76: Chapter 76 Cao Kun's New Idea

Shen Muli's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

The blush and sense of satisfaction on her face faded slightly, replaced by a deep-seated sense of helplessness and confusion.

"Of course I've thought about it..."

She spoke softly, her voice sounding a bit distant.

"I dream about it, but... I don't have much education, and I don't have any technical skills. If I go to work in a factory or wait tables in a restaurant, I'd only make two or three thousand a month, and I'd have to work overtime..."

"Xiaoxiao needs to go to school, she needs to eat, and there will be more expenses in the future. I... I have to save as much as I can while I'm still able to earn. Later... when I really can't do this anymore, or when Xiaoxiao is older, I'll see if I can start some kind of small business."

She was describing a most realistic predicament.

Hearing this, Cao Kun's heart felt heavy as well.

He knew Shen Muli was telling the truth.

For a single woman raising a child without any specialized skills, trying to establish a foothold in this society—especially in a small town—meant her options were pitifully narrow.

Although the massage industry had a bad reputation, for her, it was indeed currently the fastest way to save money.

But this path was ultimately not a long-term solution.

Just as she said, what would happen when she got older?

What if she encountered difficult customers?

When the child grew up and understood what her mother's job was, what would she think?

Cao Kun's brow furrowed slightly as his mind raced, thinking about how he could truly help Shen Muli escape this quagmire.

Suddenly, a buried memory leapt into his mind.

Back in university, every time Shen Muli came to visit Shen Ziqiang, she would always bring a large cloth bag filled with various pastries and snacks she had made herself.

There were small biscuits baked to a golden crisp and soft, sweet cakes.

Cao Kun and his roommates were lucky enough to eat some of them too.

In Cao Kun's memory, those pastries were delicious, even better than the ones sold outside.

He remembered licking cream off his fingers and half-jokingly telling Shen Muli: "Sister Li, your skills are amazing! This tastes way better than the cake shop outside the school! You should just open a shop, it'll definitely be a hit!"

At the time, Shen Muli had smiled shyly and said she just tinkered around based on things she saw online because she enjoyed making them, and that she was glad they didn't mind the taste.

That's it!

She loved making pastries, and she was very good at it!

This was her interest, and perhaps... also her talent.

An idea rapidly took shape in Cao Kun's heart, becoming clearer and clearer.

Since binding with the system and becoming wealthy, he had lied to his family and friends, saying he had made a fortune in business.

He could fool them for a short time, but as time went on, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

He really should start some actual businesses to serve as a cover.

Opening a pastry shop would be perfect!

The investment wasn't huge, and it looked respectable.

He could have Shen Muli be the store manager, responsible for daily operations, while he acted as a hands-off boss.

Whether it made money or not didn't matter, as long as it could maintain basic operations and cover the rent and Shen Muli's salary.

Even if it lost a little money every month, it would be a drop in the bucket for him. With the system backing him up, it wasn't a problem at all.

Once this idea popped up, Cao Kun's train of thought expanded.

Not just Shen Muli—Auntie Tian Zhenxi had just arrived in Zhongzhou and hadn't found a job yet; he could help her plan a small business too.

And then there was Ji Guangli; she was capable and ambitious, and continuing to work as a regular employee was a waste of her talent. Perhaps he could encourage her to resign and provide the capital for her to start a company. With her ability, she might actually grow it into something big.

This way, he wouldn't just be helping them; his business empire would also have a logical explanation. It killed several birds with one stone!

Thinking of this, Cao Kun felt a surge of excitement.

He gently patted Shen Muli's back and spoke after some deliberation: "Sister Li, how much do you roughly earn here in a month?"

Shen Muli didn't know why he was suddenly asking this and answered honestly: "When times are good, a bit over ten thousand. When it's slow, maybe seven or eight thousand. But I only do the legitimate services, so the commissions are lower."

Cao Kun nodded, looked her straight in the eye, and his tone became serious and full of allure: "Sister Li, actually, I've had an idea for a while. I want to try my hand at some small businesses. I'm planning to... open a pastry shop."

Shen Muli's eyes widened slightly, as if she sensed something.

Cao Kun continued: "I remember those little snacks you used to make; they were delicious. Everyone in my dorm still remembers them."

"So I'm thinking of asking you to be the manager of this shop."

"You'll be in charge of managing the store. I'll provide the money, you provide the effort. I'll pay you a salary—let's set it at ten thousand a month for now. Later, when business picks up, I'll give you a commission on sales. What do you think?"

Shen Muli was completely stunned, her mouth slightly agape, unable to speak for a long while.

Opening a shop? Asking her to be the manager?

A monthly salary of ten thousand? Plus commissions if things went well?

This... this was like a dream!

And it was a dream she had desired countless times in the depths of her heart, yet never dared to even think about in detail!

"I... I can't do it!"

After the massive surprise came a surge of lack of confidence and panic; she shook her head repeatedly.

"Cao Kun, don't joke around... How could I be a shop manager? I just mess around at home for fun. How could I open a shop and sell things for money?"

"What if... what if I don't do a good job and lose all your money? No, no, no..."

Seeing her frantic refusal, Cao Kun actually felt more confident.

It seemed she was truly tempted, but had been weighed down by reality and low self-esteem for so long that she didn't dare believe in such a stroke of luck.

"Sister Li, trust me, and trust yourself!"

Cao Kun gripped her hand, his tone firm. "Your skills are absolutely fine! We all thought it was better than what's sold outside back then—that's market validation right there!"

"And I can also send you to a professional baking school for training to learn the latest techniques and popular styles."

He softened his voice, adding a hint of pleading: "Sister Li, just look at it as... helping me out, okay?"

"I really want to do something, but I don't have the time to keep an eye on it myself. You're someone I trust, and you have the talent and interest. Let's try it together. Even if it doesn't work out and we lose money, I'll accept it and won't blame you at all."

"Just give me a chance, and give yourself a chance, okay?"

Every word Cao Kun said struck a chord in Shen Muli's heart.

Going to a baking school to learn? Making the pastries she loved? Having a shop of her own, even if she was just managing it for someone else?

Just thinking about these images made her tremble with excitement.

To be honest, deep down, she really had thought about opening a pastry shop.

Looking into Cao Kun's sincere and encouraging eyes, she could no longer voice her refusal.

The massive temptation and the fear of the unknown fought a fierce battle in her heart.

"I... I..." Shen Muli bit her lip, her gaze struggling.

"Cao Kun, I... I'm very tempted, truly. Thank you for thinking so highly of me... but this is so sudden, I... I'm afraid I won't do well and will mess things up for you."

"Let me... go back and think about it carefully, okay?"

Cao Kun knew that the timing was about right.

Shen Muli was clearly tempted; she just needed time to process it and gather her courage.

He wasn't in a rush; opening a shop itself would take time to find a location, handle the paperwork, and renovate.

"Of course, Sister Li, take your time to think it over. No rush."

"In the next few days, I'll first resolve the issue of the child's schooling and look for a shop location while I'm at it."

Shen Muli leaned into Cao Kun's embrace and nodded gently.

A glimmer of light seemed to pierce through the desperate, dark sky in her heart.

...