Ch 255: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

“Good morning, boss.”

Number 444 was arranging the shelves when he saw Lu Yao holding Lu Budu’s hand as they entered from outside. He paused his work and respectfully bowed.

He had been working at the Childhood Tutoring Center for three or four days and had fully adapted to the role of store clerk.

Number 444 was extremely enthusiastic about this job, perhaps because he had been confined at the research institute for so long. When interacting with customers at the store, he would transform into a social butterfly, particularly enjoying chatting with them.

Despite being nearly forty, his expression was somewhat blank, and his figure was tall and thin. He worked earnestly and passionately and was a good listener.

In just a few days, some regular customers would sometimes make time to chat with him.

When there weren’t many customers, Number 444 would pick up Erxin and sit in the wicker chair, lost in thought. From a distance, he looked more like the owner of the store than Lu Yao.

One day, Hu Jiao deliberately took a few candid photos of Number 444 and Erxin, edited them, and posted them on the official account, unexpectedly stirring up a bit of buzz.

“Suddenly got the appeal of the ‘uncle circle’!”

“The older gentleman has a clean, serene vibe, holding that chubby cat—it feels like a truly peaceful moment in life.”

“Work is so busy and annoying, but seeing the old man and the cat gives me an inexplicable sense of healing!”

…

Hu Jiao showed the online feedback to Number 444.

Feeling embarrassed, Number 444 scratched his head awkwardly. “Someone like me doesn’t deserve such praise.”

Hu Jiao frowned in disagreement. “Uncle, be more confident. Don’t underestimate yourself. The customers all appreciate you, even Xiaoxiao said you might steal her job.”

Having spent time at the Supernatural Research Institute, Hu Jiao felt particularly conflicted when seeing these test subjects.

They had once been ordinary people who, for various reasons, became test subjects.

Even though they had left the institute, they could no longer see themselves clearly or form normal connections with those around them. This was likely the source of their pain.

However, since arriving in Sanhua City, 444 had found a (temporary) job and, with the help of Xie Molin and the sanatorium, rented an apartment next to Xie Molin’s.

Compared to his initial state, his life had greatly improved.

The sanatorium called daily to check on him, confirmed his significant improvement, and decided to send over two more test subjects.

This time, the new arrivals were one male and one female. The female subject, Number 222, was, like Number 444, a survivor from the previous mass rescue.

After 444 left, 222 remained at the sanatorium, physically and mentally in a weak, numb state that showed no signs of improvement.

The other male subject was relatively young, appearing to be under thirty, and was assigned Number 696.

He was also tall and thin like 444 but was quiet and not very talkative.

Accompanying the two was a doctor from the sanatorium. As this was a collaboration, it wasn’t appropriate to simply hand over all the patients to the Childhood Tutoring Center without support.

In addition to procedural and financial assistance, the sanatorium’s staff also came to confirm 444’s condition and learn from the tutoring center’s experience.

The person who came this time was coincidentally the secretary from the meeting Xie Molin had previously attended.

The secretary’s surname was Lin, with the given name “Xue,” and she was a young woman around twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

Lin Xue was extremely curious about Lu Yao and was very enthusiastic during their first meeting.

However, after meeting Lu Yao, her attitude changed slightly. Occasionally, she would observe Lu Yao thoughtfully, as if pondering something.

After a brief exchange of greetings between the two groups, Lin Xue decided to stay temporarily at the Childhood Tutoring Center to help out.

Number 444 was delighted to see 222 and 696, and during his free time at work, he loved talking to them and sharing stories about his life in Sanhua City.

Although both companions remained silent and rarely responded, 444’s enthusiasm never waned.

Lu Yao observed them for a while. Unlike 444, 222 and 696 had different personalities. They were withdrawn and showed little curiosity about their surroundings after arriving at the center.

Lu Yao called Lin Xue and Xie Molin to the office and shared her plan.

Lin Xue blinked, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. “Are you saying you want to arrange a time-travel experience for 222 and 696? Is that really possible? And is there theoretical support for such a treatment plan?”

Recently, many self-proclaimed students of the tutoring center had anonymously shared their experiences online. The Childhood Tutoring Center did not require confidentiality from its students, so some shared details that spread whispers.

Many people didn’t believe the stories, but a significant number were curious about the so-called time machine.

Lin Xue actually believed in the concept of the time machine. As a researcher and therapist, she had come across many cases and data related to superpowers. Despite superpowers having existed for about sixty years, many mysteries remained.

