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00:02I've been drinking I Americano here for three years, but today something's off.
00:05Miss Quinn, could you add some more ice, please?
00:06More ice?
00:07You think the ice maker runs on free electricity?
00:09If you don't like it, don't drink it.
00:10There's the door!
00:10I've been a regular for three years, bought her hundreds of bulk orders,
00:13and I can't even get the basic courtesy of two extra ice cubes.
00:15Miss Quinn, this is the last time I stepped foot in the shop.
00:18She has no idea.
00:19She's not just losing her 20 bucks sale.
00:21The foot traffic from this entire building is her only lifeline.
00:24The hunt begins.
00:25The next day, I dropped a message in the department group chat.
00:28Afternoon, T-Puck.
00:29There's the new bakery across the street.
00:31It is on me.
00:32300 employees followed me across the street in a massive crowd.
00:35Miss Quinn behind her counter, staring at her empty shop.
00:38She looked livid.
00:40Miss Quinn, your good days are over.
00:46My name is Ian Sterling.
00:47I am the operations director at Aurora Studios.
00:50In this building, the Innovation Hub.
00:51Since my first day on the job, I've had my afternoon tea right here.
00:54Three years, over a thousand days and nights.
00:56Even if it wasn't every single day,
00:57I've bought at least 700 or 800 cups of coffee from the Mellow Roast.
01:00This place was like my neighborhood convenience store.
01:03Familiar, refreshing, nothing fancy, but absolutely indispensable.
01:06To be honest, Miss Quinn's temper was never great.
01:08She's always been impatient.
01:10And her brow forever furrowed.
01:11And I don't mess with me, Scowl.
01:12If you are too slow scanning your payment code,
01:14she'll start tapping the counter.
01:15If you ask how much longer for your coffee...
01:17Why are you rushing me?
01:18She'd snap back.
01:19Brewing takes time.
01:20My colleagues complained occasionally,
01:22but we're all just trying to make a living.
01:24We just wanted a caffeine boost.
01:25No one wanted to pick a fight.
01:26Besides, their beans actually taste okay.
01:29And the pricing is reasonable.
01:30Over time, we just got used to Miss Quinn's grumpy persona.
01:33Some even thought it was just the vibe of an indie coffee shop.
01:36I was no exception.
01:37As operations director,
01:38I even helped her secure a ton of bulk orders
01:40when the team pulled all-nighters.
01:41I'd order late-night drinks from her.
01:43When clients visited,
01:44I'd just have someone grab a round of lattes from the Mellow Roast.
01:47Miss Quinn was slightly more polite to me
01:49than to walk in customers.
01:50But even then,
01:51the most I'd get was her asking if I wanted it,
01:53hot or cold.
01:54I always thought we had a bond,
01:55a regular customer connection
01:56that went beyond just business.
01:58It was 3.30 p.m. today,
02:00right in the middle of the afternoon rush,
02:01when I stepped into the Mellow Roast,
02:03same as always,
02:03the tapping of keyboards and roar of the espresso machine
02:06filled the room.
02:06Miss Quinn, an iced Americano,
02:08and a slice of bachis cake.
02:09I call out with a familiar tone.
02:11Miss Quinn was behind the bar,
02:12hunched over the machine.
02:13She didn't even look up.
02:14I took my usual stool by the window.
02:16Ten minutes later,
02:17my coffee was ready.
02:18The dark brown liquid
02:19sat in a clear plastic cup,
02:20dripping with condensation.
02:22I took a sip.
02:23The familiar bitterness hit my tongue.
02:24The body was rich,
02:25and the aroma was bald.
02:27But something was off.
02:28I gave the cup a little swirl.
02:30The ice.
02:30Under this scorching sun,
02:32you need a cup full of ice.
02:33That soul-awakening chill that snaps you awake.
02:35But it just wasn't there.
02:36I popped the lid.
02:37Floating on top were little shards of ice.
02:39It was a joke.
02:40I frowned.
02:41An iced Americano,
02:42without enough ice,
02:43has no soul.
02:44I'm not usually one to complain.
02:46But after coming here for three years,
02:48I am a bit of a perfectionist.
02:49When it comes to their coffee,
02:50I took the cup back to the counter.
02:52Miss Grin,
02:53I tried to keep my voice friendly.
02:55She was wiping the steam wand,
02:56looking down.
02:57But when she looked up,
02:58she looked annoyed.
02:59Um,
02:59about the coffee today,
03:00there's barely any ice.
03:02I pointed at the cup.
03:03Could you add some more ice?
03:04Or just fill it up next time?
03:06A perfectly normal request.
03:09Just some simple feedback.
03:10From a regular customer.
03:12I told myself that,
03:13if she said the ice machine was broken,
03:15or they were just running low,
03:17I'd just laugh it off.
03:18But Miss Quinn's reaction,
03:19caught me completely off guard.
03:21She froze for a split second.
03:22And then,
03:23like a powder keg getting a spark,
03:24she absolutely exploded.
03:26Suddenly,
03:26she snapped.
03:27Her eyes bloodshot from years of late nights.
03:29Flaid with a terrifying intensity.
03:31Extra ice?
03:32Her screech instantly sliced through the chatter in the shop.
03:35Do you think the ice machine runs on free electricity?
03:37It's an iced Americano.
03:38Do you have any idea how much beans cost these days?
03:40Do you?
03:41I sell this for 20 bucks.
03:42How much profit do you think I even make?
03:43And you want to drink ice like it's water?
03:45If it's not enough,
03:45then don't drink it.
03:46The door is right there.
03:47Nobody begged you to come in.
03:48The entire shop went dead silent.
03:50You could hear a pin drop.
03:52Everyone,
03:53the coders,
03:53the gossipers,
03:54all eyes were locked on me.
03:56Shuck,
03:56curiosity,
03:57amusement.
03:58Some were even gloating.
03:59And right there were colleagues from Aurora,
04:01wearing the same badge as me.
04:03My face was burning.
04:04Not from embarrassment,
04:06but from pure rage.
04:07I stood there holding that cup,
04:09feeling like a clown strip bear,
04:10and put on display.
04:11All I wanted was a few more ice cubes.
04:13I've been a regular for three years.
04:15I am Ian Sterling.
04:16I've personally brought hundreds of orders to this shop.
04:18Am I so worthless,
04:19that I don't even have the right to ask for some more ice?
04:22I looked at Miss Quinn.
04:23Her face was twisted with bitterness.
04:24Her eyes full of naked contempt and disgust.
04:27In that moment,
04:29something inside me just snapped.
04:30Three years of being a loyal customer.
04:32Hot keys.
04:33It was all a joke.
04:34I didn't shout back.
04:35I didn't stoop to her level.
04:36Or cross the scene just to save face.
04:38I just stared at her in silence,
04:40memorizing her ugly expression.
04:42Her eyes and every venomous word she spat out.
04:44I burned it all into my mind.
04:46Then I turned around,
04:47holding that near-fall coffee,
04:48and walked back to my store.
04:49Under the stairs of the entire shop,
04:51I picked up the straw,
04:53and sip by sip,
04:54I finished that room temperature americano.
04:55Every last drop,
04:56I drank it slowly.
04:57With every gulp I was swallowing,
04:59three years of habit,
05:00and this sudden,
05:01sharp humiliation.
05:02When it was empty,
05:03I crushed the cup,
05:04and tossed it in the trash.
05:05Then I walked back to the counter.
05:07Miss Quinn probably expected
05:08me to just tuck my tail and run.
05:10She looked at me,
05:11a hint of surprise in her eyes,
05:13but mostly smugness,
05:14as if saying,
05:15Si,
05:16you still drank it like a good little girl.
05:17I took out my phone,
05:18scanned the code,
05:19and entered 45 bucks.
05:2120 for the americano,
05:2225 for the cheesecake.
05:23Paid.
05:24My voice was cold,
05:25so cold it didn't even sound like me.
05:27She looked down to check the notification,
05:29a second before the payment went through.
05:31I spoke.
05:32Miss Quinn.
05:33She paused,
05:33and looked up.
05:35I looked her dead in the eye,
05:36and said it clearly,
05:37word by word.
05:38This is the last time I set foot in this shop.
05:40Thank you for the wake up call these past three years.
05:42I didn't stick around for a response,
05:44or to see the look on her face.
05:46I just turned,
05:47pushed open the glass door,
05:48and walked out.
05:49The afternoon sun was blinding.
05:51Standing outside the mellow rose,
05:52I took a long, steadying breath,
05:54and I didn't look back.
05:56Back at the office,
05:57in the break room,
05:58colleagues from other teams
05:59were giving me these knowing looks.
06:02They'd seen the whole thing.
06:03Miss Sterling,
06:04are you okay?
06:05A new planner asked softly.
06:07I smiled,
06:08nodded my head,
06:08and said,
06:09I'm fine.
06:09That owner is completely out of line.
06:11It was just some ice.
06:12Did she really have to lose it like that?
06:13Exactly.
06:14From now on,
06:15we're never ordering from her again.
06:16Another colleague added,
06:17visibly annoyed.
06:18I just nodded,
06:19and kept quiet.
06:20Holding my wood cup,
06:21I headed back to my private office on the 18th floor.
