Upgrade Gift Pack

In the days that followed, Soup King Hotpot's first store in Beijing enjoyed soaring success, achieving numerous firsts.

Five-star review

700% table turnover rate...

In just a few days, it became the number one hot pot restaurant in Chaoyang District.

Orders kept pouring in! The queues were so long they made people question their existence, and there were even paid queue-waiting services.

The unique and inimitable high added value created by Soup King Hotpot definitely leave a refreshing and unforgettable impression on all customers who experience it for the first time.

The numerous check-in photos on Little Blue Book) have further fueled the popularity of Soup King Hotpot.

"I started by drinking the soup. I've already had three or four bowls of mushroom soup before even eating the hot pot. It's so good for my stomach."

"The tripe was amazing! We ordered several plates and it still wasn't enough."

Furthermore, professional reviewers have provided in-depth analyses of the reasons for Soup King Hotpot's popularity, highlighting its meticulous attention to detail in aspects such as ingredients, broth, and sauces that influence the dining experience.

The mushroom broth is simmered for only four hours daily over a high flame; wild-caught, live-frozen deep-sea octopus is used to lock in freshness; and Inner Mongolia lamb is sourced from the pristine pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia ...

When products are perfected and user experiences are perfected, positive word-of-mouth will naturally follow.

Therefore, even though its price is twice that of the average customer spending at hot pot restaurants in China, Soup King Hotpot is still incredibly popular. Labeled as a high-end hot pot restaurant, Soup King Hotpot has since stood at the top of the industry's brand value chain.

The resounding success of its first store in Beijing undoubtedly provided a lubricant and boost to the subsequent development of Soup King Hotpot.

Within a week, the pace of opening of the next few stores in Beijing has undoubtedly accelerated significantly, and several high-end shopping malls have also signed agreements to open stores there.

As a business owner, one generally doesn't do everything personally unless it's really important or one has plenty of time. So, Zhang Yang simply struck while the iron was hot, successively investigating the Tianjin and Hebei markets and finalizing a comprehensive plan for new stores.

At this point, it's not quite time for Soup King Hotpot to have spread all over the country, but its widespread popularity in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region is clearly a foregone conclusion.

That morning, Zhang Yang returned to Beijing from Harbin, his thoughts wandering along the way.

This trip to Harbin was partly tourism and partly research.

The market in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region is being developed rapidly, and it's already enough for Soup King Hotpot to absorb in the short term. As for the three northeastern provinces, they are currently considered a major direction after the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region market.

However, it is still just a plan at the moment and has not been implemented.

"It looks like we need to hurry up with the new central kitchen base," Zhang Yang muttered to himself.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region- Hebei region, and even the future Northeast market, is such a large market that it definitely needs one or even two central kitchen bases to support it, which is related to future development plans.

"Oh, right, the Jinling Xinjiekou Golden Eagle store is also opening this morning." He suddenly remembered something else.

Including this store, Soup King Hotpot has recently opened seven new stores.

According to the new long-term tasks issued by that system, each store gives ten experience points. Including this one store, the total experience points harvested are just enough to level up.

The upgrade gift pack is just around the corner.

Zhang Yang immediately smiled, feeling extremely happy, because after so much hard work, his first reward had finally arrived.

Looking out the porthole, the city's silhouette was faintly visible beneath the clouds.

Because we'll be landing soon.

The flight he took back this time didn't have a first-class cabin, only a business-class cabin, so he simply took the business-class seat.

The experience was actually alright.

It was quite spacious, and the flight attendants were still very friendly, but I didn't run into that young flight attendant Han Lu.

It's not surprising, really. Even with Air China, with so many domestic flights every day, unless you're deliberately trying, it's not easy to happen to catch one.

These past few days, the flight attendant Han Lu has actually been trying to chat with him.

However, this period happened to be his busiest time, so they only chatted sporadically. The other party tried to invite him out several times, but he was always busy.

"He's really persistent," he thought to himself.

There are plenty of girls persistently pursuing him on WeChat, but few leave a lasting impression. This is because some girls try to strike up a conversation or come to him with pointless chatter that is really unproductive.

Several times, in the middle of the night, girls would suddenly say they couldn't sleep, or send a selfie with red eyes, looking emotional in the middle of the night.

Honestly... Zhang Yang isn't some kind of caring older brother... What he needs is a girl who can provide him with emotional support, not someone else.

He was quite impressed with this young flight attendant, though.

Occasionally, she would post a selfie of herself in a flight attendant uniform, or share glimpses of her daily life, portraying herself as a flight attendant who loves life.

··

Inside the airport terminal, Zhang Yang prepared to return to his hotel first.

Across from us, a beautiful sight suddenly appeared: several Air China flight attendants, dragging their suitcases, preparing to leave together.

"Huh? Mr. Zhang? Zhang Yang?"

