Chapter 25: An Unexpected Offer

The rest of the night was restless for Liang Chen. Even after Tian Xuan had left the restaurant, his presence lingered like a shadow in the back of Liang's mind.

The offer, though vague, opened a door that seemed both tempting and dangerous.

The Tian Group was a powerful entity, but their reach extended far beyond the culinary world.

Liang knew that aligning with them meant stepping into a much larger game than he had anticipated.

By morning, the weight of the decision was pressing on him.

Liang sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the card Tian Xuan had left behind. He had no doubt that they would be in touch soon, but it left him with a gnawing feeling of uncertainty.

What exactly did Tian Xuan mean by "collaboration"? And what would the consequences be if he declined?

There was a knock at his door. Liang glanced at the clock—it was early, too early for most people to be awake, let alone visiting.

He groaned as he pulled himself out of bed and walked to the door.

Zhu was standing there, looking unusually serious. "Morning, boss," he said, though his tone lacked its usual lightheartedness.

Liang raised an eyebrow. "What's up? You're here early."

Zhu glanced around before stepping inside. "We need to talk about last night."

Liang's heart skipped a beat. "Tian Xuan?"

Zhu nodded, shutting the door behind him. "I've been doing some digging. The Tian Group isn't just any corporation. They have ties to some... questionable dealings. People who work with them tend to either rise to the top, or disappear completely."

Liang frowned. "What do you mean?"

"There are rumors," Zhu continued, lowering his voice. "Rumors that the Tian Group controls more than just businesses. They have influence in politics, the black market, and even the underworld. They're not the kind of people you want to cross."

Liang felt a cold chill run down his spine.

He had known the Tian Group was powerful, but he hadn't realized just how deep their influence ran.

"So what are you saying?" Liang asked, though he already had a sinking feeling he knew the answer.

"I'm saying you need to be careful," Zhu replied. "This 'offer' they're giving you? It might sound good on the surface, but it could come with strings attached that you won't be able to untangle."

Liang's mind raced. He had worked too hard to build his restaurant from the ground up, and the last thing he wanted was to get entangled in something that could jeopardize everything he had achieved.

But at the same time, the Tian Group's backing could elevate him to heights he had never imagined.

"Do you think I should turn them down?" Liang asked.

Zhu hesitated. "It's not my place to tell you what to do. But whatever you decide, just make sure you know what you're getting into. These people don't make offers lightly."

Liang nodded, his mind still spinning. "Thanks, Zhu. I appreciate you looking into this."

Zhu gave him a small smile. "Of course, boss. I've got your back."

As the day wore on, Liang tried to focus on his usual routine, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Tian Xuan.

The man's calm, measured demeanor, the way he had evaluated the restaurant, the subtle but unmistakable air of control—all of it made Liang feel like he was being watched, tested even.

Was this part of the Tian Group's plan? To make him second-guess himself before they approached him again?

Later that afternoon, Wei Lan stopped by the kitchen, sensing the tension in the air. "You seem distracted today, Liang," she remarked, her voice soft but concerned.

Liang sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's... complicated. We had a guest last night, someone from the Tian Group. He made me an offer, but I'm not sure what to make of it."

Wei Lan's eyes widened. "The Tian Group? As in the Tian Group? That's... big, Liang. Really big."

"I know," Liang replied, his voice heavy. "But it also feels dangerous. Zhu's been looking into them, and it turns out they're involved in a lot more than just business."

Wei Lan's expression turned serious. "Do you trust them?"

Liang shook his head. "Not yet. I don't know if I can."

Wei Lan was quiet for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. "You've worked so hard to build this place," she said finally. "I'd hate to see you get wrapped up in something that could ruin everything."

Liang nodded, appreciating her concern. "That's what I'm afraid of too."

Wei Lan placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle but reassuring. "Whatever decision you make, we're here for you. You don't have to face this alone."

Liang smiled, though the weight of the decision still loomed over him. "Thanks, Lan. That means a lot."

As evening fell, the restaurant closed early again.

Liang had decided to take some time to think, to clear his head and figure out his next move. He sat at one of the tables near the window, staring out at the city below.

The lights flickered like stars in the distance, a constant reminder of the world beyond his restaurant's walls.

His phone buzzed on the table. Liang glanced at the screen and felt his heart drop—it was an unknown number. He hesitated for a moment before picking it up.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Liang," a familiar voice greeted him. "This is Tian Xuan. I hope I'm not interrupting your evening."

Liang swallowed. "No, not at all."

"I wanted to follow up on our conversation from last night," Tian Xuan continued, his voice as smooth and calm as ever. "I realize my offer may have been somewhat unexpected, so I wanted to give you more details."

Liang leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "I'm listening."

Tian Xuan chuckled softly. "I won't mince words. The Tian Group is interested in partnering with you. We believe that your talent and innovation in the culinary world would be a valuable asset to our portfolio. In return, we can offer you resources that would allow you to expand beyond what you currently imagine."

Liang's grip tightened on the phone. "Expand? How?"

"With our backing, you could open restaurants in the most prestigious locations around the world. We would provide the capital, the marketing, and the connections to make it happen. In return, we would take a share of the profits, of course."

Liang frowned. "What's the catch?"

"There is no catch, Mr. Liang," Tian Xuan replied smoothly. "We only ask for loyalty. We expect our partners to be as dedicated to us as we are to them."

Loyalty. The word hung in the air like a heavy cloud. Liang knew that loyalty to an entity like the Tian Group wasn't just a casual commitment.

It was a lifetime contract, one that could cost him far more than just his restaurant.

"I'll need some time to think about it," Liang said carefully.

"Of course," Tian Xuan replied. "Take as much time as you need. But do keep in mind that opportunities like this don't come often. We wouldn't want you to miss out."

The line went dead, leaving Liang sitting in silence.

For the next few days, Liang avoided making any decisions.

He kept himself busy with the restaurant, pushing the offer to the back of his mind, though it never fully left his thoughts.

He could feel the weight of it in everything he did, like an invisible presence that followed him everywhere.

One evening, as he was cleaning up after a particularly busy night, his father, Mr. Chen, dropped by the restaurant. He hadn't seen his parents in a while, and their unexpected visit came as a surprise.

"Dad?" Liang greeted, wiping his hands on a towel. "What brings you here?"

Mr. Chen smiled, though there was a knowing glint in his eyes. "Your mother and I wanted to check on you. We've been hearing a lot about your restaurant lately, and we're proud of you."

Liang chuckled, though he couldn't shake the tension in his chest. "Thanks, Dad. I've been... busy."

"I can see that," his father said, his tone light but with an underlying seriousness. "But busy with what, exactly?"

Liang hesitated for a moment before deciding to confide in his father. He explained the offer from Tian Xuan and the dilemma he was facing. Mr. Chen listened quietly, his expression unreadable.

When Liang finished, his father remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Son, I know you've worked hard for everything you have. But sometimes, the things that seem like the biggest opportunities are the ones that can cost you the most."

Liang nodded, the weight of his father's words sinking in. "So you think I should turn them down?"

"I think you need to ask yourself what's more important," Mr. Chen said softly. "Success at any cost, or staying true to who you are?"

Liang didn't respond immediately. He stared out the window again, the lights of the city twinkling in the distance.

His father was right. The choice was his to make, but it wasn't just about business. It was about who he wanted to become.