Ch 191: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Ji Zhixin took a three-day leave, coinciding with his weekend off, giving him a total of five days. During his absence, the little seal, Piaopiao, would assist Jiuhua by temporarily taking over his duties as the receptionist.

The store typically rotated staff off on weekends, and with an adequate number of waterdrop seals, they often supported other staff members on duty when human employees were on break. However, this time, Piaopiao would be filling in for five days, which was a bit longer than usual.

Lu Yao mentioned that she would come by to help whenever possible.

With Ji Zhixin’s arrangements sorted, Lu Yao also received a message from Shen Sisi, inviting her to dinner to introduce a few people. After learning about the dinner guests, Lu Yao decided to attend.

The cinema was currently screening a total of six films: two TV series, three movies, one documentary, and another documentary yet to be released. According to the system’s second task, she needed to screen ten films covering three different eras and five distinct genres.

Upon inquiry, the system clarified that series like The Little Chef and Seeking Immortals counted as new films with each episode. With the ongoing updates, five new films had been counted so far, encompassing historical comedy, documentary, suspense, and fantasy genres, all set in diverse backdrops.

As long as the series continued to update, the ten-film requirement would soon be met. However, she still needed a new genre to complete the task.

Since her plan to acquire the youth romance series fell through, Lu Yao drew up a revised list of options. The main purpose of this dinner was business-related: not only to acquire desired films but also to connect with new suppliers for other stores.

Hearing about the dinner meeting, Fu Chi volunteered to accompany her, sharing Ji Zhixin’s belief that their boss, negotiating alone, was practically a “sitting duck.” He couldn’t rest easy without joining her.

Lu Yao’s dinner with Shen Sisi was set for Friday evening, leaving her two days to complete the ad for Chunxi Lou.

…

Tianji City, Airport

Since Ji Zhixin left home for Yaoguang City, Ji Feirong had been fully committed to her work, rarely returning to their old residence due to her busy schedule. After finishing a meeting in the afternoon, she received a call from Ji Zhixin.

He mentioned that he was on leave and would be coming home for a few days, so Ji Feirong arranged for the driver and bodyguard to pick him up at the airport.

The driver was an older employee of the Ji family. With Ji Zhixin using a wheelchair, getting in and out of the car required the bodyguard’s help.

When Ji Zhixin’s legs were first injured, he didn’t immediately fall into despair. He continued working for a while, but each time he entered or left the office, attended meetings, he needed the bodyguard’s assistance, which led to private gossip. Those who once treated him with respect no longer appeared, and he was even ridiculed at banquets.

Falling from the peak was agonizing enough, but worse was surviving it, forced to endure others trampling on him. During that period, he often clashed with Ji Feirong, with his will gradually worn down.

Eventually, he stopped going to the office, moved out of the family estate, dismissed the servants, and shut himself in as though imprisoned in a cage.

The driver, an elder from the family’s ancestral residence, specifically brought Ji Zhixin’s extended car, which accommodated both luggage and a wheelchair. The bodyguard, who had assisted him before, waited anxiously at the exit, fearing how displeased Ji Zhixin might be with needing help again.

After a long wait, they hadn’t seen anyone in a wheelchair and wondered if they’d gotten the time wrong.

Suddenly, they spotted a young man resembling Ji Zhixin, walking toward them with a light step, a small bag slung over his shoulder. From his figure, he was almost identical to Ji Zhixin.

However, he was wearing sunglasses, concealing most of his face, and his bearing was worlds apart from the Ji Zhixin they knew, bound to a wheelchair.

The driver felt a pang of regret. If only his master’s legs had healed, he’d surely resemble this man—confident, spirited, and reliable.

The man walked straight toward them, and the driver’s heart raced as he gripped his hand. “Impossible,” he thought, unable to call out.

Sensing something, the bodyguard stepped forward.

At that moment, Ji Zhixin stopped in front of them, removed his sunglasses, and revealed a face both familiar and somehow different. The resemblance was undeniable, but his expression had changed entirely from when he’d last left.

Ji Zhixin put his sunglasses into his pocket, noting the driver and bodyguard’s shocked expressions. His tone was calm: “I told you there was no need to pick me up; why did you both still come?”

