Commercial Genius Lin Kun

Under Dean Flander's "capital injection" (exploitation) and Oscar's diligent output, the small business of "Oscar's Custom Skewers" finally got on the right track.

Lin Kun utilized his basic marketing skills from the information age. First, he segmented and packaged the products:

* Original Energy Supply Block (Original Flavor): Focuses on basic recovery, affordable price. * Spicy Recovery Skewer (Spicy Flavor): Stimulates the palate, refreshes the mind (?), suitable for students with a preference for strong flavors. * Honey-Flavored Spirit Power Paste (Sweet Flavor): Deeply loved by female students (specifically Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong). * Limited Edition Seven-Colored Glazed Skewer (Sponsorship from Ning Rongrong with colored sugar sprinkles): Expensive, exclusively for… uh, exclusively for discerning noble students.

Then, using the money saved, he bought some rough but clean oil paper for simple packaging, which also bore the crooked "Oscar's Brand" logo carved by Oscar from a radish.

Next was promotion. Lin Kun knew the importance of advertising. He once again brought out the "Kun Kun Information Bureau" signboard and posted a meticulously designed advertisement on the academy's bulletin board (which was actually just a broken wooden board):

[Oscar's Gourmet Shop - Grand Opening!] — The Sole Designated Spirit Power Supplement Partner of Shrek Academy (Self-Proclaimed)!

Hungry? Tired? Spirit Power depleted? Beaten down by Teacher Zhao? Trained to exhaustion by Grandmaster? Come quickly to Oscar's Gourmet Shop! One Oscar's skewer, instant full recovery! Two bites of Honey-Flavored Paste, cute and pretty! Friendly reminder: Dean Flander even said it was good! (Though mainly to collect money)

Today's Special: Buy five skewers, get one free! Collect ten skewers and exchange them for a "Beat-Me-Not Ticket" (only valid when Senior Dai Mubai is in a good mood)!

As soon as this uniquely styled advertisement, carrying a hint of inexplicable familiarity (for Lin Kun), was posted, it immediately attracted the attention of teachers and students from all over the academy.

Xiao Wu laughed uncontrollably, "Hahaha! Lin Kun, what did you write here! You even dared to write 'Beaten down by Teacher Zhao'!" Ning Rongrong covered her mouth and chuckled, "'Cute and pretty'? These advertising slogans are quite unique." Dai Mubai's face darkened, "What the heck is a 'Beat-Me-Not Ticket'? When did I become a redemption prize?" Zhao Wuji stroked his chin, "Hmm? Me beating people has advertising effects?" Flander looked at the advertisement, his glasses reflecting light, and muttered, "Sole designated partner? This title is good! Next time I find other businesses for sponsorship, I can use this name..."

Regardless, the advertising effect was outstanding! Students, driven by curiosity, a desire to try something new, or a genuine need to replenish their Spirit Power, flocked to buy. Oscar's sausages were accepted by everyone for the first time in a positive, popular image. Although the spirit incantations still had to be recited, seeing the modified products greatly reduced everyone's resistance.

The business was exceptionally booming! Especially after the daily special training, it was almost always in short supply. Lin Kun was responsible for collecting money and promoting, while Oscar was responsible for production. The two were so busy they couldn't stop.

Watching the money bag gradually swell, Oscar was so excited he was in tears, "Lin Kun! We've succeeded! I finally don't have to endure people looking at my sausages with strange eyes anymore!"

Lin Kun was also tired but happy. Although most of the profits had to be handed over to that vampire Flander, the remaining portion was enough for him to pay off some of his debts. Moreover, the system's occasional prompts like ["'Sausage Tycoon' Mission Progress Update, Gained XX Points"] further fueled his motivation.

[Ding! Successfully promoted "Oscar's Custom Skewers," daily profit stabilized. Reward: 80 Plot Breakdown Points.] [Ding! Host's commercial behavior positively influenced Oscar's mindset, slightly altering the node of fate. Reward: 30 Plot Breakdown Points.]

However, the good times didn't last long. Their booming business soon attracted the attention of one person—Teacher Shao!

Shao Xin, a Food System Spirit Saint, one of the elders of Shrek Academy, and also the person in charge of the academy's cafeteria (even though it charged fees). Seeing two juniors actually doing better business selling skewers than his own cafeteria, Teacher Shao felt his professional domain was challenged!

That day, there was still a long queue in front of Lin Kun and Oscar's stall. Teacher Shao walked over slowly with his hands behind his back, his expression not very pleasant.

"Hmph! Crooked ways!" Teacher Shao snorted as he looked at the flashy skewers, "Food System Spirit Masters' food pursues the purest energy replenishment and maximum effect! Engaging in these flashy seasonings and forms is simply putting the cart before the horse!"

Oscar immediately became nervous. Teacher Shao was a senior big shot in the Food System. Lin Kun, however,'s eyes lit up, realizing this might be an opportunity!

He quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Teacher Shao, you are absolutely right! The foundation of the Food System is indeed its effect. But by adding some seasonings and changing the form, we are also making it more acceptable to everyone, allowing Oscar's sausages to better exert their effects. After all, no matter how good something is, if no one is willing to eat it, it's worthless, right?"

