"Another day without business."
Lin Jie sighed, poured himself another cup of tea, and opened the book in his hand.
Days without business are a common occurrence for him.
Almost three days have passed since the last time Lao Wang and the young lady borrowed books, and during these three days, no customers came to the store.
The continuous heavy rain on the streets outside made us lose track of time.
For several days in a row, the weather in the upper city was gloomy. Except for the neighbors who came out to buy some food in the beginning, no one came out after that.
The streets were completely silent, with only the crackling sounds of rain and flowing water, making one wonder if they were living in an aquarium and the ocean was outside.
The water on the road has risen to an average height of about ten centimeters, but fortunately Street 23 is located in a relatively high area.
I heard on the news that residents of about thirty streets in Nokin have been forced to temporarily relocate to other neighborhoods. It's really tragic.
Such abnormal weather has only occurred a few times in Nokin's history .
However, for Lin Jie, apart from the fact that the weather was a bit cold and he needed to wear a coat, there was basically no difference from his usual life.
As for food, he always stored more than three months' worth in the basement, so he didn't have to worry about it at all.
Energy, he has backup generators.
As for whether it will be boring, that is simply nonsense.
He has the entire earth's library here. Even if one uses quantum speed reading, there is absolutely no way to finish reading it, let alone someone like him who carefully studies every book and takes notes.
Although Lin Jie does not have a reading addiction, his habit of collecting books has more or less brought him some of this problem, and reading has become a habit over the years.
As a person who is very much a homebody , this kind of life is simply heaven... except there is no money.
"But I have to thank that little black girl for my barely adequate living now. If she hadn't sponsored my bookstore and given me a formal business license and temporary residence permit, I don't know where I would be now."
Lin Jie turned another page, feeling somewhat disappointed: "Come to think of it, she hasn't been to the bookstore for a long time."
The previous guests all seemed to be busy people.
Although we all have a good relationship with him, it usually takes a long time for us to visit him. There are basically no people like Lao Wang.
For example, his first customer, the dark-skinned, white-haired girl named Qili .
Ever since that time when she came to the bookstore in a state of dismay because of school bullying, and received psychological counseling from Lin Jie, who recommended a book called "Nonviolent Communication", she has never come back since then.
Maybe it's because I'm busy with my studies.
But being able to get someone like him—an unlicensed operator running an illegal business—to set up an official shop directly, and even land a huge sponsorship fee in one go, it must be a young lady of Ji Zhixu's standing.
Now, with no customers coming to the door, the weather being so terrible, and that unknown entity having not shown up again since it made a brief appearance last time.
Lin Jie finally felt that he had a mission as a time traveler, but suddenly he became a useless person again.
During these three days, I have been looking through all my previously published works.
After all, what he needs to spread is the book he wrote, so he has to think carefully about how to recommend it.
It is difficult to recommend this kind of academic work to others.
As I said, people like Lao Wang who have the right professional background are ultimately a minority.
"jingle."
The doorbell suddenly rang.
Lin Jie, who was thinking, said subconsciously: "Welcome."
He closed the book and looked up, only to see that the woman who came in was Ji Zhixu, whom he had just met not long ago. He was stunned for a moment, then smiled a business smile.
It is true that when you speak of Cao Cao, he appears.
I was just mumbling about how there weren't many customers like Lao Wang, and suddenly a returning customer came.
And it's only been three days since the last time, right?
Could it be that his bookstore business is finally going to pick up? !
This lady might be a koi fish that can bring fortune, and she should be nurtured well.
With this mentality, Lin Jie's smile deepened a little: "Ah, it turns out to be Miss Zhixu . My run-down bookstore has never had a customer come back in such a short time before. You are the first one."
Ji Zhixu bit her lip and suddenly felt embarrassed and ashamed.
Even though She had received such strong and effective guidance—she should have solved everything in one go, yet she still came to the bookstore for help midway.
Perhaps she is the most useless one among the so-called "customers" of the bookstore owner?
She could feel that the bookstore owner was not mocking her, but rather that his smile showed tolerance and encouragement for the child.
But the more this happened, the more ashamed and embarrassed she felt.
"I'm sorry I disappointed you."
Ji Zhixu touched his ears which were a little hot, walked to the counter and sat down.
Her eyes couldn't help but fall on the statue that suddenly appeared on the counter, and her heart skipped a beat. A wizard's gargoyle?
That evil, devil-like black statue, no matter how you look at it, is indeed a very common gargoyle that wizards use.
Although no ether fluctuations were felt, this bookstore had not had any ether fluctuations from the beginning. It was just like an ordinary bookstore.
However, the bookstore owner was able to produce books like "Blood and Beasts" that were full of mysteries.
From this we can see that it is not that it does not really exist, but that it is hidden too well.
"Boss, is this where you want to bring me?"
Ryan also pushed the door open, looked around with some confusion and said, "Bookstore?"
He looked again at Lin Jie who was sitting behind the counter - an ordinary person?
But he didn't say it out loud, but swallowed his doubts for the time being, because he saw Ji Zhixu's respectful expression and attitude.
Lin Jie felt a little surprised. He actually brought someone else with him?
He looked at Ji Zhixu: "Who is this?"
Ji Zhixu was a little nervous. She waved her hand to signal Ryan to be quiet, thinking to herself, would the bookstore owner be unhappy with her for bringing someone else?
She said, "This is my subordinate. He is absolutely loyal. Please rest assured."
Lin Jie nodded, then looked at Ji Zhixu with some pity.
Poor girl , she has been traumatized by the scumbag , and the introducer has to carry a label of loyalty...
Wait !
If she had completely followed his instructions and taken revenge on the scumbag , she shouldn't be so lacking in confidence now.
And what did she say just now - "I'm sorry to disappoint you."
Lin Jie looked at Ji Zhixu and found that there was indeed a look of shame in his eyes.
Suddenly.
His expression turned serious, and he crossed his hands in a signature manner and asked, "You failed?"