06:23I logged on,
06:24checked the data,
06:24and approved the budgets.
06:26Business as usual,
06:27as if that scene downstairs,
06:28was just some cheap drama.
06:30But inside,
06:30I was fuming.
06:32Cool and collected on the outside,
06:33burning with rage on the inside.
06:34I am not a petty person,
06:35and I don't usually lose my cool.
06:37After years in the tech industry,
06:39I've learned how to hide my claws.
06:41But just because I didn't snap,
06:43doesn't mean I don't care.
06:44Miss Quinn's arrogant smirk,
06:45the way she told me to get out,
06:47if I didn't like it,
06:48felt like a slap.
06:49Right across my face.
06:50I wasn't about to let this slide.
06:53I looked up.
06:54My eyes cold.
06:55I opened the internal HR system,
06:57and pulled up the org chart.
06:58Leo,
06:59send me the current headcount for Aurora Studios.
07:00Full active list.
07:01Make it quick.
07:02I need the exact number.
07:03I sent a voice note to HR.
07:04Within two minutes,
07:05the report was in my inbox.
07:07I opened the file.
07:09Aurora Studios active personnel.
07:11Total,
07:11326 people.
07:13Excluding those on leave or travel.
07:15There are at least,
07:16300 people in this building,
07:17who order coffee every single day.
07:19300.
07:20Thinking about that number.
07:21A slow,
07:22dark smile crept onto my face.
07:23Then I opened my notes.
07:25A directory of every vendor around the campus.
07:27It was a dense list.
07:29Dozens of shops,
07:29their contacts,
07:30and what they specialized in.
07:32This was the research I'd done,
07:33for our employee perks program.
07:34I scanned through it,
07:35but nothing looked like,
07:36an immediate replacement for the Mellow Roast.
07:38They were either cheap tea chains,
07:39or just too far away.
07:40They couldn't give my engineers,
07:41the high quality caffeine they live on.
07:43I looked out my floor to ceiling window.
07:45From the 18th floor,
07:47I had a perfect view of the street below.
07:49Directly across from the Mellow Roast,
07:51a new shop had just finished its renovations.
07:54A minimalist sign glowed in the light.
07:56It read,
07:57Heritage Bakery.
07:58The storefront was bathed in a warm amber light.
08:01Sophisticated and high-end.
08:02I picked up my phone,
08:03and dialed the leasing office.
08:04As an executive at Aurora,
08:06I have property management on speed dial.
08:08Good afternoon, Mr. Lewis.
08:09It's Ian Sterling from Aurora.
08:11Oh, Ms. Sterling,
08:11what a pleasant surprise.
08:12How can I help you today?
08:14Just had a quick question.
08:15Across from the campus,
08:16next to the Mellow Roast,
08:18that new Heritage Bakery,
08:19do you have the owner's contact info?
08:21Ah, yes.
08:22That's Charlie's place.
08:23He just opened up.
08:24Why do you ask?
08:25Ms. Sterling,
08:26is Aurora looking to upgrade?
08:27It's catering again?
08:29Charlie's got top-tier equipment,
08:30and he's obsessed with his beans.
08:31Just exploring our options,
08:32I said,
08:33keeping my tone light.
08:34Less than 30 seconds later,
08:35a digital business card popped up.
08:37It read,
08:38Miles Chandler,
08:39owner of Heritage Bakery.
08:40I stared at the name,
08:41but I didn't add him right away.
08:43In my head,
08:44I was already five moves ahead on the chessboard.
08:46This wasn't a petty emotional outburst.
08:47It was a cold,
08:48surgical commercial strike.
08:49I wanted Ms. Quinn to realize,
08:51that she didn't just drive away.
08:5220 bucks a day for an Americano.
08:53She had just severed.
08:54The very artery that kept her shop alive,
08:56the massive corporate catering from the entire innovation hub.
08:58I wanted her to watch with her own eyes.
09:00As the customer she looked down on,
09:02effortlessly,
09:02and without shedding a single drop of blood,
09:04handed her lifeblood to the rival across the street.
09:06She was going to pay a heavy price,
09:07for her ignorance and ego.
09:09I didn't need to scream.
09:09I was going to choke her out in silence.
09:11No shouting matches,
09:13no social media drama,
09:14just a nosedive in revenue,
09:15and cold hard financial ruin.
09:17I stood up,
09:18walked over to the dispenser,
09:19and poured myself a glass of water.
09:21As the warmth spread through me,
09:22my mind became razor sharp.
09:24I went back to my desk,
09:26picked up my phone,
09:27added the contact,
09:28and sent a request.
09:29Hi Mr. Chumbo,
09:30Ian Sterling here,
09:31Director of Ops,
09:32at Aurora Studios.
09:33I'm looking,
09:34to secure a long term contract,
09:35about 300 orders a day.
09:37I'd love to check,
09:37let me know when you're free.
09:38I hit send.
09:39My pulse didn't even skip a beat.
09:41The hunt was on.
09:44My phone lit up.
09:45Miles Chandler accepted the request.
09:47A voice message followed immediately.
09:49His tone was professional,
09:50but I could hear the excitement in his voice.
09:52Hello Mr. Sterling,
09:53this is Miles Chandler.
09:54I saw your note,
09:54about the order.
09:55300 cups?
09:56Do you have a moment to jump on a call?
09:58Let's talk in person.
09:59Are you at the shop?
10:00I'm coming down now.
10:01I typed back.
10:02Yes, I'm here.
10:03See you soon.
10:04With no hesitation,
10:05I locked my computer,
10:07grabbed my keys,
10:07and headed out.
10:08I didn't go straight to,
10:09Heritage Bakery.
10:11Instead,
10:11I stopped for a moment,
10:13right in front of the mellow roof.
10:14It was 4.30pm,
10:15the time when office workers were slacking off and buying drinks.
10:17A few unfamiliar faces were scattered inside.
10:19Miss Quinn was leaning against the counter,
10:22mindlessly scrolling through TikTok while snacking.
10:24Looking at her,
10:25you'd never guess she'd had a massive blow up earlier that day.
10:29Maybe in her narrow world view,
10:31that was just another day at the office.
10:33With thousands of people on this campus,
10:34she probably thought losing one bean sterling wouldn't even make a dent in her bottom line.
10:38A faint mocking smile touched my lips as I turned and crossed the street.
10:41The storefront of Heritage Bakery is slightly larger than the mellow roast.
10:44The air is filled with the scent of cream and dark roasted coffee beans.
10:47The bar is a solid piece of terrazzo,
10:49and the display case against the wall is filled with exquisite desserts.
10:52A young man in a black apron is adjusting that extremely expensive La Marzocco espresso machine.
10:58Seeing me push the door open,
10:59he immediately put down his frothing pitcher and walked out.
11:01Miss Sterling?
11:02He asked tentatively.
11:03I nodded.
11:04Mr. Chandler.
11:05Just call me Miles.
11:06Have a seat here, Miss Sterling.
11:08He led me to a large solid wood table,
11:10turned to the bar and brought over a cup of pour-over coffee.
11:13Try this, Miss Sterling.
11:14The Kisha beans have just finished resting.
11:16The shop isn't officially open yet.
11:17Please excuse us as we are not fully ready yet.
11:19I observed him.
11:20He is a knowledgeable owner.
11:21Focused eyes.
11:22Efficient actions.
11:23Without that typical merchant's vulgarity found in average shop owners.
11:26A smart man I can work with.
11:28Miles, when is the grand opening for your shop?
11:30I cut straight to the chase.
11:31Three days from now,
11:32the interior decor and equipment are all tuned to their optimal state.
11:34Miles answered.
11:35Have you decided on the main product line?
11:37Mainly espresso-based coffee,
11:38paired with French pastries and freshly baked bagels.
11:40I plan to offer a buy-one-get-one-free promotion initially,
11:43to grab some of the customer traffic from across the street.
11:45I shook my head.
11:46Miles, playing a price war is the lowest level of business logic.
11:49Miles Chandler froze for a moment.
11:51Then what do you mean, Miss Sterling?
11:52The mellow roast across the street has been open for years after all.
11:54With so many regulars, if I don't offer massive discounts,
11:57how can I break into this market?
11:58He listened with an open mind.
12:00I smiled, peeled up the headcount spreadsheet,
12:02on my phone and pushed it toward him.
12:04If I told you that,
12:05starting three days from now,
12:06for a whole month straight,
12:08I can guarantee,
12:08your daily afternoon orders,
12:10will never fall below 5,000 in revenue.
12:11Would you dare to take it?
12:12Miles Chandler's pupils suddenly contracted.
12:155,000.
12:16For a newly opened independent coffee shop,
12:18relying solely on the afternoon tea hours,
12:19to hit this number,
12:20is practically impossible.
12:22Munza Sterling,
12:23you're not joking with me are you?
12:24Do I look like I have time for jokes?
12:26I pointed at the screen.
12:27Our Aurora Studios,
12:28is right across from you in Tower A.
12:30We currently have 326 employees on duty,
12:32every day at 3 p.m.
12:33These over 300 people,
12:34really on coffee to survive the day.
12:36Their default choice before,
12:37was the mellow roast across the street.
12:39Now,
12:39I'm taking the demand of these 300 people,
12:41and handing it all over to you.
