Ch 217: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Xiao Ze took Xu Xiaoxiao to the First Hospital for a full-body check-up, and the results showed everything was normal, with no trace of any substances in their systems.

Xiao Ze stared at the report, lost in thought.

Xu Xiaoxiao waved her hand in front of his face, “Xiao Ze, what’s going on?”

He took a step back and shook his head, “Nothing, let’s go.”

Xu Xiaoxiao sensed that something was on his mind, “What’s wrong? Just tell me.”

Xiao Ze wasn’t planning to tell her about Lu Yao. Meeting her had been an accident, and bringing it up would only lead to questions about why he was heading to the bridge last night, a subject he preferred to avoid.

At the hospital entrance, Xiao Ze parted ways with Xu Xiaoxiao, planning to walk to the nearest subway station and head back to the office. But before going to work, he wanted to see Lu Yao once more.

Last night, after using the bubble solution, he had slept well, waking up feeling refreshed with no signs of anything unusual.

And that was precisely what made it unsettling.

…

66 Sanhua Road, Childhood Tutoring Center

This morning, Lu Yao didn’t go out to hand out flyers.

After her talk with Xiao Ze last night, she realized that giving out flyers was too passive a method to attract local clientele. She needed to find a different approach.

She decided to start small, beginning with categorizing the bubble solutions and rearranging the shelves.

The two four-tiered shelves were positioned together on the left side of the shop entrance. On the top shelf were various soothing and sleep-inducing bubble solutions.

Each of these came in mini-dragon designs, modeled after different types of dragons from Alexander, differing only in color and scent.

The bubble solution she’d given to Xiao Ze last night was part of this collection.

The third shelf featured bubble solutions aimed at relieving tension and anxiety.

These were in the form of cute, soft magical creatures, including colorful slimes, chibi bats, tiny skeletons, and some small beast-like creatures from the demi-human species.

The second shelf displayed ordinary bubble solutions with no special effects, featuring bottle caps in cute animal shapes, hollow inside and filled with candies.

Lu Yao decided that, for now, the dream-inducing and mood-enhancing bubble solutions would be the main products of the tutoring center.

By the time the store opened, she had already placed a stand near the entrance introducing the effects of each bubble solution.

Many passersby glanced at the sign outside the Childhood Tutoring Center, words like “tension,” “anxiety,” and “insomnia” pinpointing needs that struck a chord with some.

However, with the shop’s name, decor, and unique location in this business district, people felt hesitant to enter. Plus, with the morning rush hour underway, no one had stopped by just yet.

Lu Yao wasn’t in a hurry. After finishing with the bubble solution display, she noticed Erxin circling her legs, meowing for food.

She brought out a cat food and water bowl, setting them in front of the shelf.

Erxin trotted over, pressing her head against the glass as she purred and devoured her meal.

The chubby, fluffy cat naturally exuded a comforting vibe, and paired with the center’s old-fashioned decor, the shop had an atmosphere reminiscent of a nostalgic snack shop in front of a school.

The only odd part was that this little blast-from-the-past snack shop was in a business district, right in the heart of a notorious area.

After washing her hands, Lu Yao returned to the right shelf to continue organizing.

This shelf would hold various snacks, including the candies from the nine-section tray like the one from the previous evening, plus crispy noodles, spicy sticks, jerky, and seaweed rolls.

To the right of the store entrance was a new freezer stocked with various ice creams and popsicles, alongside a beverage cabinet filled with soda, sparkling water, fruit-flavored milk tea, and more.

To save costs, most of the inventory for the Tutoring Center was sourced from other worlds. Some items were directly purchased, while others were made by procuring raw ingredients from various worlds and having them processed by her different shops.

By the time Lu Yao finished organizing the shelves, the morning rush had passed, and the streets were quiet.

She left Erxin in charge of the shop, instructing the cat to alert her if any customers arrived, and then entered the secret back room of the tutoring center that wasn’t yet open to the public.

After her snack, Erxin leaped onto a chair placed beside the shelf, curling up on the cushion to lazily groom herself.