However, experiencing it firsthand was different. Even being near a time machine still felt surreal to Lin Xue.

She had never encountered someone who used superpowers so boldly.

Lu Yao’s idea was straightforward and direct. “I just want to give them a change of scenery to lift their spirits. I can’t guarantee how effective it will be, but it’s worth a try to stimulate their emotions. For this, I plan to set the time coordinates to sixty years ago.”

Lin Xue’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean the era before superpowers existed?”

Lu Yao nodded.

Xie Molin, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up. “Store owner, I’d like to go to the world from sixty years ago as well.”

Lin Xue slapped the table, excitement in her voice. “I want to go too!”

By the time they were born, superpowers were already an integral part of the world.

But in the distant past, before superpowers appeared, they all wanted to see how people lived.

Lu Yao tapped the desk lightly and nodded. “The time will be set for two days from now. For now, let’s get back to work.”

…

In the afternoon, Xin Xin came to the Childhood Tutoring Center again and immediately noticed the increased number of people, frowning. “It’s one thing to have students, but taking in so many test subjects—is the boss planning to conduct Supernatural research?”

Lu Yao was just seeing a student off when she heard Xin Xin’s complaint and tapped the back of her head lightly. “Why did the young lady come by herself?”

Xin Xin crossed her arms. “Zhou Jing has an important auction event tonight.”

After a brief explanation, Xin Xin stepped forward, trying hard to stand on her toes as she whispered to Lu Yao, “Store owner, you’re not collaborating with the research institute, are you?”

Lu Yao took a step back, raised her eyebrows slightly, and didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “Judging by your tone, it sounds like you don’t think highly of the institute. Why’s that?”

“I’d like to hear too,” came a voice before Xin Xin could respond.

Lu Yao looked up and saw Xiao Mei, Number 52, and an unfamiliar man—likely another test subject—standing at the doorway.

Even in casual clothes, researchers and test subjects had a certain demeanor and characteristics that set them apart from ordinary people. Lu Yao could almost identify them at a glance.

The one who spoke was Xiao Mei. Xin Xin recognized them as people from the research institute, scoffed lightly, and, without explaining, carried a small basket of snacks into the tea room.

Xiao Mei, unfazed, naturally began talking to Lu Yao. “Auntie.”

After greeting her, she glanced around, searching for the child Du Qiuling mentioned in his messages earlier.

Lu Yao pretended not to notice and turned to lead the three into the tutoring room. “Why are you here today?”

Inside the tutoring room, Xiao Mei immediately spotted Lu Budu sitting in the corner and muttered, “He really does look exactly alike. When Senior Du mentioned it, I thought he was exaggerating.”

The man beside Number 52 also saw Lu Budu and a hint of surprise crossed his usually calm eyes.

Lu Yao thought Xiao Mei was saying that Budu looked like her and smiled. “He does, doesn’t he?”

Xiao Mei couldn’t help but turn around and stare at Lu Yao in surprise for a moment before quietly pulling out her phone. “Can I take a picture? He’s so cute.”

Lu Yao waved it off. “You’ll have to ask him.”

Xiao Mei had completely forgotten about the main task of the day and quickly walked over to Lu Budu, striking up a conversation with the child.

At this point, Number 52 also noticed that the child looked familiar and felt slightly surprised, but he hadn’t forgotten their main purpose. They were taking a significant risk with this visit.

If they failed, they would likely have no chance to approach the store owner through normal means again.

Number 52 pointed to the man beside him and introduced, “Store owner, this is Number 10, a friend of mine. He’s interested in learning more about the Childhood Tutoring Program.”

Lu Yao followed Number 52’s gaze and studied the man beside him. When their eyes met, she paused.

His gaze was intense and somehow familiar, but she couldn’t quite place where she had seen it before.

Lu Yao stood up and invited Number 10 to the office for a detailed conversation, including a childhood assessment.

In the office, Number 10 casually glanced at the papers handed to him and reached out to take them, brushing against the store owner’s fingers.

Lu Yao didn’t pay it any mind and handed him a pen.

Number 10’s lips curved slightly as he accepted the pen and looked at her with a smile. “Is the time machine really a machine the store owner made using her superpower?”

Lu Yao felt an odd sensation. This test subject was unusual, with a low-numbered designation, but she couldn’t discern any ill intent. She nodded as an answer.

