Chapter 206 Noah Barbecue Restaurant
"Sorry, not interested in starting a business. I want a normal life. Sure, it sounds exciting and all, but it's gotta be a grind, and what's the point? What's in it for me?" Noah asked, bluntly.
Xavier fumbled for a response, caught off guard.
"Besides, my family's got so much dough, I could sit on my butt all day and never have to worry about money. I can do whatever I want. Why bother with all the hassle?" Noah continued.
Xavier sighed inwardly. Noah had a point. With his family's wealth, work was optional. Why take on the stress of building a business?
"Larry anticipated your reluctance," Xavier said with a wry smile. "He figured you wouldn't bite unless there was an incentive."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "And what incentive would that be?"
"He said that if you pull this off, it'll be seen as a significant contribution to the family, a demonstration of your capabilities to the higher-ups. It would pave the way for you to, shall we say, inherit the Anderson fortune down the line."
Xavier paused, then added, "And… your parents will spend one day a year with you."
"One day a year?" Noah was silent for a beat, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. Then, calmly, "Fine. I'll do it."
"Excellent! I'll let Larry know right away," Xavier said, sensing the turbulent emotions beneath Noah's calm facade.
Noah hadn't seen his father in ten years.
"Okay," Noah nodded and hung up, taking a deep breath as his expression returned to its usual impassivity.
Two public companies. This wasn't something he could rush.
He planned to take Facebook Live public within the year.
As for the second company, he hadn't decided on an acquisition target yet. He'd need to do some research.
He also needed to approach the Winchester Family about the logistics partnership. Given the Majestic Suite incident, his relationship with Gideon wasn't exactly rosy, which complicated things.
If they cooperate, everyone wins. That's the ideal scenario. If they don't… I'll have to play hardball, Noah thought, a glint of steel entering his gaze.
He checked the time. Almost 7 PM.
He sent Lisa a quick message on Facebook, letting her know he wouldn't be home for dinner, then drove towards Orchard Breeze Avenue.
Thirty minutes later, he arrived.
"Noah's BBQ" was a small, bustling barbecue joint. A dozen or so customers were inside, the air thick with the aroma of charcoal and grilling meat.
In the distance, Grace was busy working.
Noah parked and walked over.
"Mr. Anderson!" Grace greeted him with a bright smile.
"Looks like business is booming," Noah commented, glancing around the packed restaurant.
It was still relatively early; the place would likely be even busier later.
"It's going pretty well," Grace said, wiping her brow with a smile. "This used to be another barbecue place. The owner wanted to move overseas, so I got it for a steal. A million dollars, storefront and all."
"And the name… well, I was inspired by you. Noah's BBQ. A reminder that I wouldn't be here without your help," she added, her smile widening.
Noah nodded.
"With the current revenue, including takeout, I'm clearing two to three thousand a night. I should break even in a little over a year. After that, I can even lease the space out and collect rent. It's a win-win," Grace explained enthusiastically.
"That's great," Noah said, pleased.
Grace had told him about the restaurant and invited him to stop by.
As a recent graduate with limited experience, Noah figured he'd offer support if she ran into any problems.
"You doing all the grilling yourself?" he asked.
"Yeah, hiring someone eats into the profits. It's tiring, but it saves money," Grace said with a tired but determined smile.
"You should hire some help. You're a business owner now; you don't need to do everything yourself," Noah advised. "Grilling is tough work. If you burn yourself out and get sick, the medical bills will wipe out months of saved wages."
Grace's eyes widened in realization. He had a point.
To save money, she was doing everything herself. But if she got sick, there would be no one to run the business, and lost revenue would quickly surpass any saved wages, not to mention the medical expenses.
"Mr. Anderson, you're right. Thank you! I'll hire someone tomorrow!" she said gratefully.
"No problem. Invest in yourself. Your job is to manage the big picture. If you get bogged down in the details, you'll wear yourself out and won't see the returns," Noah said calmly.
Grace considered his words, recognizing the wisdom in them.
Noah pitched in, helping with the grilling.
"New takeout order! Please process quickly!" The phone on the counter chimed incessantly.
Within a minute, four more takeout orders came in.
"Wow, this place is hopping! I don't think two people can handle this," Noah commented, shaking his head.
"It's pretty typical. Evenings are prime time for barbecue," Grace said with a slightly frazzled smile. "Plus, this place already had a loyal customer base. Evenings are always busy, which is why I'm confident about breaking even within a year."
Noah nodded, placing a skewer of mushrooms on the grill.
He wasn't a grilling expert, but he could handle prep work like trimming brisket and prepping ribs.
"Order 56, ready?" A delivery driver in a yellow uniform hurried in, looking anxious.
"Yep, right here," Grace said, handing him the bagged order.
The driver snatched the barbecue and rushed out.
It was a full-on evening now. The streets were teeming with cab drivers, delivery guys, and people heading home from work. The air was filled with the sounds of honking cars and the city's vibrant pulse.
Life's not easy, but everyone's hustling—for themselves and their families. These are the real heroes, Noah thought, a feeling of respect washing over him.
"Order 57, ready?" Another delivery driver in a yellow jacket pulled up on an electric scooter, looking equally stressed.
"Almost! The customer ordered twenty skewers of steak; they're not quite done yet," Grace said, looking a little overwhelmed.
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