Ch 151: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The afternoon session at the DIY Workshop was still focused on the metalworking experience. Pei Qi, Liu Jing, and Cai Yuxing each took charge of guiding one operation classroom.

Ten minutes before the activity began, customers who had registered in the morning started arriving at the shop.

The three instructors checked the registration list, ensuring that the registered customers arrived on time, and then escorted them to their respective classrooms in an orderly fashion.

As the reputation of the DIY Workshop grew, it began attracting a wide variety of customers.

At first, customers were drawn by novelty and purchased large quantities of materials, most of which were used up during the activities.

However, within a few days, Luo Yao noticed a troubling trend—some customers were deliberately stockpiling materials. While “malicious” might not be the most accurate term, certain individuals were clearly hoarding materials from the DIY Workshop without using them during the activities, instead sneaking them out for unknown purposes.

Analyzing the situation and considering Ghost Street’s peculiarities, Luo Yao deduced that some customers were likely trying to use the workshop’s unique materials for external projects.

While she could understand their intentions—admiring their quick thinking, even—it wasn’t beneficial for the development of the DIY Workshop. So, the next day, Luo Yao implemented a new rule: customers could purchase a maximum of three extra sets of materials per session.

Initially, some customers protested, arguing that the shop shouldn’t restrict material purchases and claiming that business shouldn’t be so rigid. If materials were being sold, why should it matter whether they were used in the shop?

Luo Yao didn’t argue with them. Instead, she responded by lowering the limit on additional materials to two sets per session.

This unexpected move backfired on the protesting customers, who had hoped to pressure Luo Yao into relaxing the restrictions. They stopped causing trouble, silently labeling the young shop owner as “difficult to deal with.”

Despite these changes, the DIY Workshop’s business continued to thrive, with a steady flow of customers every day.

The volunteer staff were responsible for guiding customers, while Chen You and Gan Qing prepared materials and cleaned the operation classrooms. Huang Qi managed the front desk and registration.

The three full-time staff members assigned by the Street Committee attended training sessions alongside the volunteer staff every evening, though Luo Yao hadn’t yet allowed them to guide customers.

Based on the noon testing with the Ghost Bracelets, Chen You seemed close to returning to a normal state.

However, Huang Qi, as Luo Yao had initially predicted, had the deepest level of mutation and showed no improvement during his days at the DIY Workshop.

…

The system used in the Ghost Bracelet to test mental states was inspired by Luo Yao’s experience operating the pet cafe in the Eden Sea World. There, she had created the Ghost Phone System, using the power of the Deep Sea Goddess and her divine emissaries, the Waterdrop Seals, to assess the mental state of customers calling to book therapy sessions.

To date, the Ghost Phone System had evaluated over 200,000 mental state profiles, with the data stored in the pet cafe’s fishing room system.

Using the Ghost Phone System as a foundation, Luo Yao developed the consciousness testing system for the Ghost Bracelet, referencing the wealth of data she had accumulated.

The consciousness test used a baseline of 50 as the normal value:

• Above 50: Normal state, allowing full use of the Ghost Bracelet.
• 30–49: Yellow state, indicating partial loss of consciousness.
• 10–29: Blue state, indicating severe mental deviation.
• Below 10: Black state, indicating a complete lack of autonomous consciousness.

The yellow, blue, and black states all indicated an inability to activate or use the Ghost Bracelet.

…

Luo Yao sat by the entrance to the mobile classroom, lost in thought. The doors to the three operation classrooms were closed, sealed with magic soundproofing barriers to keep the noise contained.

The mobile classroom was open but had few customers. Most people struggled to make anything without tutorials and still preferred signing up for the guided experience activities.

Luo Yao wasn’t in a hurry. She knew the mobile classroom would be put to good use eventually. For now, she considered hiring two new staff members.

The new hires would need to come from the commercial street, preferably professionals in the computer field.

Luo Yao instinctively reached for her phone but stopped midway, reminding herself to avoid using electronic devices in the DIY Workshop whenever possible. She made a mental note to post a hiring inquiry in the staff group chat later that evening, hoping for referrals.

She also wanted to conduct more tests on the Ghost Bracelets before officially launching them. Perhaps the church could…

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps at the end of the hallway.

Luo Yao looked up to see Huang Qi peeking out from around the corner. Spotting her, he pointed toward the man walking ahead of him with an exasperated expression. “I told him we’re fully booked, but he insists on coming in.”

