Ch 15: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Upon reaching the hotel, Lu Yao left Ji Feiming to rest in the first-floor café while she went up to the third floor.

The door to Room 305 was open when she stepped out of the elevator.

Lu Yao stood at the doorway and gently knocked on the doorframe, drawing the attention of the three young people sitting on the sofa.

Assistant Zheng had met Lu Yao twice before, but Fu Chi hadn’t mentioned this detail before the interview. Like the two women, he was visibly surprised.

Lu Yao gave a brief self-introduction and sat across from them.

Bai Lu couldn’t help but exchange a glance with Ji Qingyan.

Lu Yao, smiling gently, asked warmly, “What is it?”

Bai Lu, slightly embarrassed, replied, “You’re so young.”

When her cousin had contacted her, his tone had been serious and formal, as though she were competing for some rare, prestigious position rather than a receptionist job at an inn.

While waiting for the interview, Bai Lu had exchanged a few words with Ji Qingyan and Assistant Zheng. Their resumes alone had made her inwardly gasp, realizing this might not be as simple as it seemed.

But upon seeing Lu Yao, Bai Lu began to think she might have overthought things.

The boss was too young, looking even younger than the other two candidates.

Lu Yao nodded slightly but didn’t dwell on the topic. Instead, she got straight to the point. “My inn is rather unique—you can think of it as a LEGO-themed inn. If you have any questions, feel free to ask at any time.”

The job requirements, hours, and salary had already been explained by the referrers, but Lu Yao repeated them while observing their reactions.

Ji Qingyan asked, “Why a LEGO-themed inn?”

The question felt like a classic “Why do you want to work for our company?” from an interviewer.

Bai Lu secretly wondered why this impressive Miss Ji, with her dazzling resume and strong presence, was even here for this interview.

Lu Yao replied simply, “Because I want to.”

Bai Lu straightened in her seat, thinking, This boss is impressive too.

Assistant Zheng, whose full name was Zheng Ziyang, seemed lost in thought the entire time, his lack of engagement obvious. Compared to the last time Lu Yao had seen him, he looked significantly more worn out.

After a detailed conversation, Lu Yao found all three candidates impressive in their own ways, but she also realized it was unlikely she’d find a suitable hire today.

Zheng Ziyang eventually spoke up. “I’m sorry, Shopkeeper. My health isn’t great, so I don’t think I can handle this job.”

Lu Yao nodded in understanding, thinking that Fu Chi might have been a bit naïve. How could his chief assistant calmly accept such a drastic change in status?

Bai Lu spoke next, shyly. “I’m looking for a job with weekends off.”

When contacted by her family, she had been told the job was easy, and she had imagined working while still having time to film videos and manage her account. After talking with Lu Yao, she realized the job required more time than she had expected.

Moreover, it was a standard receptionist role. Bai Lu privately felt that, as a recent graduate, she could still look for a position that suited her better.

Lu Yao wasn’t surprised.

Finally, it was Ji Qingyan’s turn.

She stood up and shook Lu Yao’s hand. “When do I start?”

Bai Lu was stunned.

She had thought Ji Qingyan was the least likely of the three to take this job.

Seeing Lu Yao’s slight surprise, Ji Qingyan couldn’t help but laugh. “If I wasn’t interested, I wouldn’t have come for the interview. After talking to you, I feel like I’ll enjoy this job.”

Lu Yao smiled as well. “In that case, you can join me later to meet the other colleagues.”

Ji Qingyan paused briefly, then replied, “Alright.”

The interview concluded, and Lu Yao headed to the hospital for a checkup.

Since she rarely had the chance to go out, she decided to take care of all her errands in one trip.

When Ji Qingyan saw Ji Feiming downstairs, she froze for a moment.

Uncle Ming?

Seated in the back, she listened as Lu Yao and Uncle Ming chatted.

Lu Yao mentioned going for a health checkup.

Ji Feiming looked concerned. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Lu Yao replied, “Just a routine checkup. I happen to have time today. Later, you can take Qingyan back first—Budu is at the inn.”

Ji Feiming insisted, “We can wait for you or pick you up afterward.”

Lu Yao shook her head. “No need. I still have other things to do. I’ll head back on my own.”

Ji Feiming said no more, and Ji Qingyan tried to keep calm.

From her name alone, it was clear she was from a distant branch of the Ji family. Even being notified of the interview had felt inexplicable.

Her family had merely told her to go through the motions.

If the job were truly prestigious, how could it have been offered to her?

