Encounter at the Sweet Shop

“The Book” was an existence that could turn whatever was written on it into reality, virtually equivalent to the origin of the world. Therefore, this “Book” was the source of everything, connecting countless possibilities, and this place was one of those possible worlds.

— Tai Zai Zhi, the holder of the “Book,” thought so.

Utilizing his own nullification ability, his contact with the “Book” triggered a singularity, forcibly connecting the worlds in an instant and allowing him to inherit the memories of his original self. Tai Zai Zhi, with a bandage wrapped around his left eye, was still in a youth's body, yet he already understood everything that would happen in the future. This included the deepest regret in the heart of his other self—the death of his close friend, Zhi Tian Zuo Zhu.

But in this world, nothing had happened yet. To ensure Zhi Tian's survival, from the moment Tai Zai Zhi obtained the “Book,” he had begun constructing a massive plan spanning decades. Naturally, the end point of this plan was his own death. For now, he only needed to maintain his life step by step, waiting for Sen Ou Wai to assassinate the former leader of the Gang Hei Shou Dang to take power, after which he would replace Sen Ou Wai as the leader...

...Or so it should have been.

Tai Zai Zhi stared gloomily at the unfamiliar youth before him. Where did this shop owner named Li Nai come from? In his original “memories,” there was never any mention of this force... Furthermore, this shop owner also seemed to be searching for the existence of the “Book.”

Because this world was a “possible world,” once the “Book” was used, this world would be destroyed. This was an “accident” that Tai Zai Zhi absolutely could not accept. Therefore, he needed to come to this small shop to personally gauge Li Nai's depth. But before he could speak to test the waters, the shop owner opposite him spoke first.

“You are...” Li Nai's expression was somewhat strange. “Tai Zai Zhi?”

Hearing his name called directly, Tai Zai Zhi's heart skipped a beat. He quickly searched his memories, confirming he had never met this person. How did the other party know him?

“Oh? You actually know this child's name?” Sen Ou Wai was surprised for a moment, then smiled and said, “But if it is the shop owner, then it is not entirely unexpected.”

Li Nai gave a soft hum, leaned slightly over the counter, and reached out to tilt Tai Zai Zhi's chin up.

Tai Zai Zhi: “...?”

Startled by Li Nai's action, Tai Zai Zhi was forced to look up, meeting the other's eyes. In the backlit darkness, Li Nai's deep black eyes were even darker than the shadows; looking into them was like staring down into an abyss. Li Nai carefully observed the young Tai Zai Zhi's hazel eyes as if admiring a premium gemstone, a hint of amusement gradually appearing in his gaze.

The feeling of unease in Tai Zai Zhi's heart grew heavier. Just as he was about to pull away, the cold finger under his chin suddenly withdrew. Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Li Nai speak a highly suggestive sentence.

“Yes, I know Tai Zai Zhi.” Li Nai tilted his head, smiling as he said, “His gaze is no different from the first time he came to the shop.”

Tai Zai Zhi: ...!!

Seeing the amusement in Li Nai's eyes, Tai Zai Zhi immediately deduced that this was absolutely not a lie. The problem was, he himself had never been here, so who was the one who had? Naturally, it was another “Tai Zai Zhi.” But this was the most terrifying scenario he hadn't anticipated. Tai Zai Zhi's pupils contracted.

— This person had met his other self from another world!

Despite the storm raging in Tai Zai Zhi's heart, on the surface, the atmosphere of the conversation between Sen Ou Wai and Li Nai remained calm and peaceful.

“Is that so? This child has been here before?” Sen Ou Wai asked curiously.

“Never,” Li Nai replied with a smile.

Sen Ou Wai furrowed his brows in confusion, but after a moment of thought, he did not delve deeper into that contradictory answer, only casting a contemplative look at Tai Zai Zhi. Tai Zai Zhi knew Sen Ou Wai was suspicious, but at this moment, he had no peace of mind left to dispel the old man's doubts.

“I can give you information about the ‘Book’...” Tai Zai Zhi calmed himself, looking at Li Nai as he asked in a low voice, “But first, I must know—who on earth are you?”

An existence that did not belong in the predetermined “future,” capable of freely crossing the barriers of worlds, a mysterious and dangerous shop owner. Tai Zai Zhi stared intently at Li Nai, the vigilance and doubt in his heart nearly exploding.

“Tai Zai.” Sen Ou Wai's voice turned cold.

Tai Zai Zhi still did not take his eyes off Li Nai, having no intention of retracting his words. Li Nai laughed easily.

“You can call me Li Nai, the owner of this sweet shop. Other than that... there is nothing else.” Li Nai patted the young Tai Zai Zhi's head, smiling with a subtle touch of mischief. “Little midget.”

Knowing full well that his future self frequently mocked others as midgets, Tai Zai Zhi muttered, “...Is this revenge?”

“It's VIP service,” Li Nai said. “Probably.”

Zhong Ye was a VIP customer who had spent twenty million; what was wrong with teasing him a little on his behalf! Wasn't this just a normal action after increasing favorability!

“...” The young Tai Zai Zhi fell silent for a moment. “You know very well that I don't understand what you're saying. Who on earth are you saying this to?”

“Oh?” Li Nai's smile deepened. “Naturally, I'm saying it for those who can understand.”

Tai Zai Zhi glanced at Sen Ou Wai beside him, but immediately withdrew his gaze in disappointment. It felt as though the two of them were speaking in riddles, while Doctor Sen was completely in the dark: ??

“Well then, is it time to tell me the intelligence about the ‘Book’?” Li Nai said.

***
Summary: Connecting different times and spaces, hosting all kinds of customers, finding ways to sell unique items, using the money earned to upgrade the shop, unlocking more products... Just like any normal business simulation game, to rescue Nai Ya Zi and help him pay off his massive debt, let's run this sweet shop with Nai Ya Zi!

Do you want to sell an exorbitantly priced bandage to the young executive to make a handsome profit, or sell him a strange hat to quietly fuel the conflict of the Double Black? Or perhaps sell a karate-expert high school girl a bottle of rejuvenation potion? Of course, you also have the chance to buy and sell things at this sweet shop. Together with Nai Ya Zi, you will weave a unique story of your own.