The Supermarket System

Chapter 60: 60. High quality paper

"Finnaly..." Kai murmured, a broad smile spreading across his lips as he saw that they had successfully made flour from wheat.

Everyone clapped their hands, welcoming the latest innovation by the Duke’s eldest son.

At that moment, at the flour mill, all the wheat farmers gathered to learn how to make their own flour.

The mill would be managed by Yona and three local young men and women—the children of those very farmers.

They learned how to make flour and also how to package it in special cloth sacks designed for flour.

The special flour sacks themselves were handmade by unemployed women. Kai would later purchase every one of these sacks.

The wheat farmers can choose to sell their wheat whole to the mill, or have their wheat milled by the mill for a special price. Since selling unprocessed wheat and selling flour naturally command different prices.

The farmers are also free to choose whether to sell their flour to Kaileon or to someone else.

Kai himself owns his own wheat fields, which are managed by workers and paid for by the Duke. Indeed, the Duke’s wheat fields are larger than those owned by the villagers.

Kai managed to obtain full permission to manage the fields, even though they remained in Duke Arslan’s name.

"Now that the flour mill is up and running, I think some residents will surely open their own flour mills once they learn how, young master," said Fano.

Kai smiled and nodded. "I know that, and that’s exactly how it works. My goal isn’t just to make a profit, but to teach the villagers how to make money from what they have around them. By the way, since we’re done here, can I hand things over to Yona from now on? Don’t forget to report back to Fano later."

"Wait a minute, Kai!"

Kai turned around; he knew that Frederick, the nobleman’s son with malicious intentions, would object. He didn’t even hesitate to call Kaileon by his nick name—which, of course, could be considered rude.

Even though Kaileon was the son of a concubine, his status was still higher. But well, Kai wasn’t going to make a fuss over something like this. At least, not now.

"What’s the matter, Fred?" Kai asked.

"Why did you choose someone from the commoners to run this flour mill? You should’ve chosen someone from the nobility to do it."

Kai was silent for a moment; he knew that Yona alone was enough to manage the flour mill. However, considering that Frederick had malicious intentions, Kai couldn’t wait to see exactly what those intentions would be.

"You’re right. In that case, you can manage this flour mill alongside Yona, as her deputy. Make sure you’re useful here, Fred," said Kai.

Frederick, upon hearing this, fell silent, holding back his anger. However, he acted quite well; he immediately smiled broadly and agreed with Kaileon.

Since the flour mill was finished, Kai invited Fano, Mini, Silviana, Chanelle, Vivienne, and Kevin to check on the progress of the orphanage first.

Throughout the journey, Vivienne became calmer and stayed close to Kaileon. She even insisted on riding in the same horse-drawn carriage as Kaileon, Fano, and Kevin, just so she could stay close to Kaileon.

Kaileon, for his part, simply ignored her and let her do as she pleased. He wanted to see just how far Vivienne would go to get close to him. If Kai saw an opening, he might teach the girl a lesson right away. But not just yet.

Now was the time to see how people with bad intentions would act in front of him.

They had arrived at the orphanage, and construction was going very well. It was already half-finished, and the results were clearly in line with Kaileon’s expectations.

When Kaileon arrived, the children at the orphanage immediately scattered to approach him.

As Kaileon had promised, he brought a huge number of books for the children.

Among them were picture books that Kai had brought from Earth, though the text inside had been translated into the local language of this green continent.

The children were very excited to see the picture books. Even Jean and Woni, who worked there, shared the same enthusiasm for the books.

Because the picture books were so beautiful, they inspired the children to learn to read and write.

"What kinds of books did you give to the children?" asked Silviana, the count’s daughter, who was quite intelligent and loved reading books.

"Do all of you want picture books too? If so, I’ll set up a library at the office later, and I’ll put books like these there. Take a look."

Kai then gave the picture books he hadn’t yet distributed to Silviana, Kevin, and Vivienne.

They were themselves very surprised to see the contents. They couldn’t believe there was a book with such beautiful illustrations and colors. Even the paper on the pages was very thick and of excellent quality.

