Ch 218: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Lu Yao set down the half-finished key, giving her head a light pat. “Why so loud? You’re giving me a headache. It’s just a little toy; no need to overreact. Suspicious much?”

System: “…Then why make it look like the Key of Time and Space?”

Unfazed, Lu Yao replied, “When I took the Emperor through time, the key split into threads linking different futures. I thought it was interesting and wanted to try it out. Just because it looks like the Key of Time and Space doesn’t mean it can actually cross time.”

The system mulled it over. True, manipulating time wasn’t exactly easy, but the store owner had pulled off strange tricks before, making it a bit on edge.

System: “So, what kind of toy are you planning to make with it? It’s not like people usually buy keys for fun.”

Lu Yao rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… maybe a little charm for good luck?”

System: “…Hey, isn’t this a bit off-theme? How does this relate to childhood at all?”

Clearly, she was using abilities from other worlds for superstitious purposes.

Lu Yao blinked. “Doesn’t it sound like a good idea? I’ll think it over. This world is tough.”

The system had an uneasy feeling but knew this world had increased difficulty, making it feel oddly insecure.

“Is the store owner here?” came a voice from outside.

Lu Yao removed her gloves and walked out. “Coming.”

Li Xiaoguo stood in the hallway holding Erxin. When she saw Lu Yao, she smiled, “Owner, I’m back! The Emotion Bubble solution really works. After using it, I felt calm taking customer calls, and I wasn’t nervous. I made it through the whole afternoon without getting yelled at by a single customer.”

Lu Yao took Erxin from her. The plump kitty was too hefty for the young lady to fully hold. “Glad to hear it helped. Want to come in and sit down?”

Li Xiaoguo was curious about the tutoring center but had finally finished work on time and wanted to head home, so she shook her head. “I’d like to buy another bottle of the Dream Bubble solution.”

Work stress had built up, affecting her sleep as well. Since the Emotion Bubble solution worked well, she had high hopes for the Dream Bubble solution.

Lu Yao handed her a bottle of the Dream Bubble solution for ninety-nine Meng coins, and after the payment, she took a pack of spicy strips from the snack shelf and handed it to Li Xiaoguo. “We just got these in. Take a pack and try them.”

Each pack of spicy strips cost one Meng coin, a bit different from the snacks she remembered from childhood. They looked like kids’ treats.

The candy the owner had gifted at lunch looked childish but actually tasted pretty good.

Li Xiaoguo thanked her and took the spicy strips.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained a returning customer and completed the initial task! Popularity +10, Awakening Value +1!]

It had been a while since a task reward had appeared, and this one seemed a bit different from the usual skimpy initial rewards.

Lu Yao asked, “What’s an Awakening Value?”

The system hesitated, feeling like a revolving stage that had to keep switching scenes, and finally replied: “It’s likely a value measuring the store owner’s potential to awaken a superpower.”

Lu Yao perked up. “So, I can awaken a superpower?”

System: “…Technically, an outsider from another world shouldn’t be able to awaken powers suddenly. But given this mission’s parameters, if you accumulate enough Awakening Value, it’s possible.”

Lu Yao’s excitement grew. “Now that’s something to look forward to.”

System: “…”

[New Task: Attend to ten customers and receive at least 50% positive feedback. Reward: 100 Popularity Points, 5 Awakening Points.]

Lu Yao thought it over. An “uncertain amount of Awakening Value” likely meant there was no set limit, and whether she awakened powers, or what kind, was probably down to luck.

It seemed like another blind box game.

But she did have an ability in mind she wanted.

…

After work, Xiao Ze visited the testing center associated with the First Hospital, handing over samples of the two bubble solutions and leaving his contact information.

The latest he’d receive results was by the next afternoon.

On his subway ride home, Xiao Ze came across more posts about the Childhood Tutoring Center on his social feed. It was likely due to the morning’s interest that he was seeing similar content pushed to his feed again.

Post: “Since my workplace is near No. 66 Sanhua Road, I’ve struggled with constant anxiety and low morale. During lunch, I couldn’t resist buying a bottle of Emotion Bubble solution, and surprisingly, it actually helped. The owner was really nice and even gave me some snacks and candies, which tasted great. After work, I went back to buy the Dream Bubble solution, and I plan to try it tonight.”

Xiao Ze hadn’t even finished reading before guessing it was the girl who’d bought the Emotion Bubble solution that afternoon.

Li Xiaoguo hadn’t only shared her feedback; she’d also posted pictures of the bubble solution and snacks, which drew plenty of responses.

Comments:

“Does it really work? Sounds like you’re a shill.”

“Wow, can’t believe someone actually believes this.”

“The snacks look so cheap, nothing like what we had as kids. Are these things even safe?”

“Just another ad; don’t take it seriously.”

…

Li Xiaoguo replied to each comment, doing her best to explain that the bubble solution actually worked and the snacks were delicious.

More and more comments piled up, accusing her of pushing an unethical advertisement. Sitting on her bed with her phone in hand, Li Xiaoguo’s eyes brimmed with tears.

She wished she hadn’t shared it. Her good mood had soured, and she felt even worse than before.

Her phone pinged with a new notification.

Li Xiaoguo hadn’t planned to check, but after a while, she reluctantly picked it up.

New Comment: “I’ve also used that bubble solution—both versions. It definitely works. According to the owner, they’re derived from her ability.”

Li Xiaoguo blinked, surprised. The one who posted must be the guy she’d met at noon.

Comments immediately appeared below his reply.

“Got it; you’re both in on it.”

