The dating reality show host just wanted to give up, but the rich girl fell for him.

The neon lights of the bar street were just like Zhao Kuo's colorful mood at this moment.

As the young master of the Zhao Group, although he usually signs contracts worth tens of millions, the thrill of "starting from scratch" makes him feel as if he has returned to the early days of Steve Jobs' entrepreneurial journey.

He held the cardboard box full of glow sticks in his hands as if he were holding Apple stock that was about to go public.

"Cha Cha, watch carefully."

Zhao Kuo straightened his wrinkled but still expensive tie, smiled confidently at the camera, and said, "This is a classic case of 'dimensional reduction attack.' What do those street vendor aunties know about 'hunger marketing'? What do they know about 'premium pricing'?"

Lin Chacha clapped enthusiastically, her feet already blistered from her high heels, but she still managed a professional smile: "You're the best, young master! This box of glow sticks will definitely sell like hotcakes!"

Zhao Kuo strode confidently to the most conspicuous spot at the bar entrance.

This area has the highest foot traffic, the most luxury cars, and the air is filled with the smells of perfume and alcohol.

"Perfect."

Zhao Kuo put the box on the ground and was about to shout "Selling glow sticks!" when the scene in front of him made his shout get stuck in his throat.

On the steps leading to the bar, a row of middle-aged women were already sitting in neat rows.

Each of the middle-aged women was waving a bunch of glow sticks and wearing glowing rabbit ears on their heads. Not only were they better equipped than him, but they were even...

Even the glow stick was brighter than the batch of goods he had purchased!

"Hey handsome! Want to buy glow sticks? Three for ten dollars! Plus a free glow-in-the-dark ring!"

An older woman in a floral cotton-padded jacket approached enthusiastically, nearly poking Zhao Kuo's nostrils with a handful of glow sticks.

Zhao Kuo: "..."

Lin Chacha: "..."

[Hahaha! Three for ten yuan? I think Zhao Kuo's wholesale price is five yuan each?]

[Business genius Zhao Gongzi: I haven't even opened for business yet, and I'm already losing half my money?]

[Auntie: Young man, you think you can mess with me? When I was setting up my stall here, you were still wearing open-crotch pants!]

This isn't a case of overwhelming force; it's like being utterly humiliated by an old lady!

Zhao Kuo's lips twitched violently.

He doesn't believe in superstitions.

How could a dignified young master like him possibly lose to a group of square-dancing aunties?

"Cha Cha, don't listen to them."

Zhao Kuo gritted his teeth, forcing a smile, "Those are low-end products, ours are... these are imported high-end ambient lights! We sell them to those rich, drunk people who don't care about money!"

As he spoke, he locked onto his target.

A young girl wearing a short skirt, walking unsteadily, was being helped out of a bar by her companion.

Judging from their attire, they must be either rich or noble.

"The opportunity has arrived."

Zhao Kuo confidently stepped forward, flashing what he thought was his most charming smile, and blocked the girl's path.

"Beautiful lady, on such a lovely night, wouldn't you like a glow stick to liven things up? Just..."

"vomit--!!!"

Before he could finish speaking...

The girl suddenly turned pale and opened her mouth.

A liquid mixed with alcohol, stomach acid, and undigested food sprayed precisely and without reservation onto Zhao Kuo's white haute couture suit, like a fountain.

A few drops even splashed onto his meticulously combed, slicked-back hair.

Time stood still at that moment.

Zhao Kuo's smile froze, becoming like a marble sculpture.

The tangy smell instantly filled the streets.

"ah!!!"

Lin Chacha, who was standing nearby, let out a scream and jumped back two meters in disgust. "How disgusting! Zhao Kuo, your body..."

Holy crap! This live stream has a peculiar smell!

[This kind of entertainment is too hardcore! It made me throw up!]

[Zhao Kuo: What I wanted was money, and what you gave me was... eight-treasure porridge?]

[This is hilarious! Is this what they call business thinking? Making customers want to vomit?]

Zhao Kuo was trembling all over.

He had never suffered such a humiliation in his life!

This suit was custom-made by a tailor in Italy and is worth 68,000 yuan!

Now... is it marinated well?

"You...you..." Zhao Kuo pointed at the girl who was already drunk and unconscious, so angry that he couldn't speak.

Just then.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle blew from afar.

"drop--!!"

Immediately afterwards, several burly men in uniforms rushed over with powerful flashlights.

"Hey you in the suit! What are you doing!"

The lead urban management officer roared, shining his flashlight directly into Zhao Kuo's face, "Setting up stalls here is prohibited! Do you have a stall permit?"

