Ch 46: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Lu Yao said she was going out to buy food, but in fact, she was just picking it up from the snack shop.

Quan Shengju and Mo Cheng took turns making meals for the staff, and whenever Lu Yao had time, she would go pick up the meals for the nail salon. What began as a meal for one gradually grew to three, then four, and now with Eugenia, it had increased again.

Lu Yao carried five lunch boxes, with soup stored in the warehouse to retrieve later when she returned to the nail salon.

Today, Lu Yao had been quite busy during the day and didn’t go out. Lunch was bought by Eugenia from a street vendor, and the taste was average, to say the least.

The ingredients in this world were actually quite good, especially the meat from magical beasts, which was tender and delicious, requiring minimal cooking to bring out its flavor. These dishes were well-received at the snack shop.

However, perhaps because Emeraldstone Town was too impoverished, the street food there was quite mediocre, completely failing to highlight the quality of the ingredients.

Eugenia sat in a corner with her dinner. Her meal box contained rice, stir-fried magical beast meat with green peppers, mapo tofu, cold shredded potatoes, and a separate bowl of vegetable and meatball soup.

On the Alexander Continent, the staple food was bread, so when Eugenia saw rice for the first time, she tried a bite. It tasted bland, and she wasn’t used to it, but she didn’t say anything.

Next to the rice was stir-fried magical beast meat with green peppers—both ingredients she recognized.

However, magical beast meat was expensive, and her family rarely bought it. Normally, they would purchase regular pork or beef, although green peppers were a common vegetable they often cooked with.

But she had never seen this particular combination of magical beast meat and green peppers. She first speared a slice of meat with her fork and put it in her mouth. The magical beast meat was tender and springy, juicy and flavorful, unlike any meat she had tasted before.

Eugenia then skewered both the green pepper and the meat together with her fork. Just as she was about to eat, a thought struck her. She placed the meat and pepper on top of the rice and scooped it all into her mouth at once. After a few bites, her eyes lit up—this was it!

Rice, like their bread, was a staple food meant to be eaten with other dishes. Plain on its own, it became delicious when paired with the right food.

After enjoying the meat and vegetables, Eugenia’s gaze shifted to the shiny, fragrant mapo tofu beside her.

She had never seen this dish before either. It smelled a bit spicy, but her mouth began watering uncontrollably.

She set down her fork and picked up a spoon, dipping it into the thick, shiny sauce. It smelled strong, but when she tasted it, she found it only slightly numbing and spicy, stimulating her tongue and bringing a rich, new flavor.

Seeing her cautious expression, Lu Yao explained, “I asked the cook to tone down the spiciness and numbing heat since I wasn’t sure if you’d be used to it.”

Eugenia didn’t fully understand what “toning down” meant but felt flattered by the gesture. Embarrassed, she pursed her lips and instinctively scooped a large spoonful of mapo tofu onto her rice, mixed it, and took a big bite.

Her eyes widened slightly. The tofu was soft, the sauce thick, and the complex, rich flavors soaked into the rice. She chewed slowly, noticing bits of minced meat in the sauce, and the slight numbing and spiciness teased her taste buds, making her unable to stop eating.

When she grew a bit full from the rice and tofu, she took a bite of the sour and refreshing cold shredded potatoes. Eugenia was speechless. Who knew potatoes could be made like this? Crisp, slightly sour, and mildly spicy, with a hint of sweetness at the end. It was simply delicious.

She finished the entire meal, leaving nothing behind, feeling her stomach completely full. Then she realized she had forgotten the bowl of soup.

Though she was too full, curiosity got the better of her, and she lifted the bowl for a sip. As soon as the warm soup touched her lips, she half-closed her eyes. The fresh taste of the vegetables had blended perfectly into the broth, light yet soothing. It was as if the warmth flowed through her, gently filling every inch of her body, making her feel completely content.

Harold and Si Jin had similar reactions the first time they ate the shop’s food, though by now they were used to it. However, dragons had much larger appetites than humans, so both of them had extra-large meal boxes.

As they ate, Lu Yao introduced the two dragons to Eugenia.

Harold and Si Jin didn’t pay much attention to ordinary humans, but they didn’t take any other action either.

Eugenia knew that these two were the powerfulguards Lu Yao had mentioned, so she was careful with her words and actions.

Mumu sat nearby, eating in an exaggerated, proper manner.

Lu Yao couldn’t help but wonder how slimes ate. Did the food just float inside their bodies? But since Mumu was dressed, she couldn’t see.

Noticing Lu Yao watching him, Mumu raised his head and gave a cute “Ji!” sound.

Lu Yao couldn’t resist asking, “Is it good?”

Mumu nodded, “Ji!”

Harold, sitting nearby, ruthlessly exposed him, “Slimes don’t have taste buds. How would he know if it tastes good?”

The little creature is just humoring you.

Lu Yao turned to Mumu, “Is that true?”

Slimes must have it tough—not only weak and unable to speak, but without even the ability to taste?

