---
After finalizing the deal with the Golden Crane Pavilion, the atmosphere in the Li household changed completely.
For the first time in years, there was no tension over debt. No anxious whispers about money.
Instead, there was quiet confidence.
But while the family felt relieved, Li Tian was already thinking several steps ahead.
That night, he sat alone in his room, leaning against the chair with his eyes half closed.
Selling products to restaurants was profitable, but it had limits.
"The real profit doesn't come from selling to businesses," he muttered to himself. "It comes from controlling the end customer."
If he continued supplying places like the Golden Crane Pavilion, he would always remain a supplier.
At best, a useful one.
At worst, replaceable.
"And the moment they find a cheaper option, I'm out."
His fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Middlemen don't just take a cut… they control the market."
If he wanted real control, he needed something else.
A brand.
A place where customers came directly to him.
Li Tian opened his eyes slowly.
"Then I'll build it myself."
---
Building the Product Line
Instead of rushing into the market, Li Tian spent the next few days refining his products.
He didn't want variety for the sake of variety.
He wanted essentials.
Things people used every day.
The first was salt.
Not the coarse, impure salt commonly sold in the market, but refined salt—clean, white, and free from bitterness.
Then sugar.
Dry, fine, and consistently sweet, unlike the clumped and uneven quality most vendors sold.
After that came chili powder.
Not just spicy, but balanced. Strong enough to leave an impact, but controlled so it wouldn't overwhelm the dish.
Finally, he focused on ready-to-eat food.
Dishes that would leave a lasting impression.
Red Fire Noodles.
Chili Meat.
Spicy Fried Grains.
He tested each product personally, adjusting small details until the taste was exactly how he wanted it.
To Li Tian, this wasn't just food.
It was leverage.
---
Opening the Shop
A week later, a small shop opened in one of the busier streets.
The name was simple.
Tian Flavor Pavilion.
There were no decorations, no loud announcements.
Just a clean storefront—and a faint aroma drifting into the street.
At first, people only glanced at it in passing.
Then someone stopped.
Then another.
Within minutes, a small crowd had gathered.
At the entrance, Li Tian placed a wooden table with small samples.
"Free tasting," he said.
Most people were skeptical.
But free food was free food.
The first man stepped forward and took a small pinch of chili powder.
He tasted it casually—
Then froze.
"…What is this?"
The heat hit him almost instantly, but it wasn't overwhelming.
Instead, it spread slowly, leaving behind a deep, lingering flavor.
He swallowed, then immediately took another pinch.
"This… this is different."
More people stepped forward.
One by one, they tasted.
And one by one, their expressions changed.
The reaction was the same every time—surprise, followed by curiosity, then excitement.
"What's the price?"
"Do you have more?"
Li Tian raised his hand slightly.
"One portion per person. Limited stock."
The words had the desired effect.
Scarcity created urgency.
Within a short time, the small shop was filled with customers.
---
The First Signs of Competition
It didn't take long for nearby merchants to notice.
A sugar seller across the street watched with a frown.
"He's selling at a higher price," he muttered. "People won't buy for long."
But the customers kept coming.
When someone complained about the price, Li Tian simply replied, "You're not paying for quantity. You're paying for quality."
At the same time, a salt trader tried to compete by lowering his prices.
Li Tian didn't respond directly.
Instead, he increased his supply and ensured consistency.
The customers compared the products themselves.
Within days, the difference became obvious.
The complaints slowly disappeared.
---
Combo Sales
After stabilizing his sales, Li Tian introduced something new.
Combination packs.
Salt and sugar for daily use.
Sugar and chili for cooking.
Chili and ready-made dishes for a complete experience.
Customers found the idea convenient.
They ended up buying more without realizing it.
Sales increased steadily.
---
Supply Control
Behind the scenes, Li Tian expanded his supply chain.
He leased small farming lands for raw materials.
He negotiated directly with sugarcane farmers.
He established connections with coastal traders for salt.
By removing middlemen, he reduced costs and increased profit margins.
Everything was under his control.
---
A Second Visit
Despite the success, Li Tian remained cautious.
He knew that the biggest threat to his business wasn't small vendors.
It was the Golden Crane Pavilion.
If they decided to compete directly, his shop wouldn't last long.
So instead of waiting for conflict, he chose to act first.
---
Inside the Golden Crane Pavilion, the manager looked slightly surprised to see him again.
"You're back?"
Li Tian nodded and placed a small box on the table.
"I came to discuss another deal."
The manager raised an eyebrow but didn't refuse.
"Go on."
Li Tian opened the box.
A rich aroma spread instantly through the room.
Inside were samples of new dishes.
"Dragon Duck. Flame Soup. Sugar Crystal Candy."
The manager's expression changed as he tasted them one by one.
"…These are better than your previous recipes."
Li Tian didn't react.
"I'll provide these recipes exclusively to you."
The manager leaned back slightly.
"And what do you want in return?"
Li Tian answered calmly.
"No interference with my shop."
A brief pause.
"And I'll supply sugar to you at a fixed price."
"Three hundred grams for two silver coins."
The manager's eyes narrowed.
"That's lower than market rate."
"Yes."
"But only for your pavilion."
Silence filled the room for a few seconds.
The manager studied Li Tian carefully.
"You're trying to avoid conflict."
"I'm trying to control it," Li Tian replied.
The manager smiled faintly.
"You're more dangerous than you look."
---
Market Recognition
A few days later, a well-known food critic visited the Tian Flavor Pavilion.
He ordered the Red Fire Noodles.
After the first bite, he stopped speaking.
After the second, sweat appeared on his forehead.
Then he laughed.
"Interesting… very interesting."
The next day, word spread quickly across the region.
More people began visiting the shop.
The crowd grew so large that Li Tian had to hire guards to maintain order.
---
Night Thoughts
That night, after closing the shop, Li Tian stood by the window and looked at the busy street.
The lights, the noise, the constant movement—it all felt different now.
In his previous life, he had struggled with studies and failed to achieve anything meaningful.
But here…
Things were different.
"The market isn't that complicated," he said quietly.
"It just requires control."
He turned away from the window.
This was only the beginning.
The Tian Flavor Pavilion was no longer just a shop.
It was the foundation of something much bigger.