Chapter 144: Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea Shop Opens

Chapter 144: Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea Shop Opens

"Isn't this place big enough? My family has a house in the suburbs because my father and grandfather are locals. But if we were to buy a house in the Imperial Capital now, I doubt we'd even have enough to buy a toilet."

Housing prices in the Imperial Capital were indeed sky-high, making it tough for ordinary families to afford a place.

"The suburban house is spacious—think of it in a positive light."

Yun Zijin wasn't sure how best to respond to the subject of buying a house.

All of her properties had come from the system or been given to her; she had never personally purchased a home.

"I don't expect to be able to buy in the Imperial Capital. Just being able to support myself after graduation is good enough," Qin Sitong said, clearly aware of her own situation.

Yun Zijin didn't say much. She wanted to help Qin Sitong earn money, but it wasn't something to solve overnight.

While they talked, Aunt Wang and the servants brought out the dishes.

"This chopped-pepper fish head is what Miss Qin mentioned liking. I hope it suits your taste. Also…"

One by one, Aunt Wang introduced each dish.

With each plate, Qin Sitong's eyes lit up a bit more—clearly delighted.

"Zijin, your chef is impressive—able to handle both southern and northern cuisines?"

Generally, a top-notch chef specializes in one regional style. Proficiency in two or more was quite rare.

"No, we actually have more than one chef in the kitchen. Several chefs prepared these dishes."

These chefs were introduced by Aunt Wang. She had known private chefs from wealthy families during her many years of service. When she found several currently unemployed, she invited them to cook at Emerald Lake. After a taste test, they all stayed on. Anyway, she wasn't short on money.

Qin Sitong had grown accustomed to being floored by such luxury. Indeed, poverty truly limits one's imagination.

After they finished eating, Qin Sitong recalled something and brightened. "By the way, I heard from the club that our university is inviting quite a few accomplished alumni to the welcome ceremony this year. Lots of people want to appear onstage—did you want me to sign you up?"

"For those wanting future employment, it's a good opportunity. But I'm not interested," replied Zijin, who had no intention of a corporate career. She already had more than enough on her plate, simply collecting rent and managing her properties.

"You're not planning to get a job? Then what will you do—start your own business?" Qin Sitong asked, recalling that Zijin was evidently a billionaire, complete with a fancy car and houses. It seemed plausible.

"I'm under no financial pressure, and I'm almost done with my credits. As long as I pass what remains, I'll graduate just fine. If you have any ideas, let me know. If you want to start something, I can invest."

Zijin made a promise: she was happy to back Qin Sitong if she decided on a venture.

"You said it, and I'll hold you to it!" Qin Sitong was thrilled at the very thought, even if she hadn't pinned down any particular idea.

As the two girls continued chatting, time flew. It wasn't until Meilin walked in that they realized it was already 9 p.m.

Zijin had yet to complete that day's spending requirement, so she asked Meilin to transfer 5 million yuan from her account to the charity foundation.

Thanks to Meilin's skills, everything was done swiftly on a laptop, and soon Zijin's phone buzzed with a text alert for the 5-million deduction. In her mind, the system signaled completion of today's consumption task.

[Spending Task: Spend 5,000,000 yuan before midnight — Completed!

Reward triggered: triple rebate, 15,000,000 yuan deposited to host's account. Additionally, host receives the recipe plus two cups of sample "Forget-Your-Worries" Milk Tea. Samples are now in the system's inventory. Please check.]

Zijin was slightly stunned that the reward turned out to be a milk-tea recipe, along with two samples. The system's last freebie, rose essential oil, had been bizarre enough—but a "Forget-Your-Worries" Milk Tea recipe sounded even more fantastical. The name alone implied some special effect. She just didn't know how it would manifest.

"Ah, Aunt Wang told us the kitchen just made two cups of milk tea. I'll go see if they're ready," Zijin casually told Qin Sitong, then dashed off to the kitchen.

At that hour, the chefs and staff were on the 35th floor having their meal. The kitchen was empty, allowing Zijin to pull out two cups of the "Forget-Your-Worries" Milk Tea from the system's inventory undetected.

Peering at the two extra-large cups, she mused how surreal it was. But since she had them, she took them to the living room.

Luckily, Qin Sitong didn't realize no one was actually in the kitchen or her little fib would've been exposed.

Back in the living room, Zijin handed one cup to Qin Sitong.

"This is a newly invented milk tea I call 'Forget-Your-Worries.' Care to try?"

Should it prove tasty, Zijin thought maybe she'd invest in a milk tea shop for Qin Sitong, with this beverage as their flagship. Then they'd surely never be short of customers.

Qin Sitong eyed the swirling array of colors in that translucent cup, hesitating. The colors almost felt too bright; was this truly safe to drink? She didn't want to end up in the ER.

"Relax. I'll drink first, so you know it's harmless," Zijin said, noticing her apprehension.

Then Zijin took a sip. The flavor was indescribably unique, something she'd never experienced, yet it was unquestionably delicious.

