After being reborn, my sister insisted on marrying me.

In the restaurant.

Chen Xinyi put down her chopsticks and looked at Wei Yi seriously: "Tell me, why are you making tea drinks?"

Wei Yi did not answer immediately.

He first picked up a few slices of pork belly that Jin Shilin had just grilled and put them in his bowl. He then slowly wrapped them in lettuce, chewed them slowly, and cleared his mind.

Wei Yi's sudden mention of the names Royal Tea and Mixue Ice Cream to his sister was not entirely unexpected.

Because his sister actually ran a chain of milk tea shops in her previous life. That was in 2018, the first year after he graduated and the two got married.

That was the peak of the domestic tea (milk tea) industry, when it was fiercely competitive and a red ocean.

However, Chen Xinyi's chain of milk tea shops failed to succeed; after several years, she lost millions and had to close down.

But it is precisely for this reason that Wei Yi is very familiar with domestic tea drinks (milk tea).

Because at that time, he was preparing for the civil service exam while also helping his sister search for information.

Therefore, Wei Yi knew that in 2014, the tea beverage industry was at a critical turning point of explosive growth.

The industry giants of later generations, such as today's Royaltea, which will later become Heytea and Mixue Ice Cream.

They are all still in the stage of impending violence.

For example, before it was renamed Heytea, Royaltea was just a popular milk tea shop with more than 30 stores in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province.

At that time, Mixue Ice Cream had not yet fully expanded beyond Henan Province, but already had thousands of stores nationwide.

Since my sister still wants to run a food and beverage business, why not go for tea drinks?

At this time of day, you can choose between Heytea and Mixue Ice Cream, or even go to both.

At least before this market becomes a red ocean, you should be able to make money in the early stages.

After sorting out his thoughts, he spoke.

"I believe the domestic tea beverage industry is currently at a critical juncture."

"For example, the Royal Tea brand I just mentioned is currently only a popular brand in the economically developed Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province. It has a very good reputation, but it hasn't expanded beyond the Pearl River Delta. Its business model is direct operation plus high-quality products. The tea leaves and milk foam recipes it uses are completely different from those of ordinary milk tea shops, and it takes a high-end, expensive route."

"Mixue Ice Cream in Henan Province is taking a different approach: low prices, franchising, and penetrating lower-tier markets. It already has over a thousand stores nationwide, but they are mainly concentrated in Henan Province and the surrounding areas, and it hasn't really expanded yet."

He took a sip of barley tea and continued.

"These two brands represent two completely different paths. Royaltea focuses on high-end tea drinks, with an average order value of 20 to 30 yuan, relying on product strength and word-of-mouth. Mixue Ice Cream targets the lower-tier market, with a cup costing just a few yuan, relying on economies of scale and extreme cost control. I think that as the domestic economy continues to grow and national income increases, the market for tea drinks, which can enhance happiness, will experience a huge boom. But right now, it is still a blue ocean."

He paused, then added, "Even you, sister, could consider opening a chain of coffee shops, focusing on affordable, trendy options."

He was making a connection to Luckin Coffee in later generations.

Although Luckin Coffee was later forced to delist from the NYSE, it did indeed use money from American investors to treat people across the country to coffee in its early stages.

The earliest investors did indeed make money.

Moreover, after being delisted, it experienced a phoenix-like rebirth, achieving annual sales of over 500 billion yuan.

It surpassed Starbucks to become the number one coffee chain brand in China.

Whether it's the current Royaltea (which will become Heytea in the future), Mixue Ice Cream, or Luckin Coffee's affordable coffee model, all three routes have great potential in the coming years.

After he finished speaking, he picked up a piece of kimchi and put it in his mouth.

There was a silence in the booth for about three seconds.

Chen Xinyi's expression had switched from excitement to "serious analysis" mode.

She leaned back in the VIP seat, arms crossed, brows slightly furrowed, and the usual sweetness was gone from her peach blossom eyes.

"How do you know about the current scale and business model of Royal Tea and Mixue?"

"I found it online. I stayed up late watching the games those days, and during halftime I would search for these things since I had nothing to do." Wei Yi said without changing his expression.

