"C-can I just buy one piece? T-that's all I need." Zhou Rui negotiated his face was once again contorting from pain.
"I'm sorry. It can only be bought in boxes like this." Lin Mo shook his head.
The dread in Zhou Rui's eyes deepened and he looked like he was about to do something desperate.
But after staring at Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu for a while, the cultivator fumbled his almost tattered robes, emptying their contents onto the counter. Three spirit stones clattered onto the surface, along with a handful of wilted herbs and a rusty spiritual dagger.
"This... this is all I have," Zhou Rui said with his voice trembling in desperation. "Please, can't we work something out? My life is on the line."
Liu Xiaoyu glanced at Lin Mo, her expression softening. "Boss..."
Lin Mo raised a hand, already weighing his options.
The system chimed softly, offering a suggestion:
[Suggested Action: Offer an alternate transaction. Enhance customer satisfaction to build reputation.]
Lin Mo sighed. "Alright, I'll make you a deal."
Zhou Rui's eyes lit up with hope and he immediately straightened despite the pain in his chest.
"You can have the Detoxifying Elixir for three spirit stones and the herbs," Lin Mo firmly said. "But I'm taking that dagger as collateral. You'll owe this store seven spirit stones. Pay it back when you're recovered, and we'll call it even."
"Done!" Zhou Rui exclaimed without hesitation.
As Lin Mo handed over the box of Detoxifying Elixir, Zhou Rui immediately opened it and downed one in one gulp.
A wave of relief washed over his face almost immediately as the venom's effects subsided. The scarlet glow beneath his robes dimmed, his breathing steadying for the first time in hours.
After that, the system chimed once again.
[Customer Satisfaction Enhanced: +1 Spirit Stone Credited to Personal Balance.]
Lin Mo watched as Zhou Rui gathered his things, visibly rejuvenated.
"Thank you," Zhou Rui said, bowing deeply. "I will repay this debt, I swear. And... I will spread the word about your store."
Lin Mo nodded, gesturing toward the door. "Just don't make it sound too good, alright? I don't want every troublemaker in the realm showing up."
Zhou Rui chuckled weakly before stepping out into the morning light, his worries for his life gone.
Liu Xiaoyu leaned against the counter, watching Zhou Rui disappear into the distance. "You're surprisingly kind for someone who keeps complaining about this job."
"Kind?" Lin Mo said, raising an eyebrow. "That was a calculated business decision. If he spreads the word and keeps his promise to pay, it's a win-win. Besides, the system pays me for making customers happy."
Liu Xiaoyu smirked. "You sure you're not secretly a philanthropist, Boss?"
"Philanthropy doesn't pay the bills," Lin Mo replied dryly. "Let's hope we get more paying customers today."
"Anyway, should I take that as the effect of my Celestial Providence? My luck got extended to him and now he's out of mortal danger?" Lin Mo mused.
"Un. That might be the case, boss." Liu Xiaoyu winked and put on an impish smile before she ran towards the entrance, ready to welcome another customer for the day.
–
Zhou Rui's departure left a strange sense of quiet in the store. However, Lin Mo knew it wouldn't last long.
With the promise of spreading the word about the Divine Convenience Store, the morning would soon see a mix of curious, desperate, and opportunistic mortals and cultivators walking through its doors.
As if on cue, Liu Xiaoyu, who had stationed herself by the entrance with the enthusiasm of a child waiting for festival fireworks, waved dramatically. "Boss! Another customer incoming!"
Lin Mo sighed, adjusting his striped uniform. "What's the betting pool on this one? A wandering scholar? Another emissary?"
"Neither! This one looks like a kid!" Liu Xiaoyu glanced back at him with a grin, her voice brimming with curiosity.
With raised eyebrows, Lin Mo stepped out from behind the counter, peering past the glass walls where Liu Xiaoyu was looking out from.
Sure enough, a young boy, no older than twelve, cautiously approached the store.
He was dressed in patched-up robes that seemed a few sizes too big. Clearly, he's just a poor mortal boy who was probably already struggling in this realm.
The boy hesitated at the door, clearly intimidated by the glowing storefront and its modern allure.
Liu Xiaoyu, as a self-appointed greeter, pulled the door open with a smile, inviting the boy in. "Welcome to the Divine Convenience Store! Come in, don't be shy!"
