- 9 hours ago
[DUBBED] One Cup, No Return
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
01:00This place was like my neighborhood convenience store
01:03To be honest, Miss Quinn's temper was never great
01:08And her brow forever furrowed
01:11and, don´t mess with me scowl
01:19Brewing takes TIME
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, I even helped her secure a ton of bulk orders.
01:40When the team pulled all-nighters, I'd order late-night drinks from her.
01:43When clients visited, I'd just have someone grab a round of lattes from the Mellow Roast.
01:47Miss Quinn was slightly more polite to me than to walk in customers.
01:50But even then, the most I'd get was her asking if I wanted it hot or cold.
01:54I always thought we had a bond.
01:55A regular customer connection that went beyond just business.
01:58It was 3.30 p.m. today, right in the middle of the afternoon rush,
02:01when I stepped into the Mellow Roast, same as always,
02:03the tapping of keyboards and roar of the espresso machine filled the room.
02:07Miss Quinn, an iced Americano, and a slice of bat cheesecake.
02:09I call out with a familiar tone.
02:11Miss Quinn was behind the bar, hunched over the machine.
02:13She didn't even look up.
02:14I took my usual stool by the window.
02:16Ten minutes later, my coffee was ready.
02:18The dark brown liquid sat in a clear plastic cup, dripping with condensation.
02:22I took a sip.
02:23The familiar bitterness hit my tongue.
02:24The body was rich, and 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, you 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, without enough ice, has no soul.
02:44I'm not usually one to complain.
02:46But after coming here for three years, I am a bit of a perfectionist.
02:49When it comes to their coffee, I took the cup back to the counter.
02:52Miss Quinn.
02:52I tried to keep my voice friendly.
02:55She was wiping the steam wand, looking down.
02:57But when she looked up, she looked annoyed.
02:59Um, about 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.
03:11From a regular customer.
03:12I told myself that.
03:13If she said the ice machine was broken, or they were just running low, I'd just laugh it off.
03:18But Miss Quinn's reaction caught me completely off guard.
03:21She froze for a split second.
03:22And then, like a powder keg getting a spark, she absolutely exploded.
03:26Suddenly, she snapped.
03:27Her eyes bloodshot from years of late nights.
03:29Fled 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, then 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, the coders, the gossipers, all eyes were locked on me.
03:56Shuck, curiosity, amusement.
03:58Some were even gloating.
03:59And right there were colleagues from Aurora, wearing the same badge as me.
04:03My face was burning.
04:04Not from embarrassment, but from pure rage.
04:07I stood there holding that cup, feeling like a clown strip bear, and 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.
04:19Am I so worthless that 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.
04:28In that moment, something 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, memorizing 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, holding that near-fall coffee, and walked back to my store.
04:49Under the stairs of the entire shop, I picked up the straw.
04:52And sip by sip, I finished that room temperature americano.
04:55Every last drop, I drank it slowly.
04:58With every gulp, I was swallowing.
04:59Three years of habit, and this sudden, sharp humiliation.
05:02When it was empty, I crushed the pot and tossed it in the trash.
05:05Then I walked back to the counter.
05:07Miss Quinn probably expected me to just tuck my tail and run.
05:10She looked at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
05:13But mostly smugness, as if saying,
05:15Si, you still drank it like a good little girl.
05:17I took out my phone, scanned the code, and entered 45 bucks.
05:2020 for the americano.
05:2225 for the cheesecake.
05:24Paid.
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, I spoke.
05:32Miss Quinn.
05:33She paused, and looked up.
05:35I looked her dead in the eye, and said it clearly, word 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.
05:43I didn't stick around for a response, or to see the look on her face.
05:46I just turned, pushed open the glass door, and walked out.
05:49The afternoon sun was blinding.
05:51Standing outside the mellow rose, I took a long, steadying breath, and I didn't look back.
05:56Back at the office, in the break room, colleagues from other teams were giving me these knowing looks.
06:02They'd seen the whole thing.
06:03Miss Sterling, are you okay?
06:05A new planner asked softly.
06:07I smiled, nodded my head, and said, I'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, we're never ordering from her again.
06:16Another colleague added, visibly annoyed.
06:18I just nodded, and kept quiet.
06:20Holding my woodcup, I headed back to my private office on the 18th floor.
06:23I logged on, checked the data, and approved the budgets.
06:26Business as usual, as if that scene downstairs, was just some cheap drama.
06:30But inside, I was fuming.
06:31Cool and collected on the outside, burning with rage on the inside.
06:34I am not a petty person, and I don't usually lose my cool.
06:37After years in the tech industry, I've learned how to hide my claws.
06:41But just because I didn't snap, doesn't mean I don't care.
06:44Miss Quinn's arrogant smirk, the way she told me to get out, if I didn't like it, felt like a
06:48slap.
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, and pulled up the org chart.
06:58Leo, send 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, the report was in my inbox.
07:07I opened the file.
07:09Aurora Studios active personnel.
07:11Total, 326 people.
07:13Excluding those on leave or travel.
07:15There are at least 300 people in this building, who order coffee every single day.
07:19300.
07:20Thinking about that number.
07:21A slow dark smile crept onto my face.
07:24Then I opened my notes.
07:25A directory of every vendor around the campus.
07:28It was a dense list.
07:29Dozens of shops, their contacts, and what they specialized in.
07:31This was the research I'd done for our employee perks program.
07:35I scanned through it, but nothing looked like an immediate replacement for the Mellow Roast.
07:38They were either cheap tea chains, or just too far away.
07:40They couldn't give my engineers the high-quality caffeine they live on.
07:43I looked out my floor-to-ceiling window.
07:45From the 18th floor, I had a perfect view of the street below.
07:49Directly across from the Mellow Roast, a new shop had just finished its renovations.
07:54A minimalist sign glowed in the light.
07:56It read, Heritage Bakery.
07:58The storefront was bathed in a warm amber light.
08:01Sophisticated and high-end, I picked up my phone, and dialed the leasing office.
08:04As an executive at Aurora, I have property management on speed dial.
08:08Good afternoon, Mr. Lewis.
08:09It's Ian Sterling from Aurora.
08:11Oh, Ms. Sterling, what a pleasant surprise.
08:13How can I help you today?
08:14Just had a quick question.
08:15Across from the campus, next to the Mellow Roast, that 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, is Aurora looking to upgrade?
08:27It's catering again?
08:29Charlie's got top-tier equipment, and he's obsessed with his beans.
08:31Just exploring our options, I said, keeping my tone light.
08:34Less than 30 seconds later, a digital business card popped up.
08:37It read, Miles Chandler, owner of Heritage Bakery.
08:40I stared at the name, but I didn't add him right away.
08:43In my head, I was already five moves ahead on the chessboard.
