Ch 23: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

After watching the advance copy of the advertisement, Lu Yao had only one thought: no fancy techniques, just pure emotion.

The entire process, from the concept to filming to going live, took only a week—three days for editing and three days for launching. The actual filming didn’t even take half a day.

In her world, such a thing would be impossible.

The ad was long, with only the overly dull and boring parts cut out, keeping all the highlights of everyone happily enjoying their meals.

Strictly speaking, it didn’t feel like an advertisement; it felt more like a casual lifestyle vlog shared by friends—eating, drinking, laughing, playing around, carefree and relaxed.

However, Xingzi, Xiao Qie, and Quan Shengju loved it. During their break, the three of them huddled in the kitchen, watching it over and over again.

The next day, Li Shasha and Chen Meiyue came to the shop for a meal. Lu Yao showed them the preview, and they were pleasantly surprised. They ordered coffee and spent the entire afternoon watching it, even asking for a copy before they left.

Originally, Lu Yao had been a little nervous, but seeing how much they genuinely liked it, she felt relieved.

On the day the advertisement was fully launched, they prepared three times the usual amount of ingredients, and the staff came in early to get ready.

Lu Yao knew there would be more customers, but when she opened the door and saw the huge crowd filling the plaza, she was so shocked that she took a step back.

The people waiting at the entrance all turned to look the moment the door opened, and someone immediately shouted, “The door’s open! Boss, I want to order!”

Lu Yao skillfully took out a large illusionary sign from beside the door and hung it up. The queuing and ordering rules were clearly written on it: no cutting in line, a maximum of three orders per person, and the option to dine in or take out.

The crowd outside was large and noisy.

Bai Ming stepped out and told Lu Yao to head to the kitchen while he handled the customers. The rowdy crowd quickly quieted down, obediently lining up to enter the shop.

The first customers to enter ordered their food and immediately sat by the window, gazing out in fascination.

A week had passed, and the flower trees were in full bloom, clustered in bunches like a pink galaxy lying on the green banks of the river.

Xiao Qie served the customers, and someone pointed to the small succulents on the windowsill, asking eagerly, “Can I buy one of these? They’re so round and cute.”

Xiao Qie replied, “These are illusionary plants crafted by the boss. They’re not for sale.”

The customer’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right? How could they be crafted?”

Xiao Qie put down the tray, flashing a set of sharp, tiny teeth. “They really were crafted by our boss. Here’s your meal, enjoy.”

The customer shuddered and didn’t dare ask any more questions, though they still harbored some disbelief.

But after tasting the sizzling, spicy hellfire chicken wings, the delicate dumplings, and the sweet and piping hot rice wine glutinous balls, any lingering doubts melted away.

This shop was amazing—the food was absolutely delicious!

The train advertisement had a huge impact, but fortunately, the snack shop was well-prepared, and the staff were all capable. By noon, they had sold out of all the ingredients on the first floor without any issues.

Meng Qin held Ning Yun’s hand tightly, anxiously counting how many more people were ahead of them in line.

A sign indicating that the shop was taking a break hung at the entrance, and with several powerful staff members inside with soul force comparable to guards, no one dared to cause trouble.

Only the second-floor café was still open, and Meng Qin worried that they wouldn’t make it in time.

One, two, three—just three more people to go.

Finally, the person ahead of them entered the shop, and Meng Qin sighed in relief—they were almost there.

As long as they could eat this shop’s food, Ning Yun’s illness would be cured.

Suddenly, Xiao Qie peeked out from the stairwell, “Xingzi, the desserts are almost gone, and the second floor is about to close.”

Meng Qin’s face changed. He stepped forward, “Can we still get in? My girlfriend has Soul Loss Syndrome and wants something to eat—anything will do.”

Xingzi looked at Xiao Qie, who seemed a bit conflicted.

The prepared desserts were all sold out, and the only remaining items were a few new ones set aside for the staff.

Qi Shen had just perfected the recipe for these new desserts last night, and only Lu Yao had tasted them—they hadn’t had a chance to try them yet.

Lu Yao, who was in the kitchen on the first floor organizing a stock list, overheard the conversation and called out, “Let them in. We’ll rest afterward.”

Meng Qin gave Lu Yao a grateful look and took Ning Yun upstairs.

Lu Yao made a quick call to place an order and stepped out of the kitchen. “A couple, huh? That’s the first time I’ve seen one.”