Ji Qingyan had thought the same at first, but after the interview, she genuinely became interested in Lu Yao’s inn and changed her mind.

What she hadn’t expected was that the Ji clan’s last Divine Messenger now served as Lu Yao’s driver.

If that was the case, perhaps her famous cousin was also working at Lu Yao’s inn.

Ji Qingyan, belatedly realizing this, thought the job might be far more interesting than she’d initially imagined.

Lu Yao had scheduled her appointment in advance and had abstained from food and water to prepare for the checkup. She went straight to the hospital and completed the examination.

While waiting for the results, she felt unbearably hungry. Spotting a dessert shop on the corner, she ordered three desserts and a coffee with milk and sugar in one go, choosing a quiet seat in the back.

Since taking over the shopping street, it had been ages since Lu Yao had gone out like this. Eating outside felt surprisingly refreshing.

“I love him more than you. He even said I understand and care for him more than you do… If only I’d met him before you did.”

Lu Yao, focused on her food, paused when she heard this heartfelt declaration from the table behind her. Her seat was near the inner wall, and the voice came from the corner just behind her.

The shop was nearly empty at this hour, and the girl’s voice, tinged with sobs and anguish, was clearly audible.

Lu Yao tilted her head slightly, but the partition was too high for her to see the speakers.

After a long silence, a tired voice responded, “If he wants to leave, does he not have a mouth or legs? Can’t he say it himself?”

The second voice, a woman’s, sounded calm but carried a trace of helplessness.

The younger girl continued to pour her heart out, recounting how deeply she and the man loved each other. From warmth and sweetness to despair and heartbreak, she painted the older woman as the greatest obstacle to their love.

A light clink of glass on the table silenced the room. The woman spoke again, her tone steady: “It’s time for my daughter’s chemotherapy.”

The younger girl immediately stopped talking.

The woman called for the server, paid for her tea, and picked up her bag to leave.

As the slender, poised woman passed through the aisle, Lu Yao couldn’t help but glance back.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Bai Jing—the test results were ready.

Lu Yao quickly finished her dessert, downed her coffee in one gulp, and left the café.

Outside, three young people walked by, carrying fruit and snacks.

Lu Yao didn’t call out, but Bai Jin spotted her first, waving excitedly. “Shopkeeper!”

Bai Zheng turned at the sound, equally surprised to see her. “Shopkeeper, what are you doing here?”

Lu Yao smiled faintly. “I came for a checkup and grabbed a bite while waiting for the results.”

Bai Jin looked her over. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “Nothing serious. I just had some free time and thought I’d get a routine checkup.”

Bai Zheng nodded approvingly. “With how busy your inn is, regular checkups are reassuring.”

Caught between the two, Bai Lu hesitated before speaking. She hadn’t expected her cousins to know Lu Yao. “We meet again, Boss Lu.”

Lu Yao: “Just call me by my name.”

The three followed her toward the hospital, as they were also there to meet Bai Jing.

Hearing that the shopping street was back in operation and running normally, Bai Jin and Bai Zheng expressed their intent to visit before returning to school.

At the hospital, Bai Jing first handed Lu Yao her health report, and they discussed it briefly in the office.

This gave Bai Lu a chance to ask Bai Jin and Bai Zheng, “Is this Boss Lu a big deal?”

Bai Jin smiled. “She’s special, even if it doesn’t show on the surface.”

Bai Zheng asked, “How do you know her?”

Having only recently arrived in Yaoguang City, Bai Lu had been taken around by her two cousins today, both as hosts and to share a meal with Bai Jing.

Bai Lu explained the interview.

Bai Jin, surprised, remarked, “Lu Yao’s opening a new store? Why didn’t she mention it just now?”

Bai Zheng focused on another point. “Did you already tell her you’re not taking the job?”

Bai Lu hesitated. “I just thought it didn’t match my expectations. Can’t I say no?”

Bai Zheng and Bai Jin exchanged a look but said no more.

Bai Jin added, “It’s no big deal.”

When Bai Jing accompanied Lu Yao back out, he already knew the results of the interview. Although slightly disappointed, he didn’t say much.

Lu Yao’s health report showed no issues—her bloodwork, bones, organs, and all other indicators were within normal ranges.

After saying goodbye to the Bai siblings, she turned to leave.

Suddenly, Bai Lu grabbed her and pulled her aside. “Shopkeeper, if you’re hiring again, can I give it a shot?”

Bai Lu had recently spoken with Bai Jin, who worked at the shopping street. Her elder cousin had cryptically mentioned that the job was both fun and well-suited to her field, though she hadn’t gone into detail.

