Chapter 39: Fate Brings Us Together

Players are truly unreliable!

The previous one, who had a promising future as a beggar, ran off to the City Lord's Mansion to become a Dark Guard.

This apprentice, whom he had just offered some guidance, had inexplicably started to hate him...

Every single one of them is sick in the head.

Should he replace him?

Lin Bai said gloomily, but then he thought, it makes no difference whether he replaces him or not; all players are cut from the same cloth. Where would he find a player who listens one hundred percent? It would be good enough if they didn't stab him in the back.

Moreover, 【Deng Li Buduo】 hadn't provided any Negative Emotion for a long time.

In just this short while, he had watered his little sapling three times; this guy is a treasure, too!

Besides, he had been quite handy to use these past few days; it would be a pity to discard him. He had to squeeze him dry of all his value to make it worthwhile.

"It's good that you're back. Tidy up and get ready to start your shift! The restaurant has opened a night session today, so your sleep time might have to be cut short," Lin Bai pretended that nothing had happened. "Any problems?"

He really had let his guard down against him! 【Deng Li Buduo】 breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed: "No problem."

【Guilt from Deng Li Buduo; +1】

You little rascal, your psychological changes are quite complex!

First resentment, then guilt—what kind of thing are you planning to do to wrong me?

While analyzing 【Deng Li Buduo】's mental journey, Lin Bai instructed: "Zhang Bao and Da Shan are tired after a full day, so they've both gone back. The night session will mainly be hosted by Lao Song's family. Little Deng, your task is the same as during the day: stay at the entrance and maintain order. The shop isn't very large, so don't let too many people in."

"Your disciple obeys your command, Master." 【Deng Li Buduo】 had flashes of Lin Bai's earnest teachings in his mind and bowed respectfully to Lin Bai.

Even though Lin Bai said the ghosts in the shop had already been tamed by the experts from Huilong Temple, in the hearts of most people, ghosts remained terrifying existences, born of the unknown and deep-seated impressions.

It was just like how most snakes don't hurt people, yet when people encounter a snake, they still feel afraid involuntarily.

Therefore.

For the ghost-served meal project launched by Kitchen God Rice Divination, most ordinary people chose to watch the excitement from afar—watching the excitement of Lin Bai, and watching the excitement of the first person to enter the Haunted House to eat.

One's life is one's own; what is the reputation of Huilong Temple worth?

To lose one's life just to experience a ghost-served meal—how not worth it.

Furthermore.

It was already dark, and the Daoist Qingxu, who was supposed to be overseeing the restaurant, hadn't appeared yet. Without a safety officer, who would dare go in to eat?

Lin Bai scanned the crowd holding lanterns from afar, shook his head, and entered the restaurant.

Inside the shop, candles flickered, creating a quiet and secluded atmosphere.

Song Jinnan's family was shadowy under the candlelight; they drifted back and forth nervously, all appearing at a loss.

"Boss, will anyone really come?" Song Jinnan asked.

Humans are social animals, and that is no different after becoming ghosts. Having been lonely and secluded in the small building for three years, Lao Song's family felt both panicked and expectant about re-integrating into society.

"Don't worry. As long as the first person to eat the crab leaves safely, the people after will come in an endless stream," Lin Bai smiled.

"Brother Lin, if others are eating, isn't it bad for us to suddenly change our faces?" Song Ling asked timidly.

"It's only bad if you don't change your faces," Lin Bai said. "You must understand the customers' psychology. Do you really think they are here to eat? They are here to eat the thrill, to eat the experience. If you act just like normal people, why would we charge such high prices? Therefore, blow out the lights when you should, and change your faces when you should. The most important thing is that Lao Song must block the door well; even if they are scared to the point of wetting themselves, you must make them settle the bill before they leave..."

"I'll listen to Brother Lin," Song Ling blinked and said playfully.

Ever since Lin Bai arrived, her life seemed to have gained color, and her heart had long since shifted from her parents to Lin Bai.

"Keep it up," Lin Bai smiled slightly and made a gesture of encouragement.

At this moment.

A familiar voice came from the entrance: "Shopkeeper Lin, is there a discount for singing at night?"

"Look, the guests are here," Lin Bai raised his eyebrows, stood up, and went to greet them. "Young Master Song is a regular customer; I'll give you a discount even if you don't sing."

Outside the shop were Song Qing and Zhu Huan, the first batch of people to support Lin Bai's business.

"The Daoist from Huilong Temple hasn't come to oversee things; isn't Young Master Song afraid?" Lin Bai said as he walked.

"Whether the Daoist comes or not doesn't matter. The key is that I trust Shopkeeper Lin. Without absolute certainty, how would the shopkeeper dare to open a night session..." Song Qing poked his head and looked into the shop, his expression eager to try.

While speaking.

Lin Bai arrived at the entrance.

