Chapter 347: Meeting of the meal tickets

“Huh? Open a martial arts school? Are you kidding me?” Li Hao said in astonishment.

With his limited skills, what if his head got smashed in if he opened a martial arts school? After all, there were a lot of people debunking scams these days. What if he encountered some powerful guy?

“Who’s kidding you?” Li Li retorted, annoyed.

“Of course, you have to use your martial arts skills to your advantage, and there are so few people in this field. You’ll definitely make a fortune.”

“That’s true, but I’m still a little nervous. And didn’t you tell me not to teach people martial arts casually?” Li Hao hesitated.

Martial arts were an advantage if you had them and others didn’t.

But if they were everywhere, there would be no advantage.

Most importantly, teaching martial arts was like taking off your clothes and letting people see through you.

“I did tell you not to teach martial arts casually, but you still did?” Li Li said, drooping his eyelids. “Do you really think I don’t know that you’re teaching Sister Li leg techniques?”

“Uh, but didn’t you agree to that?” Li Hao asked cautiously.

“So herding one sheep is the same as herding a flock of sheep. With the experience of teaching Sister Li, wouldn’t teaching other students be a piece of cake?” Li Li said, seeing how nervous his owner was. He wasn’t going to hold him accountable; he just wanted to tell him that teaching one person was the same as teaching a group.

“That’s true, but I’m still not very confident. After all, this is considered starting a business, right?” Li Hao said, feeling a little guilty.

Teaching Sister Li wasn’t difficult, but opening a martial arts school was different.

He had to make sure the school wouldn’t lose money, or he’d be drinking northwest wind.

“Fine, I knew you’d drag your feet.” Li Li sighed and jumped off the table. “Come with me. I’ll take you to Glasses Bro. You two can help each other out and open the school together. And with a partner, I’m sure it’ll solve a lot of problems.”

“Huh? Glasses Bro?” Li Hao paused.

“Yes, the guy who used to live in our complex, the one who wears glasses and works out. You should have met him.” Li Li explained as they went downstairs. “He’s got a good personality and he’s hardworking. His boxing is really good. You can teach basic leg techniques, and he can teach boxing. There’s no problem with that.”

“So he’s one of your meal tickets, right?” Li Hao said, his face full of resentment.

Li Li knew him so well and even gave him secret techniques to practice. It seemed that he was one of Li Li’s meal tickets.

“Yes, is there a problem? He often makes delicious food for me. Isn’t it normal for me to think of him when something good happens? Look at your resentful face.” Li Li said, annoyed.

Looking at his resentful expression, anyone would think he was a neglected wife.

“How can I not be resentful? You’ve always been the one I’ve taken care of.” Li Hao muttered. He had raised Li Li with his own two hands.

Now he was so close to someone else. He would be damned if he felt good about it.

“Yes, yes, but others have also taken care of me when you weren’t around.” Li Li patted Li Hao’s shoulder. “As a man, you have to be magnanimous, you know? Don’t always dwell on such trivial matters.”

“Okay, I won’t dwell on it. By the way, is that brother easy to talk to?” Li Hao rubbed his face against Li Li’s, feeling much better.

“Absolutely easy to talk to. Can’t you trust someone who’s been personally certified by this cat?” Li Li patted his shoulder, reassuring him.

Others might not know, but he knew Glasses Bro well.

“Really? Then I’m relieved.” Li Hao finally relaxed.

Following Li Li’s directions, they arrived at A Liang’s door and knocked.

“Coming, coming, please wait a moment.” A Liang, hearing the doorbell, replied as he walked to the door and opened it.

Seeing Li Hao standing at the door, he was stunned. “Brother, are you looking for me?”

He didn’t seem to recognize this person, so who was he? He didn’t remember ever interacting with him.

At that moment, a large head popped out from behind Li Hao.

“Yes, Glasses Bro. Let me formally introduce you. This is my owner.”

“Oh? So it’s Big Fat Raccoon Cat. I thought it was someone else. Brother, please come in.” A Liang smiled and invited them in.

So it was Big Fat Raccoon Cat who had brought his owner over as a guest. They were practically family.

“Okay.” Li Hao nodded, looking around A Liang’s place as he walked in.

“Big Fat Raccoon Cat, you came at the perfect time. I’m just cooking dinner.” A Liang said with a smile as he poured them tea.

“Really? That means I picked a good time.” Li Li said, holding the teacup with both paws and taking a deep breath. “Glasses Bro, what delicious food are you making? It smells so good from outside.”

He had wondered why it took so long for A Liang to open the door after he knocked. So he was cooking in the kitchen. That made sense.

“I’m making spicy chicken cubes. Do you like it?” A Liang asked with a smile.

“Of course. There aren’t many things I don’t like, and spicy chicken cubes are not one of them.” Li Li nodded his big head. Spicy chicken? This was a dish he hadn’t eaten much of. It seemed he had come at a very opportune moment.

“Then Big Fat Raccoon Cat, you must try my cooking. I’m telling you, this chicken is a young rooster I specially selected. The skin is very tender, and the taste is superb. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.” A Liang said proudly. Big Fat Raccoon Cat had good taste. He knew to come at this time. He had come to the right place.

“No rush, no rush. Let’s put the food aside for now. I came here to talk to you about something else.” Li Li said with a smile.

“Oh? Something else?” A Liang looked at Li Li curiously. “What is it, Big Fat Raccoon Cat? We’re so close, you don’t have to beat around the bush. Just tell me directly. If I can help, I definitely will.”

He had wondered why Big Fat Raccoon Cat had suddenly brought his owner over. So there was something he wanted to discuss. He wondered what it was.

