11:30 AM.
The long-absent aroma of delicious food once again wafted through Dex Restaurant.
Dexter, Kevin, and the rest of the gang sat around several tables pushed together, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. The atmosphere was incredibly warm.
It was interesting to think about.
Look at this group...
Kevin was now the owner of the Alibi Room, which had been renovated and no longer looked like a dingy dump.
Veronica and Vivian had stable, high-paying jobs, living far better than most people on the South Side.
Mickey had, for the time being, turned over a new leaf. He was working an honest job, staying out of trouble, and had even renovated his family's house.
Mandy was no longer the intense goth-girl trainwreck. Though her grades were still a disaster, she was living a somewhat normal life and looked much healthier.
Svetlana had transformed from a sex worker giving handjobs in the back room to the owner of a thriving fruit stand. It was hard work, but she was making steady, clean money.
Carl was still a kid, so leaving him aside...
Everyone here had basically escaped the bottom rung of society and climbed a step up the ladder.
And the source of this climb was Dexter.
Interesting. truly interesting.
Dexter looked around at the people beside him and couldn't help but smile.
Just then.
Karen arrived at the restaurant door. She saw the scene inside, her gaze landing on Dexter. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and walked in.
"Mr. Ding, you're back," Karen said as she entered, putting on her best innocent smile and greeting Dexter warmly.
Dexter nodded, his eyes instinctively glancing at her stomach.
It was spring, and the weather was warmer.
Karen wasn't wearing heavy clothes, so the bump was somewhat noticeable.
"Yeah. Perfect timing. Join us," Dexter smiled and invited her.
"Is it okay?" Karen feigned a moment of hesitation.
"It's fine. Sit," Dexter replied.
"Then I won't be shy," Karen accepted.
Soon.
Dexter went to the kitchen and brought out a plate of fried rice and some BBQ skewers for Karen.
The fact that Karen was pregnant with Lip's baby was no secret.
Veronica and the others all knew.
So, not long after she sat down, Veronica asked with a mix of concern and worry, "Karen, have you decided what to do about the baby?"
Karen glanced subtly at Dexter, then shook her head at Veronica. "Not yet. We'll see."
Veronica was genuinely anxious for Fiona's sake. "Lip comes back tomorrow. You guys should talk about it as soon as possible. If you drag it out any longer and decide not to keep it, it might be too late to do anything."
"Yeah," Karen nodded obediently.
Veronica wanted to say more, but Kevin interrupted. "V, let her eat."
Veronica understood Kevin's meaning. She hesitated for a second but nodded and dropped it.
The group continued eating, drinking, and chatting.
After everyone was full.
Dexter stood up. "Kevin, let's walk our media friends out."
Kevin, whose brain wasn't always the fastest, hadn't thought of that. Hearing this, he quickly stood up, adopting his persona as the owner of the Alibi Room to help Dexter see the guests off.
After sending all the media personnel away.
The two returned to the restaurant and sat down.
Dexter took out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to Kevin and Mickey, and then, before lighting his own, spoke to Karen. "Karen, maybe you should go sit on the sofa for a bit. You're pregnant; secondhand smoke isn't good for you."
Karen smiled faintly. "Okay."
"Vivian, make a fruit platter for Karen," Dexter called out to Vivian.
"On it."
Seeing Karen move to the sofa, far enough away.
Dexter lit his cigarette and spoke. "I have a money-making plan. Kevin, Svetlana, listen up."
Making money.
Kevin and Svetlana were instantly interested and perk up.
Veronica, as Kevin's fiancée, was even more excited; her ears practically pricked up.
Veronica's reaction was hilarious.
Dexter couldn't help but chuckle. He didn't beat around the bush. "I plan to make a batch of 'Priority Meal Vouchers.' One-time use."
"Anyone with this voucher can order food at my restaurant normally, even after the daily limit is sold out."
"My restaurant won't distribute these vouchers. Your two shops will."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Hearing this.
Click!
Svetlana, being sharp as a tack, realized it instantly. Her expression changed to one of pure delight. "Boss, that's brilliant!! This way, we can make money selling the vouchers, and at the same time boost business for the fruit stand and the bar!"
Kevin and Veronica were half a beat slower.
"Holy shit! Dexter, that method is insane!" Kevin was amazed.
Veronica beamed. "Boss, no wonder you're so rich. I have to hand it to you."
"Alright, enough flattery," Dexter shook his head. "Let me correct you on one thing. My plan is: Don't sell the vouchers."
"Use them as a gift in your shops. For example, spend a certain amount, get a voucher."
"And you don't necessarily have to give them to the rich folks coming from out of town... Local customers work too."
"For example, Svetlana, your fruit stand can run a promo: buy a cumulative amount of fruit, get a voucher."
"Kevin, same for the Alibi. Cumulative spending gets a voucher."
"Actually, I lean more towards you giving the vouchers to the locals through this method. Then, let them resell the vouchers to the rich people. Let them make some money too. Don't try to eat the whole pie yourself."
"Do you follow the logic?"
Svetlana understood immediately again. "Don't be greedy. Share the wealth!"
Dexter nodded. "Exactly."
Kevin's brain was still buffering.
Veronica, limited by her perspective, couldn't wrap her head around it. She didn't understand why they should let other people make that money. "Boss, but we could make so much more..."
Is reading books useful?
Maybe not immediately or directly.
But indirectly? Absolutely.
Dexter smiled. "Veronica, it's been three months. How many books have you read?"
Veronica was speechless. "Uh..."
Svetlana laughed at that. "V, I'll explain it to you later."
Veronica was helpless. "Fine."
"Alright, let me continue. These vouchers are limited. Each of your shops gets only ten per day. How much you can boost your business with these ten vouchers depends on your own effort. I've served the meal to you; feeding it to you would be inappropriate," Dexter said with a smile.
Svetlana and Kevin nodded in unison, fully agreeing.
Just then.
Mickey suddenly spoke up. "Boss, can't I get some vouchers?"
That was an interesting question.
Dexter shook his head directly. "Not for now."
"Then when can Mickey get them?" Mandy couldn't help but ask.
"When he has his own business, or when I come up with an employee incentive plan... which I haven't thought of yet," Dexter replied frankly.
Hearing this.
Sitting on the sofa, Karen hesitated for a moment, then smiled and asked, "Mr. Ding, are you hiring?"
Carl piped up immediately. "Dexter, I can come clean for you!"
Dexter shook his head again. "No plans to add staff for now. Maybe later. Alright, that's it for this topic."
"Svetlana, Kevin, do good work. I look forward to seeing your results."
Svetlana nodded heavily. "I promise I'll do it well!"
Kevin wasn't actually sure of himself, but he promised anyway.
Dexter said no more. "That's it then. I'm going back to sleep. I'm exhausted."
With that.
Dexter got up and walked out.
A moment later.
Karen also walked out, heading in the direction Dexter had gone.
Dexter was waiting for her not far away.
Karen walked up to him.
"Mr. Ding, Lip comes back tomorrow. What should I do?" Karen asked with a smile.
---