Luo Yao waved him off, signaling that it wasn’t worth worrying about.

The tall, lanky man wore a slightly worn green work uniform, with a pair of goggles hanging around his neck and a massive black leather case in hand.

Seeing Luo Yao sitting at the door, he quickened his pace and stopped half a meter from her. “I’m K. Are you the shop owner?”

Luo Yao stood up and nodded. “What’s the matter?”

K replied, “I want to purchase one of your shop’s Ghost Bracelets.”

Luo Yao immediately realized, “You’re a friend of Song Wen?”

K nodded. “Yes. I saw the Ghost Bracelet he had and found it very intriguing.”

After a brief consideration, Luo Yao agreed.

“It’s a beta version—200,000 Ghost Coins per unit.”

K lifted the leather case and handed it to her. “200,000. You can count it. I’d like to pick it up now.”

When the case was opened, the sight of glistening gold was almost blinding. It was packed full of golden octopus notes, each with a denomination of 100.

In Ghost Street, 100 Ghost Coins equaled one golden octopus note, and the case contained a total of 200,000.

The golden octopus notes were also valid in the Ghost Bracelet’s exchange system.

As Luo Yao hefted the case, she couldn’t help but think, If only this were real money.

Ghost Street was a virtual game world, and the thought of trading real materials for virtual currency occasionally gave Luo Yao pangs of regret. This practical consideration also justified her firm stance on limiting material purchases.

After counting the money, Luo Yao retrieved a small silver box from her personal warehouse and handed it to K.

K opened it, glanced briefly at the contents, then closed it again. His gaze shifted to the sign on the mobile classroom’s door, which displayed a notice: Mobile Operation Classroom: 20 Ghost Coins per hour.

K took out another golden octopus note.

Luo Yao directed him to the front desk for registration.

After paying at the front desk, K entered the mobile classroom, Ghost Bracelet in hand.

The mobile classroom featured transparent individual workstations and was more spacious than the specialized operation classrooms across the way. Each classroom housed 30 independent stations.

After registering at the front desk, customers received an access card specifying their workstation number. K’s card directed him to Station 6. With only five other customers in the room, the space felt much quieter compared to the bustling classrooms across the hall.

K scanned the room, observing the occupants. Each person quietly worked within their station, surrounded by various materials. Some were sculpting with clay, others carving wood, sewing clothes, or forging metal.

One customer at a forging station caught K’s attention. They were crafting a gemstone tassel necklace—far more intricate than the DIY Workshop’s standard tutorials. That person was likely a professional jeweler in the real world.

Suddenly, K raised an eyebrow slightly in recognition. He had spotted an acquaintance.

The familiar figure was also forging, with two folding spring knives on the workstation. Though the designs were rough, the blades had been polished to an exceptional sharpness and gleam.

K noticed the man intently polishing the blade in his hand and chose not to interrupt. Turning on his heel, he walked toward Station 6.

He placed his access card on the scanner, and the glass door silently slid open.

K stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and quickly realized that not only was each station fully enclosed, but it also featured extremely effective soundproofing.

From the outside or inside, there was no visible sign of the soundproofing system, yet the interior was utterly silent. He couldn’t hear any noise from the other workstations earlier, either.

This place isn’t bad, K thought. Perfect for focused research.

He sat down and took out the Ghost Bracelet and its manual from the box.

After carefully rereading the manual, K picked up the bracelet to examine it closely.

The Ghost Bracelet’s exterior was smooth, with no visible ports or seams. On the inner side, however, there was a slightly crooked black ring entwined with golden lotus branches. Inside the ring was a single character, “Yao.”

K then slammed the bracelet onto the workstation with significant force. The metallic clanging was sharp and clear, but neither the bracelet nor the workstation showed any signs of damage—not even a scratch.

Judging by the exterior alone, it didn’t reveal much.

After a moment’s thought, K put on the bracelet, and a semi-transparent interface immediately appeared before him.

He had already memorized the manual and quickly went through the activation and binding process, exploring the communication, storage, and microtransaction functions.

Compared to the Ghost System, the Ghost Bracelet’s interface and features felt much more like a proper player’s operating system.

K’s attention then shifted to the final section on the panel—Wish Box.

He reached out and tapped to open it. Shocking red warnings immediately filled the screen, cautioning the user about engaging in an extremely dangerous operation.

The design of this system was almost cruel. It offered the user a glimmer of hope while blatantly warning them they might be making a deal with the devil.

