Ch 100: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

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…

Seeing little Lilly, Xue Ge’s face lit up. “It worked!”

Nestled in her flowerpot, little Lilly spread out her two large leaves, topped with a row of white buds, each bud arranged from smallest to largest, occasionally leaning over to affectionately nudge Lu Yao. She even extended a small tongue from under one of the flower buds, like a tiny animal, licking Lu Yao’s fingers.

Lu Yao leaned back slightly and grabbed an apple from the table, placing it in the pot. Satisfied with her prize, little Lilly curled her soft stem around the apple and began nibbling on it, her white buds burrowing into the fruit.

Lu Yao opened the door of the sterile room and called to Xue Ge, “Zhong Ruying’s inside; she’s still very weak. Please take her out; there’s a doctor outside who can help tend to her wounds.”

With Lilly no longer attached, Zhong Ruying’s body had rapidly deteriorated. Although the wounds on her chest appeared somewhat healed by Lilly’s presence, they were now oozing blood, and her breathing was shallow and inconsistent.

After administering some diluted healing and hemostatic agents to stabilize her, Lu Yao handed her over to Dr. Bai for further care.

Little Lilly, showing her playful side, attempted to sneak drinks from the potion on the table, stretching her stem as far as possible. After placing her on the floor, Lu Yao turned back to see her climbing right up the bed’s edge, openly signaling her demands for food and drink. At that, Lu Yao scooped her up and brought her out of the room.

Noticing Luo Hui’an nearby, Lu Yao called him over. “There’s a doctor outside; you should let him take a look at you, too.”

Luo Hui’an hesitated, murmuring, “Is there really a chance for my illness to be cured?”

Lu Yao replied, “I’m not sure either. Let’s hear what the doctor has to say.”

He nodded quietly, following her out.

…

The Bai family shared a similar background to the Ji family, though less prosperous, and had maintained connections over the years. Dr. Bai Jing had known he might encounter some peculiarities when he came to the shop. However, after signing the confidentiality agreement and seeing the otherworldly sight outside the shop, he realized he was in the presence of something far beyond ordinary.

After tending to Zhong Ruying’s wounds and administering antibiotics, Dr. Bai noticed she still required an IV drip. He returned to his hospital to gather the necessary medications.

Zhong Ruying lay reclined on a rattan chair in the corner of the shop, her breathing finally steady after half an hour of receiving the IV.

Lu Yao gestured to Luo Hui’an, urging him forward. “Dr. Bai, we have another patient who would appreciate your help.”

After washing his hands, Dr. Bai sat beside Luo Hui’an to examine him. After a few moments, he stood and addressed Lu Yao, “His condition is quite complex. I’d recommend a full-body examination to accurately diagnose and prescribe treatment.”

Unfortunately, the healthcare system in this world had collapsed long ago, and Luo Hui’an couldn’t travel to Lu Yao’s world for treatment.

Luo Hui’an rose, his expression calm and accepting. “If there’s no cure, that’s fine. I’m already content spending my remaining time at the blind box shop. Mr. Jiang, let’s return to the lab and continue our experiments.”

Having spent so much time together in the lab, Jiang Shanjun understood Luo Hui’an’s situation. In fact, he was acutely aware that his own body wasn’t what it used to be, held together by the mere strength of his conviction and purpose.

The grandfather-grandson duo, both racing against time, shook off distracting thoughts and headed back to the lab with Luo Hui’an.

…

In the Impermanence World, the heavy rain continued, with floodwaters rising from the second to the third floor of the mall.

The water-themed limited-edition blind boxes sold by the blind box store proved immensely useful. Many residents from nearby bases managed to acquire one or two inflatable rafts, some even lucked out with the hidden item, a motorized boat, while life vests and rings provided additional safety.

Bases formed small teams, taking turns using inflatable rafts or motorized boats to visit the blind box store to exchange survival supplies, and occasionally ventured out to rescue people from nearby areas.

The next day, Zhong Ruying regained consciousness.

She opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling and stared blankly for a while, feeling a dull pain in her chest and realizing she hadn’t died after all. But where was she, and who had saved her?

Lu Yao entered, holding little Lilly, and noticed she was awake. She called out for Xue Ge to bring in water and porridge.

The two small mutated plants had officially become employees of the blind box store, though they still hadn’t completed their tasks. Xue Ge’s reluctance was plain on his face, and he still hadn’t fully accepted the store owner.

In contrast, little Lilly constantly wanted to stay close to Lu Yao, but the second-stage task progress remained at zero. If not for the system, Lu Yao might have been convinced of her supposed loyalty.

Zhong Ruying’s gaze lingered briefly on the flowerpot in Lu Yao’s arms before looking up. “Excuse me, where am I? How did I get here?”

She only remembered the mutant beast attacking the base, with herself getting impaled by one of its claws.

Xue Ge came in with the food and water, and Lu Yao gestured for him to explain things to Zhong Ruying.

As she sipped the rich, fragrant porridge, the warm, satisfying taste of the rice and the sweetness of tender corn surprised her, making her eyes widen.

The thick, flavorful porridge soothed her, and she wanted to gulp it down, but even a small movement tugged at her wound, making her freeze in pain.

She sat rigidly, waiting for the pain to subside before cautiously continuing with the porridge.

Xue Ge recounted the events after her injury in a straightforward manner.

Zhong Ruying was taken aback, glancing at the handsome young man with purple flower earrings. “You’re that dirt-eating mutated snow grass from the garden? How did you end up like this?”

