...
Jasper's face darkened in frustration, but he knew when a negotiation was a lost cause. He stormed off, phone in hand, dialing his driver who was waiting in the underground parking lot.
A few minutes later, the driver is a tall, burly man dressed in a sleek suit, arrived at the mall entrance. "You called, young master?"
Jasper gestured toward the long queue at the milk tea stall. "Get in line and get me another one of those drinks," he commanded, pointing at the cup in his hand.
The driver, though puzzled, complied without question, joining the back of the lengthy line. When he finally got the drink, he made his way back to Jasper, who was impatiently waiting by the food court's barstool corner.
The moment the driver handed over the drink, Jasper snatched it, quickly piercing the lid and taking a long sip. He went over to the barstool, climbing up and perching on it with his feet dangling in the air. Unconsciously, he began to sway his feet, a satisfied hum escaping him as he relished the drink once again.
Unbeknownst to Jasper, his older brother, Ethan Lin, along with a group of their fellow second-generation friends, had spotted him from across the food court. Ethan raised an eyebrow at the unusual sight of his usually composed younger brother swaying his feet like a kid. The group sauntered over, their steps filled with curiosity and amusement.
"Jasper! What's gotten into you? You look like a child who's just been given candy," Ethan teased, laughing. "What's so special about that drink that's got you acting like that?"
Jasper looked up, barely containing his grin. He pointed over to the milk tea stall with its bright signage and the long line that snaked around the food court. Above the stall was a tarpaulin banner that read: "FREE MILK TEA FOR THE FIRST 1,000 PEOPLE."
His friends and Ethan chuckled, sharing skeptical glances. One of them, Ryan, an heir to a luxury watch brand, laughed and patted Jasper on the back. "Really? An everyday milk tea stall got you this excited? Are you really that much of a kid at heart?"
Jasper's eyes narrowed, a challenge forming in his mind. "How about a bet then?" he proposed, his tone turning serious. "Ethan, I'll bet my car yeah? The one you've been eyeing for months. I'll put it on the line against your favorite car. Let's see if you still think this is just an 'everyday milk tea' after you try it."
Ethan's interest piqued. He had always coveted Jasper's sleek convertible, a rare limited-edition model that was nearly impossible to come by. "You're serious? You'll bet your car?"
"Dead serious," Jasper confirmed, his gaze steady. "If you drink it and still think it's just ordinary milk tea, the car's yours."
Ethan laughed, almost dismissively. "You're on, big bro. You're making this way too easy." He knew Jasper's pickiness when it came to food and drink. If Jasper was raving about this, it must be something else. But he had never known his brother to make rash bets. The challenge only made Ethan more eager to win.
Ethan wasted no time. He strode confidently to the front of the line and without hesitation, threw a stack of bills to the young man at the head of the queue. "Here, take this. I need that drink."
The man looked at the money, his eyes widening. He quickly took the bills, stepping aside with a grin. "Sure, no problem!" he said, practically bouncing away with his unexpected windfall.
Ethan grabbed the cup, pierced the lid, and took a sip. As the cool, rich flavor flooded his senses, he was taken aback. It was unlike any milk tea he had ever tasted. Smooth and complex, the flavors lingered, creating a refreshing and irresistible pull that made him drink more. Before he knew it, his cup was empty, and he was left staring at the bottom, bewildered. He turned to Jasper, who was watching him with a knowing smirk.
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"You weren't kidding," Ethan admitted, shaking his head in disbelief. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the keys to his prized sports car, handing them over to Jasper without hesitation. "A bet's a bet. It's yours."
Jasper took the keys with a triumphant grin, pocketing them casually. "Told you. This isn't just any milk tea."
Word of their bet and the taste of Eternal Enchantment quickly spread among their social circles. The milk tea became a hot topic among the city's elite, a coveted indulgence that everyone wanted to try. Posts flooded social media with photos of the prized drinks, boasting captions like "Managed to snag a cup of Eternal Enchantment today!" and "Worth every minute in line!"
