American Adventure: My Uncle is Don Quixote

Jin Heon was no longer the same naive college student who had never eaten or seen anything of the world.

She didn’t demur. Taking the menu, she ordered two of Masa’s signature tasting menus and a chef’s special from the waiter, adding a side of Wagyu beef.

Before the first exquisite bluefin tuna appetizer arrived, Jin Heon took the opportunity to pull out her tablet and bring up a cost analysis model she had prepared earlier.

"Boss, regarding the production of the sports drink, I’ve been carefully calculating the supply chain costs," Jin Heon said, holding the tablet out to Li Wei with both hands. "I’m not sure about the exact cost of the formula concentrate, but if we only consider the basic materials for mass production, the cost of purified water and essential electrolytes is extremely low. It averages out to as little as 5 cents per bottle."

As she spoke, she quickly turned her head to stifle a yawn.

The room was too warm. The sudden change from cold to hot was making her drowsy.

Li Wei nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

"Um... the real hard costs are in the packaging and materials," Jin Heon said carefully. "Since our initial strategy is to make a big splash, we need to spend a bit more on the packaging. I suggest using this dark, light-blocking, frosted material for the bottle. It will look more distinctive and have a much better feel. Plus, a custom leak-proof sports cap. The estimated cost for this packaging is between 0.4 and 0.5 USD."

"Acceptable," Li Wei said. "What about the processing fees from the Coca-Cola co-packer?"

"I’ve already negotiated the production line. Because we’re securing a large volume during a prime slot, I got the co-packing and bottling fee down to 0.25 USD," Jin Heon said. "Adding in our logistics costs, that’s about another 0.2 USD per bottle."

At this point, she took out a stylus, circled the last line on the screen, and looked up at Li Wei. "In other words, the total landed cost for our drink, all things considered, is about 1 USD."

Just then, the waiter brought over the sizzling Wagyu beef.

Li Wei picked up his knife and fork, cut off a piece of beef with a crispy edge, and looked at Jin Heon. "Since the cost is already at 1 USD, what are your recommendations for the price?"

"Our competitor is Gatorade, and their bottles sell for around 1 to 2 USD. We’re aiming for the high-end market," she said after a moment of thought. "Considering your dominance in competitions, your influence among fans, and the actual tested effects of our drink, I think 5 USD per bottle isn’t an unreasonable price."

"What’s the maximum number of bottles the Coca-Cola co-packing line can produce in a month?" Li Wei asked.

Jin Heon smelled the aroma of the beef, and the more she talked, the hungrier she got. Her mouth was practically watering. She had only eaten a single sandwich all day.

"The most we can negotiate for right now is two production lines," she said, discreetly darting a glance at the beef in front of her. "The monthly limit would be about... five million bottles."

Li Wei noticed this little detail and shook his head with a smile. "Go ahead and eat first," he said. "You didn’t order enough. Give me the menu, I’ll order a few more things."

Jin Heon watched as Li Wei ordered a whole slew of dishes in one go. She had originally planned to be more reserved, but for some reason, her appetite tonight was unusually good.

Normally, to maintain her figure and sharp jawline, she treated carbs and fats as mortal enemies. Even taking a couple of extra bites would send her into a prolonged mental calculation of the calories.

But sitting next to Li Wei today, an inexplicable sense of relaxation and security made her appetite suddenly burst its banks.

In the words of the Celestial Dynasty, it was like she was suddenly hit with a massive case of the munchies.

By the time she came back to her senses, the plates in front of her were already completely empty.

’Ah, crap...’ Jin Heon cursed inwardly, her movements stiff as she put down her knife and fork.

She sneakily glanced up at Li Wei, her heart pounding. ’It’s over. Is Boss going to think I’m a glutton with no self-control? I ate so many calories tonight, my face will definitely be swollen like a pig’s head tomorrow morning!’

Li Wei, however, seemed completely unfazed by the whirlwind speed at which she had devoured her food. He even asked if she wanted to add a dessert.

"No, no, no, I’m completely full!" ’You can’t eat anymore, Xiaojin, you big pig-head!’

Jin Heon waved her hands hastily, her cheeks slightly flushed.

After their dinner meeting concluded, Jin Heon drove the 911 back to her dorm at New York University.

She didn’t run into anyone she knew on the drive back, which was both a relief and, oddly, a little disappointing.

She pushed open her dorm room door. Her roommate had already gone home for Christmas, and the room was quiet.

According to her usual routine, bedtime was a form of painful self-torture rather than a release—the long-term work stress, anxiety about making money, and a touch of OCD meant that the moment she lay in bed, she would toss and turn, unable to sleep, her mind filled with all sorts of reports, papers, and social dynamics.

Usually, she had to take a handful of melatonin, various vitamin supplements, and even half a sleeping pill just to fall into a fitful sleep.

She dragged her feet to the side of her bed, originally planning to sit and rest for a couple of minutes before taking off her makeup, washing up, taking her pills, and going to sleep.

But an unprecedented, comfortable, and deep drowsiness washed over her as swiftly as a warm tide.

The last time she had spent an extended period face-to-face with Li Wei was many days ago. Sitting with her boss again, she felt as if her entire being had been placed on an ironing board and pressed perfectly smooth, leaving her feeling languid and relaxed.