08:46This wasn't a petty emotional outburst.
08:47It was a cold, surgical commercial strike.
08:49I wanted Ms. Quinn to realize that she didn't just drive away 20 bucks a day for an Americano.
08:53She had just severed the very artery that kept her shop alive, the massive corporate catering
08:57from the entire innovation hub.
08:58I wanted her to watch with her own eyes as the customer she looked down on effortlessly
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 for her ignorance and ego.
09:09I didn't need to scream.
09:10I was going to choke her out in silence.
09:12No shouting matches, no social media drama.
09:14Just a nose-diving revenue and cold hard financial rule.
09:17I stood up, walked over to the dispenser and poured myself a glass of water.
09:21As the warmth spread through me, my mind became razor sharp.
09:24I went back to my desk, picked up my phone, added the contact and sent a request.
09:30Hi Mr. Chumbo, Ian Sterling here, Director of Ops at Aurora Studios.
09:33I'm looking to secure a long-term contract, about 300 orders a day.
09:37I'd love to chat.
09:38Let me know when we'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, but I could hear the excitement in his voice.
09:52Hello Mr. Sterling, this is Miles Chandler.
09:54I saw your note, about 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, I locked my computer, grabbed my keys and headed out.
10:08I didn't go straight to, Heritage Bakery.
10:11Instead, I stopped for a moment.
10:13Right in front of the meadow 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, you'd never guess she'd had a massive blow up earlier that day.
10:29Maybe in her narrow world view, that was just another day at the office.
10:33With thousands of people on this campus, she probably thought losing 1B and Sterling wouldn't
10:36even make a dent in her bottom line.
10:37A 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, and the display case against the wall is filled with
10:52exquisite desserts.
10:53A young man in a black apron is adjusting that extremely expensive Lamazoco espresso machine.
10:58Seeing me push the door open, he immediately put down his frothing pitcher and walked out.
11:01Miss Sterling?
11:02He asked tentatively.
11:04I 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, turned to the bar and brought over a cup of pour
11:12-over coffee.
11:13Try this, Miss Sterling.
11:14The cashew 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.
11:25Found 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, the 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, paired 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, how can I break into this market?
11:58He listened with an open mind.
12:00I smiled, peeled up the headcount spreadsheet on my phone and pushed it toward him.
12:04If I told you that, starting three days from now, for a whole month straight, I can guarantee
12:08your daily afternoon orders will never fall below 5,000 in revenue.
12:12Would you dare to take it?
12:12Miles Chandler's pupils suddenly contracted.
12:155,000.
12:16For a newly opened independent coffee shop, relying solely on the afternoon tea hours to hit this
12:20number is practically impossible.
12:22Moonser Sterling, you'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 is right across from you in Tower A.
12:30We currently have 326 employees on duty every day at 3 p.m.
12:33These over 300 people really on coffee to survive the day.
12:36Their default choice before was the mellow roast across the street.
12:39Now, I'm taking the demand of these 300 people and handing it all over to you.
12:42I stared at Miles Chandler, watching 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 survive the most brutal early phase of a new store.
12:55And establishing an extremely solid, loyal customer network.
12:58To him, this was an ultimate trump card.
13:01Why me?
13:02His mind worked fast, immediately grasping the core issue.
13:05Because Ms. Quinn across the street, over a couple of ice cubes this afternoon,
13:09in front of dozens of people, made me lose face in public.
13:11My tone was flat, as if narrating someone else's story.
13:14But after hearing this, Miles Chandler drew a sharp breath.
13:17The way he looked at me, instantly 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, what are your demands?
13:27Just say it.
13:28He dropped all the pleasantries, his eyes becoming highly aggressive.
13:31This was exactly the reaction I wanted to see.
13:34An ambitious businessman, who knows how to adapt to his audience.
13:38First, quality control.
13:39I held up my index finger.
13:40I need your guarantee, that even for a bulk group order of 300 cups,
13:43the extraction standard of every coffee, and the ingredients of every dessert,
13:46must be the same as for individual customers.
13:48You must never use expired beans, and 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, average 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, sell it for 30.
14:06But you must customize an exclusive employee purchase combo.
14:09For Aurora Studios, for example, a latte with a bagel,
14:12or a fruit coffee with a small cake.
14:14Keeping the total price under 25 yuan.
14:16Updated weekly, with plenty of variety.
14:18I want the people at Aurora to feel that buying from you isn't just delicious,
14:22but also a status privilege.
14:23Third, emotional value.
14:25I don't care how overwhelmed you are with orders.
14:27You and your baristas must have a perfect attitude.
14:30If a customer wants extra ice, extra sugar, or oat milk,
14:33as long as it's within reason, you must agree readily.
14:36No sour faces allow.
14:37Lastly, fulfillment capacity.
14:39With 300 people, afternoon tea time is very precious.
14:42I don't have time for them to wait in line.
14:43So, we need to implement an online pre-ordering process.
14:46Starting three days from now, every day at 2 p.m.,
14:49I will go to the department group chat and drop a link to your mini-program.
14:52You take the orders at 2.30.
14:53And at exactly three angles, you need to batch the packaged drinks and desserts
14:56and deliver them on time to our company reception.
14:58Dining customers, with their staff IDs, should also skip the line.
15:01Placing orders for 30 consecutive days.
15:03For this entire month's bill, I'll personally cover it through the company account.
15:05You only coordinate with me.
15:07I put away my phone and looked at Miles Chandler, who was in shock.
15:10What do you say, Mr. Chandler?
15:17Mr. Sterling, starting today, Aurora will be Heritage Bakery's top VIP.
15:21Every single thing you mention.
15:23I, Miles Chandler, even if I have to pull an all-nighter,
15:26guarantee to get it done perfectly.
15:27I'm in on this game.
15:28A 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.
15:36Ms. Quinn, your good days are over.
15:39The next day, Thursday, in the internal company group chat of Aurora Studios,
15:42it was usually very quiet.
15:44Except for the admin, occasionally sending holiday notices.
15:46Most of the time, everyone was lurking.
15:47At exactly 1 p.m., I, Operations Director, Ian Sterling,
15:50in this large group of over 300 people, dropped the first non-work message.
15:53At all.
15:54Colleagues from all departments, Afternoon Tea is on me.
15:56The newly opened Heritage Bakery across the street, to celebrate their soft opening.
15:59It is offering our Aurora employees today an exclusive internal discount.
16:01Immediately after, I took the beautifully designed e-menu,
16:03that I had the designers lay out overnight, and sent it to the group.
16:05Aurora Studios exclusive Afternoon Tea.
16:06Special Set A, Large Classic Iced Americano, with Sea Salt Basque Cheesecake, 20 RMB.
