Author Archives: Thingyan

Ch 10: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The next day, the heavy snow had just cleared, and it was a bright, sunny morning.

Room 401.
Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou exchanged a glance before silently turning their heads away to stare at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Yuan Wei: “It’s morning.”
Zhu Zhou: “Mm.”
Yuan Wei tugged the blanket higher with her neck, curling further into it. “Don’t want to get up.”
Zhu Zhou: “…Me neither.”

The night’s sleep had been so comfortable, a luxury they hadn’t experienced in ages.

Despite their reluctance, they eventually dragged themselves out of bed—it wasn’t realistic to spend the whole day lounging around.

After changing clothes, Yuan Wei noticed the great weather and pulled open the curtains.

They saw the scene Gan Li had described—the vast, towering buildings of the big people’s settlement and the colorful flowers blooming below the windowsill.

Room 402.
Hu Xi and Yin Er had just woken up as well. Yin Er immediately pulled back the bed curtain.

Hu Xi, propping her chin on her hand, had been lazing about with half-closed eyes. But at the sight of the scene outside the window, her sleepiness vanished instantly.

Yin Er pushed the window open and noticed there was another transparent wall outside. Peering through the glass, she murmured, “This isn’t Thorn Valley.”

Hu Xi was equally puzzled.

Suddenly, across the small road, a door opened, and a young big person emerged, walking straight toward them.

Yin Er pressed herself against the glass and watched as the big person seemed to pull open a door and enter the inn. “There are more big people?”

Having spent the morning recalling their experience from the previous night, neither of them could associate the innkeeper with anything malicious anymore. But they hadn’t expected there to be other big people.

Hu Xi stood up. “Let’s go check it out. I wonder if Xiao Ji and Xiong Ming are awake.”

The two opened their door and immediately bumped into Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou coming out of Room 401. Both groups were briefly surprised, but then they seemed relieved to see each other.

Hu Xi casually mentioned the scene outside the window, and Yuan Wei explained briefly.

Yin Er asked, “You’re a guest, too. How do you know this?”

Yuan Wei replied, “We heard about it from fellow tribe members before we came. She mentioned it.”

Yuan Wei recounted what Gan Li had said, clearing up the confusion about the scenery outside. Yin Er and Hu Xi sighed in relief.

At the staircase on the third floor, the four of them ran into Xiong Ming and Xiao Ji.

Both looked full of energy, clearly having slept well the previous night.

The six little people went downstairs in a group and found two more big people in the inn.

Hearing the commotion, Lu Yao, who had just finished preparing breakfast, wheeled over a serving cart. As she approached, she introduced the new arrivals. “The tall boy in black with the high ponytail is Harold, and the little helper is Lu Budu. Don’t worry, they’re both very gentle.”

The little people remained silent, their unease evident. The pressure of being in the presence of three big people was entirely different from just one.

Lu Budu was still young, and his resemblance to Lu Yao made him less intimidating. Harold, however, was a dragon. Even though he had become much more restrained over the past year, his aura was becoming increasingly imposing as he approached adulthood.

Lu Yao ignored the slightly awkward atmosphere and lifted the cover off the serving dishes, releasing a burst of rich, savory aroma that hit everyone like a bomb.

Harold wrinkled his nose. “Crab roe buns!”

Lu Yao smiled. “You’re sharp. I also made porridge, crab roe buns, and shrimp dumplings. I kept yours on the stove so they wouldn’t get cold.”

Harold loved crab roe buns—the thin wrapper and flavorful filling were far more satisfying than eating crab alone.

He called Budu to join him in fetching breakfast, and the tense atmosphere in the guest area eased slightly.

The guests lined up and entered the dining area, instinctively choosing seats by the windows. Just as they were about to relax, Harold and Lu Budu emerged with their own trays of food.

The six guests froze, their shoulders stiff as if immobilized. They were truly terrified of Harold.

The emotions of the small people—fear, joy, sadness—were written all over their faces, unintentionally evoking a sense of pity.

Lu Yao suppressed her amusement and used a telescopic rod with a clip to serve the meals.

Breakfast consisted of pumpkin porridge with crab roe buns, shrimp dumplings, pickled ginger slices, and a plate of white sugar rice cakes. Knowing porridge might not be filling enough, she added a substantial dessert.

Harold and Budu sat at a table opposite the kitchen, not in a hurry to eat. Instead, they intently observed the guests, their sharp gazes making everyone uneasy. Yet, the enticing aroma of the food before them was hard to ignore.

Each guest had a round bamboo steamer in front of them, lined with long, broad leaves. Inside were three crab roe buns and three shrimp dumplings, each as big as their fists.

The crab roe buns had thin wrappers and abundant filling, while the shrimp dumplings were translucent, their pink shrimp and green vegetables visible beneath the delicate skin.

The enticing aroma filled the room, but no one dared to move.

Finally, Yuan Wei broke the ice. She picked up a shrimp dumpling, took a bite, and was met with the expected freshness—but with a twist that made it distinct from last night’s meal.

The texture was soft yet chewy, with a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors. It was flawless.

At another table, Xiao Ji couldn’t wait any longer. After fumbling with his chopsticks a few times, he grabbed a crab roe bun with his hand and quickly placed it on his plate.

Lu Yao reminded him, “Crab roe buns have soup inside. Be careful, they’re hot.”

Harold couldn’t hold back any longer and started eating his crab roe bun. Using a spoon, he carefully picked up a bun and used chopsticks to poke a small hole in the wrapper to let the steam escape. He sipped the soup first, then added a bit of ginger and vinegar before popping the whole bun into his mouth, looking completely satisfied.

Xiao Ji, observing closely, immediately mimicked him. He picked up a soup bun with a spoon, poked a hole with his chopsticks, sipped the soup, added a bit of vinegar and ginger, and stuffed the whole bun into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he shook his head in delight.

“So good!”

Imitation seemed to be an instinct, as the others began to sneak glances at Harold and Budu, following their lead.

The mini-sized crab roe buns were just the right size for the small people to enjoy in one bite after sipping the soup. Nothing could be fresher or more flavorful.

Lu Yao had used two large crabs that morning to prepare the crab roe buns for the guests, steaming them in ten baskets alongside shrimp dumplings. A row of unsteamed buns still lined the cutting board.

As expected, one basket wasn’t enough. The guests asked for seconds, and most adults ended up eating three baskets before they were satisfied. Even Xiao Ji managed one and a half.

When the richness of the buns and dumplings became a bit overwhelming, the guests would nibble on a crisp pickled ginger slice to cleanse their palates before continuing with the porridge.

At the end of the meal, they noticed a plate of white sugar rice cakes in the corner. Still warm to the touch, the cakes were soft and springy, offering a mild sweetness with a hint of fruit aroma that lingered.

Under the weight of Harold and Budu’s watchful gazes, Yuan Wei poked her head out the window and asked Lu Yao, “Did you add sugar blocks to the rice cakes?”

The sugar blocks from the Xiaguang Tribe are naturally infused with a fruity aroma, making them famous and easily recognizable.

Lu Yao replied, “I received some sugar blocks from another guest the other day. I tried adding a bit to the dessert this morning, and it did make them taste even better.”

Yuan Wei didn’t respond further, instead picking up another piece of white sugar rice cake, savoring it slowly in small bites.

After the delicious and refreshing breakfast, the small people weren’t in a hurry to leave. They noticed the sunlight streaming through the opposite window and shifted over to those tables to bask in the sun.

Lu Yao finished tidying the kitchen and brought her breakfast tray to sit between Harold and Budu. “What are you two doing?”

Budu gestured toward the dining area and whispered, “Listening to the guests talk.”

Lu Yao took a bite of shrimp dumpling. “What are they chatting about?”

Harold replied, “The guests staying in the fourth-floor suite are planning to travel together to Shenmu Tribe to seek child blessings.”

Intrigued, Lu Yao quickly ate a few bites and began eavesdropping.

“Why does just one sun feel so warm?”

“Must be because we’re in the inn.”

“The buns were amazing, and so were the shrimp dumplings, side dishes, and white sugar rice cakes.”

“How can such big hands make such delicious food?”

“I’ll miss the food here.”

“I’ll miss the hot showers and the soft beds…”

…

“It’s time to go.”

“Ugh, I really don’t want to move.”

Xiao Ji turned his head and noticed Lu Yao sitting outside with Harold and Budu. After hesitating, he carefully got up, tiptoed out of the dining area, and stood by the railing, looking around.

Lu Yao asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Ji reached into his fur-lined pocket and pulled out a mini bar of soap. “I like this soapfruit. I’d like to trade some oilstones for it.”

The little guy’s round beast ears twitched occasionally, his attitude both earnest and nervous.

Actually, he also liked the soft paper provided in the restroom, which was much better than using leaves—more comfortable and cleaner. However, he felt that everything in the inn was so good that he might not be able to afford to trade for much.

If he had to choose just one thing to take back, it would definitely be the soapfruit or something with a similar use.

Soapfruit is a naturally occurring fruit with cleansing properties when ripe, commonly used by Nitean smallfolk for bathing and laundry.

Lu Yao smiled. “This one’s already used. I’ll get you a new one.”

Yuan Wei, who had been watching Xiao Ji and Lu Yao ever since he got up, immediately stood and said, “I’d like to trade for something too.”

Lu Yao turned her head in surprise. “?”

Yuan Wei said, “I’d like to trade some sugar blocks for more of the breakfast buns and shrimp dumplings.”

From the next table, Yin Er couldn’t sit still and immediately chimed in, “Shopkeeper, I’d also like to trade for some pickled vegetables and white sugar rice cakes.”

Having pickled ginger slices on the road would make eating dry rations much easier. As for the white sugar rice cakes, Yin Er had fallen in love with their soft and sweet texture at first bite and was determined to trade for some to take along.

Zhu Zhou and Hu Xi remained silent, letting their partners voice their desires.

Finally, the previously silent and low-key Xiong Ming raised his hand hesitantly. “I’d like to trade for some of the meat used in last night’s noodles.”

The smoked meat used in the noodle dish had a unique smoky aroma, rich saltiness, and oily flavor, unlike the dry and chewy smoked meat typically found in the Xiaguang Tribe. Xiong Ming loved smoked foods, and the smoked meat strips in the noodles were an unparalleled delicacy. He especially enjoyed the satisfaction of biting into the juicy, savory pieces of meat.

None of the Nitean smallfolk realized that they had effectively discovered the second purpose of the inn—a trading post.

At this point, they simply felt that the inn’s offerings were worth exchanging for valuable items.

Lu Yao didn’t refuse any of their requests, agreeing to each trade while advising them to consume the crab roe buns and shrimp dumplings as soon as possible. Fortunately, the outside weather acted as a natural freezer, allowing the fresh food to stay preserved a bit longer.

At the inn’s entrance, Lu Yao, Harold, and Budu waved goodbye to the departing guests.

System Notification:
Task progress: 90%. Positive feedback rate: 100%.
Monitoring indicates that the height of the inn’s doors negatively impacted guest satisfaction, automatically deducting 20% of the positive feedback rate. Current positive feedback rate: 80%. Task deadline: three days. Please work hard to complete the task!

Lu Yao: What?!

Was this even allowed?

Lu Yao tried to communicate with the proxy bot but received no response. She was increasingly convinced that the robot was a trap set up by the system itself.

Losing 20% of the positive feedback meant that the next guest’s feedback would be critical to the task’s success.

Lu Yao turned back toward the inn. “Harold, Budu, once the small kitchen is fully set up, I also want to add a laundry room on the first floor of Guest Block One. The progress on Guest Block Two needs to accelerate—we need it ready for occupancy within three days.”

First, she had to replace the door to Room 401, then thoroughly clean and reset the rooms that previous guests had used.

Harold frowned deeply. “You need to stop overworking. You barely rested last night—go take a nap. We can handle these smaller tasks.”

“Smaller tasks” referred to replacing linens, cleaning the rooms, and reorganizing everything.

Harold, despite never having done such chores, was confident there’d be no challenge in it. That’s just how he was.

Lu Yao shook her head. “The items in the guest rooms are delicate. You’re too strong, and your magic is too aggressive. You’d easily break them.”

Harold, who often crushed building blocks by accident, looked unconvinced.

Lu Yao added, “These items are even more delicate than nail art.”

Harold: “…”

More delicate than nail art?

The little black dragon, who spent an inordinate amount of time caring for his nails: Fine, never mind then.

The best solution would be to quickly hire reliable new staff, at least someone to alternate shifts with her and help watch the inn.

Harold stayed silent for a moment but finally muttered, “You don’t look well. Go get some rest.”

Budu nodded in agreement, his red eyes filled with worry.

Lu Yao didn’t feel much about it and just replied casually, “Cleaning is quick. I’ll rest once I’m done.”

“Boss, I’m back!” came a vibrant and energetic voice from outside.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 9: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The four-person team consisted of the eldest, Xiong Ming, who was the leader; Hu Xi and Yin Er, a newlywed couple who had just performed the Iris Ceremony; and a young little person named Xiao Ji, Xiong Ming’s son.

Behind them were two pack animals, long-haired cattle slightly larger than red pigs. These animals had thick, fluffy gray-black fur and moved slowly, resembling oversized plush toys dropped on the ground from afar.

The sudden hailstorm had caught them off guard, and Xiong Ming was anxious. Based on his experience, stronger winds and heavier snow were likely to follow, making it essential to find shelter quickly.

Yin Er couldn’t help complaining, “We shouldn’t have listened to those three young people from the Red Pig Tribe.”

The four had been on their way to exchange animal hides with the Red Pig Tribe and planned to stop at the Shenmu Tribe. Along the way, they had encountered three Red Pig Tribe little people, who told them that the thorns in Thorn Valley had been cleared, leaving the road wide and smooth. They also mentioned a big person running an inn there.

Xiong Ming wasn’t interested in learning more about the big person or their inn; he just wanted to get home as quickly as possible. Hearing that Thorn Valley now had a passable road, he decided to take the shortcut, which could save at least two Sunshine Days on their journey to the Shenmu Tribe.

Now near Thorn Valley, they found that the snow was just as deep, and the road was still difficult to traverse.

The worsening weather, combined with the hailstorm, made it clear they needed to find a sheltered spot to rest before the snowstorm hit.

