"Eh? It's you!"
When Sara stepped into the store and saw the man behind the counter, she couldn't help blurting out.
She remembered this guy clearly.
He was the one who told her about glowing food, and dishes so good they'd make your clothes explode.
So he's the owner of the manga shop?!
"Welcome, Miss Sara. Here to read manga?"
Han Feng smiled, recognizing her immediately.
"One reading session costs 100,000 Mora. One book per day only."
"Wait, so your shop really gives out rewards?"
Sara walked up to the counter, cautious but clearly hopeful.
As a working-class server, 100,000 Mora wasn't just expensive—it was unthinkably extravagant.
She couldn't afford to be careless.
"Yes."
Han Feng nodded, then explained further.
"But the rewards are random.
You might get a simple everyday item, or a new skill… or even a powerful ability.
It all depends on your luck."
"So it's a luck-based system…"
Sara now understood what was going on.
The telescope and teacup those guests mentioned earlier… must've been the common item tier.
There's a risk involved, sure—
but it was still worth trying at least once.
After weighing the decision carefully, Sara finally made up her mind.
She handed over the 100,000 Mora.
If she got something ordinary, she'd just go back and work extra shifts to earn it back.
But if she got something amazing?
Then it would be totally worth it.
Her eyes glinted with anticipation.
"The manga are over there on the bookshelf,"
Han Feng gestured.
"Got it. Thanks, Boss!"
Sara eagerly walked over to the shelves.
"One Piece – East Blue Arc… Digimon Adventure…"
She browsed, murmuring the titles softly to herself—until she reached the last one.
The cover showed a boy holding a dish in one hand and a knife in the other.
"Cooking Master Boy?"
Sara read the title aloud.
"That's a cooking manga. It's got that glowing dish I mentioned before,"
Han Feng added helpfully when he saw her pick it up.
Truth be told, he really hoped she would receive a food-related ability from it.
Because then—
he might finally get to taste one of those glowing masterpieces himself.
"Wait, a cooking manga… with glowing dishes?!"
Sara's eyes sparkled.
She'd hit the jackpot!
This was exactly the kind of ability she wanted most.
And now, the opportunity was right in front of her.
Heart pounding with anticipation, she took the manga to the side and began reading.
The opening arc of Cooking Master Boy was straightforward:
Liu Maoxing and his older sister Jinling take over the family restaurant "Ju Xia Lou" after their mother passes away.
Soon after, her former disciple Shaoan shows up to challenge them and take over the business.
At the suggestion of a powerful guest, Liu and Shaoan agree to a cooking duel—
which Liu wins, earning recognition and respect.
A typical underdog story—
but for Sara, who had never read a web novel or manga before, it was captivating.
"Poor Liu Maoxing…
Losing his mother, and still trying to hold up the restaurant with his sister…"
"And that Shaoan guy, what a scumbag! Trying to steal someone's inheritance? Despicable!"
"Wait, this is the legendary six-flavor mapo tofu?! It looks so good!..."
Her stomach actually rumbled a little as she stared at the illustrated tofu dish, practically drooling.
She forced herself to keep reading despite the hunger.
Just then—
The shop door opened again.
A familiar group walked in—Lumine, Paimon, Jean, Venti, and Diluc.
"Hehe, Boss! I'm back to read manga again!"
Paimon flew in happily, her voice full of excitement.
She'd been waiting all morning for this moment.
Now, she could finally read manga to her heart's content.
"Welcome, Lumine and little Paimon."
Han Feng put down his teacup and greeted them warmly.
"Boss, here's 200,000 Mora."
Lumine stepped forward and handed over the payment, then quickly dragged Paimon toward the bookshelves.
No time to waste!
So many people had come today—what if the manga ran out?
Even if it didn't, someone else might take the volume she wanted!
Overhearing this, Venti clearly had the same thought and immediately stepped up.
"Boss, I don't need to pay, right?"
After all, he'd spent the morning promoting the manga shop.
That had to count for something!
"…Alright. I'll let it slide today since you brought in some business. But keep it up tomorrow."
Han Feng smiled as he waved him off.
"Ehehe, no problem!"
Venti grinned and darted over to the shelves.
Sure, it had been a bit of work…
But getting to read manga for free? Totally worth it!
Watching him dash off, Han Feng mused to himself:
"If marketing works that well, maybe I should find someone else to help too…"
After all, Venti could only reach so many people.
Barbara might be a perfect choice—
A high-profile figure, beloved across Mondstadt, and practically an idol.
In his past life, someone like her would be called a celebrity.
And nothing sells better than celebrity endorsements.
Definitely worth asking her next time.
Just then, Jean stepped forward.
"Boss, thank you. It was thanks to your reward that we were able to resolve the Stormterror crisis."
Her voice was full of sincerity.
"No need to be so formal. You're all regulars now."
Han Feng smiled and waved dismissively.
"Besides, you paid 100,000 Mora for that reward—it was a fair deal."
"Even so, this debt of gratitude…
The people of Mondstadt will remember it."
Jean returned his smile with calm determination.
Sure, it may have only cost 100,000 Mora to gain that power.
But if it helped save the city, then the value was immeasurable.
And debts of the heart are not measured in coin.
After paying her 100,000 Mora, Jean went to choose her manga.
At this point, Han Feng's gaze turned toward the final person.
"Welcome, Dark Knight Hero of Mondstadt—Diluc."
~~--------------------------------------
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