Suddenly, a joyful voice came from across the way.

Zhang Yang stopped and looked around. Among the flight attendants in front of him, a pretty girl whose features looked somewhat familiar was smiling and waving.

It was Han Lu, whom I had met twice before.

"What a coincidence, you just landed?" Zhang Yang greeted him with a smile and a nod.

Han Lu quickly waved goodbye to her colleagues, then smiled and walked up to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Yang.

"Yes, four days of flying are over, time to rest again."

"Thank you for your hard work," Zhang Yang said.

"I feel like you're the one who's had a hard time. The only time I bumped into you was when you were on a business trip." Han Lu said with a smile, pulling her suitcase. "By the way, I need to change my clothes later. Could you wait for me?"

Zhang Yang looked puzzled upon hearing this.

"It's such a coincidence that we bumped into each other, how about we grab a bite? I've tried asking you out on WeChat so many times but I couldn't get a reply," Han Lu joked. "But it seems you're not making excuses."

"I'm not making excuses, I'm genuinely busy," Zhang Yang said, shrugging.

"I noticed, so... now?"

"No problem," Zhang Yang readily agreed.

I'm in a really good mood today, and this is such a coincidence that I've run into this opportunity, so of course I have to give it to them.

"Okay, then wait for me at the exit. I'll be right there." Han Lu smiled, waved, and jogged away with her suitcase.

A moment later, at the airport exit.

Zhang Yang was getting bored while waiting when he suddenly saw Han Lu in the distance, dressed casually and dragging a suitcase as she walked briskly towards him, her whole demeanor once again full of energy and vitality.

On the flight, it's a work requirement; you have to pay attention to your appearance and demeanor in every word and action, and maintain elegance and poise throughout the entire journey.

But once she got off the plane, that's when life truly began, that's when she was truly herself.

"Have you been waiting long?" Han Lu asked with a smile as she came up to him.

"Where are we going now?" Zhang Yang asked, looking at Han Lu's current appearance.

"Let's fatten up for winter and go eat hot pot!"

A moment later, the two hailed a taxi and headed straight for the famous Jubao Yuan Hot Pot restaurant in Beijing.

Jubaoyuan Hotpot Niujie Branch has always been a popular spot with long queues.

However, timing is everything. They arrived just in time for the best, as the peak dining hours had passed and there was an empty table available. So the two of them sat down and started ordering.

The hot pot meat in Beijing uses lamb from Inner Mongolia, which is tender and has no gamey smell.

As for how to order, Han Lu knew exactly what to do, so Zhang Yang naturally entrusted this important task to Han Lu.

Soon after, she ordered five cuts of lamb: top sirloin, small three-pronged cut, large three-pronged cut, crotch, and cucumber strips. She also ordered frozen tofu, Chinese cabbage, and other vegetables. She planned to cook the vegetables in the broth when it was at its freshest after finishing the lamb, so they would be incredibly crisp and delicious.

While waiting for the food, Zhang Yang checked the time, wondering how to systematically notify the system that the food was still late.

Bite!

The system notification in my mind finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

Congratulations, host, you have reached level eight.

Current level: Level 8 (0/300)

Current daily cashback: 250,000

Ding: You have an upgrade gift pack to claim.

"They've arrived!" Zhang Yang's expression immediately lit up with joy.

With seven new stores and seventy experience points, he finally accumulated enough experience points to level up to level eight.

Level 8, the system's daily cashback is 250,000.

In other words, just from the system's cashback alone, he can now give himself more than 90 million yuan a year, close to 100 million yuan. This can be considered his fixed income outside of all his other businesses.

"There's more to come." Zhang Yang's expression was focused on the upgrade gift pack that was waiting to be claimed.

Each time, this upgrade package brings him endless surprises, and he hopes this time will be no exception.

"System, claim your upgrade gift pack."

[Claiming... Congratulations, host! You have received one random luxury home voucher in a first-tier city, which can be used to redeem a random luxury home in any first-tier city.]

Upon hearing about the newly acquired upgrade gift, Zhang Yang's expression immediately lit up with joy.

Any luxury home in a first-tier city.

This is worth hundreds of millions in no time!

No more hesitation, redeem now!

"What's wrong? You seem suddenly very happy?" Han Lu, who was watching Zhang Yang, suddenly asked with a smile.

"Something good has happened," Zhang Yang replied with a smile.

"Wow, congratulations!" Han Lu whispered her congratulations.

Although I don't know the specifics, being able to share Zhang Yang's joy at this moment is undoubtedly a very happy thing.

Zhang Yang thanked them while using the luxury home voucher.

[Congratulations, host! You have acquired a Beijing Manor worth 300 million.]

"Beijing Manor?" Zhang Yang felt the name sounded familiar, and then he remembered that he seemed to have seen it on a short video before.

This is a fully furnished villa community; to put it simply, it's delivered fully furnished, not unfurnished.