12:42I stared at Miles Chandler,
12:44watching his Adam's apple bob up and down.
12:46His breathing clearly grew heavier.
12:47He knows the business,
12:48so he naturally understood the weight behind this.
12:50This wasn't just about 5,000 yuan a day.
12:52It was about directly helping him,
12:53survive the most brutal early phase of a new store,
12:55and establishing an extremely solid,
12:57loyal customer network.
12:58To him,
12:59this was an ultimate trump card.
13:01Why me?
13:01His mind worked fast,
13:03immediately grasping the core issue.
13:05Because Ms. Quinn across the street,
13:06over a couple of ice cubes this afternoon,
13:08in front of dozens of people,
13:10made me lose face in public.
13:11My tone was flat,
13:12as if narrating someone else's story.
13:14But after hearing this,
13:15Miles Chandler drew a sharp breath.
13:17The way he looked at me,
13:18instantly filled with weariness and respect.
13:20He understood,
13:21there's no such thing as a free lunch.
13:23This was using someone else to do the dirty work.
13:25Ms. Sterling,
13:26what are your demands?
13:27Just say it.
13:27He dropped all the pleasantries,
13:29his eyes becoming highly aggressive.
13:31This was exactly the reaction I wanted to see.
13:34An ambitious businessman,
13:35who knows how to adapt to his audience.
13:37First,
13:38quality control.
13:39I held up my index finger.
13:40I need your guarantee,
13:41that even for a bulk group order of 300 cups,
13:43the extraction standard of every coffee,
13:45and the ingredients of every dessert,
13:46must be the same as for individual customers.
13:48You must never use expired beans,
13:50and the milk must be fresh.
13:51My team is very picky about what they drink.
13:53Miles Chandler nodded heavily.
13:55You can be 100% sure.
13:56I poured my heart and soul into the shop.
13:57I will never cut corners on quality.
13:59I won't do anything to ruin my reputation.
14:01Second,
14:01average order value.
14:02I held up my middle finger.
14:03I don't need you to lower your prices.
14:05If it sells for 30,
14:05sell it for 30.
14:06But you must customize an exclusive employee purchase combo
14:09for Aurora Studios.
14:10For example,
14:11a latte with a bagel,
14:12or a fruit coffee with a small cake.
14:14Keeping the total price under 25 yuan.
14:16Updated weekly,
14:17with plenty of variety.
14:18I want the people at Aurora to feel,
14:20that buying from you isn't just delicious,
14:22but also a status privilege.
14:23Third,
14:24emotional value.
14:25I don't care how overwhelmed you are with orders.
14:27You and your baristas,
14:28must have a perfect attitude.
14:30If a customer wants extra ice,
14:31extra sugar,
14:32or oat milk,
14:33as long as it's within reason,
14:34you must agree readily.
14:36No sour faces allowed.
14:37Lastly,
14:38fulfillment capacity.
14:39With 300 people,
14:40afternoon tea time is very precious.
14:41I don't have time for them to wait in line.
14:43So,
14:44we need to implement an online pre-ordering process.
14:46Starting three days from now,
14:48every day at 2 p.m.,
14:49I will go to the department group chat,
14:50and drop a link to your mini-program.
14:52You take the orders at 2.30,
14:53and at exactly three angles,
14:54you need to batch the packaged drinks and desserts,
14:56and deliver them on time to our company reception.
14:58Dining customers,
14:59with their staff IDs,
15:00should also skip the line.
15:01Placing orders for 30 consecutive days.
15:03For this entire month's bill,
15:04I'll personally cover it through the company account.
15:05You only coordinate with me.
15:07I put away my phone and looked at
15:08Miles Chandler,
15:09who was in shock.
15:10What do you say, Mr. Kindler?
15:18Miss Sterling, starting today,
15:19Aurora will be Heritage Bakery's top VIP.
15:21Every single thing you mention,
15:23I, Miles Chandler,
15:24even if I have to pull an all-nighter,
15:26guarantee to get it done perfectly.
15:27I'm in on this game.
15:29A fire burned in his eyes.
15:30That's the excitement of a businessman smelling profit.
15:32I smiled.
15:33Excellent.
15:34My trap has been set in motion.
15:36Miss Quinn,
15:37your good days are over.
15:39The next day, Thursday,
15:40in the internal company group chat of Aurora Studios,
15:43it was usually very quiet.
15:44Except for the admin,
15:44occasionally sending holiday notices.
15:46Most of the time,
15:46everyone was lurking.
15:47At exactly 1 p.m.,
15:48I, operations director,
15:49Ian Sterling,
15:50in this large group of over 300 people,
15:52dropped the first non-work message.
15:53At all.
15:54Colleagues from all departments,
15:55afternoon tea is on me.
15:56The newly opened Heritage Bakery across the street,
15:57to celebrate their soft opening,
15:59is offering our Aurora employees today,
16:00an exclusive internal discount.
16:01Immediately after,
16:01I took the beautifully designed e-menu,
16:03that I had the designers lay out overnight,
16:04and sent it to the group.
16:05Aurora Studios exclusive afternoon tea,
16:06special set A,
16:07large classic iced Americano,
16:08with sea salt basque cheesecake,
16:0920 RMB.
16:10Set B,
16:10large oat milk latte,
16:11with freshly baked butter croissant,
16:1222 RMB.
16:13Set C,
16:13large coconut milk latte,
16:14with Earl Grey Swiss roll,
16:1525 RMB.
16:16Set D,
16:17large handshaken lemon tea,
16:18with plain bagel,
16:1920 RMB.
16:19Note,
16:20all colleagues picking up in store,
16:21get free upgrades.
16:22Espresso shots,
16:23ice and syrup can be customized freely.
16:24Finally,
16:25I added one more sentence.
16:26Colleagues who want the drink,
16:27please order directly through the mini program link.
16:29Deadline is 2 p.m.
16:30It's on me today.
16:30In the future,
16:31the company will consider,
16:32making heritage bakery aisle,
16:33long-term afternoon tea partner.
16:34The dead water-like group chat,
16:36instantly boiled over.
16:38Wow,
16:38so generous Miss Sterling.
16:39Miss Sterling rocks.
16:40Coffee to save my life.
16:41Finally,
16:42we don't have to look at the sour face of the boss,
16:43at the mellow roast anymore.
16:45I'm first in line.
16:45Set A with extra ice.
16:46Thanks.
16:47Set B,
16:47change to skim milk.
16:48Order notifications were jumping crazily in the background.
16:50The data in the back end,
16:51was soaring straight up at a visible rate.
16:52I stared at the screen,
16:53my face expressionless,
16:54but I knew,
16:55they took the bait.
16:56The enthusiasm of the colleagues,
16:57was partly because someone was paying,
16:59but the deeper reason was,
17:00the pent up resentment,
17:00from Miss Quinn's terrible service attitude over the years,
17:02had finally found.
17:03The breakthrough point at this moment,
17:04I just went with the flow,
17:05and handed them the tool they needed.
17:072.
17:07B.M.
17:08I closed the orders in the back end system on time,
17:09and pulled the master data sheet.
17:11295 orders.
17:12Almost every colleague at their desks,
17:13ordered a cup.
17:14I took the exported details,
17:15and sent them directly to Miles Chandler via WeChat.
17:17Mr. Chandler,
17:18we're flooded with orders.
17:18Get ready to serve.
17:19Meanwhile,
17:20across the street at the mellow roast,
17:21Miss Quinn as usual,
17:22had prepped by 2.30 p.m.
17:23All the supplies for the afternoon tea rush,
17:25several large bins of ice,
17:26were fully stuffed into the ice trough.
17:27The two coffee grinders,
17:28were also filled with dark roast beans.
17:29She wiped down the counter,
17:30and glanced at the digital clock on the wall.
17:323.15.
17:33Normally at this time,
17:34people from the Aurora Studios building,
17:35would be trickling down to buy coffee,
17:36and get some fresh air.
17:37But today is just bizarre.
17:38The storefront was completely empty.
17:40Not a single soul in sight.
17:41How strange.
17:42Are these code monkeys today?
17:43All quitting caffeine?
17:44She muttered to herself,
17:45brushing it off.
17:46Another 15 minutes passed.
17:47At 3.30,
17:48still no one.
17:49Miss Quinn finally felt something was wrong.
17:50She walked to the glass door,
17:51poked her head out,
17:52and looked toward the lobby of the innovation hub
17:53across the street.
17:54She was completely dumbfounded.
17:55Through the revolving doors of Aurora Studios,
17:56a massive crowd swarmed out.
17:58Over 300 people,
17:59wearing their company badges,
18:00like college students after class,
18:01instantly filled the entire crosswalk.
18:02They were chatting and laughing,
18:03with a very clear destination,
18:05heading straight for
18:05that new shop diagonally across from her.
18:07At the entrance of Heritage Bakery,
18:08Miles Chandler and two young baristas,
18:09had already laid out over a dozen,
18:11huge insulated delivery bags.
18:12Holding the order slips,
18:13glowing with pride,
18:14he greeted the friends from Aurora Studios.
18:15For dine-in,
18:16just grab any seat inside.
18:17Take away orders,
18:18verify your last digits here to pick up.
