Filly watched the customers eating in her restaurant with a smile on her face. Just like her, the diners were smiling as they enjoyed their meals.
Most of them had ordered the same thing: the bundle of Fried Chicken and Spaghetti. The idea of offering this meal at a lower price as a bundle instead of individually was a brilliant strategy to encourage customers to choose it.
The Filly Restaurant had experienced sales growth in the past few days, and it always excited Filly to come to her restaurant.
"We owe Mr. Beggar a lot," Gail said from beside her.
"Yes," Filly nodded. Yoma was the one who suggested this strategy while they waited for their own meat distribution to be completed. It ensured that they wouldn't lose customers, and on the contrary, they gained more.
Glancing outside, she noticed customers waiting in line to enter. They were waiting patiently, but eagerness was evident on their faces.
Seeing this, a problem came to the owner's mind. "Our workers aren't enough. There are more and more people waiting outside."
Gail also turned to look at the line outside. "Yeah, that's a problem."
"We need to increase the number of workers and expand the restaurant to accommodate all of them," Filly said, glancing behind her. They were standing on the second floor, which wasn't yet open to customers. "This was meant to be a kitchen and storage space if possible… Should I open this for customers?"
Gail was silent for a moment. She wasn't an expert in business, but that didn't mean she didn't understand some things.
"More workers, more products," Gail said. "I think we should add more staff?"
"I know, but the main issue is the customers. We can't just fit them all here. Even if we open the second floor, if more people still come, we'll face the same problem," Filly said. She wanted to minimize problems while maximizing profits. Expanding the restaurant wasn't easy either, as the other building owners wouldn't agree—unless she had an enormous sum of money on hand.
"Hmm..." Gail placed a hand under her chin, thinking. Then she noticed one of the workers, Ned, walking inside while scratching his head. Usually, at this time, he'd have a basket in his hands after Mr. Beggar had eaten his breakfast. Suddenly, an idea came to her. "What if we sell the food as take-out for those who can't find a seat?"
Hearing this, Filly's eyes widened. "That's a great id—" Then she realized something. Shaking her head, she sighed, "Our competition could use that to bring us down. What if they copy our food once they get ahold of it?"
"It's possible, but..." Gail smiled. "We're the only ones who know the recipes, right? Most of the ingredients we use are unknown to them, and the methods to process them are something I'm sure they wouldn't know or even think of."
"That makes sense," Filly said. "We can use baskets. That way, customers can take the food with them wherever they go. They won't have to wait for others to finish before they can enter."
With this in mind, they went into her office and began planning.
Their own meat distribution was almost complete. They also had their own garden for spice production. Furthermore, they had hunters gathering more coconuts for oil. Their plan was on the right track, and Filly could almost see Skyline Savory across the street crumbling because of her efforts.
A few kilometers away from Klown City lay a vast desert. Mountains of dunes and valleys stretched as far as the eye could see.
On a hill, a small boy stood, gazing over the dusty brown terrain, his eyes filled with worry. Clenching his fists, he turned to look back at the camp behind him.
Don and all the slum dwellers had been walking for days, trying to get as far away from Klown City as possible.
He didn't understand why Millie insisted they keep traveling so far. Surely, they were safe now, and there was no need to keep going.
The slum people had set up simple tents. Some were talking amongst themselves, while others trained with broken wooden swords.
Millie had said they should learn to fight, which Don understood. It was necessary to protect themselves from the city folk, especially the guards.
Thinking about what had happened to their home just outside Klown City, Don gritted his teeth.
"I swear, I'll get my revenge! I'll become a cultivator!" Don muttered, his voice filled with determination. His thoughts turned to their savior, who had introduced himself as Yoma—a beggar. Suddenly, an idea came to him. "What if I became his disciple?"
He glanced toward the direction of Klown City, tempted to return and find their savior to ask Yoma to take him in as a disciple.
"Why are you out here? It's time to eat," a voice called from behind him.
"I'm thinking about our savior," Don answered honestly. "What if I go back and find him and—"
"And ask him to take you in as a disciple?" Millie finished his sentence.
Don stared into Millie's eyes. "Yes."
"No," Millie shook her head, sighing softly as she patted the boy's head. "That's a dangerous path to take. Besides, you need talent to walk the same road as our savior. I know you, Don. I know your dreams, but escaping that place is better for now."
"But what if I do have talent? I can save us! I can protect everyone!" Don said with determination.
"Don, you're already strong and very brave," Millie sighed again. She knew that if Don truly had the talent to cultivate, it would be good for him, but in order to use that talent, he'd have to train hard for years. By the time he was strong enough to protect them, it might already be too late.
Millie knew the city well, having worked for years as a maid in the mayor's mansion. She feared the possibility that the city guards were still hunting them. They needed to find a safe place to hide as soon as possible.
"We need as much manpower as we can to protect our people, Don," Millie continued. "For now, you need to hold onto your dreams. If the time is right and it's truly meant for you, fate will work in your favor. Besides, you'll have to lead our people."
Don's eyes widened at her words. Lead them? He glanced at the people he cared about, then turned back to Millie. "Are you leaving?"
Millie was about to answer when she spotted a cloud of dust in the distance. Narrowing her eyes, she recognized the Klown Guards approaching on horseback.
"Everyone! Pack everything quickly, and let's go!"