The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Living Off One’s Savings Is Not a Good Thing

Since the man hadn’t caused her any real harm, she had only taught him a small lesson, not taken his life.

By the time the owner noticed the situation in his store and came out from the back, Shen Lu had already picked out an air purifier.

The owner glanced at the unconscious salesman on the floor and instinctively reached for his lower back.

It was common knowledge that the rear district had poor security. The appliance store owner had not only paid protection fees but also bought a weapon for self-defense, just in case of situations like today where security couldn’t arrive in time.

He couldn’t afford a firearm, but a melee weapon was well within his means.

The owner gripped the hilt of his dagger, warily eyeing the masked girl.

He didn’t know how strong she was, so he didn’t make a rash move.

If she was a Superpower User, even with a dagger, he wouldn’t necessarily be able to win.

Shen Lu pretended to pull a thick stack of Star Coins from her pocket, but she had actually taken them from her inventory.

"Here’s 2,000 Star Coins." Shen Lu pointed at the air purifier. "This unit is priced at 2,488. How about we knock 488 Star Coins off the price, okay?"

"N-No, I can’t!" The owner’s tongue felt a little twisted. "The prices are set by the company. We can’t just change them."

"Really? Just a little cheaper. I won’t tell anyone." Shen Lu’s tone shifted. "Your employee was incredibly rude to me and even tried to attack me. Don’t you think you owe me some compensation for my emotional distress?"

The owner’s eyes went wide.

’His employee is out cold on the floor, and she wants *him* to compensate *her* for emotional distress?’

’I’ve never met someone so shameless!’

Shen Lu narrowed her eyes, studying the owner for a moment. Then, she suddenly pulled down her mask.

"Uncle Zhou, so this is your shop."

Boss Zhou paused, and after getting a clear look at her face, his heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled.

"Xiao Shen, what are you doing here?"

Boss Zhou was one of her food stall’s very first customers. Shen Lu remembered him because he always ordered the works every time he came.

"The downpour is making everything stink. My landlord suggested I buy an air purifier."

Shen Lu briefly explained why she was there. "Uncle Zhou, you know it’s not easy for me to make money. Just waive the odd 488, will you?"

"Since when is 488 ’the odd change’? You might as well just ask me to bleed myself dry."

Business was business, and Boss Zhou didn’t mince words when it came to deals.

"But your employee..." Shen Lu pressed her case.

"Alright, alright, I’ll knock off 200 at most." Boss Zhou was all too familiar with his employee’s rotten attitude; if the guy weren’t a relative, he would’ve been fired long ago. "But Xiao Shen, you have to give me a little something too. I’m not trying to take advantage of you. How about you just throw in an extra serving of malatang for me from now on?"

Shen Lu counted out another 488 Star Coins. "Alright, 2,488 Star Coins. Could you get me a new one, please?"

Rules were made to be followed. If Shen Lu gave Boss Zhou an extra serving of malatang just to save 200 Star Coins, others would start expecting the same.

That would be a much greater loss for her in the long run.

Boss Zhou felt it was a bit of a shame, but there was nothing he could do if she didn’t accept his proposal.

"Sure, I’ll go to the stockroom and get it for you."

Shen Lu put her mask back on. Once Boss Zhou brought out a new unit, they made the exchange—cash for goods.

The machine was packed in styrofoam, which happened to be waterproof. Shen Lu put on her raincoat, hoisted the air purifier, and started walking back to her rented room.

The trip back was shorter; Shen Lu was back in her room in less than an hour and a half.

The water in the room had mostly receded, with only a few shallow puddles remaining in the low spots.

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