Ch 4: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Lu Yao handed the revised blueprints to Harold, and the two—one tall, one short—began building the livestock shed.

The shed was built against the base of the wall, temporarily sized to fit the piglets. The red pigs were slightly larger than the little people, their round, plump bodies covered in skin a shade deeper than pink. Lying on the ground, their beady eyes looked over pitifully, giving them an unexpectedly cute appearance.

Lu Yao cast a one-way soundproofing magic array to ensure the noise from the construction wouldn’t disturb the guests’ rest. Estimating that there would be no new guests arriving that evening, Lu Yao turned to cleaning the kitchen and the food preparation area. Unused ingredients and utensils were stored away, the cookware was washed, and the ingredients needed for the next day were listed out.

Just as Lu Yao finished tidying up and was about to turn off the lights, Gan Li emerged from her room. She stood in the hallway for a long while before hesitantly speaking, waiting for Lu Yao to finish her tasks. “Um… I… I…”

Lu Yao turned to her, smiling. “My name is Lu Yao. You can also call me the shopkeeper. Do you need something?”

Gan Li tightly gripped the hem of her fur clothing and took a deep breath. “I… I’m Gan Li.”

Lu Yao nodded with a smile, waiting for her to continue.

Gan Li stammered, her face flushing slightly. “That… that meal… it was really delicious. I… I’d like another bowl!”

Despite her embarrassment, Gan Li couldn’t resist the urge to taste the rich, indescribable flavors she’d just experienced, even overcoming her initial fear of the unknown.

Gan Li came from the Xiaguang Tribe and was skilled in making smoked jerky and sugar candies. As an adult, she had traveled widely, seeking new and practical ingredients and spices, but her findings had been sparse.

She had been preparing to return home when she got lost in Thorn Valley, lured by the aroma of a pot of soup. That detour led her to this strange inn and its big human shopkeeper. The shop and the big human had already left her deeply shaken, but tasting the inn’s food made her realize that this was the greatest treasure of her journey.

The big human, with her large, rough hands, must have found it challenging to create dishes suited to the tastes of the little people. Yet the food presented to her was beyond delicious. Gan Li stared expectantly at Lu Yao, hoping for a positive response.

…

When Lu Yao planned to open the inn, she designated the kitchen as a priority. To her, the food should be just as important as the rest environment, providing both physical and mental satisfaction to her guests.

After arriving on the continent of Nitean, she learned that her primary clientele might be the little people, so she immediately adjusted the kitchen setup. The little people’s small stature meant that a single bite from a normal human portion could leave them overstuffed.

When Lu Yao commissioned custom furniture and tableware for the little people from the Great Wu Dynasty, she also ordered a set of miniature kitchen tools. These included a brick-and-stone round stove, a five-tier bamboo steamer for making small dishes, a water kettle, a tiny iron wok for stir-frying, and an earthenware pot for cooking porridge.

These utensils were scaled-down replicas of regular cookware, finely crafted and charming, temporarily stored in a corner of the stove. Lu Yao planned to relocate this set to the first-floor dining area of the guest quarters once she hired a little-person staff member.

Until the inn began regular operations, Lu Yao herself took on the responsibility of preparing meals for the guests.

In the afternoon, with nothing to do, she browsed videos about edible toys online and drew inspiration from ideas for making supplementary food to finalize the evening’s menu.

Lu Yao followed the snack shop’s typical style: a standard set meal included a portion of rice (in little people’s serving size), one meat dish, one vegetable dish, a small side plate, and a bowl of soup. She had thought this portion would be sufficient, but to her surprise, the guest wasn’t full.

Slightly surprised, Lu Yao responded with a quick “Got it” and went to scoop more rice. She decided to adjust the portions, compressing the rice more firmly and adding an extra three or four grains.

In less than two minutes, the steaming hot, custom-made meal for little people was ready. Gan Li hadn’t expected it to be so quick. Visibly larger than before, the portion left her momentarily speechless. In the end, she picked up the tray and hurried back to her room without saying much.

After eating two full meal sets in a row, Gan Li was still left wanting more, though her now-round belly reminded her that she couldn’t possibly continue. She stacked the empty dishes and bowls neatly on the rack outside the door.

The downside of overeating was the uncomfortable fullness that kept her from falling asleep. Left with no other choice, she paced around the room to help digest. While walking, Gan Li noticed a small room behind the wall opposite her bed. Inside were some unfamiliar items and a strange wall.

