33. Overnight Fortune

33. Overnight Fortune
Dusk faded into night as Calvin and Bao Yu navigated the bustling streets of St. Peter. Their expressions were etched with focus, their eyes scanning the rows of food stalls lining the crowded sidewalks.
"Wow, Calvin... I think my mood just took a turn for the worse," Bao Yu sighed, her shoulders slumped.
"Yeah, you’re right. I don't even know where to begin looking for the right food vendor," Calvin replied, his mind still racing with the market research they were conducting.
"If it’s just hotpot you’re after, my dad’s cooking is way better. But if you’re looking for snacks... are you even in the mood for snacks?" Bao Yu asked, stealing a glance at him.
"No! Fine, let’s just head to your place. We’ll continue the discussion there," Calvin said with a thin smirk.
Bao Yu rolled her eyes. "Just admit you’re trying to save on dinner, right?"
"Didn't you just say your father's hotpot is the best? Though, for some reason, I’ve lost my appetite a bit!" Calvin countered.
"Alright, alright, let's just go to my house then!" Bao Yu invited.
The two eventually returned to Jin Hai’s residence. Instead of helping the man serve customers at the diner, they holed up in the living room, their attention entirely consumed by their laptops.
"Calvin, are your calculations correct? You want to give me five million from the total capital? That’s too much, Calvin! What am I supposed to do with that kind of money?" Bao Yu asked in disbelief, her eyes glued to the figures on the screen.
"Our business is in IT, Bao Yu. Naturally, my biggest investment is in you. Half will be used for operations, but the heart of our company is the technology you’re going to create. That’s why we need a team of geniuses," Calvin explained calmly.
"Do you really believe in my performance, Calvin?" Bao Yu asked, her confidence wavering.
"I do. But to keep things professional, our partnership will be legally bound. You’ll be responsible for IT development, while I handle the operations. Now, let me ask you—can I trust you?"
"Of course you can trust me!"
"Good. Then those five million dollars are officially invested in you."
"Wow, I’ve got goosebumps! So this is what it feels like to be an overnight millionaire," Bao whispered. "Can you tell I’m actually shaking right now?"
"It’s not just you! I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to sleep a wink tonight either!"
"Haha, same! I guess we’ve lived in quiet poverty for too long!"
Calvin merely grinned at her remark. "But you’re right; to make this system run perfectly, I need an IT genius. And that requires serious capital."
"Exactly. So, do you have a candidate in mind? Someone brilliant we can bring on board?"
"Actually, I do! Matthew Anderson. He’s an IT legend in this city—my senior from college. He even turned down offers from foreign firms for some unknown reason. He’s the perfect candidate!" Bao Yu exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Are you sure he can build the system you want? Syncing moods with food?"
"Don't doubt him! If I can do it, he’s probably already built something far more perfect. He has never failed in any system he’s ever created. The only problem is, I’m sure it won’t be easy to win him over."
"Take me to see him. Set it up for tomorrow!" Calvin commanded firmly.
"Copy that!"
"Now, before we call it a night, let’s post those job openings. We need a marketing team, legal counsel, and administration," Calvin added.
The atmosphere in the living room shifted instantly, transforming into a makeshift emergency office. Their fingers danced nimbly across the keyboards, broadcasting vacancies to various job portals to accelerate their business venture. Meanwhile, Jin Hai stood nearby, watching them with arms folded and brows knit in suspicion.
He brought bowls of chicken noodles and broth to the table, his eyes never leaving them.
"What exactly are you two up to?" Jin Hai asked, breaking the silence.
"Just figuring out how to turn Dad into a high-end culinary tycoon," Bao Yu replied casually, her gaze fixed on the screen.
"We’re recruiting. We’re starting a company!" Calvin added.
Jin Hai looked skeptical, but as he peered at their monitors, he saw that they were indeed posting legitimate job listings.
"Did you secure a large capital, Calvin?" Jin Hai asked, knowing his employee had recently entered a competition.
"Ten million dollars, Dad!" Bao Yu blurted out.
"What!" Jin Hai’s jaw dropped. "Good heavens, kid! How did you get that kind of money just from a pitch deck? Let me see that! Are you sure you aren't being scammed?" he asked, his businessman instincts tingling with unease.
"I have a copy of the agreement right there. Please, take a look for me, sir," Calvin said.
Jin Hai sat down immediately, perched his glasses on his nose, and read the contract between Stuard Corporation and Calvin from cover to cover. As the details sank in, he could only shake his head in disbelief.
"This is insane! Is this company really that wealthy? Looking at this, it’s as if they just handed you a subsidiary as an inheritance!" Jin Hai remarked, a statement that wasn't entirely far from the truth.
"Is that true, Dad?" Bao Yu asked.
"Yes! It says right here—even if the startup incurs losses, the recipient is not obligated to repay a single cent! This is essentially a grant! It’s incredibly skewed in your favor, Calvin," Jin Hai emphasized.
Calvin fell silent as the weight of Jin Hai’s words settled in. Why would a massive corporation be willing to swallow potential losses? Why was he given such an exception? Was this Bastian’s doing? Was the man secretly funneling his own fortune into him? But why?
"You must have had a lucky dream last night, son! You’ve become very wealthy overnight!" Jin Hai said, slapping Calvin’s shoulder.
"Not yet, sir. I have to build the company first. I’m hoping I can bring your restaurant on board as one of our primary food vendors," Calvin replied.
"Don't you worry! When it comes to the food business, you can count on me. I might be getting old, but I can still whip up endless culinary innovations!" Jin Hai declared.
"Then Dad needs more staff! Remember your aching back!" Bao Yu interjected sharply.
Calvin and Jin Hai burst into laughter; Bao Yu was always blunt when it came to her father’s health.

Meanwhile, inside a palatial estate, Victoria was seething with rage. She couldn't believe Lincoln had authorized such a massive sum for something she considered trivial.
"He’s lost his mind! For a measly student competition, he shelled out twelve million dollars in sponsorship? This is absurd!" Victoria hissed at the man beside her.
"Don't take it out on me, Mother. Blame Lincoln!" said Raymond, Victoria's son.
"I’m not blaming you! I’m furious because he’s throwing the company's money around as he pleases!"
"What else can he do? He’s been the sole heir since Grandfather passed away."
"That shouldn't be the case! Stuard Corp should have been yours, Raymond! Not Lincoln's!" Victoria snapped.