Ch 228: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Xu Xiaoxiao wasn’t sure why, but she was certain.

Just the day before, she had gone to the tutoring center to buy bubble solutions and snacks, and the uncle at the door was watching the store. When someone asked why the store owner wasn’t around, the uncle had replied, “The owner is out on business.”

She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now it all felt too coincidental, just like that feeling she had during her childhood tutoring sessions.

If it wasn’t the owner, who else would go to such lengths for her?

There was no one else.

Xu Xiaoxiao’s heart raced, and she dashed back to the tutoring center, cheeks flushed from the excitement, breathless.

Lu Yao was standing outside the store, putting up a “Now Hiring” sign. With the high demand for bubble solution and “Good Mood Glutinous Rice Cake,” customers were constantly coming in. Relying on Ji Feiming to manage deliveries and then come back to watch the store wasn’t ideal, so she planned to hire a store assistant.

Hearing footsteps approaching quickly, Lu Yao turned to see Xu Xiaoxiao with her eyes gleaming, a bit puzzled. “What’s going on? Did you forget something in the store?”

Xu Xiaoxiao shook her head and walked over, embracing Lu Yao tightly. “I saw the news. Thank you, Lu Yao.”

Lu Yao returned the hug, neither confirming nor boasting, only saying, “Xu Xiaoxiao, from now on, you can walk forward without looking back. Don’t worry; Alfred and I will always be here to support you.”

Xu Xiaoxiao’s heart warmed, melting into a pool of gratitude, and after rubbing her face against Lu Yao’s shoulder, she stood straight, her eyes bright with renewed resolve. “Alright, I’ll do my best.”

She turned her gaze to the sign on the door and, noticing the “Now Hiring” announcement, asked in surprise, “Are you hiring?”

Lu Yao nodded. “Yes. Xiao Ji has other things to handle, so he can’t keep watching the store for me. I’m planning to hire a clerk for the front. Eventually, I may need another tutor too, but for now, Alfred can handle our few students.”

Xu Xiaoxiao read through the requirements posted on the glass door carefully and then asked directly, “Lu Yao, do you think I’d be a good fit?”

Feeling a bit nervous, she added, “I know I just completed my tutoring, and it might seem presumptive, but… I’ve already been thinking of leaving my current job. Finding something that really fits my needs hasn’t been easy.”

The tutoring center’s job requirements surprised her—all she needed was to be personable, attentive, and patient. The position didn’t require high education levels or superhuman abilities, and the pay was very fair.

She also had a small hope—working at the tutoring center might allow her to help others, just like Lu Yao and Alfred.

Lu Yao looked her over, nodded, and said, “Of course. But will you be alright leaving your current job?”

Xu Xiaoxiao shook her head and replied with some embarrassment, “I used to work at a mall, but I wasn’t an official employee. Leaving isn’t a problem.”

Lu Yao thought for a moment and guessed, “You weren’t… a decoy, were you?”

A decoy, much like a “dine-and-dash” bait.

Xu Xiaoxiao shut her eyes and nodded, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t go to college, and my ability isn’t practical. Finding a steady job has been almost impossible, so I was left bringing in customers. I got so tired of the complicated social games, but I couldn’t find another way. Lu Yao, if I can work here, I promise to give it my best.”

Understanding, Lu Yao nodded. “No wonder you always had different companions with you. You’re hired. But everyone here goes through a seven-day trial period, and after that, we can make it official if all goes well.”

Lu Yao brought Xu Xiaoxiao inside and introduced her to Ji Feiming, who began training her for the role.

Meanwhile, the recent incident in the town of Cat Paw Pad Town No. 4 in Daimei City was causing a stir.

At the Supernatural Research Institute, the incident had also caught the attention of many researchers, including Zheng Siyao.

After carefully reading through the reports and doing some additional research, she suddenly thought of Lu Yao.

She and An Yan had traveled to Daimei City to locate a unique ability sample, only to find that the target had already left the area.

But why had Lu Yao, a tutor center owner, been in Daimei City at that specific time?

“Did she go to Cat Paw Pad Town No. 4?”

Zheng Siyao thought she might be overthinking it, but she couldn’t stop herself from considering the possibility.

A colleague handed her a cup of coffee and sat across from her. “What’s up? You’ve been daydreaming a lot today. Did something happen on the trip with An Yan?”

Her colleague’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

An Yan was good-looking, though admittedly cold. His approach to his work was different from the usual academic style of the research center, especially in his overwhelming strength when testing experimental subjects’ ability levels, which often drew attention. Many female researchers took any opportunity to watch him work—not necessarily because of romantic interest, but as a refreshing distraction from routine tasks, given his “tough-guy” aura.

