The system displays: "Due to the host's low level, packaging services cannot be provided, so all food must be consumed in the store."

"System, can we even have fun together anymore? How are you supposed to do business like this?" Brian Cooper's previously calm face twisted for a moment.

The system displays: "Please work hard to complete tasks, so you can unlock more permissions."

"I don't believe it—such delicious egg fried rice won't sell." Brian Cooper regained his confidence when he thought about the ingredients in the egg fried rice.

"Sorry, Aunt Tong, I can't do takeout here. I don't even have any takeout boxes prepared." Brian Cooper looked at Mr. Foster and explained apologetically.

"Looks like this kid is embarrassed to sell it to me. Probably doesn't taste that good." Mr. Foster muttered to herself, but smiled and said, "Alright, never mind then. Next time I have time, I'll just come to your shop and eat."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie Foster, for your support." Brian Cooper didn't doubt her at all and replied with a smile.

"Beep beep"

"Is this 14 Taoxi Road?" A young man riding an electric scooter with two flower baskets tied to the back stopped in front of Brian Cooper and asked.

"Are you from Xinxin Flower Shop? Yes, this is the place."

Brian Cooper stepped forward to look at the flower baskets and found they were all ordinary fresh flowers, very fresh, and then helped the delivery guy unload them together.

Because the flower baskets Brian Cooper ordered were the kind that could be recycled—of course, it was absolutely not because these baskets cost half as much as regular ones. It was just that this was more environmentally friendly. Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, after all.

"I'll come back to collect the baskets in five days. Just don't damage them." The delivery guy reminded him, then quickly disappeared down the road on his scooter.

Looking at the small shop, which, though it had no signboard, was already starting to look like a newly opened business, Brian Cooper began to imagine scenes of crowds of customers flocking in.

But having never done business before, Brian Cooper didn't know what "all beginnings are hard" really meant. In fact, this was more than just hard—after all, who would spend nearly two hundred yuan to eat a bowl of egg fried rice in a hole-in-the-wall place like this?

Chapter 9: The First Customer

It's Thursday morning now. At this time, most people are at work, so there definitely won't be much business.

Brian Cooper had at least worked in the kitchen of a three-star hotel before. Although star-rated hotels and hole-in-the-wall eateries are different, the busy hours are pretty much the same.

Naturally, he knew there wouldn't be any customers at this time.

He turned and went back into his shop, walked into the open kitchen, and after looking around, found a red button in a hidden spot.

"System, what's this?" Brian Cooper clearly remembered that before the renovation, there was no such thing in the shop.

The system displays: "A place to rest is provided."

"Well, that's straightforward."

He muttered as he pressed it.

"Hiss—"

With a soft sound, a chair appeared in the center. It looked plain and ordinary, just like a typical square wooden stool for home use, except the legs were a bit different—wrapped in metal, giving it a bit of a sci-fi feel.

Brian Cooper, a little curious, sat down and found there was nothing special about it—though it was more comfortable than a regular chair. When he moved his feet slightly, he discovered the chair could move with him.

And it didn't make a sound, which made Brian Cooper play with it gleefully like a child with a new toy.

But this good mood didn't last long. Soon, the clock pointed to eleven thirty, and the sparse crowd outside gradually grew.

Some people glanced into the shop but had no intention of coming in, which made Brian Cooper a bit anxious.

By twelve twenty, there were even more people outside, but still not a single customer—not even anyone coming in to ask.

This made Brian Cooper anxious. He walked to the door and looked outside. There was a newly opened fast food restaurant on the street. He hadn't noticed it yesterday because he got up early, but today he saw the grass-green sign was quite eye-catching.

Looking at it today, business seemed pretty good. Through the glass window, he could see it was almost full inside, and people were still squeezing in from outside.

"What's so good about fast food? Mine is a special supply." He muttered a couple of times, then went back into his shop.

"Ring ring, ring ring..."

The phone's ringtone was especially jarring in the quiet shop.

Brian Cooper walked over and picked it up. It was from David Clark.

David Clark was the first friend he made after starting work. He was loyal, came from a well-off family, and got along well with the not-so-talkative Brian Cooper.

As soon as he answered and said "hello," a rapid stream of words came from the other end.

"Yuan Zhou, what's up with you? Didn't you say we were going to have a farewell party for you? Haven't set a date yet?"

"Sorry, I've been busy these past couple of days and forgot. I'm not leaving anymore. I tidied up the shop and reopened it." Reminded by this, Brian Cooper remembered that David Clark had planned a farewell party for him when he heard he was leaving, but he'd been so stunned by the system's surprise these past two days that he forgot all about it.

He quickly apologized, and only then did David Clark let it go.

"Why didn't you tell me you were opening a shop? I could have come to support you." David Clark's tone was a bit dissatisfied.

"I was just about to let you know. Today is the first day, and it was all a bit rushed."

"Alright, wait for me—I'll send you two flower baskets. What kind of business are you doing?"

"Food..."