Chapter 5

SKY Mall, a brand-new commercial complex that had just begun trial operations a week ago.

The old mall across the street might occupy the prime location, but its facilities were outdated and the property management was terrible.

SKY Mall's leasing director was a woman in her thirties named Rodriguez, sharp and efficient.

"Ms. Leon, first-floor jewelry store, third-floor bakery, fourth-floor gym, fifth-floor esports lounge. Your family just delivered me quite a gift."

Rodriguez handed me a cup of coffee.

"Rent as we discussed—six months free, then twenty percent off going forward. Property management fees waived."

"Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez."

"Don't thank me. The traffic you bring is worth that price."

Rodriguez pointed out the floor-to-ceiling window.

"At least half the weekend foot traffic at the old mall across the street comes for you. Once you leave, that place becomes an empty shell."

"Though I heard that Santos woman has some serious backing?"

I took a sip of coffee.

"Just an internet celebrity who slept her way to the top. She really thinks opening a bubble tea shop makes her a real businesswoman."

"She's been handing out flyers at your old store entrance today."

Rodriguez handed me a tablet.

In the video, Santos wore a revealing tank dress, holding a megaphone and shouting at my empty storefront.

"The third-floor bakery has closed due to poor management! At the end of this month, Star Tea flagship store grand opening! Buy one get one free on everything!"

Next to her was a sign reading: "Drink Star Tea, be high-class. Reject low-end bakeries."

Though my sign had been removed, the outline was still clearly visible on the wall.

She'd even had someone splash red paint on the wall, drawing a big X.

"This woman is truly disgusting." Rodriguez frowned.

"Let her shout." I set down the tablet. "The higher they climb, the harder they fall."

I pulled out my phone and opened my store's VIP member group chat.

The group had over five thousand people—all loyal fans built up over two years.

I typed a message.

"To all our supporters: Due to the original property's malicious rent increase and power cutoff to force us out, our store has officially relocated. The new store is on the third floor of SKY Mall across the street. To compensate for the wait, for the first month of the new store's opening, all existing member credits will double, and everything is fifty percent off."

I attached location maps and photos of the renovation progress.

The moment I sent it, the group exploded.

"Holy crap! No wonder it was closed when I went to buy cake yesterday! The property management is disgusting!"

"Raised rent AND cut power? What kind of mafia behavior is this!"

"Support Leon! SKY Mall's environment is way better—I've been thinking the other place was a dump anyway!"

"I passed by yesterday and saw some Star Tea handing out flyers and trashing Leon's store. Made me sick. I'll never drink there!"

I watched the messages scroll across the screen and smiled slightly. This was only the first step.

I turned to Rodriguez.

"Ms. Rodriguez, that huge LED screen on SKY Mall's exterior wall—can I borrow it for a day?"

"What are you planning?"

"A relocation countdown."

Rodriguez smiled. "No problem. Use it for free."

The next day, directly across from the old mall.

On SKY Mall's massive several-hundred-square-meter LED screen, a poster lit up.

Black background, white text.

"3 days until [Leon's Bakery], [Vesca Jewelry], [Richard's Fitness], [Brennan's Esports] all move into SKY Mall."

At the very bottom of the poster, in extremely small font:

"Thanks to our former landlord's mercy in not killing us, allowing us to find a better home."

This street was the busiest section downtown. Once the poster went up, everyone passing by could see it.

When Marshall saw the poster, he was drinking tea in his office.

According to security, he sprayed a mouthful of tea all over his computer screen.

Then he rushed out of his office like a madman.