Such a Coincidence?

Li Yao understood a thing or two about women's madness.

The Evil Dragons of the Western world had definitely been modeled after women—powerful, capable of enslaving hearts, moody and unpredictable, and obsessed with shiny things. No wonder so many warriors wanted to become "Dragon Knights."

Putting that topic aside, Li Yao picked up Li Shishi's report and began reading it.

This report focused on the site selection and construction of the Cultivation Base. It would mainly consist of isolated cultivation greenhouses with adjustable humidity and temperature, using automated cultivation management as much as possible. It was a relatively high-end cultivation method, and also a selling point that could be used for promotion once the products hit the market. Li Yao had nothing to teach her about building the Cultivation Base; after all, she was the professional.

He merely asked Li Shishi to leave a round pit, eighty centimeters across, in the middle of all the greenhouses.

As for why, he did not explain it to Li Shishi.

After that came several related skincare products developed from the Original Liquid, as well as future sales models.

These were all matters that had more or less been settled, and they were also plans best suited to current market fluctuations, leaving nothing to criticize.

Li Shishi had shown them to Li Yao only out of a sense of responsibility toward her partner.

After reading the documents, Li Yao set down the report and asked, "There are basically no problems. Let me ask one thing: when can we start making a profit?"

Li Shishi had already worked it out. "With enough money, we can speed up the construction of the Cultivation Base. We can basically ensure it's completed in two months. As for cultivating the raw materials, based on what you said, we'll need at least half a year to stockpile medicinal herbs. Of course, while the greenhouses are being built, we'll cultivate some herbs in advance to make trial samples and test the waters. If you mean actual profits, it'll be no earlier than the second half of next year."

Li Yao nodded.

In other words, he would have no revenue at all during this period.

That was reality...

Damn it, protagonists in other people's stories made money by the minute no matter what they did. It practically flew into their pockets on its own.

In rebirth novels, they went back and traded stocks for their first pot of gold. They got rich making little pieces of jewelry, monopolized the market by copying spicy strips, then threw themselves into real estate... What a sweet life.

How was he supposed to compare? He had an exclusive formula from another world, yet he still had to wait over half a year before he could really start making money...

As Li Yao calculated in silence, Li Shishi asked, "Are you short on money?"

Li Yao said, "Not really. I just get nervous when I'm not making any money."

It was fucking insecure as hell!

Li Shishi smiled. "You were the one who turned down twenty-five percent of my company's shares. Otherwise, you'd be making over a hundred thousand a day without doing anything."

Li Yao curled his lip. Then he would have to take a cut of the Original Liquid shares?

That would no longer be a matter of making over a hundred thousand a day.

After thinking it over for a while, he said, "I'm not very familiar with the provincial capital. How about you help me find a storefront? I want to invest in something else for the time being."

Li Shishi grew serious. "Li Yao, the Original Liquid you brought out has enormous market value! I think you should focus on that instead. See if you can develop even more powerful potions."

Li Yao pursed his lips. I do have more powerful potions! Do you want a Longevity Potion?

To the rich and powerful, it was an immortal medicine beyond the reach of ten thousand fortunes! Even Qin Shi Huang would have to lower his head and call him big brother.

But he did not dare take it out!

Perhaps once he was strong enough, he would reveal such potions and even make them available to everyone, sending humanity racing toward an unknown future. But the various social problems that would result... could be fatal.

The Cleansing Potion in his possession could also be used together with the Vitality Potion.

Modern people had accumulated quite a lot of toxins in their bodies over the course of their lives.

He could bring that out later.

So Li Yao waved a hand. "You don't need to worry about that. For now, just handle the Original Liquid business properly. Put some thought into finding me a storefront."

Li Shishi was somewhat unwilling, but she still nodded. "Then what are your requirements?"

Li Yao thought for a moment and said, "It needs to be fairly spacious, preferably a duplex. Three floors would be best. Ideally, it should come fully renovated, and I'd prefer an old-fashioned style."

Li Shishi asked, "What kind of business do you want to open?"

Li Yao said, "Something like a quiet bar."

It seemed every man, at some point in his life, had thought of opening a bar. It would be conveniently located yet relatively quiet, with a small courtyard or terrace, lush plants, comfortable and clean tables and chairs, and simple, fresh food that never grew tiresome...

That was something Feng Tang had said.

Though it was a little pretentious,

it sounded quite pleasant.

It was the life Li Yao wanted.

But Li Shishi frowned. After doing some quick calculations, she said bluntly, "How much money could you possibly make doing that?"

Compared to the huge profits of the cosmetics industry, opening a bar was, to Li Shishi, nothing more than earning pocket money.

—And perhaps not even enough of that.

Holding his thermos, Li Yao flopped backward and sank into the sofa. He said comfortably, "It won't make much money, but it's still a business. As long as it earns a little, that's enough. Besides, once the Original Liquid business takes off, I won't have to worry about money."

Li Shishi's beautiful brows

furrowed even more deeply.

Li Yao was currently giving off such an intense aura of a salted fish that it was almost tangible. The force of that salted-fish energy hit the strong-willed businesswoman Li Shishi head-on, making her deeply uncomfortable.

I really want to hit him!

Li Shishi quietly clenched her hand into a fist beneath the table.

Was this what it meant to have no ambition?

He had been lucky enough to develop that kind of Original Liquid...

And even luckier to find her as a partner.

So annoying! Why do I feel like I'm working for him? Li Shishi was extremely displeased, her pretty face frosty as she grabbed the Coach handbag beside her and turned to leave. "Got it. I'll keep an eye out for you."

Watching Li Shishi's departing back,

Li Yao comfortably took a sip of Vitality Potion. "So nice~"

What was wrong with being the Salted Fish King? The Salted Fish King could make other people earn money for him.

He could make money without doing anything! Wasn't that wonderful?

There was nothing wrong with being a salted fish,

the problem was wanting to be a salted fish without any money...

After lounging around for a while longer, Li Yao returned to his apartment near University City.

His confidence in being a salted fish came from the knowledge and information he possessed. Li Yao was a salted fish where others could see him, but where they could not, he worked hard! That was probably a common flaw among academic overachievers.

That's right,

I, Li Yao, am an academic overachiever! And Lin Xiaowei, far away in another world, had once... barely counted as a god of learning, perhaps? Unfortunately, she had died young and gone off to wreak havoc in another world.

What a pity!

Li Shishi moved quickly. Just a few days later, she called to say she had found a storefront being transferred that suited Li Yao's requirements quite well. It was spacious and in a good location. As for the decor... if he did not like it, he could redo it himself. Li Shishi said, "You're free this afternoon, right? If you are, come take a look. It's on Drum Tower Road."

Li Yao gladly went to meet her.

However, when he arrived, he discovered...

Holy shit!

Was it really such a coincidence?...

Forget it. Different people had different thoughts when reading. I won't say much more.

I'm laid-back, good-looking, and have a nice voice.

That's all.

Hope everyone's happy.

Let me recommend two books.

"All Heavens Projection," Pei Tugou's masterpiece—a million-word sci-fi gem. It's awesome! You can binge it! "Victim List of the Myriad Realms," a promising new sci-fi work. It's quite interesting, with a very fresh perspective~~