"What’s the na of that place?"
"Golden Spoon Café," the agent replied.
Benny nodded slowly, committing the na to mory.
Golden Spoon Café.
System, I’ll be buying this ’business idea’ for ten thousand yuan.
[ Warning ]
[ Unauthorized allocation detected. ]
[ Maximum allowable discretionary spending for non-operational information: 100¥ ]
"...Tch."
Benny clicked his tongue, then shrugged.
"Well... a hundred’s a hundred."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a stack of cash, and placed it on the counter.
The agent blinked.
"...What’s this?"
"Paynt," Benny said casually.
The man imdiately shook his head, pushing it back.
"No, no—I can’t accept this. I just answered a question—"
"Take it," Benny cut in.
The agent hesitated. "S-Sir, this is too much even for a tip."
"Ahem," Benny cleared his throat smoothly. "Like i said, this is not a tip."
He nudged the cash forward again.
"This is for the information you provided."
The agent frowned, still trying to process.
"But that’s—"
Before the man could properly reply, Benny had already turned around.
"Keep it," he tossed over his shoulder.
The bell chid once more as he pushed the door open and walked out without a second glance.
Outside Benny took out his phone and searched for Golden Spoon Café in the location.
It wasn’t that far, just a minute by taxi and as Benny raised a hand, about to hail a taxi he paused.
"...Right."
He let his hand drop with a quiet sigh.
Company funds couldn’t be used for personal transport.
Which ant that the only option he got was walking.
He shoved his hands into his pockets as he made his way down the street.
There was no way he was gonna spend his personal fund for it though... That cost was outright robbery.
"...Phew."
A few minutes later, he stopped in front of the café.
Golden Spoon Café.
From the outside, it didn’t look like a failing business at all.
Clean glass panels, warm lighting and a soft, inviting atmosphere.
"...Not bad," he murmured.
He pushed the door open and a gentle chi rang out.
And the mont he stepped inside Benny blinked.
The interior was... beautiful.
Carefully arranged décor, warm wooden tones, and soft music drifting through the air.
The lighting struck a perfect balance, neither too dim nor too bright, while the seating felt deliberately spaced, inviting without being cramped.
Plus nearly every table was occupied.
This didn’t look like a place that should be losing money.
"...Interesting."
He walked in and took an empty seat available.
A waitress approached with a polite smile. "Welco, sir. Here’s the nu."
Benny nodded, taking it.
But instead of imdiately ordering, he leaned back slightly.
Alright... if I’m going to spend money here, it has to be from the system fund.
His fingers tapped lightly against the nu.
What should I justify it as? Taste testing? Market research? Competitor analysis?
"...Yeah."
That could work.
Benny straightened slightly.
"This is for business evaluation," he muttered under his breath. "I need to assess product quality before considering any investnt or acquisition."
[ Query acknowledged. ]
[ Evaluating expense classification... ]
[ Processing... ]
[ Justification: Valid — Expense categorized under Business Evaluation & Market Research ]
[ Limitation Applied: Maximum allowable expense — 50¥ ]
Benny’s lips twitched.
"...Only fifty, huh?"
Still, that was enough, better than having to spend from his pocket.
He looked back at the waitress, now far more decisive.
"I’ll take your signature set. Coffee, dessert, and... that special on the board."
The waitress nodded. "Right away, sir."
As she walked off, Benny leaned back in his chair.
His gaze drifted across the café once more.
"Let’s see..." he murmured.
"Just how on earth are they losing money despite having full costor."
A few minutes later, the waitress returned.
"Your order, sir."
Benny looked up and then froze.
"...What?"
The waitress began setting the dishes down one by one.
A plate.
Then a tall drink.
Then dessert.
But that wasn’t what caught his attention.
It was the portion size.
Benny stared.
The main dish sat before him like a small mountain... no, not even small.
It was piled high, overflowing, the ingredients stacked generously as if the kitchen had no concept of restraint.
"...Is this for only fifty?" he asked, genuinely unsure.
The waitress smiled politely. "Yes, sir."
He blinked.
Slowly, his gaze shifted to the surrounding tables.
Watching other custors he had previously not bothered looking... he saw the sa thing.
Every plate was loaded.
Not the usual "presentation-heavy, portion-light" style most cafés used. There was no careful plating to make things look bigger than they were.
His eyes moved to the drink.
"...No ice?"
The glass was filled to the brim with the actual beverage.
The waitress gestured to the side. "Ice is served separately, sir."
Benny followed her hand and a small container of ice cubes sat neatly beside the drink.
He stared at it, then back at the glass.
Then back at the mountain of food.
There was a complete silence in his world.
And then it clicked.
"...Oh."
His lips slowly parted.
They’re not losing money because they lack custors...
In most cafés, a plate would be modest, carefully arranged, slightly heaped to look generous.
Here?
It was a literal mountain.
And drinks?
Other places diluted with ice to cut costs.
Here?
They gave the full thing and let the custor decide.
The waiter headed back to attend to another custor and Benny leaned back slightly, staring at the table.
Cost of ingredients, the portion size, the pricing.
All of it ran through his head in an instant.
And the conclusion was obvious.
They’re bleeding money on every order...
A slow grin spread across his face.
I love this owner. I’m definitely investing.
Without hesitation, he picked up his fork.
"Let’s see if you’re as generous with the taste as the serving," he muttered.
He took a bite and paused.
"...Oh."
Another bite and then another.
His eyes widened slightly.
The flavor was rich, balanced, perfectly cooked.
Not rushed, not sloppy. This wasn’t just generous food.
It was good, really good.
Benny let out a low breath, almost impressed.
"So you’re giving huge portions... at low prices... and it actually tastes this good?"
He shook his head, half amused, half amazed.
"No wonder you’re losing money."
He then kept eating because this was too good of a food to waste.
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