Lu Yao glanced at her. “Will your family agree?”

Lu Jin replied, “It’s in the city, and Sister Jin works there just fine.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Alright, if there’s a suitable position next time, I’ll let you know.”

Eavesdropping nearby, Bai Zheng couldn’t help raising his hand. “Lu Yao, I want to join too.”

Bai Jin was confused.

Weren’t you two saying something entirely different just now?

…

Lu Yao took the elevator down, heading to the end of the corridor where the restroom was located. She planned to return to Dreamland using her ring but turned toward the restroom first.

As she approached, she heard an argument. A man’s cold voice scolded someone, while a woman sniffled silently.

The man’s voice grew louder and angrier.

Lu Yao frowned, torn between stepping in and leaving.

Through the mirror above the sink, she caught sight of a vaguely familiar figure. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to enter.

Her footsteps startled the man, who abruptly stopped yelling and gave the woman a shove before turning to leave with a cold expression.

“Smack!” A crisp sound echoed. The man clutched his cheek in disbelief, glaring at the woman. By then, Lu Yao was already standing by the door.

The man’s eyes widened, and he moved as if to strike the woman.

Lu Yao raised her phone, pretending to be on a video call. “Yes, I’m still at the hospital.”

The man glared at the woman one last time, then turned and walked away.

The woman said nothing, turning to the sink to splash water on her face. She slowly straightened up, letting out a long breath.

Lu Yao’s gaze met hers in the mirror—it was the same woman she had seen at the café earlier.

Despite her haggard appearance and the exhaustion in her posture, her eyes were steady and determined.

Their eyes met for a second before breaking contact.

Without a word, Lu Yao walked past her into the restroom.

When she heard the water stop and the footsteps fade away, Lu Yao pulled out her ring.

…

The illusion ring transported her to Dreamland. Lu Yao placed her health report into her portable storage and casually pulled out a white, lacy mask.

Although Dreamland NPCs recognized her, she habitually used a slight disguise to avoid attracting too much attention from players.

Inside Dreamland, a live escape game broadcast was underway.

The moment Lu Yao arrived, she felt something sticky underfoot but didn’t look down, striding forward instead.

In Dreamland’s cinema, guests watching the live broadcast noticed the shopkeeper suddenly appear. Unlike a year ago, when such an event would have caused panic, the NPCs quickly approached to guide her.

The NPC led Lu Yao through the area like a passerby, walking straight past players being hunted without even glancing at them.

Zheng Ziyang had been cornered by a massive Nightmare Demon and was moments away from being eliminated. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar hem of clothing. Startled, he didn’t have time to think and blurted out, “Lu Yao?”

They had met that afternoon. Though he couldn’t see her face, he recognized that outfit without a doubt.

Lu Yao paused slightly but didn’t turn around.

The Nightmare Demon, however, did glance back. It turned its attention away from Zheng Ziyang and, with a single swipe of its claw, pierced through his chest and tossed him aside before striding toward Lu Yao.

Lu Yao stopped. “Qing?”

The Nightmare Demon waved its claw lightly, signaling the accompanying NPC to leave. It then resumed its role as her guide, leading her to a familiar door.

…

Zheng Ziyang opened his eyes, drenched in cold sweat, his entire body trembling. His mind was still trapped in the vivid terror of his death experience. It took several minutes before he could shake off the fear. With shaky hands, he fumbled for his phone and called Fu Chi.

“Boss, I need to see Boss Lu again.”

…

Dreamland, Divine Realm

Lu Yao stood before a massive graveyard of bones, holding the dessert box she had packed at the café. “Lord Demon God, how have you been lately?”

The wind howled in response.

After a long silence, the Demon God’s voice echoed from all directions. “What you seek is beyond my ability to grant.”

Lu Yao retrieved her health report from her portable storage. “Before coming here, I had a checkup at the hospital.”

The Demon God asked, “What did you find?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “Everything is normal.”

A gust of wind swept the dessert box from her hands, carrying it unsteadily into the graveyard of bones.

Sitting cross-legged, Lu Yao gazed up at the white bones buried in the yellow sands. “You are a kind god.”

The Demon God burst into laughter. “The world calls me the God of Death.”

Lu Yao continued, “Perhaps I haven’t told you—I have a child. A young one. After meeting them, I learned that even divine offspring cannot easily enter the Land of the Dead. But I… I can.”

She reflected on Lu Mingxiao’s roles in other worlds, which vanished as he departed each one. Yet in the first store she opened, set in Dreamland, he had inhabited Bai Ming’s soul. When he left, Bai Ming remained.

