Ch 185: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Ding Qing’s physical condition was very poor. She fainted shortly after arriving at the courier shop and began to run a high fever.

The two doctors from Bai Jing’s hospital were from the Bai family’s direct line. Before entering the shopping street, they signed a confidentiality agreement and brought with them equipment for basic physical examinations.

The doctors first examined Ding Qing, prescribed medicine, and after starting an IV drip, they began treating her external injuries.

The doctors told Lu Yao that Ding Qing had endured extremely cruel treatment. She had multiple bruises and contusions, was malnourished, and had a miscarriage not long ago.

Her body had been badly mistreated and needed to be carefully nurtured, or she might develop irreversible long-term effects in the future.

In addition to the physical pain, her mental state and psychological health also needed to be monitored. If her condition worsened, a professional psychologist would need to examine her and help relieve her emotions, but only if she was willing to open up.

Lu Yao took note of everything.

The two doctors stayed at the shop for nearly two hours. As the day grew darker, only two sets of medicine were left, so Lu Yao escorted them to the door and let them leave.

Ding Qing needed continuous IV drips, so the doctors would have to return later.

By the time the shop’s working hours ended, Zhang Shu had already left, leaving only Harold and Lu Yao still in the shop.

Ding Qing had finished her IV, the fever had subsided, but she still hadn’t woken up.

Lu Yao ordered porridge and some light side dishes from the snack shop and placed them by Ding Qing’s bed, so when she woke up, she could eat.

After more than half an hour, Ding Qing still hadn’t woken up.

Lu Yao wrote a note and attached it to the food box by the bed. The box from the snack shop had thermal insulation, so no matter when Ding Qing woke up, the food would be as fresh as when it was made.

With only one light left on in the office, Lu Yao opened the door and stepped out.

Lu Yao could use magic to heal Ding Qing’s external injuries and even erase the last two months of her memory, but in the end, she did nothing.

Harold had ordered seafood barbecue, grilled beast steaks, and special drinks from the second floor of the snack shop. He was sitting in the lobby, eating heartily.

Seeing that Lu Yao had finally come out, he called her over to eat, but his face still looked somewhat displeased.

Ding Qing had been fine with everyone in the shop, but she would gag when she saw Harold. It frustrated and annoyed him. However, it was a human who looked like she was on the verge of death, and so he could only stew in his anger.

Lu Yao, thinking of Ding Qing’s situation, felt upset as well. She sat down and spoke with Harold in detail.

As a dragon, Harold had a rough childhood, but he had never been humiliated like this.

The dragon race had many different values from humans. They were born stronger than humans, so Harold couldn’t completely understand Ding Qing’s situation, but he wasn’t as angry anymore. He asked Lu Yao, “Once she’s healed, she won’t throw up when she sees me anymore, will she?”

Lu Yao sighed, “It might take a long time.”

Harold didn’t dwell on the matter any longer, instead saying, “Tina heard that you plan to use those from the Internet cafe as couriers. She’s a little upset.”

Lu Yao asked, “Tina wants to come too?”

Harold replied, “Since you left the Alexander Continent, you’ve rarely brought everyone along. Not just Tina, but everyone else is upset, especially now that you’re planning to bring Xiong An’an and the others along.”

In the eyes of the otherworldly staff, wherever Lu Yao stayed the longest, it meant that she enjoyed spending time with those staff members.

Whether Lu Yao was running the shop or busy with tasks, they always found it fun.

Lu Yao looked at Harold. “That doesn’t sound like something you’d say. It sounds more like something Ambrose or Edward would teach.”

Before Ambrose changed to become a Necromancer, he had been a human mage, more knowledgeable about human emotions and weaknesses than others.

Edward, having lived for an exceedingly long time, had witnessed almost everything and maintained deep connections with the human race.

Harold slammed the table in frustration. “What they say is useless!”

Lu Yao, with a serious expression, replied, “Coming here to gain experience or work requires payment. Among the manicurists, only you and I have signed soul contracts. If the internet café kids want to come, the same rule applies. You can tell them that signing a contract is the minimum requirement—everything else is secondary.”