"Where did you get a book like this? I’m sure my uncle is the only one around here who owns a book and paper printing business, and there’s no way he could make paper this good," said Silviana.

Kai had forgotten that Silviana’s family was one of the Duchess’s supporters, reaping the benefits of the Duchess’s greed. That was why only Silviana’s family owned a paper mill.

"Oh, that’s true... but my store sells high-quality paper at more reasonable prices. I mean—I know your uncle and his workers do a great job. They print the paper by hand, and their work is excellent. But is it really necessary to shut down other people’s printing businesses just so you can hold power? I know your family has driven other printing businesses into bankruptcy, and that’s hurt Arslan’s economy. And I could even destroy you all far worse than you could ever imagine."

Hearing that, Silviana finally dropped the "good girl" facade she’d maintained so carefully all this time. She was furious and almost tore the book she was holding to shreds. But she didn’t go through with it, and then ran off with the picture book.

Before the girl left, she managed to say, "Aren’t you being a little too bold to say this to my family, Kaileon? Just wait and see—you’ll regret saying it."

The girl caused an unnecessary commotion in front of the orphanage, but fortunately, the orphanage children didn’t pay much attention to Silviana because they were too busy admiring the picture book Kaileon had brought.

"Ugh, that girl is always like that—she acts all smart. I’m also wondering why she’d even want to work for you, Kaileon... since she’s always talking trash about you. She also said that you used to like her, but now you can’t remember her. Huh—she’s not even that pretty for you to have liked her, right?" said Vivienne, who was still trying to get close to Kaileon and get his attention.

Kai himself furrowed his brow, trying to recall Silviana from his past memories.

He couldn’t find any memories of Silviana at all.

"By the way, she used to be chubby, you know... now she’s so skinny."

Chubby?

Did Kaileon have memories of a chubby girl from his childhood?

Suddenly, Vivienne grabbed Kaileon’s face to make him look at her.

"Stop trying to remember her as a kid—it’s not important. What matters now is that she’s offended by what you said. What exactly can you do to destroy the count’s printing business empire—"

"Of course, by starting a new, better printing business," Kaileon replied without waiting for Vivi to finish her sentence.

"What?" Vivi replied.

Kai then came up with a great idea.

"What if you and Kevin help me start a printing business? Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to make paper and everything else. Kevin will lead this project—as it happens, there are some shops for sale near the farmers’ market. I’ll buy a few of those shops for our project. Let’s go back to the office in the pavilion and come up with a solid plan," said Kai, sounding very serious.

Kevin was very enthusiastic about what Kai had just said, unlike Vivienne, who was upset. She was upset because she would have to be apart from Kaileon.

"I want to do this with you, not him!" protested Vivienne.

"Don’t worry, I’ll accompany you both. This is also a test to see your potential. I’ll pay you a hefty salary,"

Vivienne fell silent after hearing about the hefty salary. Clearly, she needed the money more than she needed to be around Kaileon all the time. Carrying out the Duchess’s orders meant no pay. But if she carried out Kaileon’s orders, she’d get a lot of money.

Even so, Vivienne still didn’t dare to defy the Duchess.

"Thank you for bringing those books, young master; the children are very happy with them," said Jean.

"Do you need any other books, Jean? I can bring you cookbooks or anything else..."

Jean thought for a moment, trying to figure out what the children might need that wasn’t easily available.

"Oh! May I ask for some canvas and oil paints for painting, young master? They’re very expensive, but I’d like the children to learn how to draw. They seem really interested in the pictures in that picture book," said Jean.

Kai nodded and smiled, "I know something even better than that, Jean. I’ll come by tomorrow to bring them, or if I can’t, maybe Keith or Jo will come."

Jean looked pleased to hear that.

"Thank you, young master."

"Thank you, young master..."

Kai quickly glanced at the young man who had just spoken. It felt like he’d seen him before, but he couldn’t quite place him.

Did he look like that demon prince? Or was that just Kai’s imagination running wild?

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