[Current Status]
Hearts: 100
Level Progress: Level 1 (5/100)
---
[System Notification]
Ding!
[New Feature Unlocked: Lottery System – 24-Hour Guards]
A new lottery system has been activated! You can now draw for bodyguards who will protect you for 24 hours. The quality of the guard depends on your luck.
Common Guard (Basic skills) – 10% Chance
Elite Guard (Advanced combat skills) – 2% Chance
Special Forces Guard (Highly trained, deadly) – 0.1% Chance
Ultra-Rare Guard (Mysterious and extremely powerful) – 0.03% Chance
Cost: 100 Hearts per draw.
Would you like to draw a guard now?
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Acquisition Negotiations
Chen Rui stepped into the coffee company's main office, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Dressed in a sleek yet professional outfit, she exuded an air of confidence.
Across from her sat the owner—a middle-aged businessman with a sharp gaze. His secretary, a composed young woman in a navy-blue suit, stood beside him, holding a tablet.
The owner offered a polite smile. "How can I help you, miss?"
Chen Rui's voice was steady. "I'm here on behalf of Mr. Zhao. He's interested in acquiring your company. We're offering double the market price."
The owner chuckled. "Miss, do you even know the value of this company? We have seven branches across the city, each in prime locations. Our annual revenue is around 21 million Ayuan, with a net profit of 4.2 million Ayuan."
Chen Rui nodded as if she had expected this response. "Understood. Based on industry valuation, coffee chains are typically sold at around five times their annual net profit."
She swiftly calculated:
4.2 million Ayuan × 5 = 21 million Ayuan.
The owner leaned back, smirking. "Exactly. If I were ever to sell, that would be the price."
Chen Rui's expression remained unchanged. "My boss is willing to offer you double that—42 million Ayuan. In cash."
A flicker of surprise crossed the owner's face. He tapped his fingers against the desk, considering the offer.
"This business is my legacy," he finally said. "I built it from the ground up."
There was a pause before he added, "But I'm not completely opposed to working together. I can offer 40% of the shares."
Chen Rui remained impassive. "My boss isn't looking for partnerships. He wants full ownership."
The owner shook his head. "Then I'm afraid that won't be possible."
Chen Rui calmly took out her phone and dialed Zhao Yifen.
The call connected. "Mr. Zhao, the owner has declined to sell. He's offering a 40% stake instead."
There was a brief silence. Then, Yifen's voice, calm yet commanding, came through.
"Put him on speaker."
Chen Rui tapped the button.
Yifen's voice filled the room. "I'll give you two choices. First, you take triple the market price—63 million Ayuan—and walk away with a fortune. Second, I build my own coffee chain right next to yours and sell coffee for free until your company collapses. Your choice."
The room fell into stunned silence.
The owner's secretary stiffened, shooting her boss a nervous glance. The owner's fingers trembled slightly as he gripped his pen.
"...63 million Ayuan, all cash?" he finally asked.
"Yes," Yifen replied coolly. "Take it or compete with free coffee."
A tense pause. Then, with a deep sigh, the owner picked up the pen and signed the contract.
Chen Rui smirked slightly. "Mr. Zhao, congratulations. He signed it."
---
[System Notification]
+7 Hearts Received!
---
[Current Balance]
Hearts: 107
Level Progress: Level 1 (5/100)
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Strategic Domination
After the deal was finalized, Yifen asked the system,
"If I give out free coffee, how can I still receive Hearts?"
The system responded immediately.
"As long as emotions are directed towards you—whether people hear your name, see your face, or even recognize your alias—you will receive Hearts."
Yifen smirked. "Interesting."
He immediately called Chen Rui back.
"Put up signs at all locations—'Now under new ownership: Mr. Zhao's Coffee House. First month, all coffee is free.'"
Chen Rui hesitated. "For how long exactly?"
Yifen chuckled. "Let's make it a year."
The former coffee shop owner, who was still in the office, visibly exhaled in relief. "Thank God I sold it… I would've been ruined competing with that."
Even his secretary was shocked. She turned to Chen Rui. "Does Mr. Zhao need any additional staff?"
Yifen, who overheard the question, smirked. "She can join us. Tell her to report after two days."
---
[System Notification]
+14 Hearts Received!
---
[Final Balance]
Hearts: 121
Level Progress: Level 1 (5/100)
---
A Personal Offer
Ten minutes later, Yifen's phone rang again.
Chen Rui, still inside the coffee company's office, quickly answered. "Mr. Zhao?"
Yifen's tone was unreadable. "If you want to sue your old boss, I'll cover all the costs."
Chen Rui's fingers tightened around her phone. She hadn't expected him to bring this up. The memories of what she had endured surfaced for a fleeting moment.
She had considered taking legal action before but dismissed it, thinking it wasn't worth the effort.
After a brief hesitation, she softly replied, "No need… no need."
Yifen's voice remained steady. "Are you sure? If anything happens in the future, tell me."
A strange warmth spread in her chest. He barely knew her, yet he was offering unconditional support like this?
She bit her lip lightly and murmured, "Mhm."
On the other end, Yifen smirked. "Good."
He hung up.
---
[System Notification]
Hearts Received: +2, +3, +4, +7, +9
Yifen raised an eyebrow. "Wow… is she falling for me?"
---
[Current Love %]
Chen Rui: 25%
Xu Qingya: 35%
---
[Final Balance]
Hearts: 146
Level Progress: Level 1 (5/100)