Even a god-slaying entity capable of crossing worlds at will had to take a circuitous route to enter the Land of the Dead.

The Demon God remained silent.

Lu Yao asked, “Lord Demon God, why was the starting point for my store the Land of the Dead?”

The Demon God replied after a pause, “The plan you proposed earlier… if the price is sufficient, it might be negotiable.”

Lu Yao’s lips curled into a faint smile as she changed the subject. “What do you want in return?”

The Demon God asked, “In this unchanging land of death, what price could there possibly be?”

Lu Yao responded calmly, “How about a hundred thousand years?”

The Demon God’s laughter grew louder, reverberating like wind through caves. “I accept.”

Lu Yao stood, bowing deeply toward the graveyard. “Thank you.”

As she turned to leave, the Demon God’s voice echoed behind her. “Lu Yao, the price you pay may go far beyond this.”

Lu Yao waved a hand over her shoulder, continuing her uneven trek back, her smile subtly shifting.

The most frightening gift is the one without a cost.

…

A hundred thousand years of time were stripped from Lu Yao’s hands. In the amusement park, the Head Guard immediately received the new divine decree. He rose abruptly.

When Lu Yao left the Divine Realm, she encountered the Head Guard at the entrance to the amusement park.

Head Guard: “What did you say to the Demon God? How could it make Him change His mind?”

Lu Yao shook her head, unwilling to elaborate. Instead, she asked, “When can we start?”

Although filled with curiosity, the Head Guard suppressed it and returned to discussing the intranet setup plan with her in detail.

..l

Leaving the snack shop, the sky had already darkened. Lu Yao walked toward the inn across the street.

She had spent the entire day outside and wondered if there had been any guests today. The employee contracts hadn’t been signed yet, so Ji Qingyan had probably gone home by now.

She also needed to send Merulu and Puxiu back to the nail salon.

“Boss, you’re back!”

Pushing open the door, Lu Yao was momentarily surprised to hear Ji Qingyan’s voice. “Why haven’t you gone home?”

Ji Qingyan beamed brightly, almost like a different person. “Merulu, Puxiu, Heici, and Beef Cube are already resting. I just wasn’t ready to leave yet and wanted to get the contract signed as soon as possible.”

That afternoon, Ji Qingyan had followed Ji Feiming to the shopping street and, upon seeing Ji Zhixin there, had a sudden realization—this might actually be a good opportunity for her.

When she entered the inn and saw the intricate “dollhouses” on the windowsill, her heart nearly melted.

But that was just the beginning. As soon as she sat down in front of one of the delicate miniature houses, several tiny people opened the doors, stepped out one by one, and yelled loudly down the hallway, “Budu, Budu, we’re hungry! Any snacks?”

Ji Qingyan froze in place, blinking hard, wondering if she was hallucinating.

Ji Feiming bent down to explain to Budu, “This is Ji Qingyan, the new inn staff hired by the boss today.”

Budu?

Ji Qingyan’s eyes widened in shock.

Even the divine child was here?

Budu glanced at Ji Qingyan, nodded, and said nothing. Without Lu Yao around, Budu lacked curiosity and wasn’t the soft, adorable child others might expect.

Ji Feiming called Ji Qingyan aside and gave her a brief explanation. Since her contract hadn’t been signed yet, he didn’t go into much detail but was generally pleased with this younger relative.

Previously, he had recommended many candidates, none of whom fit the bill. Ji Feiming had assumed Lu Yao would no longer hire anyone from the Ji family. Ji Qingyan had been recommended by Ji Feirong, and to his surprise, she seemed to have passed Lu Yao’s test.

The tiny people asked curiously who Ji Qingyan was. Upon learning that she was a new staff member, Merulu and Puxiu suddenly felt a sense of pride as seniors. They thought back to how dignified Sijin and Harold had acted as seniors, so they didn’t pay much attention to Ji Qingyan. Instead, they turned to call Heici to continue their brick-stacking game, pretending not to care about the newcomer.

Ji Qingyan, watching Beef Cube wag its tail as it followed Heici, could no longer describe her emotions from this surreal day.

What exactly is this inn?

Budu handed her a blueprint, pointing to a section. “You build this side; I’ll build that side. Mother said we need to finish the second guest area in the next few days.”

Mother? Does that mean Lu Yao?

Ji Qingyan stayed at the inn, even after everyone else had left for the day. She waited until Lu Yao returned.

Lu Yao took a glass of water from Budu and sat down. “Are you getting used to it here?”

