Regional Franchise

Ning Rongrong's eyes flew wide open, and her little feet bounced excitedly against the floor. Even the jeweled hair clip on her head trembled with every hop.

"Delicious! So delicious! Grandpa Sword, you have to try it! The meat is crispy!"

She brought her little mouth back to the straw and took a long, eager sip of cola.

Fizz—burp!

A loud soda burp.

The carbonated bite and rush of sugar gave the little princess, who had grown up eating exquisite delicacies, her first taste of the simple, unrestrained joy of junk food.

"So this is... the taste of Happy Water?"

Ning Rongrong cupped her face, feeling so happy she could float away.

Seeing how delighted Ning Rongrong was, Chen Xin curiously picked up a cup and took a sip.

"Hmm? Oh? This black water... it really does stimulate the taste buds! There's no Soul Power in it, yet the flavor is so bold."

Half an hour later, Ning Rongrong was sprawled unceremoniously in her chair, with a pile of fried chicken bones and empty Happy Water cups in front of her.

"Burp—!"

Ning Rongrong let out a loud belch, rubbed her round little belly, and looked like she still wanted more.

"Grandpa Sword, this Nezha Burger is so delicious! It's a thousand times better than those fancy pastries the sect's cooks make!"

As she said this, the Little Demoness's expression suddenly changed. Her little mouth puckered, and tears sprang to her eyes.

"But... but we're going home tomorrow! I won't be able to eat this anymore once we're back! Boo-hoo... without Happy Water, Rongrong will wither away!"

Chen Xin, who had been standing nearby, watched his little princess's pitiful act. He knew most of it was an act, but his heart still softened.

"All right, all right. Don't cry, Rongrong."

Chen Xin sighed helplessly and turned his gaze toward the little shopkeeper behind the counter, who was wearing Sunglasses. A hint of pride flashed in his eyes.

As far as he was concerned, any problem in this world that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.

And if money couldn't solve it, he'd use his sword.

Chen Xin straightened his robes and walked slowly to the counter.

Su Yun was busy counting money.

The shop's opening had been a huge hit today. He'd already turned away more than a dozen waves of rich buyers who wanted to purchase the recipe or poach him.

"Shopkeeper."

Chen Xin spoke calmly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unmistakable air of authority.

"You have a good hand. Rongrong likes it."

"Name your price. Whether it's the recipe or you yourself, I'll buy it. Come back to my clan with me, and I'll guarantee you wealth and status."

Su Yun didn't even look up. He kept sorting the silver coins in the cash register, his tone full of impatience.

"Sorry, the recipe isn't for sale, and neither am I. This shop doesn't buy people or sell them. Turn left on your way out. Next!"

Another bumpkin who thought a few coins could buy the fruits of Earth's industry.

Su Yun rolled his eyes to himself.

Chen Xin's brows furrowed slightly.

In all of Douluo Continent, no one had ever dared to turn down the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect like this.

He was about to release a trace of a Titled Douluo's pressure and teach this ignorant brat a lesson.

Just then—

"Beep! Beep! Beep!"

The highest-priority alarm from the Earth Command Center suddenly rang in Su Yun's earpiece.

"001! Don't! Watch your attitude!!"

"That's a super whale! Walking GDP!"

Brother Yong's excited voice nearly pierced Su Yun's eardrum.

"Su Yun! Our second spectral analysis is complete! The material of that old man's plain robe has an extremely unusual reflectance! The raw materials for that single garment could buy half of Notting City!"

"And that little girl! The inconspicuous necklace around her neck has an off-the-charts energy density! It's a top-tier gemstone accessory! Those two definitely aren't ordinary rich merchants. They're tycoons with access to this world's top resources!"

"Su Yun! Execute Plan C immediately! Make sure you land them!"

Su Yun's hand froze as he counted the money.

Huh?

He adjusted his Sunglasses and finally looked up, taking a proper look at the old man and young girl in front of him.

So they were super-rich moguls traveling incognito?

At the same time, seeing that her grandfather didn't seem to be getting anywhere, Ning Rongrong immediately deployed her secret weapon.

She hopped down from her chair and trotted over to the counter.

She gripped the edge of the counter with both hands, peeking over it with half her adorable little face. Her clear, bright eyes blinked as she looked at Su Yun pitifully.

"Big brother~"

Ning Rongrong extended a fair, tender finger and gently poked Su Yun's arm.

"Please say yes to Grandpa Sword~ Rongrong really wants to eat these burgers every day. If you come home with us, I'll give you all my pocket money! Pleeease~ I'm begging you~"

Looking at this adorable little rich girl—a top-tier third-generation heir in this world—trying to charm him.

Listening to Brother Yong shriek in his earpiece, "Get her! Get her! We want her money!"

Su Yun's eyes narrowed slightly behind his Sunglasses.

If they were super whales, wouldn't it be a waste to sell them only a few burgers?

Taking them away was out of the question, but he could make them one of his franchisees.

A bold plan, brimming with capitalist spirit, took shape in Su Yun's mind.

The coldness on Su Yun's face melted away in an instant, replaced by the warm, welcoming smile of a star business partner.

He quickly scribbled something on a sheet of paper, then gently slid it over to Ning Rongrong.

"Little girl, how could your big brother bear to let you go hungry?"

Su Yun leaned forward and looked at Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong, his smile growing more and more devious.

"Sir, what's the fun in buying out the recipe? You'd only be living off your savings."

"You both have an extraordinary air about you, and I imagine your family's businesses span the continent. Would you be interested in discussing a major franchise deal with Nezha Burger?"

"Franchise?"

Chen Xin paused. "What does that mean?"

"It's simple."

Su Yun pointed to the giant Nezha Logo on the paper.

"You don't need to buy my shop or buy out the recipe."

"You just need to pay a brand licensing fee."

"I'll provide a complete Renovation Blueprint and regular deliveries of the essential ingredients. Then you can open an identical Nezha Burger franchise in the busiest part of your hometown."

"When the time comes, the shop will belong to your granddaughter. She can eat as much as she wants, whenever she wants."

"On top of that, you'll keep ninety percent of the profits. In other words—you make money while sitting back, and keep the kid happy at the same time."

Chen Xin looked at Su Yun, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

He wouldn't have to develop it himself. He could just copy the business?

And make money, too?

Most importantly... Rongrong could eat it as soon as she got home?

For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which had no shortage of money but was short on ways to indulge a child, it really was the perfect solution.

"Interesting."

Chen Xin asked calmly, "How much?"