Gian finished piling the documents on his table first before he decided to rest for an hour. Because he became busy these days, Gian can feel a slight aching pain in his neck and shoulders. He rolls his shoulders several times before massaging it with his hands.
"Dude, you really have an amazing talent! I am telling you this fact! You are a very capable person." Russel praised him out of nowhere.
"What are you talking about again?"
"The conversation between you and your father. It's actually an excellent discussion. And you contributed a lot on it!" Russel excitedly said. "Damn! It's been years since I last heard a conversation about business like that."
"You know that I cannot do it without your help." Gian said with a wry smile.
"Nah. I'm just sharing some of my ideas with you." Russel said in a carefree voice. "You, on the other hand, had finished all the things that needed to be done. You even put a lot of effort to add more details from my small idea. And because of it, you are now a big asset to this family. Good job for that, Young Master Gian."
"No. Good job for the both of us." Gian insisted.
"Us?"
"Yes. We have reached up to this point with the use of your unique ideas." Gian seriously said.
"Well, okay. Congratulations to the both of us. And since you are so thankful at me, then as a reward, do me a favor."
"What is it?" Gian asked.
"Next time, put me in a pocket with a soft and smooth texture inside? I'm afraid that the rough texture of your pockets will cause a scratch on the surface of my barrel."
"You are so sensitive." Gian commented.
"And more handsome than you." Russel proudly replied. "I'm telling you. If you see me in person, you will start blaming the gods for not giving you a handsome face."
"Oh." Gian said and ignore Russel's nonsense words again. "Tell me, Russel. How can you do it?"
"What?"
"I mean, how can you make a business plan like that? It's too absurd to think that gods and goddesses are interested in business. And besides, money is not an important thing for them. So how can a guardian like you have a knowledge when it comes to business?"
Russel really wanted to laugh, but he stops himself from doing it. Gian believes in his heart that Russel is a real guardian. Russel didn't know if he will pity Gian for being stupid or to be proud of himself for being able to fool Gian to this extend. Such a naive ancient guy.
"Well?"
"How should I say it. Hmm... While I'm serving the goddess her wine one time, I suddenly thought of an idea. I wanted to live as a human because I'm simply curious about their lifestyle at that time. And so, I transformed as a commoner and tried to socialize with humans. I learned that humans needed to work in order to live well in their world. Then I met a good merchant and secretly followed him. I learned a lot from him, you know." Russel said. "He taught me the things I needed to know when it comes to business..."
Russel suddenly remembered a distant memory. As a child, it is normal to find an outstanding figure as a person you will want to be in the future. And for Russel, that someone was his own father. His family owned a company that specialized in food manufacturing and his father was the one managing it.
Their company became successful each year because of his father's excellent and meticulous decision when it comes to business. As the eldest son, Russel was determined to follow his father's steps. His father doted on him as he taught Russel the things he needed to remember if he will inherit their company someday. His father has a lot of expectations from his eldest son and he believed that Russel can surpass his previous accomplishments.
But Russel failed to be the person his father wanted him to be. Because of a simple misunderstanding, Russel's own family was greatly disappointed with him. The most disappointed was his father. Russel tried to redeem himself and proved to them that he can still do it, but he miserably failed.
From that point, Russel can't reach his father's expectations anymore.
In the end, Russel loses his family's love and affection. Because he can't bear to see his family's disappointment with him any longer, Russel ran away from their home to hide from the humiliating remarks and ridiculing words he received every day.
"Russel?" Gian called.
"Hmm?"
"What happened next?"
"Oh. Nothing. After that, I left the human world to do my duties as a guardian again." Russel said as he tries to end the discussion. "You should be grateful that you are now earning the fruits of my labor."
"You didn't even try to use the knowledge you had gained from that merchant?" Even once?"
"I tried it once. But maybe because I'm still a beginner at that time, I did a big mistake and miserably failed. After that, I didn't get a chance to try it again. A beautiful goddess was asking for my presence at that time. And as a good and loyal guardian, I had to leave the human world to serve a beautiful goddess personally."
"That's unfortunate." Gian said in a low voice. Then he suddenly looks at Russel with squinted eyes. "Wait. Why did the goddess want you to serve her personally?"
"I told you, didn't I? I'm a very attractive and handsome guardian. Even the beautiful goddesses can't resist looking at my charms."
"It sounds absurd to me. Hey, are you really telling the truth?" Gian asked doubtfully.
"You don't believe me? In this world, only I, Russel Ferrer, will never lie to you!" Russel said in a convincing voice. "And besides, I never doubt you when you told me that you returned back in time. Courtesy requires reciprocity!"
"...."
"I always believed in you! And yet..."
"...Fine. I believe in you. And thank you for believing in me too."
"Heh. You're welcome." Russel said. "Oh, by the way. When are we going to officially sell the products in public?"
"I don't know the specific date. But since my father gave us a positive feedback, he will just make some changes before ordering a mass production of our products. Then after that, he will show it to His Highness first before we release it to the public."
"I see. Well, I'm not really concerned about it. I know that it will become successful in the end."
"You are really that confident?"
"Of course." Russel said. "It's the result of our team effort. With my incredulous world knowledge together with your quick actions and smart decisions, we are bound to make a history in this world!"
"A history?"
"Yes! And who knows? Maybe you'll become a King or a powerful person in the future. With me by your side, I think that it will be possible to achieve."
Hearing what Russel just said, Gian can't help but to let out a happy laugh.
-//-//-
After finalizing all the things needed to be done, the Marquis visited the Royal Palace to personally show their products to the King and asked for his opinions. From what Gian heard, the King is full of praises to the person who came up with this idea. Using these new products, their country will not suffer for a whole year and they don't have to use the treasury fund to import sugar and teas from their neighboring country.
The Marquis also opened a factory in the east and hired several skilled workers. He personally chose their workers to make sure that they are all trustworthy and loyal. In the world of businessmen, one should always make sure that their secret will never be revealed to anyone. Because their new products are new and will become in-demand for the next months, someone will surely try to know the secrets of their products and make a profit out of it.
This is the problem that Marquis Cres Val tries to avoid.
When Russel heard about it, he suggested drying the ingredients under the sun. After that, they will grind it until it becomes powdery before putting it in the tea bags. With these, no one can tell what are the ingredients they put in the tea bags aside from the hibiscus and lavender. When Gian conveys this suggestion to his father, Marquis Cres Val quickly orders the workers to do what Gian says.
Comparing the tea bags that contain dried hibiscus and lavender with herbs and the tea bags with powdered ingredients, no one can really tell what are the ingredients used inside the teabag. Russel's suggestion was really effective. With these ideas being applied to their mass production, they are now ready to sell these goods in public. And they are all positive that it will also do well in the marketplace.
And just like that, one busy month had successfully passed.