LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 102: The First Day of Business
The safe zone commander was equally helpless. After all, their relationship with Kim Haru was a cooperative one, and they couldn't just lock him in the safe zone and refuse to let him leave. Plus, if Mr. Kim really wanted to go out and the search team was unwilling to take him, what if he found a random group on his own?
That would make guaranteeing his safety even more difficult.
In the end, they could only assign a few more high-level ability users to the logistics team's squad to try their best to ensure Kim Haru's safety.
Unaware of the safe zone commander's inner turmoil, Kim Haru was currently busy checking the day's earnings at his shop.
A total of 1,500 pounds of potatoes had been stocked, and in just a short amount of time, 1,005 pounds had already sold, earning 12,060 crystal cores. The soybeans, which were less filling than the potatoes, hadn't sold as much, but 32 out of 50 pounds had been sold, netting him 960 crystal cores.
The cheaper potato and soybean leaves had also nearly sold out, generating 235 crystal cores in profit, which meant a total of 43 pounds of leaves had been sold.
Looking at the sparse remaining stock in the shop, with even the shelves appearing empty, Kim Haru was stunned.
At this rate of sales, how could he possibly grow enough crops to keep up?
Should he hire some help?
But Kim Haru didn't want to hire anyone.
Just the thought of people walking around his farm, chatting and laughing, made him feel uneasy.
...If only there were farming robots.
Kim Haru sighed.
Hwa Jian was getting increasingly nervous.
Today was Hwa Jian's first day on the job, and he was terrified of not performing well. He had been anxious the entire afternoon, worried that someone might have stolen vegetables when he wasn't looking, or that he might have made mistakes in the accounting.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that his ability had some use after all.
His sharp sensitivity to numbers allowed Hwa Jian, despite his heightened anxiety, to avoid making any errors in the books.
As for potential vegetable theft? Well, to be honest, there really had been people thinking about doing just that at first. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire
The vegetable thief didn't even have time to hide the stolen goods before being reported.
What a joke! Despite how many vegetables seemed to be in the store, there weren't nearly enough to meet demand. If people started stealing, wouldn't there be even less for everyone else to buy?
With that thought in mind, everyone crowded into the shop was being watched by numerous pairs of eyes from outside, just waiting for someone to try stealing so they could be thrown out and free up a spot for others.
As for why those outside were willing to wait patiently without causing a scene? That was thanks to the patrol team.
The patrol team's headquarters in Second District had been relocated, and everyone knew why. Shortly afterward, a clear order was issued from above: the Green Basket Vegetable Shop must receive special attention and be fully protected.
Once the shop opened, various patrol teams were assigned to make regular rounds. As the crowd grew, they eventually stationed a whole team right next to the shop, openly acting as bodyguards.
With such an obvious display of support, how could anyone not understand the situation?
This shop had serious backing, and not just any small-time support either!
Even though the only worker inside was a low-level ability user, no one dared to act recklessly, no matter how strong they were.
All in all, the first day of business went smoothly.
The only one nervous was Hwa Jian, as he faced Kim Haru during the end-of-day accounting. He was terrified that he hadn't sold enough or that something had gone wrong.
Mr. Kim even sighed!
Oh no, it must be because he hadn't sold all the vegetables, and Mr. Kim was disappointed.
Hwa Jian bowed his head and apologized, "I'm sorry, sir. I've let you down. Please punish me."
Kim Haru: "...?"
Punish you for what? For selling too many vegetables too quickly? If any other shop owners heard that, they'd probably roll their eyes and call him "humble-bragger."
"You've worked hard. Clean up and head home," Kim Haru said, pointing to the vegetables scattered by customers. "Take two pounds of potatoes for yourself, today's meal."
Having avoided punishment and even being reminded to take ingredients home, Hwa Jian felt more and more grateful.
"Don't worry, sir! I will work hard!"
He decided that tomorrow, he would ask his friend Han Gwonhee to come and help. There was no need for Mr. Kim to provide extra food; Hwa Jian would share his own portion. Since Mr. Kim trusted him so much, he was determined to protect the shop well!
Kim Haru didn't know what to say, so he chose to say nothing. He took the second Sound-Transmitting Snail he'd received from Jang Dojang and set it up by the cash register and following the method he had taught him.
"I won't be coming every day, so use this to contact me if anything comes up. You know how to use it, right?"
Hwa Jian nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, I know."
The Sound-Transmitting Snail had been the talk of the people when its functions were first discovered, so naturally, Hwa Jian had learned how to use it long ago. But it was difficult to acquire one, and until now, he had never owned one himself.
Unexpectedly, he now had the privilege of using one thanks to Mr. Kim.
His resolve to ask Han Gwonhee to come help grew even stronger.
His own combat ability was far too weak, so he'd ask his good friend to help protect the shop for a while. In the meantime, Hwa Jian planned to train himself to guard both the Sound-Transmitting Snail and the vegetables properly.
Kim Haru had no idea he was about to gain some free labor. Before Hwa Jian could finish tidying up the shop, Kim Haru left.