📖 Chapter 5 – Sweet Victory: Gulab Jamun Twist
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The morning sun baked the streets of Mumbai, but the lane outside the college buzzed with life as always. Students were already lining up near Raj's cart, laughing and shouting for his cheese burst vada pav.
Raj wiped his hands on a towel, eyes flickering to the golden panel.
> [Mission Progress: 712/1000 Plates]
[Side Mission: Create 3 Original Recipes – 1/3 Complete]
"One down," he murmured. "Two more to go."
The Cheese Burst had been a success, but Raj knew the system wanted more than minor variations. It wanted innovation.
He tapped his chin. What do students crave after something spicy and oily?
As if answering, the memory of his late mother floated into his mind—her kitchen filled with the smell of sugar syrup, soft dumplings soaking inside, glistening golden.
"Gulab jamun," Raj whispered.
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Experimenting with Sweetness
That evening, after closing, Raj sneaked into the hostel kitchen again. He kneaded khoya, rolled it into smooth balls, and slipped them into hot oil. The Golden Frying Pan sizzled, enveloping them in an even brown glow.
Once fried, he dipped them in sugar syrup infused with cardamom and saffron. The aroma alone made his roommate stumble in, eyes widening.
"Bro, are you serious? Gulab jamun? At midnight?"
Raj grinned, handing him one. The boy bit in—and froze, his face melting into bliss.
"This is heaven."
The panel chimed:
> [New Recipe Created: Golden Gulab Jamun]
Rating: ★★★★★ (Outstanding)
Effect: +20% happiness boost for customers. Increases loyalty.
Raj chuckled. "So even sweets can have effects. Perfect."
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The Sweet Reveal
The next day, Raj wheeled out his cart with a surprise. He fried up the first batch of gulab jamuns in public, their fragrance spreading faster than word of mouth.
"Raj bhaiya, what's this new smell?"
"Are you selling dessert too?"
Raj lifted the pot proudly. "Introducing today's special—Golden Gulab Jamun. Limited stock. First come, first serve."
The crowd roared. Plates vanished in minutes. Students who usually stopped after one vada pav now bought extra just to get dessert.
> [Plates Sold: 986/1000]
[Customer Loyalty: 70/100]
The panel glowed brighter than ever. Raj could almost feel the empire taking shape.
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Shankar's Outrage
Across the street, Shankar's stall was nearly empty again. The sweet aroma drifted into his nose like poison. He clenched his ladle, glaring daggers at Raj.
"First vada pav, now sweets? Does this boy think he can replace the entire street?"
One of his workers muttered, "Boss, maybe we should try gulab jamun too…"
Shankar slapped him across the head. "Idiot! If we copy him, we'll look desperate!"
But deep inside, Shankar knew the truth. His reign over the street was slipping through his fingers.
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Victory of the Day
By the time Raj sold out, even office workers were queuing for takeaway. A professor stopped by, praising his innovation. A local shopkeeper bought ten gulab jamuns to take home.
Raj leaned against his cart, sweat dripping, but his smile unshakable.
The system chimed:
> [Mission Complete: 1000/1000 Plates Sold]
Reward: Business Expansion Slot – Open a Second Cart.
Raj's breath caught. A second stall? Already? His empire was growing faster than he imagined.
But as the cheers rang out, Raj noticed Shankar staring at him from across the street. His eyes were no longer just angry—they were dangerous.
Raj's victory today was sweet. But he knew bitter battles lay ahead.
The crowd outside Raj's stall refused to leave even after the last gulab jamun was sold. Some students patted their bellies, others begged him to make more tomorrow. A few even asked if he could cater for their hostel parties.
Raj laughed, shaking his head. "One cart, two hands. That's all I have right now."
But as he pushed his cart back into the shed, the golden panel flickered again.
> [Mission Complete: 1000 Plates Sold.]
Reward: Business Expansion Slot – Open Second Cart.
Condition: Recruit at least one staff member.
Raj stopped in his tracks. "A second stall… already?"
His heart raced. This wasn't just growth—it was scaling. In 2025, he had dreamed of chains, franchises, delivery services. Back then, it had taken him years just to scrape together a single outlet. But here, with the system, the path was accelerated.
He imagined it: one stall near the college, another at the train station, another at the market. The golden frying pan wasn't just giving him food—it was giving him an empire.
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The Students' Support
That evening, a group of students knocked on his hostel door.
"Raj bhaiya, your gulab jamun is legendary. Open more stalls, yaar—we'll run them for you!"
Raj chuckled, but the system chimed:
> [Staff Recruitment System Unlockable.]
Train loyal workers using XP. Skills can be transferred temporarily.
His grin widened. "Looks like I won't be alone anymore."
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Shankar's Breaking Point
Across the street, Shankar sat in his empty stall, a bottle of cheap liquor in his hand. His workers whispered nervously, afraid to speak.
The air was heavy with the smell of burnt oil and defeat.
"He's beaten me at taste… he's beaten me at sweets… and now he's opening another cart?" Shankar's voice cracked with bitterness. He slammed the bottle onto the counter, shattering it.
His eyes glowed with fury. "If the system, the students, even fate itself is against me… then I'll fight with fire and blood."
The workers exchanged fearful glances. Shankar wasn't just angry anymore—he was dangerous.
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The Dream of Tomorrow
Back in his room, Raj opened his notebook and scribbled down his vision.
Stall 1: College Gate – Vada Pav & Gulab Jamun.
Stall 2: Railway Station – Snacks for commuters.
Stall 3: Market – Festival foods.
He underlined the last line three times:
"From street stalls to empire."
The golden panel pulsed faintly, as if sharing his ambition.
Raj closed his eyes, exhaustion finally catching up with him. For the first time in two lives, he felt both secure and unstoppable.
Tomorrow, he would recruit his first staff. Tomorrow, the empire would double.
But in the darkness outside, a pair of bloodshot eyes glared at the hostel window. Shankar wasn't done yet.
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