Ch 10: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The next day, the heavy snow had just cleared, and it was a bright, sunny morning.

Room 401.
Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou exchanged a glance before silently turning their heads away to stare at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Yuan Wei: “It’s morning.”
Zhu Zhou: “Mm.”
Yuan Wei tugged the blanket higher with her neck, curling further into it. “Don’t want to get up.”
Zhu Zhou: “…Me neither.”

The night’s sleep had been so comfortable, a luxury they hadn’t experienced in ages.

Despite their reluctance, they eventually dragged themselves out of bed—it wasn’t realistic to spend the whole day lounging around.

After changing clothes, Yuan Wei noticed the great weather and pulled open the curtains.

They saw the scene Gan Li had described—the vast, towering buildings of the big people’s settlement and the colorful flowers blooming below the windowsill.

Room 402.
Hu Xi and Yin Er had just woken up as well. Yin Er immediately pulled back the bed curtain.

Hu Xi, propping her chin on her hand, had been lazing about with half-closed eyes. But at the sight of the scene outside the window, her sleepiness vanished instantly.

Yin Er pushed the window open and noticed there was another transparent wall outside. Peering through the glass, she murmured, “This isn’t Thorn Valley.”

Hu Xi was equally puzzled.

Suddenly, across the small road, a door opened, and a young big person emerged, walking straight toward them.

Yin Er pressed herself against the glass and watched as the big person seemed to pull open a door and enter the inn. “There are more big people?”

Having spent the morning recalling their experience from the previous night, neither of them could associate the innkeeper with anything malicious anymore. But they hadn’t expected there to be other big people.

Hu Xi stood up. “Let’s go check it out. I wonder if Xiao Ji and Xiong Ming are awake.”

The two opened their door and immediately bumped into Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou coming out of Room 401. Both groups were briefly surprised, but then they seemed relieved to see each other.

Hu Xi casually mentioned the scene outside the window, and Yuan Wei explained briefly.

Yin Er asked, “You’re a guest, too. How do you know this?”

Yuan Wei replied, “We heard about it from fellow tribe members before we came. She mentioned it.”

Yuan Wei recounted what Gan Li had said, clearing up the confusion about the scenery outside. Yin Er and Hu Xi sighed in relief.

At the staircase on the third floor, the four of them ran into Xiong Ming and Xiao Ji.

Both looked full of energy, clearly having slept well the previous night.

The six little people went downstairs in a group and found two more big people in the inn.

Hearing the commotion, Lu Yao, who had just finished preparing breakfast, wheeled over a serving cart. As she approached, she introduced the new arrivals. “The tall boy in black with the high ponytail is Harold, and the little helper is Lu Budu. Don’t worry, they’re both very gentle.”

The little people remained silent, their unease evident. The pressure of being in the presence of three big people was entirely different from just one.

Lu Budu was still young, and his resemblance to Lu Yao made him less intimidating. Harold, however, was a dragon. Even though he had become much more restrained over the past year, his aura was becoming increasingly imposing as he approached adulthood.

Lu Yao ignored the slightly awkward atmosphere and lifted the cover off the serving dishes, releasing a burst of rich, savory aroma that hit everyone like a bomb.

Harold wrinkled his nose. “Crab roe buns!”

Lu Yao smiled. “You’re sharp. I also made porridge, crab roe buns, and shrimp dumplings. I kept yours on the stove so they wouldn’t get cold.”

Harold loved crab roe buns—the thin wrapper and flavorful filling were far more satisfying than eating crab alone.

He called Budu to join him in fetching breakfast, and the tense atmosphere in the guest area eased slightly.

The guests lined up and entered the dining area, instinctively choosing seats by the windows. Just as they were about to relax, Harold and Lu Budu emerged with their own trays of food.

The six guests froze, their shoulders stiff as if immobilized. They were truly terrified of Harold.

The emotions of the small people—fear, joy, sadness—were written all over their faces, unintentionally evoking a sense of pity.

Lu Yao suppressed her amusement and used a telescopic rod with a clip to serve the meals.

Breakfast consisted of pumpkin porridge with crab roe buns, shrimp dumplings, pickled ginger slices, and a plate of white sugar rice cakes. Knowing porridge might not be filling enough, she added a substantial dessert.

Harold and Budu sat at a table opposite the kitchen, not in a hurry to eat. Instead, they intently observed the guests, their sharp gazes making everyone uneasy. Yet, the enticing aroma of the food before them was hard to ignore.