Teacher Shao glanced at him, "Kid, you're quite glib with your tongue. Are you implying that no one is willing to eat the food I make?"

Lin Kun quickly waved his hands, "How could I dare! Teacher Shao's food... uh... is full of energy (the taste is another matter), everyone respects it very much." He said this somewhat against his will, as the taste of Teacher Shao's food was truly hard to compliment; it was mainly about "if you can eat it, it's fine, and the energy is sufficient."

Teacher Shao naturally heard the underlying meaning and was so angry he blew his beard and glared, "Fine! Since you think what you're doing is good! Then let's have a competition! Tomorrow at this time, right here, we will have a 'God of Food' showdown! We'll compete on whose food is more popular among the students! The loser will not be allowed to sell food in the academy anymore!"

Oscar was so scared his face turned pale, "Teacher Shao! This..." Lin Kun, however, pulled him back, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes, "Teacher Shao, a competition is fine! But just competing on popularity isn't comprehensive enough, is it? Since we are Food System Spirit Masters, why don't we compete in three categories: First, energy purity and recovery effect; Second, taste and popularity; Third, creativity and novelty! Judged by all the students and teachers! What do you say?"

He proposed these three categories with a plan. Teacher Shao would definitely win the first category, giving him face; their side had the advantage in the second; and the third was about ideas. Coming from the information age, was he afraid of lacking creativity?

Teacher Shao thought about it and felt it made sense, and it wouldn't be too much to bully the juniors, so he nodded in agreement, "Fine! We'll compete in these three categories! Don't cry if you lose!"

The news quickly spread, and the entire Shrek Academy was in an uproar! Food System Spirit Saint Teacher Shao was going to have a "God of Food" showdown with the newly arrived work-study students Lin Kun and Oscar! This was simply the biggest entertainment event since the founding of Shrek Academy!

Dean Flander rubbed his hands excitedly, "Let's set the odds! Bet on Teacher Shao to win at 1.1 to 1! Bet on Lin Kun and Oscar to win at 5 to 1! Place your bets!" (His true nature as a profiteer was fully exposed.)

Grandmaster also showed a rare expression of interest, thinking this could serve as a special psychological stress resistance training.

On the day of the competition, the open space in the center of the village was packed so tightly that not a drop of water could get through. Teacher Shao brought out his equipment, a large cauldron, Spirit Power surging, preparing to make his signature "All-Purpose Spirit Power Soup."

Lin Kun and Oscar, on the other hand, set up their grills and various seasoning bottles and jars.

First category, energy purity. Teacher Shao won without any suspense. His Spirit Power Soup was energetically robust and pure; a sip sent surging Spirit Power through one's body. Although Oscar's sausages also had good effects, they were slightly inferior in purity.

Second category, taste and popularity. Teacher Shao's Spirit Power Soup... the taste was as "primitive" as ever. Although the energy was sufficient, the taste was truly indescribable. Lin Kun and Oscar's various skewers, on the other hand, had tantalizing aromas and diverse flavors, receiving unanimous praise from almost all the students! Even Zhao Wuji secretly grabbed a few spicy ones. Lin Kun's side won this category by a landslide!

Third category, creativity and novelty. Teacher Shao showcased his newly researched "Compressed Spirit Power Biscuits," which were convenient to carry but still lacked flavor. Lin Kun, however, brought out his secret weapon—he had Oscar try infusing Spirit Power into different fruit juices, creating "Spirit Power Fruit Drinks" with a weak recovery effect! Although the effect was weak, the taste was refreshing and novel, instantly capturing the hearts of girls like Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu!

In the end, based on the overall evaluation, although Teacher Shao crushed them in the first category, Lin Kun and Oscar performed outstandingly in the latter two, especially in creativity, winning more applause. Dean Flander "heartbrokenly" announced, "A draw! Damn it, my bets are all for nothing!"

Although it was a draw, Teacher Shao's gaze towards Lin Kun and Oscar softened considerably, even showing a hint of admiration, "Hmph! You have some cleverness! From now on, you can help with breakfast service at the cafeteria, try to improve the taste... but don't think about slacking off!"

This was tantamount to an indirect acknowledgment of their "business," and even gave them the opportunity to participate in cafeteria work!

Oscar was overjoyed! Lin Kun also breathed a sigh of relief, having passed another hurdle!

[Ding! Successfully dealt with Teacher Shao's challenge, stabilized the "sausage business," and obtained cafeteria work opportunities. Reward: 150 Plot Breakdown Points.] [Ding! Host's actions had a minor impact on Shrek Academy's dietary culture. Reward: 50 Plot Breakdown Points.]

Through this competition, Lin Kun not only saved his business and improved the academy's meals (indirectly saving everyone's taste buds) but also further integrated himself into Shrek Academy. His "breakdown" journey began to influence all aspects of this monster academy in ways he never imagined.

However, Grandmaster's special training continued, and Flander's debts remained heavy. Lin Kun's academy life was still full of "hardships" and "fun."