The creator of this Ghost Bracelet, K mused, is even more ruthless than the one ruling this street.

She didn’t just demand participation—she demanded conscious, willing submission.

Exhaling slowly, K pressed the “Confirm” option at the bottom-right corner of the red warning screen. A golden contract appeared on the panel.

The contract listed the parties involved: K’s real name, Ji Linkai, and the Ghost Bracelet’s Wish Box provider. The key clauses could be summarized as follows:

1. The Ghost Bracelet wearer would undergo a one-sided consciousness binding with the Wish Box provider.
2. After binding, the wearer would gain a combat system tailored to their abilities.
3. If the wearer chose to sever the binding, all memories related to the Wish Box and the combat system would be permanently erased.
4. An absolute confidentiality clause prohibited the wearer from disclosing any details about the Wish Box or the combat system. This clause was enforced unconditionally.

Without hesitation, K pressed his fingerprint at the bottom of the contract.

The screen displayed a loading message for the Wish Box, with an estimated wait time of five minutes.

…

Meanwhile, Luo Yao had returned to the break room. Having completed the Ghost Bracelet development earlier that morning, she planned to take a half-day break, confident that the shop was running smoothly. She covered her legs with a blanket, preparing to enjoy a leisurely nap.

Just as she was about to relax, she felt a jolt—someone had just bound the Wish System to their consciousness. Startled, she sat up.

In less than half a day, someone had signed the contract.

The name was Ji Linkai.

Luo Yao quickly deduced that Ji Linkai was K, the man who had purchased the Ghost Bracelet earlier.

Binding to her required using one’s soul as a medium, a technique Luo Yao had learned from the demon god—a crucial skill she had mastered.

Though intrigued by the name, Luo Yao had no time to dwell on it. She had five minutes to prepare the Wish Box.

…

K sat motionless at his workstation, his gaze fixed on the countdown timer on the Ghost Bracelet’s interface.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1—

Suddenly, the previously gray interface turned celebratory, with bright red panels filling the screen. With a booming effect, a black gift box with gold edges appeared, adorned with a ribbon tied into a butterfly bow. A golden lotus branch twined delicately around the ribbon.

“Congratulations, Ghost Bracelet user Ji Linkai, on successfully obtaining your Wish Box!”

“Would you like to open the Wish Box?”

Ji Linkai silently responded, Yes.

The Wish Box opened, and several puzzle-like colored blocks scattered across the screen.

After a few seconds, the pieces began to float in midair, and a mechanical voice devoid of emotion sounded in Ji Linkai’s mind.

“Ji Linkai has activated Wish Box No. YLXT000001!”

“Ji Linkai has acquired the combat system: Firearm Mastery.”

“Ability: Firearm Mastery. Current Level: 1.”

“Ability Description: The ability holder can control all firearms within a three-meter radius centered on themselves. The ability holder can use Wish Points to create special firearms and Wish-powered bullets. Wish-powered bullets can purify aberrants below Level 3 on Ghost Street. The purification index of Wish-powered bullets increases with the level of the special firearms and the ability.”**

Ji Linkai stared at the ability description for a long time without moving.

It might have been five minutes, or perhaps longer, before he raised his hand to gently pinch the bridge of his nose, gradually digesting the information.

The Wish Box hadn’t exaggerated—it had indeed provided him with the most suitable ability for his skills.

Before arriving on Ghost Street, Ji Linkai had been a hardcore weapons enthusiast, particularly fond of collecting model firearms.

His models were high-end replicas; apart from being unable to fire real bullets, every component was faithfully reproduced to scale.

Most of his savings had gone into collecting these models, and he was intimately familiar with the disassembly and assembly of various firearms.

A few months ago, a mysterious voice had suddenly appeared in Ji Linkai’s mind, calling itself Tienbrain. It granted him extensive knowledge about firearms and claimed it needed weapons.

At the time, Tienbrain even supplied materials, allowing them to operate covertly in the Southern District. After two months of preparation, they launched an ambitious god-slaying operation.

The results were catastrophic.

Many people disappeared, and eventually, even Tienbrain’s voice faded from Ji Linkai’s mind.

Before vanishing, Tienbrain seemed to mumble, “I failed. I can’t return. If only… I always felt we could win.” Ji Linkai didn’t catch the name Tienbrain mentioned.

Now, with the Wish Box and his newfound ability from the Ghost Bracelet, Tienbrain resurfaced in Ji Linkai’s thoughts. The similarities were uncanny.