"It's you?" A voice filled with anger came from behind Song Qing.

【Anger from Luo Congwen; +1+1+1...】

Well then.

Another acquaintance!

Standing behind Song Qing was none other than the restaurant's angel investor, Young Master Luo.

The moment he saw Luo Congwen, Lin Bai's face immediately brimmed with a warm smile. He cupped his hands and said, "Where in life do we not meet? Young Master Luo, we truly have a connection!"

"Brother Luo, do you know each other?" Song Qing asked curiously.

"More than just know each other?" Luo Congwen glared at Lin Bai and gritted his teeth. "He is the very scoundrel I told you about who swindled me out of two hundred taels of silver."

【Deng Li Buduo】 glanced at Lin Bai. Shopkeeper, just how many dirty deeds have you done? It wouldn't be a bit unjust to kill you!

Song Qing looked at Lin Bai in surprise.

Lin Bai shook his head and looked at Luo Congwen with a smile: "Brother Luo, you foolish child! We formed a bond because of ghosts and met again because of ghosts. At this point, do you still think I am an ordinary person?"

"..." Luo Congwen was stunned.

"Let's step aside to talk." Lin Bai cupped his hands to apologize to Song Qing and the others, walked two steps to the side, stood perfectly beside 【Deng Li Buduo】, and smiled as he beckoned to Luo Congwen.

Luo Congwen looked up at the pitch-black Kitchen God Rice Divination, then at Lin Bai. After hesitating for a moment, he walked to his side: "What do you want to do again?"

"I have come to save you, Brother Luo," Lin Bai lowered his voice and smiled.

Such a familiar line of reasoning; 【Deng Li Buduo】's ears pricked up instantly.

"Save me?" Luo Congwen looked up at Lin Bai.

"Does Young Master Luo still remember what your dream is?" Lin Bai asked.

"To cultivate immortality." Luo Congwen blurted out.

"Brother Luo, have you ever wondered why I specifically came to your door to tell you those things about the Cultivation World?" Lin Bai smiled. "Why, after taking your silver, did I not go far away, but instead opened a restaurant in a Haunted House not far from you? How could an ordinary storyteller know so much about the Cultivation World? How would a storyteller dare to open a shop in a Haunted House, and even dare to let ghosts serve the guests?"

"..." Luo Congwen's breathing suddenly quickened, and he pointed at Lin Bai excitedly, "You... you..."

Lin Bai's eyes held a smile as he nodded and said, "If one never forgets, there will be an echo. Young Master Luo, immortality saves those with affinity!"

Immortality?

Deng Li Buduo also held his breath. Was Lin Bai's background this significant?

Could he really kill the shopkeeper?

No.

It wasn't real.

He was at most on the same level as Daoist Qingfeng, a novice village level; how powerful could he really be?

"I beg Master to teach me..." Luo Congwen realized in an instant and lifted his front robes to kneel on the ground, but before he could bend his knees, his arms were already supported by Lin Bai.

Luo Congwen used all his might, but he simply could not kneel down, and he couldn't help but believe Lin Bai's words three parts more.

"Young Master Luo, the affinity has not yet arrived!" Lin Bai looked at Luo Congwen and said softly, "Only those who practice the Dao and possess benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness in full can achieve success. Young Master Luo has barely passed the test of having a firm will."

"That day, Young Master Luo could not distinguish cause and effect and drove me away; your wisdom and benevolence were completely lost."

"Lacking wisdom makes one easily seduced by demons; lacking a heart of benevolence, one will persecute the common people once they learn the Dao Method."

"Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness; gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and yielding—if you want to step onto the path of cultivation, Young Master Luo, you are still lacking much. Kneeling to me now is useless..."

"Is it enough if I achieve these?" Luo Congwen was not discouraged in the slightest and asked with a trembling voice.

"Naturally." Lin Bai nodded. "Young Master Luo coming to the Kitchen God Rice Divination today is also due to affinity, which is why I am offering Brother Luo some guidance. Otherwise, Brother Luo's affinity for immortality would have already been missed."

Can I tell you that the reason I came here is because of Nie Xiaoqian?

That's it!

He just said that the affinity was formed because of a ghost, and they met because of a ghost!

This is affinity!

Luo Congwen's face turned red, and he sheepishly cupped his hands: "Many thanks for Brother Lin's guidance. If one day I can step onto the path of immortality, I will definitely reward Brother Lin handsomely."

Shopkeeper, wasn't it agreed that you would take me as your disciple?

Why are you still casting your net?

To the side, Deng Li Buduo widened his eyes, a thick sense of crisis rising in his heart. The matter of the Gentleman's Virtue must be hurried; having invested so much, it would be too unjust to lose to an NPC in the end.

【Joy from Luo Congwen; +1】

【Resentment from Deng Li Buduo; +1+1】

(End of chapter)