Xiao Ji fished a piece of paper out of his animal hide pouch. “They gave us a map. Why don’t we head to the inn?”

Hu Xi immediately objected, “No!”

Xiao Ji tilted his head. “Why not?”

Yin Er replied, “Didn’t you hear them say how terrifying the big people are? Taller than mountains, and a single finger could crush us.”

Xiao Ji countered, “But they also said the inn was safe, and the food was even better than that of the Xiaguang Tribe.”

Hu Xi rolled his eyes. “As if big people’s food could compare to the Xiaguang Tribe’s!”

Xiao Ji retorted, “And you’ve eaten their food, have you?”

Hu Xi smirked. “The big people don’t know it, but I have been to the Xiaguang Tribe.”

No tribe could rival the Xiaguang Tribe in culinary expertise.

Walking ahead, Xiong Ming raised a hand to quiet them, tilting his head and twitching his ears. “Listen, there’s a strange sound in the wind.”

Little people from the Luo Xiong Tribe had exceptionally keen hearing. Xiao Ji perked up and indeed caught the faint “clattering” noise.

He recalled the little person with the beast horn mark under his eye mentioning a long, wide road outside the inn, bordered by a fence adorned with windmills that clattered when the wind blew.

Unable to contain his excitement, Xiao Ji dashed ahead and climbed a slope, where he spotted the directional sign and the spinning windmills.

Following the sign’s arrow, he saw the inn in the distance and froze momentarily before shouting back, “We’re here! The big person’s inn is right ahead!”

Xiong Ming and the others descended the slope, observing everything around them as they walked, until they reached the inn’s entrance and finally stopped.

The three adult little people stood silently, staring up at the inn. Xiao Ji asked, “Aren’t we going in?”

Xiong Ming glared at him. “Keep your voice down. Don’t let them notice us.”

Xiao Ji didn’t understand. Those three little people had said they’d stayed at the big person’s inn, and the Thorn Valley was indeed as they had described—wide and smooth. If the big person running the inn wasn’t bad, why couldn’t they go inside?

Xiong Ming’s expression was grim. After surveying the area, he led the long-haired cattle to a spot under the inn’s windowsill and whispered, “We’ll rest here for the night.”

It was sheltered from the wind, close to the big person’s dwelling, and under the eaves that could shield them from falling snow—a perfect place to rest.

Yin Er’s ears twitched as her face turned pale. “Do we have to stay here?”

The house was enormous, and whoever lived inside was undoubtedly a big person. If they were discovered using this spot to escape the cold, could they get away in time?

Hu Xi caught Yin Er’s pleading gaze but shared Xiong Ming’s thoughts. There wasn’t a better place to stop for the night in this area.

They pulled the long-haired cattle closer to the wall but didn’t dare unload all their luggage, only taking out some animal hides to wrap themselves in.

Xiong Ming dug a few blackened stones out of his bag, preparing to light a fire and boil some water to go with their dry rations.

When traveling, their meals and accommodations were always kept as simple as possible.

Hu Xi tiptoed off and returned with a stone pot filled with clean snow.

Yin Er leaned against one of the long-haired cattle, her face pale and weary as she rummaged through her bag, pulling out a piece of smoked jerky. Exhausted, hungry, and frightened after a long day, she needed a bite of meat to steady herself.

Xiao Ji, wrapped in animal hide, sat by the fire, staring blankly at the flames. His whole body ached, and he was completely drained.

Suddenly, Xiao Ji’s nose twitched, and his eyes lit up. “What’s that smell…? It’s so good…”

Xiong Ming looked up and glared at him. “Behave yourself.”

Xiao Ji protested, looking aggrieved, “But it’s true!”

As they spoke, the aroma grew stronger, tugging at their senses like tiny hooks, pulling them into a haze.

Hu Xi and Yin Er smelled it too—a rich, indescribable scent of sizzling oil, as if a large piece of meat were frying and releasing its juices. Their mouths began to water uncontrollably.

Xiao Ji couldn’t resist. He got up and followed the scent to the inn’s entrance, stopping at the small door and calling back, “It’s here!”

The three adults jumped up to stop him, but it was too late.

Xiao Ji pushed open the little door, and the sound of bells—“ding-ling-ling!”—rang sharply in the quiet of the valley night.

Warm light spilled out from the door, and the alluring aroma became even more intense.

By the cooking counter, Lu Yao was bent over, about to start eating a bowl of noodles.

After working late into the night to replace doors, she was too hungry to sleep. Seeing a piece of spare cured meat soaking in the kitchen’s basin had sparked a craving for cured meat and shredded pork noodles. So she’d set up a pot and cooked herself a bowl, just finishing it.

At the sound of the bells, Lu Yao immediately put down her chopsticks.

At the door, Xiao Ji, who was a bit shorter than Monk, had fallen to the ground. His eyes were wide with fear as he stared at Lu Yao, his curled-up legs trembling helplessly.

Lu Yao paused briefly, then crouched down. “Are you here to stay or to eat?”

The little person had a pair of round, beast-like ears. Despite their already diminutive size, two fluffy brown ears poked out from their hair.

What tribe was this little one from?

Their cuteness was overwhelming.

Outside, three more heads peeked cautiously around the doorframe.

Perfect, they were all beast-eared little people.

It seemed they didn’t realize they’d already been spotted.

Lu Yao lowered her gaze, trying to appear as gentle and non-threatening as possible. “There’s heavy snow tonight, and the wind outside is too strong to stay overnight. The beds here are warm and soft, you can take a hot bath, and there’s a hot supper waiting…”

Xiao Ji snapped out of his daze. His round ears twitched warily as he shakily pulled a flyer from his animal hide clothing.

Lu Yao took the flyer, smiling softly. “You must have met Monk and his friends. They stayed here last night and left this morning.”

Xiao Ji finally mustered the courage to speak, looking up at her. “Are you a big person?”

Lu Yao nodded. “I am.”

Xiao Ji fell silent.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Yao offered, “I just finished cooking some noodles. Would you like to try a bowl?”

Xiao Ji’s eyes widened, and he instinctively swallowed. “Noodles?”

Lu Yao reached out and gently picked Xiao Ji up, setting him down on the counter. She then fetched the little people’s special bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen.

From her untouched bowl of noodles, she pulled out a single strand of thick noodle, adding two plump, fragrant strips of cured pork, some minced green peppers, and bits of fresh pickled garlic. Tearing off a small piece of fried egg, she piled everything into the small bowl, topping it with a ladle of hot broth sprinkled with chopped scallions. She pushed it in front of Xiao Ji.

“Try it—it’s delicious.”

Xiao Ji’s reason snapped like a taut thread. His eyes sparkled as his gaze locked onto the bowl of noodles before him. It was that smell.

“Wait!”

A sharp, urgent voice came from the doorway as Xiong Ming dashed in. But all he heard was the sound of his son eagerly slurping noodles.

Hu Xi and Yin Er followed hesitantly, their expressions uneasy.

Lu Yao turned to them. “Would you like some noodles as well?”

By the time Xiong Ming, Hu Xi, and Yin Er regained their composure, they were already seated beside Xiao Ji, with steaming bowls of the same fragrant meat noodle dish in front of them. The enticing aroma was enough to make their mouths water uncontrollably.

The thick noodles Lu Yao had cooked were challenging for the little people, unused to chopsticks. They had to blow on them hard to cool them down before picking up the noodles and biting into them like a stick of fried dough.

Xiao Ji was especially bold, holding a piece of pork in one hand and the noodle in the other, taking alternating bites with great enthusiasm.

Lu Yao set aside a small bowl of noodles, half a fried egg, and a bit of sauce for herself, then picked up her own bowl and began eating as well.

Even with perfect table manners, the act of eating still produced unavoidable sounds, especially when enjoying something as hearty as noodles.

The beast-eared Nitean little people, sensitive to sounds, paused and looked up at Lu Yao.

So this was how she ate—boldly, yet somehow… not very intimidating.

Noticing their stares, Lu Yao glanced down at them. “Still hungry? I’ve got a little more left; it should be enough for you.”

Xiong Ming opened his mouth but couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Xiao Ji raised his oily hand. “Another bowl, please!”

Yin Er’s fluffy cat ears twitched and flared before folding back shyly. “I… I’d like another bowl too.”

One bowl after another, the four Nitean little people cleaned out the remainder of Lu Yao’s noodles.

Outside, a stone pot simmered on the fire, bubbling and steaming, but no one paid it any attention.

The two long-haired cattle huddled together in the corner, pulling their hooves tightly beneath them against the cold night air.

Suddenly, the enormous door swung open from inside, flooding the area with bright light. A massive shadow loomed over the ground.

The long-haired cattle widened their eyes, their hooves slipping as they struggled to stand. All they could do was emit helpless “moo” sounds.

Lu Yao, using her phone’s flashlight, walked over to the corner. She picked up the stone pot with tongs, extinguished the fire, and brought the long-haired cattle and their luggage inside the inn.

The four beast-eared little people finally snapped back to reality but, having already enjoyed her food, felt too embarrassed to refuse lodging.

They introduced themselves as being from the Luo Xiong Tribe, known for their keen hearing and expertise in locating and mining veins of resources, such as the fuel called “oilstone,” which came from their tribe.

The group exchanged four pieces of oilstone for six Nitean coins. Xiong Ming and Xiao Ji checked into Room 301, while Hu Xi and Yin Er took Room 402 upstairs.

When Hu Xi and Yin Er reached Room 402, they cast curious glances toward the neighboring door.

Although the newly replaced doors fit perfectly, the height difference compared to Zhu Zhou’s door was still noticeable.

Lu Yao briefly explained the situation and took the opportunity to show them how to use the items in their rooms.

Once both groups of guests had closed their doors, Lu Yao turned around, covering her mouth as she yawned.

She grabbed a blanket from the cabinet, intending to pull two chairs together and catnap for the night.

Harold suddenly appeared, arms crossed at the doorway, his brows furrowed. “Why aren’t you going home yet?”

Lu Yao replied, “There are guests in the inn.”

Harold snatched the blanket from her. “I’ll keep watch tonight. You can’t keep doing this. You need to hire someone.”

Lu Yao agreed that hiring staff was necessary. Training little people as employees would take time, but in the meantime, a human staff member would help.

“I’ll ask about it in the work group tomorrow. For now, I’ll take you up on that. I need to go to the cinema.”

It was past midnight, but it was daytime in the cinema world.

Lu Yao planned to order a new batch of larger beds and sleepwear and pick up new tableware and kitchenware.

The first batch of tableware she had ordered was too small, and the kiln workers had struggled to get the desired quality due to the intricate firing process.

With six guests staying at the inn tonight, Lu Yao figured the bowls and plates wouldn’t be enough for breakfast, so she needed to bring in replacements.

After finishing at the cinema, she stopped by the snack shop to discuss the internal network project with the head guard and the park’s technicians. It wasn’t until 3:00 a.m. that she returned to the nail salon.

…

Author’s Note:

Before entering the inn:
Little people: “Big people are terrifying! They could crush us with a single finger!” (shivering in fear)

After entering the inn:
Little people: Feasting and living comfortably, as if at home.

JustAPoliteFear #NiteanLittlePeopleOnlyScaredForThreeSeconds

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 8: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Yuan Wei stood at the entrance to the bathroom, inspecting it from top to bottom. “The door is a bit low, but the bath is big enough. Sharing it will save some hot water.”

The Twilight Moon season was harsh for little people, marked by food scarcity and the rarity of luxuries like hot baths. Especially during travel, when meals were meager, and rest was in the open air, their last bath had been before leaving home.

A chance to bathe was something they cherished deeply.

When Yuan Wei encountered Gan Li on her journey and heard about the inn’s hot water in the rooms, she was determined to take a bath.

The inn’s understated, traditional Chinese-style design, from the brick exterior to the room’s layout, was novel to the little people but also aligned with their aesthetic sensibilities.

The suite’s bathroom was spacious and divided into three areas by glass doors with paper-cut designs and plain shower curtains: the sink area, the toilet, and the bathing area.

The bathing area featured both a shower and a large wooden tub for soaking, just like the rooms on the lower floors.

The miniature soap, stored in a small wooden box, had a delightful fragrance and lathered quickly when applied. Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou scrubbed away their travel grime in amazement, then filled the tub to the brim with hot water and sank in, reluctant to move.

The warm water enveloped them like a soft blanket, easing their fatigue from days of travel and dissipating any unease about staying at the inn. It brought a contented sigh from them both.

Lu Yao knocked on the door to inform them that dinner was ready.

Yuan Wei opened her eyes, stood up decisively, and emerged with her skin flushed red below her neck. “Gan Li said the food here is delicious. I’ll give it a proper try.”

Gan Li’s exact words had been, “Even the finest dishes of the Xiaguang Tribe can’t compare.”

Yuan Wei was known for her skillful hands and had been famous in the Xiaguang Tribe.

Her smoked jerky and sugar blocks were always of superior quality, and her everyday meals were widely praised for their exceptional flavor.

When Zhu Zhou first met Yuan Wei, he had been captivated by her cooking and couldn’t stop thinking about her since.

In Zhu Zhou’s mind, no matter how delicious someone else’s food was, it could never surpass Yuan Wei’s dishes.

With the mindset of “The room is undoubtedly comfortable, but the food needs to be scrutinized,” the two headed downstairs.

…

First-floor Dining Area

Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou sat across from each other, with two identical meal sets in front of them: rice, black pepper roasted beef cubes with roasted vegetables, pickled cucumbers, and winter melon shrimp ball soup.

The rich, slightly tangy aroma was tantalizing. Yuan Wei decided to start with a roasted cherry tomato next to the beef.

The meal not only smelled amazing but was also visually appealing, with its vibrant color combinations.

Zhu Zhou couldn’t resist the roasted beef—its presence on the plate was simply too dominant. One bite turned into another, and he couldn’t stop.

What kind of roasted beef was this?

How could it be so charred and fragrant on the outside, yet soft and tender inside? Each bite released a subtle milky aroma that made it increasingly addictive. Zhu Zhou found himself unable to stop.

This little side dish, thin and unassuming, looked ordinary but had a crisp texture. Mixed with rice, it tasted even better than the meat.