Harold suddenly perked up. “Not only do they have to sign contracts, but they also have to acknowledge me as their team leader. The older ones might hesitate, but Tina and Si Jin probably won’t.”

The thought of the little golden dragon and the little fire dragon becoming his subordinates made Harold’s tail figuratively wag in delight.

Lu Yao couldn’t help but lecture him again, “Being a team leader isn’t just about enjoying the glory. It comes with responsibilities, including protecting the staff under you.”

Harold became even more smug.

After all, being strong enough to protect others signified strength, and he would ensure the safety of the staff under his charge.

Once Harold finished his meal, he returned to the Alexander Continent. Lu Yao closed the shop and waited for Ding Qing to wake up.

Qiuyu messaged Lu Yao, expressing her desire to start work at the delivery shop the next day.

Qiuyu, a thousand-year-old demon dragon, was far more powerful than Xiong An’an and the others in terms of cultivation. Transforming into a human form posed no difficulty for her.

Since she already had a contract with Lu Yao, she could follow Harold through the time-space portal without being bound by the star gate.

Considering the recent task goals and the need for more staff, Lu Yao agreed for Qiuyu to join the next day.

Unlike others limited by the stargate’s rules, Qiu Yu was solely bound by her contract with Lu Yao. At the time, Lu Yao didn’t think too much about this, nor did the Dream Fulfillment System remind her.

After arranging things with Qiuyu, Lu Yao also communicated with Jiao Niang.

Jiao Niang informed Lu Yao that the sparrow demons, who treated the internet café like their “happy retirement home,” had heard about Qiuyu joining another shop for work and were pestering her to contact Lu Yao. They wanted to contribute to the new store.

In the eyes of most creatures on the Floating World Continent, Lu Yao and her human staff seemed to live in the world of the internet, which they referred to as the “small illusory realm.”

To the beings from the Six Realms and mortal worlds, the acceptance of the small illusory realm was quite high.

Among the sparrow demons, one had already mastered the ability to freely transform into a human form, while the others were still unstable in their transformations. In a low-magic, low-tech world like the Golden Kingdom, even with the Regulation Rod, likely only their leader could maintain a human form.

Lu Yao didn’t agree immediately, telling Jiao Niang that she would personally assess them later at the internet café.

In the staff office, Ding Qing woke up.

The Dream Fulfillment System promptly notified Lu Yao.

When Lu Yao entered the room, she found Ding Qing lying on the simple wooden bed, staring blankly.

Lu Yao approached and sat by the bed, uncovering the clay pot of porridge on the bedside table. “You’re awake. Get up and eat something. The doctor came by earlier. Your body is very weak and needs rest to recover.”

Ding Qing, not one to dwell on negativity, was faintly aware of her surroundings even while unconscious. She obediently sat up without resistance.

Lu Yao unfolded a small table in front of her, setting down a bowl of porridge and a few side dishes. “This porridge is light and watery—just have a little to fill your stomach. Your stomach is in poor condition, so you shouldn’t eat too much or anything too thick.”

Ding Qing picked up the bowl and took a sip. The rich aroma of rice flooded her senses, instantly awakening the hunger she had suppressed. She drank several mouthfuls in quick succession and reached for the side dishes.

After finishing half a bowl of porridge, Ding Qing set the bowl down and asked, “When can I start working?”

Lu Yao picked up the long, rectangular bag she had carried earlier, containing the two short swords.

“I’m giving this to you. For now, you’ll work in the store as a bodyguard. Your main job is to protect our system engineer, Miss Zhang Shu—you met her when you arrived.”

Ding Qing nodded and asked, “Why are you being so good to me? Like you said, I have nothing left.”

In just two months, Ding Qing had endured experiences more brutal than most face in a lifetime. She no longer believed that anyone would help her selflessly, without expecting something in return. Those who loved her without conditions were long gone, claimed by the apocalypse.

