Ch 100: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Xuanfeng: “Why don’t I help you tie your hair?”

Mo Bao lowered his gaze. “Alright.”

Xuanfeng and Mo Bao leaned lazily against the counter, imitating the earlier exchange with exaggerated mischief.

This morning, they heard from some fleeing demons that someone had opened the Ghost Gate at the internet cafe last night. Xuanfeng immediately relayed the information back to the Ninefold Demonic Hall.

At the time, the Lord was bathing. Upon hearing the news, he rushed out without finishing—his clothes undone and hair still damp—heading straight to the cafe. His flustered appearance was a sight to behold.

By the time Xuanfeng and Mo Bao managed to catch up, riding their Night Wyverns and navigating through the magic passage, they saw their Lord sitting obediently before the cafe owner, ears red as blood and demeanor meek.

Before they could approach, the cafe owner had already pulled the Lord into the lounge.

“How boring,” Xuanfeng grumbled.

…

Inside the Lounge

After finishing, Lu Yao gently patted Zeyuan on the shoulder. “All done.”

Zeyuan’s crimson eyes, glistening like polished rubies, flickered nervously. His ears were so flushed they seemed to glow. He took a quick glance in the mirror before hastily setting it down.

Lu Yao smiled at him. “Aren’t you going to take a closer look? How do you like my handiwork?”

Avoiding her gaze, Zeyuan turned his head slightly. “It’s… fine.”

“This was my first time tying a man’s hair,” Lu Yao teased. “It’s normal if you’re not satisfied. I’ll just practice more and try again.”

Zeyuan’s shoulders stiffened visibly, his voice coming out awkwardly. “No… no need to practice. It’s already… very good.”

Lu Yao raised an eyebrow. “Not an option. I’m a bit of a perfectionist. If I start something, I have to get it just right.”

Zeyuan blurted out, “Then don’t practice on anyone else.”

Lu Yao grinned. “I never said I would.”

Zeyuan: “…”

She bit back a chuckle, sensing she had awakened some peculiar inclination of her own, and promptly changed the subject. Taking out the golden seed she had received, she asked, “I recently got this mustard seed, but I have no idea how to enter it.”

Zeyuan took the seed from her, examining it closely. “Since it belongs to you, as its owner, you only need to command it to open.”

“Command it?” Lu Yao looked puzzled. “It’s that simple?”

Zeyuan replied calmly, “How do you usually use your spatial storage bags?”

Lu Yao reflected for a moment. Typically, she reached into the bag and focused on the item she wanted. Most of the time, it worked without fail.

Realizing it might be similar, she grasped the mustard seed firmly and visualized opening a door in her mind. The seed in her palm began to heat up and glow.

Golden light flashed rapidly, blinding her momentarily. When she reopened her eyes, she found herself inside a simple stone cavern.

The cavern wasn’t very large, smaller than the first floor of the cafe, and its furnishings were all made of stone.

“So, this is the world within the mustard seed?” she mused, strolling around. Yet, it felt underwhelming compared to her expectations.

“Lu Yao! Lu Yao!”

She heard someone calling her name.

It was Zeyuan’s voice.

Picturing the door opening to leave, she felt a brief darkness, followed by a surge of bright light. When she turned, she saw Zeyuan’s slightly anxious face.

“You were calling for me?” Lu Yao asked.

Zeyuan nodded, visibly relieved. “You could hear me?”

Lu Yao nodded. “It’s a bit different from what I imagined inside, and being able to hear sounds from outside is quite strange too.”

Zeyuan explained, “The mustard seed is a form of illusion realm. Most worlds within a mustard seed follow the will of its master.”

Lu Yao grasped Zeyuan’s hand and visualized the scene of bringing someone into her home. With a flash of golden light, she found herself inside the mustard seed again—this time with Zeyuan.

“Can you figure out this mustard seed’s purpose?” Lu Yao asked.

Zeyuan glanced around the simple stone chamber and turned back to her. “This world is basic, devoid of any symbols representing its master’s desires. Its plain design, coupled with the nearly imperceptible flow of time, suggests it was likely created for cultivation.”

Lu Yao remained somewhat puzzled.

Zeyuan elaborated, “The flow of time inside this mustard seed has been infinitely slowed. In simpler terms, time moves significantly slower in this world, though those inside won’t perceive it. This helps cultivators concentrate and refine their practice.”

After repeated testing, Lu Yao confirmed the mustard seed’s time-dilating effect. Spending ten minutes inside the mustard seed equated to only a few seconds outside.

She realized it could be a game-changer. During late-night work sessions, she could grab ten minutes in the mustard seed for rest without needing recovery potions. Alternatively, it could even become the ultimate overtime tool—albeit a slightly wicked thought.

