Chapter 396: I Don't Want to Stay in Nanjiang Anymore

First, Chen Jianhai minimized the system panel to confirm the upgrade, and then he clicked on the "Summer Momo" rewards. The grey lock on the Summer Momo theme module in the system shop clicked open as he focused his attention on it.

A brilliant seven-colored light flashed across the theme icon.

"Summer Momo Refreshing Blue-Green Theme Wallpaper, 300 points."

"Summer Momo Refreshing Light Fashion Simple Tables and Chairs, 300 points."

"Summer Momo Refreshing Series Angel Coffee Cups, Thermos Cups, Portable Cups, 450 points."

"Summer Momo Coffee Beans, 350 points."

"Summer Momo Refreshing Blue-Green Uniforms, 300 points."

...

"Wow, so many items."

Chen Jianhai flipped through the mall pages one by one. The ten full pages of the Summer Momo theme points mall were dazzling, aiming to perfect the coffee and tea experience.

And truth be told, the items in the mall were indeed quite affordable. If one wanted to set up a complete Summer Momo Refreshing store, it would only take about 2000 points.

The real point drainers were the coffee and tea drink recipes. Besides the basic dozens of drink recipes, the limited and unique coffee and tea recipes could only be obtained in two ways: by completing tasks or by purchasing them with points. But the points were expensive, with each recipe starting at 5000 points. One drink recipe alone could cost as much as setting up two stores.

Chen Jianhai was surprised by the recipe prices, but after flipping to the last page of the theme shop, he didn't see a single dessert or pastry.

"The system is really stubborn... It's called a drink shop, and it truly only has coffee and tea drinks, not even a single food item."

"But that's good too. The missing part can be filled by the hotel's pastry house."

Nowadays, the pastry house at Lang'ai Hotel was getting bigger. Besides baking, the addition of chocolate had also become a strong force in the hotel's dessert lineup. With the current variety of sweets from the hotel's pastry house, supplying Summer Momo would be more than sufficient.

So, the problem of pastries and desserts was solved.

As for the other aspect, building a Summer Momo drink shop with a floor area of not less than 100㎡ was actually quite easy. If not far, he just had to contact the island's shopping mall and rent a store. The system task could be completed right away.

The most important and pressing issue now was: Who should run Summer Momo?

Chen Jianhai lay on the bed, staring at the system panel, deep in thought.

Speaking of drink shops, the most successful one in the country was Yue Xinyuan Coffee. Not only did it have independent stores, but it also had sales in major shopping malls. Its profitability was undeniable, and its popularity and reputation were enviable. Whenever people mentioned coffee shops, the first reaction was to visit Yue Xinyuan.

And this was inseparable from Yue Xinyuan's chain operation. Currently, Yue Xinyuan Coffee had over a thousand stores nationwide, with nearly ten in Nanjiang alone.

If Summer Momo were to expand, it would definitely need someone to manage it professionally. With three hotels under his belt, Chen Jianhai definitely didn't have the extra time and energy to handle a drink chain. The safest option was to find a reliable and steadfast brother like Da Bo to take charge.

With this in mind, Chen Jianhai's eyes showed determination. He jumped out of bed and headed towards the island's coffee shop.

...

At that moment, in the island's coffee shop, Feng Di was wiping tables with a cloth. Although the coffee shop's business was mediocre, Feng Di's work attitude was enthusiastic. He cleaned the coffee shop meticulously every day.

"Old Feng, busy?"

As soon as Chen Jianhai entered, he saw Feng Di about to start mopping the floor.

"Come, stop working for a bit. I have something to discuss with you."

"What's up?" Feng Di wrung out the mop and put it aside, washed his hands, and walked over.

"I plan to open a coffee drink shop. The store doesn't need to be too big, about 100㎡. I'll take care of the decoration, materials, drinks, recipes, desserts, and related gifts," Chen Jianhai said seriously, looking at Feng Di. "I need a manager. Are you interested?"

Feng Di looked at Chen Jianhai in amazement. It took him a full minute to understand what the other party meant before he spoke with difficulty: "Brother Chen, this shop is ancestral. I can't sell it!"

Chen Jianhai rolled his eyes, "I'm not buying your shop."

"In a few days, the island's mall is opening for leasing. I plan to open a drink shop in the mall. Are you interested in doing it with me?"