16:10Set B, Large Oat Milk Latte, with Freshly Baked Butter Croissant, 22 RMB.
16:13Set C, Large Coconut Milk Latte, with Earl Grey Swiss Roll, 25 RMB.
16:16Set D, Large Handshaken Lemon Tea, with Plain Bagel, 20 RMB.
16:20Note, all colleagues picking up in-store, get free upgrades.
16:22Espresso shots, ice, and syrup can be customized freely.
16:24Finally, I added one more sentence.
16:26Colleagues who want a drink, please order directly through the mini-program link.
16:29Deadline is 2 p.m.
16:30It's on me today.
16:31In the future, the company will consider,
16:32making Heritage Bakery Owl, long-term afternoon tea partner.
16:35The Deadwater-like group chat, instantly boiled over.
16:38Wow, so generous, Miss Sterling.
16:39Miss Sterling rocks.
16:40Coffee to save my life.
16:41Finally, we don't have to look at the sour face of the boss at the Mellow Roast anymore.
16:45I'm first in line.
16:45Set A with extra ice.
16:46Thanks.
16:47Set B, change to skim milk.
16:48Order notifications were jumping crazily in the background.
16:50The data in the back end was soaring straight up at a visible rate.
16:52I stared at the screen, my face expressionless, but I knew.
16:55They took the bait.
16:56The enthusiasm of the colleagues was partly because someone was paying,
16:59but the deeper reason was the pent-up resentment from Miss Quinn's terrible service attitude over the years had finally
17:03found
17:03a breakthrough point at this moment.
17:04I just went with the flow and handed them the tool they needed.
17:072 p.m.
17:08I closed the orders in the back end system on time and pulled the master data sheet.
17:11295 orders.
17:12Almost every colleague at their desks ordered a cup.
17:14I took the exported details and sent them directly to Miles Chandler via WeChat.
17:17Mr. Chandler, we're flooded with orders.
17:19Get ready to serve.
17:19Meanwhile, across the street at the Mellow Roast, Miss Quinn, as usual, had prepped by 2.30 p.m.
17:23All the supplies for the afternoon tea rush.
17:25Several large bins of ice were fully stuffed into the ice trough.
17:27The two coffee grinders were also filled with dark roast beans.
17:29She wiped down the counter and glanced at the digital clock on the wall.
17:323.15.
17:33Normally at this time, people from the Aurora Studios building would be trickling down to buy coffee and get some
17:37fresh 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, crushing it off.
17:46Another 15 minutes passed.
17:47At 3.30, still no one.
17:49Miss Quinn finally felt something was wrong.
17:50She walked to the glass door, poked her head out, and looked toward the lobby of the Innovation Hub across
17:53the street.
17:54She was completely dumbfounded.
17:54Through the revolving doors of Aurora Studios, a massive crowd swarmed out.
17:58Over 300 people, wearing their company badges, like college students after class, instantly filled the entire crosswalk.
18:03They were chatting and laughing, with a very clear destination, heading straight for that new shop diagonally across from her.
18:07At the entrance of Heritage Bakery, Miles Chandler and two young baristas had already laid out over a dozen huge
18:11insulated delivery bags.
18:12Holding the order slips, glowing with pride, he greeted the friends from Aurora Studios.
18:15For dine-in, just grab any seat inside.
18:17Take away orders, verify your last digits here to pick up.
18:19Those 300 plus people, some squeezed into Heritage Bakery, instantly packing the stylish camping area.
18:23To the brim, even more people, formed a long line at the counter, to get their custom drinks.
18:27Though the scene was exaggerated, static drinks was served extremely fast.
18:30Everyone who took the texture of paper bag with a logo, showed satisfaction on their faces.
18:33With that kind of scene, you'd think it was a trendy internet famous store.
18:35Doing a limited exclusive launch, Miss Quinn just stood at the door of her empty shop, staring blanky across the
18:39street.
18:40At that booming scene, her brain just crashed.
18:42She didn't understand, was she seeing a ghost?
18:44Why?
18:44Why?
18:44The people who were lining up and ordering in her shop yesterday, today all flocked to the opposite side.
18:48She caught sight of me in the crowd.
18:50I didn't line up, nor did I go inside for the AC.
18:52I just stood in the shade by the road, one hand in my pocket, quietly watching it all.
18:55Then I turned my face.
18:57My gaze crossing the busy street, and locked onto her.
18:59Our eyes, clashed fiercely in midair.
19:01I gave her a slight twitch of the lips.
19:03It was a, completely cold sneer.
19:05Miss Quinn's shoulders suddenly shrank.
19:07She seemed to realize what happened.
19:08Her face.
19:10Began to lose all its color.
19:11Her lips moved, but no sound came out.
19:14She watched helplessly as the most familiar, and least valued faces.
19:17In the shop across the street, drinking iced Americanos, eating sliced cakes, and talking cheerfully.
19:21While her shop, was as dead as a pool of stagnant, foul-smelling water.
19:24The ice maker was still buzzing, but this noise, seemed 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, and the welcome blackboard that had stood for three years,
19:34fell to the ground with a smile, kicking up a cloud of dust.
19:36The soft opening of Heritage Bakery was a huge success.
19:38Who owned 95 afternoon tea sets, plus walking customers attracted by the crowd.
19:41Miles Chandler and his baristas, worked non-stop from 2.30pm to 5 ppm.
19:44Their arms almost dislocated.
19:45After seeing off the last batch of customers, Miles Chandler leaned directly against the bar, tenting heavily.
19:48He was truly exhausted.
19:49But more than that, he was thrilled.
19:51He pulled up the back-end system.
19:52Looking at the string of numbers, that broke the historical revenue record.
19:54His palms sweating with excitement.
19:55The first thing he did, was send me a WeChat red packet.
19:57It was a transfer of 888.88, a lucky number meaning prosperity.
20:00With a note, Ms. Sterling, words cannot express my gratitude.
20:02This is my personal treat for your tea.
20:03I didn't accept it.
20:04And replied, take this money, and 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, everyone in the company was 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.
20:20Yeah.
20:21That Basque cheesecake has a molten center.
20:23The key is, the boss and the staff have a great attitude.
20:25I asked for skim milk, and they changed it without a second thought.
20:27The cup I brought back to my desk feels 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, I remained non-committal.
20:36I knew novelty is just the opening chip to completely lock in these 300 caffeine addicts.
20:40What's needed is extremely stable quality control, as well as the contrast of a sufficiently stupid opponent.
20:45And Ms. Quinn clearly wouldn't disappoint me.
20:47Across the street at the mellow roast, the atmosphere was at rock bottom.
20:49The buckets of ice prepared for the afternoon had mostly melted.
20:52In the stuffy environment of the bar, the espresso extract had also gone bad.