Yuan Wei tried everything in turn—the roasted vegetables, the roasted meat, and the side dish. Finally, she lifted the soup bowl and savored the soft, sweet winter melon and the springy, subtly sweet shrimp balls.

After a long pause, she let out a deep sigh. “I hate to admit it, but it’s truly delicious.”

The roasted meat was charred and flavorful, the vegetables fresh and crisp without a single flaw. The side dish was salty and fragrant, and the shrimp ball soup was light and sweet. The preparation and seasoning were unlike anything she had ever encountered, confirming that Gan Li’s praise hadn’t been exaggerated.

Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou exchanged a glance, their earlier intent to be critical vanishing completely. They buried their heads in their bowls, eating voraciously, and eventually raised their empty bowls in unison: “Shopkeeper, another serving!”

Lu Yao had already prepared additional portions, but even then, the pair’s appetites exceeded her expectations.

Yuan Wei finished two meal sets, while Zhu Zhou devoured three, plus an extra serving of roasted meat.

After the meal, both were too full to stand and sat in a daze.

When Lu Yao finished tidying the kitchen, she joined them, pulling up a chair to chat.

She got straight to the point: “You met Gan Li?”

Yuan Wei leaned on her elbows. “Yes, she gave us a map of the inn. I saw that there might be heavy snow tonight, and staying outside wouldn’t be safe. So we came here and found Thorn Valley completely transformed.”

Lu Yao explained, “Gan Li mentioned the paths in Thorn Valley were difficult to navigate, so I cleared the thorns.”

Yuan Wei nodded approvingly. “That’s a good thing. I imagine many people will want to come this way now.”

Lu Yao asked, “Why’s that?”

Yuan Wei replied, “Thorn Valley is a shortcut to the Shenmu Tribe. But because of the dense thorns and deep paths, it’s easy to get lost. People used to avoid it and take the long way around. Now that the path is clear, more will be willing to pass through.”

According to Yuan Wei, once the news spread, little people would surely take the shortcut through Thorn Valley, and the inn’s business would improve.

The effort spent clearing the path hadn’t been wasted, and Lu Yao felt pleased.

“You’re heading to the Shenmu Tribe too?” Lu Yao asked.

Yuan Wei lowered her head and suddenly looked bashful. “Yes, we’re going to request a seedling.”

Sitting beside her, Zhu Zhou remained silent, though his ears turned red.

A seedling?

From Yuan Wei’s explanation, Lu Yao learned about the little people’s completely different method of reproduction compared to humans. If they wanted children, they had to visit the Shenmu Tribe to request a seedling from the descendants of the divine envoys.

The little people who lived in the Shenmu Tribe were descendants of the divine envoys who once served the gods. Only they knew how to cultivate seedlings.

The little people were strong and had an average lifespan of 300 years, but reproduction was difficult. Without a seedling, there would be no children.

Yuan Wei and Zhu Zhou had lived together for over a decade. Now, they wanted to settle down and have a child, so they packed their belongings and set out on this journey.

Yuan Wei was chatty, while Zhu Zhou remained quiet.

When Yuan Wei spoke, Zhu Zhou would listen attentively and occasionally chime in to add a detail or two.

Yuan Wei told Lu Yao that the first little people she encountered seemed quite young and small, likely just reaching adulthood. Even Gan Li, who had not yet reached 100 years old, would still grow taller over time.

Reportedly, adult female little people were typically around 10 cm tall, while males ranged between 10–15 cm, though those exceeding 13 cm were rare.

Lu Yao measured Zhu Zhou with a tape measure and found he was nearly 12 cm tall, making him quite large among adult little people. Yuan Wei, by comparison, was 9.5 cm tall.

As the night deepened, Yuan Wei yawned, stretched, and stood up, waving to Lu Yao. “I’m full now. We’ll head to bed.”

Zhu Zhou helped Yuan Wei up, and the two of them made their way upstairs together.

…

Meanwhile, Lu Yao couldn’t sleep, preoccupied with the realization that all the doors in the block hotel were too short.

Monk was around 6–7 cm tall, and Lu Yao estimated that Gan Li was about 8 cm.

When she designed the block hotel, she had set the door height at 10.5 cm, assuming it would suffice. Now, she realized every door would need to be adjusted.

For someone as tall as Zhu Zhou, even the beds in the rooms might be too short. With a headache looming, Lu Yao decided she would need to order a batch of larger beds from carpenters in Great Wu.

She also noted that Zhu Zhou had worn his own clothes earlier, likely because the inn’s pajamas didn’t fit. She’d need to prepare larger-sized sleepwear as well.

Lu Yao measured the walls’ actual heights, revised the dimensions on her blueprints, and began working on adjusting the doors that night.

The doors would now need to be at least 12.5 cm tall. Any higher would look disproportionate.

Using leftover solid wood planks from a cabinet project, Lu Yao cut them to size, smoothed them with sandpaper, drilled holes for connectors and locks, and reinforced them with soundproofing magic.

Although she typically preferred to varnish furniture, which would require a month or two of airing before use, Lu Yao didn’t have that kind of time. The magic reinforcement she applied not only strengthened the doors but made them look as polished as varnished wood, without any of the unpleasant odors.

She decided to leave Room 401 untouched for now since it was occupied, but she replaced the three small doors under the inn’s main entrance, the guest room doors on the third and fourth floors, and the elevator door downstairs.

…

“Clang-clang-clang!”

A sudden loud noise outside interrupted her work. Yuan Wei had mentioned the possibility of snow tonight, but this didn’t sound like snow.

Lu Yao opened the window and discovered it was hailing.

But wasn’t this supposed to be the Twilight Moon season?

To Lu Yao’s understanding, the Twilight Moon season corresponded to winter, and hail was rare in winter unless specific conditions were met. Even then, it was uncommon.

Then again, with three moons and a world inhabited by little people, Nitean’s natural climate couldn’t be judged by conventional logic.

The hailstones on Nitean were frighteningly large, pounding the roof and windows like stones.

Lu Yao reached out to catch a few, each nearly as large as her fingertip and painfully cold.

Remembering her unfinished door repairs, she quickly set the hail aside, closed the window, dried her hands, and returned to work.

…

Outside Thorn Valley

A four-person team of little people huddled tightly under a tree, shielding themselves from the sudden hailstorm.

What Lu Yao perceived as fingertip-sized hailstones were deadly projectiles for the little people.

Unfortunately, the barren branches of the leafless tree provided little shelter in the desolate Twilight Moon season.

Thankfully, their diminutive size allowed them to press close to the trunk and avoid getting hit.

The hailstorm lasted nearly twenty minutes before gradually stopping.

The team leader, ears perked, cautiously stepped out from under the tree, confirming that the hail had ceased. He looked up at the sky. “Let’s gather our things and find somewhere safe to stay. There’s likely to be heavy snow tonight.”

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 7: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The little people stayed one night at the inn with their three red pigs, spending a total of five Nitean coins (two for the single room and three for the double room). Lu Yao refunded them a small piece of fur worth one Nitean coin.

The proxy bot handled the billing, ensuring accurate calculations and facilitating refunds or additional charges, all primarily in the form of goods circulating within the Nitean Continent.

Monk sat in the center of the sled, gripping the reins tightly, his excitement evident. “Lu Yao, I’ll make sure to tell my tribe about your inn!”

Zhuang Yu, patting the stack of new flyers on her lap with a serious expression, said, “We’ll be sure to give these drawings to everyone we meet.”

Dada added, “When the Twilight Moon season ends and I’m out hunting, I’ll come see you again.”

Lu Yao smiled and waved as the pig-drawn sled rolled away from the inn’s entrance like a toy car.

The three red pigs huffed and puffed with determination, moving at a surprisingly brisk pace.

Suddenly, Zhuang Yu exclaimed, “Look, how beautiful!”

Last night, they had only noticed the small light strings wound around the fence, but now they saw the colorful pinwheels of various sizes spinning in the wind. They looked like a sunny season’s meadow bursting with flowers.

Monk, unable to resist, repeated the line he’d said countless times: “I told you, Lu Yao is amazing, and so is the inn!”

Zhuang Yu nodded. “It wouldn’t be bad to come to Thorn Valley for hunting in the future.”

Dada gently stroked the fur covering his lap, his eyes softening. “When the weather warms, I’ll make more fur.”

Monk teased, “Not feeling heartbroken about it anymore?”

Dada lowered his head. “No. I like it here…” and I like Lu Yao too.

Zhuang Yu, visibly excited, added, “Me neither! The food here is way better than smoked jerky. When we get back, the chief and the hunting team will be stunned.”

Lu Yao had packed a whole fried shrimp along with the one they hadn’t finished, sending it off with their sled.

Shrimp was a rarity. The Red Pig Tribe only encountered it when trading for rock salt with the Black Rock Tribe, and even then, it was usually dried shrimp—small, pungent, and unappealing to the inland little people, who preferred living in caves and hunting.

Despite the taste, the scarcity of shrimp made it a joyous occasion whenever they got some.

But the shrimp from Lu Yao’s inn was entirely different. It was fresh and large, with a crispy shell enclosing meat that was springy, tender, and slightly sweet. Even just thinking about it made their mouths water.

Thankfully, they had eaten their fill in the morning; otherwise, the craving would have been unbearable.

…

[System Notification: Mission progress is at 30%, with a 100% positive feedback rate from guests. Keep up the good work, shopkeeper!]

It seemed the feedback was collected automatically. With that, Lu Yao turned and headed back into the inn.

Changing bedding, pajamas, and towels, and cleaning rooms were routine tasks.

Lu Yao retrieved her newly purchased miniature washing machine for socks from the storage and threw in the used bed linens and pajamas worn by the little people. She added detergent, set the timer, and started the machine.

While the washing machine was running, she began cleaning the guest rooms.

The rooms were so small that cleaning them didn’t feel like a chore; it was more like playing house, reminiscent of her childhood games. The presence of the little people made this “game” even more delightful.

Lu Yao rather enjoyed this kind of busy yet mundane work.

The inn had a sort of magic that slowed down time.

By the time she finished tidying up two rooms, the washing machine had just stopped.

Lu Yao tied a sturdy, thin rope under the windowsill and hung the freshly washed bedding and clothing with small clips.

A row of tiny blankets and clothes fluttered in the wind, resembling colorful flags from a distance.

Lu Yao considered building a laundry room on the first floor near the guest rooms, making it easier for future staff to manage.

The miniature washing machine was still quite large in the eyes of the little people, so it needed to be placed in an appropriate spot. She also thought about optimizing the machine’s functionality with magic.

After breakfast, Harold returned to the nail salon, while Budu went to the Little Pet Cafw to feed the “fluffies.”

Since the fluffies rarely saw people during their holidays, they had developed a strange “obsession with snuggling people.”

Budu often lost track of time playing with them and wouldn’t return until lunchtime.

With the inn temporarily quiet, Lu Yao didn’t mind managing it alone.

After finishing her chores, she noticed the sunshine outside and decided to take a short break. She set out some snacks, brewed a pot of hot tea, and prepared to relax before tackling her next task.

The shops in the market street were mostly closed for the New Year’s holiday, as staff had gone home. However, the work group chat remained lively with idle chatter.

Lu Yao was browsing through last night’s messages when a new one popped up.

Zhou Su, the head chef and pastry maker of the pet cafe, had started her holiday early.

[Zhou Su: I’m so bored. Are you all still at your hometowns?]

Having once worked in a large corporation with endless hours and hair loss-inducing stress, Zhou Su never imagined she’d one day feel utterly bored by a long holiday.

[Gao Meng: You’re being ungrateful…]
[Zhou Su: I reflect on my ways. [bitter_smile.JPG] Are you still in the shopping street for New Year’s, shopkeeper?]
[Lu Yao: Yes, holding down the fort with Budu and Harold.]
[Zhou Su: I miss my fluffies.]
[Lu Yao: Budu loves feeding them. The waterdrop seals and chirpy balls have all gained weight.]
[Zhou Su: !!!]
[Zhou Su: I’ll be back in two days to snuggle them!]
[Ji Zhixin: Shopkeeper, how’s the new shop?]

Lu Yao usually acted on her ideas without telling others much in advance. On the first day of the New Year, Ji Zhixin’s uncle, Ji Feichen, had visited the shopping street to see Budu. At the time, Lu Yao was resting, and Harold and Budu had handled the reception. Ji Feichen must have noticed the new shop and mentioned it to Ji Zhixin later.

[Lu Yao: It’s going well.]
[Zhou Su: Opening a new shop during the New Year? What world is it this time?]
[Lu Yao: Have you played LEGO? The new shop is basically a brick person’s ultimate dream.]
[Ji Zhixin: !!! My brick person DNA is activated!]
[Zhou Su: I love LEGO too! I wish we could do video calls or at least share photos!]

Due to the rules of the Dream Fulfillment System, the existence of the shopping street in Lu Yao’s world was only known to employees under confidentiality agreements and VIP customers. Additionally, any information about it could not be shared through photos, videos, words, or online platforms.

While these rules were necessary to protect the shopping street, Lu Yao had gradually found them inconvenient. Employees and guests couldn’t even discuss the shopping street among themselves, like performing grand deeds in secret, which was far from practical.

Perhaps it was time to move into a new phase, such as building a special platform accessible only to internal staff and VIP customers.

In simple terms, an intranet—one that only covered the market street.

Now that the system was no longer actively managing the street, Lu Yao wasn’t entirely without options. Her mind began to buzz with ideas. She immediately grabbed pen and paper to draft a plan.

Shopping Street Work Group Chat
[Lu Yao: That’s a good suggestion. I’ll try developing it.]
[Zhou Su: !!!]
[Bai Yi: Are you serious, shopkeeper?]

Bai Yi, an employee at the shopping street Childhood Tutoring Center, had been home visiting relatives during the New Year. When the conversation turned to work, only her job seemed shrouded in mystery, leaving her unable to share details. The curious yet skeptical looks from her relatives didn’t bother her much, but it was frustrating to keep quiet about her unique experiences.

For instance, the world where she worked originally had superpowers, and all the customers were ability users. Later, the shopkeeper drastically nerfed the powers, leaving only faint traces like fireflies. Or the fact that her boss, in another identity, was revered as a deity in that world.