Xingzi nodded, “It’s pretty rare. Most people here are emotionally distant, and it’s rare for anyone to fall for someone. But… I really like you, boss.”

…

When more customers came upstairs, Qi Shen frowned and looked at Xiao Qie, “What’s going on?”

Xiao Qie innocently replied, “The boss let them up.”

Qi Shen: “Take your dessert and give it to them.”

Xiao Qie was struck, “…Why? Can’t you just make another one?”

Qi Shen: “We’re out of ingredients.”

Lu Yao, after chatting with Xingzi, came upstairs just in time to witness Qi Shen bullying Xiao Qie. She found it a bit surprising.

Qi Shen wasn’t afraid of Xiao Qie anymore.

She patted the devastated Xiao Qie, who was clutching his head in despair, and said to Qi Shen, “Use mine. I had some last night; it was delicious.”

“Boss, you’re the best!” Xiao Qie immediately hugged Lu Yao.

Qi Shen shook his head and turned to attend to the customers.

There were still a few scattered tables of customers on the second floor. Meng Qin and Ning Yun waited at a table by the window.

Knowing the shop was about to close, they didn’t have the option to order and had to wait for whatever the staff would bring them.

Soon, they were served a cream puff, a cream coffee pudding, and two iced coconut lattes.

Ning Yun’s face lit up with delight as she touched the outside of the glass with one finger, her fingertip chilled, “Wow, so cold, this is amazing!”

She had thought the staff would bring out leftovers, but the two plump cream puffs and the wobbly coffee pudding, with whipped cream piped around the edge, far exceeded her expectations.

Meng Qin, however, felt uneasy. The desserts looked good, but they weren’t the same as the hot dishes the Soul Loss Syndrome patient had eaten in the advertisement.

He wanted Ning Yun to eat something warm, thinking it might have a better effect, but they had arrived too late.

Ning Yun picked up a cream puff. Its light brown skin was soft and tore open with little effort, revealing smooth and airy cream inside. She took a bite, her eyes curving with a smile as she looked at Meng Qin, “So sweet!”

The puff’s outer layer was soft with a slight chew, the filling a fluffy cream that wasn’t overly sweet. To her surprise, there were chunks of pineapple inside, soaked in syrup, thick and juicy. The layers of texture and flavor unfolded one after another, from the unsweetened puff skin to the mildly sweet cream and the bursting sweetness of the pineapple.

Ning Yun ate half and noticed that Meng Qin hadn’t touched anything. She pushed the remaining puff on the plate toward him and urged, “You have to try this, it’s so good!”

Meng Qin pushed the plate back. “Since it’s so good, it’s all yours.”

Ning Yun quickly finished the cream puff, licking the small smudge of cream off her fingers. Ignoring the plate Meng Qin pushed back, she picked up the small silver spoon and scooped a bit of the coffee pudding. The slightly translucent dark brown jelly, topped with a cloud-like dollop of cream, was brought up to Meng Qin, “Ah—”

Meng Qin: “…”

After a moment of silence, he finally gave in to her insistence and slowly opened his mouth.

The cream melted in his mouth first, followed by the rich bitterness of the coffee. The lightness of the cream balanced perfectly with the firm, springy texture of the coffee jelly, creating an unexpected harmony between the sweet and the bitter. His brows lifted—it was truly delicious.

Ning Yun withdrew the spoon and immediately tasted it herself, cupping her face in her hands and bouncing on her toes, “This is so good too!”

Meng Qin’s tense brows finally relaxed. It was really working—Ning Yun’s gloomy mood had disappeared.

After finishing the coffee pudding, Meng Qin picked up the last cream puff on the plate, split it in half, and handed one half to Ning Yun, his eyes faintly glowing with a soft light: “Half for each of us.”

Ning Yun took it and discovered that this cream puff was filled with strawberry pieces, making her even happier.

They were the last table of customers in the shop, and after finishing their desserts, they lingered for a long time with their iced coconut lattes.

When they were about to leave, Meng Qin paid the bill, and Ning Yun noticed Lu Yao sitting behind the bar. “Are you the owner?”

Lu Yao stood up. “Yes, hello. My name is Lu Yao.”

Ning Yun pointed outside the window and asked, “If I wanted some of those flowers outside, could you help me?”

Lu Yao replied, “…Sorry, those flowers are actually illusionary creations made through magic.”

Ning Yun smiled, “I see. The desserts were delicious, and the view was beautiful. We’ll come back again.”

