Fate brought us together

Players really were unreliable!

The last fellow had abandoned a promising future as a Beggar to become a covert guard at the City Lord's Residence.

He had only just given this disciple a few pointers, and somehow the boy had started hating him...

Every last one of them had something seriously wrong with them.

Should I replace him?

Lin Bai wondered gloomily, but on second thought, replacing him would make no difference. All players were cut from the same rotten cloth. Where would he find one who obeyed him completely? He would be lucky if they didn't stab him in the back.

Besides, [Deng Libuduo] hadn't supplied any negative emotions for quite some time.

In this brief span alone, he had watered Lin Bai's little sapling three times. This guy was a damned treasure trove, too!

What's more, he had proved quite handy these past few days. Discarding him would be such a waste. Lin Bai had to squeeze out every last drop of his value to make it worthwhile.

"Good to have you back. Tidy yourself up and get ready for work! The restaurant has started its Night Service today, so we may have to cut into your sleeping hours." Lin Bai pretended nothing had happened. "Any problems with that?"

He really has let his guard down around me! [Deng Libuduo] breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed. "No problem."

[Guilt from Deng Libuduo; +1]

Well, well, your feelings certainly are complicated!

First resentment, then guilt. Are you planning to do something to wrong me?

As Lin Bai analyzed [Deng Libuduo]'s emotional journey, he gave his instructions. "Zhang Bao and Dashan were worn out after working all day, so they've gone home. Old Song's Family will handle most of the Night Service. Little Deng, your job is the same as during the day: maintain order at the entrance. The restaurant isn't big, so don't let too many people in."

"My master has commanded; how could I dare disobey?" Lin Bai's earnest teachings flashed through [Deng Libuduo]'s mind, and he bowed respectfully to him.

Even though Lin Bai had said the Ghosts in his restaurant had been tamed by an expert from the Returning Dragon Temple, most people still found Ghosts terrifying, thanks to the unknown and their ingrained impressions.

It was much like how most snakes didn't harm people, yet people still couldn't help feeling afraid when they encountered one.

And so.

For the Ghost table service launched by the Chef God Restaurant, most ordinary people chose to watch the spectacle from afar—to watch Lin Bai's spectacle, and that of whoever first entered the Haunted House to eat.

Their lives were their own. What did the Returning Dragon Temple's reputation count for?

Losing their lives just to experience being served by Ghosts would hardly be worth it.

Besides.

It was already dark, and Daoist Qingxu, who was supposed to oversee the restaurant, still hadn't appeared. Without someone ensuring their safety, who dared go inside to eat?

Lin Bai glanced at the distant crowd watching with lanterns in hand, shook his head, and went into the restaurant.

Inside, candlelight glimmered in the quiet stillness.

Song Jinnan and his family looked shadowy and indistinct in the candlelight. They floated nervously to and fro, all at a loss over what to do.

"Shop Owner, will anyone really come?" Song Jinnan asked.

Humans were social creatures, and becoming ghosts didn't change that. After three years of lonely confinement in the little building, Old Song's Family felt both frightened and eager at the prospect of rejoining society.

"Don't worry. Once the first person brave enough to eat a crab gets out safely, the rest will come in an endless stream," Lin Bai said with a smile.

"Brother Lin, isn't it a little wrong for us to suddenly change our faces while people are eating?" Song Ling asked timidly.

"Not changing your faces would be wrong," Lin Bai said. "You need to understand your customers' minds. Do you really think they're here for a meal? They're here to feast on thrills, on experiences. If you're no different from normal people, what right do we have to charge so much? So blow out the lights when you should, and change your faces when you should. Most importantly, Old Song must keep the door blocked. Even if they wet themselves with fright, make them settle their bills before leaving..."

"I'll do as you say, Brother Lin." Song Ling blinked playfully.

Ever since Lin Bai had arrived, her life seemed to have gained color. Her heart had long since shifted from her parents to him.

"You can do it." Lin Bai smiled and made an encouraging gesture.

Just then.

A familiar voice came from the doorway. "Shopkeeper Lin, do we get a discount for singing at night?"

"See? Here come our customers." Lin Bai raised his eyebrows, got up, and went out to greet them. "Young Master Song is a regular. You get a discount even without singing."

Outside stood Song Qing and Zhu Huan, the first people who had supported Lin Bai's business.

"The Daoist from the Returning Dragon Temple isn't here to oversee things. Aren't you afraid, Young Master Song?" Lin Bai asked as he walked.

"It doesn't matter whether the Daoist comes. What matters is that I trust you, Shopkeeper Lin. Without absolute confidence, how would you dare open for Night Service...?" Song Qing craned his neck to peer into the restaurant, looking eager to try it.

As they spoke.

Lin Bai reached the doorway.

