Dimensional Storekeeper

Chapter 189: Rookie Employee Who Looks Like a Bodyguard

Lately, Old Tiger Zhao had gotten kind of addicted to that weird trend the Empress of the Shrouded Cloud Empire started-

Dipping Original Salted Potato Chips into Soft Serve Chocolate Ice Cream.

Except he took it one step further.

If he felt like it, he’d dip into the vanilla one too. Straight up mix-and-match style.

As he took a crunchy bite with chocolate dripping down the edge, he let out a satisfied sigh and chuckled.

“Hooo… that’s the stuff.”

He patted his abs, proudly showing no guilt whatsoever.

“Kid who figured this out was a genius!” Old Tiger Zhao declared, raising his ice cream cone high.

Hao glanced over, and shook his head.

’That kid was Empress Shen Qianrou.’

Old Tiger Zhao only remembered that the one who came up with it was some young girl.

And even if there was a scenario where he did know exactly who it was?

He’d still just shrug. “So?”

Empress, Sect Master, Divine Ancestor – whatever title they had. If their food combo hit like this, then they were worth listening to.

That was Old Tiger Zhao for you.

He never cared much for ranks.

Status meant nothing in his book.

You could wear a crown or sweep the floors. What mattered was real strength.

And if your idea could fuel a body cultivator’s gains and taste like heaven?

Then yeah.

You earned his respect.

Simple as that.

A bit after that, Yan Zhi returned.

Looking… different.

Bro was rocking the store uniform. The hair was combed back, the name tag sparkled, and the man had a look in his eye like he’d just gotten recruited into the imperial army.

Hao noticed he was kind of late though.

Only for Yan Zhi to say, scratching his neck. “Uhm… I got a little distracted… the mirror was there and… I might’ve stared too long.”

“Sorry, Brother Hao…”

Bro lost track of time admiring his own drip.

And now? He was basically posing near the counter like he wasn’t talking to the literal store owner who had the same outfit on.

Before Hao could decide whether to roast Yan Zhi or compliment the fit, the door swung open with dramatic timing.

In came the second wave – Lin Yijun, Hua Feixue, Yue Xueyan, and Xiao Lianfeng. As usual, all of them gave their respectful greetings.

But their eyes?

They were on Yan Zhi.

Hua Feixue, being Feixue, immediately leaned in close, blinking curiously. “Senior Hao, is that fine fellow over there a new hire?”

She tilted her head.

“He looks so serious! Is he a new store guard?”

Hao nearly burst out laughing.

His cheeks ballooned, trying to contain the laughter threatening to escape. Showing it would’ve shattered his “respectable store owner” aura, so he forced it down with the urgency of a man avoiding a lightning tribulation to the face.

Survival instincts kicking in.

Sure, Yan Zhi wasn’t in the store guardian uniform. But with that build? He looked a bit too buffed to be someone just handling the counter.

Hao exhaled slowly and said. “Mhm. He’s not a store guardian, Hua.”

“His position is store crew, like Little Xixi.”

“Starting today. He’ll be the one overseeing things around the store in midday.”

Yan Zhi instantly stiffened up.

Chest frozen, hands awkward, feet suddenly unsure what to do with themselves.

’Bro’s nervous already?’ Hao glanced at Yan Zhi out of the corner of his eye.

Yeah, understandable. Hao had been there once too. First shift hits different.

That weird mix of trying not to mess up, standing too straight, smiling too much or not enough – classic rookie symptoms.

Anyone who’s ever worked their first job would get it.

That awkward shuffle behind the counter, pretending to know what you’re doing while secretly praying nobody asks a question you don’t have the answer to.

Felt like a universal rite of passage.

Hao almost felt nostalgic just watching it unfold.

Then again, Mo Xixi had no such phase.

Her first day went off without a hitch.

Maybe it was confidence?

Hao still couldn’t tell if it was because she had thick skin, or because greeting customers was child’s play compared to being heir of a demonic cult known for mass curses.

Hard to get flustered when your bedtime stories were probably about plague talismans.

He gave Yan Zhi a light slap on the back. “Relax.”

“Go on, Zhi. Introduce yourself to our regulars.”

Yan Zhi took a moment. Straightened his posture. Took a breath.

Then tried.

“My name is… I’m Yan Zhi. I just started… and I’ll do my best. I – I mean… please take care of me.”

A little stiff. A bit too formal. Voice cracked halfway through.

But that little bow at the end? Solid.

Respectable first try.

Mental transmissions flickered instantly between the group.

’Looks normal.’ Yue Xueyan said.

’But there’s something off. His qi presence is… thin.’

’Agreed.’ murmured Xiao Lianfeng, arms crossed.

’No spiritual pressure. If I didn’t see his body, I’d think he was a mortal.’

Xiao Lianfeng gave Yan Zhi a once-over.

Strong frame. Good stance. Definitely a body cultivator – or someone who trained their body well.

But…

’He’s not radiating any pressure from that either.’ Xiao Lianfeng added. ’No body strength ripple. No muscle strain. It’s like he looks the part but doesn’t play it.’

’Maybe he’s hiding it?’ Yue Xueyan guessed.

Lin Yijun, standing a step back, didn’t say anything right away.

Then came his voice, calm and thoughtful.

’Don’t be too quick to judge. The boss’s standards are different.’

The others quieted.

’This might be another one of those. Who knows if this guy’s just suppressing everything under a technique or treasure.’

Yue Xueyan gave a quiet ’Mn.’

Xiao Lianfeng slightly nodded.

All three were silently thinking.

Until Hua Feixue – who, of course, hadn’t been paying attention to any of it – suddenly stepped forward.

Beaming.

Hands behind her back. Eyes sparkling.

“Nice to meet you, Senior Yan~!”

She leaned closer to Yan Zhi, who tensed like a trapped rabbit.

“I’m Hua Feixue from Snow Petal Sect! But you can just call me Hua, okay?”

She extended a hand confidently.

“Wow, you’re really tall! And buff! Are you secretly a rogue body cultivator or something?”

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