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    Charlie inquired, “Do you remember how much it cost when you purchased it?”


    Feeling a bit embarrassed, Mia replied, “I can’t recall… Honestly, I wasn’t very aware of these things back then. I was still quite young and thought it was important to keep the snack street running, so I just let my father handle the details. I have no idea how much it actually cost to buy.”


    Charlie probed further, “So, how did you find out that you’re facing a monthly deficit of 200,000?”<fn58e1> Th?s chapter is updated by fin?novel</fn58e1>


    “The manager informed me,” Mia exined. “Before I turned 18, my father allowed me to oversee the snack street. Once I became an adult, he handed it over to me. The truth is, I didn’t have a clue about management; all I thought about were basic guarantees. Everyone continued their usual business without increasing their rent. Plus, the snack street environment is pretty chaotic, filled with trash, mice, and cockroaches. So, I hired a special cleaning crew to help maintain the area and deal with the pests.” <h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    After a pause, Mia added, “Oh, and I used to not incur such significant losses each month, but now the bulk of it stems from risingbor costs. The cleaners now charge over 10,000 Hong Kong dors monthly, leading to increasing deficits—from tens of thousands initially to 200,000 now.”


    As she finished speaking, Mia’s expression turned a bit regretful. “Is it a failure to run a business like I’m doing?”


    Charlie smiled reassuringly, “I don’t see it that way. Your snack street is thriving and well-kept. I believe thend value has significantly increased over the years, perhaps even doubled. As for the losses you’re experiencing, they might be negligiblepared to the overall profit.”


    Mia’s eyes lit up as she realized, “Really? I hadn’t thought about it in that light… For years, I focused only on the fact that my dad’s business was expanding, and he didn’t mind the monthly losses from the snack street. I never considered how the entire snack street’s value was appreciating…”


    With a smile, she shook her head, admitting, “I guess Ick the business acumen; it seems I just don’t have the talent for it.”


    Charlie then asked, “What about your sister? Does she have a knack for this sort of thing?”


    “Yes,” Mia replied with a smile. “My sister is exceptional; she’s studying finance in the UK, and her biggest ambition is to follow in our father’s footsteps, so she’s working really hard.”


    Charlie added seriously, “If you’re not passionate about business, you should definitely pursue a career that excites you.” He then asked, “What job are you most interested in?”


    Mia thoughtfully responded, “The Chinese department offers limited job opportunities. On Hong Kong Ind, most graduates typically be civil servants, while media and education are alsomon paths. If I earn a doctorate, teaching at a top university would be a promising direction, and I’m leaning towards that.”


    Charlie expressed surprise, “You want to be a teacher?”


    “Yes,” Mia affirmed with sincerity. “I believe teaching is a noble profession. Bing a university lecturer would truly fulfill me.”


    With a smile, Charlie asked, “I heard you’re pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Hong Kong. Do you n to stay there for your teaching career?”


    Mia paused for a moment before gently shaking her head. “Hong Kong Ind is quite small, and remaining here for too long can feel limiting.” After a beat, she turned to Charlie with curiosity, “Actually… I’d like to explore the maind. I wonder if Mr. Ye would wee me?”


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