18:19Those 300 plus people,
18:20some squeezed into Heritage Bakery,
18:22instantly packing the stylish camping area,
18:23to the brim.
18:24Even more people,
18:25formed a long line at the counter,
18:26to get their custom drinks.
18:27Though the scene was exaggerated,
18:29Jackie drinks were served extremely fast.
18:30Everyone who took the texture of paper bag with a logo,
18:32showed satisfaction on their faces.
18:33With that kind of scene,
18:34you'd think it was a trendy internet famous store,
18:35doing a limited exclusive launch.
18:37Miss Quinn just stood at the door of her empty shop,
18:39staring blankie across the street,
18:40at that booming scene.
18:41Her brain just crashed.
18:42She didn't understand.
18:43Were she seeing a ghost?
18:44Why?
18:44Why?
18:44The people who were lining up,
18:45and ordering in her shop yesterday,
18:47today all flocked to the opposite side.
18:48She caught sight of me in the crowd.
18:50I didn't line up,
18:50nor did I go inside for the AC.
18:52I just stood in the shade by the road,
18:53one hand in my pocket,
18:54quietly watching it all.
18:55Then I turned my face,
18:56by gaze crossing the busy street,
18:58and locked onto her.
18:59Our eyes,
18:59clashed fiercely in midair.
19:01I gave her a slight twitch of the lips.
19:03It was a,
19:04completely cold sneer.
19:05Miss Quinn's shoulders suddenly shrank.
19:07She seemed to realize what happened.
19:08Her face,
19:09began to lose all its color.
19:11Her lips moved,
19:12but no sound came out.
19:14She watched helplessly as the most familiar,
19:16and least valued faces,
19:17in the shop across the street,
19:18drinking iced Americanos,
19:19eating sliced cakes,
19:20and talking cheerfully,
19:21while her shop,
19:21was as dead as a pool of stagnant,
19:23foul-smelling water.
19:24The ice maker was still buzzing,
19:25but this noise,
19:26seemed extremely ironic at this moment,
19:28as if mocking her short-sightedness and arrogance.
19:30The wind blew past the door of the mellow roast,
19:32and the welcome blackboard,
19:33that had stood for three years,
19:34fell to the ground with a smile,
19:35kicking up a cloud of dust.
19:36The soft opening of Heritage Bakery,
19:37was a huge success.
19:38495 afternoon tea sets,
19:39plus walking customers attracted by the crowd.
19:41Miles Chandler and his baristas,
19:42worked nonstop from 2.30pm to 5.00pm.
19:44Their arms almost dislocated.
19:45After seeing off the last batch of customers,
19:46Miles Chandler leaned directly against the bar,
19:47panting heavily,
19:48he was truly exhausted.
19:49But more than that,
19:50he was thrilled.
19:51He pulled up the back-end system,
19:52looking at the string of numbers,
19:53that broke the historical revenue record,
19:54his palms sweating with excitement.
19:55The first thing he did,
19:56was send me a WeChat red packet.
19:57It was a transfer of 888.88,
19:59a lucky number meaning prosperity.
20:00With a note,
20:00Ms. Sterling,
20:01words cannot express my gratitude.
20:02This is my personal treat for your tea.
20:03I didn't accept it,
20:04and replied,
20:05take this money,
20:05and give the guys at the bar a bonus.
20:07Tomorrow is the real battle.
20:08Miles Chandler replied instantly,
20:09understood.
20:10As it was getting close to the end of the workday,
20:12everyone in the company,
20:13was talking about,
20:14Today's afternoon tea.
20:15Heritage Bakery's beans are really rich.
20:17There's no off flavor at all.
20:18Way better than the Mellow Roast.
20:19Yeah, yeah.
20:21That Basque cheesecake has a molten center.
20:23The key is,
20:23the boss and the staff have a great attitude.
20:25I asked for skim milk,
20:26and they changed it without a second thought.
20:27The cup I brought back to my desk
20:29feels thicker than the Mellow Roast.
20:30And it's comfortable to hold Ms. Sterling.
20:33Really gave us a great perk.
20:34Listening to these discussions,
20:35I remained non-committal.
20:36I knew,
20:37novelty is just the opening chip
20:38to completely lock in these 300 caffeine addicts.
20:40What's needed is,
20:41extremely stable quality control,
20:42as well as,
20:43the contrast of a sufficiently stupid opponent.
20:45And Ms. Quinn clearly wouldn't disappoint me.
20:47Across the street at the Mellow Roast,
20:48the atmosphere was at rock bottom.
20:49The buckets of ice prepared for the afternoon
20:51had mostly melted.
20:52In the stuffy environment of the bar,
20:53the espresso extract had also gone bad.
20:55Ms. Quinn's partner and husband Sutton,
20:56the middle-aged man with a sweaty face,
20:58was squatting by the sink.
20:59Washing cups with a sigh.
21:01Look at you.
21:02What kind of trouble are you stirring up now?
21:04Over a few pieces of ice.
21:05Offending a big client like Aurora.
21:06Sutton complained.
21:07Ms. Quinn was sitting on a high stool sulking.
21:09Hearing this,
21:09her anger flared up.
21:10I offended her?
21:11She was picking a fight.
21:12Wanting a full cup of ice for a 20 yuan Americano.
21:14Where in the world is there such a rule for doing charity?
21:16Who does she think she is?
21:17So what if she's a director?
21:18Taking the whole company across the street.
21:19Isn't she just trying to cut off my income?
21:21Bah, I, Quinn,
21:22have been around this business park for years.
21:23I've seen all kinds of tough nuts.
21:24You think I'm scared of a coder like her?
21:26Although she talks tough,
21:27looking at the dismal cash flow in the register,
21:29she panicked internally long ago.
21:30Sutton sighed.
21:31What do we do now?
21:32We haven't made a single sale this afternoon.
21:33What about tomorrow?
21:34The day after?
21:35If the people from Aurora keep going across the street,
21:37how are we going to pay the rent?
21:38Panic my ass.
21:39They only go there looking for freebies.
21:41I don't believe that pretentious new store across the street
21:43can subsidize prices forever.
21:45Tomorrow, I'm running a promotion.
21:46If they sell for 20, I'll sell for 15.
21:47If they sell for 20, I'll sell for 18.
21:49And I'll throw in handmade cookies.
21:50I don't believe this budget-conscious working class
21:52will pass up a bargain.
21:53In Miss Quinn's eyes,
21:54flashed a gambler's ruthlessness.
21:55She felt she had grasped the core of business competition.
21:58As long as the price is low enough,
21:59she could definitely win the customer flow back.
22:00She completely failed to realize
22:01that in terms of fundamental logic,
22:02she had lost completely.
22:03The next day,
22:04at the entrance of the Mellow Roast,
22:05sure enough, there stood
22:06an extremely eye-catching red sign.
22:07Third anniversary massive price slash
22:09all drinks 15 yuan.
22:10Free butter cookies with purchase.
22:12This price was barely covering material costs,
22:14losing money to gain traction.
22:15Some passing delivery riders
22:16and interns from other companies
22:17who weren't picky about taste
22:18were drawn in.
22:18Inside the Mellow Roast,
22:19a bit of popularity had finally returned.
22:21Miss Quinn, looking at the short line
22:22forming again at the bar,
22:23revealed a contemptuous smile.
22:24She felt her ultimate price cut move
22:26yielded immediate results.
22:27As if provoking them,
22:28she looked towards Heritage Bakery across the street.
22:29However, at the entrance of Heritage Bakery,
22:31it was still the same booming scene.
22:32The employees of Aurora Studios,
22:33like programmed robots,
22:35scan the QR code to pick up their meals on time.
22:37Nobody even takes a second look
22:39just because her drinks are 5 yuan cheaper.
22:40Why?
22:41Miss Quinn just doesn't get it.
22:42She doesn't know
22:42that just this noon,
22:43at the top of my afternoon tea ordering page,
22:45a pinned announcement appeared.
22:46Friendly reminder,
22:47Heritage Bakery has launched
22:48a 24-7 non-stop live stream
22:50across all platforms.
22:51All employees can enter the live stream
22:52via the link.
22:52Every drop of milk we drink,
22:54every single bean,
22:54guarantees brand transparency.
22:56Fresh dates and standard operations.
22:57This was the final move
22:58I finalized with Miles Chandler last night.
23:00Miles Chandler has excellent execution skills.
23:01He found the tech team overnight
23:02and set up the streaming equipment.
23:03For tech workers sitting in cubicles every day,
23:05surviving on takeout.
23:06What is the most scarce thing?
23:08Cheap and tasty.
23:09No, it's a sense of security.
23:10I never planned to fight a price war with Miss Quinn
23:12because I know
23:12once we get involved in bottom price competition,
23:14it will only drag down
23:14the catering quality of the whole part.
23:16I choose to outcompete her
23:17from a completely higher level.
23:18While she is still in the basement,
23:19obsessing over low prices,
23:20I have already taken my colleagues
23:21to sit on the top floor,
23:22pursuing quality control
23:23and the right to know
23:23how could she possibly win?
23:24This afternoon,
23:25I intentionally didn't order delivery.
23:26Instead,
23:27I went with a few producers
23:27to the sofa area at Heritage Bakery
23:29to sit and drink.