“It’s like this. My owner is planning to open a martial arts school, so he’s looking for some like-minded people to join him. I wonder if you’re interested, Glasses Bro?” Li Li said with a smile, jumping in front of A Liang. “As the saying goes, it’s better to start your own business than to work for someone else. I’m sure you understand that, working at the gym.”

“That’s true, but opening a martial arts school is not that easy, Big Fat Raccoon Cat. Let’s not even talk about money. Just getting students would be difficult, right?” A Liang didn’t rush to refuse. Instead, he brought up his concerns.

If he could start his own business, he definitely wouldn’t want to work for someone else. But the premise of starting a business was that it had to be profitable.

“Don’t worry about the students, Glasses Bro. I have a solution for that. You don’t have to worry.” Li Li waved his paw. “As long as you’re willing to join and help us get things going, we’ll be making money soon.”

Wasn’t it just students? There were plenty of them at the university. As long as he asked Uncle to help out, he wouldn’t have to worry about not having students.

Surely Uncle would be willing to let the university students practice some boxing and leg techniques for self-defense, right?

“Really?” A Liang rubbed his chin.

Since Big Fat Raccoon Cat dared to say so, he must be confident. Should he take a chance? After all, staying at the gym all the time was quite boring.

“Yes.” Li Li nodded his big head. “It depends on whether you dare to fight for it. If you do, you won’t have to worry about wealth and glory.”

“Is that so?” A Liang tapped his fingers on the table, lost in thought.

“Brother, if you don’t think it’s feasible, there’s no need to force yourself. I also think Li Li’s idea of starting a business is a bit unreliable. After all, look at how many people start businesses and how many fail.” Li Hao couldn’t help but say, feeling that A Liang was troubled by Li Li’s words. If he didn’t think it would work, there was no need to do it.

Hearing this, A Liang waved his hand. “It’s not about forcing myself. I’m mainly thinking about where we should open the school if we’re going to do it.”

“After all, you know, the space required for a martial arts school is not small. With just the two of us, we probably can’t afford to rent such a large space.”

“Yes, I agree. That’s why I said Li Li’s idea is unreliable.” Li Hao nodded in agreement.

“Don’t worry about the space. I have a way to get a good space at a very low price.” Li Li said calmly, holding his teacup.

It was just a matter of space. How difficult could it be? Did they really underestimate him?

“Oh? Big Fat Raccoon Cat, you wouldn’t happen to have already found a place, would you?” A Liang couldn’t help but ask.

“Yeah, Li Li, do you already have a plan? Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Li Hao added.

“Of course I don’t have a plan. But I recently saw a plan at the university to support graduate entrepreneurship.” Li Li put down his teacup. “Owner, you just graduated less than half a year ago, so you definitely meet the requirements. As long as you apply to the university, getting a cheap and affordable space will be easy.”

“Uh…” Li Hao pointed to himself. “Li Li, do you see the words ‘connections’ written on my face? I haven’t made any great contributions to the university. How do you think I can apply for that?”

Could a subsidy program like this be applied for by someone as poor and ordinary as him? It seemed like it would require connections. Li Li was thinking too highly of him. With the little money he had, who would give him this kind of favor?

“Of course you can’t apply for it on your own, so we have to use my name.” Li Li swatted Li Hao’s head. “Thankfully, I’ve accumulated a lot of connections over the years at the university. They’re finally coming in handy.”

His owner knew his situation, so why didn’t he work harder? He thought his owner had forgotten about him.

“Big Fat Raccoon Cat, you’re that powerful?” A Liang was surprised. Could Li Li really pull this off?

“Of course. Who doesn’t know my name? Who wouldn’t give me face?” Li Li said proudly, jumping onto the table. “Alright, enough talk. Glasses Bro, you go cook. After dinner, we’ll buy some fruit and milk and go visit Uncle.”

Since they were asking for a favor, they couldn’t go empty-handed. They had to buy some gifts.

“Uh, which uncle are you talking about, Li Li?” Li Hao asked weakly.

The person who could decide on such matters must be a key figure in the university. So who did Li Li have connections with?

“Of course it’s Uncle Xu, the Guidance Director of the university.” Li Li said, sitting on the table. “Uncle Xu and I have a great relationship. He often brings me food. If I personally ask him for help, he’ll definitely help.”

“Huh? The Guidance Director?” Li Hao’s eyes widened.

Li Li actually had connections with the most terrifying figure in the university? Why didn’t he know about this? How many things had Li Li done behind his back?

“Yes, you don’t have to worry about this. Just do as I say. I guarantee everything will go smoothly.” Li Li nodded and called out to A Liang. “Glasses Bro, don’t just sit there. Get up and cook. We need to visit Uncle Xu after dinner.”

“Oh, oh, oh, oh.” A Liang, still a bit dazed, nodded and got up from the sofa.

“I… I’m going to see the Guidance Director? I finally graduated, and now I have to go back? It feels a bit uncomfortable.” Li Hao rubbed his head, feeling a headache coming on.

“There’s nothing uncomfortable about it. Just go with peace of mind. With me here, there won’t be any problems.” Li Li said with a smile.

“I hope so.” Li Hao sighed and got up from the sofa. “I’m going to help Brother A Liang. Li Li, you just sit here. Don’t come in.”

Since they were asking A Liang to be their partner, how could they let him cook alone? He should go and help.

“Okay, okay. You two take your time. I won’t disturb you.” Li Li replied, lying down on the sofa. It was just as well that they didn’t need his help. He could take a rest here.

“Mmm.” Li Hao walked towards the kitchen.

With their joint efforts, dinner was ready in no time.

As the initiator of this meeting, Li Li took the seat of honor and started gnawing on a chicken leg. “You two eat too. Don’t just stand there. This chicken leg tastes amazing. You’ll regret it if you don’t eat it.”