Zhang Achun looked back at the sign he had made, hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Lin, the Storekeeper, that's not how you do business. Even a strong dragon can't suppress a local bully. I know you're capable, but at the end of the day, you're just an outsider..."
Is this a threat?
Lin Bai dismissively shook his head and interrupted him. "Master Zhang, actions have consequences, and business must be conducted with integrity..."
Halfway through his words, a voice suddenly interjected, "Lin, the Storekeeper, are you still looking for an assistant here?"
The speaker was Dumbelldore. He rubbed his hands, looking at Lin Bai in anticipation. "Shopkeeper, your new store just opened, and you probably haven't had time to hire help. Do you think I'm suitable? I work very diligently, and moreover, my wage expectations are very low..."
Several people turned to look at him simultaneously.
Lin Bai chuckled. Well now, I didn't provoke you, yet you're so keen to jump in.
"Little Deng?" Zhang the Blacksmith looked at Dumbelldore in surprise, as if he had received another heavy blow. "You..."
"Master, a good bird chooses the tree in which to nest." Dumbelldore puffed out his chest, his face full of righteous indignation. "Yesterday, while we were blacksmithing, you continuously uttered foul language, cursing Lin, the Storekeeper, to die an early death. Your hostility is too severe! Even though I'm a simple man, I also understand the principle that one is influenced by their companions. I am ashamed to be associated with you."
Zhang the Blacksmith's face flushed crimson. "Nonsense! I didn't..."
He clenched his teeth and glared at Dumbelldore. "Little Deng, think this through. Jiamucheng has a Blacksmith Guild. If you leave my shop, it will be very difficult for you to re-enter the blacksmithing trade."
"When I left this morning, I had no intention of returning," Dumbelldore said with firm resolve, secretly glancing at Lin Bai.
Lin Bai silently watched the Player and NPC bickering. Dumbelldore truly gave the NPCs a harsh lesson, he thought. From now on, if anyone in Jiamucheng wants to learn blacksmithing, the difficulty is probably going to skyrocket! These damned Fourth Calamity Players! If they keep this up, Jiamucheng might just turn into Gotham City, devoid of any good people. Since that's the case, I'll continue to teach you all a lesson...
"Little Deng, is it?" Lin Bai looked at Dumbelldore. "You can work here, but there's no salary."
Dumbelldore was taken aback for a moment. "That's fine. Just provide food and lodging, and it'll be alright."
"I run a restaurant, so there will naturally be no shortage of food," Lin Bai said with a smile. "Employees get a discount. You'll get 20% off whatever you eat. As for lodging, a mere eight hundred copper coins a month should suffice."
What the hell! Dumbelldore stiffened. How can this NPC be even more exploitative than a capitalist? Is he raising the price on the spot just because he saw me leave the Blacksmith Shop?
"Serves you right!" Zhang the Blacksmith gloated. "So much for 'a good bird chooses the tree to nest in.' Did you really think Lin Bai is some fine timber? He's a black-hearted piece of wood that devours people whole, not even spitting out the bones!"
The carpenter was dumbfounded, watching the drama unfold between them. He had already forgotten about Lin Bai not paying him.
Dumbelldore fell silent. He looked at Lin Bai, who wore a faint smile, and recalled his suspected status as a hidden NPC. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Alright, I agree."
A master's actions are bound to be different from ordinary NPCs. I'll take the gamble!
The carpenter stared.
The blacksmith stared.
They exchanged glances, seeing the disbelief in each other's eyes. Do all outsiders behave this unscrupulously? Why has the world suddenly become so incomprehensible?
Little Deng, I didn't force you, Lin Bai thought. You jumped into this pit yourself...
Lin Bai glanced at Dumbelldore and smiled. "Little Deng, congratulations. From now on, you are a member of Chef's Restaurant."
"Shopkeeper, shouldn't it be Chef's Divine Food Stall?" Dumbelldore corrected.
"The sign might make it look like 'Stall', but it's meant to be 'Restaurant'. Don't worry about such details." Lin Bai waved his hand. "Tidy up and prepare to work! The restaurant opens today, and there's much to be done. You've arrived just in time."
The carpenter and the blacksmith exchanged another look. Strange things happen every year, but this year seems to have an abundance of them. They decided to stay put. They no longer mentioned the matter of wages. Right now, they only wanted to see how Lin Bai's dilapidated restaurant could possibly make any money. As for the money they'd lost, they'd just consider it the price of a ticket to watch this farce.
「A short while later.」
A man carrying a large basket of steamed buns arrived hesitantly at the entrance of 'Chef's Divine Food Stall'. Just as he was about to speak, he looked up, saw the sign, and froze on the spot.
Shortcoming +1.
The progress bar of the Everything has shortcomings system automatically jumped forward one notch.