23:29We chose a perfect window seat,
23:31perfectly allowing us to see Miss Quinn
23:32across the street.
23:32Her face twisted with shock and frustration,
23:34taking it all in.
23:35One producer smiled and said,
23:36Sterling,
23:37that was an absolute game changer.
23:38Without spending a dime on PR,
23:39you completely deflated their ego
23:40right behind their own counter.
23:41I just smiled,
23:42cutting into a piece
23:43of Basque cheesecake.
23:44Mr. Stone,
23:44I just think that
23:45when our people from Aurora spend money,
23:46we deserve to enjoy our coffee
23:47with our heads held high.
23:48Outside the window,
23:49the customers in Miss Quinn's shop
23:50grabbed their free cookies
23:51and quickly dispersed.
23:52Someone asked to swap the cookie
23:53for a slice of cake
23:54and she snapped back at them
23:55without hesitation.
23:56You want cake for 15 bucks?
23:57Why don't you just rob a bank?
23:59Those customers' faces instantly dropped.
24:00They grabbed their cups
24:01and walked away cursing.
24:02Watching this scene,
24:03I shook my head.
24:04Beyond help.
24:05Ms. Quinn,
24:06you have no idea why you're losing.
24:07Your ultimate price drop strategy
24:08flopped completely.
24:09Not only did Miss Quinn's revenue
24:10fail to improve,
24:11but because she was
24:12pulling a long face at bargain hunters,
24:13she ruined whatever goodwill
24:14she had left with the public.
24:15Her shop fell right back
24:16to rock bottom with zero customers.
24:17But Heritage Bakery across the street
24:18is advancing by leaps and bounds.
24:19Miles Chandler strictly executed my strategy,
24:21not only stabilizing the product quality,
24:22but also added some creative twists.
24:23He started introducing
24:23seasonal limited beans
24:24like the Sadamo and Mantelling
24:25pour over series,
24:25which are highly sought after
24:26by hardcore coffee lovers.
24:27The pairing of desserts and light meals
24:28also continuously iterates.
24:29Based on the feedback in our employee group,
24:30the people from Aurora Studios
24:31have completely treated Heritage Bakery
24:32as their second office area.
24:33Some employees even schedule
24:34weekend meetings with clients
24:34directly in Heritage Bakery's camping area.
24:36Miles Chandler's new shop
24:37has become a landmark store in this park.
24:38All of this,
24:38Ms. Quinn saw clearly
24:39while pressing against the glass.
24:40Her eyes were practically bloodshot from glaring.
24:42She was like a wild boar
24:42driven into a corner.
24:43Furious and frantic,
24:44but with nowhere to bite.
24:44Finally,
24:45she came up with
24:45an extremely despicable dirty trick.
24:47On Friday afternoon,
24:48Miles Chandler's shop
24:48had a very relaxed atmosphere
24:49because the weekend was approaching
24:50and the order volume was bursting.
24:51Right at the peak of the rush,
24:52three men in uniforms
24:53with stern expressions
24:54pushed open the glass door.
24:55Can the person in charge
24:56come out for a moment?
24:57We are from the Regulatory Bureau
24:57and the House and Safety Division.
24:58The middle-aged man leading them
24:59directly showed his ID.
25:00We received a real name report
25:01from the public
25:01saying your shop uses
25:02near-expired fresh milk
25:03and syrup with altered dates.
25:04We now need to conduct
25:05a surprise inspection
25:05of all materials in the shop.
25:07The shop instantly fell dead silent.
25:08All the customers coding and chatting
25:09stopped and stared at the bar
25:10in astonishment.
25:11Miles Chandler's heart skipped a beat,
25:12but his years of experience
25:13in brick and mortar business
25:14helped him steady himself immediately.
25:15He knew someone was stabbing him in the back.
25:16He quickly walked out
25:17from behind the bar,
25:17looking calm.
25:18Hello, officers.
25:19I am the manager,
25:24would never cut corners
25:25on food safety.
25:26His attitude was composed
25:27and confident without any panic.
25:28Words are useless.
25:29Let's check the back
25:29and the refrigerators.
25:30The leading man waved his hand
25:31in a business-like manner.
25:32All right, please come in.
25:33Miles Chandler let them
25:33into the operation area
25:34inside the bar
25:35and the back warehouse.
25:36The two baristas at the bar
25:37had stopped their work,
25:38but all the equipment
25:39was arranged extremely neatly.
25:40The stainless steel counters
25:41were shining
25:41without a single drop
25:42of milk stain.
25:43All the syrups and purees
25:44were neatly stacked on the shelves
25:45with production dates
25:46clearly printed on the bottom.
25:47Opening the refrigerator,
25:48rows of high-quality fresh milk
25:49were arranged with OCD-like precision.
25:50Labels facing outward
25:51at least five days away
25:51from expiration.
25:52The three law enforcement officers
25:53in the operation area
25:54searched thoroughly.
25:55Shining strong flashlights
25:55into every corner.
25:56They couldn't even find dust
25:57in the blind spots for cleaning.
25:58They even checked
25:58the thick purchase ledgers
25:59and supplier qualification certificates.
26:01More than 10 minutes later,
26:01the inspection ended.
26:02All materials were fully compliant,
26:03even cleaner and more transparent
26:04than many chain brands
26:05that had been open for years.
26:06The leading man's expression
26:07became a bit awkward.
26:08Indeed, no issues found
26:09with the materials,
26:09but do you have your employees
26:10health certificates?
26:11Anyone working without a certificate?
26:12They are all hanging right here.
26:13Miles Chandler pointed to the wall
26:14at a dedicated acrylic display board.
26:16Inside were the original
26:16health certificates of him
26:17and all the baristas,
26:18as well as the store's business license
26:19and food operation license.
26:20Clear and plain to see.
26:21The three men checked repeatedly
26:22for a long time,
26:23but really couldn't pick any holes.
26:24Finally, they could only
26:25close their record books.
26:26All right, we will upload
26:27the inspection results truthfully.
26:29Keep it up and don't let your guard down.
26:30After saying that,
26:31they turned to leave.
26:32Just then, Miles Chandler
26:33spoke up and stopped them.
26:34Officers, wait a moment.
26:35He pointed to the high definition
26:36streaming camera above the bar
26:38that I had him installed.
26:39Since the very first day we opened,
26:40we've been running a 24-hour
26:41live stream of our bar operations.
26:43The entire inspection process
26:43by you three officers just now
26:45was witnessed by all the customers
26:46in our shop,
26:46as well as hundreds of viewers online.
26:47Miles Chandler picked up
26:48the tablet from the bar
26:49and opened a live stream channel
26:50on the screen.
26:50The daily live stream
26:51of Heritage Bakery's bar
26:52impressively had hundreds
26:52of people online.
26:53Live comments were flooding
26:54the screen like a waterfall.
26:55The boss is badass.
26:55This bar is cleaner
26:56than my dining table at home.
26:57A living official endorsement.
26:58Disinspection.
26:58Just maxed out the trust level.
26:59Nothing to hide.
27:00Nothing to fear.
27:01Heritage Bakery is awesome.
27:01I'm only getting my afternoon tea
27:02from you guys now.
27:03The three inspectors
27:03saw the footage on the tablet
27:04and their faces turned pale and flushed.
27:06They suddenly realized
27:07they were being used as pawns
27:08and inexplicably
27:09became free gold star quality inspectors
27:10for this new shop.
27:11Mr. Chandler, what is the meaning of this?
27:12Miles Chandler smiled.
27:13His voice wasn't loud
27:13but it was firm and resolute.
27:15I just wanted to prove
27:15that in the food business
27:16we operate with a clear conscience.
27:17I also want to ask you officers
27:18to pass a message
27:19to that helpful informant for me.
27:20They can play dirty all they want
27:21but if they are out of tricks
27:22they should reflect on
27:24how to brew their own coffee properly
27:25instead of always focusing on
27:27ruining someone else's business.
27:28After saying that
27:29he bowed slightly
27:29to the three inspectors
27:31sorry for taking up
27:31your time today officers.
27:32And thank you officers
27:33for giving Heritage Bakery
27:34the most authoritative
27:35and thorough health checkup.
27:36End of scene.
27:37She was no longer that
27:38coffee shop owner
27:39who only gave attitude
27:40but it had turned into a
27:41mad dog biting everyone in sight.
27:42Whenever one or two
27:43coolest passersby
27:44walked into her shop
27:44she would because
27:45they took an extra napkin.
27:46Her abuse at them.
27:46She no longer cared
27:47about her cash register.
27:48Her biggest obsession every day
27:49was standing on the street
27:50facing the storefront
27:50of Heritage Bakery
27:51and cursing with the most vicious words.
27:53Wicked scumbags
27:53will go after business
27:54sooner or later.
27:55Corrupt and immoral scumbags
27:56making dirty money.
27:57Karma will get you.
27:57I hope everyone who drinks your coffee
27:58ends up in the hospital.
27:59Your shop will close down tomorrow.
28:00Her voice was hoarse and shrill
28:02like nails scratching on glass
28:03echoing down the entire street.
28:04Passersby would point fingers at her
28:05and take a detour.
28:06Even her husband Sutton
28:07couldn't stand
28:08her neurotic behavior anymore.