Standing before the wall, she could clearly see her reflection.

Gan Li, one of the rare literate Nitean little people, had traveled extensively and was considered well-informed. Yet she couldn’t make sense of the room’s purpose. After much deliberation, she mustered her courage and went to find Lu Yao.

Lu Yao had already anticipated this scenario. When the guest came to her, she patiently guided Gan Li on how to use the washroom.

The entire guesthouse had a Chinese-style design, and the washroom was no exception. The dark bronze sink had a mirror above it, with shelves holding wooden basins, towels, and disposable items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. The bathtub was a custom-made wooden bucket from the Great Wu Dynasty’s carpentry workshop, slightly larger and deeper than a soap dish, placed under a faucet in the bathing area. Turning the faucet produced hot water. The bucket had a wooden stopper at the bottom to drain the water.

After Lu Yao left, Gan Li returned to her room, turned the faucet, and discovered that it really did provide hot water. She filled the bucket to the brim, sat inside, and found the water reached just below her neck. She soaked in the warmth, thoroughly enjoying the rare hot bath. Afterward, she took clean clothes from the cabinet behind the door and changed into them. Though the clothes were slightly oversized, they felt comfortable.

With a full stomach and the luxury of a long-awaited bath, Gan Li thought that even her home couldn’t offer this level of comfort. Feeling completely content, she slipped on the soft little slippers, climbed into bed, and found it perfectly soft with a thick, cozy comforter and a faintly soothing fragrance in the air.

Gan Li had thought she wouldn’t sleep well in such an unfamiliar place, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber.

…

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the floor by the bed.

Wrapped in the blanket, Gan Li stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. The spotless, orderly room, the soft, warm bed, the unforgettable food, and the rumored big human—everything seemed surreal. She had thought it was all a strange dream, only to wake up and find it real.

And… she was alive. The big human really seemed to harbor no ill intent toward her.

The weather was stunning, with sunlight streaming gently through the sheer curtains. Gan Li lingered in bed for a while, rolling around before throwing off the blanket and running to the curtains to peek outside.

She hadn’t even noticed the window last night. What she saw outside was utterly unfamiliar—not an endless expanse of white snow but rows of towering, enormous buildings.

Gan Li abruptly pulled open the bed curtain and leaned against the lattice window.

This was definitely not a little people’s tribe.

Her eyes were filled with amazement as she suddenly looked down, noticing a row of green plants swaying in the breeze beneath the window. Her gaze trembled.

What beautiful flowers.

The unknown fear in her heart was instantly soothed by the scene. Turning back, Gan Li changed into her own clothes, opened the door, and stepped outside.

The other two big humans were nowhere to be seen; only the one who had welcomed her the previous night was busying herself.

Hearing movement, Lu Yao turned her head and gave Gan Li a small smile. “Did you sleep well?”

Gan Li nodded hesitantly, pointing back toward her room. “I saw giant houses and… beautiful flowers outside.”

Lu Yao replied, “Oh, don’t be afraid. That’s where we live, just like your tribe.”

Gan Li asked, “So you big humans have always lived here?”

Lu Yao explained, “My family used to live in a remote mountain deep in the wilderness. We only recently moved here. We were hoping to find more of our kind, but instead, we came across little people from the Red Pig Tribe.”

Gan Li’s eyes widened. These big humans must have been isolated in the mountains for so long that they didn’t even know their kind had disappeared.

She recalled stories of the big humans told in her tribe but found that the one before her seemed different. Gan Li couldn’t pinpoint why—just a feeling she had.

She turned to go downstairs and leaned against the window on the first floor to peer outside. “How strange. Why didn’t I see these buildings last night?”

Such enormous structures wouldn’t have gone unnoticed, even under the cover of night.

Lu Yao, unbothered, added, “It’s one of our race’s innate abilities—to conceal the borders of our territory according to our will. Only our kind can freely pass through. However, the buildings themselves never disappear, so little people can still see them through special walls.”

The Nitean little people, scattered across the continent, each had their own ancestral secrets. But one common innate skill among them was cocooning—a last-resort survival mechanism in times of crisis.

The fact that the big humans, too, had their unique protective skills proved that they were equally blessed by the gods of this land.

Having her questions answered, Gan Li looked at Lu Yao again, her fear replaced entirely by a sense of warmth.