Mumu tilted his head, his big eyes full of innocence. He looked at Lu Yao with a confused “Ji!” then took another bite of food and cheerfully let out another “Ji!”

Lu Yao’s heart melted, “Mumu is so cute and strong!”

Mumu blinked his eyes sweetly, “Ji.”

Harold: “…”

Si Jin quietly muttered, “Idiot.”

After dinner, the nail salon closed for the day.

The staff said their goodbyes at the door and headed off in different directions.

Humming a tune, Eugenia returned to her home on West Street, marked by a sign reading “Brown’s Tailor Shop.” Mrs. Brown had lost her temporary job at the cake shop and now only took on small mending tasks.

But the town was too poor, and most of the women knew a bit of sewing, so the business wasn’t doing well.

Hearing Eugenia come back, Mrs. Brown stood up, her eyes filled with worry. “Eugenia, how’s work going?”

Eugenia smiled, “It’s going well.”

Mrs. Brown wasn’t convinced. “Really? Don’t lie to me.”

After Eugenia left that morning, the neighbors surrounded Mrs. Brown, saying all sorts of things—especially the fruit shop owner next to the nail salon, who had talked about many strange happenings there.

Mrs. Brown had been on edge the whole day, terrified that something might happen to Eugenia. She even went to check outside the nail salon several times at noon but didn’t dare go inside and saw nothing.

Eugenia’s tone was firm, without a trace of doubt, “Really, the shop owner is very kind. The work isn’t heavy, and the food is good. Mom, please don’t worry anymore. I’m going to study at the nail salon and become a manicurist.”

…

Lu Yao hadn’t left yet after closing the store. She was in the research room, sorting through the materials Harold and Si Jin had brought back.

Dragons must have some innate treasure-hunting ability, as they had managed to find many S-rank materials that were notoriously hard to obtain—like the wing tip of a level 12 magical beast, the venomous blood of a level 15 serpent, and several rare gems and herbs.

However, they had missed two seemingly insignificant, cheap herbs, probably forgetting them.

Lu Yao categorized the materials and placed them on the shelves, labeling them as a reminder.

She planned to go to the general store tomorrow to buy the last two ingredients. Once everything was gathered, she could start crafting the attribute-boosting glue.

After finishing in the research room, Lu Yao was about to close up and head to her residence.

System: 【There’s a little fire dragon outside.】

Lu Yao opened the door and saw a red-haired girl with twin ponytails. She was a bit surprised. “Tina, what brings you here?”

Tina turned around, her eyes lighting up with delight.

She had thought the shop was already closed and that she’d have to wait until the next morning.

“Shop owner, I spoke with my mom, and she agreed that I can work at the nail salon during the summer break. I want to become an apprentice.”

Lu Yao paused for a moment, “How long is your summer break?”

Tina replied, “About twenty more days.”

Lu Yao hesitated, “… Becoming a nail salon apprentice usually takes three to six months before you can graduate. Even for a dragon, twenty days is just enough for observation and learning a bit, but it won’t be enough to learn much, and it might be a bit inconvenient for the shop.”

Tina had worked hard to convince Field, thinking that once she arrived at the shop, she could immediately become an apprentice. She hadn’t expected Lu Yao’s response, leaving her a bit at a loss.

Lu Yao felt helpless as well. Starting to train a manicurist now meant that by the time she moved on to the next world, the staff might not yet be ready to work independently.

Currently, only Mumu, due to the name given by Lu Yao, would remain in the shop long-term. She wouldn’t force Harold or Si Jin to stay.

Once Eugenia’s probationary period ended, if she wished to stay, Lu Yao would sign a contract with her, which would require her to work at the salon for a few years after completing her training.

Tina’s situation wasn’t ideal for Lu Yao. She didn’t have the energy to take on someone who could only work for twenty days.

After explaining this clearly to Tina, Lu Yao closed the shop and headed home.

…

The young fire dragon squatted at the peak of a desolate mountain all night, her tail thrashing in frustration, disturbing the magical beasts and birds around her, causing them to flee.

She was genuinely interested in manicures and wanted to learn how the shop owner skillfully painted intricate designs on nails, creating beautiful, complex works of art.

Moreover, she was fascinated by Lu Yao. The way she wove two types of magic into a magical manicure had amazed her, completely changing her perception of magic.

She wanted to learn more.

Humans had short lifespans, barely exceeding a century.

Dragons, on the other hand, lived much longer. Even if she stayed by this human’s side, a century later, she would still only be just reaching adulthood.

The young fire dragon’s tail swung down heavily, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.

Lightly flapping her wings, she flew back to the dragon’s nest.

Tina made a decision—she would take a gamble!

…

The Royal Magic Academy was a little different than usual that morning, with the cafeteria packed with students eager to witness something exciting, making it even more lively than usual.

“Wow, it really is High Priest Carlos! As expected of the empire’s ‘Silver Rose,’ he has such a commanding presence!”