Realizing the question was directed at her, Ji Qingyan nodded enthusiastically. “I didn’t expect it to be a themed inn like this.”

Lu Yao pulled out a confidentiality agreement and an employment contract from her portable storage. After Ji Qingyan signed her name and the agreement took effect, Lu Yao continued, “This street is like this. There are quite a few ordinary employees like you here. Tomorrow, you can meet the others in the office next door.”

Ordinary employees? So there are also… extraordinary ones?

Ji Qingyan grew even more excited. “Boss, can I stay here tonight?”

Building with LEGO was already relaxing, but the inn’s miniature LEGO-like houses were functional with real guests. It was addictive.

Lu Yao shook her head. “The inn is different from the other shops. It needs someone on night duty. Don’t worry—you’ll get a night shift later. For now, go home and rest.”

In the afternoon, Ji Feiming returned with Ji Zhixin, leaving behind a car.

Ji Qingyan forced herself to calm down and drove home.

…

It was the first day of the Ice Period, another blank-slate day, but fortunately, two-thirds of the recruitment task had been completed.

Lu Yao spent a few hours carving out a small room in the kitchen corridor, intending to use it as a rest area for night-shift employees.

She also marked off a section near the kitchen windowsill to build a dormitory for the small-person staff.

Beyond her current tasks, Lu Yao thought it best to recruit another human employee soon to ensure better shift rotation.

…

The next morning, Lu Yao held a meeting with the inn’s two new employees. With the second guest room area nearly complete, the next priority was the dormitory for the small-person staff.

Heici had been staying in a guest room for the past few days, and Lu Yao wanted to arrange proper accommodations for him as soon as possible.

She handed Ji Qingyan a blueprint. “The dormitory will be built next to the kitchen. This is today’s main task. Qingyan, you’ll take charge, and Budu will assist you.”

Ji Qingyan and Budu went to start building the dormitory, while Lu Yao took Heici to the guest room area. “Your responsibility will be maintaining the guest rooms.”

She taught Heici how to clean and tidy rooms and how to use the laundry facilities.

These structured tasks were foreign to the lifestyle of Nitean little people, and Heici struggled to adapt.

Lu Yao recognized it was difficult for him but admired his steady demeanor.

Though he learned slowly, he was meticulous.

Heici didn’t enjoy tidying rooms but found the laundry facilities fascinating. He hated washing clothes during the Twilight Moon season, when it was cold and drying was difficult. The laundry room made it much easier.

After the morning training session, Lu Yao went to the nail salon to bring Merulu and Puxiu back. The three little ones, now familiar with each other, began eagerly moving bricks again.

They transported the stones piece by piece from one end of the windowsill to the other, where the dormitory was being built, working up a sweat as they played.

…

Lu Yao was standing at the inn’s entrance, talking to Fu Chi.

Fu Chi planned to continue working on the shopping street for a while after the new year, focusing on a documentary about the Great Wu Dynasty.

In a low voice, he said to Lu Yao, “Shopkeeper, could you give Xiao Zheng another chance? I only found out about his situation yesterday.”

Lu Yao thought of the young man she had encountered in Dreamland the day before, her expression calm. “He rejected the offer himself during the interview. You and I both gave him plenty of opportunities.”

Zheng Ziyang’s resignation likely stemmed from receiving Dreamland’s Illusion Ring and learning that his time was limited.

He had been dismissive during the interview, and now, his sudden change of heart was clearly due to their coincidental meeting in Dreamland.

Fu Chi pressed on. “If we let him be, won’t he end up like Qi Chen?”

Zheng Ziyang had already entered Dreamland twice, failing both times.

Lu Yao tapped her left palm with her right hand. “Fu Chi, you’re a boss too. You should understand better than I do how to manage people. Why do you think Zheng Ziyang is coming back to me now? You already know the answer.”

Fu Chi sighed. “Lu Yao, I know Xiao Zheng is at fault here. But how about this: I’ll transfer ten million to your account and let him enter the shopping street as a guest, like me.”

Lu Yao remained silent.

Fu Chi continued, “He’s been by my side for years and is a capable worker. After I leave, he can serve as an assistant to Ji Zhixin. A six-month probation period—after that, you can decide whether or not to hire him as a formal employee.”

Lu Yao commented lightly, “You’re quite generous with your subordinates.”

Fu Chi replied, “I just don’t want him to meet the same end as Qi Chen. Whether he gets this chance depends on your willingness to give it.”

Lu Yao lowered her gaze in thought. After a long pause, she said, “I noticed his resume lists cooking as a hobby?”