Zheng Siyao, lost in thoughts about Lu Yao, snapped back to the present. She had indeed noticed something intriguing about An Yan during their trip, but it was his personal business and not something she could casually mention.

The colleague, seeing her pause, raised an eyebrow. “So, is there actually something going on between you two?”

“No, no,” Zheng Siyao waved her hands emphatically. “Anyway, Xiaomei, have you ever heard of a place called the Childhood Tutoring Center?”

Xiaomei held onto her coffee, giving her a look. “Stop changing the subject! What’s really going on with you and An Yan?”

Zheng Siyao wore an exasperated expression, shaking her head. “Nothing, I swear! I’m just telling you something serious—on the way to Daimei City, we met someone unusual.”

Zheng Siyao then recounted her encounter with Lu Yao.

Xiaomei’s expression shifted, intrigued. “So you couldn’t hear her heartbeat?”

Zheng Siyao nodded. “We met twice, and I checked my own ability thoroughly; there’s nothing wrong. But I just couldn’t pick up any of her inner sounds.”

Xiaomei pondered this. “Even without what she shared about the tutoring center, the fact that you couldn’t sense her heartbeat alone should raise some flags. How about we go check it out after work?”

They were sitting at a long table in the corner of the break room during lunch and hadn’t noticed someone seated behind them.

Suddenly, the person turned and said, “Count me in.”

Both Xiaomei and Zheng Siyao turned to see who had spoken.

Xiaomei recognized him and smiled. “Senior Du! What brings you here?”

Du Qiuling, Xiaomei’s university senior by a year, had joined the First Hospital after graduating, while Xiaomei had entered the research institute. The hospital and the Supernatural Research Institute often collaborated on research projects, and personnel frequently visited each other’s facilities.

With a file folder resting beside him, Du Qiuling gave a slight nod. “I’m actually here regarding the Childhood Tutoring Center.”

Zheng Siyao’s instincts were on alert. “Is there something wrong with the center?”

Du Qiuling’s brows knitted briefly as he shook his head slightly. “No flaws detected. The hospital received samples of their bubble water and snacks, and the tests came back clean. Yet, the products do seem to have the advertised effects, with no side effects whatsoever.”

Zheng Siyao let out a small breath of relief. “Then why are you going to the tutoring center?”

Du Qiuling replied, “Hearing you talk about the store owner made me curious as well. Plus, I think it would be beneficial for the institute to make contact with her and register her ability.”

The emergence of supernatural abilities had led to a new social order, while also bringing a host of instability and social challenges, including numerous crimes involving such abilities.

The Supernatural Research Institute exists to systematically collect and study various supernatural abilities, understanding their origins, characteristics, and limitations. They strive to assess the potential impacts of such abilities, establish suitable development paths, prevent crime related to supernatural powers, and maintain social stability in a society where superpowers are increasingly common.

Zheng Siyao found Du Qiuling’s intentions a bit puzzling. “Are you suggesting the store owner’s ability is dangerous?”

Du Qiuling shook his head. “Not sure yet. I just think it could be an exceptionally rare and unique ability. But to really understand, we’ll need to see her in person.”

---

Sanhua City, near No. 66, in a corner of a fast-food restaurant’s second floor.

Hu Jiao sat in a corner, with his phone on a stand aimed at the pedestrian overpass outside. The stream of messages in the chat filled the corner of the screen.

【So that’s the infamous ‘Death Spot’?】

【I heard several people go up there every week.】

【Doesn’t look like much. Maybe it just needs a closer look? Hu Jiao, any chance you can climb up?】

【Not lately—no one’s been dying there.】

【What? That’s boring.】

【Yeah, three office workers were up there yesterday, but they didn’t fall. Experts say they got caught in some invisible energy net and survived. They’re now getting therapy.】

【Therapy, huh? What a waste! This trip feels pointless.】

【Well, while you’re in Sanhua City, how about checking out the Childhood Tutoring Center? It’s located right under the bridge.】

【Oh, I’ve heard about that place! Just recently, a neighbor’s kid ran away, and his mom said she’d take him there for ‘tutoring.’】

【Does that actually work?】

【Who knows? Probably just for peace of mind. If that doesn’t work, they’ll send him to a reform school.】

Hu Jiao finished his soda, picked up his phone and stand, and headed downstairs, his soft, raspy voice commenting to the camera, “Since you guys are curious, let’s check out that store first. Later tonight, we’ll head up the bridge.”

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️