Ming Yuan Milk Tea was bustling with customers, and a long queue of people holding flyers had formed.
In contrast, the Yun Yun Drink shop directly across the street was deserted.
Hao Yunlai watched the popular milk tea shop with envy and jealousy, laced with a hint of hatred.
Fu Chuan and the others, who had been mocking the milk tea shop earlier, now looked embarrassed.
"Junior, it's normal for a new shop to be slow at first. Plus, the shop opposite has a promotional offer. I think customers are just going for the promotion. Once it ends, there won't be many people left. Don't worry too much."
Fu Chuan comforted him with a smile.
Hao Yunlai had often flattered him and paid a considerable sum to secure a spot in the entrepreneurship competition.
Now that his junior was in trouble, he felt obliged to support him.
Several third-year students around Fu Chuan chimed in.
"Xiao Lai, what Lao Fu said is right. It's normal for a new shop to open. Didn't your shop have a full house on its first day last semester?"
"I agree with Lao Fu and the others. Junior, don't take it too hard. Think on the bright side, it's just the first day. It's normal."
They continued to offer verbal and moral support.
Hao Yunlai considered this. His own drink shop had indeed been packed on its opening day last semester.
He figured that once the three-day promotion ended, Ming Yuan Milk Tea would return to normal.
That would be the time for a head-to-head confrontation with the shop invested in by Gao Fei.
Seeing Hao Yunlai's expression soften slightly, Fu Chuan stepped forward and said, "Junior, get me four large freshly squeezed fruit juices. You must take the money, otherwise, you're not giving this senior face."
They all understood he was trying to ease the awkwardness.
Hao Yunlai nodded gratefully and immediately instructed his staff to make the juices.
When the four juices were served, he also presented each of his seniors with a membership card for the drink shop.
Fu Chuan and his three companions exchanged knowing smiles, and as they drank, they praised the juice's deliciousness.
"Junior, your drinks are what the public truly likes. Those bizarre milk teas opposite probably won't be popular. Think on the bright side, junior!"
"Xiao Lai, among cold drinks, freshly squeezed juice is the real deal. That so-called milk tea definitely can't compare to the juice you make. Don't worry, they'll be crying soon enough!"
"Junior, as the only drink shop on Hou Yu Street, you should have confidence in your business. That milk tea shop must have a strange taste. It'll close down in less than half a month, guaranteed."
Fu Chuan and his three friends encouraged their junior while simultaneously mocking the milk tea shop opposite.
Hao Yunlai regained his confidence and thanked his seniors wholeheartedly.
As they were talking, two young women in short skirts, dressed lightly, walked in from outside.
The moment they entered, the male customers in the shop were captivated, and Fu Chuan stared at their long legs, his eyes wide.
"Ladies, what can I get for you?"
Hao Yunlai, quickly regaining his composure, stepped forward to inquire.
One of the women politely shook her head and asked softly, "Boss, we're waiting for someone. Could we sit in your shop for a while?"
"Of course, please sit anywhere!"
Hao Yunlai replied with a smile and returned to the counter.
The two women sat at a table and whispered to each other, commenting on Ming Yuan Milk Tea.
Perhaps sensing the inappropriate gazes from Fu Chuan and his group, the two women turned their backs, shielding themselves from their view.
After a short while, three more women arrived, carrying four cups of Ming Yuan Milk Tea they had just bought. They entered and sat down next to the first two women.
"Sisters, try them out! All four cups are bestsellers from Ming Yuan Milk Tea."
"One cup of milk tea is five yuan, buy one, get the second half price. We bought four cups in total for fifteen yuan, which is like getting one for free."
Upon hearing the name "Ming Yuan Milk Tea."
Fu Chuan and his three companions exchanged awkward glances and lowered their heads without speaking.
Hao Yunlai, however, felt a sharp pang in his chest.
The two women who were waiting earlier had apparently gone to the shop opposite to buy milk tea. This was truly a stab to the heart.
Shopkeeper Hao's heart was bleeding.
The five women also noticed the awkward atmosphere. One of them stood up and walked to the counter, casually ordering two drinks to ease the tension with the shop owner.
After placing the order, Hao Yunlai felt slightly better.
When the freshly squeezed juices were served, the five women began to drink the Ming Yuan Milk Tea and the juices.
The other customers in the shop watched them intently, eager to hear their reviews.
As the milk tea touched their lips, except for the woman who didn't get to taste it, the other four's eyes lit up, their expressions filled with surprise and delight.
"I thought it would just be a combination of milk and tea, but it has a faint floral scent with a milky aroma. It's really delicious!"
"This cup of mine has a light peach flavor, it's refreshing, and there's plenty of fruit pulp!"
The four couldn't help but praise Ming Yuan Milk Tea.
The woman who hadn't tasted the milk tea took a small sip and immediately put her juice aside, scrambling for her friend's milk tea.
Seeing their overwhelming praise for Ming Yuan Milk Tea, Hao Yunlai's face turned extremely grim. He clenched his fists behind the counter.
The five women, noticing the shift in mood, quickly fell silent and stopped discussing, picking up their milk tea and leaving in a hurry.
On the table, a third-finished cup of juice and a cup of tea that had never been touched remained.
Hao Yunlai stared at the two abandoned drinks, feeling a heavy blockage in his chest.
He looked up at the crowded Ming Yuan Milk Tea across the street, a fierce glint in his eyes.
By 1:30 PM, Hou Yu Street was at its busiest, but Yun Yun Drinks had already closed.