Fu Chi was momentarily stunned. “Xiao Zheng is pretty good at cooking.”

Lu Yao: “Qingyan doesn’t cook. If Zheng comes, his position will be the inn’s chef. Ask him if he’s willing.”

Fu Chi didn’t dare entertain other thoughts and responded immediately, “He’ll definitely agree.”

…

That afternoon, Lu Yao met with Zheng Ziyang at the inn.

Zheng’s cooking skills were indeed excellent, earning praise from the twin fairies, Heici, and even Ji Qingyan.

Lu Yao finalized an employment contract and confidentiality agreement with Zheng Ziyang.

His contract differed from the others. While working at the inn, Zheng would be compensated with time instead of money. The contract was for six months, with time as the corresponding reward.

With Ji Qingyan, Zheng Ziyang, and Heici now officially employed, Lu Yao could finally free herself from the endless daily tasks and focus on preparing the intranet setup and completing system objectives.

…

The Ice Period turned out to be harsher than expected. For three consecutive days, there were no guests at the inn.

On the fourth evening, the bell at the entrance jingled, and two Nitean little people walked in, accompanied by a red pig.

Ji Qingyan quickly approached the door, carefully restraining her excitement, and asked softly, “Will you be dining or staying?”

Zhu Zhou looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Where’s Lu Yao?”

Ji Qingyan replied, “So you’re regulars.”

Heici, who had been in the barn tending to the red pig, heard voices and came over, greeting them warmly. “Hello. Lu Yao is out on an errand. We’re the staff here.”

Yuanwei followed behind Zhu Zhou, her expression weary. Hearing Heici speak, she looked up briefly, took some candy and animal hides from her bundle, and exchanged them for five Nitean coins. “We’d like to stay.”

Heici accepted the coins and handed them to Ji Qingyan, then cheerfully led Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei to the guest room area via the elevator.

The second guest area next to the first had recently been completed, featuring a slightly different design from the first building.

Noticing Zhu Zhou’s gaze lingering on the new area, Heici asked if they’d like to stay there instead.

Zhu Zhou shook his head. “We’ll stay on the fourth floor where we were last time, the same room.”

Heici handed him the key to Room 401.

The little couple entered the room, leaving Ji Qingyan and Zheng Ziyang standing there in a daze.

Guests had finally arrived, but it almost felt unreal.

Ji Qingyan asked, “Will they be eating later?”

Zheng Ziyang snapped out of it and immediately headed to the kitchen, feeling a bit nervous.

During his time at the inn, he had practiced cooking daily, and the feedback had been good. But now, faced with real guests, he was momentarily at a loss for what to prepare.

He sought Heici’s advice.

Heici, busy grooming Beef Cube, replied casually, “Everything at the inn tastes great!”

Left with no choice, Zheng returned to the kitchen to figure it out on his own.

He prepared steamed rice, stir-fried beef strips, smashed cucumbers, and a pot of tomato meatball soup, carefully plating them in miniature-sized tableware designed for the Niteans.

Heici pushed a small cart to the first guest area, took the elevator to the fourth floor, and gently knocked on the door of Room 401.

Zhu Zhou opened the door, took the tray without a word, and closed the door again.

…

Meanwhile, Ji Qingyan and Zheng Ziyang occasionally glanced toward the fourth floor of the guest area.

Inside Room 401, Yuanwei lay on the bed, looking drained of energy.

Zhu Zhou placed the food on the table, then walked over to her side. “Yuan, get up and eat.”

Yuanwei murmured, “You eat. I’m not hungry.”

Zhu Zhou sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes filled with worry. “You haven’t eaten properly this whole journey. We’re finally back at the inn. Eat something before you sleep, alright?”

Yuanwei didn’t move, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “You eat first. I just want to rest a little.”

Zhu Zhou had no choice but to sit at the table and take a few bites, but he wasn’t really hungry.

The small dishes on the table quickly cooled in the winter chill.

He moved to the window and stared outside in a daze.

When Lu Yao returned to the inn, Ji Qingyan immediately informed her, “Boss, we’ve got guests.”

Yuanwei ran over as well. “They seem to know you.”

Lu Yao: “Probably regulars. Have they eaten yet?”

Upon hearing that Zheng had sent in two meal sets, Lu Yao nodded. “Alright, I’ll take the night shift with Yuanwei. You two can head back.”

…

The night chased away the last traces of light, and the sky grew dark, shrouded like a heavy shadow.

The wind howled outside, as the Ice Period continued on the Nitean continent.

