The night air was cool as Su Chen returned to the Su family residence. The streets were quiet, with only the occasional car passing by, the faint hum of the city providing an almost meditative background. He walked through the gates, hands in his pockets, expression calm as always.
"Where were you?" one of the sisters asked, her voice carrying that mix of curiosity and slight melodrama that he had grown accustomed to.
"Late for dinner?" Father Su added, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly.
Su Chen ignored them. Not rudely—just indifferently, with the sort of casual detachment that had saved him from countless awkward conversations since he arrived in this world.
Classic family melodrama, he thought, smirking faintly in his mind. Predictable. Entertaining. Slightly exhausting.
He walked past them without answering, a silent ghost gliding through the hall, and slipped quietly into his room. The door closed behind him with a soft click, sealing him off from their expectant stares.
Leaning back on the bed, he stared at the ceiling, hands behind his head, expression serene. On the outside, he was calm. Inside, however, his mind was a whirlwind.
Step one: survive family interrogation.
Step two: plan milk tea empire.
He let his thoughts wander through every possible detail: the shop location, interior layout, signboard design, menu selection, target audience, social media presence, pricing strategy, supplier logistics… a cascade of ideas flowed through his head, all neatly organized and mentally prioritized.
If anyone asks, I'm just a tired student returning from school, he thought, letting the corner of his mouth twitch into a faint smirk. And that's exactly how I'll stay.
He imagined the shop itself. A modest space, yet full of charm and personality. The front window displayed colorful illustrations of bubble tea cups, pastel-colored tables lined neatly inside, soft music playing in the background. Customers would stream in from school and nearby offices, captivated by the atmosphere as much as the taste.
Of course, the first step is capital, he reminded himself. 100,000 yuan won't cover everything, but it's enough to start small and scale later.
The idea made him chuckle inwardly. Ridiculous? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely.
He rested a moment longer, thinking of suppliers he would approach first, marketing strategies, seasonal flavors, and the sort of loyalty programs that could get students coming back repeatedly. The thought of designing special promotions for holidays, creating unique flavors that no one else dared to try, and posting witty social media content made his mind buzz with excitement.
Step one: survive family.
Step two: survive school.
Step three: dominate milk tea.
Satisfied for the moment, he finally laid down, letting his body rest while his mind continued to churn.
Scene 2: Planning Shop Next Day
The next morning, Su Chen took leave from school.
Perfect timing, he thought, stepping out into the city streets. Time to find the perfect location for the milk tea shop.
The streets were bustling with life, early morning shoppers and workers streaming past, street vendors setting up their stalls. He strolled calmly, observing everything with a keen eye. Every corner, every vacant shop, every small alley that might hold potential customers or create interesting foot traffic patterns was meticulously analyzed in his mind.
The first shop he examined was a small corner store near a busy street intersection. Its rent was reasonable, the space compact but functional, with a large window that could serve as a display area for colorful drinks. He made mental notes: excellent visibility, good foot traffic, slight shade in the afternoon—a small detail, but one that would matter for customer comfort.
Step one: location looks promising, he thought, tapping his chin subtly. Step two: minor renovation needed… nothing impossible.
The second option was slightly larger, a cozy little space tucked into a quiet alley. It had a warm charm, the sort of hidden gem that could draw curious students and office workers looking for something unique. Rent was slightly higher, but the character and potential branding opportunities made it appealing. He noted the local competitor stalls, observing their offerings, pricing, and customer habits.
Nearby, a small rival stall sold milk tea with… questionable flavors and messy signage. Su Chen smirked. Marketing opportunity. If I play this right, I could steal their customers without doing much.
The third option was a bit more modern, a building with clean lines and a small outdoor seating area. It was pricier, but the structure was solid, and it could be expanded in the future if the business grew.
Three solid options, he thought, jotting mental pros and cons for each. All within budget. All within walking distance from school. Each with potential to attract a steady crowd.
As he walked back through the streets, observing small shops, alleyways, and local eateries, he considered branding ideas: cup designs, logos, catchy slogans, seasonal promotions, and even a simple loyalty card system. His mind moved at lightning speed, evaluating cost-effectiveness and long-term growth.
Marketing, operations, inventory, customer service… all manageable.
By noon, Su Chen had narrowed down his list, already visualizing the final choice. The first shop's corner location was his favorite so far, combining visibility, moderate rent, and charm. He imagined the first day of opening: the first customer walking in, the smell of freshly brewed tea, the cheerful chatter, and the satisfaction of seeing his vision slowly come to life.
Step one complete. Step two: execution.
He leaned against a wall for a moment, closing his eyes briefly and letting the hum of the city fill his ears. There was no rush, no pressure, just the quiet thrill of laying the foundation for something entirely his own.
He returned home in the afternoon, walking calmly through the gates of the Su residence as though nothing had happened, expression indifferent as always. Inside, however, he felt a quiet thrill, a flicker of excitement at the world he was beginning to understand and shape.
Tomorrow, he thought, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The empire begins for real.
And with that, Su Chen entered his room, laid back on his bed, and let his mind wander freely through the colors, flavors, and possibilities of his upcoming milk tea shop. Outside, he appeared calm. Inside, he was already dreaming of his first bubble tea conquest, plotting flavors, promotions, and strategies, one small, delightful step at a time.