Chapter 6: First, Achieve a Small Goal

When the first ray of morning sunlight filtered through the window, Lin Xiao rubbed his aching waist and rose from the floor. As a former military industrial researcher, his practical skills had not diminished.

Gazing at the standing billboard on the floor, which was as tall as he was—1.85 meters—Lin Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction at his handiwork. The main frame consisted of a cast iron base and a wooden pillar, while the display panel was made from premium white pine boards, each 2.5 centimeters thick.

On the display, two bold lines of advertising were inscribed:

“Experience the Ultimate Culinary Memory, Surpass Imperial-Level Enjoyment, Redefine Your Perception of Food!”

“Not Satisfied? No Charge!”

As a science-minded individual, Lin Xiao wasn’t skilled at crafting flowery slogans, but every word here was packed with information and entirely truthful. In this world, imperial-level indulgence wasn’t just an empty phrase; there was a tangible reality backing it.

To the north lay a vast empire whose emperor truly lived in extreme luxury. By aligning his culinary standards with that level of extravagance, Lin Xiao sought to elevate the food memories he sold, boldly claiming to redefine one’s understanding of gastronomy.

He believed any passerby reading the advertisement would feel a spark of defiance: “Such audacity—let’s see what grounds you have for such claims.” And the line below, promising no charge if unsatisfied, would dispel their last doubts.

Lin Xiao meticulously inspected the billboard once more, then clapped his hands in approval. “Just need to add a few exquisite food photos, then it’ll be perfect!”

At this moment, his confidence in making money to solve his financial troubles grew stronger. Previously, he had struggled with the competition from those dream-experience stores, feeling powerless. After all, dreaming cost nothing, whereas each memory segment he used for experiences came at a price. Moreover, dreams allowed complete freedom of imagination.

He had invested considerable effort analyzing competitive strategies and had indeed found a market gap: humans cannot dream of things they have never experienced. Novices couldn’t complete others’ dreams; they would tremble and wake up because the brain’s material library was missing, causing a shutdown.

After leveling up the previous evening, Lin Xiao immediately adjusted his strategy to focus on memory experiences unique to past lives—a differentiated approach. Selling exclusive culinary experiences from past lives became his prime choice.

After all, the satisfaction derived from taste could rival that of other pleasures. While the culinary standards in this world were not poor, they paled in comparison to the profound and exquisite Chinese cuisine of his previous life.

Lin Xiao’s plan to make money was simple: replicate several top-tier dishes from memory, enjoy them himself, then extract and sell the taste memories to customers. This way, he could satisfy his own appetite and offer customers an unprecedented flavor experience—a true win-win.

He set a modest goal for himself: to earn 84,892 yuan. The oddly specific amount accounted for business tax, rent, and miscellaneous expenses totaling 44,892 yuan. Not working for someone else meant bearing every cost personally.

He reserved 40,000 yuan to purchase the next painful memory. Whether he could achieve his goal would depend on subsequent sales.

Lin Xiao moved the half-finished billboard to the store entrance and placed it firmly. As he turned, his gaze fell on the mailbox by the door, reminding him that when he absorbed the black amber last night, he seemed to have received new mail.

“Could it be another bill? Please don’t let it be another huge hole in my finances.”

He took out the key, unlocked the mailbox, and pulled out a brown paper bag.

Why did it look so familiar? It seemed like the same bag he had given to Mr. Zhang yesterday.

Lin Xiao opened the bag to find neatly stacked hundred-yuan bills and a handwritten note.

Puzzled, he unfolded the note:

“Mr. Lin,

I leave this note to express my gratitude. Perhaps life’s hardships have left me with too much negativity and a cynical view of the world. I have often made excuses for my own shortcomings.

Though lacking love in my heart, I would say if I were wealthy, I would be more generous than the rich. Though I used wealth to tempt women, I blamed them for being vain and greedy.

With such a mindset, even if I were fortunate enough to rise to prominence, I would most likely be a heartless rich man.

It is your sincere actions that have shown me true sincerity comes from within oneself.

What I learned from you today is even more inspiring than the removal of that painful memory.

Thank you again.

I noticed you gave me all your money and worried it might affect your shop’s operation. If not for urgent needs, I would return it all. Please forgive my selfishness—I am only returning 10,000 yuan.

Wishing you and your shop all the best!”

Signed, Mr. Zhang.

Lin Xiao smiled as he finished reading, carefully folding the note and pocketing it. Being genuinely acknowledged felt wonderful. The refunded 10,000 yuan would truly help. It covered nearly a quarter of his essential 44,892 yuan expenses—a very good start.

