Chapter 098: A Perfect Ending
Although this catering business was based on the principle of small profits and quick turnover, the income from a single serving was limited. And after deducting the large number of discount coupons given out, Chen Ran calculated that besides the costs and the employees’ salaries, the net profit on the first day had reached a terrifying nearly five hundred gold coins. This was achieved under the circumstances that the number of salespeople was underestimated and they were not yet familiar with the business. Not only that, but he also received cooperation requests from many merchants who had smelled a business opportunity. Some wanted Chen Ran to supply those new drinks, while others wanted to buy the recipe directly at a high price.
Chen Ran was naturally not that stupid. He taught the drink recipes to those children, letting them keep this secret among themselves, and had them research better ways to make the recipes. He believed that in the future, all the hotels would have Chen Ran’s new style of drinks.
Although this “KFC” was opened a bit hastily, and some aspects were not perfectly prepared, and there were some small problems, this day still ended almost perfectly, with a very good start. Although everyone was so busy they could barely breathe, everyone’s face was filled with excitement.
In the next few days, they would start to expand their staff. Just like in his original world, the waiters here would mostly be students from the local Xilan Academy. This was a reasonable use of resources and increased their appeal. At this rate, they would soon be able to open a second chain store.
Until closing time, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to close the doors and leave.
For Chen Ran, this day was extremely satisfying. Looking at the group of waiters shouting “boss” in unison, his face showed no expression, but his heart was overjoyed. It was like when he first moved into his new home, the mentality he had when the servants called him “master.”
When he was leaving, Ella appeared at the closing door and said to Chen Ran with a smile, “Congratulations, it was very successful today.”
“Thanks to you,” Chen Ran said with a smile. “Thanks to your help these past few days, my progress has been so smooth. I really don’t know how to thank you.”
“Then I wonder if the boss would be so kind as to walk me home?”
Chen Ran looked up at the moon. It seemed a bit late, but he didn’t refuse. He suddenly remembered what Colin had said when he left and agreed, “It would be my honor.”
The moonlight was like frost, shining down, as if covering the world with a silver carpet, quiet and clear.
Two figures walked on the quiet street, neither saying a word.
Ella’s hands were behind her back, and she walked forward step by step. It was less like going home and more like taking a walk.
Tonight, she seemed much more beautiful than usual. She was dressed up a little more than usual, but it showed a different side of Ella, a kind of confident and serene temperament.
The night was a little chilly. Although it was in a temperate zone, and this winter season did not require thick cotton clothes like in other places, there was still a hint of coolness in the night wind, which made the thinly dressed Ella can’t help but hug her arms and shiver involuntarily.
Chen Ran noticed this detail and very directly took off his own coat and gently draped it over her from behind.
“Thank you,” a trace of warmth flashed on Ella’s face. She tucked a strand of hair that had been blown messy by the wind, shrank her body, and wrapped the clothes tighter, as if feeling the warmth in them. She looked up at the moon, at the twinkling starry sky, and murmured, “I’m curious what kind of person you are. You always bring so many incredible things. Because of your existence, this world seems to have changed a lot.”
Chen Ran didn’t understand what Ella meant for a moment. He thought she was just talking about the changes he had brought to this city and said humbly, “You’re too kind. Actually, I’m just a very ordinary person, just a little luckier than others.”
“Looking at your actions recently, you seem to be in a bit of a hurry,” Ella said, sensing Chen Ran’s recent actions and guessing on her own. “Are you leaving too?”
Chen Ran did not hide it and answered truthfully, “Yes. Everything in Xilan City is very good, and I finally have my own home. But this life doesn’t completely belong to me, so I will go out again and live the life I should live. But at least this is my root. If nothing unexpected happens, I will come back.”
Inadvertently, Chen Ran turned his head and looked at Ella’s sparkling, complex eyes. In that moment, Chen Ran’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. “By the way, thank you for taking care of that little girl Dongfang all this time. It’s shameful to say, but I’ve never really thanked you.”
“It’s nothing. Dongfang is a very cute and smart girl. Like that little girl Avril, they are both very likable and will surely become excellent girls in the future. To be their teacher is also my blessing,” Ella said with a smile. “It was you who changed their fate. If you hadn’t discovered them, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the fruits of your labor and have two such elfin and cute little sisters.”
Ella turned her head and looked into Chen Ran’s eyes. “Once you’re gone, what will happen to Dongfang? That little girl will definitely go crazy.”
“There is no such thing as eternity in this world. Gathering and parting are also a part of life that must be experienced. After those gains and losses, people will gradually grow up and become sensible,” Chen Ran lowered his head bitterly. “At that time, I plan to send her to Xilan Academy. At least she’ll have a place to study. I’ll come back to see her when I have time. By the way…”
At this, Chen Ran suddenly remembered a small gift in his spatial ring, a small accessory made from the precious main material left over from when he had made the longsword Light’s Defiance. Remembering it at this moment, he took it out.
In the dim, starry night, the necklace exuded a moving color, blurring the light and shadow. Various colors of light flashed, especially the star-colored diamond in the center, which shone with an eternal light.
“It’s so beautiful,” even Ella, who rarely used accessories to decorate herself, couldn’t help but be attracted by the flowing colors. She held the pendant in both hands, her eyes dazed, with a hint of warmth. She looked up and said to Chen Ran, “Can you put it on for me?”
Chen Ran didn’t say much. He took the pendant from Ella’s hand and fastened the small, fine chain made of mithril.
Because they were facing each other, their breaths were clearly audible at the moment it was fastened. The young girl’s faint fragrance was sweet and intoxicating.
The figures separated. The pendant hung on Ella’s fair neck. Because she had rarely worn a low-cut formal dress tonight, the snow-white skin below her neck was reflected in a hazy, true color, which was very moving.
“It’s so beautiful. The person who marries you in the future will be very happy,” after putting on this pendant, which Chen Ran had named the Heart of Illusion, Ella’s temperament was instantly sublimated. She could actually be very beautiful; she just chose simplicity more often.
