Chapter 327 - 143: Open and Covert Struggles Among Socialites, Someone Is About to Be Disgraced

Chapter 327: Chapter 143: Open and Covert Struggles Among Socialites, Someone Is About to Be Disgraced

’If I add my own pastries to the mix, the effect will definitely be greater than the sum of its parts.’

"Okay, everything’s ready. How are things on Wang Rui’s end?"

"Right here!" Wang Rui walked in, carrying several scrolls.

Well, not exactly couplets. They were ancient poems written on rice paper with a fine-tipped brush. Wang Rui had done the calligraphy himself in the style of Wang Xizhi.

"This private room is marvelous! ’We sit together, and though we lack a grand orchestra, a cup of wine and a line of poetry are more than enough to express our heartfelt sentiments.’" Wang Rui casually scattered the calligraphed sheets across the low dining table. "Just a few of my humble works. Please don’t laugh!"

The rice paper sheets lay scattered on the table, creating a sense of organized chaos.

This scene, this atmosphere... if only there were a few pastries and a pot of good tea to go with it.

Honestly, standing here, Bai Xiaobo felt like a goddamn refined scholar himself!

"Excellent, excellent," Su Chen said, clapping. "Looks like there’s not much profit in this order beyond the service fee. We spent all the money on props."

Ling Shuyu chimed in at the perfect moment. "Not at all. With this private room, we can build a whole concept around our traditional Chinese pastries. The entry price for the first order is twenty thousand, and future orders will only be more expensive, never less. And all we need to do is provide the pastries. The venue is already set."

"President Ling has a point. If we..."

Su Chen put a hand on He Shuting’s shoulder. "Alright, you two can stop with the fancy talk. You’re not even doing it right. Just spit it out if you have something to say."

He Shuting’s face fell. "Boss, is that any way to speak to a beautiful woman?"

Beautiful woman?

’All *I* see is delicious food!’

"Shuyu’s right, though. I feel like this Snack Shop idea will be more profitable than our customized savory dishes... It’s basically printing money."

This was the first order, so there was no way around it. They had to spend the money to set the scene and decorate.

For any similar orders in the future, this investment cost would be gone.

Besides, the people who had the time and money to come to a place like this to soak in the atmosphere, drink tea, and eat pastries were mostly the idle rich.

The foundation was laid. Whether or not they could make money from it would all depend on future operations.

Su Chen was still lost in thought.

Little did he know that in Ling Shuyu’s mind, a complete blueprint for how to monetize this private room was already taking shape.

"Alright, it’s been a long day. Let’s tidy up, then everyone get back to your tasks. My eighth senior brother and I need to hurry and get the prep work done."

With the Precious Powder Cakes and Lotus Flower Pastries as the mainstays, plus his Dragon Beard Candy with its million-plus strands, Su Chen wasn’t the least bit worried about the quality of the products themselves.

After recreating them a few times in the practice room, all five pastries had, without a doubt, reached A Level.

’Su Chen seriously suspected that for something like pastries, an S Level might not even exist!’

Regardless, they were certainly beautiful enough to look at, and an A Level rating was more than enough in the world of gastronomy—a flavor so delicious it makes one linger, reluctant to leave.

After all, even for some century-old, time-honored restaurants, only their signature dish—at best—could barely scrape by with an A Level rating!

"Eighth Senior Brother, it’s all on you this time!"

Chen Wenliang stopped Su Chen just as he was about to get to work. He glanced toward the doorway, then shut the kitchen door.

"Boss Su, before we start prepping the pastries, there’s something I need to say."

"Oh?"

Old Ba had been mulling it over and felt he had to speak now. He’d just seen the woman, Ling Shuyu, and the moment the Snack Shop was mentioned, her eyes had lit up with excitement.

Over the past two busy days, Chen Wenliang had also noticed something.

On the surface, there didn’t seem to be a clear hierarchy within Meiweilai Company, but it was obvious that the woman, Ling Shuyu, was the only person besides Su Chen who could call the shots for the entire company.

Moreover, he’d heard from Zhang the Second that Ling Shuyu had single-handedly set up the "Little Canteen" and cafeteria on the second floor!

’Judging by the situation just now,’ he thought, ’if I wait any longer to speak up, there won’t be a place for me in this Snack Shop venture!’

Chen Wenliang grabbed Su Chen’s hands!

"Boss Su, what do you think of me?"

Su Chen awkwardly pulled his hands away. "Eighth Senior Brother, just say what’s on your mind. You know I don’t like to beat around the bush."

But honestly, Su Chen thought Chen the Eighth was a great guy, the kind with a down-to-earth and reliable personality.

Even more reliable than Zhang the Second.

"Martial Uncle!" Chen the Eighth suddenly changed his form of address. "About your Snack Shop venture... I was thinking... It’s no problem for me to pack up my family. My career back in Lu Province has hit a ceiling anyway!"

’So that’s what this is about.’

Su Chen understood at once. Old Ba had sensed that this traditional-style Snack Shop venture had real potential, and he wanted a piece of the action.

But Su Chen hadn’t yet carefully considered the specific business blueprint for this venture.

A single private room, no matter how high the price per visit, wouldn’t generate that much revenue.

But dedicating an entire floor to the Snack Shop...

’The thought was ridiculous. The ’Little Canteen’ on the second floor was a pure accident. Its decorations were spartan, and it was run entirely by the parents themselves.’

That was how they managed to achieve great results with minimal investment!

The development of the 3rd and 32nd floors was a different story. The company was handling it officially, and the budget was already running into the millions.

"Eighth Senior Brother, I honestly don’t have a concrete plan for the traditional pastries yet. But if you want to join my company, you’re welcome anytime!"