The boy froze for a moment, then shuffled inside, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Uh... hi," He mumbled, clutching a small pouch to his chest. "Is this... the place with magical items?"
Liu Xiaoyu clapped her hands. "You bet it is! We've got everything you can imagine! Food that replenishes essence, talismans that can block attacks, and even..." She leaned in as though she was about to whisper a cheat code, "snacks from another realm."
The boy's eyes widened at her words, his fingers tightening around the pouch. "R-really? I... I'm looking for something to help my mother. She's sick."
Lin Mo softened at the boy's timid demeanor but maintained a professional tone. "What kind of sickness are we talking about? Weakness? Fever? Poison?"
His wide eyes darted nervously as he looked up at Lin Mo but there was a certain determination on his face as he walked to the counter, which his height barely reached.
"It's... like a curse. She's been getting weaker every day, and the healers in our village don't know what to do. A ragged stranger told me there's a special place in the city that might have a cure, so I came here."
'A ragged stranger? Zhou Rui was a quick worker. But of all the customers he could send…' Lin Mo sighed inwardly without breaking the warm smile on his face.
Liu Xiaoyu's expression turned sympathetic but Lin Mo was already pulling up the system panel.
He searched the inventory, scrolling through the list until he found something relevant.
[Available Remedies for Curses:]
- Cleansing Talismans (Basic Grade): Dispels minor curses. Price: 3 Spirit Stones
- Purification Elixir (Standard Grade): Neutralizes moderate curses and spiritual ailments. Price: 8 Spirit Stones
- Divine Light Pendant: Offers continuous protection against all curses and spiritual erosion. Price: 20 Spirit Stones
Lin Mo glanced at the boy's small pouch and sighed. "What's your budget, kid?"
The boy hesitated, then slowly opened the pouch. Inside were three copper coins and a single, cracked spirit stone. "This... is all I have."
Liu Xiaoyu winced, but Lin Mo kept his expression neutral. "Alright, let's see what we can do."
He selected the Cleansing Talisman, retrieving it from the shelves. It was a simple, unassuming piece of parchment inscribed with glowing runes, yet its energy radiated purity. Somehow, it was also packaged like a modern item.
"This should help," Lin Mo said, placing it on the counter. "It's not the strongest cure but it can dispel minor curses. Price is three spirit stones."
The boy's face fell and he glanced back at his pouch nervously, trying to pull out more but he already emptied it. "I... I don't have enough."
Liu Xiaoyu bit her lip, looking like she wanted to offer a solution but Lin Mo raised a hand to stop her.
He knew something was going to pop out.
And sure enough, he wasn't disappointed.
The system chimed softly, presenting another suggestion:
[Suggested Action: Offer a barter or partial payment to build goodwill.]
Lin Mo suppressed a groan. It happened not just once but twice.
It seemed like his celestial shopkeeping duties involved more charity than he had anticipated. But just like with Zhou Rui, this might be another drawback of his Heaven's Favor. He's drawing in these types of customers.
"Alright, kid. Here's the deal. You can pay with that cracked spirit stone, but you'll owe me two full spirit stones later. It doesn't matter how long you can repay it but don't forget it. Think you can manage that?"
The boy's face lit up and he nodded vigorously, the twinkle in his eyes made Liu Xiaoyu lightly tap Lin Mo's back, praising him for being soft-hearted.
"Yes! I'll find a way to repay you! Thank you, sir!"
Lin Mo handed over the talisman, watching as the boy clutched it to his chest like a treasure.
"Remember, this will only work for minor curses. If it's something more serious, you'll need to come back."
"I understand, mister. Thank you again! May the divine beings bless your store!" The boy said before hurrying out of the store, his small frame disappearing as quickly as he appeared.
As soon as the door closed, Liu Xiaoyu turned to Lin Mo, her hands on her hips with her lips curled up into a teasing smile. "Boss, I never thought you'd be that soft."
Lin Mo scoffed. "Soft? I'm running a business here. That was an investment."
"Sure, sure," She continued teasing. She's convinced that he's just making an excuse, "You're just a big softie with a striped uniform."
Before Lin Mo could retort, the system chimed again.
[Customer Satisfaction Enhanced: +1 Spirit Stone Credited to Personal Balance.]
"See?" Lin Mo pointed at the panel. "That's called strategy."
Liu Xiaoyu grinned. "Whatever you say, Boss."