20:55Ms. Quinn's partner and husband Sutton, a middle-aged man with a sweaty face, was squatting by the sink.
21:00Washing cups with a sign.
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, her 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!
21:21I, Quinn, have 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, looking at the dismal cash flow in the register, she panicked internally
21:29long ago.
21:30Sutton sighed.
21:31What do we do now?
21:32We haven't made a single sale this afternoon.
21:33What about tomorrow, the day after?
21:35If the people from Aurora keep going across the street, how 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 can 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 will pass up a bargain.
21:53In Miss Quinn's eyes, flashed a gambler's ruthlessness.
21:55She felt she had grasped the cacore of business competition.
21:58As long as the price is low enough, she could definitely win the customer flow back.
22:00She completely failed to realize that in terms of fundamental logic, she had lost completely.
22:03The next day, at the entrance of the Mellow Roast, sure enough, there stood an extremely
22:06eye-catching red sign.
22:07Third anniversary massive price slash all drinks 15 yuan.
22:10Free butter cookies with purchase.
22:12This price was barely covering material costs, losing money to gain traction.
22:15Some passing delivery riders and interns from other companies who weren't picky about taste
22:18were drawn in.
22:19Inside the Mellow Roast, a bit of popularity had finally returned.
22:21Miss Quinn, looking at the short line forming again at the bar, revealed a contemptuous
22:24smile.
22:24She felt her ultimate price cut move yielded immediate results.
22:27As if provoking them, she looked towards Heritage Bakery across the street.
22:29However, at the entrance of Heritage Bakery, it was still the same booming scene.
22:32The employees of Aurora Studios, like programmed robots, scan the QR code to pick up their meals
22:36on time.
22:37Nobody even takes a second look just because her drinks are 5 yuan cheaper.
22:40Why?
22:41Miss Quinn just doesn't get it.
22:42She doesn't know that just this noon, at the top of my afternoon tea ordering page, a pinned
22:45announcement appeared.
22:46Friendly reminder, Heritage Bakery has launched a 24-7 non-stop live stream across all platforms.
22:51All employees can enter the live stream via the link.
22:52Every drop of milk we drink, every single bean, guarantees brand transparency.
22:56Fresh dates and standard operations.
22:57This was the final move I finalized with Miles Chandler last night.
23:00Miles Chandler has excellent execution skills.
23:01He found the tech team overnight and set up the streaming equipment for tech workers sitting
23:04in cubicles every day, surviving on takeout.
23:07What is the most scarce thing?
23:08Cheap and tasty.
23:08No, it's a sense of security.
23:10I never plan to fight a price war with Miss Quinn because I know once we get involved in bottom
23:13price competition will only drag down the catering quality of the whole part.
23:16I choose to outcompete her from a completely higher level.
23:18While she is still in the basement obsessing over low prices, I have already taken my colleagues
23:21to sit on the top floor pursuing quality control and the right to know how could she possibly
23:24win.
23:24This afternoon, I intentionally didn't order delivery.
23:26Instead, I went with a few producers to the sofa area at Heritage Bakery to sit and drink.
23:29We chose a perfect window seat, perfectly allowing us to see Miss Quinn across the street.
23:33Her face twisted with shock and frustration, taking it all in.
23:35One producer smiled and said, Sterling, that was an absolute game changer.
23:38Without spending a dime on PR, you completely deflated their ego right behind their own counter.
23:41I just smiled, cutting into a piece of Basque cheesecake.
23:44Mr. Stone, I just think that when our people from Aurora spend money, we deserve to enjoy
23:47our coffee with our heads held high.
23:48Outside the window, the customers in Miss Quinn's shop grabbed their free cookies and
23:51quickly dispersed.
23:52Someone asked to swap the cookie for a slice of cake and she snapped back at them without
23:55hesitation.
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 and walked away cursing.
24:03Watching this scene, I shook my head.
24:04Beyond help.
24:05Ms. Quinn, you have no idea why you're losing.
24:07Your ultimate price drop strategy flopped completely.
24:09Not only did Ms. Quinn's revenue fail to improve, but because she was pulling a long face at
24:13bargain hunters, she ruined whatever goodwill she had left with the public.
24:15Her shop fell right back to rock bottom with zero customers.
24:17But Heritage Bakery across the street is advancing by leaps and bounds.
24:19Miles Chandler strictly executed my strategy, not only stabilizing the product quality, but
24:22also added some creative twists.
24:23He started introducing seasonal limited beans like the Sadamo and Mantelling Pour Over series,
24:25which are highly sought after by hardcore coffee lovers.
24:27The pairing of desserts and light meals also continuously iterates.
24:29Based on the feedback in our employee group, the people from Aurora Studios have completely
24:31treated Heritage Bakery as their second office area.
24:33Some employees even schedule weekend meetings with clients directly in Heritage Bakery's camping area.
24:36Miles Chandler's new shop has become a landmark store in this part.
24:38All of this, Ms. Quinn saw clearly while pressing against the glass.
24:40Her eyes were practically bloodshot from glaring.
24:42She was like a wild boar driven into a corner.
24:43Furious and frantic, but with nowhere to bite.
24:45Finally, she came up with an extremely despicable dirty trick.
24:47On Friday afternoon, Miles Chandler's shop had a very relaxed atmosphere because the
24:49weekend was approaching and the order volume was blasting.
24:51Right at the peak of the rush, three men in uniforms with stern expressions pushed open
24:55the glass door.
24:55Can the person in charge come out for a moment?
24:57We are from the regulatory bureau in the house and safety division.
24:59The middle-aged man leading them directly showed his ID.
25:00We received a real name report from the public saying your shop uses near-expired fresh milk
25:03and syrup with altered dates.
25:04We now need to conduct a surprise inspection of all materials in the shop.
25:06The shop instantly fell dead silent.
25:08All the customers coding and chatting stopped and stared at the bar in astonishment.
25:11Miles Chandler's heart skipped a beat, but his years of experience in brick and mortar
25:13business helped him steady himself immediately.
25:15He knew someone was stabbing him in the back.
25:16He quickly walked out from behind the bar, looking calm.
25:18Hello, officers.
25:19I am the manager, Miles Chandler.
25:20We will fully cooperate with your inspection.
25:21We are just in our soft opening, but all our standards are set to the highest level.
25:24We would never cut corners on food safety.
25:26His attitude was composed and confident without any panic.
25:28Words are useless.
25:29Let's check the back and the refrigerators.
25:30The leading man waved his hand in a business-like manner.
25:32All right, please come in.
25:33Miles Chandler let them into the operation area inside the bar and the back warehouse.
25:36The two baristas at the bar had stopped their work, but all the equipment was arranged
25:39extremely neatly.