Health-conscious individuals who tried the drink also posted test results, confirming the low sugar content, adding an extra layer of appeal. One influential fitness blogger shared a detailed analysis: "Tested the new Eternal Enchantment Milk Tea. it's legit, only one-tenth the sugar of regular milk tea, with zero compromise on taste. This is a game-changer!"
The buzz only intensified, driving the milk tea's reputation higher as a must-have experience.
As time passed, the hype only grew. What started as thousands of posts had snowballed into millions of impressions and interactions online. Eternal Enchantment wasn't just a product; it was becoming a phenomenon.
One afternoon, Zastan decided to visit one of the milk tea stalls at a popular mall to see the impact firsthand. As he approached, he saw the queue.
It was a long, winding, filled with people from all walks of life eagerly waiting their turn.
He stood quietly at the back, watching the faces of those leaving the counter with cups in hand, their expressions ranging from delight to sheer surprise. A group of teenagers took selfies, proudly displaying their drinks. A young couple shared a cup, laughing as they drank. Even an elderly man who doesn't really liked these drinks, took a sip and nodded in approval.
Zastan felt a sense of pride swell within him. This was more than just a business; it was a brand that resonated with people on a personal level. As he watched the buzz continue to build, Zastan knew that this was just the beginning of something much larger.
Turning away from the bustling stall, he made a mental note of what he had witnessed. The queues, the excitement, the satisfaction on people's faces—all signs of a successful launch. He pulled out his phone, sending a quick message to his other manager:
"Start planning for the next phase. We're scaling up."
Zastan decided to stop putting a portion of his gold income in spending to upgrade the iron mine.
"It's decided, I'll pour most of my income into this business."
...
As his eyes scanned the crowd, he spotted a familiar figure standing in line. A petite woman in a chic outfit with her hair tied in a neat ponytail. It was Natalia, his hotel butler, who had become quite familiar with Zastan's antics over the past weeks.
Out of nowhere, a mischievous grin spread across Zastan's face as he strolled towards her, quietly making his way through the crowd.
Sneaking up from behind, he gently covered her eyes with his hands. "Guess who?" he teased.
Natalia let out a startled gasp, her heart skipping a beat. "Who—?!" she began, but then paused as recognition set in. She quickly realized who it was and rolled her eyes, her voice turning into a playful mockery. "Zastan! Really? Acting like a kid now?"
Zastan chuckled softly. "Oh, really? A kid you say?" he replied, his tone filled with amusement. Without warning, he slipped his other arm around her waist, pulling her close. Natalia's body stiffened as she felt the firm hold around her midsection. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink.
"Y-You… What are you doing?" Natalia stammered, flustered and trying to set herself free, but Zastan held her tightly. He could feel the smoothness of her skin beneath the fabric of her crop top, and the contact only made him tighten his grip.
"Just saying hi," he whispered playfully near her ear, his breath warm against her neck.
Natalia was taken aback, her hands resting awkwardly at her sides as she tried to regain her composure. Zastan finally removed the hand covering her eyes, but his other arm remained firmly around her waist. Natalia glanced down at his hand, and though she struggled initially, she eventually relaxed, allowing Zastan's arm to stay.
"So, what brings you here?" Zastan asked, his voice casual as if nothing unusual was happening.
Natalia shot him a sidelong glance, her face still tinged with a blush. "What do you think?" she replied with a huff, gesturing towards the long line of people eagerly waiting for their turn at the stall. "I heard from a colleague who managed to get one after queuing for an hour. She said it was worth every minute. I'm on a break today, so I thought, why not join in the fun?"
Zastan faked a look of sudden realization. "Oh! Right, of course," he said, pretending to be surprised. Without missing a beat, he mentally issued a command to one of the MK2 Biochemicals who was with him discreetly nearby.
A few moments later, the MK2 returned, holding two cups of the coveted milk tea in his hands. He handed them over to Zastan with a respectful nod. Natalia's eyes widened in disbelief.
...