28:09He had a huge fight with her
28:10and moved back to his hometown.
28:11The entire mellow roast
28:12was left with just her
28:13and a room full of hostility.
28:14We employees at Aurora Studios
28:15became the main targets
28:15of her outbursts.
28:16Every afternoon
28:17when we went to Heritage Bakery
28:18to get our drinks
28:18we had to endure her unbearable insults.
28:20A bunch of ungrateful wretches.
28:21You drank my coffee for three years
28:22you unappreciative dog.
28:23Especially that Shen woman.
28:24What a two-faced bitch.
28:25Bringing a crowd
28:26to cut off my livelihood.
28:27Let me tell you.
28:28Keep dreaming.
28:28A few young male programmers
28:29hot-blooded
28:30wanted to rush over and confront her
28:31but I stopped them all.
28:32Why bother arguing
28:33with a deranged person.
28:34The nastier her insults
28:35the more it proves
28:36we're doing the right thing.
28:37The more she breaks down
28:37the more it shows
28:38she's completely lost.
28:39I asked Miles Chandler
28:40to turn the store's Marshall Speaker
28:41up to maximum volume
28:42using deafening heavy metal music
28:43to drown out her desperate screams.
28:45We continued drinking our coffee
28:46and discussing our projects
28:47as if she were just
28:48a relevant background noise to us.
28:50This kind of ignorance
28:51stung her more than any
28:52head-on confrontation.
28:53Her madness lasted for a week.
28:54A week later
28:55she realized that throwing a tantrum
28:56had no impact at all
28:57and instead made her
28:58the laughingstock of the entire park.
28:59So she shifted her target.
29:01She started targeting me.
29:02She somehow found a shady way
29:03to get my license plate number.
29:05One day after work
29:05I went to the underground garage
29:07to get my car
29:07only to find that my black sedan
29:08had been sprayed with white paint
29:10covered in abusive words.
29:11The wipers were violently snapped off
29:12and all four tires were slashed flat.
29:14Looking at the scene before me
29:14I wasn't furious.
29:15I just sneered.
29:16I called the police
29:16and contacted property management
29:18to retrieve the surveillance footage.
29:19In the footage
29:20Miss Quinn's face
29:20twisted with madness
29:21was clearly visible.
29:22The police quickly summoned her
29:23faced with irrefutable evidence.
29:25She admitted everything
29:25without hesitation.
29:26She even yelled at me arrogantly
29:27in the police station.
29:28I did it!
29:28She deserved it!
29:29She ruined my business
29:30so I smashed her car!
29:31Ultimately for disturbing the peace
29:32and intentional destruction of property.
29:34She was detained for 15 days
29:35and had to pay for all the assessed damages
29:36and repair costs.
29:37This incident caused quite a stir
29:38within the company.
29:40Everyone showed me sympathy
29:41and full support.
29:42The head of legal
29:42even approached me
29:43saying they could help me file a case
29:44and claim compensation
29:45for mental distress.
29:46I declined
29:46because I knew clearly
29:47for a petty tradeswoman
29:48like Miss Quinn
29:49compensation through legal procedures
29:50is far less fatal
29:51than letting her
29:51in the full glare of the public
29:52be completely humiliated.
29:53That is much more lethal.
29:54The day she was taken away
29:55by the police car
29:55many people in the park
29:56went to watch.
29:57She was escorted into the car
29:58in handcuffs
29:58with messy hair
29:59and a dull look in her eyes.
30:00She completely lost the vibe
30:01she had at the store entrance
30:01the arrogant attitude
30:02when she was throwing a tantrum.
30:03I didn't go downstairs
30:04I just asked the receptionist
30:05to take a picture for me.
30:06In the photo
30:06the glass doors
30:07of the Mellow Roast
30:08were locked tight
30:08with a seal
30:09from the local police station
30:10pasted on it
30:10looking so desolate and bleak.
30:12I set this photo
30:12as my phone's lock screen
30:14to remind myself every day
30:15never bully someone
30:16who seems emotionally stable
30:17because you never know
30:18when they stop competing
30:19with you in shouting
30:20and start competing
30:20with you in tactics
30:21how miserable your end will be.
30:23Miss Quinn was detained
30:24and the Mellow Roast
30:25was permanently shut down.
30:26This nearly month-long coffee rivalry
30:27ended with my one-sided
30:28crushing victory.
30:29I became a prominent figure
30:30in the company.
30:31Many colleagues
30:31from other departments
30:32would half-jokingly
30:33call me Goddess Shen
30:34saying I acted as a champion
30:35of justice single-handedly
30:36and reshaped the afternoon tea
30:37ecosystem of the business park.
30:38I just laughed it off.
30:39I know I'm no Goddess.
30:40I am just someone
30:41who deeply understands
30:41business rules
30:42and knows how to leverage resources
30:43to protect my own interests.
30:44A true strategic operator.
30:45The real beneficiary wasn't me.
30:47It was Miles Chandler
30:47with the unexpected endorsement
30:48from the Food Safety Bureau
30:49and empowered by this
30:50massive traffic influx
30:51and combo of strategies.
30:51Heritage Bakery
30:52has become the top-selling
30:53store in this park.
30:53Not only people from Aurora Studios
30:55but even managers
30:55from nearby financial buildings
30:56have become regulars.
30:57Miles Chandler's shop expended.
30:59He took over
30:59a failing flower shop next door
31:00and bought it out.
31:01He knocked down the walls
31:02toppling the operating area.
31:03The seating area
31:03is much more spacious now.
31:05He poached four full-time baristas.
31:06Two for extraction
31:07and two for latte art.
31:08Even so,
31:09it's still hard to get a seat
31:09every afternoon.
31:10Delivery orders are fully packed.
31:11He became a well-known
31:12new coffee tycoon around here.
31:13A month later,
31:14my promised corporate buyout
31:15also expired.
31:16I paid the month's bill
31:17of over $200,000
31:18to Miles Chandler
31:18in a lump sum.
31:19Looking at the cash flow
31:20on the account,
31:20Miles Chandler's eyes
31:23thanked me,
31:24but I turned him down.
31:25I told him,
31:25you fought tooth and nail
31:26for this money.
31:27It was your quality control,
31:28your vision,
31:29and your service
31:30that seized this
31:30once-in-a-lifetime fortune.
31:31I only gave you
31:32a stepping stone.
31:33You'll have to manage
31:34the business on your own
31:34from now on.
31:35I believe you can make it big.
31:36I had the company's
31:37procurement department
31:37go through the official process
31:38with Miles Chandler
31:39and sign an annual
31:40framework agreement.
31:40From now on,
31:41whenever Aurora Studios
31:41employees make purchases here,
31:42they can use
31:43the corporate payment directly.
31:44The company will settle
31:44the accounts at the end of the month
31:45and enjoy a 12%
31:46internal discount across the board.
31:47This is a benefit
31:48Aurora secured for its employees
31:49and it's also my gift
31:49to Miles Chandler.
31:50A small final favor
31:51at no cost to me.
31:51From then on,
31:52we are purely in a client
31:53and vendor relationship.
31:54I will still go to his shop
31:54for an Americano.
31:55When he sees me,
31:56he'll smile and greet me,
31:56Mr. Ling,
31:57and then have the bar add
31:58an extra half cup of ice
31:59to my iced Americano.
32:00No more unnecessary small talk.
32:01We both tacitly agreed
32:02to take that stage plot
32:03to the grave
32:03because we both know
32:05that the strategic goal
32:05of that sniper battle
32:06has already been achieved.
32:07I got my dignity back
32:08and he got his first pot of gold.
32:09As for the person
32:10who tried to use arrogance
32:11to challenge the rules,
32:12they have been completely kicked out
32:13of our sight.
32:13I thought this play
32:19one, Sutton,
32:19Miss Quinn's partner
32:20and husband.
32:21He looked more than
32:2110 years older
32:22than he did a month ago.
32:23His temples were completely white
32:25and his back was hunched.
32:26He visibly shrank back
32:26when he saw me.
32:27Silently lowered his head
32:28and tried to slip away
32:29along the wall.
32:30I called out to him,
32:31Sutton.
32:31His footsteps paused
32:32and he froze in place.
32:33D, Director Sterling.
32:34He didn't dare look me in the eye.
32:35His voice weak.
32:36What are you doing here?
32:37I asked.
32:37I took a job around here,
32:38delivering packages
32:39for a few companies.
32:40He pointed to the side
32:40at a battered electric tricycle.
32:42Oh, I nodded.
32:43A dead silence fell between us
32:44after a long while
32:45as if making
32:45a tremendous resolution.
32:46He looked at me
32:47with cloudy eyes.
32:48Director Sterling,
32:48my missus,
32:49she knows fear now.
32:50Ever since she got out,
32:51she's been completely broken.
32:53She doesn't go out
32:53or pick fights anymore,
32:54just cries all night long.
32:56The deposit for the shop
32:57went down the drain
32:58and we had to pay penalty fees.
32:59She asked me to apologize
33:00to you on her behalf.
33:01His throat choked up
33:02as he spoke.
33:03A man nearly 50 years old
33:04in front of me,
33:05an enemy 12 years younger,
33:06humbling himself
33:07into the dust.