25:40The stainless steel counters were shining without a single drop of milk stain.
25:43All the syrups and purees were neatly stacked on the shelves, with production dates clearly
25:46printed on the bottom.
25:47Opening the refrigerator, rows of high-quality fresh milk were arranged with OCD-like precision.
25:50Labels facing outward, at least five days away from expiration.
25:52The three law enforcement officers in the operation area searched thoroughly, shining strong
25:55flashlights into every corner.
25:56They couldn't even find dust in the blind spots for cleaning.
25:58They even checked the thick purchase ledgers and supplier qualification certificates.
26:01More than 10 minutes later, the inspection ended.
26:02All materials were fully compliant, even cleaner and more transparent than many chain brands.
26:05That had been open for years.
26:06The leading man's expression became a bit awkward.
26:08Indeed, no issues found with the materials.
26:09But do you have your employees' health certificates?
26:11Anyone working without a certificate?
26:12They are all hanging right here.
26:13Miles Chandler pointed to the wall at a dedicated acrylic display board.
26:16Inside were the original health certificates of him and all the baristas, as well as the
26:18store's business license and food operation license.
26:20Clear and plain to see.
26:21The three men checked repeatedly for a long time, but really couldn't pick any holes.
26:24Finally, they could only close their record books.
26:26All right, we will upload the inspection results truthfully.
26:29Keep it up, and don't let your guard down.
26:30After saying that, they turned to leave.
26:32Just then, Miles Chandler spoke up and stopped them.
26:34Officers, wait a moment.
26:35He pointed to the high-definition streaming camera above the bar that I had him install.
26:39Since the very first day we opened, we've been running a 24-hour live stream of our
26:42bar operations.
26:43The entire inspection process by you three officers just now was witnessed by all the customers
26:46in our shop, as well as hundreds of viewers online.
26:47Miles Chandler picked up the tablet from the bar and opened a live stream channel.
26:50On the screen, the daily live stream of Heritage Bakery's bar impressively had hundreds
26:53of people online.
26:53Live comments were flooding the screen like a waterfall.
26:55The boss is badass.
26:55This bar is cleaner than my dining table at home.
26:57A living official endorsement.
26:58This inspection just maxed out the trust level.
26:59Nothing to hide, nothing to fear.
27:01Heritage Bakery is awesome.
27:01I'm only getting my afternoon tea from you guys now.
27:03The three inspectors saw the footage on the tablet, and their faces turned pale and flushed.
27:06They suddenly realized they were being used as pawns, and inexplicably became free gold
27:09star quality inspectors for this new shop.
27:11Mr. Chandler, what is the meaning of this?
27:12Miles Chandler smiled.
27:13His voice wasn't loud, but it was firm and resolute.
27:15I just wanted to prove that in the food business...
27:16We operate with a clear conscience.
27:17I also want to ask you officers to pass a message to that helpful informant for me.
27:20They can play dirty all they want, but if they are out of tricks, they should reflect
27:23on how to brew their own coffee properly, instead of always focusing on ruining
27:27someone else's business.
27:28After saying that, he bowed slightly.
27:30To the three inspectors, sorry for taking up your time today, officers.
27:32And thank you, officers, for giving Heritage Bakery the most authoritative and thorough
27:35health checkup.
27:36End of scene.
27:37She was no longer that coffee shop owner who only gave attitude, but had had turned into
27:41a mad dog biting everyone in sight.
27:42Whenever one or two coolest passersby walked into her shop, she would because they took
27:45an extra napkin.
27:46Carl abused at them.
27:46She no longer cared about her cash register.
27:48Her biggest obsession every day was standing on the street, facing the storefront of Heritage Bakery,
27:51and cursing with the most vicious words.
27:53Wicked scumbags will go out of business sooner or later.
27:55Corrupt and immoral scumbags making dirty money.
27:56Karma will get you.
27:57I hope everyone who drinks your coffee ends up in the hospital.
27:59Your shop will close down tomorrow.
28:01Her voice was hoarse and shrill, like nails scratching on glass, echoing down the entire
28:04street.
28:04Passersby would point fingers at her and take a detour.
28:06Even her husband Sutton couldn't stand her neurotic behavior anymore.
28:09He had a huge fight with her and moved back to his hometown.
28:11The entire Mellow Roast was left with just her and a room full of hostility.
28:14We employees at Aurora Studios became the main targets of her outbursts.
28:16Every afternoon, when we went to Heritage Bakery to get our drinks, we had to enjoy her
28:19unbearable insults.
28:20A bunch of ungrateful wretches.
28:21You drank my coffee for three years, you unappreciative dog.
28:23Especially that Shen woman.
28:25What a two-faced bitch.
28:25Wringing a crowd to cut off my livelihood.
28:27Let me tell you.
28:28Keep dreaming.
28:28A few young male programmers, hot-blooded, wanted to rush over and confront her, but I
28:32stopped them all.
28:32Why bother arguing with a deranged person?
28:35The nastier her insults, the more it proves we're doing the right thing.
28:37The more she breaks down, the more it shows she's completely lost.
28:39I asked Miles Chandler to turn the store's Marshall Speaker up to maximum volume.
28:42Using deafening heavy metal music to drown out her desperate screams, we continued drinking
28:46our coffee and discussing our projects as if she were just a relevant background noise to us.
28:50This kind of ignorance stung her more than any head-on confrontation.
28:53Her madness lasted for a week.
28:54A week later, she realized that throwing a tantrum had no impact at all and instead made
28:58her the laughingstock of the entire park.
29:00So she shifted her target.
29:01She started targeting me.
29:02She somehow found a shady way to get my license plate number.
29:05One day after work, I went to the underground garage to get my car.
29:07Only to find that my black sedan had been sprayed with white paint, covered in abusive
29:11words.
29:11The white bus were violently snapped off and all four tires were slashed flat.
29:14Looking at the scene before me, I wasn't furious.
29:15I just sneered.
29:16I called the police and contacted property management to retrieve the surveillance footage.
29:19In the footage, Ms. Quinn's face, twisted with madness, was clearly visible.
29:22The police quickly summoned her.
29:23Faced with irrefutable evidence.
29:25She admitted everything without hesitation.
29:26She even yelled at me arrogantly in the police station.
29:28I did it!
29:28She deserved it.
29:29She ruined my business, so I smashed her car.
29:31Ultimately for disturbing the peace and intentional destruction of property, she was detained
29:34for 15 days and had to pay for all the assessed damages and repair costs.
29:37This incident caused quite a stir within the company.
29:40Everyone showed me sympathy and full support.
29:42The head of legal even approached me, saying they could help me file a case and claim compensation
29:45for mental distress.
