Helen Brooks really wanted to spit in Brian Grant's face when he heard this, and said, "You sure have quite the appetite. With just one sentence, you want me to fork out five hundred taels again."

"But, sir, you also have the chance to get five hundred taels. This contract is fair to both of us." Brian Grant smiled.

Helen Brooks fell silent.

Brian Grant continued, "It's only because you don't trust me that I said this. Actually, during this period, I don't need you to spend any extra money. You just need to do as I say. So, if you trust me, there's no need to sign this betting contract."

Helen Brooks asked, "Then what exactly do you want me to do?"

Brian Grant said, "First, go to the Kou family and have them help you sell the restaurant."

Helen Brooks stared at Brian Grant in astonishment, his mind unable to keep up.

Brian Grant gave a wry smile and said, "I already said, I'm here for myself. But if the Kou family finds out about this, then the commission won't be mine. That's why I can't show up myself, so I need someone to act on my behalf. Since that's the case, why not let a family member benefit?"

Helen Brooks said sarcastically, "What a good family member you are."

Brian Grant mocked, "Sir, you're really wasting your talents doing business. I think you should be a county official, judging whose morals are higher. But from this, it's clear that the decline of the Chen Restaurant is not without reason."

Helen Brooks's eyes widened as he shouted angrily, "You brat, how dare you mock me!"

"Sigh... what a waste of expression."

Brian Grant sighed, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Farewell."

Chapter 0005: A Small Display of Skill

Waste of expression?

Helen Brooks was a bit dazed when he heard this. Although he didn't quite understand, in his impression, Brian Grant was never like this. On one hand, he was always polite, being a scholar after all, but on the other hand, he was adorably naive and weak, never this infuriating.

Even if he was pretending before, brokers make their living with their mouths and are usually smooth talkers.

This contrast left him at a loss.

By the time he came to his senses, Brian Grant had already walked out the door—he really left as soon as he said he would.

After all, Helen Brooks was a businessman. Given the current state of the Chen Restaurant, if he could sell it for ten thousand taels, it was truly tempting. For the sake of money, he put aside his so-called pride, hurried out to catch up, and invited Brian Grant back.

"Dear nephew, I was too rude just now. Please don't take it to heart."

Back inside, Helen Brooks's expression and tone had completely changed, calling him "dear nephew" with real affection.

In fact, this is exactly the quality a businessman should have—never go against money. If you need to flatter, then flatter. Nothing is more real than money in your own pocket.

Brian Grant sat down and said unhurriedly, "It's not really about being offended, just that we've wasted our time."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Helen Brooks nodded awkwardly, then probed a little, "Dear nephew, you really are full of surprises!"

Brian Grant chuckled, "You're too kind, too kind. But... I haven't even shown anything yet!"

Helen Brooks was taken aback, and quickly asked, "Then what brilliant plan do you have, dear nephew?"

Brian Grant opened his mouth, then suddenly changed the subject, "I think we can talk while we eat. I should also taste the food at your restaurant. The price you can get for the restaurant depends a lot on the kitchen, and you should know that better than I do."

"You're absolutely right, dear nephew. Please wait a moment, I'll have someone prepare it right away."

When it came to the dishes, Helen Brooks was full of confidence and immediately instructed the butler to arrange things in the kitchen.

Brian Grant smiled, "You seem very confident in your kitchen, sir!"

Helen Brooks immediately said, "I can't speak for anything else, but when it comes to the dishes, our Chen Restaurant is far better than Jinyu Restaurant." At this, he sighed, full of resentment, "It's just that I'm not as despicable as George Reed, who only knows how to play dirty tricks."

But Brian Grant shook his head, "Doing business is like fighting a war—winner takes all, loser gets nothing. If you lose, you lose. If you keep making excuses for yourself, you'll only lose even worse. When it's time to let go, you have to let go immediately. The biggest taboo in business is hesitation and indecision. After all, in the marketplace, opportunities are fleeting. Hesitate for a moment, and you might miss a great chance."

Hearing this, Helen Brooks was extremely surprised. The Brian Grant before him was completely different from the Brian Grant he used to know—whether in speech, manner, or temperament, he was a different person. But he didn't dare ask more, afraid Brian Grant would get up and leave again. He sighed and said, "Maybe you're right. I should let go."

Brian Grant smiled, "But letting go doesn't mean total failure, nor does it mean starting over from scratch. As long as you have enough money in hand, making a comeback is not difficult—what matters is determination."

As a transaction analyst, he always felt there was nothing that couldn't be sold. As for sentiment or ancestral business, those were nothing—what mattered was whether the price was right. Sell it today, buy it back tomorrow.

Helen Brooks asked again, "Then what method do you have, dear nephew, to help me get a good price?"

Brian Grant said, "As I said just now, the first step is to hire the Kou family to help you sell the Chen Restaurant."