Chapter 184: Rice Cakes Option one involved purchasing the fourth item from his shop upgrade slot, which would introduce intelligence-enhancing consumables that complemented his existing product line perfectly. If he bought this item immediately, it would initially remain on display until purchased. Lola could buy the first unit, triggering the auto-maker system that would produce twelve items by tomorrow. Each item would sell for 150 golden coins based on his new pricing strategy. Twelve items at 150 coins each equals 1,800 golden coins gross revenue. After accounting for one unit for personal consumption and another for Lola’s daily salary compensation, ten units would generate 1,500 golden coins in sales revenue, recovering half the 3,000 golden coin investment cost in a single day. Return on investment within 48 hours. Plus ongoing daily income of 150 golden coins. Option two involved purchasing the idle room upgrade for one million dollars, which would provide automated optimisation of his business operations but wouldn’t generate immediate revenue or expand his product offerings. Instead, it would allow him to speed him his skill levels, albeit he didn’t know by how much. Skill upgrade versus product diversification. Both have merit. After considering both options carefully, Noah decided that immediate product expansion offered better strategic value than operational automation. When tomorrow’s sales began generating revenue from the new product line, he could then afford the idle room upgrade while also benefiting from expanded inventory options. Sequential investment. New product first, then operational upgrades. The decision also came down to the fact that he really had no need to increase his power rapidly at this time. He had a master-level succubus with him, and he was practically immortal inside the shop. As for Earth, unless he was shot by heavy machinery or there were hidden practitioners like him, he doubted that there would be a need for such a thing. With his decision made, Noah accessed his shop upgrade interface and selected the fourth item for purchase. ... After buying the rice cake, the item materialised on his shelf once again, just like all his system-generated products. Noah grabbed the rice cake and made his way to the second floor, remembering that Lola had mentioned she would be upstairs once he returned from the estate tour. The second floor maintained the privacy arrangements the system had created for employee accommodation. Noah approached Lola’s room with the new product sample in his storage ring, intending to offer her first purchase rights as usual. He knocked on her door softly with courtesy, just in case she was asleep. "Lola? Are you asleep?" The door opened to reveal Lola wearing an expression that immediately made Noah’s pulse quicken. Her ruby eyes carried a mischievous look while a knowing smirk played across her lips, creating an atmosphere that made Noah’s body tense. The tension radiating from her presence made him pause uncertainly at the doorstep. "Uh... I’ll come back another time," Noah said, already beginning to turn away from whatever game she was clearly planning. But before he could retreat to safer territory, Lola’s hand shot out and grasped his wrist with gentle but firm pressure. She guided him inside her room. Clink! The door closed, and Noah was stuck with her inside the room. "Where are you going? Don’t you... want to see the present I promised you?" she asked her voice dropping to the seductive whisper that always made his concentration waver. The way she emphasised ’present’ carried thoughts that sent Noah’s heart rate climbing several beats per minute despite his attempts to maintain composure. "Uh, I’ll look at it another time," he muttered, his calm voice not betraying the nervousness he was feeling. Seeing his reaction to her deliberate provocation, Lola couldn’t contain herself any longer. She burst into genuine laughter that filled the room with musical sound, her carefully constructed seductive atmosphere dissolving into pure amusement at his expense. She’s been playing with me this entire time. Again. The realisation that he’d fallen for another of her teasing schemes triggered something in Noah that had been building through a week of similar incidents. Instead of retreating in embarrassment as usual, he felt a surge of determination to turn the tables for once. Without warning, Noah stepped forward and grasped both her shoulders, using his strength to gently but firmly push her backwards until she was pressed against the wall. The sudden role reversal caught Lola completely off guard. Her ruby eyes widened with shock as she processed this unprecedented show of boldness from someone who typically retreated from her advances. "W-What are you..." she began, her usual confident persona cracking as the tables turned unexpectedly. Noah leaned in closer, bringing his face near hers intimately. His movements were slow and tense. Lola’s breathing quickened as she interpreted his advance, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned forward slightly, clearly expecting the kiss that seemed inevitable given their position. But the kiss never came. When she opened her eyes after several moments of anticipation, she found Noah wearing a triumphant smirk that mirrored her own typical expression after successful teasing. "That’s what you get for constantly teasing me," he declared with satisfaction at finally managing to turn one of her games against her. "HEY! THAT’S MEAN!" Lola pouted with indignation, though the smile breaking through her outrage revealed genuine appreciation for his unexpected boldness. This young boss is really getting bolder, she thought with pleased surprise. He is no longer the shy merchant who used to blush at every comment. The successful counter-tease had changed their growing relationship in subtle but meaningful ways, demonstrating that Noah was developing confidence that matched his growth. After enjoying his moment of triumph, Noah stepped back and retrieved the rice cake from his inventory, returning their interaction to business matters with a smooth transition, as if the earlier tension between them had never occurred.