Yu Qingyan returned to the counter, holding a small red packet of instant noodles in her hand. Lin Mo raised an eyebrow, momentarily distracted from his annoyance. Of all the items in the store, she had chosen one of the mundane ones from Earth?
He eventually shook his head as he knew that it was not really strange for her to pick something like that. People, no matter which world, can be curious.
He looked at the packet and while the brand seemed to be different, its content was most likely the same as the one he used to eat on Earth. It's Taihao's way of avoiding counterfeits. But who would tell him he's selling imitations? He most likely just wanted to make it his own brand. That's why even an instant noodle had a name related to him.
"This?" Yu Qingyan asked, inspecting the packet like it was some ancient artifact. "Is it edible?"
"Perfectly edible," Lin Mo replied, deadpan. "Add hot water, wait a bit, and enjoy. It's... simple."
She eyed him skeptically. "And it's not poisonous?"
Lin Mo pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's food, not a trap. Are you buying it or just interrogating me about my inventory?"
Yu Qingyan chuckled softly. "Relax, shopkeeper. I'm merely curious. Something this... peculiar must have its merits." She placed the packet on the counter, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "How much?"
The system panel blinked to life.
[Item: Spicy Instant Noodles – Earth Grade]
[Suggested Price: 1 Spirit Stone]
"One spirit stone," Lin Mo said, keeping his tone as neutral as possible.
Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "That seems excessive for... whatever this is."
"Sorry it's non-negotiable," Lin Mo retorted. "Take it or leave it. Your choice. I thought you're from a wealthy organization?"
Yu Qingyan's smirk deepened, her sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "Very well, shopkeeper.."
She placed a gleaming spirit stone on the counter with an almost theatrical flick of her wrist. "You drive a hard bargain for a... humble establishment. Let me check how wonderful this is that it costs a spirit stone."
Lin Mo took the spirit stone and placed it into the register. "Thank you for your purchase. Enjoy your meal."
Lin Mo then found that there was also a set of appliances that could normally be seen in a normal convenience store laid out on one side and wall-mounted tables and chairs on another.
"Customer, if you'd like, you can also eat that here."
Yu Qingyan arched an eyebrow, glancing toward the corner where a small counter displayed a sleek electric kettle and a few disposable bowls and chopsticks. The tables and chairs lining the wall gave the store an oddly welcoming atmosphere.
"A dining area in a divine establishment?" She remarked, her tone laced with amusement.
"Convenience is in the name," Lin Mo replied dryly, gesturing toward the setup. "It's there if you want to try your noodles fresh. No extra charge."
Yu Qingyan seemed to ponder this before nodding. "Very well. Let's see what makes this... peculiar food worth my spirit stone."
Lin Mo handed her a bowl and chopsticks as she approached the kettle. She followed his instructions. Pouring the hot water into the bowl of noodles and letting it sit for a few minutes.
The way her eyes bloated made even Liu Xiaoyu curious as they both watched the noodles soften up under the hot water before Lin Mo instructed Yu Qingyan to drain it and put the seasoning in.
As the spicy aroma wafted through the store, the two women shared meaningful glances as they looked at the first cooked instant noodles in the Realm of the Nine Heavens.
Yu Qingyan finally sat down and took her first cautious bite.
Her eyes widened.
"This..." She blinked, taking another bite. Then another.
Liu Xiaoyu leaned toward Lin Mo and whispered, "B-boss, w-what's that delicious-looking thing? Is that really noodles? How?! Let me try it too"
"One spirit stone," Lin Mo muttered back.
Yu Qingyan continued to eat in silence, her dignified demeanor cracking with each bite. She slurped the noodles greedily, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. Whether from the spice or embarrassment, Lin Mo couldn't tell.
"This is... quite unique," Yu Qingyan finally said between mouthfuls, though her voice carried an edge of reluctance to admit it. "The texture is... intriguing, and the flavor, spicy but oddly balanced. It's as though a mortal chef put their soul into creating this dish."
Lin Mo barely managed to stifle a laugh. "Yeah, something like that. The culinary art of instant noodles is truly unparalleled."