"It's good. Give it a taste! I've only got these two cups. If you won't drink it, I'll give it to Aunt Wang."

Zijin took another sip and found the taste subtly changed from the first, strangely prompting a memory from her carefree childhood under the dean's care at the orphanage.

She paused, eyebrows rising. Could this be how Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea worked—prompting recollections of one's happiest times?

No sooner had that occurred to her than Qin Sitong had also taken a sip. Instantly, her eyes lit up. "This is… quite special!"

Though neither could pin down the flavor, it was undeniably tasty.

"Zijin, I'm suddenly reminded of my first grade finals—my first 100 on an exam. During the closing ceremony, the principal praised me in front of the whole school, and I got a 500-yuan scholarship! That has to be the highlight of my entire 21-year life!"

Though she'd earned accolades since, nothing compared to that initial victory. She hadn't seen another 500-yuan scholarship quite like that.

"You earned 500 yuan in first grade? That's a huge sum for a kid!"

Zijin hadn't expected such a backstory. Despite being best friends for three years, they apparently still didn't know everything about each other's childhoods.

"Yup! My parents were so excited. My dad framed the 500 yuan that same day and placed it on their bedside table." At this recollection, Qin Sitong's face glowed with joy.

Zijin felt a twinge of envy. So that was what parental doting felt like. But envy soon gave way to gratitude—she had no parents but had had the dean's unwavering care. And now, the system's help.

[Ding! I will always be with the host.]

Sensing Zijin's fleeting sadness, the system's Suibianhua piped up gently in her mind.

Zijin's lips curved slightly. Meeting Suibianhua truly was her greatest luck.

"How's the Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea? Worth the name?" she asked, to change the topic.

Indeed, if the recipe consistently prompted such joyful flashbacks, it should be a guaranteed bestseller. It might be the perfect star attraction for a new milk-tea store.

It took Qin Sitong a moment to link the name to her sudden memory. Her eyes grew round. "So… this is that Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea?"

Zijin nodded: exactly. How else would they spontaneously recall their childhood bliss?

The hour for gloom seemed far away tonight.

"Did your chef really invent this? It's almost unbelievable," Qin Sitong murmured.

"Okay, I fibbed a bit. Actually, I developed it myself and have applied for a patent. So? You're nearly done with your college workload. Why not open a shop? I'll fund the store and supply the recipe. You run it. I won't get involved in day-to-day operations—just cut me in on some profit."

She wanted to give Qin Sitong a path to financial independence. She'd simply check in occasionally.

"Wait—when did you learn to create milk tea recipes?" Qin Sitong found it incredible. But the Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea in hand tasted real enough.

"Don't worry about that. Let me know if you're in."

And Qin Sitong was in. The rest fell into place.

That day, 15 days later, their Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea Shop finally opened. Qin Sitong had picked out an empty corner unit on the food street, transforming the store's curved arc into a cozy reading nook.

On opening day, Su Mengyao and Sheng Yang eagerly rushed in.

"Hurry, hurry—what's the secret weapon we've been waiting for?"

Even though the wait had only been half a month, it felt like forever to them.

Sheng Yang wore the same impatience as Su Mengyao. He had waited anxiously for these 15 days.

Zijin was present for the opening but planned not to meddle in daily affairs.

"Don't worry. You'll know soon," she teased.

Exasperated, Su Mengyao and Sheng Yang gave each other a look, but had to wait.

Qin Sitong was ready. "Zijin, shall we show them the Forget-Your-Worries Milk Tea?"

Nodding, Zijin stepped behind the counter. Everyone gathered around to watch carefully. She deftly measured ingredients, combining them methodically. Su Mengyao and Sheng Yang—along with a few staff—stood mesmerized.

Soon, the swirling array of color appeared as Zijin poured the brew into clear cups.

"Whoa, that color is amazing," Su Mengyao breathed.

The prismatic changes inside the transparent cups truly caught the eye.

"This is the store's star item," Qin Sitong declared. "Zijin invented it, though I can also make it. But her version has the best flavor. It's limited edition for opening day!"

With the cups lined up, each friend took one—Su Mengyao, Sheng Yang, and a few staff tried it immediately.

At the first sip, their eyes widened. They exchanged amazed looks. The flavor was indescribable yet irresistibly delicious. Some felt an almost ethereal warmth, recalling joyful, carefree moments.

None of them spoke at first. Finally, Su Mengyao exclaimed, "This… is insane! I—I just remembered my first date with a crush in high school!"

Sheng Yang said quietly, "I suddenly recalled the day I got my first guitar. Didn't expect that memory to pop back up, but I can picture it so clearly now."

Their astonishment confirmed the secret weapon was no exaggeration. They understood why the new shop was guaranteed to have customers lining up.

In a corner, Qin Sitong turned to Zijin with gratitude shining in her eyes, convinced now that their store would thrive—maybe even more than they had dreamed.

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