Ch 153: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Huang Qi, upon seeing Lu Yao and the staff at the DIY Workshop, grew visibly agitated. However, with his hands bound behind his back, no amount of struggling could free him.

Lu Yao recalled Chen You’s earlier mention of “cleaning up” and realized Huang Qi must have been cleaning up after a guest—but judging by the situation, it seemed the job wasn’t done well.

She immediately raised her hand to distance herself from the matter. “The shop closed before 9 p.m. last night. I have no control over what employees do after hours.”

Xiao Cai, still confused, asked curiously, “What’s going on?”

Ji Linkai calmly and succinctly explained the events of the previous night.

Liu Jing was stunned. “You activated the Ghost Bracelet’s combat system?”

Xiao Cai was even more astonished. “The Ghost Bracelet’s combat system is that powerful? It can even take down a full-fledged abhorrent?”

Ji Linkai, his face bearing a few bruises, recalled the fight with lingering fear. “I didn’t expect it to be this strong either. The combat system can directly reverse an aberrant’s transformation.”

Pointing to the rope binding Huang Qi, he continued, “This is a one-time item obtained through the combat system—a binding rope. Once tied, he can’t move or transform again. I spent the night with him like this and brought him here at first light.”

Xiao Cai turned to Lu Yao. “Boss, can I have my bracelet back now?”

Liu Jing also looked at her eagerly. “I admit I was wrong yesterday.”

Lu Yao took out the Ghost Bracelets and handed them to the three volunteer staff members by their serial numbers. “They’ve been upgraded with a consciousness-scanning feature.”

Xiao Cai said immediately, “I’m activating the combat system right now.”

“So am I,” Liu Jing added.

Chen You and Gan Qing took two cautious steps back, wary of getting caught in the crossfire, but their eyes drifted toward Lu Yao.

The shopkeeper was terrifying. Sometimes, she seemed even more composed and knowledgeable than him, and her abilities appeared to surpass them all.

Why would someone like this show up on Ghost Street?

Despite having worked there for so long, they still couldn’t figure out her thoughts or background.

Lu Yao turned to Ji Linkai. “I deeply sympathize with your experience last night.”

Ji Linkai’s face remained expressionless. “Spare me the official platitudes. I need a satisfactory solution.”

Though his tone was forceful, his confidence wavered. He knew Huang Qi’s actions weren’t Lu Yao’s fault, but his movements had been exposed. There was nowhere safe to hide now. Using Huang Qi’s status as a staff member, he hoped to negotiate with Lu Yao.

Even Tienbrain, with all his might, had been utterly defeated.

Ji Linkai had no faith that he could escape from him, even with the Ghost Bracelet.

The fact that the DIY Workshop had developed Ghost Bracelets capable of countering him was astounding on its own.

The shopkeeper, who appeared younger than him, didn’t seem to exude extraordinary abilities like Tienbrain had upon his arrival. Yet, this shop was unlike any other on Ghost Street.

Lu Yao, who had questions for Ji Linkai since the previous night, took the opportunity and said, “Let’s talk in the office.”

By now, customers had started arriving, and the front desk couldn’t be left unattended.

She casually instructed, “Chen You, you’ll handle customer reception this morning. You were trained on registration duties—remember?”

Chen You was startled but quickly nodded enthusiastically.

After spending every day in the warehouse handling materials and staring at Gan Qing’s stoic face, she had grown tired of the monotony. But since the shopkeeper didn’t allow them to interact with customers, she never dared ask for a change.

She never expected Huang Qi’s misstep would grant her the chance to work up front.

Gan Qing glanced at Chen You several times. Though his face remained expressionless, the brightness in his dark eyes betrayed his envy.

He also wanted to interact with customers and work outside.

Lu Yao instructed Gan Qing to take Huang Qi to the warehouse to wait, then led Ji Linkai into the lounge.

The lounge had a private reception room. Lu Yao poured Ji Linkai a glass of water and sat across from him. “I think you’re well aware that Huang Qi’s actions are beyond my control. DIY Workshop has never assigned employees to investigate customers.”

Ji Linkai replied, “But it’s a fact that he showed up at my residence late at night.”

Lu Yao said, “Then how about this—I’ll send him back to the committee, and the shop will compensate you for the harm you suffered last night.”

Ji Linkai lowered his gaze, avoiding eye contact with Lu Yao.

She was far too calm, showing no signs of evasion. Even when faced with his unreasonable request, she accepted it outright. Her composure unsettled him, making him feel like the unreasonable one.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Linkai cautiously said, “I don’t need any additional compensation. I heard you have a few volunteer staff members here. If Huang Qi is sent back, you might need new employees. Could you… could you consider hiring me?”

