Ch 156: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

A long line stretched outside the DIY Workshop, with customers eager to purchase Ghost Bracelets spilling out from the lobby and extending in both directions along the street, over a hundred meters.

Only a small number of customers had pre-ordered through Lu Yao. Most learned about the Ghost Bracelet from the morning’s advertisement. Initially, not everyone was convinced to buy it—after all, the bracelet’s price of 660,000 Ghost Coins was astronomical.

Among groups of three to five people, maybe one impulsive individual would want to check out the product in person. By the time customers from different districts arrived in the North District, they were greeted by a sea of people. Finding Store No. 13, only to see the daunting line outside, crushed their spirits.

“Seriously, this many people?”

“Could they be plants?”

“Look at those patrol officers in uniform. They couldn’t be fake, right?”

“I think I see some field officers from the East District Administration near the back.”

“Is this thing really that good?”

A new television-sized screen had been installed outside the DIY Workshop, playing the Ghost Bracelet advertisement on a loop. Waiting customers couldn’t help but be enticed into wanting to try the bracelet.

Once customers received their Ghost Bracelets, they could unbox, activate, and bind them on-site. Staff were available to assist with any questions.

Compared to the beta version, the official version had some hidden upgrades and aesthetic improvements.

For example, the dot in the “Yao” character engraved on the bracelet’s interior was upgraded into a hidden switch. Pressing the indentation transformed the bracelet into a watch with a screen, complete with a camera for taking photos, recording videos, and video calling friends on the contact list.

This hidden feature wasn’t mentioned in the advertisement or manual. Instead, it was documented in the bracelet’s digital data center, accessible to users.

Additionally, a new “Marketplace” feature was introduced. Every six hours, a mysterious marketplace appeared for twenty minutes.

• The marketplace sold a variety of DIY crafting materials. Most items could be purchased with Ghost Coins, while some required Widh Points for exchange.
• A tool rental feature was also available. Customers could search for and rent tools from the marketplace. Even if the marketplace closed during use, tools could be returned the next time it opened.
• Tools came equipped with automatic timers, and the marketplace charged fees based on usage time.
• Occasionally, rare consumables like stamina potions or Wish Point replenishment items were available, though their steep prices were often off-putting.

…
In the DIY Workshop

Song Wen had ordered a bracelet for Grandma Xu and arrived early, before the crowd. After picking it up, he took her to the mobile classroom.

Grandma Xu, being elderly, needed Song Wen’s help with activation and binding.

Once everything was set, Grandma Xu successfully signed the contract, but the system notified her that the Wish Box would be available for collection in 24 hours.

Seeing her grandson’s concerned expression, she asked, “What’s wrong? Is it because I’m old and can’t claim it?”

Song Wen shook his head. “No, it’s just that mine only took five minutes the other day, but yours needs a whole day and night. It seems the bracelet’s system has really been adjusted.”

Grandma Xu didn’t understand the technical details and simply asked, “Can I still use it?”

Song Wen reassured her. “Yes, you can.”

As the morning progressed, the lobby grew crowded as more customers entered the mobile classroom to activate their bracelets.

Within two hours, all 300 bracelets stocked in the three vending machines were sold out, yet the line outside the shop remained.

On the first day of the Ghost Bracelet’s official launch in Ghost Street, most customers were still skeptical about the product’s features. Those who couldn’t get one didn’t feel much regret and soon dispersed.

Once the crowd thinned, only customers participating in the regular activities and Ghost Bracelet users remained in the shop. With all three operation classrooms fully booked, Lu Yao opened the second mobile classroom to accommodate the overflow.

The second mobile classroom also filled up instantly, leaving Ji Linkai and Gan Qing in charge of overseeing the two classrooms.

That morning, Gan Qing and Chen You underwent another round of consciousness scanning. Gan Qing’s consciousness was still flagged as yellow, while Chen You’s had returned to normal.

Now free from her “little ghost” state, Chen You revealed herself to be a quiet and reserved young woman who wasn’t fond of speaking but had plenty of thoughts in private. She was the type to habitually suppress her emotions, avoiding disruptions to those around her. Perhaps due to this disposition, her transformation had gone unnoticed by others, and even then, her altered state had manifested as a harmless little ghost without any aggression.