“If they’re derived from her ability, maybe they do work—assuming they’re genuine.”

“Now I’m a bit interested. I’ve been dealing with anxiety and sleepless nights.”

“Waiting to hear more about the Dream Bubble solution’s effects.”

…

Xiao Ze didn’t respond further.

Li Xiaoguo scrolled through the comments, still feeling a bit down. She tossed and turned in bed, unable to settle.

After more than half an hour of restlessness, she finally got up to wash up. Returning to bed with no desire to watch shows or read, she went ahead and tried the Dream Bubble solution.

Within a minute, bubbles floated through her room, releasing a gentle scent as they burst.

Li Xiaoguo managed to close the bottle before collapsing onto her pillow and drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, she woke up feeling completely at ease, as if her bad mood from last night had evaporated. She felt unusually refreshed and vaguely recalled a happy dream, though she couldn’t remember the details—only the lingering good mood.

Pulling the Dream Bubble solution out from under her pillow, she smiled. It truly worked; she hadn’t been deceived.

Unable to resist, she posted another update on her experience with the bubble solution.

…

At Sanhua Road No. 66, Childhood Tutoring Center.

It was still early dawn when Lu Yao opened the shop.

A middle-aged man emerged stealthily from the corner, looking around cautiously before speaking in a hushed tone, “I’d like to buy a bottle of the sleep aid bubble solution. Make it quick, please.”

Lu Yao, a bit surprised, quickly caught on and grabbed a bottle of the Dream Bubble solution from the shelf. “Ninety-nine.”

The man paused, visibly startled by the price.

With daylight beginning to break and a few passersby starting to appear, he swiftly paid, took the bubble solution, and hurriedly walked away.

Quick as the wind.

Lu Yao watched the middle-aged man’s swift exit, a bit puzzled. “That guy’s a bit odd.”

That morning, a series of customers came in, all specifically requesting Dream Bubble and Emotion Bubble solutions, each acting a bit peculiar.

After observing them for a while, Lu Yao noticed most customers chose quieter moments to slip into the shop quickly, buy what they needed, and leave—almost as if buying from the Childhood Tutoring Center was something embarrassing.

Shaking her head, Lu Yao wondered, are people carrying a bit too much emotional baggage?

By noon, as more people came for the bubble solutions, their demeanor was much less cautious.

“Shopkeeper, one Dream Bubble solution and a box of candies, please.”

“I’ll take an Emotion Bubble solution and two packs of crunchy noodles.”

“Shopkeeper, one Dream Bubble and one Emotion Bubble solution each, plus three candy boxes, two packs of crunchy noodles, and two bags of spicy strips.”

…

Besides the special bubble solutions, snacks in the shop were all priced regularly. Each candy box, filled with a variety of eight or nine candies, cost ten Meng coins, while crunchy noodles and spicy strips were one Meng coin per pack.

With more customers coming in, Lu Yao was busy taking payments, giving change—it was almost like the bustling vibe of a school snack shop between classes.

Some customers took the chance to pet the lounging Er Xin while waiting to pay.

Curious, Lu Yao asked a few customers what had attracted them, learning that someone had shared their experience using the bubble solutions on social media, drawing in others dealing with anxiety or insomnia. Nearby residents who’d tried it out left positive feedback online, attracting even more people with similar troubles.

Lu Yao rubbed her forehead, feeling the advantages of modern technology for the first time since opening her sixth shop. No need for flyers, no livestreaming, no personal promo videos—just the internet spreading the word with no effort on her part.

[Congratulations! You’ve successfully served ten customers, achieving over fifty percent positive feedback. Task complete. Reward: 100 popularity points, 5 awakening points.]

By noon, the task was done.

[Congratulations on the successful grand opening of Lu Yao’s Childhood Tutoring Center, now upgraded to a one-star shop! Reward: 100 popularity points. Keep up the good work, shopkeeper!]

[New task received: Serve three customers, helping them ‘tutor their childhood.’ Reward: 3,000 popularity points, 15 awakening points.]

With the midday rush over, Lu Yao let Er Xin manage the shop again while she went back to working on her toy-making in the back room.

The tasks were getting serious now, and her little toy wasn’t ready yet. It seemed she couldn’t solely rely on her awakening ability; the Hextech was going to be essential.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao, strolling by with Xu Zheng, immediately recognized the candy boxes on display. They were identical to the candies Xiao Ze had given her that night. Her eyes lit up—so they came from here.

Noticing her distraction, Xu Zheng asked, “What’s up?”

Xu Xiaoxiao shook her head. “Nothing.”

…

In the afternoon, Xiao Ze received the test results from the diagnostic center. The analysis showed nothing unusual—just ordinary bubble solution.

Xiao Ze was surprised. Nothing out of the ordinary, yet it still produced the claimed effects?

This result was more unsettling than if something unusual had been detected.

Was that really her ability?

After work, Xiao Ze found himself thinking about the bubble solution and unconsciously ended up back at the Childhood Tutoring Center.

Standing outside, he watched the shopkeeper greeting customers.

Thanks to the online buzz, the Dream and Emotion Bubble solutions were widely known, drawing in a steady flow of customers.

The shopkeeper seemed unchanged from that first evening they’d met, yet there was still something about her that set her apart from everyone around.

As the last customer—a lady buying a bubble solution—left, Lu Yao noticed Xiao Ze and gave him a gentle smile. “Mr. Xiao.”

That smile was warm and genuine, unlike the practiced expressions of people accustomed to wearing masks in life.

Walking straight over to Lu Yao, he spoke plainly, “I’d like to see your ability.”

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