33:08I felt no ripples in my heart,
33:09not even the thrill of revenge.
33:10If an apology
33:11could erase everything,
33:12then where is the bottom line
33:12of social rules?
33:13If weakness could offset evil,
33:14then what is the point
33:15of punishment?
33:16I stared at him
33:17with an icy tone.
33:18Sutton,
33:18go back and tell her.
33:19I heard her apology,
33:20but I will absolutely
33:21never forgive her
33:22because when she pointed
33:23her finger in my face
33:23and cursed at me,
33:24she never once thought
33:25to leave me a way out.
33:26Our debts are settled.
33:27Sutton left.
33:28He got on that.
33:28Electric tricycle piled
33:29with cardboard boxes,
33:30punching his shoulders
33:31and disappeared at the
33:32end of the garage ramp.
33:33His silhouette under
33:33the dim sensor lights
33:34was stretched out long
33:35and looked incredibly bleak.
33:36I stared in the direction
33:37he left and stood there
33:37for a long time.
33:38Our debts are settled.
33:39I said those words
33:39without mercy,
33:40but only I knew
33:41the deep grudge
33:41and obsession behind them.
33:42If that afternoon
33:43after Miss Quinn
33:44lashed out at me,
33:45she had shown
33:45even the slightest
33:46professional awareness
33:46as a business owner,
33:47even just pouring
33:48a glass of warm water
33:49and saying,
33:49sorry,
33:49the ice maker
33:50is acting up today.
33:51Please bear with us.
33:51I wouldn't have struck
33:52back so ruthlessly.
33:53Unfortunately,
33:53the business world
33:54doesn't believe in ifs.
33:55It was her stupidity
33:55and my ruthlessness
33:56that together ruined
33:57her business.
33:57A week later,
33:58someone I absolutely
33:58didn't expect
33:59cornered me.
34:00Miss Quinn's son,
34:01Sean Sutton,
34:01a peer of mine,
34:02around the same age,
34:03was waiting for me
34:03in the lobby of Aurora Studios
34:04just outside the turnstiles.
34:06He looked well-educated,
34:11Hello,
34:12are you Director Sterling
34:13from Aurora?
34:13He blocked my way,
34:14choosing his words
34:15extremely carefully.
34:15I looked him up and down
34:16and nodded.
34:17I'm Miss Quinn's son.
34:18My name is Sean Sutton.
34:18I'd like to take
34:1910 minutes of your time.
34:20My instinct was
34:20to cause security,
34:21but looking at his face,
34:22full of exhaustion
34:22and desperation,
34:24inexplicably,
34:24I couldn't bring myself
34:25to say no.
34:25We went to a tea room
34:26outside the business park.
34:27Director Sterling,
34:28I know my mom
34:28was totally out of line.
34:29She's uneducated
34:30and has a sharp tongue.
34:30She offended you
34:31and ruined her own business
34:32by acting foolishly.
34:33This is the price
34:33she pays for not
34:34recognizing reality.
34:34Sean Sutton didn't make
34:41our family accepts
34:42the consequences.
34:43I took a sip of tea
34:43and didn't reply,
34:44waiting for him
34:44to show his hand.
34:45But her mental state
34:46has completely collapsed.
34:47Sean Sutton's eyes
34:48instantly turned red,
34:49suppressing his voice.
34:49After she came back
34:50from the detention center,
34:51she was like a walking corpse.
34:52She couldn't eat,
34:53couldn't stand the light,
34:53and locked herself
34:54in the bedroom all day.
34:55The night before last,
34:56while my dad was
34:56out sorting goods,
34:57she swallowed half a bottle
34:57of sleeping pills.
34:58My hand holding the teacup
34:59suddenly stiffened.
35:00She was sent to the ER
35:00at her stomach pump
35:01and was saved.
35:01The psychiatric consultation
35:02said it was a severe
35:03depressive episode,
35:04accompanied by extreme
35:04self-destructive tendons.
35:05My dad, a grown man,
35:06squatted outside
35:07the emergency room,
35:07crying so hard
35:08he couldn't stand up.
35:09Our family is falling apart.
35:10As Sean Sutton spoke,
35:11he pulled out
35:11from his briefcase
35:12a thick craft paper,
35:13enveloped,
35:13and pushed it
35:13in front of me.
35:14Director Sterling,
35:15it is 100,000 yuan in cash.
35:16I know this won't
35:17clear her name
35:17for the reputational damage
35:18my mom calls to,
35:19but this is already
35:20us scraping together
35:21every last penny.
35:22All the liquid funds
35:23we could gather.
35:23I beg you to show some mercy.
35:25Go to the medical center
35:25to see my mom just once
35:27and tell her face to face
35:28that we can put this behind us.
35:29The psychiatrist said,
35:30the one who tied the knot
35:30must be the one to untie it.
35:32You're the knot in her mind
35:32that won't come undone.
35:33Only if you relent.
35:34Can she be pulled back
35:34from the edge of the cliff?
35:35As he spoke,
35:36his knees bent,
35:37about to kneel down to me
35:38on the tatami in the tea room.
35:39I grabbed his arm at once.
35:40Don't pull this on me.
35:41My mind was in complete turmoil.
35:43I hate Miss Quinn.
35:43I hate her bitterness,
35:44her arrogance,
35:45and her lack of boundaries.
35:46I used my resources
35:47to suppress her
35:47just to teach her a lesson.
35:48I wanted her to pay
35:49a heavy commercial price
35:50for her arrogance.
35:50But in this reckoning,
35:51her life was never
35:52part of the equation.
35:53I only wanted her
35:53to learn a lesson.
35:54I didn't want her dead.
35:55I stared at the bulging envelope
35:56on the table
35:57and looked at
35:57the professional in front of me
35:58who would trample his pride
35:59just to save his mother.
36:01Suddenly,
36:01I felt a suffocating wave of exhaustion
36:02in this crushing blow.
36:03Did I really win a complete victory?
36:05I destroyed a family's financial pillar
36:06and put a heavy moral shackle
36:07on myself.
36:08If Miss Quinn really died
36:09because of my ruthless pursuit,
36:11could I ever,
36:11for the rest of my life,
36:12drink that iced Americana
36:13with a clear conscience,
36:15put the money away?
36:16I pushed the envelope
36:17back untouched.
36:17Let me think about it.
36:18I eventually went to the medical center
36:19not because of the temptation
36:21of Sean Sutton's 100,000 yuan
36:22nor because I'm suddenly a saint
36:23overflowing with sympathy.
36:24I just wanted to personally
36:25wrap up the ruthless campaign
36:26I directed
36:27and declare my own conscience
36:28just to have a clear conscience.
36:29Miss Quinn leaned against
36:30the raised hospital bed,
36:30her face ashen,
36:31her cheeks hollow.
36:32In just about a month,
36:33she looked completely drained
36:33of all her vitality.
36:34An IV catheter was still stuck
36:35in the back of her hand.
36:36Seeing me push the door open,
36:37a flicker of emotion
36:38crossed her empty eyes
36:39but quickly faded away.
36:40She turned her face
36:41toward the pale white wall.
36:42Sean Sutton and Sutton
36:43tactfully closed the door behind them,
36:44leaving the room to us.
36:45I pulled over a plastic stool
36:46and sat down.
36:47Neither of us made a sound.
36:48The room was deathly still
36:50with only the dripping
36:50of the IV fluid
36:51falling down
36:52as if counting down
36:54this feud.
36:55After a long time,
36:55I broke the silence.
36:56What were you hoping to achieve?
36:58I was asking about her
36:58smashing the car,
36:59throwing tantrums
36:59and finally threatening
37:00to swallow pills.
37:01This whole series of crazy acts,
37:02she pursed her dry cracked lips
37:03and froze for a long time.
37:03So long that I was about
37:04to get up and leave
37:05before she finally spoke
37:06in an extremely coarse
37:06and weak voice.
37:07I, I just couldn't swallow my pride.
37:08I've worked in food service
37:09for over a decade.
37:10From selling breakfast
37:11on a cart
37:12to buying a shop,
37:13paying for my son
37:13to go abroad
37:14and paying the down payment
37:15for a house.
37:15I thought I had made it.
37:16That day when you asked for ice,
37:18I just wanted to take you
37:18down a peg.
37:19I never thought
37:19you'd be so vicious
37:20in getting back at me.
37:21You completely ruined
37:22my revenue stream.
37:23You made me lose.
37:25My decades of savings
37:26completely wiped out.
37:27You made me become
37:28the biggest joke
37:30among my peers.
37:30I resented you.
37:31I really resented you to death.
37:33It was only during
37:34the stomach pumping
37:35that I woke up.
37:35It wasn't you
37:36who brought me down.
37:37It was my own bitterness
37:38and vanity
37:39that destroyed me.
37:40That day the ice chisel,
37:41the ice cubes
37:42were overflowing.
37:43I was being cheap on purpose,
37:44trying to show you
37:44who's boss.
37:45But instead,
37:46you taught me a lesson.
37:47It's truly ridiculous.
37:49In the end,
37:51you used the most lethal method
37:52to show me
37:53who's truly in charge.
37:54I listened quietly.
37:56This was the first time
37:57I glimpsed her logic.
