Everyone was puzzled, especially Lin Canrong, whose eyes revealed bewilderment.

Others might not understand the food service situation at Slackin’ Internet Café, but he knew it all too well.

There was simply nothing to do!

From clock-in to clock-out every day, he made fewer than ten dishes in total.

Thinking about it, this was perfectly normal. In a place as stylish and high-class as Slackin’ Internet Café, who would order home-style dishes?

A pretty girl at the next table would order an attractive cocktail, slowly savoring it while gazing at the scenery outside, then take a selfie to show off on social media.

Meanwhile, some guy at another table would be smacking his lips over a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes?

That just wouldn’t work!

If someone ordered food, the aroma would fill the entire coffee area, and they’d probably be killed a hundred times over by the stares of nearby patrons.

So initially, no one ordered food at all, and Chef Lin’s daily job was simply to stand guard in the kitchen, bored out of his mind.

Later, the situation did improve somewhat.

To ensure employees’ basic needs were met, Pei Qian had Slackin’ Internet Café provide lunch for all staff, so Chef Lin would get busy around noon every day.

But it was still quite leisurely, especially since Slackin’ Internet Café had added two more chefs…

Compared to ordinary restaurants, this workload was practically like being on vacation.

So far, the food service at Slackin’ Internet Café was basically in a take-it-or-leave-it state.

Not only was it not profitable, but it barely generated any revenue at all.

It was even trending toward becoming Tenda’s employee cafeteria.

And now, they wanted to advance further? They’d probably lose their pants in the process.

Chef Lin couldn’t imagine how they could take this any further.

The three of them stared eagerly at Pei Qian, waiting for his profound insights.

Pei Qian cleared his throat twice and said seriously, “As the saying goes, food and sex are basic human needs. The food industry is eternally relevant to people’s lives and will never become obsolete. So far, the meals offered by Slackin’ Internet Café have won many people’s hearts because they’re nutritious, delicious, and full of homey comfort.”

“Therefore, we need to further leverage this advantage, allowing those who can’t come to Slackin’ Internet Café to enjoy these delicious foods without leaving their homes!”

The enthusiasm in Ma Yang’s eyes gradually faded. He looked at Pei Qian with confusion: “Qian-ge, after all that talk, you just want Slackin’ Internet Café to offer food delivery on the side?”

“Why did you make it sound so complicated? Just say that Slackin’ Internet Café will provide delivery service from now on…”

Hmm? This young man grasps the concept well—it is indeed food delivery…

But this isn’t ordinary food delivery!

Pei Qian’s expression turned serious: “Old Ma, your attitude is quite inappropriate.”

“It’s like singing—when you sing, it’s glorifying death, but when Chen Lei sings, it’s heavenly music. How can these be the same?”

“When anything is taken to its extreme, it creates a great industry!”

“Just imagine, in the future our delivery empire will expand beyond Jingzhou to all major cities nationwide, profoundly changing people’s lifestyles. Is this simply about delivering food?”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We’re now taking that crucial first step!”

Listening to Pei Qian’s speech, the expressions of Ma Yang, Zhang Yuan, and Lin Canrong transformed from dismissive to enlightened, and finally to wholehearted conviction.

Lin Canrong couldn’t help but marvel.

Indeed, this was the difference in vision!

This Mr. Pei had envisioned a future business empire from simple food delivery, and even anticipated the massive changes to people’s lifestyles after delivery services became widespread…

This was true foresight!

No wonder he became CEO at such a young age. This was simply natural talent!

Ma Yang also changed his previously dismissive attitude, his interest rekindled by Pei Qian.

“Qian-ge, tell us quickly how we should proceed!”

“How about developing a food delivery website? Cooperate with businesses in Jingzhou to build an online delivery platform?”

Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan offered several ideas, while Lin Canrong provided some supplementary suggestions.

Pei Qian smiled without speaking.

It wasn’t surprising that Ma Yang and the others made such suggestions.

2010 was precisely the stage when PC internet was ending and mobile internet was developing vigorously.

In Pei Qian’s memory, the number of mobile internet users officially surpassed desktop computer users at 74.5% versus 70.6%, but that was two years later.

In this world, since the mobile phone industry had developed faster than in his memory, the mobile internet era had already arrived.

But so far, online food ordering services hadn’t been squeezed out by industry giants, because these giants were focused on another trend: group buying.

Starting in spring 2010, domestic entrepreneurs saw the popular Groupon model and launched the “Hundred Group Battle” and “Thousand Group Battle.” The group-buying industry was adding about ten new companies daily.

In this boom, food delivery was somewhat overlooked, only becoming the capital’s darling a year or two later when the tide rose.

Nevertheless, many restaurants were already offering delivery services, though they relied on primitive phone ordering, which couldn’t guarantee timing and often resulted in wrong orders, among many other problems.

So, building a platform to integrate all merchant resources, making it convenient for customers to order food online, with the platform taking a commission—this was an idea any normal person would have.

However, Pei Qian clearly wasn’t planning to do that.

“You’re all too impatient.”

“You have to eat one bite at a time, walk one step at a time. People haven’t formed such habits yet, Slackin’ Internet Café doesn’t have an independent food brand, and we have no reputation. Even if we created such a website, how would we promote it? How could we ensure it achieves our desired effect?”

“Moreover, the biggest issue with such an industry isn’t just promotion and market share, but also supervision. Food is a serious matter. If some roadside dive joins our platform but neglects hygiene, causing customers to get sick, we as the platform would bear responsibility!”

“You think creating a platform is simple, but have you considered how to solve these problems?”

Pei Qian’s questions left Ma Yang and the others speechless.

Indeed, their idea seemed distant and impractical.

But… if not this way, what other options were there?

Everyone looked toward Pei Qian.

Pei Qian smiled slightly: “It’s simple. We’ll take it step by step.”

“First, we’ll establish a good food brand and create a simple online ordering app, but it will only offer our food.”

“Our chefs are first-class, and our ingredients are fresh and clean, so there won’t be any problems.”

“We’ll directly target the high-end market, build our reputation, and then radiate from Jingzhou to the entire country!”

The three looked at each other—this did seem like a more feasible plan!

However…

While the plan sounded wonderful, something still felt off.

“So, what will our food brand be called?” Ma Yang asked.

Pei Qian smiled slightly: “Slackin’ Delivery!”

Lin Canrong looked confused: “But, Mr. Pei, many businesses already offer delivery services. Some popular restaurants already provide delivery. Although our dishes taste good, they’re just home-style meals with no obvious advantage over other restaurants, not to mention aspects like promotion, pricing…”

As expected from a chef, he immediately spotted the issue.

Pei Qian smiled slightly: “That’s why I said we need to take the high-end route.”

“Other businesses use plastic containers and bags for delivery, which is very unhygienic and unattractive. That’s one reason many people prefer dining in restaurants rather than ordering delivery.”

“The food itself is the same food—only the packaging differs.”

“This shows that people are visual creatures, and appearance can even outweigh taste.”

“All our food will be served in custom white porcelain dishware, delivered by specialized delivery staff, and collected at scheduled times. This will completely outclass all other nearby restaurants!”

Pei Qian spoke with such confidence that he almost believed it himself.

Ma Yang was moved by Pei Qian’s words, with the fire of struggle reigniting in his eyes.

However, Lin Canrong glanced at Zhang Yuan, and they both saw the confusion in each other’s eyes.

They couldn’t make sense of it…

Would this work?

Was Mr. Pei’s thinking too advanced, or were their minds too backward?