By now, dawn had fully broken and the streets grew busier. Lin Xiao lifted his right hand and glanced at the watch on his wrist.

Rather than a watch, it was more like a wristband—semi-transparent with a faint blue starlight flowing inside, as if billions of stars were sealed within.

The colors shifted with the time of day: misty blue in the morning, pure silver-white at noon, amber gold at dusk, and deep crimson at night.

At this moment, the central point condensed into a nebula, outlining the current time: 8:45 a.m.

In this world endowed with extraordinary powers, watchmaking had long surpassed the imaginations of his previous life. When Lin Xiao saw this timepiece, named “Time,” all thoughts of copying and selling a Patek Philippe memory faded completely.

Even gold—the most stubborn human faith—had become insignificant here.

After much thought, selling culinary memories remained the safest bet.

Lin Xiao paced to his desk, hesitating briefly. “At this hour, he should be up, right?”

He picked up the phone and dialed a number: 0826-7782...

“Beep… beep…”

After two rings, a gentle female voice came through the receiver:

“Hello, this is the Xu residence. Whom may I ask is calling?”

“I’m looking for Xu Tao.”

“Sorry, the young master is still asleep. May I ask who’s calling?”

“No worries, I’ll call back later.”

“Wait, you’re Lin Xiao, Mr. Lin, right?”

“Yes, that’s me. You know me?”

“Hmm, the young master mentioned you as his most important friend and said he must take your call. Please hold on a moment.”

Hearing the maid’s quick footsteps recede, Lin Xiao shrugged helplessly.

“Most important friend? For a rich heir, aren’t you being a bit casual?”

Speaking of Xu Tao, Lin Xiao wasn’t sure if he could call him a friend, but they were quite familiar.

This guy was a super-rich second-generation heir, with assets exceeding a billion yuan.

His straightforward personality was not unpleasant and, aside from the usual indulgences of a wealthy heir, he seemed free of bad habits.

Lin Xiao’s acquaintance with someone so far above him socially stemmed mainly from the fact that Xu Tao frequented his memory experience shop—at least four times a week, almost every other day.

Each time he came, he did only one thing: experience culinary memories.

A super-rich heir who chose to savor food through memories rather than real life—this revealed many secrets, but Lin Xiao preferred not to pry. He just wanted to run his business steadily.

Less than a minute later, Xu Tao’s voice, tinged with annoyance, came through the phone:

“What time is it? Don’t you know I’m still sore from dealing with those three little demons last night?”

His complaint was more boastful than genuine.

“How do you want me to respond? Praise your effort or encourage you to exercise more?” Lin Xiao answered sincerely.

“You’re impossible. I just want you to know that it’s not only handsome guys who attract women. My charm is just as strong as yours.”

“Alright, I admit I was wrong. Happy now?”

Lin Xiao genuinely agreed; with a billion-yuan bankroll, that was indeed a form of allure.

“...” Silence on the other end.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just don’t feel accomplished with you like this.”

“If you think that way, there’s nothing I can do.”

“That’s just... good thing you don’t have a girlfriend!”

Xu Tao continued:

“No, wait, I almost got fooled. Didn’t you say I lack charm and Ms. Yang would never give me a chance?”

Ms. Yang was Lin Xiao’s business partner. When she came to the shop a few days ago for a meeting, she happened to encounter Xu Tao and immediately captured his heart.

For someone like Xu Tao, who had seen countless beauties, to fall for her spoke volumes. But it wasn’t just her appearance that captivated men—it was the pure, delicate innocence she radiated like a white flower.

Could she have succumbed to Xu Tao?

Unlikely. Lin Xiao knew she was very particular about looks.

Xu Tao’s money probably wouldn’t sway her much.

For a peerless beauty, gaining immense wealth might be difficult, but if she only sought a decent and comfortable life, she wouldn’t bow to money.

“Has she accepted your pursuit?”

“No, not yet. A few days ago, I saw her staring at a watch in a mall for a long time but hesitating to buy it. I secretly bought it and forced it on her, but she insisted on giving me an IOU before reluctantly accepting. To thank me, she’s planning to take me out to dinner!”

Xu Tao’s answer was straightforward without exaggeration: “I just don’t understand why she wanted a men’s watch.”

“Was it the latest ‘Time’ model, retailing at 238,888 yuan?”

“How do you know?”

Lin Xiao glanced to the left at his wrist—it was exactly that watch.