Each guest had a round bamboo steamer in front of them, lined with long, broad leaves. Inside were three crab roe buns and three shrimp dumplings, each as big as their fists.

The crab roe buns had thin wrappers and abundant filling, while the shrimp dumplings were translucent, their pink shrimp and green vegetables visible beneath the delicate skin.

The enticing aroma filled the room, but no one dared to move.

Finally, Yuan Wei broke the ice. She picked up a shrimp dumpling, took a bite, and was met with the expected freshness—but with a twist that made it distinct from last night’s meal.

The texture was soft yet chewy, with a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors. It was flawless.

At another table, Xiao Ji couldn’t wait any longer. After fumbling with his chopsticks a few times, he grabbed a crab roe bun with his hand and quickly placed it on his plate.

Lu Yao reminded him, “Crab roe buns have soup inside. Be careful, they’re hot.”

Harold couldn’t hold back any longer and started eating his crab roe bun. Using a spoon, he carefully picked up a bun and used chopsticks to poke a small hole in the wrapper to let the steam escape. He sipped the soup first, then added a bit of ginger and vinegar before popping the whole bun into his mouth, looking completely satisfied.

Xiao Ji, observing closely, immediately mimicked him. He picked up a soup bun with a spoon, poked a hole with his chopsticks, sipped the soup, added a bit of vinegar and ginger, and stuffed the whole bun into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he shook his head in delight.

“So good!”

Imitation seemed to be an instinct, as the others began to sneak glances at Harold and Budu, following their lead.

The mini-sized crab roe buns were just the right size for the small people to enjoy in one bite after sipping the soup. Nothing could be fresher or more flavorful.

Lu Yao had used two large crabs that morning to prepare the crab roe buns for the guests, steaming them in ten baskets alongside shrimp dumplings. A row of unsteamed buns still lined the cutting board.

As expected, one basket wasn’t enough. The guests asked for seconds, and most adults ended up eating three baskets before they were satisfied. Even Xiao Ji managed one and a half.

When the richness of the buns and dumplings became a bit overwhelming, the guests would nibble on a crisp pickled ginger slice to cleanse their palates before continuing with the porridge.

At the end of the meal, they noticed a plate of white sugar rice cakes in the corner. Still warm to the touch, the cakes were soft and springy, offering a mild sweetness with a hint of fruit aroma that lingered.

Under the weight of Harold and Budu’s watchful gazes, Yuan Wei poked her head out the window and asked Lu Yao, “Did you add sugar blocks to the rice cakes?”

The sugar blocks from the Xiaguang Tribe are naturally infused with a fruity aroma, making them famous and easily recognizable.

Lu Yao replied, “I received some sugar blocks from another guest the other day. I tried adding a bit to the dessert this morning, and it did make them taste even better.”

Yuan Wei didn’t respond further, instead picking up another piece of white sugar rice cake, savoring it slowly in small bites.

After the delicious and refreshing breakfast, the small people weren’t in a hurry to leave. They noticed the sunlight streaming through the opposite window and shifted over to those tables to bask in the sun.

Lu Yao finished tidying the kitchen and brought her breakfast tray to sit between Harold and Budu. “What are you two doing?”

Budu gestured toward the dining area and whispered, “Listening to the guests talk.”

Lu Yao took a bite of shrimp dumpling. “What are they chatting about?”

Harold replied, “The guests staying in the fourth-floor suite are planning to travel together to Shenmu Tribe to seek child blessings.”

Intrigued, Lu Yao quickly ate a few bites and began eavesdropping.

“Why does just one sun feel so warm?”

“Must be because we’re in the inn.”

“The buns were amazing, and so were the shrimp dumplings, side dishes, and white sugar rice cakes.”

“How can such big hands make such delicious food?”

“I’ll miss the food here.”

“I’ll miss the hot showers and the soft beds…”

…

“It’s time to go.”

“Ugh, I really don’t want to move.”

Xiao Ji turned his head and noticed Lu Yao sitting outside with Harold and Budu. After hesitating, he carefully got up, tiptoed out of the dining area, and stood by the railing, looking around.

Lu Yao asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Ji reached into his fur-lined pocket and pulled out a mini bar of soap. “I like this soapfruit. I’d like to trade some oilstones for it.”