And I've heard that buying certain apartment types even comes with a free Rolls-Royce?

His 300 million yuan villa, besides the 1 billion yuan worth of the main building, is also considered a minor 100 million yuan worth of main building. He probably also got a Rolls-Royce as a gift.

Not bad, not bad.

I estimate that he will come to Beijing more frequently in the future. Now that he has a villa, luxury cars and other amenities, he won't have to spend time and effort to acquire them later.

Being with Han Lu and having this wonderful opportunity, Zhang Yang was naturally in a great mood.

Looking at Han Lu now, he naturally finds her even more pleasing to the eye.

"This young flight attendant is quite the lucky charm," Zhang Yang thought to himself.

Han Lu seemed to sense Zhang Yang's gaze, and her face flushed slightly, but she was secretly delighted.

A short while later, the copper hot pot was served.

The soup base is very simple: just boiling water, ginger slices, and scallion segments...

The two prepared a sesame sauce and chive blossom dipping sauce, and enjoyed the most authentic Beijing hot pot over a boiling copper pot.

"How is it? Delicious, right?" Han Lu asked Zhang Yang with a smile as she ate the mutton hotpot.

"Mmm... it's delicious." Zhang Yang nodded.

The light broth highlights the pure, high-quality flavor of the lamb. The lamb from Inner Mongolia is indeed top-notch, which explains why Soup King Hotpot also features lamb from Inner Mongolia as one of its signature dishes.

"Then eat more, and after you finish eating..." Han Lu pursed her lips, her eyes filled with hope, "If you're free this afternoon, will you come shopping with me?"

"Going shopping?" Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment.

He had plans for the afternoon; he intended to go to the Beijing Manor to pick up the villa and the car while he was there.

To be honest, that Beijing Manor is actually quite far away; a trip there would definitely take an entire afternoon.

"Do you have something else to do this afternoon?" Han Lu asked tentatively.

"I'm planning to buy a house this afternoon, and I probably won't be finished until evening," Zhang Yang explained with a smile.

"Buy a house?" Han Lu was a little surprised. "Buy a house?"

"Yeah, it'll be more convenient in Beijing from now on," Zhang Yang said. "You know I'll probably be coming to Beijing quite often, and I can't always stay in hotels, can I?"

"So, you're going to buy a house?" Han Lu exclaimed in astonishment.

Buying a house in Beijing, just like that, without even a hint?

Like her, a flight attendant, she never even considered buying a house in Beijing because it was too far away. How high do you think a flight attendant's salary is? Marrying a local from Beijing is more likely.

"Yes, if you don't mind, let's make plans again tonight after I'm done with work?" Zhang Yang said casually.

"How about I come with you?" Han Lu asked curiously. "You can show me around and let me experience what it's like to buy a house in Beijing."

"You're going?" Zhang Yang blinked. "You'd better not go. I'm afraid you'll..."

Taking a flight attendant around is fine, but to be honest, he really didn't want to provoke her. She's just a flight attendant who wants to be friends with him, and he just suddenly decides to buy a 300 million yuan house.

Too much of a good thing can be bad; it will scare people away.

"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of scaring me? I've seen the world, okay?" Han Lu covered her mouth and laughed. "Or are you afraid that once I see you've bought a house, I'll insist on marrying you and cling to you? Am I being too forward, making you think I'm not reserved enough?"

"Alright then, let's go together." Since that's what he said, Zhang Yang didn't stand on ceremony.

It was already 1:30 after lunch.

Zhang Yang hailed a taxi directly on his phone, and then he and Han Lu got in the car and headed straight for their destination.

Beijing Manor is very far away, in Shunyi District, beyond the Sixth Ring Road.

However, Zhang Yang didn't care about amenities or location. Regardless of its location, the Beijing Manor was a product with exceptional strength. Both its apartment layouts and interior design details were of the highest quality and could be considered timeless masterpieces.

Take his little penthouse, for example.

The interior spans over 2,000 square meters, with a garden of over 1,000 square meters, plus a private banquet hall, totaling 4,000 square meters. It is fully furnished in pure French classical luxury style, and is a family villa of a heritage level built entirely based on the Palace of Versailles.

Such manor villas, if located in an even better location, would be incredibly expensive.

The car drove further and further away.

Zhang Yang had also checked in advance; it would take a full hour to drive there.

Han Lu sat next to Zhang Yang, watching the scenery outside the window constantly change; clearly, their position was becoming increasingly remote.

She saw it all, thought about it, and realized it was quite normal.

That's more like it!

In a city as vast as Beijing, it would be unbelievable if someone could just casually buy a house within the Third Ring Road. Now that Zhang Yang has bought a house outside the Sixth Ring Road, it's more in line with her expectations.

Houses outside the Sixth Ring Road can easily cost several million yuan, so being able to buy one of these is quite impressive.