[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-30":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Shadow Empire",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267650,4428,"Chapter 30","the-shadow-empire-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>The entire noon passed in the stench, and many onlookers gathered around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Federation never lacks people who enjoy watching spectacles; it’s a human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing others suffer misfortune brings an inner, outward sense of happiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That noon, the restaurant served only three tables, and the guests left with harsh accusations, blaming the restaurant for ruining their lunch—they’d likely never return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To retain these guests, the manager had to comp their meals and gift them a wine voucher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could use it on their next visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to admit, the manager is truly a marketing genius; even though these people claim they’ll never come back, as long as they still have this coupon, they’ll definitely return!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If watching spectacles is a Federation trait, so is grabbing a bargain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager decided to have a serious talk with Mr. Anderson; just after one, he ordered the shop closed and had two apprentices stand at the door with hoses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If those people came to defecate, just rinse the mess away—don’t stop them, let them go ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can’t stop this kind of thing; it might only spark greater chaos. Better to let them relieve themselves fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud knocking made Mr. Anderson look up; he glanced at the manager standing by the door, who wiped his face with a defeated expression. “Sit anywhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his break room, littered with cigarette butts—he didn’t smoke much, but recent events made him crave something to drown his worries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager walked in and offered Mr. Anderson a cigarette. “We need to talk about your debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Anderson looked annoyed, but the manager didn’t give him room to respond. “If the restaurant can’t resume normal operations, I’ll resign next week.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Anderson, I’m deeply grateful you gave me the chance to manage such a high-end restaurant. My job is to make it shine even brighter under my care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But our visions and ideas have clashed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your personal reasons have caused the restaurant’s failure, and we can’t compromise on this—it directly contradicts why you hired me and why I’m here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no reason or need to stay, Mr. Anderson. Though I’ve already expressed my gratitude, I’ll continue to be thankful for your past help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Anderson sighed heavily. “I don’t have that much cash right now—it’s nearly half a year’s profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the manager took over, barely half a year has passed, and they’ve earned only four or five thousand—some of which went to pay off other debts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest, per the manager’s plan, went into marketing, making the restaurant’s business and reputation snowball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he has less than two thousand left—he can’t repay this debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager, aware of the restaurant’s situation, lowered his voice. “You could mortgage your house to the bank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The restaurant’s doing well now. If this disruption stops, the bank will give you a loan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re greedier. If you show profitability and repayment ability, they’ll definitely lend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The interest rate would be much lower. Use part of it to pay Mr. Alberto, and with the rest, rent the adjacent space to expand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Anderson’s house is on the outer ring—a standalone, over two hundred square meters—but because it’s slightly far from downtown and old, its value is low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had it appraised last year; experts valued it at no more than twelve thousand, and the bank would lend about seven thousand—that was the max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if he spent three hundred to grease a few palms, he might get eight thousand, or even eight thousand five hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father bought the house; after his father died, he inherited it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house holds his birth, upbringing, marriage, and now his life—he truly doesn’t want to mortgage it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Mr. Anderson lower his head in silence, the manager knew he couldn’t push too hard—the old man was stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just offering advice, Mr. Anderson. But no matter what, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you must prepare mentally—the restaurant might truly fail. When that happens, you won’t just lose a house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll lose your career, your dreams, your family, your life—everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager patted Mr. Anderson on the shoulder and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped outside the restaurant. Since it was closed, no one had come to defecate. The manager felt both irritated and amused—though the tactic was crude and childish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But undeniably, it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the hell could keep their appetite when they suddenly saw someone defecating on the street right in front of them, smelling the stench?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they kept their appetite, they wouldn’t step on ground possibly stained with feces to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager had spotted Lans earlier that morning—mainly because of his car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car was still parked across the street. After sending the apprentices home, he walked over alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the nearby café, he saw Lans reading a newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps startled Lans; he glanced up, then set down the paper and invited the manager to sit. “What’ll you have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager glanced at the menu behind the counter. “A classic coffee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classic coffee means the Federation’s favorite: coffee mixed with milk and at least two sugar cubes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m trying to convince him to pay up.” Though they’d never spoken before, they didn’t feel like strangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to the manager. “Looks like you didn’t succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager sighed. “He’s probably too proud to admit he can’t pay, and he doesn’t have the cash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans took a drag, crossed his legs. “Our definition of ‘wealth’ isn’t just cash or liquid assets—it includes all forms of property.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He has the ability to repay but keeps refusing. And over these months, I’ve heard the restaurant’s doing exceptionally well under your management.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The server brought the coffee. The manager thanked him, took a small sip. “Mr. Anderson’s dishes are excellent, and his apprentices are skilled too. I just gave people the chance to taste his food—that’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a modest claim, but Lans liked modest people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you ever thought of changing jobs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I might start a company soon. I need a manager.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager’s interest stirred slightly. “What kind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Consulting services. Solving problems. Like a lobbying group.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager’s interest dropped visibly. “I’ve never worked in that field. I have no connections. I probably can’t help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t seem disappointed—just asking casually. Both fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, the manager suddenly asked, “It’s still a few hours until dinner. Are you still planning to hire vagrants to defecate outside the restaurant to block tonight’s business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans shook his head. “I originally planned that. But I see Mr. Anderson needs a push. I’ve decided to try another method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager’s interest flared. “What are you going to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I won’t tell Mr. Anderson. I want this resolved quickly too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he makes up his mind, I’ll keep working here. If he can’t, I’ll leave. Either way, the worst I am is an observer—not someone who loses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans teased him. “You’ll find out soon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager, realizing he wouldn’t get more answers, didn’t linger. He had to return and prepare for tonight’s service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, recent events had made many customers wary. He had to retain them while minimizing the damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comping meals, raffles, free gifts—even drawing a prize of the head chef cooking personally—he had ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Lans dialed Alberto.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone rang once, then a loud laugh came through. “I heard, Lans—you had people defecate outside his restaurant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How should I put it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The method is low, but the effect? Brilliant. I’m very satisfied!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What help do you want this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Cotty, do you know where to find a feces-collecting truck?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1275,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","558646e6f1a7ecb3047f96ceacd5eee0db61cf4419c732d4d2835ab5022fd634","the-shadow-empire-chapter-31","the-shadow-empire-chapter-29",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]