Ch 253: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

444 froze for a moment, his hands unconsciously stirring the dark brown hot cocoa as he fell into thought. “A life lesson?”

Xie Molin looked over in surprise, as if Lu Yao had just said something particularly strange.

Only Budu sipped his hot cocoa in small, careful sips, his jewel-like red eyes shimmering with admiration and affection as he watched Lu Yao.

Lu Yao smiled lightly and tapped Budu, placing a fruit cream puff on the plate in front of him. She picked one up herself and took a delicate bite. The light, fluffy cream mixed with the natural sweetness of the fruit filled her mouth, making her squint happily.

After a few seconds, she looked up at the two men across from her. “Wild animals that are rescued or raised in captivity must undergo rewilding training before being released back into the wild to ensure they can find food and survive on their own.

“It might sound harsh, but right now, 444, you’re like an animal that has been completely domesticated by humans and has lost the ability to survive.

“Worse still, because humans have more complex thoughts, emotions, and social connections, reintegrating into society is even harder than it is for ordinary animals. Not only have you lost your ability to survive, but you’ve also lost your purpose for living.”

“How cruel,” Qin Xing, who hadn’t walked far, muttered to himself. For the first time, he saw the true nature of the store owner.

Someone so gentle and easygoing could also speak with words that cut like knives.

“Domesticated by humans?” 444 slowly repeated, sinking into thought.

Qin Xing shook his head and sighed.

At some point, the existence of test subjects had stopped being a secret, and even many struggling people willingly walked into the research institutes.

But for most people who could live normally, the thought of the superhuman research institutes and experimental subjects was terrifying.

Qin Xing remembered the annual physical exams where he lay exposed on the machines for thorough inspections. That feeling of having even his soul probed was unsettling and terrifying, no matter how many times he endured it. The treatment test subjects received was undoubtedly even more invasive—little more than lab rats in human form.

The store owner’s words were direct and hurtful.

444 raised his head, and a faint light began to form in the depths of his lifeless eyes. His voice was hoarse, “You’re right.”

Qin Xing paused mid-step, turning back to glance.

444 didn’t notice the attention from afar. He fixed his gaze on the store owner. “The moment we step into the laboratory and receive our subject number, we lose our rights as human beings. That’s the truth, yet for some reason, everyone remains silent. Whether in the research institute or later in the recovery center, our lives remain unchanged. Life is like a stagnant pool where you can see the end at a glance. Everyone ignores it, but you bluntly exposed it. Strangely, I feel… relieved.”

Xie Molin was more surprised than before.

He had looked after 444 for a long time, but this was the first time he’d heard him speak so much and with such vivid emotion.

Xie Molin felt a mix of joy and an inexplicable sadness.

He and his colleagues at the rehabilitation center had truly wanted to help, but nothing seemed to work.

“No big deal.” Lu Yao pushed the plate of fruit cream puffs towards 444 and said softly, “Don’t worry. The river of life sometimes flows into stagnant pools, but even in still water, a small stone can create ripples.”

“What should I do? Teacher Lu, please tell me,” 444 asked sincerely.

Xie Molin took a sip of coffee to mask the uncontrollable emotion on his face.

On the way back from Tanhuashi, he had worried about causing trouble for the store owner. The condition of ill test subjects was far more serious than that of regular clients, so even if tutoring was possible, it would likely take more energy and time.

The biggest concern was 444’s potential resistance to tutoring. Yet within just half a day, he was actively seeking advice and even calling her “teacher.”

Lu Yao propped her chin on one hand, gently stirring her coffee with the other. She said casually, “Don’t be too anxious. How about just playing around for a few days? Stop thinking of yourself as a test subject. Wander around like the people on the street, taste the local food, explore the shops, and maybe even try making friends. Just like a little animal exploring its surroundings.”

444 turned to look out the window.

As noon approached, the street outside became busier, especially at the small restaurants across the way, where people crowded together, waiting for their meals. The nearby fruit shop, milk tea shop, and small supermarket were also starting to fill with customers—men, women, the elderly, and children of all ages, each dressed differently and wearing varied expressions.

To 444, these scenes seemed particularly vivid, so different from the sterile white coats of the research institute or the doctors and patients at the rehabilitation center.

But going out alone for a casual walk was still a big challenge for him. However, observing the outside world through the window felt enjoyable—something he could do for hours without growing tired.

444 slowly put his thoughts into words and, with a hint of nervousness, shared them with Lu Yao.

Lu Yao listened intently and pointed across the street. “Can you see the wicker chair in the shop? Sitting there is nice too, and Erxin can keep you company.”

444 looked up and immediately recalled when he first heard Xie Molin describe his initial encounter with the shop owner. He had struggled to imagine the scene at first, but now he could picture it perfectly.

The warm winter sun poured down, and someone bundled up in cozy clothes sat comfortably in the wicker chair, with a chubby, fluffy cat curled up in their lap, enjoying a lazy afternoon together.

When the four of them returned to the childhood tutoring center, the shop was bustling with customers. Lu Yao carried three portions of cream puffs and hot drinks, calling out, “Xiao Xiao, Bai Yi, Hu Jaio, I brought you some snacks and coffee.”

“Love you, boss!” Bai Yi came out of the tutoring room, a bit excited as she took the paper bag.

Things tasted different from one world to another, and Bai Yi was particularly fascinated by these variations.

As the lunch break ended, the number of customers buying toys, snacks, and desserts gradually decreased. 444 found an opportunity to sit on the wicker chair to bask in the sun. Before long, a warm, furry presence brushed against his legs—it was Erxin.

Erxin was heavy, and holding her was difficult for 444.

But even with the cat weighing down his legs, he couldn’t bear to set it down.

The cat’s body was warm and soft, unlike his own.

Inside the tutoring room, Lu Yao walked into the office with Hu Jaio.

Lu Yao adjusted the new information and prepared for Hu Jaio’s tutoring session.

The familiar white light enveloped them, and when they opened their eyes, they were back in the familiar yet strange Jinju Community in Orange City.

Hu Jaio sat on the familiar bed, looking down at his hands and feet, his skin beneath the pajamas bruised and swollen from beatings. A thin thread of fear crept into his heart.

This time, he was back at the Hu house.

He was back—so where was Little Huqi? And Lu Yao?

Hu Jaio rolled off the bed, opened the door, and ran out.

The living room was silent, the main bedroom’s door was shut, and the man’s usual shoes were absent from the entrance. Pepper exhaled slowly, grabbed the keys with careful hands, and opened the door to run to the next unit and ring the bell.

The door opened, and a boy slightly shorter than Hu Jaio stood in the doorway, surprise shining in his eyes. “Hu Jaio-gege, good morning.”

Hu Jaio felt a sense of relief but also confusion. “Why are you at my house?”

“Who’s here?” came a familiar woman’s voice from inside the room.

Little Huqi turned back and said softly, “Mama, Hu Jaio-gege is here.”

Hu Jaio’s heart skipped a beat.

Mama?

Was he calling Lu Yao?

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