Lin Bai, beaming, approached him. "I ordered the steamed buns. Bring them inside! Little Deng, give him a hand..."
Dumbelldore quickly came over and helped carry the basket of steamed buns into the restaurant.
The young deliveryman for the steamed buns took a look around inside the restaurant. When he came out, his face was as contorted as if he were constipated. "Shopkeeper, if you'll pardon my bluntness, your restaurant..."
"It's unique," Lin Bai interrupted. "Feel free to bring your friends and family over when you have time. Suppliers get a 20% discount."
Dumbelldore's smile froze on his face. I'm working for you without pay and only get a 20% discount on meals. Yet you offer a mere delivery boy a 20% discount right off the bat? Is a 20% discount so worthless?
[Gloom from Dumbelldore +1]
Lin Bai glanced sideways at Dumbelldore. See? I told you Systems can interact. It just requires a bit of skill.
The young man delivering the steamed buns twitched his lips. "Shopkeeper, I appreciate the kind thought. Since it's your opening day, I won't disturb your business any longer. I wish you prosperous trade."
As he spoke, he turned and walked away, muttering to himself, I'd have to be crazy to eat my own steamed buns in your shop. A 20% discount? Don't I give you a 20% discount when you buy from me anyway?
The young deliveryman saw the carpenter and the blacksmith nearby and walked over to stand with them, watching the spectacle. He knew the rumors about the Dreadful Mansion. Now that someone had opened such a bizarre shop in it, staying to watch the show was worth it, even if it meant selling fewer steamed buns for the day.
「A little later.」
Then, someone else arrived carrying a pot of braised beef. After Lin Bai had Dumbelldore accept it, he also generously offered the beef supplier a 20% discount.
Deliverers of braised eggs, peanuts, and rice porridge followed. One container after another of cooked food was delivered to the shop.
Every person who witnessed Lin Bai's "decorations" contributed a bit to his flaw value. It couldn't be helped. Everything in the shop looked utterly bizarre. Forget those with obsessive-compulsive disorder; even a normal person would feel an urge to smash things upon seeing it.
Lin Bai didn't know how to cook, but he knew how to buy food. He couldn't very well have nothing to offer if actual customers showed up on opening day. That would hinder his sustainable development.
As more people arrived, the progress bar of the Everything has shortcomings system advanced slowly but steadily.
「Finally.」
A lion dance troupe, accompanied by the beating of drums and gongs, led a crowd of people to the restaurant. When all the newcomers saw the shop sign, they collectively froze for a moment.
A mission prompt appeared in Lin Bai's mind:
[Have fifty people experience the essence of imperfection... (Mission Complete). Reward: Four point nine years of Inner Strength (Disbursed)]
In an instant, Lin Bai's Dantian felt full. An additional warm current surged within him, flowing continuously through his meridians, like an extra power source had ignited in his body, making him feel suffused with strength.
Success! Lin Bai clenched his fists. Even if not a single customer came to the restaurant, all this effort for the grand opening was worth it.
Then, the Everything has shortcomings system issued a follow-up mission:
[Have three hundred people experience the essence of imperfection... Reward: Dragon-Subduing Ten-Stroke Palm - Flawed.]
Lin Bai's heart skipped a beat. The Everything has shortcomings system is the true powerhouse! Although the mission difficulty has increased dramatically, it rewards with Inner Strength and techniques. It's far more generous than any ethereal Qi Yun. No matter how hard Players grind, how could they possibly catch up to me? I have to do it. Absolutely! Since I can grow this quickly, to hell with being low-key!
Lin Bai looked at the crowd before him, pondered for a moment, then beckoned to the dazed Dumbelldore beside him. "Little Deng, I have a task for you."
"Shopkeeper, just say the word," Dumbelldore replied promptly.
"I'll teach you some song lyrics. Later, you'll sing them in front of our shop to promote it," Lin Bai said. "There are still too few people here."
"No problem," Dumbelldore said.
Lin Bai looked at him, recalled a certain familiar melody, and said in a low voice, "You love me, I love you, Chef's Divine Food Stall welcomes you."
Dumbelldore's eyes widened. He stared at Lin Bai in disbelief and swallowed hard. "Shopkeeper, you... you're not joking, are you?"
"Little Deng, what kind of talk is that? We're running a legitimate business here." Lin Bai frowned. "Think on the bright side. If our business thrives and I'm in a good mood, I might even waive your meal expenses!"
Free meals? Dumbelldore's expression wavered. Finally, he gritted his teeth. "Alright, I'll do it."
It's just a game anyway, and this face is just an avatar, Dumbelldore thought. Raising this NPC's favorability is what matters most. Singing might be embarrassing, but once my Level is high enough, all these experiences will just become part of my legend...