Intrigued, Lu Yao leaned in. “What’s this about? Does Xue Ge like eating dirt?”

Zhong Ruying explained, “Sometimes, a mutated plant can have distinct traits and even a unique personality. Some of them are picky eaters and only eat what they like, while others eat anything. Back at the base, snow grass was known for only eating dirt.”

Xue Ge stayed silent.

Absorbing nutrients by devouring other creatures is a natural instinct for mutated animals and plants. But as he gained self-awareness, Xue Ge began to reject the food the base provided, which often included parts of other mutated creatures.

But since he had no other food options, he grudgingly resorted to eating dirt. The base staff, believing he had a preference for soil, even gathered various types of soil for him from outside.

Each batch tasted differently awful, polluted in its own way.

He ate the dirt reluctantly, extracting nutrients and filtering out waste, while the researchers at the base seemed to delight in observing his reactions to different soils. It was revolting.

Yet, over time, he grew stronger and even gained the ability to take human form.

Meanwhile, little Lilly had started to fidget again in Lu Yao’s arms, reaching for something to munch on. Lu Yao pulled out a piece of chocolate, which the tiny green stem immediately coiled around, munching contentedly with its small flower buds smeared in chocolate.

Watching the scene, Zhong Ruying murmured, “This is the base’s little glutton Lilly. Unlike Xue Ge, she’ll eat anything. Once, when she was hungry, she even gnawed on the base’s furniture. I never imagined she’d save me.”

The mutated plants at the base were all test subjects, and feeding and caring for them had been part of Zhong Ruying’s job. She never expected that one day, she’d be saved by one of them, leaving her with a mix of emotions—gratitude, and even a bit of sentimentality.

Seeing Zhong Ruying’s gentle and grateful expression as she looked at Lilly, Lu Yao didn’t mention the flower’s true motives. Her experience told her that Lilly’s affection was rooted in its desire for food rather than genuine love. Zhong Ruying’s words confirmed Lilly’s gluttonous nature; it likely had its own reasons for choosing to save her.

As she recovered, Zhong Ruying continued resting in the store’s designated medical corner, receiving daily IV drips every morning. She would sit and watch as people came in and out, exchanging goods in the blind box store.

That day, a familiar-looking person entered the store, causing Zhong Ruying to blink in disbelief and rub her eyes. Even then, the figure remained familiar.

He wore sunglasses that covered most of his face, but his stature and demeanor unmistakably matched someone she knew.

Jiang Han ran ahead, calling out, “Brother Chi, you go ahead and exchange. I’ll go check on Grandpa.”

Not in the mood to test his luck, Chi Jin walked over to the table and sat down, not planning to open any boxes.

Zhong Ruying’s heart skipped a beat. She sat up slowly and tentatively called, “Chi Jin?”

Chi Jin turned, raising his eyebrow slightly, and replied a moment later, “Zhong Ruying.”

“It really is you!” Zhong Ruying hadn’t expected to see Chi Jin again after all these years. She’d thought he was dead.

Several years ago, Chi Jin and Zhong Ruying had been researchers at the same base, primarily studying mutated plants. One day, Chi Jin went out searching for mutated plants suitable for cultivation and never returned. The base sent out search parties, but he was never found. As a new cycle of the Impermanence descended, with no personnel left to spare for further searches, they assumed he’d perished.

Chi Jin stood and walked over, “What brings you here?”

Zhong Ruying briefly explained her recent experiences, then asked, “Why are you always wearing sunglasses?”

Chi Jin adjusted the frame and replied casually, “I injured my eyes; they’re sensitive to light now.”

Just then, Lu Yao walked in from the back, carrying little Lilly, and noticed Zhong Ruying and Chi Jin chatting. Surprised, she asked, “You two know each other?”

Zhong Ruying nodded, “Chi Jin and I were from the same base. He disappeared after an accident, and we all thought he was gone. Meeting him here is… quite surreal.”

As Lu Yao approached, little Lilly spotted Chi Jin. Her small head swayed like a windmill, stretching her tendrils toward him.

Chi Jin casually stepped back, evading the reaching green stem and giving Lilly a warning glance.

Lilly froze, slowly retracting her tendril, and nestled her little flower buds, looking crestfallen, into Lu Yao’s arms.

Lu Yao chuckled, “She seems to like you.”

Chi Jin replied coolly, “Watch out for that little backstabber; don’t spoil her too much.”

Lu Yao was taken aback, “???”

Zhong Ruying explained, “Chi Jin used to study mutated plants, so he knows a lot about their nature. He’s probably just teasing you, though.”

Lu Yao nodded, not dwelling on it.

…

In the lab, Jiang Shanrun and Luo Hui’an were conducting their final experiment. After numerous trials, adjustments, and with Xue Ge’s assistance, they developed a crystal core nutrient solution capable of preliminary soil purification. Although it deviated somewhat from their initial concept, it was a viable approach.

Research from Zhong Ruying’s base on the habits of mutated plants provided valuable insights and new directions. Mutated plants could sense their environment’s quality and even modify soil moisture and composition near their habitat to their preference.

As the base’s resident “soil connoisseur,” Xue Ge was called in to assess soil conditions. With his help, adjusting the nutrient solution and soil components became significantly easier.

They had already tested the nutrient solution’s effect on soil improvement and were now eager to see if purified soil could support cultivation.

Knowing they might not live to see the results in a few months, Jiang Shanrun and Luo Hui’an approached their research with a sense of legacy, imparting everything they could to Xue Ge in hopes that he would carry on the soil purification study.

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