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The factory had become an almost fully capacitated machine, its daily hum and clatter signaling the near-maximized production of iron rods. With almost every system fine-tuned, the factory was almost able to generate a staggering 10,000 points per day.

"Perfect, just the way I wanted it to be." Zastan commented as he overlooked at the production chain.

With each rod produced represented progress. Zastan couldn't help but feel a swell of satisfaction as he monitored the ongoing operations. The production floor was alive with activity.

It's conveyors moved raw materials in perfect synchronization, automated cutters sliced through glowing metal with precision, and workers carefully monitored each stage to ensure quality.

Yet, despite the progress, Zastan knew he was only scratching the surface of his potential. Beyond the factory walls, his other venture, Eternal Enchantment Milk Tea, which was already causing waves even before its grand opening.

The milk tea stalls were strategically spread out in high-traffic locations: bustling malls, popular schools, tech campuses buzzing with young professionals, lively parks, cinema complexes, and major transit hubs where commuters thronged daily. These were prime spots chosen to attract his target audience.

The youth and the young at heart, eager for a taste of something new and extraordinary.

However, the stalls weren't operational yet. Some were still under construction, with crews working day and night to meet the ambitious deadlines. Others were fully built, gleaming with new counters, brightly lit signage, and spotless interiors, but they remained unopened, poised for a coordinated launch.

The planned opening is already finalized and planned out.

All stalls would open simultaneously for a grand unveiling, a strategic move designed to maximize impact and create a buzz that would ripple across the city.

Despite not being open yet, the anticipation was building. The stalls that were ready to go were already making their presence known through promotional activities. Each prepared stall was offering a daily giveaway of 1,000 cups of milk tea, a clever marketing tactic that had made people buzzing. Word of mouth spread like wildfire, and social media was somewhat infected with these posts and photos of the sleek stalls and the elusive drink. People from all walks of life lined up, eager to be among the first to try the mysterious milk tea that promised a taste like no other.

In his luxurious hotel suite, Zastan sat comfortably, listening to Darius, who had come with the latest updates.

"We've got an estimated of 24,000 rods stored in the warehouse now," Darius reported, glancing at his notes. "Production is nearly at full capacity, and with the current rate, we should start hitting our target of 10,000 points a day by the end of the week."

Zastan nodded, pleased with the progress. "Good, very good. And the milk tea business? How's Eternal Enchantment doing on the ground?"

Darius's face lit up as he pulled out his tablet, showing Zastan the flurry of online activity surrounding Eternal Enchantment. "Young Master, the response has been incredible. There are already thousands of posts across social media. The people are craving about the milk tea, and they can't wait for the official launch on September 1st. The hype is real. We're seeing posts with people offering money just to stand in line and get another cup."

Zastan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Already? We haven't even opened yet."

"Exactly," Darius continued. "The promotional giveaway has been a massive success. We've had to implement a 'one-cup-per-person rule', verified by ID, because of the overwhelming demand. And even then, there are folks who'll pay others to queue for them, just to get another taste. Some of the posts are even talking about how they drained their cups without realizing it until the last drop was gone. The drink's addictive—just as you planned."

Zastan leaned back, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face. "That's exactly what I wanted. A product that's not just good, but irresistible. People need to crave it, to feel that pull. This is how we'll dominate the market."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Darius nodded enthusiastically. "We're on track for that, Young Master. There's also been some interesting chatter in certain forums and threads. People are sharing their experiences of trying the milk tea, and there's a consistent pattern. Almost everyone says they drank it all without even realizing—they didn't notice how much they loved it until it was gone."

Zastan chuckled, crossing his arms as he gazed at the tablet. "The perfect stealth hit. It's not just a drink; it's an experience. And once we're open, they'll be coming back again and again."

Darius flipped through more data, showing Zastan a trending discussion from a popular local forum. "Look at this thread, young master. Tt's been blowing up. Hundreds of people are sharing their 'Eternal Enchantment' stories, all saying the same thing. They grab a cup, take a sip, and the next thing they know, it's empty. They can't get enough. They're already begging for us to open more locations."