Occasional passersby couldn’t help but glance over, with some snapping photos and posting them on social media.

[User 1]: “Just saw this adorable, relaxed cat by the street. It’s so chill.”

What started as an innocent post quickly garnered responses.

[User 2]: “Wow, that cat is so chubby!”

[User 3]: “I know that spot! Isn’t it at the intersection of 66 Sanhua Road? I passed by this morning, and it was eating.”

[User 4]: “Sanhua Road 66? You’re kidding, right? Who would dare open a shop there?”

[User 5]: “Yeah, right at Sanhua Road 66. The shop doesn’t look very typical. There’s even a sign at the entrance selling ‘bubble solutions that soothe anxiety and help with sleep.’”

[User 6]: “How could bubbles soothe anxiety? That’s a stretch.”

[User 7]: “It’s Sanhua Road 66! If anyone dares to open a shop there, they’re either foolish or outright malicious.”

…

[User 8]: “Wait, do they really sell soothing bubble solutions? I might actually be interested. My work stress is through the roof, and I can barely sleep at night.”

[User 9]: “Get real, girl! If you can’t sleep, see a doctor for meds. Don’t rely on something so sketchy.”

…

Xiao Ze, scrolling through his feed on the subway, stumbled across the post and its replies, feeling even more conflicted.

Had he not experienced it himself, he would have reacted just like these commenters.

The medical check-up and waiting for results took longer than expected, so by the time he stood in front of the Childhood Tutoring Center again, it was already noon.

The lunch rush was on, yet the shop entrance remained quiet, with the sign at the side looking all the more suspicious.

Not seeing Lu Yao, Xiao Ze hesitated by the door, noticing the shelves seemed to have been restocked.

Erxin jumped down from her chair, pawing at the glass and meowing at him.

Xiao Ze was surprised. In the daylight, this chubby cat looked even fatter—no wonder people online called it “Pig-Cat.” It almost seemed to recognize him.

Could it really remember him from just one visit?

Seeing that he wasn’t coming in, Erxin dashed behind the shelves.

A moment later, the shop owner emerged, wearing a unique apron, and smiled warmly at him, “Mr. Xiao, have you had lunch yet?”

Xiao Ze instinctively shook his head, then remembered why he had come and forced himself to put on a serious face. “I used the bubble solution last night.”

Lu Yao nodded. “How was it?”

Xiao Ze frowned, realizing she truly understood the solution’s effects, and replied solemnly, “I only blew one bubble, but it made me feel incredibly drowsy. I was with a friend, and we both fell asleep quickly.”

Lu Yao asked, “How did you feel upon waking up?”

Reluctant to admit it, Xiao Ze paused before saying, “I think I dreamed of something from my childhood. I woke up feeling refreshed.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Seems like it worked perfectly.”

Seeing the slight tension in Xiao Ze’s expression, Lu Yao guessed his concerns and explained, “Mr. Xiao, the Dream Bubble solution is a derivative of my abilities. It’s harmless and mainly helps people who struggle to sleep rest better.”

Xiao Ze’s expression shifted. “So, it’s related to your abilities?”

If it was a superpower, that would make sense.

Some powerful abilities could shatter meteors, alter geological formations, control tides, and there were even rumors of abilities with resurrection powers.

If the bubble solution was genuinely linked to a superpower, the shop owner might possess one of those rare specialty abilities.

Lu Yao nodded and continued, “Today we also stocked new Emotion Bubble solutions. They can help ease tension and anxiety. Feel free to take a look.”

System: “When did you awaken a superpower? I didn’t even know.”

Lu Yao: “My superpower is adaptability. I awakened it half a year ago. If you didn’t know, it’s because you’re not attentive enough.”

System: “… ”

Xiao Ze turned to look.

Just then, a voice chimed in from the side, “Can it really help with anxiety? The bubble solution, I mean.”

Lu Yao turned her head to see a young woman in a black business suit, looking like a recent entrant to the workforce.

Feeling self-conscious under their gaze, Li Xiaoguo waved her hands nervously, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I saw the sign on my way in this morning and was curious, so I came to check it out during my lunch break. I accidentally overheard you talking.”