However, Ji Linkai had long suspected that Tienbrain wasn’t a singular entity and likely wasn’t the person occupying his thoughts at the moment.

None of that mattered now. Ji Linkai steeled himself—he had to test this ability immediately.

Unfortunately, the Desert Eagle he had crafted was back at headquarters. Ji Linkai raised his gaze and noticed someone standing outside his workstation—it was Xing Yong, the man who had been polishing blades earlier at Station 5.

Xing Yong and Ji Linkai had known each other in the real world. Both were weapons enthusiasts: Xing Yong loved researching ancient cold weapons and collecting models. They had met several times at flea market stalls and eventually became friends.

To Ji Linkai’s surprise, they had both ended up on Ghost Street not long afterward.

Ji Linkai stood up and opened the door.

Xing Yong stood at the entrance but didn’t step inside. “When I saw you earlier, I thought I’d mistaken you for someone else. But looking closer, it really is you. What are you doing in the Northern District?”

Though they had quickly reunited after arriving on Ghost Street, the two lived in different districts. After Ji Linkai got involved with Tienbrain, his busy schedule kept them from meeting for quite some time.

Following the failure of the god-slaying operation, Tienbrain had protected Ji Linkai from becoming mutated.

Wary of implicating others, Ji Linkai had been lying low in the Southern District, rarely venturing out.

Ji Linkai: “This shop has been quite popular lately; even people in the Southern District are talking about it. I came to check it out.”

Xing Yong: “Not entirely honest. I watched you for a while—you were just fiddling with that bracelet and didn’t make anything.”

Ji Linkai: “The bracelet’s something I bought from the shop owner. I’m studying it. By the way, I want to make some bullets. It’s my first time here, so I’m not familiar with the place.”

Xing Yong glanced curiously at Ji Linkai’s bracelet but didn’t press further. Instead, he enthusiastically began explaining how to use the mobile classroom.

“This place is really something. Come with me. The row of machines near the front door are vending machines with sorted materials: metals, textiles, rubber, food ingredients—pretty much anything you’d need for crafting. The row of cabinets near the back door is for tool rentals. They’ve got everything. Just swipe your access card on the sensor in front of the tool you want, and when you’re done, settle the bill at the front desk. Oh, and if the vending machines don’t have the materials you need, you can register your request at the front desk. They might have it next time you visit—the same goes for tools.”

Ji Linkai was genuinely surprised. The design of this classroom felt excessively sophisticated, even for Ghost Street.

Xing Yong chuckled at Ji Linkai’s reaction. “I believe this is your first time here. I was just like you when I first came—everything felt novel. The classroom has been open for a while, but it’s always quiet here. I even thought about suggesting to the shop owner that they rename it. Something like ‘Room of Requirement’ would fit its purpose better and maybe attract more curious people.”

Ji Linkai didn’t know how to respond.

Xing Yong seemed utterly unburdened by the usual gloom and uncertainty of Ghost Street, openly expressing his admiration for the DIY Workshop.

Ji Linkai rented a few tools and purchased some materials from the vending machines. He discovered that the limited metal materials in the main classroom were available here as well, with a cap of five units. However, the prices were a third higher.

He bought five units of materials, returned to Station 6, and followed the Ghost Bracelet’s instructions to attempt crafting a special firearm and bullets powered by Wish Points.

Due to limited materials and a pressing desire to test his ability quickly, Ji Linkai decided to make a small revolver along with six Wish-powered bullets.

Before starting, Ji Linkai checked his available Wish Points via the bracelet.

The system reported that he could generate 6 Wish Points per hour.

Only 6 points? Ji Linkai felt a bit deflated.

The system explained that crafting one Wish-powered bullet required 6 Wish Points, while making a revolver required 128 Wish Points—this was in addition to the base material costs.

Ji Linkai suddenly felt that the Ghost Bracelet’s baseline Wish Point generation was overly restrictive, significantly limiting its functionality and making it feel somewhat impractical.

Having spent a small fortune on materials but lacking enough Wish Points, Ji Linkai idly browsed the interface until he reached the exchange page.

The exchange rate was 30,000 Ghost Coins for 3 Wish Points, with a maximum exchange frequency of once per week.

Cursing himself for being a sucker, Ji Linkai grudgingly deposited 30,000 Ghost Coins into the Ghost Bracelet’s storage slot, transferred it to his account, and proceeded with the exchange.

“You have successfully exchanged 3 Wish Points!”

