I Run a Restaurant in a World of Natural Disasters

Chapter 121: Chapter 104: Gourmet Challenge

"What is it? Is there something else?"

Ning He let out a dry, awkward laugh. "Well... I’d like to discuss the new pricing plan with you."

"Didn’t we already decide to raise the price?" Macken said.

Ning He answered with a question of her own, "Boss Mai, assuming I’m always available, how many orders can we take in a month at most?"

"Barring any special circumstances, there should be about seven or eight days a month with weather suitable for leaving the city," Macken said. "Factoring in equipment adjustments and supply preparations, we can arrange to head out up to five times a month."

"That means we can make at most 200,000 original coins a month." Ning He quietly lowered her voice. "Boss, do you think that’s enough?"

Beside her, Cindy unconsciously widened her eyes.

’Making 200,000 original coins a month?’

’And she’s asking if that’s enough?’

Cindy, whose monthly salary was only four or five thousand, felt personally attacked.

Macken’s eyes darkened.

"What did Johnny tell you?"

Sensing a trace of murderous intent, Ning He quickly waved her hands. "Nothing! He didn’t say anything! He just said that as long as I can help you earn more money, Boss, he’d become my little brother!"

Macken withdrew his harsh gaze and said flatly, "Just spit it out. There’s no need to beat around the bush."

Not daring to delay any further, Ning He quickly spilled out the money-making scheme she had come up with.

"I was thinking, once our ad airs and we get feedback from the first batch of customers, our event might just blow up. What if we get too many customers then? The clients you have aren’t ordinary people, so it wouldn’t be good to turn any of them away. At the same time, we can’t just hike up the price on the spot, so wouldn’t we be missing out on making more money? I thought, maybe we could hold an auction for the slots? We’ll offer eight slots each time, and the highest bidders get them. Everyone competes fairly, and it saves you from being put in a difficult position."

Macken looked at her carefully, his gaze seemingly piercing right through her skin. Ning He instantly felt her hair stand on end.

"I couldn’t tell you had this kind of mind. I understand; I’ll consider it. I still have things to do, so let’s end the discussion here for today. You two can head back first."

Since she had accomplished her goal for this trip anyway, Ning He didn’t linger. She left the Black Panther Company with Cindy and took a small car back to the restaurant.

"I can’t believe you’re actually collaborating with Soldier King Macken! Ning He, you’re amazing!" Cindy looked at Ning He with a face full of admiration.

Ning He became curious. "What, was he that famous before?"

"You were probably still young back then and don’t remember. At that time in Beiluo City, Macken was just like Leo is now—a hero in everyone’s hearts. When he represented Beiluo City in the Alliance Individual Combat Challenge, I was only seven. I remember everyone would sit in front of the TV every night to watch the tournament. Every time he successfully advanced, the whole city would celebrate like it was a festival. The streets, alleys, malls, and hospitals were all filled with discussions about the competition."

"On the day of the finals, I remember it very clearly. The city was hit by a rare hurricane, and we all hid in the shelters. The TV signal was terrible, and everyone was incredibly anxious, so the City Lord arranged for commentators to broadcast the match’s progress over the radio. It was that night that Macken became our Beiluo City’s first Soldier King. We were so excited in the shelter that we didn’t sleep all night. Later, when Macken returned to Beiluo City, the City Lord even hosted a citywide welcome ceremony specifically for him. I still remember to this day how everyone flocked outside the Mecha Academy, cheering his name over and over."

"It’s a pity. Later on, no one knows what happened, but we suddenly stopped hearing any news about him. After that, Leo became the new generation’s Soldier King, and people rarely brought him up anymore."

’So that’s how it was.’

’But to think that guy Leo is actually that amazing too?’

’It seems this little Beiluo City is truly full of hidden talents.’

"Whatever the reason, collaborating with someone this formidable means we won’t have to worry about our safety," Ning He said.

Cindy nodded, but then looked a bit troubled.

"It looks like we’ll have to figure out the content for the promotional video ourselves. Since we can’t film on location, I’m worried the final result won’t be appealing enough."

Ning He stroked her chin. "I actually know a guy who should have plenty of footage."

In the upscale residential district of the First Ring, the Caroline family’s castle-like villa stood out from the rest, occupying a massive plot of land. Surrounded by towering concrete-brick walls, it formed a fortress of its own.

William put on his motorcycle jacket and was tiptoeing toward the underground garage when the butler’s voice suddenly rang out behind him.

"Young Master William, where are you going?"

William froze. He turned around and gave the butler a sheepish smile.

"N-nowhere... just going for a walk."

The butler stepped closer, wearing a smile.

"That is good. Madam has instructed that you stay home these few days to properly prepare for the Diplomatic Academy’s entrance exam. It would be best if you did not wander about."

William’s face fell.

"But I’ve already been reading at home for five days! You all get days off, why can’t I?"

"Of course you may rest. There are plenty of suitable places to relax here. The castle even has the only underground garden in the entire city; you can go there to unwind."

The butler, Ed, maintained his gentle demeanor, but his words made William’s heart sink.

"But I just can’t leave the house," he said dejectedly.

Ed smiled again. "If you had an important social engagement, we naturally would not stop you. Otherwise, unless accompanied by a family member, you should try your best to remain within the castle."

William was just about to speak when the high-end communicator in his pocket suddenly buzzed. Pulling it out to look, his eyes instantly lit up.

"Someone is asking to meet with me to discuss something. I can finally go out now, right?"

"Oh? May I ask who invited you?" Ed remained unmoved. "If it is not someone important, it would be best for you to decline. After all, your time is precious and should not be wasted on unnecessary people or matters."

"How is my friend not important?! You guys are going too far! Even if you don’t let me go out today, I’m still going out!"

"What’s wrong? Who made you angry this time?"

A lazy voice drifted down from the staircase in the grand hall. The two of them turned to look, both their expressions changing.

"E-eldest Cousin..." William’s bravado instantly fizzled out.

Ed offered a respectful greeting. "Eldest Miss, I did not realize you were home. I apologize for disturbing you."

Carolyn smiled and walked down the stairs to join them, her gaze sweeping over William.

"I heard you got hurt riding your bike a few days ago. Are you feeling any better?"

William looked a bit embarrassed.

"It was just a minor injury. I’m already healed."

Carolyn nodded and looked at Ed.

"Since William has already been studying at home for a few days, there’s no harm in letting him go out to relax. With me accompanying him, Second Aunt should be at ease."

"Of course. I will leave Young Master William in your hands, then." Ed bowed slightly, politely bid them farewell, and left the hall.

William stared blankly at Ed’s retreating back, still struggling to process what just happened.

"Let’s go. Didn’t you want to head out? I’ll give you a ride. Where to?"

As Carolyn spoke, she was already walking toward the elevator.

William quickly hurried to catch up.

"To a restaurant in the Fourth Ring! It’s called Heqi Chinese Restaurant!"