Lu Yao sighed softly. Recently, more and more people were asking about the flowering trees outside. The excuse of being an “illusion master” seemed to be losing its effectiveness.

She had a nagging feeling that the people here might already know something.

[Luyao Snack Shop’s name has spread across all thirteen districts of Dreamland. Congratulations to the owner for achieving the ‘Widespread Fame’ accomplishment!]

[The final mission has been unlocked. The invitation to the Demon God has been sent to your inventory. The owner must complete the mission within seven days!]

!!!

She got the final mission.

But… what exactly was this “Demon God’s Invitation”?

Lu Yao immediately checked the inventory. Sure enough, there was a new item, quietly lying behind the “Flying Livestream Device”—a black card with golden writing.

She took it out. Written at the top were the words “To the Honorable Demon God.” It couldn’t be opened, and she couldn’t see the contents inside.

So the first step of the mission was to deliver this invitation to the Demon God?

Lu Yao summoned the system, “What happens if I don’t complete the mission within seven days?”

[The owner will meet the end of her life.]

Lu Yao: “…”

Not this again. The system had forced her to open the shop with the same threat back then.

Every day came with warnings of death, and they weren’t joking.

Lu Yao: “Got it. Any tips about the Demon God?”

[The Demon God is the source of existence in this world. The owner must find Him, complete the mission, and gain His recognition to obtain clues for the next world.]

Lu Yao: “…Understood.”

Find the Demon God within seven days and complete the mission. Suddenly, time felt tight.

[Owner, there’s one more issue.]

Lu Yao: ???

This was surprising—did the system have a problem?

[Time storage is full.]

Lu Yao checked the inventory, where the first slot was filled with “time,” the revenue from running her shop in this world. According to the rules, each slot could hold up to 2,000 of the same item, and the first slot was now completely full, with the unit being “years.”

Lu Yao: “…Can’t I just open another slot?”

How much had she sold to accumulate 2,000 years?

[Apologies, ‘time’ is an extremely special currency. Even this system cannot manipulate it at will.]

Lu Yao: “Then how can the residents of Dreamland manage their own lifespans?”

[They received a gift from the Demon God upon arriving here.]

A gift from the Demon God?

So that’s how they gained the ability to control their lifespans.

It seemed that aside from illusion magic, there was another ability that defied the natural order.

Perhaps if she found the Demon God, she could gain this ability too.

Lu Yao: “Before I find the Demon God, is there any other way to store this time?”

System: [This system can transfer the time from the warehouse directly to your lifespan, once a month.]

Lu Yao: “…”

So there is a solution after all.

Extending her lifespan by 2,000 years out of nowhere felt a bit surreal.

Time was such an abstract concept that it didn’t really feel tangible to her. What she did feel, though, was the pain in her wallet.

2,000 years… No wonder her wallet had thinned out so much.

After the system carried out the process, the slot in the warehouse was emptied and ready to store more of the snack shop’s earnings.

While Lu Yao was negotiating with the system, the staff had quickly finished cleaning the shop and were chatting in the kitchen.

“Today was exhausting; go home and get some rest,” Lu Yao said, taking out a few illusionary lunch boxes from the kitchen cupboard. “I made dinner ahead of time, take it with you.”

“Boss, you made us lunch in advance?” Xiao Qie exclaimed in surprise.

The others were just as shocked. Lu Yao had been busy in the shop all day yesterday, helping them prepare the ingredients for today’s sales. No one knew when she had found the time to make their meals.

Lu Yao: “I made it late at night. It’s simple, but it’ll do.”

“Boss~” Xingzi rushed over and hugged Lu Yao.

After some playful teasing, Lu Yao handed out the lunch boxes and sent them off.

Bai Ming was the last to leave, and Lu Yao called out to him.

“Bai Ming, wait a second.”

He stopped and turned to look at her, “Hmm?”

Lu Yao: “Do you know anything about the Demon God?”

Baiming nodded, “I know.”

Lu Yao’s heart lifted. Baiming really was reliable—he seemed to know everything. She stepped forward, “Do you know where He is?”

Baiming shook his head, “Our very existence here is thanks to the Demon God’s power, but no one knows where He is.”

Seeing Lu Yao’s slight disappointment, Baiming thought for a moment and added, “The guards at the amusement park—if you want to know, I can try asking them.”

!