Feng Di frowned slightly, "But Yue Xinyuan Coffee has already entered the mall. Can the island, which is so small, accommodate two coffee drink shops?"

Chen Jianhai casually replied, "Let's give it a try. Although Nanjiang already has so many five-star hotels, it doesn't stop others from building more!"

"Each has its own characteristics. Reasonable competition is fine. It all provides different experiences for visitors to the island. There's no such thing as not fitting."

Chen Jianhai spoke earnestly. A mall could have five or six different brands of milk tea shops, let alone coffee drink shops. As long as they could create their own uniqueness and attract the right consumer groups, they could definitely survive in the market.

"Don't be in a hurry to agree. There's one thing to clarify upfront."

Chen Jianhai continued, "Unlike injecting funds into your coffee shop, this coffee drink is an independent brand under Lang'ai Hotel. In the future, you might not just be the manager of one store, but potentially dozens or even hundreds. It will be very challenging."

"If you agree, you need to sign a contract with the hotel. I will be your boss, not your business partner."

Although he didn't say this last part, it was implicit. If Feng Di could accept this change in identity, they would sign the contract and move on to the next step. Otherwise, Chen Jianhai would look for someone else.

Despite their brotherly feelings, these matters had to be clear from the start.

Seeing Chen Jianhai was not joking, Feng Di took a long time before saying, "Brother Hai, you mean you want to open a chain coffee drink brand?"

Chen Jianhai nodded, "Yes."

Feng Di was incredulous, "And you want me to manage the coffee shop?"

Chen Jianhai nodded again, "Exactly!"

Feng Di hesitated, "But, can I do it? I can't even manage this small island coffee shop well. I'm afraid I won't be able to..."

Chen Jianhai interrupted, "You can! You definitely can!"

Feng Di was capable and had a bright personality, was serious about his work, and could endure hardships. Most importantly, he had a never-give-up spirit. Even with the island coffee shop struggling, he was still holding on. If given a platform, Feng Di's potential would definitely not be inferior.

Moreover, with the system buff, the hotel's staff's professional abilities could improve by 0.7% daily. It would be impossible not to develop.

"Okay! I agree!" Feng Di gritted his teeth and nodded earnestly.

...

After confirming Feng Di as the operator of Summer Momo, Chen Jianhai immediately had the hotel contact the mall developers and investors to discuss the entry of Summer Momo Coffee Shop.

Chen Jianhai assigned Ruikeya to handle the specific negotiations on behalf of the hotel. This was both a training and a test.

The hotel was in a period of expansion, and once matters on the island were settled, Chen Jianhai planned to go to Zaomen to take over a new hotel. Now, he needed to prepare and find a suitable assistant to manage the island hotel in his absence.

If Ruikeya could negotiate this successfully, Chen Jianhai could confidently leave the island hotel under her management when he went to Zaomen.

Thanks to the support of the Totem of Hunting, Ruikeya's negotiations went very smoothly. The island's mall was in the process of attracting stores, and Summer Momo, backed by Lang'ai Hotel, was eager to join. It was a perfect match, and the contract was quickly settled. All that remained was to wait for the mall to be built and for the coffee shop to move in.

However, the process would take 4-6 months, meaning Summer Momo wouldn't open for at least 4 months. Chen Jianhai tapped the table pensively. Without the system, things were indeed slower. In the past, System Daddy could have built it in a week!

...

"So, after all my efforts to persuade you, you were lured away by Brother Hai with just a finger."

Xiaolang grumbled at Feng Di and then gave him a hard slap on the back. The loud "thud" made Chen Jianhai shudder.

Xiaolang had tried hard to convince Feng Di to do barbecue with him, but he never expected Chen Jianhai to offer a store manager position directly.

Feng Di smiled apologetically, "Brother Lang, there's still some time before the coffee drink shop is built. I'll help you out in the meantime."

"Get lost! I still have Han Ke. It makes no difference whether you're here or not!" Xiaolang replied, his face showing clear affection and frustration.

At this, Han Ke hesitated before speaking softly, "Brother Lang, I'm afraid I can't continue doing barbecue with you either."

Xiaolang's eyes widened instantly.

"Didn't you say you'd do whatever I did, that you'd follow me from now on?"

"Changed your mind so soon?!"

Han Ke awkwardly