The Tycoon's Odyssey

[DING]

[Quest]

Description: Invest and open a tea cafe.

Requirements: Open the cafe and earn back the investment made in the shop.

Reward: Elementary lucky draw roulette X1

When Evan got home, he was given a new quest from the system.

After finishing his morning workout, which had become less strenuous for him, Evan took a shower, dressed neatly and headed to the suggested place.

The shop was located quite close to his university and had previously been a coffee shop. After the former owner made a profit, he moved on to open another cafe elsewhere.

Evan dialed the landlord's number, which Celina had given him while he asked her for any rental shops.

"Hello Sir, I have arrived at the shop."

[Wait for a few minutes, I will be there.]

A few moments later, Evan spotted a stout man with a long beard, wearing a tank top and girlish-style half shorts.

Seeing such a weird guy, Evan tried to keep a straight face and couldn't help but think, 'And I thought my dressing was weirdest.'

"Good Morning Sir!

"Call me Joice," said the man, extending his plump hand and greeting Evan with a smile.

"I want to rent this place for a tea shop," Evan went straight to the point.

"No problem. Follow me and take a look," Joice nodded and started unlocking the shop.

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Evan followed the man in after he opened the lock.

COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!

The moment the shutter was lifted, a wave of dust hit Evan and Joice, eliciting a cough from both of them.

"Sorry, it hasn't been cleaned for a while," Joice apologized with a guilty look on his face.

Evan waved his hand to shake the dust and looked around.

The walls were covered in grime and the wide hallway was cluttered with chairs and tables, all covered with a thick layer of dust.

"What about these things?"

"The previous owner left them. I didn't throw them away in case the next buyer might want to use them," Joice explained before stepping up to show the place around.

The total area was about 600 sq feet. It had a toilet, a small room at the back and a tiny kitchen that was used to make pastry by the previous shop.

"I will take it. What's the rent?"

"800..."Joice paused, noticed Evan's expression and immediately corrected himself.

"800 a day."

''That means 24,000 a month. Isn't that too much?"

"Boy, this place is in the marketplace and close to several colleges. Students will flock here the day you start selling something. How do you think the previous owner got so much money to move out and start a cafe?"

"I will offer 400," Evan offered directly.

"I want 700, "Joice said with slight hesitation.

"550, not any more than that. I would have paid more if this place was clean but look at this mess." Evan pointed out the shop's shortcomings with an adamant expression, indicating that it was Joice's fault.

"The paint on the walls is fading, the plaster seems to be falling off and let's not even mention the dust. At the least, you need to do basic care of such a place. It might cost 50k or 100k just to renovate the things."

Joice stared at Evan, clearly wanting more money, but Evan's sharp words gave him no room to negotiate. Joice knew that he was already careless about letting this place ruin and if he were to let this kid go, he wasn't sure if the next buyer would even rent the place or offer as much.

"Deal!"

"And about that table," Joice added.

"You need to pay for them separately. That previous guy didn't give rent for the last two months and dumped them here."

Evan took his phone and researched the prices of the furniture. Afterwards, he went near the pile and started examining the leftover furniture.

"I want the furniture. There are 10 tables with four chairs which normally cost around 4000 per set but given their condition, I will offer you 27,000."

"I agree,'' Joice said with a sly smile. In reality, the previous tenant had only missed the rent for one month, but Joice lied just to make Evan believe that the furniture was worth over 40,000.

Evan shook hands and immediately took Joice to a PC cafe to print the necessary documents for the rental deal. After spending the entire morning taking care of all the things and finalizing the deal, by the afternoon the shop was all his.

Evan entered the shop to take a final look before departing.

"Aunt Celina was right. If I had bought an existing one I would have lost all my money."

Evan had set his target budget to finish everything within 300,000. Although he didn't plan on some extravagant renovation, he wanted to make sure that this place was at least pleasant to the eye and attracted customers.

Evan smiled as he looked at the increase in SP.

"I need to finish everything before Christmas," he thought.

Just as he was about to depart, his phone rang.

"Hello, Evan. Was the purchase successful?" It was Aunt Celina.

"Yes, Aunt Celina. I got it for 550 a day. By the way, is that good?" Evan asked.

"As long as it's below 600, that's good," Celina replied from the other side, assuring Evan.

"The place is great, but the shop is a mess. I need to renovate the walls and things. Plus, I need an employee. Do you know anyone?" Evan inquired.

After a brief pause, Celina replied.

"Do you know the tea stall near the campus operated by a couple?"

"There are many tea shops. Which one are you talking about?" Evan asked with a frown.

"One of them is considering closing and looking for work. If you want to hire them, I can help."

Evan paused for a moment, trying to remember.

'I feel there is a catch and I hope she isn't talking about that one.'

"Please do, but I would be happier if you worked for me, Aunt."

"That's a bit difficult. I can't guarantee anything," she replied, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Noticing the change in her tone, Evan didn't press further.

Once his tea shop started earning well, he planned to take a look into her situation.

Ending the call, Evan locked up the shop and then took a taxi to the local renovation store.

He arrived at Das Renovation and headed straight for the entrance and noticed several people waiting inside.

"Hello sir, how can I help you?" a charming woman at the counter asked with a smile.

"Hello, sister, I bought a shop and need to do a paint job and some other renovations," Evan replied after a moment of contemplation.

"No problem, sir. But before that can you specify whether you only need laborers or home decor designers?"

"I need laborers along with a foreman to guide them. About interior designers, can I also get some suggestions from them?"

"Then follow me, sir. I am also an interior designer," the woman said, startling him a bit.

Noticing his reaction, she let out a chuckle before leading Evan.

Evan followed her to her small workshop where she pulled out her laptop and began showing him some home decor presentation.

After asking about the prices and other details, Evan started discussing the important specifics with the lady.