It turned out that true big humans weren’t scary at all—they were skilled, gentle, and easy to talk to.

“Gurgle, gurgle—”

Gan Li awkwardly covered her stomach.

Lu Yao nodded. “Breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat in your room again?”

Gan Li shook her head. “I’d like to eat downstairs today.”

The good weather, restful sleep, and her uplifted mood made her want to sit in the dining area for a change. Traveling alone for so long, she suddenly didn’t feel like hiding away in her room anymore.

…

The nail salon had a customer appointment to pick up goods today. Harold and Budu had gone to tend the shop after breakfast.

That morning, Lu Yao had made rice porridge, soup dumplings, shumai, and steamed dumplings. The breakfast for the guests was the same as her own, except in super-miniature versions.

Gan Li sat at a window-side table in the first-floor dining area, wide-eyed as she watched the shopkeeper open the window and carefully use an extendable rod with a clip to deliver the tray of food to her. For a moment, she didn’t know how to react.

Lu Yao chuckled, “Did I scare you? Once business picks up, I plan to hire some little people to help out so things won’t be as over-the-top as this.”

Gan Li’s eyes were fixed on the contraption, but she managed to respond, “The food… smells wonderful. This tool is nice. You… are also nice.”

This was a Nitean little person who understood manners and social grace.

Gan Li lowered her head to look at the tray of food in front of her. It was different from last night’s meal, with an entirely new and enticing aroma.

Clumsily, she picked up a soup dumpling with her chopsticks, bit a small opening into it, and was instantly met with a rush of scalding hot broth that burned her tongue.

Her tongue stung from the heat, but she couldn’t bear to let go. Blowing on it to cool down, she carefully tore the opening wider.

So hot!
But so flavorful!

Breakfast consisted of a basket of steamed items, a bowl of porridge, and a small dish of dipping sauce.

Gan Li then picked up a steamed dumpling larger than her fist. She bit into its edge but couldn’t taste much, so she used the tip of her chopsticks to dab the dumpling in the sauce. Once the steam dissipated, she took another bite. A hint of tanginess combined with the rich, juicy meat flavor made it so delicious she felt like she could fly.

Swinging her legs happily, she devoured the trio of steamed items in no time. Unable to resist, she ordered another portion.

Stuffed to the point of bursting, she reluctantly put down her chopsticks, taking deep breaths to recover.

After a restful night and such delicious food, Gan Li felt that this journey was already perfect, even though her mind was still filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. She decided it was time to head home.

Her stay—one night of lodging, two meals, and food and shelter for her piglet—cost exactly two Nitean coins.

The red piglet had slept in the newly built shed overnight, warm and well-fed with fresh fodder. It was in excellent spirits that morning.

At the inn’s entrance, Gan Li spent some time calming down the overly excited piglet. She then turned to bid farewell to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao crouched down slightly. “I’d like to ask for your help with something.”

Gan Li hesitated, feeling a bit troubled. She didn’t agree immediately but asked, “What is it?”

Lu Yao carefully pinched a small stack of flyers between her fingers. “Please help me hand these flyers to any little people you meet along the way.”

The front of the flyer featured a vibrant illustration of a large inn nestled in the heart of Thorn Valley. It depicted little people riding red pigs or carrying weapons entering the inn to rest and sleep. The back of the flyer contained text in the common Nitean language, matching the image’s message.

Lu Yao then handed over a neatly wrapped bundle. “I noticed you seem to enjoy the steamed dishes, so I packed a few baskets as a token of thanks. I hope you don’t mind.”

Recalling her time at the inn, Gan Li found herself unable to refuse. If other little people discovered this place, they’d surely feel as though they had stumbled upon a new world, just like she had.

Gan Li carefully tied the bundle of steamed items to the piglet’s back, tucked the flyers into her front pouch, and rode off on her little red pig.

[New Mission: Host ten guests within five days and achieve at least 80% positive feedback. Reward: 1,000 popularity points, 10 oil stones. Keep up the good work, shopkeeper!]

Author’s Note:
Gan Li: I admit my initial reaction was a bit loud…
Goodnight.

Thingyan: I have a feeling. Maybe the bundle Lu Yao gave to Gan Li might disappear like Monk’s coz you can only enjoy things from the inn at the inn? Idk. Just have a feeling.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️