Ch 111: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

The shark fled, leaving Lu Yao surrounded by a pod of orcas.

Dozens of orcas, much larger than the shark, circled her, emitting sounds like “ying ying ying,” “tsk tsk tsk,” and “click click.”

They seemed to be studying and assessing her.

Lu Yao held her breath, trying not to show any panic.

It was her first time encountering a legendary orca pod, and the sight was even more awe-inspiring than she had imagined.

Orcas, highly intelligent deep-sea mammals with a complex social structure, often live in groups, sometimes just two or three, but occasionally up to fifty.

The pod surrounding Lu Yao had at least twenty members.

They were sleek and beautiful, with black skin covering their backs and sides, large white patches on their bellies, and a small, sharp white patch behind their dorsal fins.

The distinct color pattern looked like a perfectly tailored black-and-white vest from afar.

Beneath each of their eyes was a small oval-shaped white spot, which could be mistaken for an eye at first glance, giving them an endearing, almost goofy appearance. Yet, they were undisputed ocean monarchs, feared even by great white sharks.

Intelligent, skilled hunters, orcas cooperate effectively, adapt well, and possess a highly complex language and social behavior system.

Lu Yao noticed that at the back of the pod, two female orcas were swimming side by side, supporting a calf as they slowly descended, likely returning after surfacing for air.

Something seemed off with the calf, which made weak “ying ying” sounds; its dorsal fin and tail appeared tangled in something.

Lu Yao tried to move, but the orcas didn’t seem alarmed, only circling her with their “ying ying” sounds, without showing aggression.

Orcas were rare in these waters, and where orcas lived, sharks seldom ventured, as orcas hunted sharks.

Their size, knowledge of sharks’ weak points, and collaborative skills made them adept at killing them.

Recalling the shark from earlier, Lu Yao guessed that this pod was simply passing through.

She summoned the system: “Do you know why they’re here?”

System: […The pod has an injured calf. They might be trying to help it.]

Lu Yao had suspected as much, though she wasn’t sure how the orcas intended to treat the calf.

After a moment, the system added, [There’s not much time. That calf is close to death.]

Lu Yao tried approaching the injured calf, and the orcas did not obstruct her; instead, their voices filled the area.

The calf’s fins and tail were tangled in a fishing net, and there was a gaping wound on its belly, wider than her hand, from which blood seeped out.

It was unclear how far they’d traveled, but the calf’s condition was indeed critical.

Gently, Lu Yao reached out, cautiously brushing against one of the protective female orcas. Sensing no hostility, she carefully moved to the side, her palm gathering a silver magic circle as she used light magic to heal the calf’s wounds.

Under the healing magic, the wound, as large as a fist, began closing at a visible rate, and the calf’s cries grew stronger.

“Ying ying—”

“Ying ying ying—”

“Tsk tsk—”

“Click click—click click—”

The entire pod erupted into a cacophony, like an excited group chat, creating a delightful chaos.

The calf’s wound was healed, but its body was still tightly wrapped in fishing net, unable to move.

Fishing nets, plastics—these things constantly threaten marine life.

Once entangled, fins and tails become immobilized, and even large marine animals like whales can suffocate to death.

With no tools on hand, Lu Yao swam over to the trash heap. Sorting through the garbage, she found a rusty pair of scissors and a shard of glass, intending to use them to cut the net wrapped around the orca calf.

Once freed, the orca calf joyfully swam two circles in the water before returning to nudge Lu Yao with its head, pushing her forward while making playful “ying ying ying” sounds.

Recalling documentary footage of orcas hunting, where they sometimes use their heads to ram prey until it’s stunned, Lu Yao couldn’t help but panic, fearing she’d be knocked away at any moment.

There are no recorded cases of wild orcas attacking humans, but much about these creatures remains unknown.

Orcas are nicknamed the “giant pandas of the ocean” due to their black-and-white coloring and certain personality traits they share with the national treasure.

Namely, they are very playful and love to have fun.

Lu Yao was terrified, knowing that what might be “play” for them could be deadly for her.

She tried to distance herself from the calf, but her body was stiff, unable to swim, and she couldn’t escape.

At that moment, the entire orca pod moved around, encircling both Lu Yao and the calf, swimming alongside them in formation.

The speed of the pod was astonishing, with Lu Yao propelled forward by the calf’s gentle nudges.

Passing through the school of reclusive fish, other deep-sea creatures would veer away on their own, while the orca pod barreled straight through.

Lu Yao thought, “No wonder they’re called the ‘bullies of the sea.’”

The dense school of reclusive fish scattered, almost as if awakened from a trance, then frantically swam away.

Lu Yao reached out to cup a panicked jellyfish in her hand, with a frightened sea turtle clinging to her head.

As they neared the Little Pet Cafe, she turned back to gently pat the orca calf’s head, slowly swimming toward the shop door.

The calf made a soft “ying ying” sound and nudged her head again before she waved goodbye and entered the shop.

She was utterly exhausted and freezing cold.

The jellyfish and sea turtle she had brought back transformed into humans, collapsing onto the white sand inside, panting heavily.

Outside, the orca pod lingered, forming a circle as they curiously observed the Little Pet Cafe.