As Lu Yao had guessed, Li Xiaoguo had just graduated earlier this year and was working as a customer service rep at a telecom company.

Being introverted, she struggled with interacting with people and had received complaints almost daily since joining three months ago. Her paycheck was nearly drained from fines, and going to work felt like heading to a funeral, yet she didn’t dare quit.

Her anxiety was eating her alive; she hadn’t been able to eat well for weeks and was plagued by nightmares.

Passing by the Childhood Tutoring Center this morning, she noticed the sign. Though skeptical, she couldn’t shake off the curiosity and decided to give it a shot.

Li Xiaoguo looked at Xiao Ze hopefully. “So, did the bubble solution really work well for you?”

Under the watchful gaze of the shop owner and Erxin, Xiao Ze reluctantly nodded. “I used the Dream Bubble solution, though I haven’t tried the new one.”

Li Xiaoguo turned to Lu Yao, “I’ll buy a bottle of the Emotion Bubble solution.”

With a smile, Lu Yao guided her to the shelves. “Ninety-nine Meng coins. Feel free to pick whichever design you like.”

In this world, the currency was called Meng coins, featuring adorable animal paw prints on both paper bills and coins. The smallest denomination was one Meng coin, followed by five, ten, fifty, one hundred, and one thousand, with one thousand being the largest.

After the system’s research, it turned out that one Meng coin was roughly equivalent to one silver.

At ninety-nine Meng coins per bottle, the bubble solution was quite pricey.

But Li Xiaoguo handed over the money without hesitation; if it could relieve her tension and anxiety, it was worth it.

As the first customer to purchase a product, Lu Yao gifted her a regular bubble solution and a box of candies.

Li Xiaoguo thanked her happily and left with her items.

Xiao Ze, still curious to verify Lu Yao’s claims, bought a bottle of the Emotion Bubble solution as well.

He planned to try it first and then take it to a lab for testing after work.

Unaware of Xiao Ze’s intentions, Lu Yao watched him leave, then instructed Erxin to keep an eye on the shop as she returned to the back room.

…

Li Xiaoguo returned to her office with the bubble solution, and just before lunch ended, she slipped into the restroom to blow a few bubbles.

After stepping out, she didn’t feel any different and was slightly disappointed.

Recalling her lunchtime visit, she began to suspect that Xiao Ze might have been a plant by the shop owner. After all, apart from him and her desperate self, no one else had walked into that store.

Just then, the phone at her desk rang. Li Xiaoguo quickly picked it up, “Hello, this is…”

At the end of the workday, Li Xiaoguo got up to pack her things.

Her coworker glanced over with a smile, “Hey, Xiaoguo, you did well today. Looks like you’re getting the hang of it.”

Li Xiaoguo froze. “Why do you say that?”

The coworker replied, “You didn’t end up in tears from a customer call today. I was actually starting to miss it.”

Thinking back, Li Xiaoguo realized her afternoon had gone smoothly, with no rude customers.

She looked down, pulling the Emotion Bubble solution from her bag. Could it really have helped?

…

Xiao Ze also tried the Emotion Bubble solution. Miraculously, after taking a client to see a property he had been struggling to sell, he secured the contract.

Even as he left work, Xiao Ze found it hard to believe.

…

Meanwhile, at the First Hospital.

Dr. Du Qiuling looked at the two health reports on her desk, her brows furrowing slightly.

…

Back at the Childhood Tutoring Center.

Lu Yao had been working all day in the secret room, only managing to produce a prototype.

The system, seeing the twisted, key-like object in her hand, was surprised. “That thing looks oddly familiar.”

Lu Yao ignored it, continuing her work.

Then the system realized, “The Key of Time and Space! Are you trying to replicate it?”

Lu Yao paused. “The inspiration did come from the Key of Time and Space, but this isn’t a copy.”

The system sounded the alarm in its own way. “It’s basically the Key of Time and Space! Why are you making this thing?”

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Thingyan: lol poor system