The little guy’s round beast ears twitched occasionally, his attitude both earnest and nervous.

Actually, he also liked the soft paper provided in the restroom, which was much better than using leaves—more comfortable and cleaner. However, he felt that everything in the inn was so good that he might not be able to afford to trade for much.

If he had to choose just one thing to take back, it would definitely be the soapfruit or something with a similar use.

Soapfruit is a naturally occurring fruit with cleansing properties when ripe, commonly used by Nitean smallfolk for bathing and laundry.

Lu Yao smiled. “This one’s already used. I’ll get you a new one.”

Yuan Wei, who had been watching Xiao Ji and Lu Yao ever since he got up, immediately stood and said, “I’d like to trade for something too.”

Lu Yao turned her head in surprise. “?”

Yuan Wei said, “I’d like to trade some sugar blocks for more of the breakfast buns and shrimp dumplings.”

From the next table, Yin Er couldn’t sit still and immediately chimed in, “Shopkeeper, I’d also like to trade for some pickled vegetables and white sugar rice cakes.”

Having pickled ginger slices on the road would make eating dry rations much easier. As for the white sugar rice cakes, Yin Er had fallen in love with their soft and sweet texture at first bite and was determined to trade for some to take along.

Zhu Zhou and Hu Xi remained silent, letting their partners voice their desires.

Finally, the previously silent and low-key Xiong Ming raised his hand hesitantly. “I’d like to trade for some of the meat used in last night’s noodles.”

The smoked meat used in the noodle dish had a unique smoky aroma, rich saltiness, and oily flavor, unlike the dry and chewy smoked meat typically found in the Xiaguang Tribe. Xiong Ming loved smoked foods, and the smoked meat strips in the noodles were an unparalleled delicacy. He especially enjoyed the satisfaction of biting into the juicy, savory pieces of meat.

None of the Nitean smallfolk realized that they had effectively discovered the second purpose of the inn—a trading post.

At this point, they simply felt that the inn’s offerings were worth exchanging for valuable items.

Lu Yao didn’t refuse any of their requests, agreeing to each trade while advising them to consume the crab roe buns and shrimp dumplings as soon as possible. Fortunately, the outside weather acted as a natural freezer, allowing the fresh food to stay preserved a bit longer.

At the inn’s entrance, Lu Yao, Harold, and Budu waved goodbye to the departing guests.

System Notification:
Task progress: 90%. Positive feedback rate: 100%.
Monitoring indicates that the height of the inn’s doors negatively impacted guest satisfaction, automatically deducting 20% of the positive feedback rate. Current positive feedback rate: 80%. Task deadline: three days. Please work hard to complete the task!

Lu Yao: What?!

Was this even allowed?

Lu Yao tried to communicate with the proxy bot but received no response. She was increasingly convinced that the robot was a trap set up by the system itself.

Losing 20% of the positive feedback meant that the next guest’s feedback would be critical to the task’s success.

Lu Yao turned back toward the inn. “Harold, Budu, once the small kitchen is fully set up, I also want to add a laundry room on the first floor of Guest Block One. The progress on Guest Block Two needs to accelerate—we need it ready for occupancy within three days.”

First, she had to replace the door to Room 401, then thoroughly clean and reset the rooms that previous guests had used.

Harold frowned deeply. “You need to stop overworking. You barely rested last night—go take a nap. We can handle these smaller tasks.”

“Smaller tasks” referred to replacing linens, cleaning the rooms, and reorganizing everything.

Harold, despite never having done such chores, was confident there’d be no challenge in it. That’s just how he was.

Lu Yao shook her head. “The items in the guest rooms are delicate. You’re too strong, and your magic is too aggressive. You’d easily break them.”

Harold, who often crushed building blocks by accident, looked unconvinced.

Lu Yao added, “These items are even more delicate than nail art.”

Harold: “…”

More delicate than nail art?

The little black dragon, who spent an inordinate amount of time caring for his nails: Fine, never mind then.

The best solution would be to quickly hire reliable new staff, at least someone to alternate shifts with her and help watch the inn.

Harold stayed silent for a moment but finally muttered, “You don’t look well. Go get some rest.”

Budu nodded in agreement, his red eyes filled with worry.

Lu Yao didn’t feel much about it and just replied casually, “Cleaning is quick. I’ll rest once I’m done.”

“Boss, I’m back!” came a vibrant and energetic voice from outside.

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