29:46I declined because I knew clearly for a petty tradeswoman like Ms. Quinn, compensation through
29:50legal procedures is far less fatal than letting her in the full glare of the public be completely
29:53humiliated.
29:53That is much more lethal.
29:54The day she was taken away by the police car, many people in the park went to watch.
29:57She was escorted into the car in handcuffs with messy hair and a dull look in her eyes.
30:00She completely lost the vibe she had at the store entrance, the arrogant attitude when she
30:02was throwing a tantrum.
30:03I didn't go downstairs.
30:04I just asked the receptionist to take a picture for me.
30:06In the photo, the glass doors of the Mellow Roast were locked tight, with a seal from
30:09the local police station pasted on it, looking so desolate and bleak.
30:12I set this photo as my phone's lock screen to remind myself every day, never bully someone
30:16who seems emotionally stable, because you never know when they stop competing with you in
30:20shouting and start competing with you in tactics, how miserable your end will be.
30:23Ms. Quinn was detained, and the Mellow Roast was permanently shut down.
30:26This nearly month-long coffee rivalry ended with my one-sided crushing victory.
30:29I became a prominent figure in the company.
30:31Many colleagues from other departments would half-jokingly call me Goddess Shen, saying I acted as a
30:35champion of justice single-handedly, and reshaped the afternoon tea ecosystem of the business
30:38park.
30:39I just laughed it off.
30:39I know I'm no Goddess.
30:40I am just someone who deeply understands business rules, and 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.
30:48With the unexpected endorsement from the Food Safety Bureau, and empowered by this massive
30:50traffic influx and combo of strategies, Heritage Bakery has become the top-selling
30:53store in this park.
30:54Not only people from Aurora Studios, but even managers from nearby financial buildings have become
30:57regulars.
30:57Miles Chandler's shop expended.
30:58He took over a failing flower shop next door, and bought it out.
31:01He knocked down the walls, toppling the operating area.
31:03The seating area is much more spacious now.
31:05He poached four full-time baristas, two for extraction, and two for latte art.
31:08Even so, it's still hard to get a seat every afternoon.
31:10Delivery orders are fully packed.
31:11He became a well-known new coffee tycoon around here.
31:13A month later, my promised corporate buyout also expired.
31:16I paid the month's bill of over $200,000 to Miles Chandler in a lump sum.
31:19Looking at the cash flow on the account, Miles Chandler's eyes turned red with excitement.
31:22He insisted on hosting a dinner to thank me, but I turned him down.
31:25I told him, you fought tooth and nail for this money.
31:27It was your quality control, your vision, and your service that seized this once-in-a-lifetime fortune.
31:32I only gave you a stepping stone.
31:33You'll have to manage the business on your own from now on.
31:35I believe you can make it big.
31:36I had the company's procurement department go through the official process with Miles Chandler
31:39and sign an annual framework agreement.
31:40From now on, whenever Aurora Studios employees make purchases here, they can use the corporate
31:43payment directly.
31:44The company will settle the accounts at the end of the month and enjoy a 12% internal discount
31:47across the board.
31:47This is a benefit Aurora secured for its employees, and it's also my gift to Miles Chandler.
31:50A small final favor at no cost to me.
31:51From then on, we are purely in a client and vendor relationship.
31:54I will still go to his shop for an Americano.
31:55When he sees me, he'll smile and greet me, Ms. Sterling, and then have the bar add an
31:58extra half cup of ice to my iced Americano.
32:00No more unnecessary small talk.
32:01We both tacitly agreed to take that staged plot to the grave, because we both know that
32:05the strategic goal of that sniper battle has already been achieved.
32:07I got my dignity back, and he got his first pot of gold.
32:09As for the person who tried to use arrogance to challenge the rules, they have been completely
32:12kicked out of our sight.
32:13I thought this play would come to a peaceful end just like this.
32:16That day in the underground garage of the park, I bumped into someone, Sutton, Ms.
32:20Quinn's partner and husband.
32:21He looked more than 10 years older than he did a month ago.
32:23His temples were completely white, and his back was hunched.
32:26He visibly shrank back when he saw me.
32:27Silently lowered his head, and tried to slip away along the wall.
32:30I called out to him, Sutton.
32:31His footsteps paused, and he froze in place.
32:33D, Director Sterling.
32:34He didn't dare look me in the eye, his voice weak.
32:36What are you doing here?
32:37I asked.
32:37I took a job around here, delivering packages for a few companies.
32:40He pointed to the side, at a battered electric tricycle.
32:42Oh, I nodded.
32:43A dead silence fell between us.
32:44After a long while, as if making a tremendous resolution, he looked at me with cloudy eyes.
32:48Director Sterling, my missus.
32:49She knows fear now.
32:50Ever since she got out, she's been completely broken.
32:53She doesn't go out or pick fights anymore.
32:54Just cries all night long.
32:56The deposit for the shop went down the drain, and we had to pay penalty fees.
32:59She asked me to apologize to you on her behalf.
33:01His throat choked up as he spoke.
33:03A man nearly 50 years old.
33:04In front of me, an enemy 12 years younger, humbling himself into the dust.
33:07I felt no ripples in my heart.
33:09Not even the thrill of revenge.
33:10If an apology could erase everything, then where is the bottom line of social rules?
33:13If weakness could offset evil, then what is the point of punishment?
33:16I stared at him, with an icy tone.
33:18Sutton, go back and tell her.
33:19I heard her apology, but I will absolutely never forgive her.
33:22Because when she pointed her finger in my face, and cursed at me, she never once thought to leave me
33:26a way out.
33:26Our debts are settled.
33:27Sutton left.
33:28He got on that.
33:29Electric tricycle piled with cardboard boxes, punching his shoulders, and disappeared at the end of the garage ramp.
33:33His silhouette under the dim sensor lights, was stretched out long, and looked incredibly bleak.
33:36I stared in the direction he left, and stood there for a long time.
33:38Our debts are settled.
33:39I said those words without mercy, but only I knew.
33:41The deep grudge and obsession behind them.
33:42If that afternoon, after Miss Quinn lashed out at me, she had shown even the slightest professional awareness as a
33:47business owner.
33:47Even just pouring a glass of warm water and saying,
33:49Sorry, the ice maker is acting up today.
33:51Please bear with us.
33:51I wouldn't have struck back so ruthlessly.
33:53Unfortunately the business world doesn't believe in ifs.
33:55It was her stupidity, and my ruthlessness, that together ruined her business.
33:57A week later, someone I absolutely didn't expect.
33:59Horned me.
34:00Miss Quinn's son, Sean Sutton.
34:01A peer of mine, around the same age, was waiting for me in the lobby of Aurora Studios, just outside
34:05the turnstiles.
34:06He looked well-educated, wearing a well-tailored suit, and carrying a briefcase.
