Noah stared at the business card in his hand, the words blurring slightly as his mind raced.
Marco Vasquez. Small Business Consultant – Independent Investor.
It sounded professional, respectable. But Noah knew better than to take things at face value.
People didn't just show up out of nowhere with opportunities. There was always a catch.
He glanced up at Marco and Ray, the older man standing with relaxed confidence, the younger one studying him with quiet scrutiny. They didn't look threatening. If anything, they seemed… interested.
But in what, exactly?
His business? His skills?
Or something else?
Noah exhaled slowly. His instincts screamed at him to be careful. He'd worked too hard to let someone else come in and mess things up.
But at the same time…
He needed help.
He'd been thinking about expansion long before this meeting. The stall was at its limit, any more customers and they'd start turning people away. Hiring another employee would take some of the pressure off, but it wouldn't solve the bigger issue. If he wanted to grow, he needed a plan. Resources. Connections.
And now, out of nowhere, an investor had shown up.
It was too convenient.
Noah flicked his gaze back to Marco. "You said you've been watching my business. Why?"
Marco didn't hesitate. "Because you're doing something right."
Noah raised a brow, unconvinced. "And?"
Marco smiled slightly. "And we're interested in people who have the drive to grow. Most small food stalls like yours don't last. They struggle with consistency, supply issues, management problems. But you?" He tilted his head. "You've built something stable. Profitable. And most importantly, scalable."
Scalable.
That word stuck with him.
Marco wasn't just some random guy with money. He understood business.
Still, that didn't mean he was trustworthy.
Noah tapped the edge of the business card against his palm. "If I wanted an investor, I'd go looking for one. I haven't. So why approach me?"
Ray, who had been silent so far, finally spoke. "Because we know how hard it is to get the right kind of help. And we also know that if you keep pushing forward on your own, you're going to hit a wall."
Noah stiffened.
That hit a little too close to home.
Ray continued, his tone casual but sharp. "You're already maxed out, aren't you? Barely keeping up with demand, juggling school, the stall, and making sure your employees are taken care of. You're running at full speed with no backup."
Noah's fingers curled around the card.
They weren't wrong.
He felt it every night, the exhaustion, the pressure, the constant calculations running through his head. How much inventory was left? How many more orders could they take before closing? Could they afford another helper?
He was managing.
But just barely.
Marco took a step closer, his voice steady. "We're not here to pressure you. Just to offer a conversation. We see potential in you, Noah. And we want to help you take the next step."
Noah studied them for a long moment.
Every part of him screamed to be cautious.
But another part, the part that had been weighing options and stressing over the future, whispered that maybe… just maybe… this was exactly the kind of break he needed.
He tucked the business card into his pocket.
"Alright," he said finally. "Let's talk."
Marco's smile widened. "Good. How about somewhere quieter?"
Noah hesitated, glancing back at the stall. Rina and Sophia were still inside, sorting out the register. He wasn't about to step away without telling them.
"Give me a minute," he said. He ducked back into the stall, where Rina immediately raised an eyebrow.
"Who are those guys?" she asked.
"Some investor and his guy. Says he wants to talk business."
Sophia, still counting the cash, snorted. "Sounds shady."
Noah nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I need to hear them out. Keep an eye on things here."
"Got it," Rina said.
Sophia barely looked up. "If you get kidnapped, I'm taking over the stall."
Noah smirked. "Duly noted."
He stepped back outside and nodded at Marco. "Let's walk."
---
They found a quiet spot a short distance away, near a closed bookstore. The streetlights buzzed softly, casting long shadows.
Marco slipped his hands into his pockets. "I've been keeping an eye on your stall for a while now, Noah. You're doing good work. Better than most street vendors in this area."
Noah crossed his arms. "Appreciate the compliment, but what do you want?"
Ray chuckled. "Straight to the point. I like that."
Marco nodded. "I want to help you grow. You're at a turning point. I can see it, you're smart, hardworking, and you've got instincts. But expansion isn't easy. You need capital, connections, and guidance."
He paused. "That's where I come in."
Noah's fingers twitched. The system had just given him a set of expansion choices. And now, here was a potential investor dropping right into his lap.
Coincidence?
Maybe. Maybe not.
He forced himself to stay neutral. "And what's in it for you?"
Marco smiled, as if expecting the question. "A stake in your business. Nothing unreasonable, just enough to justify my investment."
"Define 'nothing unreasonable.'"
"Twenty percent of profits for one year. In exchange, I'll provide the startup capital for expansion, business mentorship, and supplier connections."
Noah's mind whirred.
Twenty percent for a whole year? That was a big cut. But an experienced investor's support could be invaluable. And if Marco really had supplier connections, it would check off one of the system's mission requirements.
Still, giving up a portion of his hard-earned business, even temporarily wasn't a decision he could take lightly.
Marco must have sensed his hesitation because he added, "You don't have to decide now. Think about it."
Ray tilted his head. "But don't take too long. Opportunities don't wait forever."
Noah smirked. "Neither do smart business owners."
Marco chuckled. "Fair enough." He handed Noah a second card. "That's my personal number. Call me when you're ready."
With that, the two turned and walked away, leaving Noah standing beneath the streetlight, his thoughts a tangled mess.
---
Noah returned to the stall, his mind still racing.
Should he take the deal?
[SYSTEM FUNCTIONS LOADED]
> User: Noah Quinn
Missions: Expansion Effort (In Progress)
Skills Updated: Business Adaptability +1
The system was evolving with him. He knew he was at a critical moment.
Taking Marco's offer could accelerate his growth. But it also meant sharing control. Could he trust Marco?
If he declined, he'd have to expand on his own. It would be slower, harder, but he'd maintain full independence.
He wiped his hands on his apron and leaned against the counter, calling up his stats again.
---
[Noah Quinn - Status]
Strength: 4
Agility: 5
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 8
Luck: 4
[Skills]
Observation (Level 1)
Memory Recall (Level 1)
Basic Math (Level 1)
Beginner's Business Skill (Level 2) > Business Acumen (Level 13)
Beginner's Negotiation Skill (Level 5)
Beginner's Persuasion Skill (Level 1)
Marketing Skill (Level 2)
Cooking Mastery (Level 3)
Business Adaptability (Level 3)
[Business]
> Food stall
Noah's Crunchy Bites (1)
Customer Loyalty: 3
---
His Beginner's Business Skill (Level 2) got upgraded into Business Acumen (level 13), which was a big leap.
Now, He had the skills. The question was: What kind of businessman did he want to be?
Noah exhaled, tapping his fingers against the counter.
For now, he'd sleep on it.
Tomorrow, he'd start making his choice.
---
End of Chapter 20
---