Lu Yao replied, “The reason is both complex and simple. For me, saving someone isn’t a burden. But I’m not a bleeding heart either. You’re young but possess courage and decisiveness far beyond your years and experiences. I believe you could be of use in my shop.”

Ding Qing’s tense shoulders slowly relaxed, though she remained cautious. “You said I could become a courier.”

Lu Yao nodded. “That depends on how well you recover. Based on your current physical condition and abilities, you’re not yet fit for the job.”

Ding Qing clutched the two short swords tightly. “As long as I have these, I’m not afraid to go anywhere or do anything.”

Lu Yao couldn’t help but smile. “Tomorrow, we might have one or two new couriers in the shop. There will be both men and women. You can observe them then.”

After ensuring Ding Qing had eaten and taken her medication, Lu Yao watched her lie down to rest before leaving the shop.

She headed to the internet café first.

Xiong An’an, Little Ginseng, and Kang Kang had all heard that Qiuyu was going to work in the Golden Kingdom. When they also learned that the sparrow demons wanted to join, Xiong An’an was both shocked and aggrieved.

The moment Lu Yao stepped in, Xiong An’an started acting up, rubbing against her, hugging her, and whining incessantly. He stopped just short of throwing himself on the floor and rolling around.

Lu Yao didn’t avoid them and began assessments in the break room.

Qiuyu and Little Ginseng both transformed with ease, while the sparrow leader was more skilled in shapeshifting than Xiong An’an and Kang Kang.

Lu Yao solemnly announced the selection of Qiuyu and the sparrow leader, whose name she gave as Zhao Ye (Illuminating Night). Little Ginseng had a primary role as a consultant in the café and couldn’t leave for now. Xiong An’an and Kang Kang needed more practice. Only when they could reliably maintain their human forms without revealing themselves could they join the courier shop.

There were 13 sparrow demons remaining in the café, all of whom volunteered to sign contracts with Lu Yao and expressed a strong desire to work in the Golden Kingdom.

Zhao Ye, the most adept at shapeshifting, served as the leader of the sparrow demons. He explained to Lu Yao that while the younger sparrows weren’t skilled at transformation, they could still act as scouts, providing invaluable assistance. Lu Yao agreed.

After leaving the café, Lu Yao visited the nail salon.

It was already dark, but the staff were still there.

When Si Jin saw her, he asked, “Harold said that as long as we sign a contract with you, we can go to the Golden Kingdom?”

Lu Yao nodded but hesitated. “You’re not all planning to go, are you?”

The others shook their heads.

Si Jin said, “Only Tina and I want to go. Tina returned to the dragon nest tonight to seek her parents’ permission. My parents have long passed, so there’s no one to stop me.”

Lu Yao asked the Dream Fulfillment System, “Is signing contracts with three dragons at once really okay?”

The system replied, “If it were before, we might have hesitated. But now, with the Abyssal Goddess backing us, we could sign contracts with a hundred dragons, and it wouldn’t matter.”

Lu Yao was surprised. “She’s that powerful?”

The system explained, “…She’s said to be just one tier below the highest god, entrusted by the Creator to govern the night. You’re the first human she’s favored in millions of years. Even I don’t know why she chose you.”

Late that night, Tina’s parents accompanied her to the Emerald Town nail salon, along with an elder from the dragon clan. In the presence of three adult dragons and the other non-human staff, Lu Yao, Si Jin, and Tina signed mutual soul-binding contracts as a pledge of coexistence.

The next day, the courier shop welcomed four new couriers: Si Jin, Tina, Qiuyu, and Zhao Ye.

When Zhang Shu arrived at the shop, she was stunned. The couriers weren’t just young; they were breathtakingly beautiful.

There was a regal young man with golden hair and eyes, a striking girl with red hair and eyes, a commanding woman with black hair and red eyes, and a handsome boy with symmetrical moles under his eyes. Add Harold and the shopkeeper herself, and Zhang Shu could barely catch her breath as she walked into the office.

These couriers didn’t just look better than idol groups—they carried an air of unapproachable strength.

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