When Fang Shi opened his eye in the morning, he was greeted with a special panel:
[ Happy 13th Birthday, Owner Fang Shi
Unlike your old world, in this world when a business owner celebrates their birthday, it's the customers who cheer. For this day only, all products and services will be offered at cost meaning you won't suffer a lose or gain profit. Also, as it is your birthday, you will not need to work and can just relax.]
Fang Shi felt somewhat disappointed, "System, I know I'm new to being a merchant, but how does this help the business?", he asked.
'Answer: It is a tradition of the world for merchants to demonstrate their wealth by offering this service on their birthday', the system explained, 'It is considered poor manners and bad luck to forgo this tradition, so please endure it for today. Also, red pockets will be distributed to anyone that purchases a product or service. Prizes were generated by the system to offer free hours of a service, or the recipient can choose an item up to a certain limit based on the red packet obtained.'
Fang Shi decided to just forget about today, since in his old life he would receive gifts for his birthday. He ordered his breakfast, ate, and walked to the main store. As he entered, many friendly faces greeted him with glee.
"Happy Birthday, Owner Fang", Yang Cheng said when he saw his neighbor.
"Good day to you", Fang Shi replied.
"13 years old already", Yang Cheng stated with a slight glint in his eye, "You know, you aren't getting any younger. I have a daughter around your age…"
"Please don't finish what you're about to say", Fang Shi cut him off, "I am quite busy, and cannot focus on such things right now."
"Then all the better to have another pair of hands", Yang Cheng seemed to have become really shameless suddenly.
"That's not a bad idea", another voice cut in, "But my granddaughter is a much better match for Owner Fang."
"Stop talking nonsense, Old Zeng", Yang Cheng yelled at the old man, "How could she be a match for Owner Fang?"
"Please, friends, let's not disturb Owner Fang's day", another voice spoke.
Fang Shi was certain he recognized the person speaking, and as he turned around, he saw Elder Wuying with another man he didn't recognize.
"Elder Wuying, it's a pleasure", Fang Shi slightly bowed.
"Let me introduce you", Wuying pointed to the man beside him, "This is the Sect master of the Dusty Peak Sect, Han Shan."
"Sect Master Han, please excuse my rudeness, I failed to greet you", Fang Shi followed decorum.
Sect master Han laughed, "It's to be expected as we have never met. Please forgive this old man for waiting until now to visit your grand shop."
"I'm pleased that the sect master likes my humble store", Fang Shi flattered the sect leader, "Please excuse me for now, I wish to have a cup of tea. I have to ensure my employees are working diligently, and I will test them from time to time."
The crowd that had gathered around Fang Shi split so that he could make his way to the stairs, but they could tell he was running away. As he reached the floor with the tea house, he heard the chime for an achievement but he couldn't remember doing anything worth remembering. He ignored it for now, and sat down at a private seat before making g his order. As he sat observing the shop, he heard an interesting conversation between two women.
"Did you hear about the two new stores in the inner city?", the first woman asked.
"No, what happened?", the second replied.
"I heard that the top shops and families in the inner city were upset by the existence of this store", the first women explained, "But since they couldn't bully the owner, they choose to work together. So the eight of them formed two groups of four to open stores similar to this one."
"That's quite petty of them, have you visited either of them yet?", the second woman inquired.
"Not yet, but I plan on visiting soon", the first admitted, "I'm curious if they are just copying this place, or if they have made something as interesting as this place."
"Invite me when you go, I'm curious too", the second giggled.
Fang Shi stopped paying attention to their discussion at this point as he finished his tea looking at the bamboo forest surrounding the pond, and greeted customers that walked up to him. He left the tea shop, and made his way to the Pod cafe next only to be greeted by crowds of customers. He talked with everyone for a bit before entering a pod, and joined different hunting groups randomly.
Several hours later, a huge group had formed around Fang Shi's pod watching every moment. His current hunting party had just finished capturing a small horse with a horn that was very fast, and seemed to control lightning. After Fang Shi finished turning in the live Kirin to the recovery team, he returned to his Home Screen, and exited the pod.
"Owner Fang", a man among the audience spoke, "How did you fight like that?"
"Yes, can't you share your secret with us?", another person in the crowd asked.
"That was amazing Owner Fang", a woman said, "I'm curious about your technique, could you meet me somewhere quiet to discuss it?"
"Please everyone", Fang Shi tried to calm everyone down, "I simply followed my master's instructions, and used the different modes available on the pod to master my techniques."
"Always the business man, isn't that right Owner Fang?", a man close to him said.
Everyone started laughing, so Fang Shi took the opportunity to make his way out of the buildings as he made his way toward the restaurant. There he enjoyed a mostly quiet meal before he went to the bar. He spent the rest of the evening drinking and playing games before he made his way home.
"Good evening", the puppet that was his housekeeper greeted him as he entered.
"Thank you for the hard work", he replied as he went to his room. He took of his robes and hung them for cleaning, before heading to the bath. Afterwards, he sat down in his favorite chair and opened the system panel. Despite knowing that the daily report would be depressing to read, he still looked over it. Just as the system said, the profit for today was zero. When he looked at the number of guests for the day, he felt somewhat better as the store had 50% more customers today than normal. This should signify that word of his store had greatly traveled through word of mouth, and Fang Shi had a better appreciation towards the tradition.
