One week ago.

“Our company prefer somebody with more experience in the retail business. Sorry but you’re rejected. We hope you have better luck on your interview with another company,” a secretary with a tight pencil skirt and a loose blouse said.

“As it was a time for lunch break right now, please use the stairs when you’re going down to the ground floor. The lift is reserved for staff only during the lunch break. Thank you for your kind understanding.”

“Now, if you may excuse me,” the secretary smiled and left Zhang Qin Feng outside of their department door.

Since there’s nothing else for him to do except dragging himself down over ten floors worth of steps, Zhang Qin Feng pushed open the access door with a sour expression on his face.

“Damn! This is the fifteenth time I failed my interview! What kind of worker are you guys hiring anyway?” he yelled and kicked the wall hard to vent his anger.

Walking down the stairs lethargically, Zhang Qin Feng finally reaches the ground floor after ten or so minutes. After leaving the building’s main entrance in a heavy mood, he turned his head back to take another look at this place that rejected him.

‘Golden Stars Retail Co.’

‘The next time I come back will be the time I buy this company. Mark my word.” leaving the place on foot, he returned to the studio accommodation that cost him a thousand dollars a month in rent.

…

…

**Dururu… Dururu…**

A phone call wakes him up at night. The name “Fatty Xie” is clearly shown on the screen as the phone’s vibration is getting on his nerve.

“Hello?” Zhang Qin Feng answered the call with a groggy voice.

“Hey, jobless. Come out and have a drink.” Fatty Xie said on the other side of the phone. The sound of two glasses knocking sounded so clear, like luring him out from the comfy bed Zhang Qin Feng is on.

“Ten minutes. Order a plate of noodles for me while I’m getting ready.” Zhang Qin Feng replied. The phone was tossed back on the bed as he makes his way to the face basin in the corner.

He turned back into a handsome twenty years old youngster after putting in some effort into his appearance. Locking his door with a padlock, all those uneventful things that happened during the afternoon was put aside as he made his way downstairs.

The building he lived in is considered shabby.

Along his way through the corridor until downstairs, it was infested with rats and recycled materials here and there. But no matter how bad it is, it was still a place Zhang Qin Feng can comfortably call home.

Although it was just a rented accommodation, this place still belonged to one of his uncles from his maternal side.

“You’re finally here.” Fatty Xie waved his hand at Zhang Qin Feng when he spotted him coming out from the stairs. And like Zhang Qin Feng, Fatty Xie was graduated from the same college, taking the same courses.

But his luck was slightly better as he found a job a month earlier than Zhang Qin Feng.

“My treat today.” Fatty Xie said as he placed two bottles of beer on top of the table. The plate of noodles he ordered earlier arrived at their table when Fatty Xie prepared to open the bottle.

“Did you get paid today? What makes our lord Xie so generous?” Zhang Qin Feng jokes as he started to devour the plate of noodles in front of him.

“Hahaha, even better than getting paid. I’ve taken over the job of driving the delivery van today, and guess what? I’ve picked up a fifty dollars note hidden in the bottom compartment. I think the previous driver forget that there’s a small compartment to keep tools under the seat.” Fatty Xie said.

“Oh? Looks like we can order more than ten bottles of beer today.” Zhang Qin Feng jokes. With the price of four dollars and fifty for a 500ml bottle, it is more than enough for ten bottles.

“Let’s split the drinking for today and tomorrow. By the way… Why aren’t you considering helping your uncle?” Fatty Xie asked.

“The shop of his is too small and unorganized. There’s not even a computer in the shop to keep a record of the stock. I don’t want to get into trouble when there’s a dispute of money between us.” Zhang Qin Feng shook his head.

“But you’ll have to eat anyway. Don’t you think you’ve interview enough?” Fatty Xie emptied the beer bottle as he convinced Zhang Qin Feng to look for a temporary job.

“How many company that’s related to the retail business are here in Suihe City?” Zhang Qin Feng asked.

“Sixteen.” Fatty Xie replied without hesitation.

“And I failed fifteen times. Does that means there’s only one more to give before I gave up?” Zhang Qin Feng smiled as he started to look tipsy from drinking too fast.

“Brother, I think you can give up about the last one. We all know that the Jingyi Retailer and International Company only hires females as their retail specialists.” Fatty Xie’s word is like a bucket of cold water poured on his head.

“…” Zhang Qin Feng shook his head as he sighed.

Quietly, he finished the plate of noodles and beer and returned to the room.

‘Look’s like I can only submit to fate.’ Zhang Qin Feng closed his eyes as he was asleep until the next day. Tidying himself a little, Zhang Qin Feng went to his uncle’s small store a few roads away.

It was a small shop lot about twenty meters square. But as it was located in the heart of Suihe City’s golden spot, this place ended up became one of the best locations people sought after.

And although it was a shop unit, it was not open to the public. It was more like a storehouse and not a convenient store. Everything sold inside was done in a bulk purchase.

“You’re willing to help your uncle to manage this business?” his uncle almost can’t believe what he heard. To think that this brat finally agrees to help him after living in the Suihe City for close to five years.

“Yes, uncle. I failed to get a proper job anyway, so I think I should come and help you while I plan what to do with my life.” Zhang Qin Feng said.

“Good, good.” his uncle laughed.

“The business is simple, but your uncle is too old to be moving them around the street anymore. With you here, it should get much better compared to before.”

“Don’t look down on this shop. Even though there’s not much for you to learn, it will still take you a year or two to get used to your buyer’s preference. But don’t worry. I’m always around, correct?” his uncle struggles to stand up from his chair as he tried to give Zhang Qin Feng a pat on his shoulder.

“When do you want to start working?” his uncle asked.

“Let’s start today. It’s up to uncle to set how much you want to pay me. As long it’s enough for me to have three meals and two bottles of beer a day, I’m satisfied.” Zhang Qin Feng jokes.

“Unambitious brat!” his uncle tossed a book of bread at Zhang Qin Feng’s face.

“At least start by saying as long its enough for a carton of beers a day. What can two bottles do?” his uncle added.

…

…

The same afternoon.

After the two of them left the shop to deliver an order, something unordinary happened in the store.

A small spatial portal was opened to allow a piece of crystal to travel through the dimension.

[Must… Search… For… A… Host…]

–

[Preferred target… Zhang… Qin… Feng…]