Lin Siyan suddenly spoke up: "Those key points you just mentioned, and your assessment of the blue ocean market—were those analyses your own?"

"I guess so. I was just killing time anyway, so I figured I might as well give it a try."

Lin Siyan picked up the barley tea, took a sip, and didn't ask any further questions.

But the way she looked at Wei Yi changed.

Before, she saw him as "Xinyi's younger brother," then she saw him as "Xinyi's younger brother who actually gambles on football," and now she sees him as "Xinyi's younger brother who actually has a business mind."

This guy doesn't seem as simple as she initially thought.

Chen Xinyi was much more direct.

She stood up, walked around the table, and sat down next to Wei Yi, cupping his face in her hands and rubbing it a couple of times: "When did you become so amazing? Huh? I didn't notice it when you were at home!"

"Sis, your face is going to look distorted..."

"So what if it changes? Let me tell you, if all your predictions come true, it'll be worth more than what you make gambling... more than what you make in the stock market. Money can be earned, but foresight can't be bought. If you have that kind of foresight, you'll have to help me with my business in the future. Anyway, you went to the National Southwest Associated University, which is so close to me, and you're just killing time anyway, so why not become my business consultant?"

Wei Yi mumbled "Okay, okay" as his sister rubbed his face.

Jin Shilin watched the interaction between the siblings and couldn't help but smile. She picked up her barley tea, took a sip, and her gaze fell on Wei Yi.

She had previously only thought this boy was handsome, had a good physique, and was the apple of Chen Xinyi's eye.

After hearing what he said today, she realized there was something else about him.

He was very calm. When he gave his analysis, his tone was as flat as if he were reading a menu, but his points were clear and he could recite the data off the top of his head.

He's only eighteen years old and just finished his college entrance exams. This kind of business acumen is something an ordinary high school student wouldn't have.

Moreover, when he said those words, he had a very special aura about him.

It wasn't the domineering, overwhelming aura of Chen Xinyi, but rather a very steady aura that made people subconsciously want to listen to him continue speaking.

"Sister Shilin, what do you think?" Chen Xinyi's voice pulled Jin Shilin out of her thoughts.

"I think we should do some research. I'll have someone check out those two brands Wei Yi mentioned. If things are really as he says, then tea drinks do have a better future than opening another restaurant. After all, the profit margin and table turnover rate of restaurants are what they are, while the gross profit of tea drinks is relatively much higher than that of catering."

"Okay." Chen Xinyi snapped her fingers. "It's settled then. Siyan, you'll help me collect industry data, Shilin, you'll be in charge of on-site research, and my brother will be the chief consultant."

"What is the position of chief consultant?" Wei Yi asked.

"It's a position where you have to answer when I ask you a question, and you have to answer even if I don't ask you."

"Isn't that still the younger brother?"

Chen Xinyi laughed and patted the back of his head. Jin Shilin and Lin Siyan laughed at the same time.

The four continued eating. The conversation shifted from tea drinks back to the new shop, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Jin Shilin got up to go to the kitchen to urge the food preparation, and stopped briefly as she passed Wei Yi.

"Brother Wei Yi."

"Um?"

What you just said was really impressive.

She finished speaking and left, her ponytail swaying behind her.

Wei Yi lowered his head and continued eating the barbecue.

He could sense that Kim Se-rin had looked at him much more often today than before.

In his past life, this woman developed an interest in him by first admiring Chen Xinyi, and then extending that admiration to him.

It seems like there's an extra layer to her life: she's also become curious about him.

It was almost five o'clock when we left the Korean restaurant.

Chen Xinyi linked arms with Wei Yi, while Lin Siyan walked on the other side.

"We'll start our research tomorrow," Chen Xinyi said. "If it's really as you say, that Royaltea and Mixue Ice Cream are still in their growth stage, then we need to hurry."

"Um."

"If you have any other thoughts, feel free to tell me anytime."

"Know."

Chen Xinyi nodded in satisfaction and rubbed against his arm.

The evening breeze of June blew as the three walked along the road.