37:58And also the first time
38:00I tried to stand in her shoes
38:02to review this game of chess.
38:03Yes,
38:04a middle-aged woman
38:05who has hustled
38:05in the physical retail business,
38:06relying on working
38:07from dawn to dusk
38:08to forcibly build up
38:09a little business.
38:09Her self-esteem
38:10is distorted
38:11and also fragile.
38:13She is used to arming herself
38:14with a hedgehog-like temper
38:15to protect herself
38:16and used to a condescending attitude
38:18to cover up her inner inferiority.
38:20You can go back now.
38:21Thank you for coming.
38:24And...
38:25I'm sorry.
38:26I looked at her.
38:27That withered and lifeless face
38:28and that fiery anger
38:29stuck in my chest
38:30suddenly completely dissipated.
38:31I stood up
38:32and as my hand grasped the doorknob,
38:33I turned my face to her
38:34and said,
38:35When you are discharged,
38:36if you are still bitter about it
38:37and still want to run
38:37an independent cafe,
38:38I'll recommend a top roaster to you.
38:40They can teach you how to blend
38:41a truly delicious
38:41full cup of iced americano
38:43for free.
38:43After saying that,
38:44I pressed the handle
38:45and walked out.
38:47In the hallway,
38:48Sean Sutton and Sutton
38:48were like a cat
38:49on a hot tin roof
38:50staring at me.
38:51I nodded at them.
38:52She's out of the woods.
38:53I think my own knot
38:53was untied too.
38:54Ms. Quinn never touched
38:55an espresso machine again.
38:56After her discharge,
38:57she and Sutton
38:57completely liquidated
38:58their shop in the city
38:59and returned to their hometown.
39:00Sean Sutton told me
39:01they leased a hill in town
39:01and started a white tea garden.
39:03Every now and then,
39:04Sutton would ask
39:05long-haul drivers
39:05to bring me two tins
39:06of their own roasted premium
39:07early spring tea.
39:08The leaves were intact
39:08and the aroma was pure.
39:09Every time,
39:10I would transfer the money
39:10based on the market price.
39:11If he refused it,
39:12I'd use another number
39:13to secretly pay
39:14for a year of his broadband.
39:15Between us,
39:15we reached a bizarre equilibrium.
39:16Neither mentioned the past,
39:17but through this kind
39:18of mutual favor,
39:18we maintained a sense of decency.
39:20This is already
39:20the mildest conclusion
39:21in a business war.
39:22Heritage Bakery
39:23went completely viral.
39:24Miles Chandler
39:24has a great business sense.
39:25He made the single store
39:26model work
39:26and quickly opened
39:27seven or eight chains
39:27in core commercial districts.
39:29He even secured
39:29series of funding
39:30from Sequoia Capital.
39:31He is no longer
39:31the Mr. Chandler
39:32making latte art
39:32for me behind the bar
39:33but has become
39:33a highly sought-after
39:34Mr. Chandler
39:35in the investment circle.
39:35He approached me privately
39:36a few times
39:36wanting to convert
39:37the performance
39:37driven by the traffic
39:38from Aurora Studios
39:39into sweat equity
39:40or consulting fees
39:40and cash it out for me.
39:41I turned them all down.
39:42Business is business
39:43and the bottom line
39:43must be kept.
39:44I don't lack
39:44that little bit of money
39:45and I can't take it either.
39:46I am still the operations
39:46director of Aurora Studios.
39:48Ian Sterling
39:48clocking in,
39:49attending meetings
39:49and monitoring data every day.
39:50Living a standard executive life.
39:52It's just that the middle management
39:53and backbone staff
39:53in the company
39:54look at me completely differently now
39:55with an added layer
39:56of genuine fear and awe
39:57because everyone in the park
39:58knows that Ms. Sterling
40:00appears to be an emotionally
40:01stable elite on the surface
40:02but if anyone dares to cross
40:03her bottom line
40:03her retaliation
40:04would be a ruthless takedown
40:05beating you down
40:05so you can never rise again.
40:06Even the fresh graduates
40:07hired by HR
40:08will be briefed
40:08on the unwritten rules
40:09by senior employees
40:10on their first day.
40:10At Aurora
40:10you can argue with the boss
40:12but absolutely do not play smart
40:13in front of Ms. Sterling.
40:14I inexplicably
40:14took on the title
40:15of the Iron Lady of Aurora.
40:17I laughed it off
40:17but I know
40:18this is my hardest armor
40:19in this doggy-dog world
40:20of the internet.
40:20A year later
40:21due to my exceptional project
40:22monetization ability
40:23and high prestige
40:23within the team
40:24I was promoted
40:24by the board of directors
40:25to COO of Aurora Studios
40:26Chief Operating Officer.
40:27Options doubled
40:28and my power
40:28to make critical decisions
40:33and the logistics department
40:33to launch a supplier replacement
40:34and employee rights system
40:36from team building venues
40:36and annual checkups
40:37down to the coffee beans
40:38in the pantry
40:38and the wheels on office chairs.
40:40Any employee
40:40who experiences
40:41unsatisfactory service
40:41can report it anonymously
40:42with a single click
40:43directly to my system back end
40:44and we promise
40:45that within 48 hours
40:45a resolution
40:46and compensation plan
40:47must be provided.
40:48I demand
40:48that every employee
40:49at Aurora Studios
40:49can maintain their dignity
40:50in this high pressure environment.
40:51I will absolutely
40:52not allow anyone
40:52to be treated like dirt
40:53by service providers
40:54over such trivial bullshit
40:55like asking for two extra ice cubes.
40:57I use my authority
40:57to purify the business ecosystem
40:58I can reach
40:59making it a bit more rule abiding
41:00and the cause of all this
41:01stems from that room temperature
41:02bitter Americano
41:03in a plastic cup a year ago.
41:05Business
41:05is sometimes just that dramatic
41:06you can never predict
41:07whether the black swan event
41:08that makes you lose everything
41:09or the golden opportunity
41:10that skyrockets your career
41:11will strike first.
41:12It was another afternoon
41:13I sat in front of the minimalist
41:14floor to ceiling windows
41:15at Heritage Bakery
41:16the blinding sunlight hit the table
41:17and at hand was a geisha Americano
41:19overflowing with ice
41:20the icy sensation was stimulating
41:21refreshing my mind
41:22I drank very slowly
41:23looking through the glass
41:23at the busy employees
41:24hurrying through the park
41:25the old sight of the mellow roast
41:26across the street
41:26had long been leased out again
41:27by property management
41:28now it's the lobby of the season's end
41:30the glass is wiped as spotless
41:31with greeters coming in and out
41:32as if that run-down shop
41:33filled with resentment
41:33and coffee grounds
41:34never even existed
41:35my phone buzzed
41:36it was a wechat message
41:37from Sean Sutton
41:37an unedited photo
41:38in the picture
41:39there is a vast lush green tea mountain
41:41Ms. Quinn and Sutton
41:42wearing straw hats
41:42stand side by side on the tea ridges
41:44their skin
41:44is roughened by the UV rays
41:46but the expression on their faces
41:47is something I've never seen before
41:48relaxed and at ease
41:49in Ms. Quinn's arm
41:51she carries a bamboo basket
41:52full of green leaves
41:52below the photo is a message
41:54Ms. Sterling
41:54my parents asked me to ask you
41:56when the spring tea is harvested next year
41:57come to the town
41:58for a cup of fresh tea
41:58if you have time
41:59I stared at the screen and smiled
42:00typing two words back
42:01definitely
42:01I locked the screen
42:02and looking up
42:03I happened to see Miles Chandler
42:04coming out of the manager's office
42:05behind the bar
42:06he was wearing a custom casual suit
42:07looking high-spirited
42:08holding an iPad
42:09with several suited VC partners
42:10selling his brand vision
42:11of a 100-store franchise
42:12he caught sight of me
42:13from the corner of his eye
42:14raised his coffee cup from a distance
42:15and smiled in greeting
42:16I also raised my
42:17iced Americano to return a gesture
42:18we are all at our respective
42:19capital poker tables
42:20fighting with our own ranks
42:21to win our own right to speak
42:22I suddenly wondered
42:23in this coffee game
42:24is there really a winner and a loser?
42:26perhaps not absolutely
42:27Ms. Quinn lost her job
42:28but regained her basic human decency
42:30Miles Chandler earned his initial fortune
42:32but is swept up by capital
42:33running even more tired
42:34and what about me?
42:35what have I schemed so hard for?
42:37is it the title of COO?
42:38or the flattery from below?
42:39no, neither
42:40I lowered my eyes
42:41looking at the bottom of the plastic cup
42:42where only those two
42:43slowly melting ice cubes remained
42:44I bit the straw
42:45and drained the last drop of bitterness
42:47coldness down my throat
42:48all I seek
42:48is the simplest rule of business
42:50you can
42:51and absolutely have the right to
42:52demand equal service
42:54but the prerequisite
42:54is that you hold good cards
42:55and others dare not play dirty
42:57under the table
42:57and all dignity
42:58is inseparable from one word
42:59rules
43:00reverence for the rules
43:01and using the rules to protect oneself
43:02outside the window
43:03the green light turns on
43:04and the gears of the workplace keep turning
43:06so I can see you guys
43:07You
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