"It's you?" an angry voice came from behind Song Qing.

[Anger from Luo Congwen; +1+1+1...]

Well, now.

Another familiar face!

Standing behind Song Qing was none other than the restaurant's angel investor, Young Master Luo.

The instant Lin Bai saw Luo Congwen, a warm smile spread across his face. He cupped his hands in greeting. "Where in life do we not meet again? Young Master Luo, fate truly does bind us together!"

"Brother Luo, you know each other?" Song Qing asked in puzzlement.

"Know each other? That's putting it mildly!" Luo Congwen glared at Lin Bai and said through gritted teeth, "He's the scoundrel I told you about, the one who swindled me out of two hundred taels of silver."

[Deng Libuduo] glanced at Lin Bai. Shopkeeper, just how many dirty deeds have you done? You wouldn't be wronged in the slightest if I stabbed you!

Song Qing looked at Lin Bai in astonishment.

Lin Bai shook his head and smiled at Luo Congwen. "Brother Luo, you foolish child! Ghosts brought us together, and ghosts have brought us together again. Even now, do you still think I'm an ordinary man?"

"..." Luo Congwen froze.

"May I have a word in private?" Lin Bai cupped his hands apologetically toward Song Qing and the others, then took two steps aside, positioning himself perfectly beside [Deng Libuduo]. Smiling, he beckoned to Luo Congwen.

Luo Congwen looked up at the pitch-dark Chef God Restaurant, then at Lin Bai. After a moment's hesitation, he walked over. "What are you trying to do now?"

"I came to guide you to the Dao, Brother Luo," Lin Bai said with a smile, lowering his voice.

Such a familiar line of reasoning. [Deng Libuduo]'s ears instantly pricked up.

"Guide me?" Luo Congwen looked up at Lin Bai.

"Young Master Luo, do you still remember your dream?" Lin Bai asked.

"To cultivate immortality," Luo Congwen blurted out.

"Brother Luo, have you ever wondered why I made a point of visiting you to tell you about the cultivation world?" Lin Bai smiled. "Why, after taking your silver, did I not go far away, but instead open a restaurant in the Haunted House near you? How could an ordinary storyteller know so much about the cultivation world? What storyteller would dare open a business in a haunted house, much less have Ghosts serve his customers?"

"..." Luo Congwen's breathing suddenly quickened. He pointed excitedly at Lin Bai. "You... you..."

With a smile in his eyes, Lin Bai nodded. "Hold something in your heart without forgetting, and an answer will surely echo back. Young Master Luo, immortals guide those bound to them by fate!"

An immortal?

[Deng Libuduo] held his breath, too. Does Lin Bai really have such an impressive background?

Can I really kill the shopkeeper?

No.

It isn't true.

At most, he's on Qingfeng Daoist's level. This is Novice Village. How powerful could he possibly be?

"Please teach me, Master..." Luo Congwen instantly understood. He lifted the front of his robe and started to kneel, but before his knees could bend, Lin Bai had already caught both his arms.

Luo Congwen strained with every ounce of strength he possessed, yet still couldn't kneel. His belief in Lin Bai's words grew a few degrees stronger.

"Young Master Luo, the destined time has not yet arrived!" Lin Bai looked at Luo Congwen and spoke softly. "Only those complete in benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness can achieve anything in cultivating the Dao. You have only just passed the test of steadfast resolve.

"That day, you failed to discern cause and consequence and drove me away. In wisdom, benevolence, and righteousness, you suffered a total defeat.

"Without wisdom, you will easily be tempted by demons. Without a benevolent heart, once you learn the arts of the Dao, you will bring suffering upon all living beings.

"Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, trustworthiness; gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, deference. Young Master Luo, you still lack much before you can set foot on the path of cultivation. Kneeling to me now would be in vain..."

"Will it be enough if I accomplish all that?" Luo Congwen asked in a trembling voice, not discouraged in the slightest.

"Of course." Lin Bai nodded. "Your arrival at the Chef God Restaurant today was also a meeting ordained by fate, which is why I offered you these pointers. Otherwise, Brother Luo, you would already have missed your destined chance at immortality."

Can I tell you I came here because of Nie Xiaoqian?

That's right!

He just said ghosts brought us together, and ghosts brought us together again!

This is fate!

Luo Congwen flushed and cupped his hands sheepishly. "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Lin. If one day I manage to set foot on the path to immortality, I will certainly repay you generously.

Shopkeeper, didn't you agree to take me as your disciple?

Why are you still casting your net?

Beside them, [Deng Libuduo]'s eyes widened, and a powerful sense of crisis rose within him. He had to hurry with the virtue of a gentleman. After investing so much, losing to an NPC in the end would be far too unfair.

[Joy from Luo Congwen; +1]

[Resentment from Deng Libuduo; +1+1]