Earlier in the day, Yuanwei had managed to hunt two horned rabbits. Now, he was using the kitchen in the first guest area to prepare a pot of his signature rabbit meat soup for Lu Yao to try.

Watching the small figure of Yuanwei bustling around—already tiring himself out just running across the windowsill—Lu Yao had made some new parts. She was piecing together miniature vehicle models, planning a route through the inn to make it easier for him to get around.

As Heici cooked in the tiny kitchen, Lu Yao sat nearby assembling the mini cars.

The aroma of the soup wafted upstairs. Zhu Zhou, catching the scent, sniffed the air and got up to investigate.

Opening the door, he saw Lu Yao sitting outside. “You’re back,” he said, stepping out.

Lu Yao looked up with a smile. “So it’s you. Was your journey smooth?”

Zhu Zhou didn’t answer, instead leaning over the corridor’s edge to peer downstairs. “Who’s making horned rabbit soup?”

“You can tell just from the smell?” Lu Yao pointed to the first floor. “It’s Heici, our new staff member. Want to come down and have some?”

Thinking about the cold dinner left on the table, Zhu Zhou nodded. “I’ll wake Yuan.”

Inside the room, Yuanwei lay motionless under the blankets.

Zhu Zhou sighed deeply, gently patting the lump on the bed. “The little staff member is making horned rabbit soup. Let’s go down for a bowl.”

“Lu Yao’s back too.”

The lump moved slightly.

Zhu Zhou coaxed her for a while longer, and eventually, Yuanwei threw off the blanket. Though she still looked unwell, she agreed to go downstairs.

…

In the first-floor dining area, Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei sat by the window as Heici carefully brought over two bowls of horned rabbit soup.

Yuanwei noticed the beast horn mark on Heici’s brow and his wolf ears, her expression changing slightly. “Where are your parents?” she asked softly.

Though confused by the question, Heici answered honestly.

Suddenly, Yuanwei’s eyes turned red, and she broke into tears, burying her head on the table.

Heici froze, unsure of what to do.

Lu Yao, equally baffled, didn’t understand what had triggered Yuanwei’s outburst.

Zhu Zhou gently patted Yuanwei’s back and began to recount their experience at the Shenmu Tribe.

They had traveled there with Xiong Ming’s team and arrived at the Shenmu Tribe together.

After two days of waiting, they met with the tribe’s priest, who reviewed their case. While the priest approved the fetal seeds for Hu Xi and Yin Er, Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei’s request was denied.

Hu Xi and Yin Er had only completed the Iris Ceremony six months ago but were already deemed qualified for the seeds. Yuanwei, however, became deeply frustrated, refusing to accept the priest’s decision.

But the Shenmu Tribe controlled the distribution of fetal seeds, and dissatisfaction couldn’t change that.

After staying two more days at the tribe, the couple had no choice but to return home in disappointment.

…

Only then did Lu Yao understand. For Nitean little people, becoming parents required passing specific tests.

These tests evaluated their basic survival skills, ability to obtain food, cocooning proficiency, nest-building capability, and their capacity to nurture and protect offspring.

Because Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei didn’t live within the territories of the Xia Guang Tribe or Red Pig Tribe, the Shenmu Tribe’s priest had judged that they lacked the ability to raise and protect young.

Looking at Heici, who was still a bit confused, Lu Yao started piecing things together. She gently patted his small head and turned to the guests. “What are your plans now?”

The weariness on Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei’s faces deepened into confusion. They exchanged a helpless look but said nothing.

Before deciding to go to the Shenmu Tribe, Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei had prepared themselves fully for parenthood.

However, they could no longer return to live in their tribe.

Lu Yao lightly tapped her fingers on the table and made a suggestion. “Have you considered staying at the inn?”

Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei looked up, puzzled by her meaning.

Lu Yao explained, “Shenmu Tribe determined you lack the ability to nurture and protect a child. Why not work on building those skills? If you work at the inn, I’ll provide you with lodging and food. In your free time, you can hunt and explore the surrounding areas like Thorn Valley to improve your hunting abilities. During work, you’ll also have opportunities to interact with guests from different tribes. Perhaps one day, you’ll find a tribe willing to accept you.”

From Lu Yao’s perspective, Shenmu Tribe’s criteria for parenthood were straightforward. Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei were likely disqualified because they didn’t live with their tribe.

This was clear from comparing Monk and Heici. Monk’s parents had lived in the Red Pig Tribe, and after their passing, the tribe raised him until adulthood.