It wasn’t about telling everyone—just being able to chat with a few cousins who knew about the market street would be a relief. Otherwise, bottling it all up felt unbearable.

“If only the shopping street had its own app,” she thought.

Bai Yi was certain the shopkeeper could easily implement this in other worlds, but in this one, there seemed to be limitations. Like everyone else, she wasn’t entirely sure of the specifics.

…

Lu Yao, deeply focused, didn’t check the group chat again.

She worked straight through to lunchtime, had a simple meal, and went back to her tasks. Harold and Budu didn’t disturb her, tidying up the dishes on their own and quietly continuing their block-building. When they got tired, they returned to the nail salon to rest.

By evening, Lu Yao finally broke out of her hyper-focused state, finding in front of her a detailed and comprehensive plan for building a shopping street intranet.

The Star Gate, which was currently inaccessible from her world, meant the wealth and resources she had accumulated in other worlds couldn’t be converted for use here. On the other hand, the shops in other worlds still relied, to varying degrees, on funds or goods from this world.

In short, despite amassing considerable wealth in various other worlds, Lu Yao was still strapped for cash.

If the intranet were successfully implemented, it could not only provide a platform for employees and VIP customers to communicate but also open up new revenue streams.

To build an intranet functional in this world, it would have to rely on Dreamland’s Amusement Park as its foundation.

Lu Yao planned to visit the head guard when she had time to discuss the feasibility of the plan.

As for the technical approach, options included illusions, magic, holographic technology, or even superpowers. Her experience constructing the ghost telephone network for the pet cafe could also serve as a reference.

It was a large and complex project, but one that would greatly benefit the development of the shopping street if executed well.

Thankfully, the Dream Fulfillment System was currently on a “business trip,” or else it would surely be nagging endlessly in her ear.

Ding-ding-ding—

The doorbell rang.

Was this a walk-in guest?

Lu Yao set aside her plan and, noticing that Harold and Budu were nowhere to be seen, stood up to answer the door.

The small door meant for Nitean little people opened from the outside, but no one entered.

Lu Yao crouched down and saw a Nitean little person stuck in the doorway, looking somewhat startled.

This little person was taller than the door itself and was awkwardly trying to squeeze inside. When he noticed Lu Yao, he suddenly froze.

“Zhu Zhou, why aren’t you going in?” A gentle voice called from outside.

The little person named Zhu Zhou blushed furiously, straightened up, and stammered, “I-I-I saw her…”

Lu Yao simply opened the main door. Outside stood a Nitean man and woman.

The man, who had been stuck in the small door, was named Zhu Zhou. He was much taller than Gan Li, the tallest Nitean little person Lu Yao had met before. His build was sturdy, with a bushy beard and round eyes, dressed haphazardly in animal pelts reminiscent of the Red Pig Tribe’s style.

The woman standing behind him appeared to be taller than Gan Li as well, with hair that had a faint reddish tint, as if touched by the glow of a sunset. Behind her was a red pig loaded with luggage, and in her hand was a piece of paper Lu Yao immediately recognized—the first version of her flyer that Gan Li had distributed.

Crouching down, Lu Yao asked, “Are you here to stay or to eat?”

Given that they had met Gan Li and brought the flyer, they likely already knew about the inn from her.

Zhu Zhou stepped protectively in front of the woman, warily watching Lu Yao.

The woman patted Zhu Zhou, sidestepped him, and walked forward to look up at Lu Yao. “My name is Yuan Wei, and this is my partner, Zhu Zhou. We’d like to stay for the night.”

Lu Yao quickly understood—they were likely a Nitean couple.

She wondered what marriage customs were like in this world; they were undoubtedly different from what she knew.

One of the joys of running a shop in another world was learning about the diverse ways of life from the customers. These differences seemed like the best testament to the richness of existence.

As a seasoned shopkeeper, Lu Yao wouldn’t directly inquire about her guests’ lives.

Instead, she skillfully guided them through exchanging Nitean coins, unloading their luggage at the manual elevator, and leaving their red pig in the livestock shed before escorting them upstairs.

The fourth floor of the guest area had just been completed the night before. Lu Yao had no plans to add more floors and intended to build an open-air Chinese-style tea lounge on the rooftop for guests to relax.

While cleaning the second and third floors that morning, she had also prepared the suites on the fourth floor.

Like the third floor, the fourth had only two rooms, but the layout was different. The double rooms on the third floor featured two single beds, while the fourth-floor suites had one large bed with all other furnishings designed for two.

After hearing the explanation, Yuan Wei immediately chose a fourth-floor suite.

Lu Yao handed her the key to Room 401 and offered to help carry their luggage, but Zhu Zhou hoisted it himself and headed upstairs without giving her the chance.

Yuan Wei smiled at Lu Yao. “He’s not much of a talker.”

Lu Yao nodded in understanding and proceeded to introduce the room’s features as usual before finishing with, “Rest well. I’ll prepare dinner shortly.”

…

Once the door closed, Zhu Zhou let out a deep sigh of relief.

The big people described in the stories were nowhere near as terrifying as seeing one in real life. One of her hands could easily crush them.

Yuan Wei glanced around the room, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the table. “To think such a giant could make something so intricate…”

In the center of the table was a slim porcelain vase holding two simple floral branches. Their faint, cold fragrance seemed to linger in the air.

Yuan Wei gently pinched one of the blossoms and murmured, “I think… I rather like her…”

Zhu Zhou’s eyes widened in disbelief, looking somewhat hurt.

Yuan Wei stifled a laugh and began removing her clothes. “Gan Li said the room has hot water, and the shopkeeper mentioned it earlier too. I want to take a bath.”

Zhu Zhou’s face flushed suspiciously red. “T-together?”

Author’s Note:
From the nail salon onward, every version of the shopkeeper’s flyer has triggered new storylines.

Flyer: One of the shopkeeper’s ancestral marketing skills and a low-cost, high-return strategy for early-stage shops on Market Street.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 6: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Dada and Zhuang Yu had already forgotten their previous reservations, holding hands and joyfully spinning circles around the sealed bag.

The coldest season was about to arrive, and with this food, their hunting team wouldn’t need to go out every day.

When three moons appeared in the night sky, the Nitean Continent entered the cold and desolate Twilight Moon season.

The harsh weather and scarce food during the Twilight Moon season meant that the tribe usually organized strong young little people into hunting teams, taking turns to hunt and share their catch among everyone.

Monk’s parents had passed away shortly after he was born, and he had grown up cared for by the tribe. He had always wanted to give back to his people. With this stash of food, it felt like the first step toward fulfilling that wish.

Lu Yao waited for their excitement to settle before speaking up calmly, “The food isn’t going anywhere, but if you’re staying at the inn, you’ll need to exchange for Nitean coins first.”

Monk didn’t have any items for exchange, but Zhuang Yu brought out some smoked jerky, and Dada produced a piece of fur about three centimeters wide and five centimeters long from his small bundle.

The fur had the highest value, exchanging for five Nitean coins, while three pieces of smoked jerky exchanged for one coin.

Lu Yao mentally noted the relative values—though her estimate might not be entirely accurate. It seemed the value of a fur far exceeded that of smoked jerky or sugar blocks, with sugar blocks likely being slightly more valuable than jerky.

Using premium fur and jerky to exchange for six Nitean coins left Dada and Zhuang Yu visibly distressed. The cost of staying a single night was steep.

As she had done with Gan Li before, Lu Yao led them to the manual elevator to go upstairs. The three red pigs were left behind, with Harold taking them to the livestock shed.

Since they had no extra luggage, Lu Yao directly guided them to the second and third floors.

The inn still had only six rooms for now—four standard rooms on the second floor and two double rooms on the third.

Monk and Dada moved into Room 301, a double room, while Zhuang Yu took Room 201 for himself.

Lu Yao was slightly surprised by their choice. Despite being in what seemed to be a primitive civilization, these little people appeared to have some advanced concepts, such as an awareness of gender.

Animals inherently have gender awareness, but humans’ gender consciousness differs significantly, often involving notions beyond reproduction.

How much were these little people similar to big people, and how much were they different?

Pushing aside her wandering thoughts, Lu Yao focused on teaching the little people how to use the items in their rooms before turning to prepare dinner.

Dinner time had already passed. Having spent the day building roads and fences, Lu Yao had only prepared ingredients and hadn’t cooked anything for the guests in advance.

With the hour growing late, all that remained on the stove was half a pot of bone broth, perfect for cooking noodles. She just wasn’t sure if the little people liked noodles.

She went to the guest area to ask. Monk cracked open his door slightly, his hair still damp. “Noodles? Anything’s fine.”

Lu Yao turned back to the kitchen to prepare.

Ten minutes later, Monk, Dada, and Zhuang Yu, having finished their baths, changed into the inn’s provided pajamas, and slipped on their slippers, came downstairs.

The first-floor dining area featured six wooden tables paired with matching wooden chairs, with windows opened on both sides for light and ventilation.

The three guests chose a window-side table facing inward, allowing them to see Lu Yao busying herself in the kitchen through the window.

Lu Yao pushed a miniature serving cart over and passed through the window three large white porcelain bowls, each bigger than the heads of the little guests. A golden egg pancake peaked over the top of the noodles, nearly covering them entirely, while an enticing aroma wafted into the air.

Monk hugged his bowl and took a deep, blissful sniff. “Smells amazing!”

Across from him, Dada and Zhuang Yu stared silently at their bowls, speechless. The noodles were unlike anything they had ever seen.

Seeing them frozen in place, Lu Yao explained, “I’m sorry, dinner preparations were a bit simple tonight. I’ll make something hearty and delicious for breakfast tomorrow. Go ahead and eat—if it’s not enough, I can make more.”

Monk clumsily picked up his chopsticks and peeled back the egg pancake, his eyes lighting up. Beneath it were shredded meat and noodles, the aroma making his mouth water.

Unable to wait, he twirled a large bundle of noodles, blew on them hastily, and slurped them up in one go. When he looked up again, his cheeks were puffed out like a hamster’s, his mouth glistening with oil—completely oblivious to how he looked.

So… so delicious!

Dada and Zhuang Yu couldn’t resist any longer and picked up their chopsticks, starting to eat the noodles in their own awkward ways.

As Dada dug through the luxurious layers of noodle toppings, he finally reached the pale-yellow noodles at the bottom and realized these weren’t stone yam noodles as he had expected.

When Monk mentioned the innkeeper was making noodles, Dada had assumed it would be the rare stone yam noodles they occasionally ate.

Stone yam was a tuber that grew underground, with small, round fruits that were hard and astringent when raw but tender and slightly bitter when cooked. It was a common, filling staple for Nitean little people.

Only the little people of the Xiaguang Tribe knew how to pound the tough stone yam into fine, long noodles. Stone yam noodles were far superior in taste to the tubers themselves, but their labor-intensive preparation meant they had to be bartered for with valuable items.

For young little people like Dada and Monk, eating stone yam noodles was a rare treat.

Dada, who had secretly been looking forward to the possibility, hadn’t eaten stone yam noodles in years. Yet the noodles in front of him were nothing like what he had imagined—and far exceeded his expectations.

The thick, smooth noodles were perfectly coated with the rich broth, their texture enhanced by the shredded meat and egg pancake. Every bite was incredible!

Zhuang Yu, silent as ever, simply cradled her large noodle bowl and slurped audibly, the sound of “hulu-hulu” echoing as she ate.

A few minutes later, she set down her now spotless bowl, even the broth gone, and declared boldly, “Another bowl!”

Monk quickly added, “I want another too!”

Dada chimed in, “Me too!”

Lu Yao returned to the kitchen, pulled out a single long noodle from her storage bag, broke it into three portions, and tossed them into the boiling pot.

One noodle was enough to make three bowls, more than enough to fill the three little guests.

While the noodles cooked, she used a miniature frying pan to prepare a quail egg pancake, drained the oil, and divided it into three portions.

After downing two bowls of richly flavored noodles, the three little ones were so full they had to lean against the walls as they waddled back to their rooms.

Late at night, Dada lay on the soft, spacious, and warm bed. Though he was exhausted, he kept jolting awake just as he was about to drift off.

From the bed next to his, he could hear the steady breathing of Monk, who was soundly asleep, wrapped tightly in a cocoon of blankets that bulged like a silkworm pupa.

Dada restrained himself and called out softly, “Monk?”

Monk turned over, pulling the blanket tighter around him, but didn’t respond.

Lying stiffly on his back, Dada couldn’t fall asleep no matter how hard he tried. Summoning his courage, he got up, draped a piece of clothing over himself, and opened the door.

The hallway lights were half-dimmed, with the area near the kitchen still lit. There was no one else around except the innkeeper, who sat under the light, doing something that cast a giant and intimidating shadow on the wall.

From time to time, a soft “tap-tap-tap” sound came from her direction, though it couldn’t be heard from within the room.

Taking a deep breath, Dada closed the door behind him and stepped out. He lingered in the hallway, quietly watching Lu Yao’s silhouette.

Sensing his presence, Lu Yao turned her head, looking surprised. “Did I wake you?”

Dada stiffly shook his head, his eyes fixed on her hands. “What are you doing?”

Lu Yao stood up and switched on the light, the sudden brightness dispelling the eerie shadows and Dada’s unsettling thoughts.

Dada felt his tense body instantly relax.

Lu Yao pointed downstairs and lowered her voice. “If you can’t sleep, you can go down there.”

After hesitating for a moment, Dada walked downstairs alone, taking a left and heading straight until he stopped at a grayish-blue wall.

He noticed a door at the base, just large enough for a little person to pass through.

Behind the door was a wide, open, and empty space. Against the walls were stacks of neatly cut stone bricks and some long pipes of unknown use, alongside a half-built wall.

Dada hadn’t realized there was such a vast area adjacent to the guest rooms.

In the distance, the innkeeper was sitting and working at a table.

A strange thought crossed Dada’s mind. It felt as though the spaces the little people inhabited were casually placed items within the nest of a big person.

Perhaps that was why he couldn’t sleep tonight.

It took him a long time to cross the space and reach Lu Yao.

Lu Yao was sanding wooden boards with sandpaper, a large blueprint lying on the table beside her.

Looking down, Dada examined the strange sheet. It was snow-white, larger than the bed he had slept in, and much thinner than the beast hides they used.

