Chapter 39

"To be honest, I did not expect father to give permission to go outside that easily." Gian said while choosing what suit to wear today. "I thought he will ask Butler Del to do what I need to do in town."

"You are just full of negative thoughts inside your head, dude. I told you, didn't I? He will give you permission today." Russel answered. "But you dare to ignore my words."

"What can I do? I am used to staying in our mansion all the time."

"Have you forgotten that you lived your previous life independently?"

"My previous life and present life now is different."

"Hmm, yeah. You got a point there."

After wearing a suit that is not too flashy, Butler Del knocked on Gian's door to tell him that the carriage that he will be using is already waiting for him outside. After checking his looks on the mirror for the last time, Gian stepped out of his room and follow Butler Del as he guides him outside the mansion. When they saw their young master, the knights who will escort him bows their heads to show their respect for him. These are the knights Viel left in their mansion to guard and the mansion and his family. They open the carriage door for Gian and make sure that he will be sitting comfortably inside.

"Dude, you are really a treasured child." Russel said.

He does not know the rules for each noble family, but he is very sure that the Cres Val family is different in a lot of ways. And the most different from them is this guy who can hear and talk to him. Russel knew that it was normal for nobles to have a guard when going out. But assigning six guards for a young noble who will just have a short trip in town is not normal.

Russel can only conclude that the Cres Val family placed Gian as their topmost priority in every aspect. Then he falls in deep thoughts. They are all extremely taking care of Gian and prioritize his safety all the time. But why?

Gian naturally did not open his mouth to answer Russel and just simply ignore his words as usual. Right now, he is more busy looking at their surrounding on the window. Because of the drought, the grasses are a bit yellowish and the big trees stand mute in this dry weather. Gian is thinking that nature is actually impressive. This is already his second life and a lot of things have changed, but nature's course is still the same.

After an hour, the carriage stops in front of a huge building. Gian scrutinized the tea shop from the outside. The tea shop has no name. But because the building has a noticeable vintage design together with its huge glass walls, the customers can easily tell what is inside the building. Butler Del told him to go inside the building first while he instructs the coachman where to park the carriage.

When Gian swings the door open, a sweet chime from the bell rang inside the shop. Unlike the outside, the interior of this tea shop was warm and cheery, with bright lights and colorful walls. While Gian is scanning the area, the gazes of the few ladies inside the shop are all glued to him. They are whispering with each other asking if they knew the handsome young man who entered the shop just now.

Gian did not notice the attention he was getting. When he sits on a table placed near the window, a waitress approaches him and handed the menu. While Gian is looking at the menu, the customers especially the young ladies who are enjoying their leisure time earlier cannot peel their eyes off him. His calm demeanor together with his good looks attracts their attention to him.

"The menu in this tea shop is good. Even the prices are reasonable." Gian murmurs to himself. Then he fished out the pen in his pocket and holds it.

"Hmm... Bro, listen to me. Instead of removing some pastries on the menu, why don't we make a special offer to your shop?"

Gian pressed the clicker once indicating for Russel to continue. Last night, Russel and Gian thought of some ways to communicate with each other. Gian cannot talk with Russel because he will only make himself a fool in front of other people. So Russel gave him a suggestion. Gian will press the clicker once if he wanted Russel to continue talking and elaborate more on the things he is talking about. If he pressed the clicker twice, that means Gian agrees with Russel. If he rolls the pen on his hand, it means that Gian disagrees. This way, Gian can still respond to Russel even without opening his mouth.

"It is like this. One week after we put our latest products on the menu, we will make a limited-edition sales promotion in your tea shops. We are going to pair the pastries that do not sell much with our latest drinks. Then we will sell it together at a discounted price. It is also the same as the old drinks on the menu. With this idea, we can sell our latest products together with the old products on the menu."

"But can we really raise the profit if we sell them at a discounted price?" Gian asked in a low voice.

"We are a businessman, Gian. You should know that the words 'free', 'sale', and 'discounts' are the best magic words to attract more customers." Russel said. "Heh. If we can properly create our strategy, then we will surely attract the customers to spend more money on our products!"

"..."

He does not know why, but Gian feels like he is talking with an expert swindler right now.

"Excuse me but can I get your order now?" The waitress who was standing beside Gian asked him with a small smile.

"Oh. I apologize. But I am not ordering anything."

"Huh? But..."

"I am just here to look around the tea shop."

She was right! This man is just here to spy on their tea shop. This waitress heard his muttering a while ago. No wonder this young man is looking at their menu for a long time. Maybe he is trying to memorize it and use it as a reference for their competitors.

Their competitors are getting bolder and shameless these days. Because their shop is always doing well, their competitors are sometimes sending a spy in their shop to check with their ambiance and menu. And now, they dare to send another spy today!

And what's more? They even try to deceive them by sending a young man who looks like a noble. Tch. Even if he is a handsome young man who knew a little etiquette does not mean he can pretend to be a noble. This waitress already met a lot of people like this who try to deceive and spy on them.

Especially these past few months. When the Cres Vals introduced the lavender tea and hibiscus tea, their competitors tried to imitate it. They are some who tore the silk teabags open. They really want to see what are the herbs placed inside the tea bags. So desperate and shameless!

"Then sir, can I ask you a favor to leave now if you are not ordering anything?" The waitress said. She is still politely talking with him.

"But why?"

"Because the table that you have chosen is a good spot and many of our customers prefer to sit there. Since you mentioned that you are not ordering anything, it would be best if you can go now so the others can sit here too. Being generous and considerate with others are good virtues."

Her tone is still polite, but Gian knew what she truly means with her words.

"Ah."

"Dude, you never mentioned to me that the waitress working in your shops is so fierce." Russel said.

Before the waitress can speak another word, an old man wearing a black suit and a monocle enters the shop. He scans the surroundings until he saw the figure of a young man sitting on a table near the window. He quickly approaches the young man and bows his head.

"I apologize for my delay, young master."

"It is okay. Did something happened?"

"Not at all. The coachman is just slow with his work."

"Butler Del?"

When Butler Del turns his head, he saw the waitress looking at her with wide eyes. She knew this butler because he is the one who sometimes checks and inspects the shops owned by the Cres Vals in town. And it seems like he knew this young man and he even calls him 'young master' just now. The waitress slowly turns her head to see the young man sitting on the chair in a relaxed manner.

"Butler Del, do you know her?" Gian asked.

"Yes, young master. She is a waitress here who started working here five years ago. The marquis personally chose her to take good care of this tea shop." Butler Del said before looking at the waitress. "Amelia, this is Young Master Gian Cres Val. He is the second son of the marquis and the owner of this shop."

He is Marquis Frederick's son? And the owner of this shop?! When Amelia looks at the young man again, their eyes suddenly met. Then all of a sudden, Gian shows him a polite smile.

"Nice meeting you, Amelia. I am Gian Cres Val. Thank you for taking good care of this shop."

There is only one sentence in Amelia's head right now.

'I'm doomed.'