Chapter 26

Cheng Lang took the opportunity to announce an opening promotion: all purchases were 20% off.

The new customers who had missed the perfect opportunity could only order a cup of milk tea and leave regretfully. Before leaving, though, everyone followed the milk tea shop's official accounts. Some even posted the Tea Whisking calligraphy they had just filmed, along with photos taken in the shop.

Seeing that the official accounts had already gained over a hundred followers, Cheng Lang felt that he was getting closer and closer to his goal of creating an internet-famous milk tea shop.

After all the customers had left, Shen Huaiyu rubbed his slightly sore wrist and looked at Cheng Lang, unable to stop himself from smiling as he asked, "I haven't even figured out the Milk Tea Paste or the Tea Whisking technique yet! And you're already promoting it so extravagantly. What if I can't do it?"

"Do you not believe in yourself, or do you not believe in my eye for people?" Cheng Lang countered.

Shen Huaiyu thought for a moment, then lowered his head with a smile. "Even if I don't believe in myself, I absolutely believe in you."

"That's more like it." Cheng Lang patted Shen Huaiyu on the shoulder. "Focus on your work. Don't overthink things."

Liang Yanyan and the other milk tea shop employees who had passed the interviews gathered around, asking curiously, "Is this Tea Whisking technique what we'll be learning?"

"Of course not." Cheng Lang smiled. "To reach that level, you'd need more than ten years of practice."

Liang Yanyan nodded in agreement. "True. The designs Brother Shen made in the foam looked even prettier than paintings."

Shen Huaiyu said, "I'll find a way to simplify the Tea Whisking process. Then we can design a few simple patterns, and you'll only need to make those."

Liang Yanyan and the other employees rubbed their hands eagerly. "We'll work hard to learn."

Cheng Lang looked at the new employees. "Let's sign the contracts first."

After the contracts were signed, Shen Huaiyu discussed something else with Cheng Lang. "Should we put a statue of Lu Yu in the shop?"

Cheng Lang raised a brow. "So when business is bad, we can pour hot water over it?"

Shen Huaiyu chuckled. "Then let's hope the god of tea blesses the shop with good business."

Cheng Lang did not particularly care either way. Still, he was happy to see Shen Huaiyu putting more thought into the milk tea shop. It was better for him to devote his energy to the shop than to spend every day fixating on gossip and rumors.

Thinking of that, Cheng Lang asked, "I remember you can play the guqin too, right?"

Shen Huaiyu nodded. "A little."

Cheng Lang said, "Didn't I have you film a Tea Whisking video before? I was going to add music and post it online to promote our milk tea shop, but I couldn't find anything suitable. Why don't you play something yourself?"

Shen Huaiyu asked, "What should I play?"

"Anything is fine," Cheng Lang said. "Whatever you think suits it."

Shen Huaiyu considered it. "Then I'll play 'Flowing Water.' In ancient times, there was the winding stream wine-cup ritual, where people exchanged poems and wine, which could ward off misfortune and bad luck. Since we're opening a milk tea shop, it could be considered a way of making friends over tea."

Cheng Lang clapped his hands. "That's a great meaning. It's settled, then."

Shen Huaiyu stared steadily at Cheng Lang. After a long while, he suddenly said, "Cheng Lang, thank you."

"Hm?" Cheng Lang blinked. "Then treat me to dinner tonight."

Shen Huaiyu smiled and answered gently, "All right."

Chapter 26

A new Sichuan-style noodle shop had opened near the school. Supposedly, its pea and minced pork noodles were especially delicious. Cheng Lang had always liked noodles, so around dinner time, he dragged Shen Huaiyu next door and the two of them each had a bowl. They found the flavor quite good, so Cheng Lang ordered a bowl for each of their shop employees as well. When the owner of the little noodle shop learned that Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu were the owners of the milk tea shop next door, he generously waved a hand and waived their bill.

"We're neighbors, so we should look out for each other from now on. I see that your milk tea shop is doing pretty well. It'd be great if you could help recommend us sometime. Of course, if customers eating here want milk tea, I'll recommend your place too." Since they were not competitors anyway, the owner was more than happy to do them a favor.

The cost of a few bowls of noodles was only a little over ten yuan, but it was the warmth behind the gesture that mattered. Cheng Lang thanked him cheerfully, then turned around and had the milk tea shop employees make several cups of milk tea to send over. The owner's wife accepted them with a smile. After Cheng Lang and Shen Huaiyu left, she could not help sighing. "Those two boys are so good-looking. It's a pity their lives are so hard. They're both orphans without parents."

"Don't talk nonsense!" The noodle shop owner jumped in fright. "Where did you hear that?"

"I heard it from the students eating noodles. Those two are pretty famous at school. All the students eating here were talking about them. Apparently, one of them lost his whole family in a car accident. His parents died, and he has a younger brother lying in the hospital. The medical bills alone cost over two hundred thousand yuan a month..."

"That really is pitiful." The noodle shop owner sighed as well. "No wonder they had to start doing business at such a young age. There isn't even an adult around to lend them a hand."

He then told his wife, "Stay out front and draw in customers. If anyone asks, help recommend them. Those two orphaned kids don't have it easy."

"You really plan to help them bring in business?" His wife disapproved. "Customers who come here for noodles all need drinks. If you recommend that they buy milk tea, who's going to drink our soda and bottled water?"

"You silly woman, how much can a bottle of soda or mineral water cost? And how much does a cup of milk tea cost? If they really want milk tea, do you think they'll be short of money for a bottle of soda from you?" The noodle shop owner rolled his eyes. "Helping them get a few orders won't cost us anything. But if their milk tea shop is willing to recommend our noodle shop, that would be incredible. Just look at how many people went in and out of that milk tea shop this afternoon."

People who ate noodles might not necessarily drink milk tea, but people who drank milk tea still had to eat meals on time. How could she not figure out such simple arithmetic? "Do them a favor, and we'll look generous and kind-hearted. Once they return the favor, won't our noodle shop be the one benefiting?"

The owner's wife suddenly understood and pointed at him. "You old rascal, you really know how to scheme."