Zhao Kuo was blinded by the bright light and instinctively tried to explain, "I...I'm recording a show..."

"Recording a program is also prohibited! Operating without a license is seriously affecting the city's appearance! Come with us to face the consequences!"

The city management officer was unyielding; he even wrinkled his nose and sniffed, "Good heavens, vomiting on the ground? That's an even bigger offense!"

Zhao Kuo panicked completely when he saw this situation.

If he's taken away, not only will he be fined, but he'll also be on the news. What will become of the Zhao family's reputation?

"Run! Cha Cha, run!"

Zhao Kuo didn't care about the box of glow sticks anymore; he grabbed Lin Chacha's hand and ran.

"Oh no! My high heels!"

Lin Chacha was pulled so hard she stumbled, one of her high heels flew off, and she could only run along with one foot higher than the other.

Like two frightened wild dogs, the two staged a "fleeing for their lives" scene on a bustling bar street.

In a panic.

One of Zhao Kuo's expensive calfskin shoes was also stepped on and knocked off.

But he didn't dare turn around to pick it up.

The box of goods that cost him a hundred dollars to buy was now lying forlornly by the roadside, kicked over by passersby, with glow sticks scattered all over the ground, as if mocking his foolishness.

[Young Master Zhao, is this your business empire? It collapsed before it was even built?]

Not only did it collapse, but it also incurred a mountain of debt (fines).

[Zhao Kuo now: one shoe, covered in vomit, penniless, and without goods.]

This is a textbook example of "losing both the wife and the army"!

The camera mercilessly captured this embarrassing scene before slowly cutting away.

……

The scene changes.

The world fell silent instantly.

This is the most secluded corner of the night market.

There was no upbeat music, no noisy crowds, only the dim yellow streetlights casting dappled shadows.

Lin Mo sat on a small stool with the rented small coal stove in front of him.

The fire in the stove was a deep blue, licking the bottom of the copper spoon.

In the spoon, the white sugar granules are slowly melting under the high temperature, turning into golden syrup and emitting a sweet and caramelized aroma.

This scent is not pungent at all; instead, it evokes childhood memories and warms the heart.

Although the location he chose was remote, it was compliant with regulations.

Right next to the night market management office, it is located in the "convenience service area". Not only do you not have to hide from the city management officers, but you can even use the lights of the management office.

"Lin Mo..."

Jiang Ruoyun squatted down beside her, resting her chin on her hands, looking utterly hopeless.

Looking at the few pedestrians passing by who didn't even glance at them, she couldn't help but ask herself a thought-provoking question:

"Would anyone actually buy this?"

"Kids these days all eat Häagen-Dazs, who would still eat this kind of thing that's just sugar?"

"And we don't have any change to give."

Looking at the empty money box (which was actually just a broken bowl), Jiang Ruoyun felt that her dream of "turning 100 yuan into 2,000 yuan" was likely to become a bubble.

Lin Mo did not speak.

He simply stared intently at the syrup in the spoon, gently wiggling his wrist to feel the perfect consistency.

Those long, slender, fair hands, usually used for repairing antiques, were now holding a bamboo skewer, gently stirring the syrup.

His expression was focused and calm, as if he were not boiling sugar, but some rare treasure.

"What's the rush?"

Lin Mo spoke calmly, his voice deep and magnetic, "Good wine needs no bush, and the aroma of sugar... needs no fuss either."

"But……"

Jiang Ruoyun was about to retort when her nose suddenly twitched.

It smells good.

The aroma of caramel wafted on the evening breeze, even more overpowering than that of the sausage vendor next door.

Just then.

A small figure appeared in front of the stall.

It was a little girl wearing a princess dress, about five or six years old, who was still clutching her mother's clothes.

She was initially being stubborn and didn't want to walk.

But the moment that sweet smell entered her nose, the little girl's feet seemed to take root, firmly planted in front of Lin Mo's stall.

She stared wide-eyed at the spoonful of golden syrup in Lin Mo's hand, a trickle of saliva even dribbling from the corner of her mouth.

"Mother……"

The little girl's voice was soft and sweet, "I want that."

The mother hesitated, looking at the makeshift stall: "Honey, this isn't hygienic. How about we buy a cake instead?"

"No! I want this one!"

The little girl stubbornly shook her head, her eyes filled with longing, "It smells good!"

Jiang Ruoyun's eyes lit up.

We really have guests?!

She was about to stand up and greet him when she saw Lin Mo leisurely pick up a spoon.

He raised his head slightly, revealing a gentle smile, and said to the little girl:

"Little friend, what do you want?"

"Uncle will draw you a big one."