Fang Shi selected the achievements next to view what he had been notified about earlier.
He saw:
[ New! Here comes a new challenger!]
He quickly opened the entry:
[ Here comes a new challenger!
Business is never one store operating alone, but several competing to be the best. To motivate a business to provide the best products, services, and prices to the customers, competitors are vital. As you begin to succeed, do not be surprised when rivals appear to hamper your efforts.
Starting now, the system will evaluate surrounding businesses that will compete against you. When one is found, it will be assigned a value of how much it affects your business.
Reward: Based on the rating given by the system, the host will receive a bonus percentage to most rewards as the host acquires rivals.
Current rivals: 2
Percentage: 15%]
"Is that good or bad?", Fang Shi couldn't help but ask.
'This is the current possibility that both stores have, while working together, to threaten your store', the system explained, 'Fortunately for them, they have been training their employees at your store', the system added, 'They can offer more of a challenge soon.'
Fang Shi could only take the system at its word at this point, and decided it was time to sleep.
Several days later, several large ornate carriages carrying a crest on the side arrived at the northern gate of Blue Moon city. Two guards stood in front of the carriage that was being pulled by horses that were spiritual beasts.
"Please identify yourselves, and the purpose of your visit", the older guard ordered the driver of the first carriage.
The driver took a moment to communicate with someone that the guards couldn't see before answering, "Lady Rui Lan and her entourage are present, as for the purpose, we are investigating why three working slaves of the Rui family were killed in this city."
The eyes of the guards widen when they heard the reason.
"Open the gate", the guard captain shouted before he leaned in close to one of his subordinates and whispered, "Inform Mayor Chen, he probably has already sensed our guests but we still need to report."
"No need", a voiced appeared, "I am already here."
The guards were shocked, but the Mayor ignored them and waited behind the gate as it opened. The lead carriage entered once the gate allowed, and the driver turned to the left so that the carriage door pointed towards the mayor. The door opened, and an old man and a young girl exited, taking places to the left and right of the door.
"I present to the honorable mayor of Blue Moon city, Lady Rui Lan", the old man announced.
A young woman of 12 or 13 appeared at the door of the carriage wearing stunning robes and dazzling hairpieces.
"This lady apologizes to the mayor for showing up unannounced", Rui Lan said as she slightly bowed.
"It's a pleasure to host one as dignified as you, Lady Rui", the mayor responded, "Shall we speak at my home while your people get your arrangements in order?"
"I will follow the mayor's suggestion", Rui Lan smiled before entering the carriage again.
The lead carriage pulled forward, and took one street as the rest went a different way. At the mayor's home, Rui Lan told him about how a mysterious man took something that belong to the Rui family, and came here while being followed by the three slaves. Then she talked about how the contracts for the three burned indicating either their escape or death. Mayor Chen already felt a headache coming since this had happened in his city, and he was left unaware.
"Mayor, do you have any stores or forces here that could be responsible for this?", Rui Lan.
He wanted to declare that there weren't any, but he thought about the top families, and their recent activities.
"Recently, we had two stores open as a collaboration between the top families of the city", he explained, "They said they are trying to battle against some shop in the outer city, but that sounds like an excuse. Allow me to guide you in the morning to these new shops, and we can investigate together. It is dark now, do you need to stay here until morning, or can I guide you to where your people are staying?"
"Please send me back to my entourage", Rui Lan requested.
The mayor, Rui Lan, and guards for both left his house before arriving at the hotel her people prepared.
Over the next few days, Rui lan visited Silver crescent Haven and Blue Moon Pavilion, trying to locate the missing people. No clues or evidence had been found so far until she spoke to Xu Rong.
"Lady Rui, I apologize that we haven't been able to recover your people", Xu Rong said, "Could you tell us anything about the man they were following?"
"From what I was told, the man words black robes with grey mountains, and white skies embroidered on them", Rui Lan described the individual.
"Oh!", Xu Rong had a complicated look on her face, "I feel like that belongs to the shop in the outer city."
"Really?", Rui Lan's face lit up, "Let me find my servant so we can go there."
"I won't stop you, Lady Rui", Xu Rong tried to speak carefully, "That shop is special, and we still aren't sure who is behind it."
"I understand your concern", Rui Lan told Xu Rong as she started walking to her carriage, "I'll be sure to not affect the surroundings when I go there."
Xu Rong felt something was wrong, but before she could raise an objection, Rui Lan had already left the room.
Two carriages made their way through the city as they drove towards the Heaven and Earth pavilion. It took part of the morning before the driver saw the walls of the store, and by the time they reached the gate, he wore a solemn look on his face.
"Lady Rui, we have arrived", the driver informed her.
"Thank you", she looked at the old man inside the carriage, and he stood up to exit the carriage.
Once outside, he announced her to the store the same as when they arrived at city gate and waited. Things began to feel awkward when no one responded as others customers entered the gate doing their best to avoid the carriages. After the time it would take to drink a cup of tea passed without answer or escort, Rui Lan was livid.
She finally decided that they had been snubbed, "Let me out, I have to confront the man who disrespects the Rui family."
She exited the carriage and beelined it for the main store's entrance. Once inside, she saw a boy around the same age as her sitting behind a counter.
"You! Boy! Take me to the owner or else", Rui Lan screamed.