Chapter 31: The Weight of the Decision

The next morning, Liang Chen awoke with the same weight on his shoulders. Despite trying to rest, his mind had been occupied all night with the decision ahead.

The Zhenzhi Group's offer was too big to ignore, yet the strings attached kept nagging at him. It wasn't just about the money or the fame—it was about the essence of what he had built.

After getting dressed, he made his way to the restaurant, trying to clear his head with the cool morning air.

The streets were still quiet at this early hour, and the usual hustle of the city hadn't yet started. Liang appreciated these peaceful moments before the rush began.

When he arrived at the restaurant, Zhu was already there, bustling about in preparation for the day.

She looked up as Liang walked in, her expression shifting into a small frown when she noticed the deep lines of worry on his face.

"You didn't sleep, did you?" Zhu asked, her hands pausing over the menus she was organizing.

Liang gave her a sheepish smile. "Not much, no. It's this Zhenzhi deal—it's been eating at me."

Zhu nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I can tell. You've had that 'I'm stuck in my own head' look for days. Want to talk about it?"

Liang took a deep breath and sat down at one of the tables, his fingers tapping absently on the surface. "I know what they're offering is huge. It's the kind of deal that could make this restaurant an international name. But... I'm worried that I'll lose what makes this place special. They say I'll have creative control, but I don't know how long that would last."

Zhu slid into the seat across from him, her expression thoughtful. "You've got every right to be cautious. Big money deals like that always come with hidden expectations. But at the same time, if you don't take the opportunity, you might regret it later. The question is, can you trust yourself to navigate that world and still keep your integrity?"

Liang leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "That's the problem. I don't know if I can. I'm just one guy running a small restaurant. I'm not sure I can handle the corporate side of things."

"You've already done the impossible by building this place from nothing," Zhu said firmly. "You're smarter and more capable than you think, Liang. But if your gut is telling you something's off, you need to listen to it."

Her words offered a bit of comfort, but the decision still loomed over him. Liang gave Zhu a grateful nod and stood up, heading back to the kitchen to start his day.

Maybe if he immersed himself in his work, the answer would come to him.

The lunch crowd came and went as usual, with customers filling the restaurant and praising the dishes that Liang and his team prepared. Everything ran smoothly, but Liang's mind remained distracted.

As the afternoon slowed down, he found himself staring out of the kitchen window at the bustling street, still lost in thought.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, jolting him out of his reverie. He pulled it out and saw an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. Hesitating for a moment, he answered.

"Liang Chen," he said.

"Chef Liang, good afternoon," came the smooth voice of Zhao Wen, the Zhenzhi Group's representative. "I wanted to check in with you. I understand this decision requires careful thought, but I wanted to remind you that we'll need your answer soon."

Liang clenched his jaw slightly. He knew this call was coming, but it didn't make it any easier. "I'm still considering it, Zhao. It's a big decision for me."

"Of course," Zhao replied, his tone as polished as ever. "But as I mentioned before, the Zhenzhi Group moves quickly. We have other opportunities on the table, and we'd hate to move forward without you. You're the best at what you do, Liang, but you don't want to miss out on something this big."

The pressure in Zhao's voice was subtle but unmistakable. Liang could feel the walls closing in around him.

He had always hated being rushed into decisions, but Zhao was right in one sense—opportunities like this didn't come along every day.

"I appreciate the offer, Zhao," Liang said carefully. "But I need to be sure this is right for me. I'll give you my answer soon."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Zhao responded, "I trust you will, Chef Liang. We're excited about what we can achieve together. Don't take too long."

With that, the call ended, leaving Liang standing in the middle of his kitchen, the tension mounting. He stared at his phone, wondering if the decision would get any easier with time.

Later that evening, after the restaurant had closed, Liang sat in the quiet dining room, nursing a cup of tea. The place was empty except for Zhu, who had stayed late to finish some paperwork. She glanced up from the counter, noticing Liang's pensive expression.

"Still thinking about the offer?" she asked, her voice cutting through the silence.

Liang nodded. "Zhao called today. He's pushing for an answer."

Zhu raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like they're getting impatient."

"Yeah," Liang muttered, taking a sip of his tea. "I know they want an answer, but I just can't make up my mind. The money, the fame—it's all so tempting. But I don't want to be tied down to obligations I don't want."

Zhu leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "You don't have to rush into anything. Just because they're pushing doesn't mean you have to jump. This is your life, your restaurant. If they really want you, they'll wait for your decision."

Liang knew she was right, but it didn't make the pressure any less intense. He set down his cup, rubbing his temples in frustration. "I just wish I could see how this would play out. If I knew for sure that I wouldn't lose control of the restaurant, maybe I could make a decision."

Zhu looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "Have you thought about negotiating? Maybe you can tweak the terms to make sure you don't get locked into anything that makes you uncomfortable."

Liang blinked, surprised by the suggestion. "Negotiating? I hadn't really considered that. I thought the deal was set in stone."

Zhu shrugged. "Maybe it is, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Worst case, they say no, and you walk away. Best case, they give you the freedom you're looking for. You've got leverage here, Liang. They came to you because they need you, not the other way around."

Her words made sense. Liang had been so focused on whether to accept or decline the offer that he hadn't thought about the possibility of negotiating better terms. It was worth a shot, at least.

"Maybe you're right," Liang said slowly, the gears in his mind beginning to turn. "If I can get them to agree to more flexible terms, I might be able to make this work."

Zhu smiled. "Exactly. You're not just some chef—they want the best. You've got power in this situation, Liang. Use it."

Liang felt a spark of hope for the first time in days. Maybe there was a way to navigate this deal without sacrificing what he had worked so hard to build.

He would need to think carefully about how to approach the negotiation, but it was a step forward.

The following day, Liang called Zhao Wen, asking for a meeting to discuss the terms of the offer in more detail. Zhao, sensing the potential for a breakthrough, agreed to meet Liang at the restaurant later that evening.

When Zhao arrived, dressed impeccably as always, Liang greeted him with a firm handshake and led him to a table in the empty dining room.

"I've given your offer a lot of thought," Liang began, his tone measured. "And while I'm interested in the opportunity, there are a few things I'd like to discuss before I can make a decision."

Zhao leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but curious. "Of course. We're open to hearing your concerns."

Liang took a deep breath. "I need assurances that I won't lose creative control over my restaurant. If I'm going to partner with the Zhenzhi Group, I want to make sure that I still get to run this place the way I want to."

Zhao's gaze sharpened slightly, but he nodded. "That's understandable. We value your creative vision, Chef Liang. What exactly do you have in mind?"

Liang laid out his terms carefully, outlining the flexibility he wanted in managing his restaurant and his refusal to be tied down to events or obligations that didn't align with his goals.

He also requested more autonomy in how future expansions would be handled, ensuring that any new locations would stay true to his brand.

Zhao listened intently, occasionally nodding as Liang spoke. When Liang finished, Zhao leaned forward, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"These are reasonable requests," Zhao said finally. "I'll need to discuss them with the board, but I believe we can come to an agreement that satisfies both parties."

Liang felt a wave of relief wash over him. It wasn't a yes, but it was a step in the right direction.

As Zhao left the restaurant that evening, Liang stood by the door, watching him go. He had taken a risk by negotiating, but it seemed to have paid off.

Now, all he could do was wait for the Zhenzhi Group's response.

But for the first time in days, Liang felt a sense of control over his future. Whatever happened next, he knew he had done everything he could to protect what he had built.

The decision was no longer a burden—it was an opportunity.