“Ying ying ying—”

“Click click click—”

“Tsk tsk tsk—”

“Ying—”

Their voices filled the entire sea area as they chattered.

The shop’s patrons, like fish on display, trembled under the orcas’ scrutinizing gaze, too frightened to move.

The orcas stayed in the area for quite a while, only gradually swimming toward deeper waters after a few hours.

Unnoticed by anyone, an orca hidden in the depths of the reclusive fish school slowly opened its eyes, its red pupils faintly visible in the deep sea.

It turned over and silently joined the departing pod.

Once the orcas finally left, the Little Pet Cafe’s patrons let out sighs of relief, immediately burying their faces in their cuddly kittens to ease their stress and tension, while some left, visibly shaken.

The kittens, equipped with special badges, watched the orcas through the transparent barrier as if they were just ordinary fish, showing no signs of fear.

The reclusive fish, startled awake by the orca pod, hid in the nearby coral crevices but gradually approached the shop afterward.

A tiny pygmy seahorse, barely two centimeters long, swam into the shop and transformed into a six-foot-tall young man, immediately seeking out someone to ask about the situation.

A majestic angelfish turned into a woman in pajamas, sitting quietly in the corner with tears streaming down her face.

Sugar slowly walked over, getting close enough to lick her hand.

With his faint eyebrows furrowed, his eyes round and innocent, he didn’t realize that the tiny barbs on his tongue made his licks somewhat painful.

Li Yunli pulled her hand away, feeling even more aggrieved.

Seeing the kitten reminded her of her child, just a few months old, and the sting of the lick brought back memories of her child’s gums painfully biting her while nursing.

She crossed her hands on her lap, suppressing her sobs.

Sugar, feeling helpless, dared not lick her hand again and sat obediently in front of her, softly meowing, “Meow~”

Li Yunli covered her mouth, suddenly stood up, and avoided everyone’s gaze as she walked toward the door labeled “Restroom.” She slipped inside, sitting on the toilet with her hands pressed tightly over her mouth, trying not to make a sound, though tears streamed down her cheeks in overwhelming despair.

Thrown inexplicably into this place, she couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality.

If it was a dream, she wished to stay in it a bit longer.

She needed more time to collect herself.

A plump calico cat squeezed through the door crack, meowing persistently outside with unwavering determination.

After a moment, Li Yunli opened the door with reddened eyes.

The cat, plump as a soaked sea cucumber, sat at the door, tail tucked under its paws, staring at her with bright eyes. “Meow!”

She couldn’t resist kittens, but seeing this large, fluffy cat, she inexplicably felt more relaxed. After washing her face, she squatted down and stroked it.

This cat didn’t lick her; instead, when she reached to pat its head, it leaned in, rubbing her palm with a gentle acceptance.

Li Yunli let out a sigh, feeling her mood lift a little. Leaning closer, she buried her face in Er Xin’s thick fur and rubbed it, just as it had rubbed her.

“Meow~” Er Xin called softly, then stood and walked toward the door. After a few steps, it noticed she hadn’t followed and turned back, calling, “Meow~”

When she still didn’t move, Er Xin returned to her, rubbing against her calf and purring softly.

Finally, Li Yunli couldn’t hold back and scooped Er Xin up, carrying it out of the restroom.

She had stayed there quite a while, and only a few guests remained in the shop.

Feeling even more at ease, Li Yunli held Er Xin as she sat beside a low table, unwilling to let it go.

Er Xin, like a warm emotional comforter, helped her relax just by holding it.

Lu Yao brought over a cup of lemon tea and a dish of crisp plums, greeting her, “Hello. We have fresh seafood here if you’d like to order.”

Li Yunli shook her head. “No need; having the cat is enough.”

She liked this chubby cat.

Lu Yao nodded. “Do you know how you came here?”

Fragments of memories flashed through Li Yunli’s mind, but in the end, she just shook her head and murmured, “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Lu Yao replied, “Maybe it isn’t a dream. I think of this place as a sea of rest, a spot where the weary come to pause and recuperate.”

Li Yunli sat in silence, hugging Er Xin. Then, unexpectedly, she began to open up, sharing many things with Lu Yao.

She spoke of her baby, her family, her husband.

And about all the moments of breaking down while juggling childcare and housework alone.

As she spoke, she began to cry again.

By then, the other guests had left, and Lu Yao made a bowl of fish soup for her.

Li Yunli didn’t eat raw food, fearing it might affect her baby.

After finishing the soup, she lay down on the floor, hugging Er Xin, and fell asleep with red-rimmed eyes.

Lu Yao assumed she wouldn’t leave the Garbage Sea anytime soon, but as she slept, Li Yunli gradually transformed into an angelfish, wrapped in a bubble that floated out of the cafe.

While clearing the dishes, Lu Yao noticed a pair of platinum diamond-stud earrings under the plate.

Li Yunli had been wearing them when she arrived, dressed in her pajamas and likely without any money on her.

Lu Yao had the system appraise the earrings, which came back with an estimate of around 4,000 RMB.

She wrote a note in the ledger and put the earrings away, marking the box with her name, alongside Qin Meng’s bracelet.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Thingyan: Called it. Red eye was hiding among the orcas, but out of all the bodies he could have chosen..!!!!