He couldn’t understand the drawings on it but recognized the three piglets sketched there as the red pigs unique to their tribe.

Once again, he asked, “What are you doing?”

Lu Yao fitted several wooden boards together, her expression satisfied. “I’m making a small sled. You can use it when you head back.”

Hearing how Monk had been upset after losing his supplies last time, Lu Yao thought of making a miniature sled using wooden boards and metal plates. With three red pigs to pull it, they would have the strength needed to carry it back.

Dada didn’t understand what a sled was or why Lu Yao was doing this. His curiosity overcame him, and he blurted out the question that bothered him most: “Why are you helping us with this?”

In the stories told by the tribal elders, big people were described as evil and terrifying, which was why they had disappeared from the continent.

The big person in front of him was just as enormous and intimidating, but she didn’t seem evil.

Lu Yao smiled. “No particular reason. I just want you to return to your tribe safely.” She paused and added, “And maybe spread the word that there’s an inn in Thorn Valley.”

Dada immediately felt that this big person was even kinder than he had imagined.

Lu Yao picked up a screwdriver and screws, then looked at Dada. “Could you hold this for me?”

Dada was startled. He hadn’t expected a big person to need his help.

He stepped forward and held the wooden board firmly with both hands.

Lu Yao aligned the screws with the holes in the wood and carefully screwed them in one by one.

About ten minutes later, the miniature sled was fully assembled.

Lu Yao tied a sturdy and durable piece of thin jute rope to it. “The seat might feel a bit hard. I’ll knit a cushion cover with yarn later, so it’ll be softer to sit on.”

Dada’s eyes widened. “What’s yarn? How do you make a cushion cover with it?”

Lu Yao pulled a ball of yarn and a crochet hook from the drawer and demonstrated on the spot.

Dada flopped onto the brown yarn ball, rubbing his face against it. “It’s so soft.”

Since the little people were small, the cushion didn’t need to be large, and Lu Yao worked quickly. She crocheted two yarn pads according to the sled’s dimensions, then secured them to the seat and backrest with yarn threaded through the corners. She also wrapped the armrests with yarn for added grip.

Pointing to the cushion, Lu Yao said, “Try sitting on it.”

Dada climbed onto the sled. The elevated perspective, slightly higher than riding a red pig, made the world look different. The cushion was as soft as Lu Yao had described, and he couldn’t help but feel impressed.

For someone so large, this big person could create something so perfectly suited to the little people. Her hands were remarkably skilled.

Imagining the sled harnessed to the red pigs and gliding through the snow, Dada found the idea novel and intriguing. While the little people of the Red Pig Tribe were adept at raising red pigs, they had never thought of this before.

Lu Yao yawned, her face showing signs of fatigue. “That’s done. I’m going to bed. How about you?”

Dada was momentarily stunned before slowly climbing down from the sled. “I’ll sleep too.”

Lu Yao smiled. “Not scared anymore?”

Dada quickly glanced at her, then lowered his head, nodding shyly. “No.”

The little people of the Red Pig Tribe were known for their bravery, but Dada was the exception—a cautious and timid soul who often overthought things. Unlike Monk, who made decisions in a flash, Dada hesitated over everything.

Staying at this peculiar inn, Monk and Zhuang Yu had adapted quickly, but Dada had been uneasy the whole time. Yet somehow, this big person made him feel at ease.

Returning to his room, Dada fell asleep quickly this time.

…

The Next Morning

Monk leaned over Dada’s bed, his face practically glowing as he shouted, “Wake up! Lu Yao made fried shrimp!”

Shrimp?

Dada opened his eyes. “The shrimp from the Black Rock Tribe?”

Monk nodded, then shook his head, gesturing with his hands. “Way bigger than that.”

He had woken up early and seen Lu Yao preparing the ingredients. The shrimp destined to become fried shrimp was larger than him!

Monk dragged Dada out of bed, urging him to get dressed and head downstairs to find Zhuang Yu.

The three of them gathered in the first-floor dining area, waiting. Lu Yao wheeled over a cart just in time to hear Dada describing the enormous shrimp Monk had seen that morning.

To make the meal feel extravagant, Lu Yao brought an entire fried shrimp on the cart to the dining area. In front of the guests, she sliced it and plated it with her special sauce, serving each person a portion.

The shrimp, fresh from the Little Pet Cafe, was so large that even the three of them combined couldn’t finish it.

The meal also included rice, a side of pickled radish salad, and a bowl of winter melon, seaweed, and dried shrimp soup.

Unbeknownst to Lu Yao, her act of slicing the shrimp was quite shocking to the little people. The golden fried shrimp sprawled across the plate, larger than an adult little person. Wielding a Western knife, Lu Yao made two swift cuts, reducing it into manageable portions.

However, once the shrimp entered their mouths, the little people were too busy eating to say anything else. The marinated shrimp meat was intensely flavorful, and its freshness was amplified by frying, making it doubly delicious.

Harold and Budu were also eating breakfast—fried shrimp, rice, side dishes, and the same soup—but in portions many times larger than the little people’s.

When they finished, they peeked through a small window to see the three little people slumped over their table, motionless.

“What’s wrong with them?” Harold asked.

Lu Yao held back a laugh. “They’re stuffed.”

The three little people were so full they felt faint and still couldn’t finish the entire shrimp. Lu Yao packed the leftovers in a specially designed takeaway box from her snack shop, keeping it warm for their journey.

At the Inn’s Entrance

The three little people climbed onto the sled, their food stash securely tied and covered with dry leaves. The three red pigs stood in a row at the front, harnessed with reins.

Rested and rejuvenated from their stay, they were ready to leave.

Author’s Note:
Q: Did the innkeeper use magic to shrink the food?
A: Likely not. The food itself is large; shrinking it would only alter its shape, not its essence, and would still overstuff the little people.

However, reverse operations might work. Prepare small portions, use magic to enlarge them during cooking, then shrink them back after cooking. (What am I even discussing?)

In reality, miniature kitchens and scaled-down cooking models are popular hobbies. No magic required—just money. If you don’t want to spend much, DIY is equally fun.

Goodnight!

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 5: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The proxy robot was as diligent as ever, constantly urging Lu Yao to complete tasks.

For now, Lu Yao ignored the new mission and returned to the inn. She first replaced the bedding and bathrobes in Room 201, thoroughly cleaned the room inside and out, disinfected it, and rearranged everything neatly.

Once the chores were done, she sat down and retrieved the item the Nitean little person had used to pay for their stay from her portable storage—fragmented yellow crystals that had now fused into a single piece about half the size of her pinky finger. The storage display labeled the item as “Sugar Block.”

It was so small that its usefulness wasn’t immediately apparent.

Lu Yao put the sugar block back into the storage and licked her fingertip, slightly surprised.

It was very sweet, with a unique fruity flavor.

In the world of Nitean little people, this sugar block was likely quite precious. Judging by this, staying at her inn for a night wasn’t cheap for them.

The storage also contained two mission rewards: a “Sun Tangerine” (Yangju) and an “Iris Plant (Acorus).”

The Sun Tangerine resembled an underdeveloped mandarin orange. The fruit was shriveled, only about the size of her thumb pad, and felt firm when squeezed. It gave off a sharp, sour aroma that made her mouth water involuntarily.

The Iris Plant had long, vibrant green leaves that looked just like the irises she was familiar with, except the entire plant was incredibly small, barely two centimeters tall.

Unsure of the purpose of these two rewards, Lu Yao tried asking the proxy bot but received no response. She set them aside and began brainstorming new ways to attract customers.

Before leaving, Gan Li had mentioned that the valley surrounding the inn was called Thorn Valley. Encircled by thorny brambles and covered in deep snow, the area was incredibly difficult to traverse. Experienced little people typically avoided the area.

Gan Li had ended up here by chance while searching for a plant that grew alongside thorny vines, but she’d gotten lost and almost couldn’t find her way out. If not for the lure of that bowl of hot soup, she didn’t know how long she would have wandered.

Lu Yao walked to the inn’s entrance and reexamined the surroundings, deep in thought.

Most little people were around ten centimeters tall and had limited visibility. Even though her inn was quite large, they would struggle to spot it from within the bramble thickets.

The paths in Thorn Valley were indeed treacherous. It wasn’t just little people who avoided them—even Lu Yao felt a headache every time she left the inn.

A lone inn in a desolate mountain valley—if she wanted to attract customers, the simplest solution was to make the inn more visible and entice people to pass by.

This situation reminded her of remote mountain villages in the modern world, and a familiar phrase popped into her mind almost instinctively: “To get rich, build a road first.”

If she wanted her inn to succeed, did that mean she’d need to build a road first?

Lu Yao began considering using the trash disposal machine from the Little Pet Cafe to clear the snow and thorny brambles around the inn, making the paths more accessible. However, when she took out the machine, a message appeared: “Unavailable for use.”

The reason was that the snow and vines were considered part of the natural environment and couldn’t be classified as “trash.”

Lu Yao, speechless, put away the trash disposal machine and decided to use offensive dark magic to slice through all the thorny vines around the inn. She then asked the cinema’s staff to buy a few large brooms from the street.

These brooms were made from long bamboo shoots bound tightly into bundles the size of a bowl, secured with thin bamboo strips, and fitted with three-finger-thick wooden handles—perfect for sweeping the damp, snowy ground.

After clearing the snow and thorny vines around the area, Lu Yao discovered stones beneath the snow that resembled sesame candy. She collected a basketful and cut them into slabs of suitable width.

Her plan was to pave a stone path stretching east to west, starting at the inn’s entrance and extending to the outer edge of Thorn Valley.

By afternoon, Harold and Budu, who had finished dealing with appointments at the nail salon, came over to help.

Lu Yao handed the stone slabs to Harold and turned her attention to another task—building a fence.

With the snowy, barren mountains surrounding Thorn Valley, the area was desolate and monotonous. Lu Yao wanted to set up a fence on both sides of the inn and decorate it with eye-catching and fun elements to attract passing little people.

Before starting on the fence, she pulled out a stack of magically reinforced colored paper and taught Budu how to fold pinwheels. The enchanted paper was resistant to wind and snow and wouldn’t deform easily.

She cut diagonal slits into the corners of the paper, folded each corner toward the center in sequence, and pinned them onto small sticks with round-headed nails. A pinwheel was quickly completed.

Given the task of folding pinwheels, Budu finally stopped watching Harold enviously.

Lu Yao then went outside to construct the fence, using smoothed wooden stakes and bamboo strips.

Once the fence was finished, she worked with Budu to attach the completed decorations to it.

Thanks to magic, the three of them had a smooth, flat path cutting through Thorn Valley from east to west by the time the moon peeked over the horizon.

Lu Yao placed a red paper pinwheel next to a signpost on a small hill and turned to Budu, saying, “That’s enough for today. Let’s head home.”

Harold packed up the tools and asked as the two approached, “Do you think this will really attract customers?”

After a day of clearing snow and paving a path, the area around the inn was now open and visibly prominent amidst the otherwise monotonous snowy landscape. With no more thorny vines, the road was easier to traverse, but the underlying issue remained unresolved—this place was simply too far from any little people’s settlements. Whether travelers would pass by was entirely up to chance.

Lu Yao wasn’t entirely confident but replied calmly, “When the nail salon first opened, we didn’t get a single customer for the first three days.”

Harold thought back to how a certain dragon had eventually “walked right in” and sparked the salon’s popularity among dragons. Reflecting on that, he felt the inn’s prospects were bleak. Nitean Continent was nothing like the Alexander Continent—there were no dragons here with curiosity rivaling that of cats, and the concept of shops was still poorly understood.

Lu Yao gently patted Harold on the back, reassuring him, “We make things happen. If this doesn’t work, we’ll think of another idea tomorrow.”

Harold wasn’t one to dwell on things.

Even in the worst-case scenario, failing to get this inn running wouldn’t be a big deal.

In Harold’s mind, though, Lu Yao rarely made mistakes. Since she said so, he chose to trust her.

After dinner, the three of them continued building the block inn.

Outside Thorn Valley, a three-person team was sprinting through the snow.

Monk lightly flicked the grass whip against his red pig mount, his eyes flashing with excitement. “Hurry, I remember it’s just ahead!”

Zhuang Yu rolled his eyes outward. “How many times have you said that? And we’ve just been circling near Thorn Valley.”

Dada, on the other side, suggested, “Let’s find a tree hollow to rest. There’s likely to be heavy snow tonight.”

Monk didn’t reply.

After losing the food and clothes gifted by Lu Yao, none of his fellow tribespeople believed his bizarre tale of encountering a big human, no matter how much he explained.

Zhuang Yu and Dada had grown up with Monk and, seeing him sulking alone in the snow, reluctantly agreed to accompany him on this trip.

As a result, Monk had led them on a two-day and two-night chase through the snow, finding nothing and getting them lost near Thorn Valley.

The so-called big human and the mountain of food must have been an illusion Monk saw in his moment of desperation. He had mistaken it for a real experience.

Zhuang Yu gently suggested, “Let’s find somewhere to rest for the night, wait out the storm, and head back in the morning.”

They had gone along with Monk on this wild chase, and he should give up now.

Monk, however, raised his eyebrows stubbornly, his lips pressed in defiance. With a hard flick of his grass whip, he sped ahead, putting some distance between himself and the others.

Suddenly, Monk pulled the reins tightly, stopping on a gentle slope. His tense expression slowly relaxed, replaced by excitement. “I found it!”

Zhuang Yu and Dada exchanged glances and quickened their pace to catch up.

“Swish—swish—”

Before they even reached him, they heard a strange sound in the wind.

In the short distance remaining, Monk repeatedly turned back toward them, shouting, “Hurry! Lu Yao’s inn is just up ahead!”

Finally climbing the slope, Dada and Zhuang Yu saw the massive building standing alone in the desolate valley. Their eyes widened in disbelief.

At Monk’s feet was a small wooden sign, perfectly placed at little people’s height, pointing toward the large building in the valley’s center.

The sign was wrapped in what looked like “vines,” with its “flowers and leaves” glowing a warm yellow in the night.

Following the arrow’s direction, the glowing vines climbed along tall fences and extended all the way to the inn’s entrance.

The scattered lights sparkled in the snowy night, like a starry sky in the midsummer season, irresistibly drawing people toward it.

