[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-idle-tycoon-system":3,"chapter-idle-tycoon-system-idle-tycoon-system-chapter-36":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Idle Tycoon System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828032,2431,"Chapter 36: Embarassment","idle-tycoon-system-chapter-36",36,"\u003Cp>The stranger's mouth opened and closed like a landed fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty years of casual prejudice warred against Noah's pressure and his friend's glaring disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I... I apologize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words came out strained, directed toward the floor rather than his intended recipients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah wasn't satisfied. He turned toward his employees, voice gentling considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you forgive him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alissa nodded quietly, her natural grace preventing any scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grix bobbed his head eagerly, desperate to avoid conflict. Kip glared at the stranger until his sister's elbow found his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at him one more time before reluctantly nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Good enough.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop's atmosphere remained thick with tension, but crisis had been averted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah's message was clear: his employees deserved respect, regardless of species.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Anyone who can't handle that can shop elsewhere.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woodrow stepped forward, relieved that the situation had de-escalated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm really sorry about this, Noah. Had I known he was still stuck in his old ways, I wouldn't have brought him here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah shook his head. \"It's not your fault. Don't worry about it. Besides, he already apologized.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it took some coercing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woodrow nodded gratefully before requesting his usual order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loaf of bread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah's gaze shifted to the other man, someone he hadn't bothered asking for a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want anything too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stranger nodded eagerly, clearly desperate to make amends. \"Sorry about earlier again. It's just an old man's grumpy attitude—didn't mean to offend. Could I get a loaf of bread like my friend here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least he's trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah retrieved both loaves from the shelf, placing them on the counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men shook their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Paying together or separately?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unnamed stranger stepped forward, clearly wanting to improve the mood. He placed six golden coins on the counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he reached for the bread, Noah's hand shot out, stopping him mid-motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man's eyebrows climbed. \"Is something wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's this?\" Noah gestured at the coins, then back at the customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion flickered across his face. \"That's... the price for both loaves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Woodrow. \"Isn't it three gold coins per loaf?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woodrow nodded, equally puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah presented an innocent smile. \"Three gold coins was the old price. The new price is four golden coins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inflation, supply chain issues, you know how it is.\" Noah shrugged, knowing full well they understood none of those terms. \"If you don't want it, I can return them to the shelf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Let's see how badly you want that healing bread. To learn a lesson you need to pay a price. You would be dreaming if you think i will let you go without extorting some extra cash'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want it, I want it.\" He sighed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>taking out two additional coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excellent choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight golden coins clinked onto the counter. This time, Noah made no move to stop the transaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bread moved to their hands while Woodrow shot Noah one final apologetic look before they departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Your idle income has been updated!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Daily Revenue: $1,400]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Four gold coins per loaf. Beautiful.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, his employees watched with varying degrees of awe and amusement. Even Grix seemed impressed by the casual way Noah had made the man pay extra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed with a satisfied chime, leaving Noah counting his unexpected windfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the door closed, Kip exploded like a dam bursting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir Noah, you're amazing for making that old hag pay more! He deserved it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young cat-boy's tail bristled as his yellow-green eyes blazed with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alissa's eyes narrowed with maternal disapproval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kip, don't be rude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He deserved it!\" Kip's voice cracked with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you hear what he called us? Stray kittens! His hairline is astray because I don't think anyone here saw it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah barely controlled his laugh that almost escaped without his consent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He masked it with a quick cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kid's got a good joke. I will give him that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alissa reached over, stroking the fluff between his ears with her gentle fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're better than that. That's not how you've been raised.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar gesture worked its magic. Kip's bristling fur gradually smoothed, though his scowl remained firmly in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's right,\" Noah agreed. \"But I appreciate your defensiveness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing wrong with a little righteous anger on behalf of his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah reached into his coin pouch, producing two golden pieces. He placed one in Grix's startled hands, then offered the other to the siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's this for?\" Alissa's ears twitched with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your share from the old man's money,\" Noah's grin turned mischievous. \"Consider it a customer service bonus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grix stared at the coin like it might vanish. \"For... for Grix?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For all of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that old man knew you guys took his money, he would've puked a mouthful of blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The image hit them simultaneously. Kip's sullen expression cracked first, a snort escaping his attempts at dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alissa covered her mouth with her delicate fingers, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grix's wheeze turned into full-blown cackles. \"Old master turn purple when angry! This man probably turn green!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like a sick goblin!\" Kip added, dissolving into giggles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kip!\" Alissa scolded, but her own laughter betrayed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's terrible!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension from earlier melted away completely. Their small shop filled with the sound of genuine mirth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah watched his employees enjoy their unexpected windfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few hours passed by before the familiar chime announced their next customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you miss me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Elara swept through the doorway, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Her lips curved in a knowing smile, one eyebrow arched in inquiry as she awaited Noah's response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That expression screams trouble.' Noah thought, staring at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face flushed crimson as reality crashed down. Multiple pairs of eyes stared back at her—not just Noah, but his entire collection of employees arranged throughout the small shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Way to make an entrance, Your Highness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noah grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the embarrassment lasted exactly one second before her gaze locked onto Kip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So cute!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess practically floated across the floor, stopping directly in front of the young cat-boy.\u003C\u002Fp>",1010,"2026-06-09T06:05:14.055Z",1,"novelbin.me","baaeebc13111f63eb050ec780a56ff11e0b700701abe8a9395a01122733334ff","idle-tycoon-system-chapter-37","idle-tycoon-system-chapter-35",438,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fidle-tycoon-system-cover.jpg"]