Chapter 150: Chapter 149: Father and Son
Hakan, once a big name in the toy industry and the owner of Ackley’s Toy Store, stepped out of the hard-sleeper car.
After so many days on the train, his chronic back pain, stomachaches, and knee problems all flared up at once.
These were all occupational hazards accumulated from his youth, when he’d neglected his health, working tirelessly on toys day and night.
After he became successful, with the help of Priests, they hadn’t flared up in many years.
However, he suspected those Priests had held back. ’They could have cured me completely but deliberately left some underlying issues so I’d have to keep coming back for paid treatments.’
Because that’s how he did business. The toys at Ackley’s Toy Store were never made to be particularly high-quality, even though he was capable of it, and the cost wouldn’t have been much higher.
But deliberately leaving parts that were prone to breaking was an effective way to encourage repeat purchases.
’Out with the old, in with the new.’
Most customers had no idea how long a top-quality toy could last.
’In reality, as long as a kid doesn’t play with them like they’re trying to settle a score, many toys can grow up with a child, right up until they’re grown and gone.’
’But how was he supposed to make money that way?’
’A useful little trade secret.’
But those days were gone for good. More and more Zog’s Toy Stores were opening in Twin Tower City. They didn’t just sell innovative toys; their traditional toys were also getting better and better.
Did he resent his brother for collaborating with the Zog Group?
’Not really. Emotionally, it was hard to accept, but he could understand. People strive to better themselves.’
’Ultimately, he was the one with the problem back then. Once he made some money, his ego inflated. He saw his family as his vassals, just a part of his own personal ambitions, not as living, breathing people.’
’But apologize? He couldn’t bring himself to say the words. He’d always been a difficult person.’
Exiting the station, Hakan was fraught with worry, a stark contrast to the excited travelers around him.
He glanced at the direct transport options to Winter City outside the station. He’d already walked up to the Teleportation Array, but after a moment’s hesitation, he turned and headed toward the deer-drawn carts.
’Save where you can.’ The toy store had been losing money for several months now.
Chrysanthemum Street was a place where every inch of land was worth gold. Every quarter when the rent was due, just seeing the number made him ache.
He had come to the Northern Domain this time to try his luck, to see if there was any chance of reviving his toy store.
He had previously seen on Weibo that a small toy store had launched a series of ugly little colorful turtle figurines.
They had been selling poorly until the actress who played Anna in *Frozen* posted about them on her homepage, and they suddenly blew up.
A ton of merchant groups came knocking to place orders. ’That one score could probably set them up for life.’
Ever since the Deer Spirit Social Circle appeared, he’d realized that a single store’s business could cover more than just one city. As long as you got famous, merchant groups would come to your door and help you sell your goods across the entire Continent.
That was why he had also come to the Northern Domain, bringing his store’s most unique toys.
He couldn’t afford the price of getting a famous actor to advertise for him. His only hope was that a celebrity would genuinely take a liking to his toys.
The deer-drawn cart wasn’t comfortable. It didn’t matter what kind of animal was pulling it; riding in a cart for the better part of a day was never going to be pleasant.
His back pain grew even worse.
Hakan could only distract himself by formulating a plan in his head.
’First, find Karaman. Even if they’d had their little disagreements, they were still brothers.’
’As the current person in charge of Zog’s Toy Store, Karaman should know more about the preferences and movements of those celebrities than I do.’
’Plenty of actors have posted on their Weibo accounts about shopping at Zog’s Toy Store.’
’Then, find a way to create an opportunity to meet them and do my best to promote the toys... no, not promote them, give them away.’
A year ago, toys from Ackley’s were highly sought after by the socialites of Twin Tower City. Now, he was reduced to giving them away.
Now those socialites had a new favorite: Zog’s premium toy line.
The nobles didn’t necessarily love toys that much; they just liked to use things in every aspect of their lives that could prove their status and set them apart from the crowd.
The Zog Group was clearly much better at playing that game.
After a torturous journey of several hours, they finally arrived at Winter City.
It didn’t look like much. ’Who would have thought this place was now a gathering spot for celebrities from all walks of life?’
Hakan stepped down from the deer-drawn cart and nearly lost his footing.
The slightest bend at his lower back brought a piercing pain, which couldn’t help but remind him of his youth, designing toys with his brother in a small, dilapidated, drafty shack.
Because of his back problems, he didn’t dare sit in a chair, so he had to stack two tables on top of each other and work standing up.
Perhaps it was because he was getting older, but he actually found himself feeling nostalgic for those days when they never knew where their next meal was coming from.
Finding Karaman was easier than he’d imagined. Winter City was full of signs, so there was no need to ask for directions.
Besides, the brilliant spire of the Ice and Snow Castle was visible from everywhere in the city; he just had to walk toward it.
Zog’s Toy Store’s booth for game festival merchandise was set up just outside the demo area.
Due to its immense popularity, a long line had formed in front of the booth. You first had to get a paper card with a number on it from a staff member.
"Heh," Hakan chuckled self-deprecatingly. ’Now I even have to wait in line to see my own brother.’
Luckily, not long after he got his number, a staff member announced they were no longer giving them out. All the slots for the day had been filled.
’Turning away money.’
Hakan was very curious why they had such a rule. ’If Ackley’s Toy Store ever had a line this long, I’d sell as many as I possibly could.’
Hakan waited until the sun began to set before he finally reached the front of the booth.
He had lost all feeling in his lower back. He didn’t know if his condition had improved or if it was just numb from the cold.
"Hello, sir. If you tell me which game you’re interested in, I can help you find the corresponding merchandise."
Even after a full day of work, Karaman was still full of energy.
’That was a gift. Everyone has a finite amount of energy. Someone who needs less rest obviously has an easier time gaining an edge in any competition.’
"Karaman," Hakan said softly.
"Brother." Karaman hadn’t expected to see Hakan here.
The two brothers hadn’t been in contact since he joined the Zog Group.
"I wanted to ask... could you help me out? I saw on your store’s Weibo that Gelda..."
Hakan made his request humbly.
He had never spoken to his brother like this before.
But Karaman’s attention wasn’t on him. He kept looking back, as if he wanted to say something to the small hut behind him.
It was very rude behavior during a conversation.
Hakan felt a surge of displeasure. ’It’s true I was the one who was wrong first, but I’ve already humbled myself this much. Can’t he at least give me the courtesy of listening properly?’
"Karaman, you..."
Before he could finish, Hakan noticed a familiar figure emerge from the hut.
He couldn’t quite believe his eyes, and the other person also froze on the spot.
After a moment of hesitation, Hakan was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of betrayal. His voice trembled as he said, "Ben, why are you here? Didn’t you say you were going to a school winter camp?"
"Things are already so difficult at home, but I still scraped the money together for you. Don’t you understand what I was trying to do?"
Ben looked flustered at first, but then, with a sudden burst of confidence from who knows where, he shouted, "I came here to design my own game! The money you spent? I’ll just earn it back for you, won’t I!"
With that, he picked up a small bundle and ran off into the distance.
"Wait!" Hakan wanted to give chase, but he couldn’t move his legs.
The weakness in his back made it impossible for him to run.
"Why don’t you take a look at Ben’s design first?" Karaman said from the side.
