Chapter 128: This One Seems to Lose Even More Money

“Alright, then I’ll trouble you tomorrow.”

Hearing that, Song Xia didn’t refuse.

“Okay, tomorrow morning it is,” Chen Mo confirmed, deciding on the time. After all, if they left in the afternoon, they’d probably arrive in Jiang City by nightfall.

He had already completed the purpose of his visit.

Chen Mo sat for a little while longer before preparing to leave.

But just as he got downstairs, his second aunt stopped him, insisting that he stay for lunch before going.

He couldn’t refuse such warm hospitality—

So, Chen Mo stayed for lunch.

“I didn’t expect Xiao Mo to be doing so well now. Opening a factory with a friend? That’s amazing!”
During lunch, his sister-in-law Song Qing exclaimed in surprise, then turned to look at her younger sister.

“Look at him, so worry-free.”

Hearing that, Song Xia stuck out her tongue and lowered her head to continue eating, choosing to completely ignore the comment.

Chen Mo’s expression stiffened slightly. Opening a factory wasn’t something he said—

It was just something he’d briefly mentioned while chatting with Second Aunt upstairs. Who would’ve thought she’d bring it up again during the meal?

Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

“Chen Mo, how’s that factory of yours doing? Could you arrange a suitable position for Song Xia there? I’m really worried about her being out there all alone. It’s fine if the pay is low—as long as she doesn’t wander around too much.”

Song Qing looked at Chen Mo expectantly. She was genuinely concerned that her younger sister might end up doing something unreliable. If someone could keep an eye on her, she’d feel much more at ease.

“Well, I’ll go back and talk to my friend about it—see if there’s a suitable position. After all, the company doesn’t belong to me alone, and I can’t make decisions on my own.”

Chen Mo thought for a moment before speaking.

In fact, arranging for someone to join wasn’t a big deal. But this kind of matter still depended on whether the person involved was willing.

If he agreed right away and Song Xia ended up not going through with it, it would be awkward for both sides.

So he didn’t give a definitive answer.

“Alright then, I’ll leave it to you, Xiao Mo.”

Lunch ended quickly.

When Chen Mo was about to leave, Second Aunt again tried to stop him, insisting he stay another night.

But this time, he firmly refused.

On the way back,

He kept thinking about the idea of arranging jobs. Even though his salary required system calculations,

He could still arrange for his relatives and friends to join the company and enjoy the benefits.

There would be no violation of rules.

But after thinking about it more, he gave up on the idea.

His parents and relatives had lived in this small county their whole lives.

All their family and friends were here.

Just walking down the street, you’d see a few familiar faces.

If he were to move them all to a new city—one they’d lived in for only a year and still didn’t know their neighbors—they’d have a hard time adjusting.

And his parents also had jobs here.

They probably wouldn’t be willing to move either.

But in the future, once his company grew, he could totally open a branch here in the county.

That way, his family and friends wouldn’t have to leave their hometown to enjoy the company’s benefits.

Of course, all that would be a hassle.

Once he had a few more successful settlements and became a billionaire, helping these friends and relatives would be a breeze.

So, he had to keep working hard on his loss-making businesses—

That was the only way to get closer and closer to those big settlements.

…

The next morning,

Chen Mo quietly left the house.

Reunions are joyful—but farewells are painful.

Chen Mo waved his hand but didn’t look back.

He knew his parents were silently watching him from behind, but he didn’t dare meet their gaze—

Because that gaze held too many emotions:

Reluctance, hope, helplessness…

Every time he looked back, he’d start to doubt whether he should leave at all.

Slowly,

He disappeared from their view.

Chen Mo lifted his head slightly, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for Jinyang City’s train station.

Of course,

Along the way, he picked up Song Xia, as they had arranged beforehand.

At the train station, they boarded the train.

The two of them headed for the so-called big city.

At 2 p.m.,

After several transfers, they finally arrived at Song Xia’s shop.

Chen Mo took a look—the location wasn’t in some prime commercial zone, just along a pedestrian street next to a small shopping mall.

“This is my milk tea shop,” Song Xia said, pointing at the storefront ahead.

Chen Mo followed her gaze.

Huohuo Milk Tea.

That must be the milk tea brand Song Xia had joined. But clearly—it hadn’t taken off.

Huh?

Chen Mo noticed there was a closed shop next door—

Wooden Cabin Coffee.

“That coffee shop closed down too?” he asked, turning to Song Xia.

“Yeah, it closed even earlier than my milk tea shop. They lost even more money. The machines for making coffee are way more expensive than those for milk tea, and the raw materials cost more too,” she replied.

That coffee shop had opened a month after hers, but closed even earlier.

During a chat, she’d heard they had lost more than half a million.

“So how did the coffee shop go under?” Chen Mo suddenly became very interested. If coffee shops had higher costs than milk tea shops, didn’t that mean they lost even more?

“Well, right at the end of this street there’s a Starbucks and a Luckin. Both are super well-known brands and very popular.”

“Because of that brand effect, more people are bound to go for Starbucks and Luckin.”

“After all, posting a Starbucks cup on social media looks way better than some no-name brand.”

“This Wooden Cabin Coffee shop tried to go the premium route. So the costs were higher, and the prices were a bit more expensive too. But their brand didn’t compare—and they were charging more—so barely anyone came in.”

“Sure, there were a few who knew good coffee and could appreciate the taste—but not enough to support the business.”

“Eventually, they just couldn’t keep going.”

Song Xia sighed. That’s what the coffee shop owner had told her during one of their chats.

Chen Mo’s eyes began to light up—he realized coffee shops might actually be a better loss-making venture than milk tea shops.

After all, milk tea had a broader audience and lower prices. Even with fierce competition, there’d still be some sales.

But coffee was more niche.

If he increased the cost of making coffee and hiked the price accordingly,

Then compared to Starbucks and Luckin, no one would choose his coffee anymore. Ideally, not a single customer would walk in.

Then he could hire a bunch of staff, and the shop decor would definitely need an expensive remodel. All of that—excellent ways to spend money.

“Come on, let’s go find an agent and register the shop for lease,” Song Xia said when Chen Mo didn’t speak for a long time.

Hearing that, Chen Mo came back to his senses and replied calmly,

“No need for an agent.”