Heici, on the other hand, had to live alone after losing his parents. If the environment were even slightly harsher, survival would have been impossible for him.

The little people’s culture fascinated Lu Yao, but she couldn’t quite understand why such a selection system had emerged in a primitive society.

Was it because fetal seeds were too precious, and this was a way to ensure the survival of their species?

If so, evolution could have gone in a different direction, favoring more prolific reproduction—like many marine organisms that rely on sheer numbers to succeed.

Zhu Zhou and Yuanwei didn’t immediately accept Lu Yao’s proposal. After finishing their horned rabbit soup, they returned to their room.

…

Lu Yao fell into thought when she felt a gentle nudge on her fingers. Looking down, she saw Heici holding a bowl of soup.

“I just reheated this for you. Try it,” he said.

Earlier, she had been busy serving the guests and hadn’t had a chance to taste it herself.

Lu Yao carefully accepted the tiny bowl with two fingers and drank it in one go. “The meat is tender, the broth is rich—I love it.”

Heici’s dark eyes instantly lit up, and he shyly fiddled with the corner of his fur coat. “Tomorrow, I’ll go hunt another nest of horned rabbits.”

Lu Yao couldn’t help but gently ruffle his small wolf ears. “You’re still young. Eat well and sleep plenty so you can grow taller. I’ll clean the kitchen. You go wash up and get some rest.”

Heici, transparent in his emotions and quick to show affection, happily carried Beef Cube back to the dormitory.

The little people’s dormitory had just been completed—a three-story red-brick building with six rooms on each floor.

The middle of the building housed the stairs, with elevators on both the left and right sides.

Heici, who liked high places, had chosen the room on the far left of the third floor and moved in the day before.

As the first little employee to live in the dormitory, Lu Yao had spent half a day helping him pick out furniture and set up his small room.

Beef Cube still lived with Heici, and Lu Yao had helped him make a little nest for it—it wasn’t much different from keeping a dog.

…

The lights in Heici’s room went out, as did the ones in the guest rooms.

Lu Yao turned off the extra lights, leaving only the one by the windowsill.

She managed to assemble three convertible mini cars, then couldn’t resist building a small train with five cars trailing behind the engine.

The model for the miniature train came from the movie “Sea Train Serial Murders” that had once played in the Great Wu cinema. Lu Yao meticulously recreated the details—when the carriage doors were opened, tiny tables, chairs, and windows could be seen inside.

However, due to its size, each carriage could only fit two Nitean little people.

Wouldn’t it make sense to build some tracks for it?

Her phone alarm went off—midnight sharp.

Reluctantly putting down the beloved miniature train, Lu Yao decided the tracks would have to wait until tomorrow.

…

The next morning, Lu Yao woke up to the aroma of food. She opened the door to find Zheng Ziyang already busy at work.

Lu Yao: “Why so early?”

Zheng Ziyang: “I was worried about the guests. Couldn’t sleep at home anyway.”

For breakfast, Zheng had prepared porridge, steamed eggs with sea urchin, shrimp dumplings, beef patties, a small plate of eight-treasure pickles, and red sugar-filled white cake.

The guests were still asleep, so Lu Yao took a serving and sat by the window to eat.

Next door, in the little employees’ dormitory, the aroma wafted upwards.

Heici, lured by the smell, groggily got up, opened his window, and leaned out while scratching his belly and drooling. “What smells so good? It’s amazing.”

Lu Yao got up, grabbed a clean pair of chopsticks, dipped the tip in the steamed egg, and fed it to Heici. “Zheng made steamed eggs for breakfast.”

One bite was enough to wake Heici completely. He leaned out the window and shouted toward the kitchen, “Zheng, Zheng! I’m starving!”

Zheng quickly plated a Nitean-sized portion and handed it through the window. “Eat slowly; it’s hot.”

Heici, carefree as always, took the plate back inside, leaving the window wide open.

Zheng stood by the window, beaming with a “proud auntie” smile as he watched Heici eat breakfast.

Lu Yao imagined how Zheng must look from Heici’s perspective. Good thing the kid doesn’t overthink.

Zheng’s cooking was indeed excellent, especially the beef patties—flaky on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Lu Yao ended up eating several in quick succession before forcing herself to stop.

…

Ding-ding-ding—

Could there already be guests this early?

Lu Yao took her plate to the kitchen, rinsed her mouth, and headed to the door.

Reaching the entrance, she paused.

Standing at the door were two unfamiliar Nitean little people.

One of them, about ten centimeters tall, had stunning silver short hair and eyes as vivid and bright as red rubies.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️