When Chen You recovered, Lu Yao immediately noticed and suggested another consciousness scan for both her and Gan Qing. Once it was confirmed that Chen You’s consciousness had returned to normal, Lu Yao handed her a bracelet.

However, due to the flood of customers following the Ghost Bracelet’s official launch, Chen You hadn’t had the chance to activate hers yet.

Gan Qing, on the other hand, remained the only DIY Workshop staff member without the latest gear. He felt somewhat embarrassed when customers asked about it. Wandering around the mobile classrooms, he soon realized there was little for him to do and ended up leaning against the hallway wall, lost in a tangle of thoughts.

Why don’t I get a bracelet?
The boss is playing favorites.

…

Meanwhile, Song Qingshan, He Bi, and Zhang Shu were busy managing operations in the main server room.

Before officially starting their jobs, the three underwent two weeks of training in the Mustard Seed space, refreshing their knowledge of holographic technology. However, the server itself primarily ran as a companion program for the Ghost Bracelet, so its core operations were systems they were already familiar with.

As nearly 300 users flooded the server simultaneously, the trio found themselves scrambling to keep up.

The knowledge that the server’s other side was connected to a virtual game world made it difficult for them to stay calm.

Zhang Shu remarked, “If Ghost Street ever returns to normal, maybe we’ll get a chance to explore it ourselves.”

Song Qingshan added, “In the operating system of Ghost Street, maybe we’re the bugs.”

He Bi laughed, “Based on how the boss describes her observations of Ghost Street, the introduction of the Ghost Bracelet will undoubtedly disrupt the balance of the game world.”

Zhang Shu grinned. “That’s what makes it interesting. If I were a player in this game, the previous rules were so absurd—completely unplayable. The Ghost Bracelet is practically saving this world.”

He Bi nodded. “I think it’s fascinating too. Humans, once prey, now have a shotgun in their hands. The roles of prey and hunter might soon be reversed.”

Song Qingshan pondered aloud, “I wonder what the true form of this so-called god really is?”

Zhang Shu’s eyes gleamed. “I’m curious too!”

Zhang Shu compiled a report of all users who had logged into the server that day and sent it directly to Lu Yao through the internal network.

…

During the DIY Workshop’s regular business hours, the staff carried out their routine tasks efficiently. Lu Yao spent the entire afternoon in the lounge crafting Wish Boxes, and by the time the shop closed for the day, she still wasn’t finished.

She planned to take her unfinished work back to the Hot Spring Inn. However, as she exited the DIY Workshop, she noticed Harold standing in front of the Nail Salon, arms crossed, with a dark, brooding expression. He looked like he was upset.

Lu Yao changed direction and walked toward Harold. “What’s wrong?”

Harold, who was already taller than Lu Yao, had grown even more over the past few months. Now, he was nearly a full head taller than her.

He stood under the eaves, arms crossed, looking down at her from above. “Even those fat sea seals across the street are making things to scam food, and you’ve completely forgotten about us.”

Lu Yao was confused. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

Too lazy to explain, Harold grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her into the nail salon.

As they stepped inside, the salon’s interior had grown over three times larger than a year ago. The decor and furnishings now bore distinct traces of the non-human staff’s influence. Rare, multicolored gemstones were embedded into the doorposts like stained glass. The floor was covered with a massive hundred-year-old enchanted deer hide, and the tables were surrounded by miniature potted plants—set up by Merulu and Puxiu as a hide-and-seek playground.

The novelty of nail art had long since worn off for the non-human staff. In their free time, they usually pursued other hobbies. Yet tonight, as in some nights past, everyone sat neatly in the salon’s lobby, silently watching Lu Yao walk in.

Lu Yao casually took a seat on the central sofa. “What’s going on here? No one’s going back to their dorms?”

Ambrose sighed. “We saw it in the group chat. Even those fat sea seals that can barely speak are being given important tasks.”

Tina added, “The poor things even worked their paws raw.”

Clarissa chimed in, “They got to shoot an ad at the internet café.”

Merulu: “Even Xiong An’an and Qiutu got toys.”

Puxiu: “Same with the little piglet and the tiny ginseng.”

Si Jin: “But we’ve got nothing. Just empty loyalty.”