Number 10 gave a short laugh, leaning forward slightly, his light brown eyes looking straight into hers as he spoke in a deep voice, “Little—liar.”

The sudden, odd remark from the guest was jarring, but if not for his serious expression and tone, which dispelled most of the oddness, Lu Yao might have burst out laughing.

Even so, she lowered her gaze, fighting the urge to laugh, took a deep breath, composed herself, and said, “What did you say?”

Number 10 raised an eyebrow, displeased. “What are you laughing at?”

Lu Yao touched her face, feigning innocence. “Did I laugh?”

Number 10 stated confidently, “You did.”

Not only did she laugh, but it was rather audacious.

As if… she thought he was a fool.

Lu Yao looked down, her shoulders shaking slightly. “I’m sorry, I just remembered something that made me happy.”

Number 10: “…”

Lu Yao composed herself, raised her head again, and said, “Let’s continue.”

About ten minutes later, Number 10 left Lu Yao’s office with an unhappy expression.

In the end, he did not sign up for the tutoring program and hadn’t even finished filling out the childhood assessment form.

Lu Yao followed him out, standing at the doorway as usual to see the three off.

Once Xiao Mei, Number 52, and the disgruntled Number 10 boarded the research institute’s car, Lu Yao turned back into the tutoring room.

“Did that guest leave?” Bai Yi couldn’t help but ask.

Very few guests personally received by the store owner ended up leaving immediately, and the one earlier had left with a particularly sour expression.

Lu Yao shook her head, looking regretful. “It was probably my fault; I couldn’t hold back a laugh.”

Bai Yi’s gossip radar beeped wildly. “What happened? Is there a story?”

It happened to be their usual afternoon tea time, and Xie Molin and Hu Jiao came out of their respective offices, with even Budu moving closer.

Lu Yao suppressed a smile and shook her head. “Nothing.”

..

Late at night, in the underground restricted room of the Supernatural Research Institute.

Number 52 lightly tapped on the glass, standing in the shadows by the door. “How did it go?”

X opened his eyes and slowly sat up, a surprising light flickering in the depths of his eyes, as still as an ancient well. “She truly is a non-powered individual. The fact that I couldn’t steal her ability is the best evidence.”

“Then what about the time machine?” Number 52 was puzzled.

He had attended the tutoring sessions and was sure that the machine was no hoax.

X said, “It might be an instrument made by another superpowered individual that she happened to acquire. Regardless, our plan requires her.”

Number 52 asked, “What’s the next step?”

X replied, “To be safe, we need to find a way to provoke her. Ensure that she never awakens any superpower while pushing her to our side.”

…

In Sanhua City, someone shared a photo of a child in the work group chat of the Supernatural Research Institute.

The silent chat suddenly came to life, as if a switch had been flipped.

[Colleague 1]: Huh? Is this An Yan as a child?

[Colleague 2]: So cute! It’s a shame he grew up to be such an ice-cold person.

[Colleague 3]: Shasha, where did you get this photo? Professor An was adorable as a kid.

[Shasha]: It wasn’t me. Xiao Mei sent it this afternoon. Do you all think it looks like Professor An?

[Colleague 4]: What do you mean? Is it Professor An’s relative? A cousin? A nephew?

[Shasha]: Probably not. Xiao Mei said she saw him at the Childhood Tutoring Center. It seems he’s the son of the center’s owner.

…

Xiao Mei came back to the institute in the afternoon feeling dazed and low-spirited. She fell asleep as soon as she got home, completely unaware that her well-meaning colleague had spread the news thoroughly.

By the time she woke up in the morning and checked the chat, it had already grown into hundreds of messages.

An Yan had surely seen it too.

But he hadn’t responded.

Xiao Mei lay on her bed, wishing she could buy a train ticket and leave Sanhua City overnight.

She must have been out of her mind yesterday. Otherwise, why would she gossip with Jiang Shasha, who had a big mouth, and even send her Budu’s photo?

An Yan, on the other hand, saw the group chat messages that morning. He glanced at Budu’s photo with an indifferent expression, scrolling down casually and skimming the chat for key phrases.

[Professor An’s child?]

[Is Professor An married? And to the tutoring center’s owner?]

[Divorced? Did he lose custody?]

[Tsk, what a pity.]

…

An Yan raised his hand and gently pinched the bridge of his nose.

It was just a prop, after all, but it looked so much like her.

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