Monk’s eyes were filled with excitement as he urged his red pig down the slope onto the stone-paved road, marveling at his surroundings. “When I left, it was all thorny brambles. One misstep and you’d be scratched. Lu Yao must’ve cleared the vines and built this road.”

The stone-paved road, along with the fences wrapped in light strings and adorned with pinwheels, had been constructed at a scale suited to normal humans, making them highly visible.

The area just 10 centimeters above the ground was wrapped tightly with smaller incandescent light strings, and smaller pinwheels were scattered along the path at intervals for decoration.

Walking down the wide road, the Nitean little people felt the space to be both spacious and well-lit.

Zhuang Yu followed behind Monk, glancing around silently. Dada, on the other hand, grew increasingly uneasy as they approached the inn. The closer they got, the more hesitant his expression became.

At this point, Dada already believed Monk’s story about encountering a big human.

But seeing how Thorn Valley had been transformed, he couldn’t help but wonder—how powerful were these big humans?

The pinwheels on the fence clattered in the wind and snow. Dada urged his red pig forward, quickening his pace to stay closer to Monk.

Monk, oblivious to Dada’s concern, drove his piglet straight toward the inn’s entrance.

Dada had no choice but to call out to Zhuang Yu, “Are we really going in?”

Zhuang Yu glanced back at him. “You scared?”

The little people of the Red Pig Tribe were naturally brave hunters, known for their bold and straightforward personalities.

Dada, however, was different. He was thoughtful and timid, often teased by peers for his cautious nature when he was younger. Monk and Zhuang Yu were among his few friends.

Clutching the grass reins tightly, Dada shook his head firmly. “Not scared.”

At the inn’s entrance, Monk was already under the eaves, calling out loudly to his companions, “Hurry up! This is it!”

Beneath the inn’s massive door, there were now three small doors, like cat flaps, each with a tiny golden bell hanging from the top left corner of the frame.

When his two companions finally caught up, Monk pushed open the middle door, leading his piglet inside as though he were returning home. “Lu Yao!”

The small bell jingled at the door’s edge, startling Zhuang Yu and Dada slightly. They hesitated before following Monk inside, only to look up and see him standing in the palm of a big human as if it were nothing, chatting familiarly with her.

They thought to themselves: He really is fearless.

Remembering his companions, Monk turned and pointed at them. “These are Zhuang Yu and Dada.”

Lu Yao gently set Monk down and extended a finger toward the two newcomers. “Hello, I’m Lu Yao, the big human who runs this inn.”

Wrapped in off-white fur with a beast horn mark beneath his right eye, Zhuang Yu hesitated before reaching out a finger to lightly touch Lu Yao’s. “I’m Zhuang Yu.”

Dada peeked out from behind Zhuang Yu, trembling as he extended a single finger. “Dada.”

Lu Yao turned and called Harold and Budu over to introduce them. “This is Harold, and that’s Budu.”

Fairies from the Alexander Continent were nearly the same size as Nitean little people, so Harold wasn’t particularly interested in them. What he did enjoy, however, was watching the little people move into the block houses he had built.

Noticing the nervousness in the eyes of the newcomers, Harold greeted them briefly and went back to his construction work.

Budu, who liked the Nitean little people more, was preoccupied with finishing the new room he was working on. After greeting them, he too didn’t linger.

Their lack of interest actually helped calm Dada and Zhuang Yu, who were meeting big humans for the first time. Gradually, they stopped feeling so nervous.

Monk circled back around, full of amazement. “Everything’s completely different!”

Lu Yao seized the opportunity to introduce the inn’s services. Monk immediately declared, “I want to stay here tonight! Where’s my food stash?”

Even before settling in, he was eager to check on the food he had left with Lu Yao.

Lu Yao pulled out a sealed bag from under the counter. “Here you go.”

Dada exclaimed, “It really is a mountain!”

Monk couldn’t help but look smug, emphasizing with pride, “I’ve told you so many times, and you never believed me!”

Author’s Note:
Q: How does the innkeeper cook for the little people?
A: Option 1: Cook normal-sized meals and cut them into smaller portions. Option 2: Use tools and molds, shaping food like modeling clay.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 4: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Lu Yao handed the revised blueprints to Harold, and the two—one tall, one short—began building the livestock shed.

The shed was built against the base of the wall, temporarily sized to fit the piglets. The red pigs were slightly larger than the little people, their round, plump bodies covered in skin a shade deeper than pink. Lying on the ground, their beady eyes looked over pitifully, giving them an unexpectedly cute appearance.

Lu Yao cast a one-way soundproofing magic array to ensure the noise from the construction wouldn’t disturb the guests’ rest. Estimating that there would be no new guests arriving that evening, Lu Yao turned to cleaning the kitchen and the food preparation area. Unused ingredients and utensils were stored away, the cookware was washed, and the ingredients needed for the next day were listed out.

Just as Lu Yao finished tidying up and was about to turn off the lights, Gan Li emerged from her room. She stood in the hallway for a long while before hesitantly speaking, waiting for Lu Yao to finish her tasks. “Um… I… I…”

Lu Yao turned to her, smiling. “My name is Lu Yao. You can also call me the shopkeeper. Do you need something?”

Gan Li tightly gripped the hem of her fur clothing and took a deep breath. “I… I’m Gan Li.”

Lu Yao nodded with a smile, waiting for her to continue.

Gan Li stammered, her face flushing slightly. “That… that meal… it was really delicious. I… I’d like another bowl!”

Despite her embarrassment, Gan Li couldn’t resist the urge to taste the rich, indescribable flavors she’d just experienced, even overcoming her initial fear of the unknown.

Gan Li came from the Xiaguang Tribe and was skilled in making smoked jerky and sugar candies. As an adult, she had traveled widely, seeking new and practical ingredients and spices, but her findings had been sparse.

She had been preparing to return home when she got lost in Thorn Valley, lured by the aroma of a pot of soup. That detour led her to this strange inn and its big human shopkeeper. The shop and the big human had already left her deeply shaken, but tasting the inn’s food made her realize that this was the greatest treasure of her journey.

The big human, with her large, rough hands, must have found it challenging to create dishes suited to the tastes of the little people. Yet the food presented to her was beyond delicious. Gan Li stared expectantly at Lu Yao, hoping for a positive response.

…

When Lu Yao planned to open the inn, she designated the kitchen as a priority. To her, the food should be just as important as the rest environment, providing both physical and mental satisfaction to her guests.

After arriving on the continent of Nitean, she learned that her primary clientele might be the little people, so she immediately adjusted the kitchen setup. The little people’s small stature meant that a single bite from a normal human portion could leave them overstuffed.

When Lu Yao commissioned custom furniture and tableware for the little people from the Great Wu Dynasty, she also ordered a set of miniature kitchen tools. These included a brick-and-stone round stove, a five-tier bamboo steamer for making small dishes, a water kettle, a tiny iron wok for stir-frying, and an earthenware pot for cooking porridge.

These utensils were scaled-down replicas of regular cookware, finely crafted and charming, temporarily stored in a corner of the stove. Lu Yao planned to relocate this set to the first-floor dining area of the guest quarters once she hired a little-person staff member.

Until the inn began regular operations, Lu Yao herself took on the responsibility of preparing meals for the guests.

In the afternoon, with nothing to do, she browsed videos about edible toys online and drew inspiration from ideas for making supplementary food to finalize the evening’s menu.

Lu Yao followed the snack shop’s typical style: a standard set meal included a portion of rice (in little people’s serving size), one meat dish, one vegetable dish, a small side plate, and a bowl of soup. She had thought this portion would be sufficient, but to her surprise, the guest wasn’t full.

Slightly surprised, Lu Yao responded with a quick “Got it” and went to scoop more rice. She decided to adjust the portions, compressing the rice more firmly and adding an extra three or four grains.

In less than two minutes, the steaming hot, custom-made meal for little people was ready. Gan Li hadn’t expected it to be so quick. Visibly larger than before, the portion left her momentarily speechless. In the end, she picked up the tray and hurried back to her room without saying much.

After eating two full meal sets in a row, Gan Li was still left wanting more, though her now-round belly reminded her that she couldn’t possibly continue. She stacked the empty dishes and bowls neatly on the rack outside the door.

The downside of overeating was the uncomfortable fullness that kept her from falling asleep. Left with no other choice, she paced around the room to help digest. While walking, Gan Li noticed a small room behind the wall opposite her bed. Inside were some unfamiliar items and a strange wall.

Standing before the wall, she could clearly see her reflection.

Gan Li, one of the rare literate Nitean little people, had traveled extensively and was considered well-informed. Yet she couldn’t make sense of the room’s purpose. After much deliberation, she mustered her courage and went to find Lu Yao.

Lu Yao had already anticipated this scenario. When the guest came to her, she patiently guided Gan Li on how to use the washroom.

The entire guesthouse had a Chinese-style design, and the washroom was no exception. The dark bronze sink had a mirror above it, with shelves holding wooden basins, towels, and disposable items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. The bathtub was a custom-made wooden bucket from the Great Wu Dynasty’s carpentry workshop, slightly larger and deeper than a soap dish, placed under a faucet in the bathing area. Turning the faucet produced hot water. The bucket had a wooden stopper at the bottom to drain the water.

After Lu Yao left, Gan Li returned to her room, turned the faucet, and discovered that it really did provide hot water. She filled the bucket to the brim, sat inside, and found the water reached just below her neck. She soaked in the warmth, thoroughly enjoying the rare hot bath. Afterward, she took clean clothes from the cabinet behind the door and changed into them. Though the clothes were slightly oversized, they felt comfortable.

With a full stomach and the luxury of a long-awaited bath, Gan Li thought that even her home couldn’t offer this level of comfort. Feeling completely content, she slipped on the soft little slippers, climbed into bed, and found it perfectly soft with a thick, cozy comforter and a faintly soothing fragrance in the air.

Gan Li had thought she wouldn’t sleep well in such an unfamiliar place, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber.

…

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the floor by the bed.

Wrapped in the blanket, Gan Li stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. The spotless, orderly room, the soft, warm bed, the unforgettable food, and the rumored big human—everything seemed surreal. She had thought it was all a strange dream, only to wake up and find it real.

And… she was alive. The big human really seemed to harbor no ill intent toward her.

The weather was stunning, with sunlight streaming gently through the sheer curtains. Gan Li lingered in bed for a while, rolling around before throwing off the blanket and running to the curtains to peek outside.

She hadn’t even noticed the window last night. What she saw outside was utterly unfamiliar—not an endless expanse of white snow but rows of towering, enormous buildings.

Gan Li abruptly pulled open the bed curtain and leaned against the lattice window.

This was definitely not a little people’s tribe.

Her eyes were filled with amazement as she suddenly looked down, noticing a row of green plants swaying in the breeze beneath the window. Her gaze trembled.

What beautiful flowers.

The unknown fear in her heart was instantly soothed by the scene. Turning back, Gan Li changed into her own clothes, opened the door, and stepped outside.

The other two big humans were nowhere to be seen; only the one who had welcomed her the previous night was busying herself.

Hearing movement, Lu Yao turned her head and gave Gan Li a small smile. “Did you sleep well?”

Gan Li nodded hesitantly, pointing back toward her room. “I saw giant houses and… beautiful flowers outside.”

Lu Yao replied, “Oh, don’t be afraid. That’s where we live, just like your tribe.”

Gan Li asked, “So you big humans have always lived here?”

Lu Yao explained, “My family used to live in a remote mountain deep in the wilderness. We only recently moved here. We were hoping to find more of our kind, but instead, we came across little people from the Red Pig Tribe.”

Gan Li’s eyes widened. These big humans must have been isolated in the mountains for so long that they didn’t even know their kind had disappeared.

She recalled stories of the big humans told in her tribe but found that the one before her seemed different. Gan Li couldn’t pinpoint why—just a feeling she had.

She turned to go downstairs and leaned against the window on the first floor to peer outside. “How strange. Why didn’t I see these buildings last night?”

Such enormous structures wouldn’t have gone unnoticed, even under the cover of night.

Lu Yao, unbothered, added, “It’s one of our race’s innate abilities—to conceal the borders of our territory according to our will. Only our kind can freely pass through. However, the buildings themselves never disappear, so little people can still see them through special walls.”

The Nitean little people, scattered across the continent, each had their own ancestral secrets. But one common innate skill among them was cocooning—a last-resort survival mechanism in times of crisis.

The fact that the big humans, too, had their unique protective skills proved that they were equally blessed by the gods of this land.

Having her questions answered, Gan Li looked at Lu Yao again, her fear replaced entirely by a sense of warmth.

It turned out that true big humans weren’t scary at all—they were skilled, gentle, and easy to talk to.

“Gurgle, gurgle—”

Gan Li awkwardly covered her stomach.

Lu Yao nodded. “Breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat in your room again?”

Gan Li shook her head. “I’d like to eat downstairs today.”

The good weather, restful sleep, and her uplifted mood made her want to sit in the dining area for a change. Traveling alone for so long, she suddenly didn’t feel like hiding away in her room anymore.

…

The nail salon had a customer appointment to pick up goods today. Harold and Budu had gone to tend the shop after breakfast.

That morning, Lu Yao had made rice porridge, soup dumplings, shumai, and steamed dumplings. The breakfast for the guests was the same as her own, except in super-miniature versions.

Gan Li sat at a window-side table in the first-floor dining area, wide-eyed as she watched the shopkeeper open the window and carefully use an extendable rod with a clip to deliver the tray of food to her. For a moment, she didn’t know how to react.

Lu Yao chuckled, “Did I scare you? Once business picks up, I plan to hire some little people to help out so things won’t be as over-the-top as this.”

Gan Li’s eyes were fixed on the contraption, but she managed to respond, “The food… smells wonderful. This tool is nice. You… are also nice.”

This was a Nitean little person who understood manners and social grace.

Gan Li lowered her head to look at the tray of food in front of her. It was different from last night’s meal, with an entirely new and enticing aroma.

Clumsily, she picked up a soup dumpling with her chopsticks, bit a small opening into it, and was instantly met with a rush of scalding hot broth that burned her tongue.

Her tongue stung from the heat, but she couldn’t bear to let go. Blowing on it to cool down, she carefully tore the opening wider.

