Cherreads

Chapter 9 - Research and Revival

With around $2.5 million sitting in his bank account, Steven Blake finally had the means to make significant changes. He showed his parents the legal documents confirming his earnings from the sale of his games. It was the perfect answer to all their questions—and all their doubts.

When Steven told them about the funds, their expressions shifted from disbelief to awe.His mother, Natalie, looked stunned. "This… all from games?"

Steven nodded. "Game development and sales. It's all legit."

His father, Morris, scratched his head. "Well, I'll be… But what are you planning to do with all that?"

"I want to move the restaurant. Give it a new life in a better location."

His parents were hesitant. The idea of leaving their familiar spot and risking it all on a new venture unnerved them. But after persistent discussions—and a little charm—Steven convinced them.

He began scouting for prime locations, targeting busy market streets where high foot traffic could ensure visibility and a steady flow of customers. Days passed in a blur of property listings and site visits, until finally, he found it—a spacious, well-lit building near a bustling supermarket and just minutes from his school.

It was perfect.

Except… the price was suspiciously low.

"Why is it so affordable?" Steven muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Unwilling to let it slide, he dug deeper—and soon discovered the truth. A rival restaurateur had been spreading false rumors: zoning issues, health code violations, fire hazards. None of it was true, but the damage was done. Other buyers had been scared off, and the price had plummeted.

Seizing the opportunity, Steven contacted the owner and negotiated a swift deal. For $800,000, the property was his—leaving him with $700,000 to fund renovations and future operations.

He allocated $200,000 to revamp the space. Every detail was overseen personally—from soft lighting to modern wall décor, from plush seating to top-tier kitchen equipment. The transformation was remarkable. At the entrance, a beautifully carved wooden sign read:

"Heavenly Dine."

When his parents stepped inside for the first time, they were speechless.

Natalie's eyes filled with tears. "Steven… this is beyond anything I ever dreamed."

Morris placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "You've given us a fresh start."

But Steven knew presentation alone wouldn't bring success. The food had to match the image. For weeks, he researched global cuisines, watched tutorials, experimented, and perfected recipes—learning at hyperspeed with the help of the system.

The restaurant's three floors were designed with purpose:

Ground Floor: A cozy café and bakery, with glass display counters brimming with croissants, muffins, cheesecakes, macarons, and more. There were counters for fresh coffee, tea, hot chocolate, ice cream, milkshakes, and smoothies.

Second Floor: A culinary fusion zone. One section served authentic Italian dishes—pasta, ravioli, pizzas, and tiramisu. Another offered burgers and fried chicken. An Asian counter served steaming bowls of noodles, soup, and dumplings—reminiscent of their old specialty.

Third Floor: Hearty global meals. Indian classics like biryani, butter chicken, dosa, and mishti doi. Western fare like steak, lobster rolls, Cobb salad, caviar, and key lime pie.

The menu was vast, but every dish was Steven-approved for quality and taste. And the people loved it.

Steven then turned to social media. With professional food photography and trending hashtags, he began posting daily. Within weeks, Heavenly Dine's Instagram exploded. Customers shared their experiences, and word-of-mouth became their greatest marketing tool.

Then, trouble arrived.

One afternoon, a sharply dressed man strolled in, arrogance in every step."I'm the owner of a popular clothing franchise," he said. "And I want this location. I'll pay you two million for it."

Steven raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, but no."

The man's expression darkened. "You don't know who you're dealing with. I can shut this little place down in no time."

Steven didn't flinch. "We'll see about that."

Back in his office, Steven turned to the system for solutions.

[You can learn Hacking skills, seek his dark secrets, and exploit them. You can even purchase it from the System Shop for 50 system points.]

He opened the System Shop—and was stunned. A holographic interface bloomed before him, filled with neatly categorized items: skill cards, medicines, weapons, vehicles, relics, and more. Some listings defied logic—spaceships, Iron-Man-style suits, energy-based weapons, and even other systems.

[World Domination System]: Want to be king of the world? Make everyone kneel before you. Rule with absolute power.

[Hidden Boss System]: Control from the shadows. The world speaks your name while you move unseen.

[Martial Arts System]: Master every form of combat. Be unbeatable.

[Super Opulent System]: Infinite money. Infinite resources. Ultimate tycoon.

Steven scrolled through in awe. The prices? Astronomical. Many cost millions or billions of points.

He selected the Hacking Skill Booklet.

[Skill Unlocked: Hacking (Basic Proficiency: 1/10)][Progress: Intermediate (30/100)][Progress Maxed: Advanced (100/100)]

With lightning speed, he absorbed programming knowledge and cybersecurity techniques. Soon, he breached the businessman's digital walls—and found everything.

Tax fraud. Bribery. Falsified safety certifications. Steven gathered it all and anonymously forwarded it to the authorities.

Days later, the man was arrested. His clothing brand collapsed under the weight of public scandal and legal scrutiny.

Steven didn't even blink.

He even unveiled a new menu filled with intricate, artistic dishes. He had learned knife carving, sculpting fruits and vegetables into delicate designs. He also introduced medicinal cuisine inspired by ancient Chinese culinary arts.

He filmed the process and posted the videos online.

They went viral overnight.

With growing crowds, his parents could no longer manage alone. Steven hired chefs, waiters, and a professional security guard. He trained the chefs himself, ensuring consistency across every floor.

The combination of bold cuisine, viral videos, and a top-tier staff worked like magic.

Heavenly Dine became the talk of the town.

One quiet evening, as Steven watched the packed restaurant from a corner table, the familiar sound of the system echoed in his mind:

[Rich Lord Task Completed: Transform 'Heavenly Dine' into a Five-Star Luxury Restaurant]Reward: $5 million + Ownership of Rosewood Hotel

Steven smiled.

There had been setbacks, threats, and long nights. But with determination and vision, he'd taken his family's modest eatery and built something magnificent.

And deep in his heart, he knew:

This was only the beginning.

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