Chapter 2: Partnership
Translator: Stellar Novels Editor: Stellar Novels
In novels and anime, there's often a plot where the protagonist suddenly encounters a mysterious girl one day, and their peaceful life is turned upside down, plunging them into a grand adventure.
Like Kamijou Touma from A Certain Magical Index or Sakurai Tomoki from Heaven's Lost Property.
Ma Lu never expected that one day he would experience something similar.
But instead of a beautiful girl, he encountered a middle-aged, balding man in a jacket, who claimed to be a mechanical lifeform from another universe and had lost most of his data.
And it's been two weeks since Ma Lu brought Old Wang home, but he hasn't encountered any danger or been targeted by any strange organization. The only thing that caused him any anxiety was the electricity bill.
Ma Lu had already topped up nearly 3,000 yuan, yet there was less than 26 yuan left in his account.
Moreover, his job search was still going nowhere, and if things continued like this, he wouldn't even be able to pay next month's rent.
Ma Lu shifted his gaze to Old Wang, who was engrossed in watching Empresses in the Palace.
"What is a eunuch?"
"A eunuch is a novelist who doesn't finish their story properly." Ma Lu turned off the TV. "Watching palace dramas won't help you understand modern society, and we have more important things to deal with right now."
"What is the most important right now?" Old Wang asked.
"Making money."
Ma Lu was straightforward, "Without money, I can't continue living here, and you won't be able to freely use the power outlets, sleep on the couch in the living room, and watch dramas in the air conditioning."
"That does sound important." Old Wang's expression turned serious as well.
"Do you have any ideas for making money?" Ma Lu asked. "For example, using your... um, special skills. By the way, do you even have any special skills?"
Ever since Old Wang had short-circuited the power at the café, he hadn't shown any other special abilities. For the past two weeks, he had been cooped up in the rental apartment, binge-watching dramas day and night, like a couch potato.
If it weren't for the fact that he helped with the cleaning, Ma Lu would have already thrown him back onto the streets.
"I can cook," Old Wang said.
This answer left Ma Lu a bit disappointed. As a visitor from another dimension, Old Wang should have had more impressive skills than just cooking. After all, a cleaning lady could also cook and clean.
"I can cook anything from the Multiverse Culinary Encyclopedia. We could open a restaurant to make money. From what I've observed, delicious food is quite rare in this universe, making it a great opportunity for a restaurant."
Old Wang's next words reignited Ma Lu's interest, "So you're a chef?"
"I don't know. I've lost many sectors, and 79% of the data in the only intact and most important Sector 7 is related to cooking, so your guess is probably correct."
Ma Lu stroked his chin, "But starting a restaurant requires a lot of capital. Even a small roadside eatery would require an initial investment that we can't afford right now."
"Oh, and if we're going to open a restaurant, I have one request."
Old Wang seemed to have thought of something, and he opened his blue jacket, revealing the same three metal wires as before. They coiled around an egg and placed it on the coffee table.
"This insect egg can allow a person to travel to another universe. I'd like to ask you to gather some ingredients for me from over there."
……
In September, the temperature in City B remained high, and the cicadas outside showed no signs of quieting down.
Ma Lu handed the freshly drafted partnership agreement to Old Wang. He had downloaded the agreement from the internet just ten minutes ago, and some clauses hadn't been deleted yet, like the one about Party A purchasing forty sows.
But the key points about equity, profit sharing, and exit mechanisms were all outlined clearly.
However, after reading the agreement, Old Wang said, "I don't need equity or profit sharing. As long as you let me keep sleeping on your couch, charging my energy, and watching TV, that's enough."
"Really, are you sure?" Ma Lu was a bit surprised.
Old Wang nodded, "We silicon-based lifeforms don't have as many desires and needs as you carbon-based lifeforms. As long as our basic survival conditions are met, money has no value to us."
"But with you suddenly being so noble, it makes me look really petty." Ma Lu thought for a moment and then simply tore up the agreement.
"Forget it. This agreement probably wouldn't have much binding force on you anyway. Let's not think too far ahead. Let's focus on making enough money to pay next month's rent first."
Old Wang was a bit puzzled. "Are you really deciding to open a restaurant? But didn't you say we don't have the startup capital?"
"Don't worry, such a small matter won't stop me. Give me half an hour," Ma Lu said confidently, patting Old Wang on the shoulder.