34:09He and his vulgar mother, were completely from two different worlds.
34:11Hello, are you Director Sterling from Aurora?
34:13He blocked my way, choosing his words extremely carefully.
34:15I looked him up and down, and nodded.
34:17I'm Miss Quinn's son.
34:18My name is Sean Sutton.
34:18I'd like to take ten minutes of your time.
34:20My instinct was to call security, but looking at his face, full of exhaustion, and desperation, inexplicably, I couldn't bring
34:25myself to say no.
34:26We went to a tea room outside the business park.
34:27Director Sterling, I know my mom was totally out of line.
34:29She's uneducated, and has a sharp tongue.
34:31She offended you, and ruined her own business by acting foolishly.
34:33This is the price she pays for not recognizing reality.
34:34Sean Sutton didn't make any excuses, and his attitude was extremely sincere.
34:37She received an administrative penalty, compensated for the car repairs, and closed down her shop.
34:40All of this was done by the book.
34:41Our family accepts the consequences.
34:43I took a sip of tea, and didn't reply, waiting for him to show his hand.
34:45But...
34:46Her mental state has completely collapsed.
34:47Sean Sutton's eyes instantly turned red, suppressing his voice.
34:49After she came back from the detention center, she was like a walking corpse.
34:52She couldn't eat, couldn't stand the light, and locked herself in the bedroom all day.
34:55The night before last, while my dad was out sorting goods, she swallowed half a bottle of sleeping pills.
34:58My hand holding the teacup suddenly stiffened.
35:00She was sent to the ER, at her stomach pump, and was saved.
35:01The psychiatric consultation said it was a severe depressive episode, accompanied by extreme self-destructive tendons.
35:05My dad, a grown man, squatted outside the emergency room, crying so hard he couldn't stand up.
35:09Our family is falling apart.
35:10As Sean Sutton spoke, he pulled out from his briefcase a thick craft paper envelope and pushed it in front
35:14of me.
35:14Director Sterling is 100,000 yuan in cash.
35:16I know this won't clear her name for the reputational damage my mom calls to, but...
35:20This is already us scraping together every last penny.
35:22All the liquid funds, we could gather.
35:23I beg you to show some mercy.
35:25Go to the medical center, to see my mom just once, and tell her face to face, that we can
35:28put this behind us.
35:29The psychiatrist said, the one who tied the knot must be the one who untied.
35:32You're the knot in her mind that won't come undone.
35:33Only if you relent.
35:34Can she be pulled back from the edge of the cliff?
35:35As he spoke, his knees bent, about to kneel down to me, on 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.
35:44I hate her bitterness, her arrogance, and her lack of boundaries.
35:46I used my resources to suppress her, just to teach her a lesson.
35:48I wanted her to pay a heavy commercial price, for her arrogance.
35:51But in this reckoning, her life was never part of the equation.
35:53I only wanted her to learn a lesson.
35:54I didn't want her dead.
35:55I stared at a bulging envelope, on the table, and looked at, the professional in front of me.
35:58Who would trample his pride, just to save his mother?
36:01Suddenly, I felt, a suffocating wave of exhaustion.
36:03In this crushing blow, did I really win a complete victory?
36:05I destroyed a family's financial pillar, and put a heavy moral shackle, on myself.
36:08If Miss Quinn really died, because of my ruthless pursuit, could I ever, for the rest of my life,
36:12drink that iced Americana, with a clear conscience, put the money away.
36:16I pushed the envelope, back untouched, let me think about it.
36:18I eventually went to the medical center, not because of the temptation, of Sean Sutton's
36:21100,000 yuan, nor because I'm suddenly a saint, overflowing with sympathy.
36:24I just wanted to personally, wrap up the ruthless campaign I directed, and declare my own conscience,
36:28just to have a clear conscience.
36:29Miss Quinn leaned against the raised hospital bed, her face ashen, her cheeks hollow.
36:32In just about a month, she looked completely drained of all her vitality.
36:34An IV catheter was still stuck in the back of her hand, seeing me push the door open.
36:37A flicker of emotion, crossed her empty eyes, but quickly faded away.
36:40She turned her face toward the pale white wall.
36:41Sean Sutton and Sutton tactfully closed the door behind them, leaving the room to us.
36:45I pulled over a plastic stool and sat down.
36:47Neither of us made a sound.
36:48The room was deathly still, with only the dripping of the IV fluid, falling down, as if
36:52counting down to the end of this ridiculous feud.
36:55After a long time, I broke the silence.
36:56What were you hoping to achieve?
36:58I was asking about her smashing the car, throwing tantrums, and finally threatening
37:00to swallow pills.
37:01This whole series of crazy acts.
37:02She pursed her dry cracked lips and froze for a long time, so long that I was about to get
37:04up and leave.
37:05Before she finally spoke, in an extremely coarse and weak voice.
37:07I, I just couldn't swallow my pride.
37:09I've worked in food service for over a decade.
37:10From selling breakfast on a cart, to buying a shop, paying for my son to go abroad, and
37:14paying the down payment for a house.
37:15I thought I had made it.
37:16That day when you asked for ice, I just wanted to take you down a peg.
37:19I never thought you'd be so vicious in getting back at me.
37:21You completely ruined my revenue stream.
37:23You made me lose.
37:25My decades of savings completely wiped out.
37:27You made me become the biggest joke among my peers.
37:30I resented you.
37:31I really resented you to death.
37:33It was only during the stomach pumping that I woke up.
37:36It wasn't you who brought me down.
37:37It was my own bitterness and vanity that destroyed me.
37:40That day, the ice chisel, the ice cubes were overflowing.
37:43I was being cheap on purpose, trying to show you who's boss.
37:45But instead, you taught me a lesson.
37:47It's truly ridiculous.
37:50In the end, you used the most lethal method to show me who's truly in charge.
37:54I listened quietly.
37:56This was the first time I glimpsed her logic.
37:59And also the first time, I tried to stand in her shoes to review this game of chess.
38:03Yes, a middle-aged woman who has hustled in the physical retail business, relying on working from dawn to dusk
38:08to forcibly build up a little business.
38:10Her self-esteem is distorted and also fragile.
38:13She is used to arming herself with a hedgehog-like temper to protect herself.
38:16And used to a condescending attitude to cover up her inner inferiority.
38:20You can go back now.
38:22Thank 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 stuck in my chest.
38:30Suddenly completely dissipated.
38:31I stood up.
38:32And as my hand grasped the doorknob, I turned my face to her and said,
38:35When you are discharged, if you are still bitter about it and still want to run an independent cafe,
38:38I'll recommend a top roaster to you.
38:40They can teach you how to blend a truly delicious full cup of iced americano for free.
