Chapter 41: The Summer Heat Ignites Trade, Shaved Ice Brings Cool Relief

"Tell me, boss, isn't business at your milk tea shop just a bit too good?" a regular customer remarked with a sigh.

Lin Qianfan smiled but didn't respond, remaining focused on his work. Soon, the sweltering heat of June arrived, leaving people drenched in sweat and wishing they could spend the entire day submerged in water.

"Boss, can you hurry it up? The sun outside is killing us!"

"Coming, right away," Lin Qianfan replied, taking the milk tea prepared by Xiao Chen and handing it to the customer. "It just takes a bit longer when we're this busy."

The student grabbed the drink, grumbling as he walked away. Standing behind the counter, Lin Qianfan wiped the sweat from his forehead and began pondering new summer additions to the menu. He had been researching ice production to facilitate these new offerings.

*Smoothies? Shaved ice? Or maybe ice cream?* Various cold drinks from his past life flickered through his mind. Ordinary ice was too hard and lacked a smooth texture, while shaved ice melted too quickly and felt coarse. In this era, however, refrigerators were not yet widespread, let alone commercial ice machines. To get ice in the summer, one had to purchase it from specialized ice factories.

The ice from these factories was produced using ammonia, making it both expensive and limited in supply. Naturally, the price of ice soared, reaching absurd levels.

"How can I survive the summer without ice?" Lin Qianfan muttered to himself while experimenting. He needed a product that was unique, refreshing, and complemented the rich flavor profile of his milk tea.

"Xiao Chen, after we close today, let's try a few test batches and adjust the ratios."

"No problem, Brother Fan. I'll work overtime tonight."

Lin Qianfan smiled and patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder. "Thanks for the hard work. Once the new products launch, I'll give you a raise."

"I'll be holding you to that!"

Over the next few days, Lin Qianfan threw himself into research. After experimenting with various fruits and toppings, he finally created several smoothies that satisfied him: mango, strawberry, and red bean matcha. Each was vibrant in color and rich in texture, instantly stimulating the appetite.

"New arrivals: refreshing smoothies in a variety of flavors!" Lin Qianfan hung a large promotional poster at the entrance, which immediately caught the attention of the students.

"Wow, smoothies! They're my favorite!"
"Such a good deal? Let's buy some!"

"I want a mango smoothie and a strawberry one!"

The students' enthusiasm exceeded his expectations. The new smoothies were an instant hit, quickly outselling even his signature milk tea. The busy afternoon flew by, and it wasn't until after eight in the evening that the shop finally quieted down. Lin Qianfan sent his two employees to eat while he stayed behind to reconcile the accounts.

Recently, the shop had added a delivery service. Although it was a bit of a hassle, the revenue had seen a significant boost. Most orders came from the residential areas surrounding the school; with the heat keeping people indoors, many were happy to pay a little extra for a delivery runner.

After the college entrance exams, Yongpan, Dawei, and the others hadn't been idle. They had joined Lin Qianfan’s delivery team, working until they were drenched in sweat every day. Yongpan pulled up to the shop on his electric scooter, dropped off an order, and collapsed onto the front steps.

"Qianfan, it’s murderously hot out there. This job isn't meant for humans."

"Alright, take a break and have some water." Lin Qianfan handed him a bottle of mineral water. "Where’s Dawei?"

"He’s still delivering near the school cafeteria. He should be back soon."

Yongpan unscrewed the cap, took several large gulps, and wiped the sweat from his face. "Honestly, this app saved our lives. If it weren't for this delivery money, I wouldn't have known what to do with my summer break."

Lin Qianfan smiled. "As long as you're able to work, that's what matters. Once this busy period passes and school starts, things will get easier."

His writing was updated daily, and he often stayed up late, but he had a steady base of fans who tipped and left comments. Although writing was only one part of his income, he never dared to slack off. Lately, whenever he had a spare moment, he would head into the city. He wanted to buy an apartment there so he could bring his grandparents to live with him. The conditions back in his hometown were too poor, with inconvenient transportation and inadequate healthcare, and he worried about them living there alone. Besides, once he started college, he would definitely be developing his career in the city, and having them nearby would make it easier to care for them.

However, housing prices in the city weren't cheap. In a decent location, it cost hundreds of yuan per square meter, meaning a single apartment would cost at least several tens of thousands. He had his eye on a newly developed area near the university town. The environment was pleasant, the price was reasonable, and most importantly, it was close to campus. For now, he had his heart set on a three-bedroom unit near the city center; he was very satisfied with both the location and the layout.

But since his admission letter hadn't arrived yet, he couldn't be certain where he would be going. He decided it was best to wait until the letter came before making a purchase. He would soon be leaving this small town where he had lived for over a decade to start a new life in a larger city. Before that, he had to make sure everything was in order.

Every day, Lin Qianfan brought a chilled milk tea to Xia Ruo and her mother. In this sweltering heat, a cold drink was the ultimate comfort.

"Auntie, please try this mango smoothie. It's a new item in our shop—it's delicious!" Lin Qianfan handed a golden-hued smoothie to Xia Ruo's mother.

"You child, you shouldn't have brought anything when you come over!" Although she said this, her smile betrayed her.

"It's only right," Lin Qianfan said, scratching his head. "Auntie, what do you think of this green bean smoothie? It's another new one."

"Hmm, not bad. Sweet but not cloying, nice and cool—perfect for the summer." She nodded in approval.

"It's all natural ingredients, no additives at all!" Lin Qianfan said proudly.

Xia Ruo ran out from the room, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. "What's this?"

"A new product I just made: strawberry smoothie."

Xia Ruo took it, had a spoonful, and her eyes curved into crescents. "So good!"

"Qianfan, the more I see of you, the more I like you," her mother said, looking at him with clear satisfaction.

Lin Qianfan and Xia Ruo exchanged a glance and both lowered their heads, feeling a bit shy. Her mother watched them in silence before turning back into the house. She thought Lin Qianfan was a fine boy, but it was a pity his family background was so ordinary. *If only his family had a bit more means, he'd be a perfect match,* she thought, though she kept it to herself.

Lin Qianfan chatted with Xia Ruo for a while longer, but seeing the time, he rose to leave.

"Be careful on your way," Xia Ruo said, standing at the door and watching him ride off until he disappeared under the glow of the streetlights.