Less than twenty minutes later, Ma Lu called Old Wang downstairs.
In front of them was a small electric tricycle, about 1.3 meters long, with a canopy installed on top. The canopy was surrounded by lightboxes, with five large characters printed on them: "Seafood in Sauce."
The body of the tricycle was also covered with advertisement boards, and on the front was a slogan: "Grab a seafood dish, and live a life of happiness like a god."
"So, what do you think? Are you satisfied with our soon-to-open new shop?" Ma Lu asked.
"But where is my kitchen?" Old Wang asked, confused.
Ma Lu patted the rust-proof nickel-plated steel plate installed on the tricycle, "You'll cook right here. It's an open kitchen, so customers will feel at ease eating."
"But the kitchen alone takes up most of the space. Where will the customers dine?"
"On the street. The whole street is our dining hall. They can eat wherever they want, it's all about freedom."
"And what about the waiters?"
"I'll do it." Ma Lu rolled up his sleeves, volunteering, "I used to work as a tutor during college. It's all part of the service industry, so it shouldn't be too different."
"But…"
"But nothing! Haven't you ever set up a stall or eaten at one? Where are all these dumb questions coming from?" A chubby guy in a giant T-shirt standing nearby interrupted Old Wang impatiently.
"A waiter, huh? Should I also open a bottle of 1982 red wine to go with your snails? Damn, I hate pretentious people. If you're not buying, don't waste my time; I've got a game of King of Glory to get back to."
(Translator's Note: King of Glory is a Chinese MOBA similar to League of Legends)
"Don't be hasty, don't be hasty, Brother Yang. My friend here just came down from the mountains and doesn't know anything about the city. Don't take his words to heart," Ma Lu said, pulling the chubby guy, who was about to turn around and head back upstairs. "We'll take your tricycle, name your price."
Brother Yang's expression softened a bit at this, and he looked Old Wang up and down. "Fresh out of the mountains? Not a programmer trying to switch careers? Fine, I'll give you a good deal. 2,500 yuan, and the tricycle is yours."
"Can it be any cheaper?" Ma Lu put his arm around Brother Yang's shoulder and walked to the side.
"It's already cheap. I paid 3,600 just for the tricycle, and then I spent another 800 on the canopy and frame. Those PVC boards weren't free either. Now I'm offering it to you for 2,500—I've really cut the price down."
"I know, but how many people in a big city like B can say they live in the same building? Isn't that worth giving a brother a bit more of a discount?" Ma Lu deployed his bargaining skills.
"Business is business. This tricycle has barely been used; it's practically new. Selling it to you for 2,500 is already a steal," Brother Yang said warily. "Otherwise, I could just sell it to someone else."
"But I heard this tricycle has been sitting in the yard for months. Doesn't seem like it's selling that well. Plus, your dad has been giving you hell over it…"
Ma Lu lowered his voice, "I even heard you guys arguing about it again last week. Brother Yang, don't say I didn't warn you—keeping this thing around is just going to bring you more trouble. Better to get rid of it sooner."
Brother Yang's expression soured. He was a native of City B, with seven houses to his name. Even if he did nothing, he could coast through life comfortably. So, he'd never been very motivated, barely managed to get into a third-tier college, and after graduation, he just stayed home playing video games, watching anime, and collecting figurines. His old man, fed up with this, had forced him to start a street stall. But after just two tries, Brother Yang quit, finding it too hard. The newly bought tricycle had been abandoned in the yard since then.
Whenever his father saw that tricycle, his temper would flare up, and they had many arguments about it.
Brother Yang knew Ma Lu had a point and had long wanted to sell the tricycle. Gritting his teeth, he said, "2,100, no less."
"1,666, for good luck."
Brother Yang stared at Ma Lu for a full thirty seconds before rasping out, "If it's for good luck, why not 1,888?"
"That works too. Thank you, Brother Yang. Let's settle on that," Ma Lu said, grabbing Brother Yang's hand in thanks. "I'll pay you in three installments."
"You're not buying a luxury car; it's a tricycle! Why the hell are you paying in installments?!" Brother Yang's eyes bulged.
Seeing the deal about to fall through, Ma Lu quickly added, "Plus, you can store your figurines at my place so they won't get smashed by your dad."
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