...
Ming Yuan Milk Tea.
Due to its novel name, diverse flavors, refreshing and wonderful taste, and a great promotional offer.
Within five hours of opening, all the milk tea in the shop was sold out.
In just one day, Ming Yuan Milk Tea's reputation quickly spread throughout Jingda University and the surrounding colleges.
Even after the shop closed, many strangers still came, drawn by its fame.
Customers who had flyers with coupons could only wait until the next day's opening to try it.
Wang Tao, the investor, sold over two thousand cups of milk tea on the first day of business, with sales revenue nearing ten thousand yuan.
After deducting all costs, the net profit from the milk tea shop's first day of operations was nearly seven thousand yuan.
At 7 PM, at Fuqi Restaurant, private room 333.
Wang Tao, now in casual clothes, stood up and raised his freshly filled glass of wine, saying to Gao Fei with immense respect, "Junior Gao... no, Boss Gao.
Thank you for your trust and your investment. I'll drink this glass to you!"
He downed the small glass of baijiu in one go, his slightly plump face immediately flushing.
Gao Fei said nothing more and finished his half-glass of beer.
After a burp, he began to speak, "Senior Wang, I only provided the plan. The execution, in terms of product quality, was all on paper.
If anyone should be thanked, it should be me.
On this opening day, with a thousand customers, you managed to maintain order in the shop, introduced various products to the customers, ensuring they came with anticipation and left satisfied.
Despite the chaotic scene, you kept the shop running smoothly, which fully demonstrates your ability and competence.
You proved with your actions that my investment was not in vain, so I should be the one thanking you!"
Gao Fei refilled his beer and continued, "As long as the milk tea shop's revenue exceeds your projected expectations within three months, I will increase my investment, and it will be a significant investment!"
"Thank you for your trust, Boss Gao.
But please don't call me Senior Wang anymore. I'm your investee now, just call me Xiao Wang.
Boss Gao, I'm drinking this, you can have as much as you like!"
Wang Tao picked up his full glass of baijiu and downed it again.
Gu Lili, Liao Chang, and Xu Yong, seated at the table, looked at Wang Tao with envy, but also a hint of worry.
Before coming to Fuqi Restaurant, they had already heard that Ming Yuan Milk Tea had only opened today, sold out all its milk tea in just five hours, and its revenue had already surpassed ten thousand yuan.
Now, hearing that Gao Fei would also increase his investment in Ming Yuan Milk Tea.
Each of them secretly hoped their own entrepreneurial projects would receive similar affirmation and appreciation as Wang Tao's.
However, they also worried that once their projects were launched, their performance might not be as good as Ming Yuan Milk Tea's explosive opening.
Gao Fei also noticed the subtle changes in their expressions and smiled at them, "Everyone, don't worry too much. Once your projects are fully prepared, you can officially launch.
I believe, with each of your strengths and abilities, your projects will not perform poorly, but even better.
Similarly, if the project's performance exceeds your initial projections, I will also increase my investment, and it will be a significant investment."
Everyone likes to hear kind words, especially young university students who have not yet experienced much of the world.
With just a few words, Gao Fei dispelled the trio's concerns.
Liao Chang, Xu Yong, and Gu Lili raised their glasses with full confidence.
"Thank you, Boss Gao, we won't let you down!"
...
The Hou Yu Street at night was brightly lit, and compared to usual, the foot traffic seemed much higher tonight.
Ming Yuan Milk Tea's explosive success during the day had spread, and all the residents and students in the vicinity had heard about it.
Taking advantage of the cool evening weather, everyone came to visit out of curiosity.
The shop's style was decorated according to Gao Fei's design.
Two storefronts of Ming Yuan Milk Tea, one with a roller shutter door and the other with a spliced floor-to-ceiling window, had an anti-theft grille in front.
Above the milk tea shop's entrance, a blue projector cast the Ming Yuan Milk Tea logo onto the ground.
Inside the shop, Gao Fei had decorated it in the style of milk tea shops from his past life.
Warm and cool floor lamps illuminated the interior, giving a sense of spaciousness, while the novel decoration style was subtly revealed under the light, creating an air of mystery.
Residents and students who came to visit, upon seeing Ming Yuan Milk Tea at night.
Some young women and couples began taking selfies and group photos outside the shop, very similar to popular social media check-in spots from his past life.
Directly across the street from Ming Yuan Milk Tea.
Yun Yun Drinks reopened after the milk tea shop closed.
However, business in the shop was extremely sluggish compared to before.
In an hour, at most, only two or three customers came.
And those who did visit, while buying drinks, couldn't help but talk about Ming Yuan Milk Tea.
This not only made shop owner Hao feel disheartened but even the staff lost their usual enthusiasm.
Sitting at a table near the door, Hao Yunlai looked at the day's sales of two hundred and thirty yuan, his face full of worry and sighs.
Two hundred and thirty yuan didn't even cover the cost of today's inventory.
He glanced at Ming Yuan Milk Tea across the street, where people were still taking pictures, his brow furrowed so deeply that his back molars were grinding together.
The assistant manager, Lu Fan, was Hao Yunlai's roommate and held a ten percent stake in Yun Yun Drinks.
He glanced at Ming Yuan Milk Tea opposite, then at the sighing Hao Yunlai. For the sake of his ten percent net profit share, he stepped forward and offered him a cigarette.
"Yunlai, I have a method. I don't know if you can handle it."