Lu Yao couldn’t help but silently praise Bai Ming’s reliability once again. She nodded gratefully, “Alright, thank you. I’ll bring you some snacks tomorrow.”

Bai Ming smiled, “Sure.”

Not long after the staff left, the market delivered supplies.

Lu Yao moved the goods into the shop on her own and spent another two hours preparing the ingredients for the next day.

By around seven in the evening, most things were ready. She took off her apron, washed her hands, and was about to head home to rest.

System: [Owner, someone is waiting for you outside.]

Lu Yao: “Who?”

System: [Zhuang Liang.]

Lu Yao thought for a moment before pulling the name from the depths of her memory, “Why is he looking for me?”

System: [Unknown. However, there is something you need to be cautious about.]

Lu Yao: “?”

System: [This shop is rather special. You cannot let anyone else enter.]

Lu Yao: “They’ll die if they come in?”

System: [You knew?]

Lu Yao shook her head, “Just a guess.”

After learning about Qi Shen’s experience, she had come to understand that Dreamland wasn’t a place ordinary people could easily enter.

The snack shop currently existed in a special space where two timelines overlapped. Because the door was connected to the underworld, if ordinary people entered, they would be stepping into a realm of death, so it was natural they would die.

Thinking of it this way, Lu Yao realized that if someone ever tried to break in while she wasn’t in the shop, it could be dangerous.

She felt immensely grateful that this street was in a remote area, abandoned for years, with few visitors.

[For 10,000 popularity points, you can cover the snack shop with the ‘Veil of the Enchantress.’ When the owner is not in the shop, the shop will automatically hide its presence. Duration: One month.]

[For 5,000 popularity points, you can reinforce the stargate. No one other than the owner can break in. Duration: Permanent.]

Once a shop has a stargate, it becomes a special space. From that point on, the only way to enter is through the gate, no matter how dilapidated the surrounding area may seem.

The system referred to this time-space gate as a “stargate.”

Lu Yao thought it over, “I’ll spend 15,000 popularity points and get both.”

After putting the protective measures in place, Lu Yao opened the door. Sure enough, Zhuang Liang was waiting outside.

Zhuang Liang heard the door open and turned around, his gaze sharp as he looked at Lu Yao. “Miss Lu, we meet again.”

Lu Yao stood by the door, not stepping out hastily. “Mr. Zhuang, what brings you here?”

“Hmm, I do have a matter to discuss. May I come inside?”

Zhuang Liang wanted to investigate further. According to the reports, there was no deeper connection between Lu Yao and Qi Shen. However, her behavior seemed puzzling.

For instance, right before graduating, she suddenly inherited an abandoned commercial street. The area was remote, and there was usually no foot traffic, yet she opened a snack shop there, purchasing large amounts of supplies from the market on a long-term basis.

Even the delivery guy from the market found it odd—Lu Yao never let him inside the shop, always unloading the goods at the door and carrying them inside herself.

The people Zhuang Liang hired to observe the place noticed that she ordered supplies almost every other day, but they never saw any customers entering. It was a mystery where all the goods were going.

Lu Yao remained calm and opened the door slightly. “Do you really want to come in?”

Zhuang Liang glanced inside. The shop was very clean, just an ordinary snack shop, but he suddenly felt a wave of tension, his body instinctively sounding an alarm.

Something was off about this place.

Her attitude was strange too—too calm, which made the situation seem even more dangerous.

Zhuang Liang stepped back, his smile fading slightly. “Let’s talk outside instead.”

Lu Yao didn’t object. She grabbed her bag, locked the door, and left with him.

Once they were away from the shop, the eerie and dangerous atmosphere dissipated. Zhuang Liang let out a deep breath and remained silent for a while before asking, “How’s business at your snack shop, Miss Lu?”

Lu Yao found it odd. “Mr. Zhuang, did you come all this way just to ask that? What does my shop’s business have to do with you?”

Zhuang Liang couldn’t find the words. He was indeed curious about her, yet after investigating for so long without finding anything substantial, he decided to confront her directly.

But thinking about it now, Lu Yao’s actions were only a little strange—she didn’t harm anyone, nor did she suggest any danger.

He had checked all the goods she ordered from the market—they were just food supplies.

Occasionally, she visited a dessert shop downtown, which could simply mean she liked their desserts.

And while she often bought the same coffee beans that Qi Shen liked, they weren’t exclusively his. Other customers bought them too.

