The representative was extremely respectful to Skymender as he spoke. He had never even spoken to a noble before.
They came to a reasonable agreement, in which they would get paid a bit extra for completing the project in a month. Naturally, the representative didn't dare to charge too much, barely making a profit after all of the expenses. But simply working with a noble would bolster their reputation and bring in more clients.
Overall, it was a great business decision.
Skymender had nothing to do but wait.
His studies naturally continued. His return spread to the ears of other nobles, allowing his past actions to be remembered by many.
Time passed as Skymender lived a steady and unassuming life in the Imperial Capital.
Meanwhile, in Sky city, Li Youcai was facing his own changes.
Taking over the role of Skygod was by no means something simple. The vast majority of people would be unable to succeed under any circumstances.
Li Youcai's focus was on not making too much contact, keeping things going steadily. He could continue to make money through assassinations and assassination insurance, but only so long as the Skygod remained intimidating.
Occasionally, he would make a public appearance dressed like Skymender used to, or he would do an assassination, which consisted of him simply throwing a poison or two.
Nothing was too difficult for him. The informant seemed to have picked up on something, but it would remain nothing more than a suspicion as long as Li Youcai continued in this manner.
A month passed, and Skymener finally received news that his restaurant had been built and approved.
He went to visit it the day it was completed. From afar, it was grand. There were few buildings as big as it around. He entered it, and the atmosphere was nice. Despite it being summer, it felt cool inside. Skymender visited all three floors, as well as the kitchen areas and all of the other preparation rooms.
He soon left. Next, he needed to hire people. No matter what, running an entire restaurant by himself, especially one this big, was impossible.
With the guidance of the Fatty's father, Skymender was able to find a company that helped hire skilled workers in all categories. Skymender told them what he needed, and they presented a bunch of options to him.
Skymender took service workers, cooks, and managers.
The cook's would be able to make the food better, and he would provide the seasonings, spices, and sauces as what they were made of was considered top secret.
Skymender paid special attention to the cooks. He looked into high quality chefs, his mind even drifting to Chef Master Garb, but they were either already hired by high end restaurants, rich individuals, or far too expensive to keep permanently.
He had to settle for those considered above common cooks, with the title of chef, but who were below true experts. Regardless, this was just a starting point. If he needed to do so, things could be changed later.
The hired service people did not need to be trained. Even managers would be able to figure things out on their own. The only people Skymender needed to worry about were the chefs. There were five chefs in total.
Three would be on the bottom level, one on the middle level, and the last on top. Naturally, the higher up a chef was positioned, the better they were.
Skymender's plan for the restaurant was simple. The bottom level would be for even the most average of commoners.
It could be active constantly, morning or evening, and make money without end.
The middle levels would be for those wealthy commoners, or even just some above average commoners that saved up a bit of money.
The highest level would be for the richest of the rich. Only nobles or extremely wealthy commoners would be able to eat there.
Of course, though one chef was stationed at the top level, he would only cook when a top level customer actually arrived.
Otherwise, he would help out around the lower and middle levels, depending on who needed it.
The dishes would be the same on every level, the only difference being who cooks it. Naturally, that could not be the case for long. Skymender had already begun to work on more expensive and exclusive dishes.
He was really going out on a limb with the restaurant, and he had no idea if it would even end up working. It wasn't much of a risk regardless.
Skymender spent a few days showing the chefs the recipes, and one day stocking the restaurant, before finally opening. Their opening garnered great attention from all around.
After all, it was widely known that the one opening it was a noble, though not many knew his name. Yet the title of noble was enough, and many came to check it out.
Upon understanding the restaurant's situation, many came in and ate, though the vast majority stayed on the first floor.
They only had a few customers that qualified to sit on the second floor. While the dishes they were served were the same, the food tasted better overall.
This was the opening regardless, and not many formed strong opinions towards it.
The first day was a great success, and the profits were incredible, for a normal person at least. Some of it went to the workers and maintenance, while Skymender received the rest.
It definitely wasn't a lot, but it was a profit. At this rate, he would make back everything he spent on the restaurant within a year.
His goal was never the profits. Not mainly, at least. Instead, he needed to establish himself within the Imperial Capital, and this was how he would do so. Setting everything up was just step one. Next, he would expand and expand, taking over many restaurants and making chains across the Imperial Capital.
Of course, this was just a plan, and he hadn't even fully finished the first step. However, if everything went his way, this is how his next few years would go.