So hot!
But so flavorful!

Breakfast consisted of a basket of steamed items, a bowl of porridge, and a small dish of dipping sauce.

Gan Li then picked up a steamed dumpling larger than her fist. She bit into its edge but couldn’t taste much, so she used the tip of her chopsticks to dab the dumpling in the sauce. Once the steam dissipated, she took another bite. A hint of tanginess combined with the rich, juicy meat flavor made it so delicious she felt like she could fly.

Swinging her legs happily, she devoured the trio of steamed items in no time. Unable to resist, she ordered another portion.

Stuffed to the point of bursting, she reluctantly put down her chopsticks, taking deep breaths to recover.

After a restful night and such delicious food, Gan Li felt that this journey was already perfect, even though her mind was still filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. She decided it was time to head home.

Her stay—one night of lodging, two meals, and food and shelter for her piglet—cost exactly two Nitean coins.

The red piglet had slept in the newly built shed overnight, warm and well-fed with fresh fodder. It was in excellent spirits that morning.

At the inn’s entrance, Gan Li spent some time calming down the overly excited piglet. She then turned to bid farewell to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao crouched down slightly. “I’d like to ask for your help with something.”

Gan Li hesitated, feeling a bit troubled. She didn’t agree immediately but asked, “What is it?”

Lu Yao carefully pinched a small stack of flyers between her fingers. “Please help me hand these flyers to any little people you meet along the way.”

The front of the flyer featured a vibrant illustration of a large inn nestled in the heart of Thorn Valley. It depicted little people riding red pigs or carrying weapons entering the inn to rest and sleep. The back of the flyer contained text in the common Nitean language, matching the image’s message.

Lu Yao then handed over a neatly wrapped bundle. “I noticed you seem to enjoy the steamed dishes, so I packed a few baskets as a token of thanks. I hope you don’t mind.”

Recalling her time at the inn, Gan Li found herself unable to refuse. If other little people discovered this place, they’d surely feel as though they had stumbled upon a new world, just like she had.

Gan Li carefully tied the bundle of steamed items to the piglet’s back, tucked the flyers into her front pouch, and rode off on her little red pig.

[New Mission: Host ten guests within five days and achieve at least 80% positive feedback. Reward: 1,000 popularity points, 10 oil stones. Keep up the good work, shopkeeper!]

Author’s Note:
Gan Li: I admit my initial reaction was a bit loud…
Goodnight.

Thingyan: I have a feeling. Maybe the bundle Lu Yao gave to Gan Li might disappear like Monk’s coz you can only enjoy things from the inn at the inn? Idk. Just have a feeling.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 3: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was clear and bright.

Auspicious for travel, seeking fortune, moving into a new residence, and opening businesses.

At dawn, Lu Yao got up to sweep the snow in front of the inn. She laid down three green bricks on the muddy ground outside and moved two newly made flower stands to the window sills.

The flower stands were identical in style to the ones under the windowsill of the neighboring Qingshan Noodle House. Small potted plants were arranged in an appealing, staggered fashion—some blooming with flowers, others with only stems and leaves.

In the quiet chill of winter, even a hint of greenery seemed exceptionally vibrant. Everything was ready, just waiting for customers to arrive.

Harold and Budu had been so engrossed in building blocks for days that they finally succumbed to exhaustion in the early hours. Lu Yao persuaded them to go rest at the nail salon.

On the day the inn officially opened, only Lu Yao stayed behind to tend the shop, leaving the place feeling somewhat quiet.

[Successfully opened the inn within three days! Task completed! Rewards: +100 popularity points, +1 currency exchange machine!]

[You have a new task! On the opening day, welcome your first traveler before nightfall. Rewards: 1,000 popularity points, and Acorus x1!]

One task after another, the proxy robot seemed even more diligent than the Dream Fulfillment System itself.

Lu Yao no longer felt bored. She checked her portable inventory and saw that the currency exchange machine had already been delivered.

The currency system on Nitean Continent was somewhat similar to the initial setup of the blind box store—there was no unified currency.

The currency exchange machine provided by the system was compact, roughly the size of a pack of tissues costing two yuan. It was pure white, smooth as porcelain.

On the machine’s front was a wide and long slot with pictorial labels above it. Beneath the colorful illustrations were tags in Nitean Continent’s script: “oilstone,” “rock salt,” “food and drink,” and “materials.” On the side, a coin-dispensing slot about the size of a 50-cent coin had a tiny display screen the size of a pinky nail above it.

This exchange machine worked similarly to the crystal core exchange machine at the blind box store, except the items exchanged were different.

The little folk could use oilstones, rock salt, food, and other items to exchange for the inn’s exclusive currency, which they could then use to purchase services.

Lu Yao had never seen oilstones or rock salt, but these must be system-approved items of trade value.

She didn’t dwell on whether their value was equivalent; all she wanted now was to get the inn running as soon as possible.

After preparing a set menu, cooking the ingredients, and simmering bone broth on the stove, Lu Yao meticulously cleaned the already-decorated guest rooms once more. Checking the time, she realized it was only 11 a.m.

Time seemed to slow down. The world outside was dazzlingly bright, with snow covering the mountains like waves—rising and falling, layer upon layer, stretching out to the horizon.

With no customers arriving, Lu Yao went back to her blueprints and continued constructing the remaining parts of the inn.

By around 4 p.m., Harold and Budu returned.

In just one night, the block-built inn had completely transformed.

What was once an empty frame was now brimming with details, thanks to Lu Yao’s efforts.

All the rooms in the block-built inn were now equipped with double-layered curtains—one for blocking light and the other for letting light through. Beds, bedding, desks, chairs, and toiletries were all in place, and even small doormats were laid out at the entrances.

It was like a simple shell of a house had turned into a fully furnished, upscale residence overnight. Turning on the room lights, one could peer inside from the doors and windows, where the neatly arranged furnishings made it seem as though someone were already living there.

The most fascinating part was that when guests eventually checked in, this illusion of habitation would become reality.

Harold: “No guests yet?”
Lu Yao shook her head: “The inn’s location is rather remote. If even one guest shows up before closing today, these past few days won’t feel like a waste.”

Harold turned toward the door: “I’ll go take a look.”

Lu Yao had initially planned to check the surroundings herself after Harold and Budu woke up, but since Harold could fly, he was far more efficient than her walking on foot. She let him go without protest.

Half an hour later, Harold returned, landing at the inn’s entrance, shaking snow from his clothes, his expression grim.

He had flown around the area and confirmed that the inn was surrounded by barren hills, tangled with thorny brush. He found no trace of the little folk.

Budu, standing under the eaves, looked up at the sky: “The moon is out.”

Night was approaching.

Lu Yao stepped outside for a glance, then turned back in.

Before long, waves of enticing fragrance wafted from the inn, causing Harold and Budu to sniff the air simultaneously.

Neither had eaten since waking, too preoccupied with the inn’s progress. The aroma now stirred their hunger, making them gulp instinctively.

Lu Yao emerged with a small tea bowl, placing it casually on the green bricks under the eaves: “I cooked some noodles. Come inside and eat.”

The two glanced at the tea bowl on the ground but didn’t ask further questions. They followed her into the inn.

The two walls with windows were designated as exclusive guest rooms for the little folk, separated by a normal-width hallway. In the center was a newly constructed dual-purpose counter: the hollow space underneath served as a storage area for food and supplies, while the countertop was temporarily used as a cooking surface.

The wall adjacent to the counter had a separate section for a stove and cabinets. There was just enough extra space to place a low-temperature freezer for fresh ingredients. Lu Yao had simmered soup here in the morning and now used the area to cook noodles.

The three of them sat around the counter. Alongside each noodle bowl were two small side dishes and a bowl of hot soup.

One warm bowl of noodles was enough to wash away all their troubles.

However—

[Reminder: Only ten minutes remain until the second task’s deadline. Please work hard to complete the task, innkeeper!]

Lu Yao: “What’s the penalty for failure?”

If this were the Dream Fulfillement System, it would already be mocking her incessantly by now.

The proxy robot remained completely silent.

Lu Yao shook her head in boredom, a bit nostalgic for the system’s chatter.

After finishing the last bite of noodles, she set down her bowl and chopsticks, rinsed her mouth, and walked toward the door.

The bait was set—whether it would catch a fish depended on luck.

Lu Yao opened the door.

Her luck was exceptional.

By the edge of the tea bowl filled with thick broth, a small, unfamiliar Nitean folk sat, head buried as they gulped down the soup.

Lu Yao said nothing, crouching down slowly.

This Nitean person had beautiful long black hair, with faint reddish tips, and wore layered fur that looked thick and warm. They seemed slightly taller than Monk and were likely from another tribe.

A weak “oink” caught her attention. Lu Yao shifted her gaze, her eyes lighting up with surprise.

Behind the tea bowl, a tiny, round, crimson piglet no bigger than her palm was hiding.

Were the animals of Nitean Continent also miniature-sized?

The piglet was strapped with rough ropes twisted from vines, its plump sides burdened with bulging pouches. Its beady eyes stared at Lu Yao in terror, carrying a kind of innocent foolishness.

The Nitean folk drinking soup finally noticed something was amiss. She lifted her head, a shiny ring of grease around her mouth. The moment she saw Lu Yao’s towering figure, she fell backward onto the ground in fright, crying out, “Ah—!”

Lu Yao waited for her to calm down, then extended a finger and said gently, “Hello, my name is Lu Yao, and I’m the owner of this inn. It’s cold and lonely on a snowy night—why not come inside and rest?”

An inn?

The Nitean folk had never heard of such a thing and didn’t understand its meaning. Still shaken, she sat frozen on the ground, unable to move.

Lu Yao didn’t have time to dawdle. She reached out and scooped up the stunned Nitean folk along with her tiny piglet. With her other hand, she picked up the now-cold tea bowl and turned back into the inn.

Suddenly immersed in the warm, brightly lit interior, the Nitean folk snapped out of her initial shock, only to fall into a deeper one as she looked around.

What was this place?
A giant human’s lair?

“An inn,” Lu Yao explained patiently, “is a place for travelers to rest during their journeys.” She placed the little folk in front of the currency exchange machine and pointed to the deposit slot. “If you have items like oilstones, rock salt, or food, you can deposit them here to exchange for Nitean coins. With Nitean coins, you can stay here for the night.”

The Nitean folk stood motionless, staring at the machine in front of her.

Lu Yao patiently repeated the explanation twice more until the little guest seemed to grasp the concept.

Harold and Budu, noticing a guest had arrived, put down their bowls and were about to come over for a closer look. Lu Yao gestured for them to wait, signaling not to frighten the little one further.

The Nitean folk stood before the machine, looking up at it for over two minutes. Finally, she seemed to understand. Reaching into her clothing, she pulled out a small bundle of animal hide and unwrapped it to reveal a handful of shiny, amber-colored “stones.”

She deposited a few of the stones into the machine. The display above the coin slot lit up, showing a flickering “1…”

After some thought, she added one more stone. The display steadied at “2,” and two deep green, round coins rolled out of the slot with a clatter.

The Nitean folk picked up the coins, examined them, and then looked up at Lu Yao. “You’re a big human.”

Lu Yao nodded.

The Nitean folk held up the coins. “I want to stay here for a night.”

Though the inn was still a work in progress, the proxy robot had provided Lu Yao with a pricing guide.

A one-night stay required one Nitean coin, with food calculated separately. Guests needed to pay two Nitean coins upfront, with any surplus or deficit settled at checkout.

Lu Yao extended her hand, letting the two coins drop into her palm. Smiling slightly, she said, “The guest rooms are upstairs. Please follow me.”

Turning left from the inn’s main entrance and passing the currency exchange machine, they came to a clean, miniature path paved with green bricks, about 40 centimeters long.

At the end of the path stood a manual lift resembling a 1950s-style telephone booth. Its dark green frame was inset with thick, transparent glass panels, allowing the occupant to see outside clearly.

Though it could have been designed as a fully automatic elevator, Lu Yao had deliberately retained some mechanical features, believing they added a whimsical charm to the small inn.

The lift stopped at the highest level, safely delivering the Nitean guest and her red pig to the guestroom area.

The guestroom area was a miniature green-brick building positioned snugly by the first bright window near the door.

Currently, the building had only three floors, with glass windows that were two-thirds the height and half the width of standard ones.

The interior and exterior exuded a serene and elegant Chinese style. The first floor was a dining area, while the second and third floors housed six guest rooms in total.

The doors faced inward, directly across a long corridor leading to a central countertop.

Lu Yao handed the key to Room 201 to the guest. “Take the stairs to the second floor; it’s the first room. We can also take care of your pig if you’d like.”

The Nitean, unusually composed, removed her luggage from the red pig’s back and headed upstairs alone.

Lu Yao helped deliver the luggage to the door.

The door opened, then gently closed again.

Behind it, the Nitean named Gan Li pressed herself against the wooden door and slowly slid down to the floor.

Big humans are terrifying!

But since she was already captured, her only option was to go along with their requests—for now. Otherwise, she might get crushed in the next moment.

It was unclear how much time passed before Gan Li finally calmed down from her unspeakable fear.

The room was pitch black. Remembering Lu Yao’s words, she fumbled along the wall by the door and found the light switch.

Click—

A circular light on the entryway wall lit up, banishing the darkness.

Gan Li propped herself up against the door and looked around, her eyes widening.

This… is what they call a resting place?

The bright, spacious room had gleaming, spotless floors. A desk and chair placed against the wall shone with a polished luster, and the bed was large and sturdy.

Standing by the bed for a long moment, Gan Li tentatively reached out to touch it. The fabric was smoother and softer than anything she had ever encountered—even more luxurious than the finest tanned hides of the Red Pig Tribe.

The intricate embroidery on the four corners of the quilt caught her attention, and she couldn’t look away. It was her first time seeing such intricate and beautiful decorations.

Gan Li found herself overwhelmed by an inexplicable mix of emotions. How could a resting place be this beautiful and comfortable?

Knock, knock, knock—

Startled, she looked toward the door but didn’t respond.

After a pause, there were three more knocks.

Knock, knock, knock—

Gan Li took a deep breath. “Who is it?”

Lu Yao: “It’s me, Lu Yao. Dinner is ready. Would you like to dine in your room or in the dining area downstairs?”