The driver’s gaze fell on Ji Zhixin’s legs, his shock barely contained. “Young Master, your legs…”

Ji Zhixin turned the ring on his finger, a faint smile on his lips. “Yes, they’re healed. Where’s my mother?”

The bodyguard noticed Ji Zhixin hadn’t brought any luggage, making his own presence feel a bit redundant. “Ms. Ji still has a few meetings but mentioned she’d join you for dinner tonight.”

The driver finally collected himself, leading Ji Zhixin toward the parking area, unable to resist chattering on. “The elders will be overjoyed when they hear you’re healed. Shall we head to the ancestral estate?”

Ji Zhixin shook his head. “No need; let’s go back to my usual place.”

The driver exchanged a glance with the bodyguard. The young master was still holding a grudge against the main family, but who could have expected his legs could be healed? They had consulted countless top specialists, both domestic and international, to no avail.

With the fall of the old gods, the Ji family had undergone a seismic shift. Now that the young master was back, perhaps another shift was in store. But who could have accomplished such a miracle?

At the base of his apartment building, Ji Zhixin opened the car door. Before getting out, he turned to the bodyguard. “I’ll be going out tonight. Tell my mother not to worry; I’ll be busy these next few days.”

Ji Zhixin no longer had any interest in returning to the Ji family. His main reason for coming back was to deal with the few people who had obstructed him, causing him to lose face with his boss. He also intended to close all the pending contracts, as he owed it to her for healing his legs.

She hadn’t said as much, but no one knew better than him how difficult it was to achieve this. When he first lost feeling in his legs, he’d sought out every specialist and doctor available, each time finding hope only to have it crushed by reality. He had believed that his current life at the Little Pet Cafe was the best he could expect.

And yet, he had told her that beyond the street, she was just an ordinary person. But she had given him an impossible miracle. Words said couldn’t be taken back, so he’d repay it with his work.

The driver offered to wait downstairs to take him out later, but Ji Zhixin declined. He had cars in the garage; he simply couldn’t drive them before.

Now, these people were unnecessary.

With no choice, the driver and bodyguard complied, watching him enter the building and disappear into the elevator. They each pulled out their phones to report to the ancestral estate and Ji Feirong.

Back in his apartment, Ji Zhixin went to shower and change. This place had been a random choice when he was at his lowest—a modest three-bedroom apartment with one bedroom for Ji Feirong, one for himself, and one as a study.

Compared to the Ji family’s estate, this place was almost embarrassingly simple. Looking around now, Ji Zhixin remembered the countless days he’d locked himself in here; it felt like a horrible nightmare.

After his shower, he noticed his phone vibrating non-stop. Ji Zhixin had a good idea who might be trying to contact him, but he wasn’t in a hurry. He calmly dried his hair, changed into evening attire, and only then picked up his phone.

Messages flooded his chat app, practically exploding. He didn’t rush to check them. Instead, he reached out to a few people he hadn’t contacted in a long time, arranging a dinner for the evening, before finally turning his attention to the messages.

First, there was a flurry of messages in the Ji family’s “Zhi” generation group chat:

[Ji Zhixiang]: @Ji Zhixin, I just heard from someone that your legs are healed. Is it true?

[Ji Zhile]: What, what?! Who’s spreading that rumor again? Isn’t Zhixin-ge working in Yaoguang City?

[Ji Zhixiang]: I’m not really sure. Someone at the ancestral estate mentioned Zhixin-ge’s legs being healed. So, is it actually a rumor?

[Ji Zhiqing]: That seems unlikely, right? Whoever started that rumor has to be pretty twisted. Everyone knows Zhixin-ge’s legs couldn’t be healed…

[Ji Zhile]: Why would such an absurd rumor suddenly start circulating? Did Zhixin-ge return to Tianji? Did he leave his job in Yaoguang City?

[Ji Zhiqing]: Speaking of which, what exactly was Zhixin-ge doing in Yaoguang City? It’s been less than two months, and he’s already back.

[Ji Zhixiang]: Wasn’t he just working as a call operator? Uncle Ming arranged it, I heard.