During their short walk, Zhuang Liang got so caught up in overthinking that he ended up confusing himself.

“I’m sorry, I was just a bit curious,” Zhuang Liang said.

Lu Yao: “…Sorry, but I think you’re being a bit ridiculous.”

Zhuang Liang’s ears reddened. It had been years since anyone had spoken to him so straightforwardly. Especially after the Park appeared, more and more people sought him out respectfully, calling him “Mr. Zhuang.”

Lu Yao, despite being so young, didn’t seem to fear him at all.

For the first time in a long while, Zhuang Liang felt embarrassed, along with a hint of frustration. “I apologize for disturbing you.”

Lu Yao wasn’t interested in figuring out why he had come. She was exhausted after a long day. When she got home, she handled two nail appointment requests, took a shower, and immediately fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Lu Yao suddenly jolted awake and switched on the small nightlight by her bed.

She had a nightmare—one about Zhao Yuqing, who had come to her for a manicure not long ago.

In the dream, Zhao looked terrified, as if she were afraid of something, and kept pleading for help.

Seeing it was only three in the morning, Lu Yao got up, poured herself a glass of water, and then lay back down.

…

The next morning, when the snack shop opened, the line of waiting customers was even more outrageous than the day before. The vast space on the 99th floor was nearly filled with people.

The chief guard, Bai Jian, stood by the office window, his eyes dark and brooding.

What kind of magic did this snack shop have?

Why were so many people obsessed with it? Could it be more entertaining than the amusement park?

Wasn’t it just a snack shop?

His gaze suddenly paused as he noticed Bai Ming and Qing standing in the corner downstairs. Bai Ming handed a bag to Qing.

Qing opened the bag, glanced inside for a few seconds, and seemed quite satisfied. He looked up and said a few words to Bai Ming before leisurely heading back to the amusement park with the bag in hand.

In his office, Bai Jian was fuming, pacing back and forth in frustration.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Bai Jian returned to his seat, doing his best to restrain his anger. “Come in.”

Qing pushed the door open, holding that familiar bag.

Bai Jian’s expression turned stern as he pretended not to notice. “What is it?”

Qing walked in, took a box out of the bag, and pushed it toward Bai Jian. “Chief, eat.”

Bai Jian: “…”

You’re really trying to make me explode with anger, aren’t you?

Seeing Bai Jian unmoved, Qing pushed the box a little closer. “Chief, it’s really tasty.”

Bai Jian turned his head. “I’m not eating it. Take it away.”

Today, Bai Jian was prepared to die right there, or even jump off the top of the amusement park, but he wasn’t going to take a single bite of anything from that snack shop next door!

Qing’s delicate eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Why was the Chief refusing to eat such delicious food?

The Chief was so strange.

No wonder everyone in the amusement park isolated him—no one ever invited him to the snack shop.

Bai Jian was about to say something harsh to prove his resolve, but Qing calmly opened the takeout box.

The rich, mouthwatering aroma of beef noodles instantly filled the room, like tiny hooks tugging at Bai Jian’s nose.

Bai Jian’s narrow eyes widened as he stared at the steaming bowl of beef noodles for a few seconds before looking up at Qing, completely flustered. “I… you…”

Qing gave a small nod. “It’s good.”

After delivering the noodles, Qing said nothing more and left the office, ready to enjoy his own meal.

In his box, there were also new items from the snack shop that Bai Ming had sent—cream puffs and cream coffee pudding. Even the names sounded delicious, and Qing hadn’t been willing to give any of it to the Chief.

Now alone in the office, Bai Jian sat rigidly, his gaze uncontrollably drawn to the bowl of beef noodles.

So this was the food from the snack shop?

Hot and incredibly fragrant.

Totally different from the illusionary food.

Why had no one ever told him about this?

Bai Jian had completely forgotten how openly he had shown his dislike for the snack shop.

The first time he sent the trio to cause trouble, they came back and reported that the food was delicious, but he hadn’t taken it seriously.

The second time, he sent Bai Lu and Bai He, but those two were too clever. They must have realized something special about the snack shop and chose not to report it.

Afterward, several amusement park employees resigned and went to work at the snack shop, deepening Bai Jian’s resentment toward it. No one dared to mention the shop in front of him after that.

That is, until Qing came along.

The Chief wrestled with himself for a long time, until the steam rising from the noodles began to fade. Finally, he reached out and picked up the chopsticks.

Hmm, just one bite.

Just one bite.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️