38:43After saying that, I pressed the handle and walked out.
38:47In the hallway, Sean Sutton and Sutton were like a cat on a hot tin roof, staring at me.
38:51I nodded at them.
38:52She's out of the woods.
38:53I think my own knot was untied too.
38:54Ms. Quinn never touched an espresso machine again.
38:56After her discharge, she and Sutton completely liquidated their shop in the city and returned to their hometown.
39:00Sean Sutton told me they leased a hill in town and started a white tea garden.
39:03Every now and then, Sutton would ask long-haul drivers to bring me two tins of their own roasted premium
39:07early spring tea.
39:08The leaves were intact and the aroma was pure.
39:09Every time, I would transfer the money based on the market price.
39:11If he refused it, I'd use another number to secretly pay for a year of his broadband.
39:15Between us, we reached a bizarre equilibrium.
39:16Neither mentioned the past, but through this kind of mutual favor, we maintained a sense of decency.
39:20This is already the mildest conclusion in a business war.
39:22Heritage Bakery went completely viral.
39:24Miles Chandler has a great business sense.
39:25He made the single-store model work and quickly opened seven or eight chains in core commercial districts.
39:29He even secured series of funding from Sequoia Capital.
39:31He is no longer the Mr. Chandler making latte art for me behind the bar, but has become a highly
39:33sought-after Mr. Chandler in the investment circle.
39:35He approached me privately a few times, wanting to convert the performance driven by the traffic from Aurora Studios into
39:39sweat equity or consulting fees, and cash it out for me.
39:41I turned them all down.
39:42Business is business, and the bottom line must be kept.
39:44I don't lack that little bit of money, and I can't take it either.
39:46I am still the operations director of Aurora Studios.
39:48Ian Sterling, clocking in, attending meetings, and monitoring data every day.
39:50Living a standard executive life.
39:52It's just that the middle management and background staff in the company look at me completely differently now, with an
39:56added layer of genuine fear and awe.
39:58Because everyone in the park knows that Ms. Sterling appears to be an emotionally stable elite on the surface.
40:02But if anyone dares to cross her bottom line, her retaliation would be a ruthless takedown, beating you down so
40:06you can never rise again.
40:06Even the fresh graduates hired by HR will be briefed on the unwitting rules by senior employees on their first
40:10day.
40:10At Aurora, you can argue with the boss, but absolutely do not play smart in front of Ms. Sterling.
40:14I inexplicably took on the title of the Iron Lady of Aurora.
40:17I laughed it off, but I know this is my hardest armor in this doggy-dog world of the internet.
40:20A year later, due to my exceptional project monetization ability and high prestige within the team,
40:24I was promoted by the board of directors to COO of Aurora Studios' chief operating officer.
40:27Options doubled, and my power to make critical decisions expanded.
40:30After I took office, the first official directive I issued was to force the logistics department to launch a supplier
40:34replacement and employee rights system.
40:36From team-building venues and annual check-ups, down to the coffee beans in the pantry and the wheels on
40:39office chairs.
40:40Any employee who experiences unsatisfactory service can report it anonymously with a single click directly to my system backend.
40:44And we promise that within 48 hours, a resolution and compensation plan must be provided.
40:48I demand that every employee at Aurora Studios can maintain their dignity in this high-pressure environment.
40:51I will absolutely not allow anyone to be treated like dirt by service providers over such trivial bullshit like asking
40:56for two extra ice cubes.
40:56I used my authority to purify the business ecosystem I can reach, making it a bit more rule-abiding.
41:00And the cause of all this stems from that room temperature.
41:03Bitter Americano in a plastic cup a year ago.
41:05Business is sometimes just that dramatic.
41:06You can never predict whether the black swan event that makes you lose everything or the golden opportunity that skyrockets
41:11your career will strike first.
41:12It was another afternoon.
41:13I sat in front of the minimalist floor-to-ceiling windows at Heritage Bakery.
41:16The blinding sunlight hit the table, and at hand was a geisha Americano, overflowing with ice.
41:20The icy sensation was stimulating, refreshing my mind.
41:22I drank very slowly, looking through the glass, at the busy employees, hurrying through the park.
41:25The old side of the mellow roast across the street had long been leased out again by property management.
41:29Now it's the lobby of the Seasons Inn.
41:30The glass is wiped as spotless, with greeters coming in and out, as if that run-down shop filled with
41:33resentment.
41:34And coffee grounds never even existed.
41:35My phone buzzed.
41:36It was a WeChat message from Sean Sutton.
41:38An unedited photo.
41:39In the picture, there is a vast lush green tea mountain.
41:41Miss Quinn and Sutton, wearing straw hats, stand side by side on the tea ridges.
41:44Their skin is roughened by the UV rays, but the expression on their faces is something I've never seen before.
41:49Relaxed and at ease.
41:50In Miss Quinn's arm, she carries a bamboo basket full of green leaves.
41:53Below the photo is a message.
41:54Miss Sterling, my parents asked me to ask you, when the spring tea is harvested next year, come to the
41:57town for a cup of fresh tea if you have time.
41:59I stared at the screen and smiled, typing two words back.
42:01Definitely, I locked the screen.
42:03And looking up, I happened to see Miles Chandler, coming out of the manager's office, behind the bar.
42:06He was wearing a custom casual suit, looking high-spirited, holding an iPad, with several suited VC partners.
42:10Selling his brand vision of a hundred-store franchise, he caught sight of me from the corner of his eye.
42:14Raised his coffee cup from a distance, and smiled in greeting.
42:16I also raised my iced Americano to return a gesture.
42:18We are all at our respective capital poker tables, fighting with our own ranks, to win our own right to
42:22speak.
42:23I suddenly wondered, in this coffee game, is there really a winner and a loser?
42:26Perhaps not absolutely.
42:27Miss Quinn lost her job, but regained her basic human decency.
42:30Miles Chandler earned his initial fortune, but is swept up by capital, running even more tired.
42:34And what about me?
42:35What have I schemed so hard for?
42:37Is it the title of COO, or the flattery from below?
42:39No, neither.
42:40I lowered my eyes, looking at the bottom of the plastic cup, where only those two, slowly melting ice cubes
42:44remained.
42:44I bit the straw, and drained the last drop of bitterness.
42:47Coldness down my throat.
42:48All I seek, is the simplest rule of business.
42:51You can, and absolutely have the right to, demand equal service.
42:54But the prerequisite is that you hold good cards, and others dare not play dirty under the table.
42:57And all dignity, is inseparable from one word.
43:00Rules.
43:00Reverence for the rules, and using the rules to protect oneself.
43:03Outside the window, the green light turns on, and the gears of the workplace keep turning.
43:06You can, and you can, and you can, and you can, and you can.
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