Zastan leaned in closer, reading the posts. One in particular caught his eye:

'I don't know what kind of magic they've put into this milk tea, but I swear I blinked and my cup was empty. I've never had anything like it. Can't wait for them to open! I'm gonna be there first in line!'

Another user replied:

'Same here! I got one from their promo at the mall, and I swear I didn't even realize I was drinking so much until I hit the bottom of the cup. They've got something special for sure. Hope they open one near my campus soon!'

Zastan couldn't suppress his grin. "This is it, Darius. This is exactly what we've been working towards. The demand is there, the product is perfect, and the buzz is building. When we open, it's going to be a storm."

Darius nodded. "Absolutely, Young Master. We've also got influencers lined up to cover the grand opening. They're eager to get involved, especially after trying the samples. We'll have a massive audience on day one."

Zastan's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Keep pushing. Make sure every stall is flawless by launch day. No detail is too small. The moment we open those gates, I want lines around every block."

"You can count on it, Young Master," Darius assured, his tone full of confidence. "We're all set for a powerful start. Just say the word, and we'll make it happen."

Zastan stood up, walking over to the window. He looked out over the city, his city, filled with countless opportunities. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the skyline, and he could almost see the future unfolding before him—a future where Eternal Enchantment was more than just a name; it was a phenomenon.

Turning back to Darius, he smiled, his voice filled with the certainty of someone who knew exactly where he was headed. "September 1st. That's the day everything changes. Make sure we're ready."

Darius gave a firm nod. "We will be, Young Master. We will be."

A week had passed since the initial launch of Eternal Enchantment Milk Tea's promotional campaign, and the buzz was unlike anything Zastan had anticipated. The impact was profound, reaching all corners of the city.

Among these was a guy Jasper Lin, a wealthy second-generation figure known for his fondness for rare and expensive indulgences.

The stall had just opened, and Jasper, in a rare stroke of timing, found himself at the very front of the line. The staff, a neatly dressed individual in a sleek uniform, greeted him warmly as he stepped up to the counter.

"Congratulations, sir!" the staff member said with a practiced smile. "You're the first in line today. As part of our grand opening, your drink is free. I guarantee you'll remember this taste for the rest of your life."

Jasper raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "Oh? What makes it so special?" he asked, leaning casually against the counter.

The staff handed him the cup, already filled with the chilled, amber-colored drink. "This milk tea has only one-tenth of the sugar content of your average milk tea, so you can enjoy it without worrying about overindulging. Unless, of course, you plan to drink dozens every day."

Jasper smirked, he took the cup politely, not expecting it to be like those high-end milk teas out there. "Well, that's a challenge I'm willing to accept," he quipped before piercing the lid with the straw. He took a sip, expecting just another sweet concoction. But as soon as the liquid hit his tongue, he felt a felt a taste of cool, creamy, and refreshingly smooth with an undercurrent of floral notes that danced across his palate. Each sip was a mix of flavors that felt both familiar and new, and before he knew it, he had emptied the cup.

He stared at the empty cup, momentarily stunned. How had he gone through it so quickly? His tongue tingled, craving for more of that elusive, addictively refreshing taste.

Jasper turned to the staff, an eager gleam in his eyes. "I'll take another."

The staff member shook his head politely. "I'm sorry, sir, but our policy is strictly one cup per person for today's promotion."

Jasper's expression tightened. "What if I pay? Double, triple—whatever, or how much you want." He pulled out a wad of cash and waved it in front of the staff, the bills fluttering like leaves in the wind.

But the staff remained unfazed. "Apologies, sir. We cannot make exceptions. Our policy is set by our management."

"How about this, 1,000$ tip. All yours, just give me another cup." Jasper placed the cash on the counter top.

"I'm sorry sir, but I just can't. I hope you'll understand." The staff replied without making any expression as he looked at the cash on the counter.

...