Three points weren’t even enough to craft a single bullet. Frustrated, Ji Linkai exited the exchange page and opened the combat system tab instead.

To his surprise, the previously grayed-out and inaccessible crafting station for special items was now highlighted in gold and selectable.

Moreover, the 3 Wish Points he had purchased hadn’t been added to his regular Wish Points balance but appeared in a separate golden section.

A small note clarified:
“System-exchanged Wish Points are 100% pure Wish Energy.”

What was the difference between pure Wish Energy and his own generated Wish Points?

Ji Linkai couldn’t figure it out, but with the presence of those three points of pure Wish Energy, the combat system’s DIY section seemed to be operational.

Setting aside his doubts for the moment, he began sketching designs for the revolver and Wish-powered bullets on the interface.

Two hours later, the blueprints, complete with detailed parts, were finished.

Standing up to stretch his stiff shoulders, Ji Linkai noticed that Xing Yong from the adjacent workstation had left at some point, leaving a note stuck to his door.

Ji Linkai picked it up, glanced through it, and initially intended to tuck it into his pocket. After hesitating, he stored the note in his Ghost Bracelet instead.

After a brief rest, he began crafting the parts with the Ghost Bracelet’s assistance.

The DIY section of the Ghost Bracelet was impressively advanced. Once the blueprints were uploaded, it evaluated the design, matched materials and tools, and used Wish Energy to produce a flawless component in just a few minutes.

The entire process took about two and a half hours. By the end, his three points of pure Wish Energy were completely consumed, leaving Ji Linkai with a table full of neatly crafted components and six Wish-powered bullets.

After spending a few minutes assembling the revolver and loading it with bullets, he realized there was no place to test the gun.

Fiddling with the freshly completed Wish-powered revolver, Ji Linkai was suddenly hit by an overwhelming wave of hunger and fatigue. Checking the time, he realized it was already past 7 PM. No wonder he felt starving.

The classroom was now completely empty, with him as the last occupant.

Quickly tidying up his workstation, returning unused materials, and checking in the rented tools, Ji Linkai dragged his wobbly legs out of the classroom, only to be greeted by an irresistible aroma that made him instinctively swallow.

The break room door was ajar, and the staff inside were having dinner together.

Ji Linkai stood at the doorway for a few seconds, his hunger so intense he felt like drooling.

What are they eating?
The smell was heavenly.

Luo Yao wasn’t in the break room but was sitting in the main hall with Huang Qi, eating boxed meals. After creating a Wish Box that afternoon, which had drained a lot of her energy, she treated herself to grilled seafood for dinner.

Ji Linkai barely managed to suppress the urge to beg for food and staggered out of the classroom, nearly collapsing in the process.

Luo Yao looked over at him and kindly called out, “Do you… want something to eat?”

Leaning against the wall for support, Ji Linkai seemed dazed. “I can eat?”

Luo Yao: “You look overexerted. Eating something will help you recover.”

Ji Linkai’s eyes practically glowed green as he stared at the spread in front of Luo Yao—grilled tiger prawns, glossy, oily grilled eel, and massive mantis shrimp, each larger than a forearm.

Summoning the last shred of his self-control to suppress his overflowing saliva, Ji Linkai maintained a semblance of politeness and sat across from Luo Yao. “How much? I’ll pay.”

Luo Yao: “Just eat first. Do you want seafood?”

Ji Linkai nodded, barely containing his excitement.

…

The meal turned into a whirlwind of eating. By the time Ji Linkai finally set his chopsticks down, reluctant but too full to continue, he couldn’t even sit up straight.

If only golden octopus coins could be turned into grilled seafood this delicious, he thought wistfully.

As the last customer of the day, Ji Linkai left a stack of notes on the table before bolting out of the store without looking back.

Luo Yao had intended to ask him something, but by the time she turned around, he was gone.

Cai Yuxing remarked with amusement, “His ears were bright red when he left.”

Luo Yao, expressionless, replied, “And only after eating?”

Liu Jing chuckled. “He really enjoyed it. Watching him eat made me hungry.”

Luo Yao: “If you’re craving something, let’s order some late-night snacks.”

But the other staff members all shook their heads. They still had lingering apprehensions.

…

Outside the DIY Workshop

A few patrol motorcycles parked by the entrance, and Ren You walked in with Jiang Lin.

Upon seeing Luo Yao, Ren You’s face immediately turned pitiful. “Boss, all the knives were swallowed.”

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