Hearing Zhongli solemnly declare he would buy them all… anyone unaware might really think he carried a fortune on him.
So many shopkeepers had been fooled by those very words… One phrase—"I'll take everything." Followed instantly by—forgetting his wallet, the smoothest combo.
"Hah, order the finest opera singer, buy the most expensive songbird! This is life!"
And yet… never actually paying. That move had left many a shopkeeper with headaches.
There was no helping it…
With Rex Lapis speaking, Luya could only bring out the box.
"Mr. Zhongli, here are 400 packs. With the discount, that's 7.2 million Mora! Please pay now!!!"
Zhongli frowned slightly, staring at the box of packs.
"Hm… 7.2 million."
"At first it sounds fine, but with common reason, it may be difficult."
"Still…"
Just then—
With a creak, the door opened.
A young man in a gray suit, a red scarf around his neck, stepped in. He walked slowly to Zhongli's side.
His sharp features, resolute brows, and piercing eyes seemed to cut through all illusion.
He laughed, speaking to Zhongli, "Haha, Mr. Zhongli is still the same as ever! When it comes time to pay—or to ask someone else to pay—you never look at the price, nor at your wallet."
Seeing him, Luya's heart leapt with joy.
Inwardly, he chuckled: Zhongli's wallet has arrived!
The newcomer was none other than Childe, Tartaglia.
Though now a Fatui Harbinger at the very top, his outward appearance was still that of a young man not fully rid of boyishness.
Like a silver blade sheathed in velvet, beneath his cheerful, confident demeanor lay the body of a perfected warrior. The youngest of the Harbingers—and one of the most dangerous.
Yet he never quite fit in with his colleagues. A pure warrior stood out in a cabal of conspirators.
Zhongli regarded him, as Childe smiled, half in jest, "But really… Mr. Zhongli does know the value of money and understands the hardships of mortal life. Though it seems he cannot imagine poverty… as something that might happen to himself. In other words, he simply cannot picture himself without money."
Zhongli replied in his deep voice, "Childe, still fond of your jokes."
Childe, seeing the same old Zhongli, casually handed Luya several Mora notes.
Luya accepted them with delight, "Ah, I could laugh until I cry. Fine then, since you've brought me such joy, I'll handle everything."
He turned to Luya, "This must be the Duel Monsters shopkeeper, yes? I am a Fatui Harbinger, Childe."
"If you don't mind, we can cooperate in the future."
"If you ever need it, the Fatui can help establish channels for card distribution."
Luya thought: for now, stock was limited anyway… and trusting sales to the Fatui didn't feel safe. For such things, the Liyue Qixing's Jade Chamber was more reliable.
So he nodded politely, "Not for now. If I need it in the future, I'll reach out."
Childe smiled lightly: "Then we'll work together another time."
Hu Tao, seeing him, jumped and pointed, "You stalker! Are you following us? What's your scheme? Looking to rest in peace?!"
Childe waved his hands quickly, "Haha, no, not at all! Just passing by."
After the brief commotion, Childe departed, taking 200 packs, leaving the other 200 for Zhongli.
Though the process was messy, the result was clear…
Luya had sold out all 1000 packs!
The shop's three Duel Stages were full—Hu Tao, Zhongli, and other guests playing.
Each Duel Stage was 50,000 Mora per hour.
Since Hu Tao and Zhongli had run out of funds, they put it on credit for tomorrow.
Six hours of business in the afternoon brought Luya another 900,000 Mora.
As night fell, it was finally time to close shop.
"Ahhh!"
"This Hall Master is tired—time to return to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and study these cards properly!"
"To see just how many kinds there are!"
"Tomorrow I'll be back—Shopkeeper, prepare 1000 packs for me!"
"I'll draw to my heart's content!!!"
"Zhongli, let's go~"
Zhongli nodded, taking the packs from the counter.
"For now, we take our leave. Tomorrow we return."
Luya waved them off.
Seeing all the packs sold out, Luya was in high spirits. Stretching, he prepared to close and rest.
He hummed a tune while tidying the store, "When the skies above you suddenly pour with rain That's me blasting the dark clouds away for you Hands unfold, stacking high… Da-da da-da"
After some busy cleaning, he locked the door—The day's business was done!
⌈Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have completed your first day of business. You are now a Novice Shopkeeper!⌋
⌈Commencing settlement…⌋
⌈Today's sales total: 18.9 million Mora!⌋
⌈Card pack profit: 18 million Mora.⌋
⌈Duel Stage profit: 900,000 Mora.⌋
⌈Generating Reward…⌋
...
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