Liu Xiaoyu stared longingly at the bowl. "Boss, really? One spirit stone? Can't I just... sample it?"
Lin Mo crossed his arms. "You're the store assistant. You're supposed to promote our goods, not eat the profits. You can't even guard us. Make yourself useful in memorizing our products"
She pouted but said no more. However, her eyes remained glued to Yu Qingyan's bowl until the emissary finished the last strand of noodles.
Yu Qingyan set the bowl down, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
She met Lin Mo's gaze, her expression now composed, though a faint spark of approval glimmered in her eyes.
"I must admit, I underestimated this... peculiar establishment of yours, Shopkeeper. Perhaps I'll return to try out the other products another day. Regrettably, the noodles are all my stomach can handle."
Lin Mo inclined his head with a soft, business-like smile. "We're always open. Please don't hesitate to spend more spirit stones."
Yu Qingyan chuckled softly, rising gracefully from her seat. With one last glance at the shelves, she turned and strode out, the doorbell chiming softly in her wake.
–
Later that day, the store saw a steady trickle of unassuming customers. Much like the first two who got curious at the mysterious appearance of it. They're mortals and low-level cultivators wandering in, lured by the strange aura emanating from the establishment.
A farmer purchased a jar of glowing marbles labeled 'Energy Beads – Quick Recovery for Physical Exhaustion', marveling at their effectiveness.
A weary scholar reluctantly parted with two spirit stones for a bottle of 'Heavenly Dew Soda', Taihao's imitation of cola. Her sigh of relief was audible as the drink instantly revitalized her.
Another curious young scholar bought a packet of potato chips, his excitement over the "exotic snack" that he got to compose a poem on the spot upon tasting one chip earned an amused chuckle from Liu Xiaoyu.
A weary woman, clearly a traveler, left with a 'Traveler's Respite Charm', which promised a night of restful sleep anywhere, no matter the environment.
Each transaction added to the faint hum of energy Lin Mo felt coursing through the store. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it grew with every purchase.
Liu Xiaoyu, no longer content to hover uselessly, began assisting customers. She eagerly demonstrated how to use mundane items, such as toothbrushes and ballpoint pens, though her explanations often made them sound like ancient relics imbued with mystical powers.
"Boss," She whispered after selling a hairbrush to a confused cultivator, "are you sure these things aren't magical? Everyone seems so impressed by them."
Lin Mo glanced up from the system panel, smirking. "To them, it probably feels like magic. Let them think so. Just make sure to ring them up at the register first. Beware of shoplifters!"
By nightfall, the foot traffic dwindled and the store grew quiet. Lin Mo let out a long sigh, stretching as he leaned back in his chair.
"Is it always going to be like this?" Liu Xiaoyu asked, flopping onto a nearby stool.
Lin Mo shrugged. "Hopefully not. I can't do this every day. Taihao should've just let me die"
"Come on, boss. Everyone is cultivating for longevity and immortality. You got a second life and you're complaining? Anyway, we made some sales. I wonder about my pay. I sacrifice my day of cultivation!" She pointed out, her tone a mixture of exhaustion and pride before standing up and putting her hands on her hips while looking up as though shouting at Taihao, wherever that old man was.
Lin Mo could only shake his head at her antics. He couldn't argue with that though. The cash register had rung more times than he'd expected, and the system had kept a meticulous tally of their earnings.
As the clock struck closing time, a soft chime sounded, and the system panel flickered to life.
[System Evaluation: Day 1 Complete]
[Sales Summary: 13 Transactions – Revenue: 54 Spirit Stones]
[Store Development: Adding 54 to the store's Tier Progression]
Lin Mo stared at the numbers, a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction settling over him. He also checked the main interface and saw what changed.
[Divine System Interface: Operational]
[Inventory: Stocked
Daily Tasks: Pending
Personal Balance: 0 Spirit Stones
Tier Progression: Novice Store (54/100)]
'Figures. The sales aren't for me but for Taihao and his cohorts responsible for this store. Are we going to get paid though? And what about his earlier promise? I can't always hope everything goes well, no?'