“Is Carlos here for the centennial celebration? Why are his eyes closed?”

“Shh! Keep your voice down! Don’t you know? While Carlos was crafting a secret potion for the emperor, the cauldron exploded and injured his eyes.”

“…I’ve never heard that before. I’ve been here for three years, and this is the first time I’ve seen Carlos in person. Are his eyes really blind?”

Amid the crowd, Helena lightly waved a feathered fan, her lips curving slightly with a hint of disdain.

These fools knew nothing, yet dared to discuss Lord Carlos.

After finishing his breakfast, Carlos stood up to leave, seemingly oblivious to the discussions and stares around him.

The headmaster diligently accompanied him, his gaze sweeping sternly across the room, intimidating any students who dared try to follow.

Ordinary students, cowed by the headmaster’s authority, held back their admiration for Carlos and didn’t dare follow him outside.

But Helena was different. As the beloved eldest daughter of the high nobility Kinklay family, she had no regard for the headmaster’s warning. Casually waving her fan, she lifted the hem of her skirt and gracefully followed after Carlos.

…

Around the corner, a chorus of gasps suddenly erupted from a group of girls.

“The colors are so pretty! This can’t be the result of misty wood dye, right?”

Audrey’s voice rang out proudly, “No, I had it done at a small shop called ‘Lu Yao’s Nail Salon.’ The shop owner is amazing—she can do any design.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s gorgeous! Audrey, where’s this shop?”

“That fluffy ball looks like your pet Audrey hamster.”

“It’s not just similar—it is! I asked the shop owner to paint it.”

“You can even paint that on nails? So cute! Please tell me where the nail salon is! I’ll take Ryan with me after class this afternoon!”

Audrey was full of pride. The shop owner’s skills at Lu Yao’s nail salon were irresistible to any girl. Anyone who saw them would be hooked.

Audrey and Joan had been in a hurry to get to the cafeteria to catch another glimpse of Lord Carlos, but they were stopped halfway by a group of classmates, leaving her no choice but to spread the word about the nail salon.

At the other end of the corridor, Carlos paused, raising an eyebrow slightly.

A servant, understanding the unspoken request, walked over to Audrey and exchanged a few words. He then returned with the exact location of the nail salon.

Carlos nodded and turned slightly toward the headmaster. “I happen to be free this afternoon. I’d like to go out for a walk. Don’t worry about me, teacher.”

The headmaster was about to suggest assigning a team of bodyguards, but Carlos had already left.

Though his eyes were blind, his movement was completely unhindered.

Helena caught up from behind, but seeing only the headmaster, she felt a slight pang of disappointment.

Suddenly, a voice called from behind her, “Helena, there you are! I’ve been looking for you for ages.”

Recognizing the voice, Helena frowned slightly but by the time she turned, her expression had softened into one of girlish delight. “Zelan, I was looking for you too.”

Zelan Rui, fully immersed in his romantic fantasy with Helena, wore a dreamy smile. “Perfect, let’s head to the cafeteria together. I heard Lord Carlos is at the academy, and a lot of people are gathering in the cafeteria to see him. Maybe we’ll run into him. I remember you admire Lord Carlos, don’t you?”

“…” Helena couldn’t be bothered to point out Zelan’s obliviousness. Putting on a blissful face, she turned and wrapped her arm around his, heading to the cafeteria together.

That day, Audrey managed to spread word about the nail salon several more times at school.

She hadn’t gone out of her way to promote it, but perhaps girls are naturally drawn to beautiful little details.

When Audrey’s deskmate saw her pick up a book, she immediately noticed the subtle design on her nails and let out a gasp, which drew the entire class of girls over to take a look.

Once her classmates had satisfied their curiosity, they passed the word to friends in other classes.

Soon, the name “Lu Yao’s Nail Salon” became a hot topic among the girls at the Magic Academy.

---

At Lu Yao’s Nail Salon in Emeraldstone Town.

Lu Yao opened the door to see Tina standing outside, seemingly having waited for quite some time.

“Is there something you need?” Lu Yao was at a loss for words. She had thought Tina would be heartbroken for a while after being turned down the previous night.

Tina nodded. “Shop owner, I’m here to apply for a job as a staff member.”

“You’ve made up your mind?”

“Yeah. Not just for the summer break. I’m willing to stay and learn from you until you pass away.”

Lu Yao: “…”

Are dragons always this straightforward?

Lu Yao wanted to laugh but tried her hardest to hold it in.

A few days ago, the income from the snack shop exploded again. Now, despite having a lifespan of 6,895 years ahead of her, she was more concerned about having the life to live but no money to spend.

A little later, the other staff members arrived at the salon, and Lu Yao formally introduced Tina as the new apprentice.

Si Jin and Harold already knew Tina, so they accepted the news calmly.

Eugenia, on the other hand, seemed a bit anxious.

Mumu quietly tugged at Lu Yao’s sleeve.

Lu Yao looked down and asked, “What’s wrong?”

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