Lu Yao didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she asked, “In the past few months, have you encountered anything resembling artificial intelligence on Ghost Street?”

Since Ji Linkai had activated the combat system last night, Lu Yao had established a consciousness link with him. She sensed a faintly familiar aura from him, something she’d been pondering over. She doubted the Dream Fulfillment System could be so clever.

That system was all bark, timid and straightforward. The likelihood of it orchestrating trouble through players seemed slim, but she still had to ask.

Ji Linkai blinked rapidly, lowering his gaze to avoid Lu Yao’s eyes, and slowly shook his head. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

It seemed he had encountered something after all. Lu Yao drew her own conclusion and softened her tone. “Just a casual question. If you haven’t, then never mind.”

Unable to resist, Ji Linkai asked, “Do you think there’s artificial intelligence on Ghost Street?”

Lu Yao’s expression remained unchanged as she replied casually, “Even regular games can run scripts. Isn’t it normal for a few robots to exist here? How intelligent they are, I wouldn’t know.”

Ji Linkai froze slightly.

Could Lord Tienbrain be a robot?

Definitely not.

An artificial intelligence?

Ji Linkai had never considered this possibility.

An AI infiltrating his consciousness, standing at the helm of their organization, and guiding them in their god-slaying activities…

The idea unsettled him, and he couldn’t comprehend Tienbrain’s motives.

Noticing his pale complexion, Lu Yao brought his attention back. “Wanting to apply as a volunteer isn’t out of the question. Do you have any relevant work experience?”

Ji Linkai gave her a strange look but, still preoccupied with thoughts of Tienbrain, didn’t dwell on it too much. He shook his head. “No. But I used to enjoy working with models, and later I… well, I’m pretty handy.”

He almost let slip that he’d gained firearm-making knowledge from Tienbrain.

Lu Yao said, “In my shop, new employees undergo a seven-day trial period. After that, we evaluate suitability on both sides. If you’re okay with that—”

Before she could finish, Ji Linkai interjected, “I accept!”

Lu Yao paused. “… So, you’re starting now?”

Things had gone far smoother than expected, leaving Ji Linkai with a strange sense of relief, as if misfortune had finally turned around.

The DIY Workshop was arguably the safest place on Ghost Street right now. Staying here wouldn’t endanger anyone else.

As Lu Yao prepared to contact committee staff, she stopped at the door, a small question popping into her mind. “Why did Huang Qi come looking for you last night?”

The DIY Workshop served dozens to nearly a hundred customers daily, yet Huang Qi had never gone out to stir up trouble before.

Could it be because Ji Linkai was connected to the system?

Having hidden the truth about Tienbrain earlier, Ji Linkai knew he couldn’t slip up now. His mind raced, searching for a reason that might satisfy the shopkeeper.

“I think… it was because I ate seafood barbecue here last night… He was really upset,” Ji Linkai said earnestly, his face full of sincerity.

Lu Yao: “…”

It was absurd, but not entirely without credibility.

After some thought, Lu Yao even found the explanation quite reasonable.

Without taking the time to personally visit the Eastern District, Lu Yao directly called the contact number listed in her shopkeeper’s guide and requested the staff there to come and take Huang Qi back.

After hearing Lu Yao’s request, there was an eerie silence on the other end of the communicator for a few seconds. Then, a new operator came on the line, speaking with a forceful tone, saying that no store owner had ever returned an employee introduced by the Street Committee.

Lu Yao remained firm: “The employee you introduced is stubborn, acts independently, and is unfit for the job. Worse, he launched a night assault on a guest, damaging the shop’s reputation and causing me significant economic loss. By all rights, I should not only return him but also demand compensation for all the damages.”

The other end fell into an even longer silence. Unable to argue against her, they were particularly disarmed by Lu Yao’s confidence, sharp words, and unflinching demeanor.

Based on their recent data and information, they indeed had no way to deal with her.

The staff member who had originally approved Lu Yao’s entry into Ghost Street was now scolded daily by their colleagues, often hiding in the restroom to cry.

After ten minutes of stalemate, the Street Committee reluctantly agreed to Lu Yao’s request.

When Huang Qi heard the news, his defiant expression turned deathly pale. He stared at Lu Yao in disbelief.

“I’ve already settled things with the Committee,” Lu Yao said. “Someone will come to pick you up shortly.”

Huang Qi burst into tears, his eyes like faucets spilling large droplets. “Boss, I was wrong! I was really wrong! I promise I’ll never act on my own again. Please, don’t send me back!”

