Chapter 425: Chapter 426 Wang Tianba
In the secluded alley, basically no one would come here. Doing business in such a place is like courting death.
"Because the rent is relatively cheap, and we mostly take orders online, so there’s not much need for a location. We rely on our skills to support ourselves," Li Chen explained just as he arrived at the studio, addressing Su Changfeng.
Su Changfeng nodded and went inside with Li Chen.
The place wasn’t very big, a lot of finished products were scattered around, looking a bit messy, hardly comparable to the high-end stores for wedding photography. If it weren’t for Li Chen’s good online reputation, it’s unlikely anyone would actively seek him out.
"Forgive the mess inside," Li Chen said awkwardly.
"If I had known your studio environment was like this at the beginning, I would definitely not have chosen you," Su Changfeng said frankly.
Li Chen looked embarrassed. This environment indeed couldn’t leave a good impression, but he was forced by circumstances; starting a business wasn’t as simple as imagined.
"I see you have a good reputation online. Logically, there should be many people coming for wedding photos. Why not move to another location?" Tang Qiulu asked skeptically.
Li Chen smiled briefly, not offering any explanation, but Su Changfeng noticed something unusual about Xu Weiwei, as if it was a matter Li Chen found hard to speak about.
Since it’s something he doesn’t want to say, Su Changfeng certainly wouldn’t ask too many questions.
"All the photos are now fully edited. You can choose which ones to frame or make into display items, or perhaps into small accessories," Li Chen said.
As the two were selecting photos, they finally understood why Li Chen’s reputation was so good. His photography skills were indeed exceptional; every photo was a perfect work of art, placing Tang Qiulu in a particularly conflicted state, as she wasn’t sure which was the best.
"What to do? I want to hang all these photos in our house," Tang Qiulu said, looking conflicted as she spoke to Su Changfeng.
"Why not make them into stickers and cover the whole house with them?" Su Changfeng laughed.
Tang Qiulu shook her head nonstop, though she too wanted to do that. It was a bit too much; if one day someone visited and saw them, it would be quite embarrassing.
While the two were choosing photos, Li Chen and Xu Weiwei were chatting on the side.
"Brother Chen, how’s Auntie’s condition lately?" Xu Weiwei asked.
As soon as the topic was mentioned, Li Chen sighed helplessly, saying softly, "Same as before. I visited her yesterday, and the attending doctor talked to me about giving up treatment again, but..."
Li Chen hadn’t finished his sentence, but Xu Weiwei knew what choice he would make. Seeing the unhidden sadness in Li Chen’s eyes made Xu Weiwei’s heart ache a little.
Li Chen’s foster mother had been hospitalized for nearly a year. During her hospital stay, Li Chen’s savings had been almost entirely spent, and the hospital had suggested many times that he give up treatment, but Li Chen’s determination remained unchanged.
In Li Chen’s eyes, the kindness of his foster mother’s upbringing was enough to drive him to do so.
"Well well, finally opened the door. I thought your shop had closed," a disdainful voice came from the entrance.
Seeing the newcomer, Li Chen quickly stood up and hurried to the studio’s entrance, smiling broadly as he said, "Brother Tianba, what brings you here?"
Wang Tianba, the local gang leader, had a few followers. He always targeted the surrounding shops for cleaning fees.
"Why I came here, surely you know. Look at your door, it’s so dirty it’s unbearable," Wang Tianba said.
As soon as he finished speaking, his followers threw the trash they were holding directly on the ground—empty bottles, rotten banana peels, chip bags.
Seeing their hooligan behavior, Li Chen was at a loss and said, "Brother Tianba, I’m also tight on money right now, really out of spare cash. There’s no need to trouble you with cleaning this trash."
Just as Li Chen bent down intending to pick up the trash from the ground, a green-haired underling beside Wang Tianba kicked him.
"For such minor things, as a boss, you shouldn’t do it yourself. Let us handle it for you."
Li Chen was kicked to the ground, watching this group pick up the trash they had just thrown down again, his fists unconsciously clenched.
He had encountered such rogue behavior many times before; when he had money, he didn’t mind giving them some, but now he truly had no extra money.
Moreover, when he went to the hospital yesterday, he paid more for the hospitalization. If he can’t get orders immediately, he won’t have money for meals.
"Brother Tianba, why don’t you give me a few days, and later when I have more money, I’ll pay you for both times?" Li Chen said.
Wang Tianba stood over Li Chen, arrogantly saying, "Liu Chen, I understand you’re supporting an old guy who’s bedridden, but she’s almost dead, so it doesn’t matter if she dies. Why are you still supporting her so much? I’ve heard she’s not your biological mother; why waste so much money on her? If you had that money, you could give me more; I could even guarantee your safety."
"Brother Tianba, she raised me into adulthood, please speak of her with respect," Li Chen said through gritted teeth.
"Respect?" Wang Tianba slapped Li Chen’s face, spat disdainfully, and said, "If you have money, I can respect you, but without money, you’re worse than a dog, damn it, and you still want face from me, what the hell are you?"
"Brother Tianba, Brother Chen really doesn’t have money now, please give him some time. When he has money, he’ll definitely send it to you," Xu Weiwei said anxiously.
Looking at Xu Weiwei’s long legs exposed under her hot pants, Wang Tianba’s lustful intentions arose immediately, saying, "Why don’t you help your boss?"
Seeing Wang Tianba’s lustful gaze, Xu Weiwei instinctively took a step back, "I... I don’t have money."
"It’s easier without money, if you’re willing to accompany me once, then I won’t bother him this time, how about that?" Wang Tianba walked to Xu Weiwei’s side, took a deep breath, and continued, "What brand is your perfume? Why does it smell so enchanting, making me burn with desire so early in the morning."
"Brother Tianba, this matter has nothing to do with her, she’s just here to work, please don’t bother her," Li Chen said.
Wang Tianba impatiently glanced at Li Chen, angrily saying, "Li Chen, I’ll give you two choices: either pay now, and we take the money and leave, or let this girl have fun with us; otherwise, don’t think your lousy shop can continue operating. If the photos inside get smashed, you’ll lose even more. Think carefully."