A Big Deal

"Bob, have you had many people coming into the shop these past few days?" Best asked, hands behind his back, standing in front of the counter of his card repair shop with an air of authority.

Bob took out the ledger and replied, "The first few days after opening, there were quite a few people, and many brought spirit cards for repair. It's slowed down a bit these last few days; not many people have come in, and even fewer for repairs."

"No need to rush, no need to rush. We're a new shop, this situation is normal," Best said gently, trying to reassure him. "Both Sane and I are old hands at card repair. The neighbors and folks around here will definitely trust our skills. Old Sam is gone, Little Sam's Card Shop will go out of business sooner or later."

"This morning when I passed by, I noticed Little Sam's Card Shop has already hired new card masters. They even hired a delivery person and a cook."

"Haha, that kid Duke has lost his mind. Business was snatched away by me, and he's hiring so many people. It'll be bankrupt in two to three months!"

However, a few more days passed.

Best looked at his card repair shop, completely empty of customers, his expression growing increasingly grim. "Bob, you and your son go check out Little Sam's Card Shop. See if they have anyone coming in for repairs either. Why haven't we seen a single person these past few days!"

Bob didn't really want to go to Little Sam's Card Shop; he felt it would be too awkward.

But he had to go.

The father and son secretly went to investigate and then rushed back in great alarm. "Boss, something big has happened!"

"What is it?"

"Little Duke has taken people all over the nearby streets and alleys, saying they're offering an 'at-home service' and have collected all the spirit cards people need repaired!"

Best was shocked when he heard this. "At-home service? Collected all the spirit cards? How, how, how can he do that!"

Bob replied with a grimace, "I asked a few households. They said they could also bring their spirit cards to Best's Card Repair Shop for repair, but these people trust Little Sam's Card Shop more... Boss, you know, Old Sam has been running his shop since Snakehead Town, or even the small market. The neighbors are already used to Little Sam's Card Shop."

Snakehead Town was established during the Pioneer War.

Before the Pioneer War ended, it was a logistics hub. Later, it gradually evolved into a trading market, and only after it was enfeget to the Black Snake Family was Snakehead Town officially established.

It can be said that many people had already moved to Snakehead Town when Little Sam's Card Shop already existed.

After so many years, it had become a fixed choice for many people.

"Damn it!" Best stomped his feet in frustration. "You go now, take all the apprentices with you. That kid Duke is going door to door, you do the same, and bring all the customers back!"

"This..."

"What, you're unwilling?" Best asked coldly.

Bob quickly waved his hands. "No, no, it's not that. I'm just afraid it'll be a wasted trip. Little Duke has already collected cards once."

"Then we'll prepare for the next time cards break. At worst, we'll charge a little less for repairs," Best paced back and forth in front of the counter. "You used to be the counter person at Little Sam's Card Shop, so you're familiar with the neighbors. And I was a card master at Little Sam's Card Shop, my repair quality is guaranteed. Why can't we snatch customers!"

"Then... the counter here..."

"I'll watch the counter. How many customers can possibly come now!"

Bob had no choice but to gather a few apprentices and hurriedly began their street-sweeping operation.

"Dutlan, deliver this lantern card to Mr. Leaf's home at 277 Fine Rain Alley. The repair fee is 1 silver dragon and 16 copper dragons. Remember to get Mr. Leaf's signature for confirmation."

At Little Sam's Card Shop, Sally, the counter person, quickly wrapped a spirit card covered in a new sheath.

Dutlan, who was resting by the door, immediately jogged over. "Leave it to me!"

As soon as Dutlan left, Mrs. Sally wrapped another spirit card. "Steve, it's your turn to deliver this. This Spirit Storage Card goes to 297 Second Vertical Street, Doupa Clothing Store. Just get the store clerk to sign for the repair fee."

"Okay, Lisa," Steve quickly got up.

Duke, who was in workstation number four studying a scrapped spirit card, looked up at the busy staff and was very satisfied with the current pace of Little Sam's Card Shop.

After several consecutive days of taking Dutlan and Steve out for street canvassing.

Not only had they stabilized their customer base, but they had also become familiar faces among the neighbors.

Essentially, after this round of street canvassing, Old Sam's years of accumulated reputation would smoothly transition to him. If they continued to maintain the quality of repairs and service, Duke would be invincible.

Reputation.

In this era without advertising, it had an enormous impact on a shop.

"What Old Sam left me that's most valuable isn't the shop, but this signboard. Best doesn't see this, which is why he's in such a hurry to open a new shop and try to poach me."

Duke didn't take Best's anxiety too seriously.

Best had limited connections and methods; he was no match for him in normal competition.

"However, being played like this by Best means I've earned a lot less money," Duke thought with some regret.

Originally, Little Sam's Card Shop could earn a whole gold dragon every month. Now, although the customer base was stable, the increased profit sharing and additional wages, along with other expenses, had reduced the net profit to less than half a gold dragon.

"A 1-Ring spiritual plant can easily cost dozens of gold dragons. Even a 0-Ring spiritual plant that can regulate the Spirituality and energy field costs several gold dragons..."

Spiritual plants were goods that were available but hard to find.

They were basically monopolized by major families, with only a small amount entering the market, hence the frighteningly high prices.

"I'm currently cultivating the Blank Paper Meditation, and the speed at which I condense Spirit Liquid is getting slower and slower. I must get a spiritual plant as soon as possible to set up a Spirituality and energy field in my small courtyard."

Just as he was thinking this.

A customer walked into the shop and asked as soon as they entered, "Can you help me purchase spirit cards here?"

Sally immediately replied with a smile, "Yes, our shop goes to Chen Jiao City every week to stock up. If you need any spirit cards purchased, you can pay a deposit and we'll buy them for you."

"Are you the boss?"

"I'm not. Our boss is over there," Sally pointed towards the repair area.

The customer said directly, "I want to talk to your boss."

When Duke walked over, the customer couldn't help but frown, "You're the boss? You're too young."

"Being young doesn't mean I'm unreliable. May I ask your name, sir?" Duke showed no signs of nervousness. "Our Little Sam's Card Shop offers a proxy purchasing service. For large quantities, we can sign a contract."

"Is that so?" The customer thought for a moment. "My name is Rony."

"Mister Rony, please have a seat and let's chat."

Sally brought over some tea, and Rony waited for her to leave.

He then stated the spirit cards he needed purchased: "I need ten Arcane Cards. Five of them are Ice Cone Cards, three are Mage Hand, and two are Illusion Cards... You must purchase these Arcane Cards from the United Card Shop in Chen Jiao City. According to the market price, it's a total of 27 gold dragons. I can offer half a gold dragon as a reward."

Duke was both shocked and delighted. Ten Arcane Cards, worth 27 gold dragons, with half a gold dragon as a reward – this was a huge deal.

However, he controlled his expression well, only showing a slight, appropriate hint of surprise.

Rony stared at Duke's expression, somewhat surprised by his calmness, and added, "Also, you can negotiate the price. Any amount you save will be added to your reward."

A new month, requesting monthly tickets and follow-ups~