Chapter 138: My Best Friend Is Richer Than I Thought
Thinking of this, Yun Zijin paused.
Could it be… this is how Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea helps someone forget worries? It reminds people of their happiest, most carefree moments.
Before Zijin could mull it over, Qin Sitong also picked up her cup and took a sip.
After just one mouthful, Qin Sitong's eyes lit up.
"It's really special…"
The taste of Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea differs from ordinary milk tea, though it's hard to pinpoint exactly how. Regardless, it's unique and delicious.
"Zijin, I recall in first grade, I got a perfect score on my first final exam! At the closing ceremony, the principal praised me in front of the entire staff and student body, and I even received a 500-yuan scholarship!
That was truly the highlight of my 21 years of life!"
Though she had won various awards afterward, none ever compared to that first-grade pinnacle—no subsequent 500-yuan scholarship either.
"You got a 500-yuan scholarship in first grade? That must've felt massive back then!"
Yun Zijin hadn't expected Qin Sitong to have such a background.
Seems they're not close enough to be considered best friends if they don't even know each other's childhood stories.
"Of course! My parents were waiting for me at the school gate that day. The news of my award made them so happy they were beaming from ear to ear. My dad took that 500 yuan and framed it—put it in a frame on the bedside table in his and Mom's bedroom!"
Recalling this, Qin Sitong no longer felt drowsy.
Anybody revisiting their finest moment would be too exhilarated to describe properly all day long.
Hearing Qin Sitong's memories, Yun Zijin felt a twinge of envy. Is that what it's like to be pampered by one's parents? However, the envy lasted only an instant. Although she'd lacked parents growing up, she had the orphanage dean, who acted like a mother figure.
Now that she's grown, she's even encountered Suibianhua.
So despite a bit of misfortune, she's overall been lucky.
[Ding! I will always be with the host]
As though sensing Zijin's mood, Suibianhua spoke up for the first time.
Yun Zijin's lips curved slightly. Meeting Suibianhua was likely her greatest fortune.
"How about this Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea? Does it live up to its name?"
Zijin said nothing else. Since Suibianhua gave her the formula, it proved she could produce it. She believed if a milk tea shop used Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea as its signature product, business wouldn't be bad.
It took Qin Sitong a moment to piece things together. Thinking of the name Forget-Sorrow and the sudden recollection of her childhood highlight, she looked at Zijin in disbelief:
"Is this… actually Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea?"
Zijin gave a confirming nod. That had to be why she'd randomly recalled her childhood. It wasn't a random late-night pang of sadness.
"Did your chef really create this? Why do I find it so… unbelievable?"
It felt downright magical, and she couldn't guess why it worked this way.
"Alright, I lied earlier. I made it myself, and I've already applied for a patent.
What do you say? You're a senior; you don't have many classes. Why not start a business?
I'll invest in a shop selling Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea, plus provide the premises, while you manage and operate it.
I won't handle anything. Just ensure I make money doing nothing."
Yun Zijin just wanted to offer Qin Sitong a good way to earn income. After becoming a shareholder, Zijin would be a hands-off owner, occasionally checking the accounts.
"What! You… since when did you acquire this skill?"
Zijin's claim to have formulated the tea herself struck Qin Sitong as even more absurd. But seeing the actual Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea in hand, despite how wild it sounded, facts seemed to be just that wild.
"Don't worry about that. Just tell me whether you want to open this milk tea shop."
Zijin's priority was to finalize this quickly.
"If there's a shop selling Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea, I definitely want to open it!"
Even before opening, Sitong could envision its popularity. Who wouldn't want to try a beverage that could help them forget their worries?
"Good. I'll have Meilin reserve a unit for you on that food street. You can handle renovations, the business license from the Industry and Commerce Bureau, plus trademark registration, then open the shop."
That was Zijin's simple plan.
However, Qin Sitong considered more than Zijin did.
A business license and trademark wouldn't pose a big problem. The main issue was the production of Forget-Sorrow Milk Tea. Zijin, who sees herself as a landlord first and foremost, certainly wouldn't be there daily. To ensure a steady supply of the tea, Sitong herself had to learn how to make it. After learning, she also had to secure raw materials.
In any case, plenty of details needed sorting out.
"You mentioned a shop on the food street near our campus?"
Sitong never expected Zijin would propose such an expensive, in-demand location, making her self-conscious. Not only had Zijin provided the recipe, but she also offered the premises. It felt like Sitong was taking advantage, believing Zijin could succeed in a milk tea venture even without her.
"Yep, that street is mine. Seems there are a few empty units. You can pick one when the time comes."
Zijin said it casually, unaware how shocking her words were to Sitong.
Qin Sitong had realized previously, upon seeing Zijin drive a luxury car, that Zijin was wealthy, but she hadn't formed a concrete concept of how rich. Now, with Zijin turning around and telling her she owned that entire food street, letting her pick any vacant storefront, Sitong realized Zijin was wealthier than she'd imagined.
Recalling the day's events at the Q City hotpot restaurant, how Xia Jiaojiao also rented from Zijin…
Sitong had a guess in mind but felt it too outlandish to speak aloud.
"Zijin… you said that food street is yours, so… how many houses do you own near Emerald Lake?"
There were three apartments on the 35th and 36th floors, including the one Xia Jiaojiao rented. Sitong felt like she'd inadvertently discovered her best friend was a landlady.
Zijin looked up: "Didn't I say?"
Sitong shook her head. "You only mentioned you have places at Emerald Lake, not how many."
"Well, just look outside from the balcony. Everything in Emerald Lake that you see belongs to me."
Zijin didn't specify how many houses, but Sitong went to the balcony, looked out at the cluster of residences around the lake, and was momentarily speechless.
"Zijin, I never dreamed I'd be so lucky—what if now I just don't feel like working anymore?"
How was it she ended up with the best friend all those others dream about?
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