[Ji Zhixun]: Lately, Zhixin-ge has been buying up small copyrights, keeping the costs exceptionally low. It’s made some people wonder if the Ji family is struggling.

[Ji Zhile]: Oh, Xiaoxun is here too. StickTogether.JPG

[Ji Zhiqing]: @Ji Zhixun… right, it’s a bit embarrassing, really. A million-dollar deal shouldn’t require haggling over thousands. But at a recent event, I overheard people joking about it—so shameful.

[Ji Zhixiang]: So the family couldn’t stand it anymore and asked Zhixin-ge to come back?

[Ji Zhile]: …That’s quite possible.

[Ji Zhixun]: I’m more interested in whether Zhixin-ge’s legs are actually healed. After all, everyone was heartbroken over what happened back then. It would be wonderful if his legs truly recovered.

Ji Zhixin skimmed through the chat, pausing on Ji Zhixun’s message. A faint smile appeared on his lips, his eyes dark and unreadable as he typed a response.

[Ji Zhixin]: @Ji Zhixun Thanks for your concern. Yes, my legs are indeed healed, and I can walk normally now.

[Ji Zhixin]: @Ji Zhixiang I did return to Tianji today, but only for a few days of vacation. I’ll return to Yaoguang afterward.

…

Just off work and mid-meal, Ji Zhixiang nearly dropped her phone in shock. Was Zhixin-ge joking?

Meanwhile, Ji Zhixun, lounging on the couch after a shower in distant Tianshu, sat up slowly, eyes glued to Ji Zhixin’s two messages, feeling conflicted.

[Ji Zhile]: !!! Zhixin-ge, don’t joke around like that!

Ji Zhixin didn’t bother explaining further. Instead, he snapped a photo of himself in front of the mirror and posted it to the group.

[Ji Zhixin]: I’m heading out to discuss some business. We’ll chat later.

The group fell silent for a moment. After about two minutes, even the usually quiet ones chimed in.

[Ji Zhinen]: @Ji Zhixin-ge, your legs are really healed!!!

[Ji Zhihui]: I just saw the message in the main family group and thought it was fake. But with this photo, it can’t be…

[Ji Zhiqin]: …Unbelievable. Who could’ve managed it? After five years, they actually healed Zhixin-ge. We tried everything back then to no avail.

As Ji Zhixin rode the elevator down to the parking garage, he glanced at his phone and casually replied:

[Ji Zhixin]: @Ji Zhiqin My boss.

[Ji Zhiqin]: !!! Really? Zhixin-ge, you mean that boss from the Little Pet Cafe? The one Uncle Ming referred you to?

[Ji Zhinen]: …That can’t be right. Wasn’t that just a pet shop operator? But Zhixin-ge has been buying film copyrights lately—how could that be pet shop work?

Ji Zhixin, already driving, didn’t reply. First, he didn’t feel like explaining, and second, there was a non-disclosure clause that limited what he could reveal.

[Ji Zhihui]: Now that I think about it, Uncle Ming went out of his way to call the family for a position. Even if it seemed like a simple job, it obviously wasn’t. Uncle Ming used to be a divine envoy; no way he’d recommend anything ordinary!!!

The truth was that everyone underestimated the former divine envoy, assuming that without the protection of a deity, he no longer had the power to benefit the family.

In the group chat, Ji Zhixiang, Ji Zhile, and Ji Zhiqing stared at their screens, feeling a chill at the implications of this statement.

[Ji Zhiqin]: Xiaohui, you should have told us sooner! If I had known, I would have tried harder to get involved back then.

[Ji Zhihui]: They were recruiting several people back then, but only Zhixin-ge ended up going. I wonder if there’s still a chance?

[Ji Zhinen]: I’ll ask my mom to check with Uncle Ming. Maybe there’s still an opening.

After a while, Ji Zhixiang couldn’t hold back her curiosity.

[Ji Zhixiang]: So, are you saying that Zhixin-ge’s boss is as powerful as a god? Is that even possible?

[Ji Zhixun]: Absolutely not. The child in Tianshu is undoubtedly the next deity.

[Ji Zhinen]: Xun-jie, what does the child look like? We haven’t met them yet.

