Chapter 76: A Thousand Cups Sold Daily, Annual Profits Could Surpass One Million!

“Hiss!” Zhou Zheng drew in a sharp breath, unable to speak for a moment.

“Come on, is your leg really hurting that much? I just asked you to check the sales numbers—why are you hesitating so much?”

Liu Hua forced her aching legs to move over and, upon seeing the figure, instantly clapped her hand over her mouth.

“How can this be? How can it be so much?”

Seeing the two of them look as if they’d seen a ghost, the rest of the staff crowded around.

“Nearly a thousand cups—989 cups of milk tea in a single afternoon!” Zhou Zheng finally managed to say. As unbelievable as the number sounded, the solid data was right there on the register. Even if there was a slight margin of error, it couldn’t be off by much.

Standing nearby, Elena also widened her eyes at the number. She had inspected plenty of restaurants across the country, seen all kinds of milk tea shops from north to south.

Even in the busiest season, a milk tea shop in the heart of a major city might sell at most six or seven hundred cups in a day. Yet Chen Luo’s shop had nearly reached a thousand in just half a day.

Thinking deeper, at least five hundred people had come to the shop today, bought milk tea, and shared about it online. More than half were repeat customers, and with the advertising effect of those shares…

This meant the shop could likely sustain a daily sales volume of at least five hundred cups. With an average profit of six yuan per cup, that’s a daily profit of at least three thousand yuan. In a month, that’s about a hundred thousand in pure profit, a million a year!

And this was 2013. For a typical milk tea shop, a monthly net profit of ten thousand yuan would already be considered excellent. Yet Chen Luo’s shop could earn in a month what others made in a year. In terms of business acumen and execution, Chen Luo’s strategies and management skills utterly eclipsed ninety-nine percent of his peers.

Elena glanced at Chen Luo. He was calmly drinking a cup of plain water, his expression untroubled, his eyes shimmering with confidence.

“This young man,” she mused, “shows no sign of surprise at such staggering numbers. Not only is he utterly confident in his business strategy, but he also possesses remarkable ambition and vision.”

She was right. This milk tea shop was only the first step of Chen Luo’s grand plan, carefully laid out with meticulous preparation. He’d already estimated what his first day’s sales might be. With his experience from a previous life, he would hardly be content with such meager gains.

Elena’s gaze burned with curiosity and something predatory as she watched Chen Luo. Such a promising talent, already grown to this level without much guidance or hardship. If he could be brought into the Ye family and cultivated, perhaps yet another titan of industry, rich as a nation, would arise.

As Elena pondered, Chen Luo stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to a maid employee holding a video camera. This was Zhang Meng, Liu Hua’s roommate and a devoted photography enthusiast.

“Zhang Meng, how did the filming go today?”

“Boss, the multi-angle shoot for the grand opening is complete. Once it’s edited, it can be uploaded to Liu Hua’s Bilibili and Tudou channels.”

“Good. Please start editing tonight and try to upload to all major platforms by tomorrow. Remember, the promotional focus must be on Liu Hua. Don’t worry—editing and account management will be paid at two hundred yuan per day.”

“Thank you, boss!” Zhang Meng nearly jumped for joy. Her monthly living expenses were only eight hundred yuan, and even her parents together made just five thousand a month. Yet her boss was offering her six thousand a month for a part-time video editing job—unheard-of generosity.

Chen Luo smiled as he watched Zhang Meng’s excitement. She was immensely talented in editing and social media management; with a little nurturing, she would become indispensable. Coming from an ordinary background, still a freshman in college, and needing photography equipment—someone like her, given a good salary and room to grow, would surely follow him loyally.

Now that the milk tea shop had launched successfully, and though the Magnesium Group project was also progressing, his true focus remained on building his anime-centered business empire. The next step—cultivating a personal brand—had to commence immediately.

He clapped his hands twice, calling everyone to attention. All eyes turned to him.

“All right! Everyone, take a break and freshen up. Tonight at nine thirty, we’re heading next door to Supreme Seafood Restaurant for a grand feast! All the seafood and drinks you want—go wild!”

“Hooray! Long live the boss!”

Everyone began tidying up the shop, eagerly anticipating the celebration tonight.

Elena stood and cast Chen Luo a meaningful glance, the corners of her lips lifting ever so slightly.

“Well, you’ve certainly caught my attention,” she murmured. “Nine thirty tonight, hmm? If I just happen to run into him then—it won’t be a coincidence at all.”

With that, she walked out of the milk tea shop, glanced once at the sign, and without a backward look, got into a waiting BMW.

An hour later, only Chen Luo and Liu Hua remained in the shop.

“Whew! Brother Luo, today really wore me out. You owe me a good treat tonight!” Liu Hua, back in her blue JK uniform, massaged her sore legs and complained to Chen Luo, who was still facing away, tallying the accounts.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t shortchange you even if I did everyone else!”

“You love hairy crabs, right? I’ve ordered ten just for you tonight—they’re all yours!”

“Yay! Brother Luo, you’re the best!” Overcome with excitement, Liu Hua rushed forward to hug Chen Luo, just as she used to when she was little and he brought her treats, expressing her joy in the same way.

But Chen Luo quickly turned around and held out his hands to stop her, tapping her on the forehead with a finger.

“You’re a big girl now. You can’t be so reckless anymore; how will you ever find a boyfriend if you keep this up? Come on, tidy up—we’re off to the seafood restaurant.”

He turned back to his bookkeeping, leaving Liu Hua standing there, arms still outstretched. A pang of sadness welled up in her chest.

He’s right. I’m not a little girl anymore. I can’t even hug Brother Luo now. He’s no longer just my Brother Luo.

Slowly, she lowered her arms and looked around every corner of the shop.

Maybe… this shop is the only thing I’ll ever share with him from now on. I have to protect it, no matter what.

Chen Luo finished with the accounts and pulled out his phone, opening up a chat with Wen Wan.

[Wan’er, are you back yet? We’re having supper at Supreme Seafood Restaurant at 9:30 tonight. If you’re done with work, make sure to come by.]

[Almost finished. I’ll head back soon, should be there by ten. Don’t let any other girl sit in the seat to your right, okay?]

[Of course. In my heart and at my side, that spot belongs only to you.]

Smiling, Chen Luo pocketed his phone and put the accounts ledger in a drawer.

“Let’s go, Liu Hua. Time for some hairy crabs!”