Free Web NovelChapter 37: A Grand Reopening
Victoria began to wonder if she was seeing things. Could it be from lack of sleep lately? She glanced at her own fingers, then back at Liam.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
Feeling that Victoria genuinely wanted to help him turn the internet cafe around, Liam grew to appreciate her even more. Both she and Claire had shown him real kindness.
Unlike most people his age, Victoria never seemed interested in what Liam could offer her. That was one of the reasons he respected her so much.
"By the way, Victoria," Liam said, meeting her gaze, "have you given any more thought to what we talked about the other day?"
Victoria looked up, caught slightly off guard by the question.You mean..
Liam asked, his voice calm and direct as he looked at her figure.After the experience with Claire, his dreams had grown more intense. At eighteen, he had far too much energy he needed to release.
"I’ll need to think about it carefully," Victoria whispered, leaning closer so no one else could hear. "This kind of thing requires time. Can you give me more time?"
Liam could tell she was still struggling to break through her own barriers. The twenty-three-year age gap was not easy for her to ignore, especially with her career and the complicated history involving her daughter.
"Take your time, Victoria," Liam said with an easy smile. "There’s no need to decide right away."Victoria nodded, offering him a grateful smile.
She glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed.I need to get back to the office. There are still a few things waiting for me.
Liam gave a small nod.Of course. Drive safely.
After watching her leave, Liam pulled up the system interface.
If the renovation was going to begin, the café first had to be completely emptied.
He turned to the dozen or so customers still gaming inside.
"Everyone, thanks for your support. The Café will be closed for the next three days for a full renovation."The announcement immediately drew everyone’s attention.
"As a thank-you for your patience, every registered member will receive $100 in free gaming credit when we reopen. If you haven’t signed up yet, please register at the front desk before you leave."
The gamers exchanged excited looks.A free hundred dollars in credit?
That was more than enough to keep them happy.Within seconds, a line formed at the counter as everyone rushed to register their membership accounts.
Liam and Ethan worked side by side until every regular customer had registered for a membership.Once the last customer walked out, Liam locked the front door.
He grabbed two ice-cold sodas from the refrigerator, tossed one to Ethan, and twisted the cap off his own. The crisp fizz and icy drink washed away the exhaustion of the day.
Ethan took a long sip before looking at Liam.Don’t you think giving everyone a hundred dollars in gaming credit is a bit much? There were sixteen people here."
Liam smiled.Not at all.A loyal customer is worth far more than a hundred dollars."
He leaned against the counter and glanced around the empty café.
"There are internet cafés all over this neighborhood. Most people play wherever they’re comfortable.
If we shut down for a few days without giving them a reason to come back, they’ll build new habits somewhere else."He shrugged.
"Once customers leave, winning them back is much harder than keeping them."Ethan nodded slowly.
That actually makes a lot of sense. I never thought about it that way."Liam took another drink before continuing.
"You don’t need to stay here during the renovation."Go hang out at the other café for the next few days.
I’ll call you as soon as everything’s ready.I’m also putting up job listings for network technicians.He looked at Ethan with a grin.
As of today, you’re officially the manager.Once school starts, we’ll promote one of the new hires to handle the day-to-day operations so you can focus on bigger responsibilities."
Ethan’s eyes lit up."Manager."
He couldn’t stop smiling."I like the sound of that."
That evening, Liam sat down with his mother.Mom... I borrowed four thousand dollars from your emergency savings.
I figured.She smiled gently.You’re an adult now.""I trust you’ll spend it on something worthwhile."
A warm feeling spread through Liam’s chest.
After Elana went to bed, Liam lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
His thoughts drifted to his former class monitor.The family had already begun falling apart.
In his previous life, the class monitor’s mother had taken her own life two years later.
He wondered.Could this life have a different ending? Around ten that night, Liam checked the system.
No new mission had appeared.
The internet cafe’s upgrade was still in progress, so he decided not to worry about it and went to sleep.
The next few days passed without incident.Meanwhile, Victoria spent nearly all of her spare time contacting friends and business acquaintances, asking for advice on how to revive a struggling internet café.
Ironically, she was putting more effort into helping Liam succeed than she had when trying to help Tyler sell the business.
The following day, the system notified Liam that the renovation had been completed and the lease had been successfully renewed.
Even so, he waited until the fourth day before calling Ethan."Meet me at the café."
When Liam arrived, several newly hired network technicians were already waiting inside.The moment they saw him, they greeted him in unison.
"Morning, boss!"
Liam glanced around the room.Two men.Two women.Exactly four technicians.Standing beside them was Ethan.
He was dressed in a black dress shirt, tailored slacks, polished leather shoes, and even a neatly tied necktie.
It was obvious he had fully embraced his new role.Ethan straightened his tie with a proud grin.
Liam, I’ve hired four network technicians two men and two women.Everything’s ready.Let’s open right away.
The two young women couldn’t help stealing a few curious glances at Liam.
He was only eighteen, yet he already owned an internet café. That alone was enough to leave a strong first impression. Few people their age had accomplished anything close to that.
Liam noticed their reactions but paid them little attention. Right now, his focus was on the business.
"Let’s see how the renovations turned out," he said as he walked toward the entrance.
He was eager to see the system’s upgrades.
Meanwhile, Victoria was still troubled about the cafe’s future. She called Monica for advice.
"Victoria, what’s going on? Need a drinking partner tonight?"
"No. I actually wanted to ask you something. Do you know anyone with experience running an internet café?"
"You planning to open one? They can make good money, but the competition is brutal, and they’re a headache to manage."
"Not me. Liam bought one. The location isn’t great, and the equipment is outdated. I’m worried he’ll lose money."
Monica looked genuinely surprised.Liam actually bought the internet café? That’s impressive."She shook her head with a faint laugh.
"No wonder he managed to drink seven grown men under the table that night. Liam is just full of surprises."A teasing smile crept onto her face.
"And Claire... you should’ve seen the way she looked at him. She was completely captivated."
"He’s just eighteen," she added, though her mind kept drifting back to what she had seen earlier.
The thought made her heart race.