[Ji Zhixun]: Uncle Feichen says this child is different from previous deities—extraordinarily powerful. They’re very young, quiet, and steady. Their appearance is stunning, with silver hair that shines like moonlight, snowy eyelashes, and ruby-like eyes. Beyond that, I can’t say.

[Ji Zhinen]: Silver hair and red eyes—that sounds so powerful! I’m envious, Xun-jie!

[Ji Zhixiang]: I’d love to go to Tianshu and serve in the child’s presence!

[Ji Zhihui]: Honestly, now I’m curious about Zhixin-ge’s boss.

[Ji Zhiqing]: I added her a while back. She seemed pretty normal—nothing that impressive at all.

[Ji Zhihui]: Do you have a photo?

[Ji Zhiqing]: No, but let me check her Moments.

The small group buzzed with gossip, while the main family group was updating even faster. Many doubted that Ji Zhixin’s legs were truly healed, and people kept asking for confirmation.

Ji Zhihui, growing bored, simply reposted the photo Ji Zhixin shared in their private chat to the family group, plunging it into a stunned silence.

Meanwhile, Ji Feirong, exiting a meeting, noticed people giving her strange looks. Just as she was about to inquire, she received a call from her bodyguard.

He had been trying to reach her multiple times, and the moment the call connected, he quickly reported everything.

Ji Feirong froze, wondering if she’d misheard. “Are you saying… Zhixin’s legs… what about them?”

Her bodyguard’s voice was filled with excitement: “The young master’s legs are healed!”

He detailed their experience at the airport, and Ji Feirong, initially in disbelief, hung up and called Ji Zhixin. He didn’t pick up, but she soon saw his photo in the family chat. One look at it, and she knew it was recent, and unquestionably genuine.

Ji Feirong felt a whirlwind of emotions as she stood there for five minutes, then rushed back to her office, closed the door, and immediately called Ji Feiming. “What’s going on with Zhixin’s legs?”

Ji Feiming sounded completely unfazed; in fact, he’d already received dozens of calls from family members in the past hour, all seeking the same information.

It almost felt like his days as a divine envoy again.

Ji Feiming repeated his usual response: “It was simply fate. There’s no need for further questions. But remember, Zhixin will be returning to work in Yaoguang City.”

Confirming her son’s recovery gave Ji Feirong some relief, but her apprehension lingered. Healing his legs must have come at an immense cost.

“The person you found… could they be the child?” Ji Feirong could only think of that possibility.

Ji Feiming shook his head, then remembered she couldn’t see him, so he added, “Based on my experience, I don’t believe she is.”

The term “稚子” means “young child.” Ji Feiming once doubted this before the arrival of the child in Tianshu. Now, with clarity, he recognized that Lu Yao’s age simply did not align.

Ji Feirong’s heart raced. “Then how did she heal Zhixin?”

Ji Feiming replied, “Though she’s not the child, her power is no less formidable. Both Zhixin and I have chosen to serve her; you don’t need to question further.”

Even if asked, he couldn’t explain more.

Ji Feirong felt a pang of fear. If she wasn’t the child, did that mean she was some kind of ominous force? Serving such a presence might jeopardize their family’s standing if a true deity were to rise and cleanse such influences. Would there still be a place for Ji Feiming and Zhixin?

Seeming to read her thoughts, Ji Feiming added, “I consulted with the boss; if you have doubts, you may visit Yaoguang with Zhixin. But remember, just seeing her comes with strict conditions. As for others, as I’ve said before, there will be no further explanations. Please pass the message along and tell everyone to stop asking—I’m busy at work.”

Ji Feirong’s expression turned solemn. “Understood. I’ll arrange it immediately. Thank you for helping with Zhixin.”

She hung up, then opened her photo album, pulling up the picture Zhixin had shared in the group chat. The young man in the image had a clear, confident look, embodying everything she once dreamed her son would be.

Even if they served a being outside of tradition, her heart brimmed with gratitude.

…

While Ji Zhixin stirred things up in Tianji, the cinema was busy filming its first commercial advertisement.

Early in the morning, Lu Yao directed Ku Ba, Die Qi, and Ye Xiao to transport equipment and props. The shoot was set to take place on location at Chunxi Lou, and they had even hired actors for the occasion.

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