The nail salon had been open for a year, and no matter how novel the work had initially been, repetitive tasks eventually dulled its appeal. However, Lu Yao’s salon was still the first of its kind in the Alexander Continent. Even though small salons had begun to pop up in other cities, none could match her shop’s aesthetics, designs, or customer base.

Without real competition, it was hard for the staff to find new excitement in their work. Yet, almost all of them shared one common thought—they wanted to stay and care for Lu Yao for the rest of her life.

To Si Jin, this was his loyalty and submission—no contract needed.

Mumu chirped, “Chirp chirp.”

Edward dramatically covered his eyes. “We’re outdated and useless! Even a factory wouldn’t hire us to tighten screws.”

Lu Yao was familiar with this routine. The last time it happened, it was over their request for smartphones. Judging by Edward’s tone, he’d probably spent too much time surfing the internet lately.

After pondering for a moment, she cautiously asked, “So… are you saying you want to help me make bracelets?”

Harold cut in, “Your new shop sounds so fun, and you didn’t tell us anything about it.”

Lu Yao replied honestly, “Didn’t I mention it when I came to grab materials a few days ago?”

Harold was momentarily at a loss for words.

Ambrose interjected, “Grabbing some materials doesn’t count as helping. I want to do something challenging.”

Harold nodded repeatedly. “Exactly what I mean.”

Making bracelets counts as challenging?

Lu Yao couldn’t quite understand this group of wealthy, leisurely staff who enjoyed taking on extra work.

Then, a thought struck her. “You’ve actually reminded me of something—there’s a task only you might be able to handle.”

The previously composed staff immediately turned their heads in interest.

…

The next morning, users who purchased and activated Ghost Bracelets yesterday on Ghost Street started receiving their personalized Wish Boxes.

Song Wen and Grandma Xu had recently moved out of their old residence and rented a two-bedroom apartment in the North District.

As soon as Song Wen woke up, he checked with Grandma Xu to see if she had received her Wish Box.

Grandma Xu clumsily opened the battle system on her bracelet, her smile a bit shy. “You take a look; I don’t really understand this.”

“Xu Xiumei has obtained the Battle System: Fairy’s Blessing.

Ability: Fairy’s Blessing. Current Level: 1.

Ability Description: The ability holder receives blessings from twin fairies Merulu and Puxiu, gaining Fairy Wings and Brewing Skills. The ability holder can brew Will-Power Mead, capable of purifying level-three or lower aberrants on Ghost Street. The purification potency of Will-Power Mead increases with the holder’s skill proficiency and level.”

Song Wen lowered his head to read the ability description and then looked up at his kindly grandmother. He had no idea how to explain it.

“Grandma, it looks like your battle system is related to brewing. But there’s something called ‘Fairy Wings’ that isn’t explained clearly. Let’s go to the shop and ask.”

Song Wen and Grandma Xu got ready and went out to the streets, where the North District was even more crowded than the day before. Judging by the direction, most people seemed to be lining up at Store No. 13.

The queue today had a different vibe from yesterday. Song Wen noticed many people craning their necks and repeatedly asking, “Why does it feel like the line isn’t moving? Do you think we won’t be able to buy it today?”

Feeling curious, Song Wen tapped a man’s shoulder and asked quietly, “Why are there so many people today?”

The man glanced down at Song Wen and Grandma Xu’s wrists, spotting their bracelets, and his eyes filled with envy. “I’m kicking myself with regret. If I’d come earlier yesterday, maybe I’d have gotten one too.”

A customer further up the line overheard and turned around to chime in. “This morning, a level-nine aberrant appeared in the East District. It crawled out of a residential building, and its head was as big as a car. People in the building and on the streets were completely hopeless—there was no escape. Someone who bought a bracelet yesterday got their Wish Box this morning. They didn’t know how to use it properly and accidentally summoned a massive pitch-black dragon. The dragon crushed the aberrant’s head in one bite. Its shell dissolved into foam, revealing a person underneath. That bracelet owner got incredibly lucky—they received the Dragon Clan’s Blessing from their Wish Box.”

“This bracelet can save your life! Forget 660,000; I’d pay 6 million to get one!”

…

Thingyan: I imagine the nail salon staff busying themselves coming up with these abilities related to them lol.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️