Gan Li shrank back. “…In my room.”

Lu Yao: “Your meal has been placed outside the door.”

Gan Li waited for a while before opening the door. She found a foldable shelf attached to the wall that could be tucked away.

At the moment, the wooden rack was unfolded and flat, with a wooden tray on top. The aroma wafting from the tray’s containers was irresistible.

Gan Li stared at the food, her mouth watering uncontrollably. The scent was as mouthwatering as the soup she had smelled earlier at the door.

Carrying the tray back into her room, Gan Li didn’t notice the three figures crouched behind the kitchen counter watching her.

Budu: “I built the rooms.”

Harold: “The water system, electrical circuits, and alarm system for the building were all designed by me.”

For effects that couldn’t be achieved mechanically, he had supplemented with magic.

Lu Yao circled a spot at the bottom of her blueprint. “I’ll revise the plans now and build a little pen for the piglet too.”

The piglet lay trembling in a temporary pen, staring up at the three towering “giants” as if they were mountains.

Lu Yao hadn’t expected that the little folk had already mastered the art of domesticating animals—nor that even the animals were miniature. She decided it would be better to construct a dedicated livestock shed for the future.

…

[Successfully hosted a traveler. Task completed! Rewards: +1,000 popularity points, Acorus x1!]

[Lu Yao’s inn has officially opened and upgraded to a one-star establishment. Rewards: +1,000 popularity points, Yangju x1. Keep up the good work!]

Crisis averted!

…

Author’s Note:

The ultimate dream of miniature builders~

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Ch 2: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

In the afternoon, after waking up from a nap, Lu Yao felt refreshed.

The carpet in the center of the nail salon’s lobby was covered with half-finished building blocks, but the room was empty.

On the Alexander Continent, the Dragon Festival was in full swing, bustling with excitement. Most likely, Harold had taken Budu out to play.

Two days ago, Lu Yao had returned to Lingshi to pay respects at her mother’s grave. Beyond that, she had no attachments. Having been alone for years, there were no relatives for her to visit on the first day of the new year.

She grabbed a quick bite to eat, poured herself a cup of black tea, and sat by the window to start drawing up renovation plans for the inn.

By the time she returned from the inn in the early morning, a general plan had already taken shape in her mind.

She had done this many times before; every shop on the shopping street was personally designed by her. Her pen moved smoothly across the paper, with hardly any hesitation.

Two hours later, Lu Yao put down her pen, picked up the freshly completed renovation blueprint, and checked it carefully. Once she confirmed there were no issues, she submitted it to the system.

In 24 hours, the inn’s renovation would be complete.

As usual, the system accepted the blueprint but didn’t display a maintenance reminder.

A few minutes later, the system sent a message: [Shopkeeper, I will need to leave for a while.]

Lu Yao: “What, are you taking annual leave too?”

The system didn’t deny it: [Something like that. I’ve received a training notice and need to leave for further study. With year-end summaries happening at the same time, I’ll likely be away for a month or two.]

Lu Yao had never known the system to have so many trivial matters, and she was a bit surprised. “So, the shop can’t operate for the next couple of months?”

System: [During my absence, robots will handle task issuance, but the service for exchanging popularity points will have to be paused.]

Lu Yao: “So that means…”

System: [Without special task rewards, all matters regarding shop renovations and upgrades will need to be resolved by you, the shopkeeper.]

Ah, so that was the real point.

Lu Yao frowned, fell silent, and only spoke after a long moment of frustration: “Without you around, renovations will be a major headache. Not to mention the time it will take, just the cost alone is enough to give me a migraine. Now, with six or seven shops running, I’m barely breaking even because all the money goes into restocking. Without the popularity points service to ease the pressure, I’ll be bankrupt in less than two months.”

The system remained unmoved: [I can’t do anything about work arrangements. I hope you understand.]

Lu Yao: “Can’t you at least finish the inn’s renovation before you go? It only takes a day anyway.”

System: [Apologies, I have to leave immediately. While I’m gone, I trust you’ll manage well on your own.]

With that, the system truly disappeared, refusing to respond no matter how much Lu Yao tried to prod it.

She pulled up the system interface. Everything was functioning normally, and her portable storage was also intact.

It seemed the system’s absence would primarily affect shop maintenance and upgrades, which now fell entirely on her shoulders.

What would normally take just a day with the system’s help would now become a time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive ordeal if she handled it herself.

The system had truly delivered her a New Year’s “gift.”

Lu Yao sat by the window for a while before getting up to clear away the now-cold tea. She changed clothes and prepared to go out.

With some free time over the next few days, she decided to focus on resolving the inn’s renovation first.

As she walked through the lobby, she paused, turned back, and picked up a few scattered building block pieces from the carpet, slipping them into her pocket before heading out. Crossing the small road, she walked toward the inn opposite the shop.

If the system had pulled this trick last year, she would’ve been completely at a loss.

Pushing open the inn’s door, she found the table and chair she had used last night still sitting in the middle of the room.

This inn was originally formed by merging two small storefronts, with bright windows on both the front and back. One side faced the shopping street, and the other backed onto a mountain.

The space wasn’t large, but the lighting was excellent.

Sunlight slanted through the windows, casting the shadows of the window frames onto the floor. The light brought no warmth, but it made the room bright enough.

Lu Yao stood by the window for a moment, then turned and walked to the door. With a thought, she pushed the door open again. This time, the scene outside transformed into a desolate and icy wilderness, with endless stretches of snow and ice.

This was the Nitean Continent.

From her storage, Lu Yao retrieved a sickle and stepped outside. She didn’t go far, stopping at a gentle slope near the inn.

Using the blade, she swept away the snow, casually uncovering a dull gray stone. Taking off her gloves, she placed her left hand on the stone and carefully constructed an image in her mind of what she wanted.

Complex and mysterious dark patterns began to emerge from her wrist, winding their way up her arm until they wrapped around it entirely.

A moment later, Lu Yao opened her eyes. Golden specks of light seeped from her fingertips.

The stone’s surface began to crack, with excess material falling away in fragments. Bit by bit, the stone took on a neat, rectangular shape. Its top surface revealed rows of raised dots.

Lu Yao pulled a building block piece from her pocket and compared it to the stone piece she had just made. The size and weight were identical, except the material had changed from lightweight plastic to sturdy rock.

This ability, granted by the Goddess of Abundance, was proving even more useful than she had expected. Satisfied, Lu Yao continued gathering stones and crafting pieces of varying sizes, carefully sorting and storing them in her portable warehouse.

She then used the sickle to cut down a few clusters of thorny vines, holding them in her hands as she envisioned what she needed.

In her grasp, the vines transformed into brown tubes of varying lengths, some solid, others hollow, each with its own purpose.

[New task received! Prepare to open for business within three days. Reward: 100 popularity points and +1 currency exchange machine!]

She had only just started, and a task had already arrived.

Lu Yao tried summoning the proxy robot but got no response. It seemed the robot was only responsible for issuing tasks and couldn’t communicate.

Since that was the case, she decided to handle things entirely her way.

With only three days until the reopening, the timeline was uncomfortably tight.

Lu Yao gathered the materials she needed for now and made it back to the shop before nightfall.

Budu ran across the road to meet her. Seeing Lu Yao, the worry in his eyes quickly faded.

While organizing the materials, Lu Yao glanced at him and asked, “Where’s Harold?”

Budu replied, “At the shop. We brought back lots of delicious food from the city and are waiting for Mother to join us.”

Following Budu, Lu Yao returned to the nail salon for dinner. Casually, she suggested, “How about playing with the building blocks at the inn tonight?”

Both Budu and Harold were puzzled.

When they arrived at the inn and saw the pile of materials on the floor, understanding dawned on their faces.

Lu Yao pulled out a stack of blueprints, a smile in her eyes. “I’m planning to open in three days. Time is tight, so we’ll just build it up to a basic, guest-ready level for now.”

Her intentions confirmed, Harold’s excitement grew. “Are you planning to let the little people live in the block houses we build?”

Budu blinked rapidly, imagining Monk living in a tiny house he’d built, eating and sleeping inside it. He could hardly contain his excitement.

Who hadn’t played house as a child?

When Harold was young, he and the other dragon hatchlings in Dragon Valley used to play pretend games, even using magic to stir mud and rocks as “food.”

Lu Yao’s blueprints, however, were far more detailed and precise than they’d imagined, filled with intricate designs. Building everything within three days was clearly impossible.

Lu Yao had already planned to start with the bright window by the door, constructing guest rooms where visitors could eat and sleep.

After dividing tasks according to the blueprints, the three of them got to work.

By midnight, Harold and Budu were still brimming with energy, showing no signs of stopping.

Building the inn was entirely different from playing with regular building blocks. Not only did the structure need to be sturdy, but it also required fully functional water and drainage systems, electrical wiring, and other utilities, just like a real inn.

It was challenging but also immensely fun.

Lu Yao, however, had other matters to attend to. She quietly got up and left, heading next door to the cinema.

The cinema, which was connected to the Great Wu Dynasty, was in the early morning hours. Though the theater wasn’t open yet, staff members were already arriving.

Lu Yao greeted them briefly before stepping outside again.

Time in the Great Wu Dynasty moved slower compared to the shopping street and other worlds. Although it wasn’t yet New Year’s in this world, the festive atmosphere was already evident on the streets.

Today, Lu Yao’s main goal was to order custom furniture and equipment for the inn.

That afternoon, she had browsed miniature models online, spotting various designs for tiny beds, bookshelves, tables, chairs, and even mini fridges and microwaves.

These miniatures weren’t hard to find but came with a fatal flaw—the more detailed and functional the design, the higher the price.

After some thought, Lu Yao decided to commission a batch from craftsmen instead.

She first visited a familiar carpenter’s shop and handed them a set of blueprints with precise dimensions, including mini furniture such as beds, tables, chairs, and coffee tables.

The carpenter took the blueprints, initially thinking the dimensions were a mistake. After confirming with Lu Yao, he didn’t say much else.

Small toys like these were something they occasionally made for their children when idle. However, Lu Yao’s order was a bit larger than usual, so the carpenter assumed it was another promotional product for the cinema.

Lu Yao didn’t elaborate on its purpose, handed over the deposit, and arranged for a batch of finished pieces to be ready in two days.

The first batch she ordered wasn’t large, and since it consisted of playhouse-style toys, the carpenter didn’t find it difficult to handle.

Leaving the carpenter’s shop, Lu Yao headed to Jinxiu Workshop on another street to order a batch of miniature-sized bedding.

Afterward, she went to Rogue House to find Madam Xu, and the two of them hired a carriage to go out of town.

During the New Year period, Rogue House and Lu Yao’s cinema were collaborating to launch a new cosmetic powder. They had agreed to inspect the newly fired containers at the kiln together. Lu Yao also took the opportunity to order a batch of custom tableware for the little people.

Lu Yao ran several errands in succession and finally completed her planned tasks.

By the time she returned to the shopping street, the sky had already brightened.

…

Nitean Continent

Three moons slowly sank below the horizon, signaling the arrival of morning.

However, heavy clouds gathered, and the sky remained gloomy.

Before long, another blizzard rolled in.

Monk trudged forward against the howling wind and snow, dragging a massive pink floral bundle behind him.

He had been walking for what felt like forever. His body was numb and stiff from the cold, and he was both starving and freezing. Yet, he still couldn’t see the familiar haystacks or rocky cliffs.

The little people of the Red Pig Tribe preferred to live in caves, using dry grass and animal pelts to stay warm.

Snow blinded his vision, and the path home seemed endlessly far away.

Imagining how happy his tribe mates would be when they saw the food he brought, Monk found a surge of strength. Gritting his teeth, he dragged the bundle—like a small tail—and moved forward step by step.

The little people were so small that their tracks in the snow were quickly buried by the blizzard.

“Monk! Monk!”

In a daze, Monk heard Dada’s voice.

But the blizzard was so fierce, and Dada had long since returned to the tribe with the others. How could he be speaking so close to Monk’s ears?

It must be a dream.

Monk turned over and covered his ears.

“Monk, Monk, Monk!!!”

The voice grew louder, practically shouting in his ear.

Monk frowned, annoyed, and tried to endure it, but finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He shot upright and yelled, “My ears are going deaf! Stop shouting!”

Dada, who was about the same height as Monk, stood by a haystack, startled by the sudden outburst. After a moment, he recovered and broke into a delighted smile. “You’re awake! Finally awake! I thought you were going to die!”

Monk was confused, his eyes quickly scanning the familiar cave furnishings. Gradually, he realized, “I’m home?”

Dada nodded furiously like a pecking chicken. “You collapsed at the border of the territory. The hunting team saw you and brought you back.”

Monk looked down at himself. He was still wearing the old fur he had on when he left, but the hooded cloak Lu Yao had sewn for him was gone, as was his pink bundle.

Panicking, Monk flipped over, frantically searching through the hay.

Dada squatted beside him. “What’s wrong? What are you looking for?”

Monk: “The bundle! A big, beautiful bundle. Did you see it?”

Dada frowned. “When the hunting team brought you back, you didn’t have anything on you—not even your weapon. You were frozen solid in the snow. Why didn’t you find a place to cocoon? Everyone’s saying you’re a fool.”

Monk was both furious and anxious.

The food he had painstakingly brought back—how could it just disappear?

He didn’t want to talk anymore and turned to rush outside, but Dada yanked him back.

Dada: “What’s going on?”

Monk slumped to the ground like a dejected little mushroom. “I ran into a big human.”

Dada: “What?”

Monk mustered his energy and began recounting how he met Lu Yao.

But Dada didn’t believe him.

Every Nitean little person had heard the legends of big humans, but none had ever actually seen one.

“I really did meet her! She gave me a mountain of dried meat and berries. The meat was even tastier than the smoked jerky from the Xia Guang Tribe, and the berries were sweet and juicy…” Monk looked utterly defeated, his small face scrunched like a walnut. “Dada, we need to go back and bring the food here.”

Dada exhaled, trying to keep his tone calm. “While you were asleep, Zhuangyu brought over a pot of stone potato soup. Let me serve you a bowl. Eat first and rest properly.”

Monk, enraged, pounded the ground. “…”

Why wouldn’t anyone believe him?

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️