is right. Everyone makes mistakes, but you shouldn't make the same mistake twice. We all believe that you will make a big success in the entertainment industry. This is

Violetta was silent, and finally nodded.

The four of them sat for a while longer, agreeing to meet again when the bar opened in the evening, and then they went their separate ways.

...

After leaving the bar, my mood became complicated, because until that moment I had not been able to make up my mind to ask Robert for the 1 million. I had known Robert's character more or less throughout the years we had spent together.

Although he is not a money-grubber, he has a strong businessperson's temperament. And since he has been with Brittany, although we still act as if nothing has changed, there is really a gap in our hearts, which makes it even more difficult for me to bring up the subject.

But at the moment, I really don't have much choice but to go to Robert, whether he wants to or not, I have to give it a try.

After making up my mind, I finally dialed Robert's phone number, which I hadn't done for more than three months.

After a moment, Robert answered the phone, with a surprised smile, he asked, “Lucas, what brings you to call me?”

I also smiled and said, ‘Where are you now?”

“Suzhou.”

“Still in Suzhou?’ I asked in surprise.

“Yes, I've been talking to Poly Department Store about setting up a counter there. I'm going to set up a tobacco and alcohol counter there, selling only top-quality tobacco and alcohol.”

I was really surprised. I didn't realize that Robert had even branched out into business in Suzhou. After a while, I asked, “Harlan must have set this up, right?”

“Yes, this is his work achievement, and it will also expand our business territory. Testing the waters in the high-end tobacco and alcohol market in Suzhou is a win-win situation,” explained Robert.

“That's great. By the way... are you free tonight? Let's have dinner together. I also need to ask you for a favor.”

Robert readily agreed, saying, “Sure, it's good that Brittany is also in Suzhou. Let's get together.”

Hearing the name ‘Brittany,’ I suddenly fell silent, and it was a long time before I said, ”No problem. You choose the place.”

“Okay, then I'll see you tonight.”

After Robert said this, we hung up the phone separately, but my mood was even more complicated than before the call. After a lapse of three months, I was going to meet Brittany again.

I still remember how difficult it was for me to jump out of the memories she gave me. Whether I really jumped out or not, tonight's meeting might be a test. When I face her again, I don't want any more palpitations or pain...

Taking a deep breath, I put the phone in my pocket and hailed a taxi to my place. I wasn't going to do anything this afternoon, just sleep and then go to my evening appointment with Robert, and hopefully ignore Brittany completely.