...

Zastan had already bookmarked all of the flavors he planned to buy in the future. His attention to detail and foresight was paying off as he envisioned how each new flavor would fit into his business strategy.

For now, he planned to hype up the new flavor in his milk tea business as much as possible, building anticipation for at least a few days before officially releasing it to the public. "This has to be perfect," he muttered to himself, already visualizing the excitement from his customers.

He knew the timing was crucial. By the time he launched the flavor, the powder-making process and all related preparations would have fully matured. Everything would be in place for a smooth release, and the buzz around the new product would drive people straight to his stores.

"Just a few more days..." Zastan thought, a smirk forming as he finalized his plan.

Right then, an idea crossed his mind. "I should tell Darius to contact the company that created all the customized machines for us."

He picked up his phone and dialed Darius. But before Zastan could finish explaining, Darius interrupted him, already one step ahead.

"Young Master, I've already contacted them," Darius said confidently.

Zastan chuckled softly. "Of course you did."

It turned out that because of the bulk orders they had originally contracted with the company, TechWave Systems, the company had already customized a new machine. It was 50% smaller in scale, yet its efficiency remained the same. This would help optimize the space in each of their outlets without sacrificing performance.

"There's more," Darius continued. "I asked them to add two compartments in the powder dispensing area since we'll now have two flavors."

Zastan raised an eyebrow in interest. "And what did they say?"

"They said there would be no problem at all," Darius replied, sounding pleased.

Hearing this, Zastan smiled. "Perfect. Go ahead and place an order for twice as many machines. Every outlet should have them."

"Understood, Young Master," Darius responded, noting down the instructions.

...

After discussing a few more details, the conversation was about to end when Darius suddenly remembered something.

"Young Master, there's one more thing," Darius added. "We should implement a ticketing kiosk system at each stall."

Zastan, intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "A ticketing kiosk? Go on, tell me more."

Darius explained his plan. They could build one or two kiosks at each stall, with more placed in larger retail spaces. Customers would select their desired flavor at the kiosk, pay either with cash or a card, and receive a printed ticket.

"The ticket will show, upon being scanned, the quantity, flavors, and any specific details about their order. They'll then hand it over to the staff next to the cashier," Darius explained further. "Once the order is confirmed, the ticket will be inserted into a machine that will cut it apart and finalize everything."

Before ending the call, a thought crossed Zastan's mind. "Darius, with all of these changes, how much more efficient do you think our business will be?"

Darius didn't hesitate. "It will be almost twice as efficient compared to before, Young Master."

Zastan leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on."

"With these new machines, there won't be any unexpected breakdowns that last anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute. The current machines sometimes struggle after running for hours without rest, but these customized ones can handle full operation without issues," Darius explained.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Zastan nodded thoughtfully, already picturing the smooth workflow. "And the kiosks?"

Darius continued, "The ticketing kiosks will significantly shorten the queue at our stalls. Customers won't be discouraged by long lines and leave without buying anything, which has been a problem. This system will keep the line moving fast, meaning fewer missed sales and more income."

Zastan smiled, clearly impressed. "Twice the efficiency and fewer problems... That's exactly what we need. Let's get all of these done and implemented as soon as possible."

...Days passed, and the ticketing kiosk system, along with the new machinery, were gradually being installed in each of Zastan's outlets. Even the new outlets under construction were being equipped with the latest upgrades. Things were moving smoothly, and Zastan could already sense the shift in their business efficiency.

While out shopping, Zastan received a call from Darius. A few days prior, Darius had proposed taking out a loan from the bank, using their business as collateral. The idea had been a solid one, and it didn't take long for them to act on it.

"The branch president was more than happy to give us a loan of 100 million at 6.25% interest annually," Darius explained on the call.

For Zastan, this wasn't a concern. "Even if the interest was doubled, it wouldn't be a problem," he thought, already thinking ahead.

Darius continued, "We've secured the loan, Young Master. 100 million is now at our disposal."

Zastan grinned, his mind already racing with ideas. "Good. Spend it all on expanding the milk tea business."

"Understood," Darius replied, and with that, the call ended.

Wasting no time, Darius mobilized the Biochemicals, instructing them to scout high-traffic areas.

The hundreds of Biochemicals set out immediately, with a single task in their mind: Find ideal spots to build new stalls and expand their reach.

Meanwhile, Zastan, still at the mall, felt a sense of satisfaction. His vision for the future was steadily coming together. He ended up buying twice as much as he usually would during his shopping session.

As he strolled through the mall, a thought crossed his mind. "It's time to move out of the hotel," he mused. "A mansion or a villa in Luminae would be the perfect next step to secure my future... and enhance security."

...

Back at his hotel, Zastan laid on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. A wave of boredom washed over him. "I need something to do," he muttered.

He opened his phone and scrolled through his contacts. After sending a quick message to his mother, his eyes lingered on Elara's name. Without giving it much thought, he decided to call her, hoping to invite her out for a bit.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, Elara was scrolling through Zastan's social media account. She had seen countless photos of his luxurious lifestyle, from fancy meals to exclusive venues. What surprised her most was the sheer number of followers he had accumulated.

There thousands of people, most of them drawn to him after an incident where he had saved the day and become a hero in many people's eyes.

"Why am I even doing this?" Elara muttered under her breath, a hint of frustration in her voice. Her best friend, Amara, watched her with amusement. "You've been scrolling through Zastan's socials for days, Elara. It's almost like you're obsessed," she teased.

Elara sighed, her fingers still idly moving over her phone. "It's just… after that day, something changed. I don't know how to explain it, but I guess a part of me started to like him."

Amara's teasing grin faded. She leaned forward, sensing the seriousness of her friend's tone. "Elara..." she began, but Elara cut her off with a bitter smile.

"It doesn't matter, though. You like him too," Elara said quietly, glancing at her friend. "It's been clear for a while now."

Amara blinked in surprise, but before she could respond, Elara's phone suddenly rang, startling her. She looked down at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Zastan's name.

She answered the call with a smile. "Zastan! Hey, how are you?" she asked, her tone light and cheerful.

As Zastan explained his day and suggested hanging out, Elara nodded, though she noticed Amara's expression change. Amara's eyes swelled slightly, and without a word, she turned and headed toward her room, shoulders slumped.

Elara's heart sank as she watched her friend leave, but in that moment, her suspicions were confirmed. Amara had feelings for Zastan too. It wasn't just her.

"I'll meet you later," Elara said to Zastan, her voice soft but tinged with an underlying thoughtfulness. After ending the call, she leaned back, her mind swirling with the complicated emotions surrounding her friendship and her feelings for Zastan.

Amara sighed, realizing she had to let go.

'I guess, I'll just have to gradually accept it huh?'

Zastan was the first boy she had ever admired, the first she truly liked. But if Zastan and Elara were meant to be together, she would support them from afar, no matter how hard it was.

...

Zastan, on the other hand, was in high spirits. He had invited Elara for a peaceful walk in the park to watch the fountain dance, a beautiful spectacle that happened every night at a certain time. Elara accepted the invitation with a cheerful voice but paused for a moment before suggesting, "Would it be okay if I invite my friends too? I think they'd love to join us."

Zastan, ever the social type, grinned through the phone. "The more, the merrier! Sure, bring them along!"

...