Lu Yao asked calmly, “Huang Qi, were you trying to kill K last night?”

Huang Qi froze, his tears abruptly stopping.

Lu Yao continued, “I understand that everyone here is trapped on Ghost Street, struggling with confusion and helplessness. But you’re stubborn and unsuited to stay in my shop. Let’s consider this fulfilling your wish—I’ll send you back to his side.”

Despair crashed over Huang Qi like a mountain, crushing him. He stopped begging and instead glared at Lu Yao with eyes full of venom.

Two hours later, Huang Qi was escorted away by the Street Committee staff.

..

Lunchtime

Lu Yao introduced Ji Linkai to the remaining five employees as their new colleague.

Ji Linkai was also to be trained as a mentor, with Chen You reassigned to front desk duties and Gan Qing taking over warehouse management.

Chen You and Gan Qing were stunned.

That Huang Qi had been sent back and this man was replacing him made them tread even more carefully, afraid of ending up like Huang Qi.

The three volunteer staff members were also surprised. Unlike Chen You and Gan Qing, they welcomed the addition of another volunteer, especially since the Ghost Bracelets provided extra security. Their work environment felt increasingly comfortable.

Speaking of the Ghost Bracelets, the volunteer staff had been itching to explore their features all morning. Unable to do so while on duty, they immediately began investigating them after lunch.

Ji Linkai, as the first to activate the combat system, became the go-to source for advice for Liu Jing and Xiao Cai.

Ji Linkai shrugged. “I didn’t think much about it. I just activated it as soon as I got it yesterday.”

Lu Yao wasn’t in the shop during lunch and ate elsewhere.

Sitting across from the others, Pei Qi silently activated his combat system.

Five Minutes Later

A mechanical voice echoed in Pei Qi’s mind:

“Pei Qi has activated Wish Box ID YLXT000003!”

“Pei Qi has obtained the combat system: Stellar Explorer!“

Liu Jing and Xiao Cai also activated their Wish Boxes one after the other.

When the lunch break ended, Lu Yao returned to the DIY Workshop from the shopping street.

The staff on the shopping street had recommended a few candidates with matching expertise. After reviewing their resumes, Lu Yao shortlisted a few and asked Ji Zhixin to notify them to come in for interviews the next day. She also took some time to craft a few more Wish Boxes and personally sent out a notification via the server to Ji Linkai and Song Wen about the bracelet functionality upgrade.

Thanks to a new program written by Ji Qingyan, there was no need to recall every bracelet individually; users could now upgrade their bracelets themselves.

Today was the last day of the metalworking experience event, with a new activity scheduled to start tomorrow. The afternoon was particularly busy with guests.

As it was Chen You’s first day in her new role, Lu Yao worried she might not be fully accustomed to it, so she stayed in the lobby to help.

At 1:30, the activity bell rang, and the guests moved into the workshop classroom. The lobby quieted down.

Feeling a bit tired, Lu Yao planned to take a nap in the lounge.

Just then, Ren You, Jiang Lin, and two unfamiliar patrol officers walked in.

Ren You spotted Lu Yao immediately and strode over to her. “Boss.”

Lu Yao turned to face him. “The storage ring won’t be ready until tomorrow.”

She hadn’t even had time to work on it.

Ren You quickly clarified, “It’s not about the ring. We heard about something else… We want to order a batch of Ghost Bracelets.”

That morning, three aberrants had suddenly appeared in the South District. The entire patrol team there had been trapped, prompting Ren You’s team to be urgently dispatched for assistance.

Even though they had weapons, they were no match for the aberrants.

Later, a boy wielding a strange weapon appeared and decisively defeated the three golden octopuses in a bizarre display of overwhelming power, rescuing them.

The patrol members learned from the boy that the strange weapon and his abilities came from a Ghost Bracelet he had purchased at the DIY Workshop. Ren You’s mind ignited with urgency, and he rushed back to the North District with his team without waiting for his injuries to be treated.

Ren You looked at Lu Yao with a pleading expression. “I was too hasty last night. Please don’t hold it against me.”

Lu Yao said calmly, “Don’t worry about it. You can order the bracelets, but they won’t be at yesterday’s price.”

Ren You hesitated. “…How much are they now?”

Lu Yao replied, “The first edition is now priced at 300,000 each, and I can only offer you up to 20 units.”

Overnight, the price had gone up by 100,000. Ren You was filled with nothing but regret.

Before Ren You could make a decision, Jiang Lin stepped forward decisively. “I’ll buy one. Can I get it now?”

The two patrol officers behind Ren You quickly chimed in, “Me too!”

Ren You: “…”

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