After storing the mustard seed, her attention shifted back to the incomplete tasks. With the Ghost Gate event handled and the spirit emblem lit, Lu Yao felt a surge of encouragement. If she could strategize well, maybe the other emblems weren’t out of reach.

She carefully broached a topic. “Zeyuan, I need to ask you something.”

Zeyuan looked over.

“If I said I needed a Demon Prince, do you think you could help?”

Zeyuan’s expression remained calm—not turning away like before, but also not responding immediately.

Lu Yao rarely found herself unable to read his thoughts. Feeling a twinge of guilt, she added hastily, “Forget it. Just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“I’ll make preparations,” Zeyuan said suddenly.

“Preparations? For what?” Before Lu Yao could process his words, Zeyuan had already left, his steps even brisker than last time. By the time she chased him to the doorway, she only caught a glimpse of Xuanfeng balancing Mo Bao on his head as they disappeared into the rift of demonic energy.

…

The Next Day

Chi Jiumeng arrived at the cafe to inquire about Li Shijun’s situation.

Lu Yao avoided mentioning the ghost officials’ gaming session and only relayed what little she knew about Li Shijun. She also asked Chi Jiumeng why Li Shijun would open the Ghost Gate in the cafe.

Chi Jiumeng’s face turned stiff, and she lowered her head. “This might be my fault.”

Lu Yao clenched her fists but maintained a calm expression. “Explain.”

Chi Jiumeng sighed. “For the past five centuries, Xiao Li has been searching for the remnants of someone’s soul. She’s scoured the world’s forbidden techniques but found nothing useful. Lately, I’ve been visiting the cafe and mentioned its internet being full of curiosities and distractions, hoping it might help her move on from her past. But I never expected her to take it seriously. She actually found a method online—not for gathering souls, but for opening the Ghost Gate.”

“…Was this method on a site called K** Literature City?” Lu Yao asked.

“How did you know?” Chi Jiumeng looked genuinely surprised.

Lu Yao was speechless. This is absurd!

“There must be some misunderstanding,” Lu Yao muttered in disbelief.

Chi Jiumeng looked slightly embarrassed. “Store owner, this was our mistake. I sincerely apologize again on behalf of Xiao Li and myself.”

Lu Yao’s tone remained indifferent. “If apologies were enough, why would the Demon Bureau exist?”

The Demon Bureau, akin to human law enforcement, maintained order in the demon realm.

“…” Chi Jiumeng removed her lantern-shaped hairpin, ignited a flicker of crimson soul fire at its tip, and sealed it into a silk pouch, which she handed to Lu Yao. “This is my soul fire. Consider it a token of my debt to you.”

Lu Yao accepted the flame-embroidered red pouch, letting the matter drop.

A few days later, on the agreed date for activating microtransactions and online shopping services, Cheng Ye officially returned to the cafe.

Cheng Ye’s surgery was known only to Lu Yao and Ji Feiming in the entire shopping street.

This was because, on the day Cheng Ye was discharged, Lu Yao had asked Ji Feiming to pick him up.

Cheng Ye’s wounds hadn’t fully healed, and his sickly appearance was still evident on his face.

After returning to the cafe, Lu Yao gave him a restorative healing pill.

With three days of rest, his complexion finally improved.

Cheng Ye resumed his role as the cafe’s network manager while also taking on responsibilities as the head of the second office.

As for Ji Feichen, the divine envoy, he was set to start his new role as a courier.

…

On the Day of Launching Microtransactions and Online Shopping Services

Early in the morning, Ji Feichen woke up, changed into casual clothing, and headed to the garage to carefully select a low-key sports car.

Ji Feiming, also there to get his car, couldn’t help but comment, “Even if people place orders today, deliveries won’t arrive instantly.”

“Of course, I know that.” Ji Feichen fought the urge to roll his eyes. “I’m just trying to get into the rhythm of my new job ahead of time.”

Ji Feiming shrugged. “…Alright.”

Whatever makes you happy.

…

At 7:59 a.m.

Wen Rong, Guan Zhong, Zhu Ying, and Dan Xi were lined up in the cafe’s main hall, each sitting in front of the four computers closest to the bar. Their fingers hovered nervously over their mice, just waiting for the clock to strike 8:00.

The cafe’s newly launched microtransaction and online shopping services were scheduled to run daily from 8:00 a.m. to midnight.

They had been eagerly anticipating this since last night, unable to focus on cultivation. As soon as dawn broke, they rushed to the cafe.

Lu Yao, seeing them so tense over buying something, was reminded of how she used to anxiously wait for the clock to strike midnight during events like Double 11 and 618 sales.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️