Chapter 20: Boss Chu Must Not Be Offended At All Costs
Chu Jiangyue hadn't expected that Shen Zhigui and his group would be so active in rescuing survivors and bringing them back to Jianglin Hotel—all because of something she had said.
"Theoretically that's correct, but I can't guarantee it."
After all, the rewards after completing each mission are random.
Moreover, before completing the mission, she wouldn't know what the rewards would be.
"It's fine, we were just helping out anyway."
Before rescuing anyone, Shen Zhigui would always make an assessment first—if it posed life-threatening risks to them, he definitely wouldn't do it.
"Is this the hotel that Brother Shen mentioned could provide accommodation?"
Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui had only exchanged a couple of sentences when someone interrupted, leaving Chu Jiangyue's words stuck in her throat.
Shen Zhigui gave the speaker a faint glance, displeased by the sudden interruption, but seeing Chu Jiangyue's lack of reaction, he eventually nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"That's great, thank you Brother Shen! If it weren't for you, we would've definitely been trapped to death in the underground garage."
In the underground garage, there was practically nothing besides cars.
However, precisely because of this, they were also fortunate enough not to have been attacked by zombies.
The reason they survived this long was that they knocked on other car windows and occasionally found some biscuits or snacks inside.
"Those who want accommodation, register with Boss Chu! Why are you all staring at Big Brother Shen?"
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Xie Silin quickly spoke up to ease the tension.
The girl who had spoken earlier didn't look too pleased.
But remembering that Xie Silin was with Shen Zhigui, she ultimately just pursed her lips and said nothing more.
The smarter ones, upon Xie Silin's reminder, immediately went to the counter to inquire with Chu Jiangyue.
"Is what they said true? Does this place really provide accommodation? What do we need to register?"
"There are rooms available, but let me clarify—I run a hotel, and accommodation requires payment."
Chu Jiangyue suspected these people might have mistaken Jianglin Hotel for a relief shelter.
"Wasn't it said that accommodation and food would be provided? Why do we still need to pay?"
Sure enough, as soon as Chu Jiangyue mentioned money, objections arose.
Su Zhucheng, Lin Xuyuan, and Xie Silin all widened their eyes at the speaker - this was how he had interpreted it?
"Boss Chu, I swear we never said accommodation and meals would be free."
Su Zhucheng was the first to clarify their position.
Boss Chu controlled everyone's food and lodging - someone absolutely not to be offended.
Chu Jiangyue naturally knew this wasn't their fault, but rather some people taking things too much for granted.
"I opened this business to make money. If you don't want to pay, then walk straight out and turn right - leave Splendor Capital."
Chu Jiangyue wasn't the type to swallow insults quietly.
"Sister, we're still students without much money. Could you make an exception? We won't stay for free - we can work to earn our lodging time. Would that work?"
The speaker appeared to be one of the more authoritative figures among these students. Though some showed reluctant expressions, at least no one openly objected.
To be honest, Chu Jiangyue quite admired his idea of coming up with this solution, but…
Chu Jiangyue picked up the water cup from the table and poured it onto the floor in front of the counter.
"Hey! Why did you waste the water? If you didn't want it, you could've given it to us!"
God only knew how they had managed these past few days.
Seeing Chu Jiangyue waste water, many showed disapproving expressions.
"Take another look, will you?"
Chu Jiangyue directed their attention to the water stain on the floor.
Everyone's gaze lowered, and before long, the water stain on the ground had completely disappeared.
In unison, everyone turned their eyes to Chu Jiangyue: "This is…"
"Still think I need your labor?"
Chu Jiangyue looked at the boy who had just proposed exchanging work for accommodation.
The hotel had an automatic cleaning system—even if someone spilled a bowl of soup on the floor today, it would be spotless in an instant.
The young man stopped speaking; the hotel didn't need labor, and he had no other options left.
"Anything valuable you have on you can be exchanged for this hotel's special currency.
It's entirely up to you."
After all, they were still students, and Chu Jiangyue was relatively lenient with them, not holding their earlier rudeness against them.
"I think you just want to trick us into handing over all our valuables so you can resell them for money!
That sofa over there looks fine to me—I'll sleep here tonight."
Su Zhucheng looked at the girl who'd just spoken as if she were an idiot. Had she not paid attention to anything they'd said during the entire journey?
"Forget it, don't bother with them. We've done enough by bringing them this far."
They'd emphasized the rules of Jianglin Hotel repeatedly during the journey. If she still didn't know anything by now, she had only herself to blame.
"Non-hotel guests can only stay in the hotel for 2 hours per day. Those who overstay will be automatically expelled by the hotel."
Although disliking such troublesome guests, Chu Jiangyue still reminded them.
However, some people simply wouldn't listen to reason. Even after Chu Jiangyue's warning, they stubbornly persisted.
At this point, Chu Jiangyue stopped caring, as she wouldn't be the one getting expelled anyway.
Nevertheless, while some wouldn't listen, others heeded the advice and searched their belongings, exchanging anything removable.
The young man who had considered working for accommodation earlier also removed the jade pendant from his neck.
[Detected hand-carved jade, exchangeable for 10 silver coins. Confirm by pressing "Yes", cancel by pressing "No".]
"How much is 10 silver coins worth?"
He had never encountered this currency unit before and didn't understand its purchasing power.
"The hotel uses three universal currencies: gold coins, silver coins, and copper coins, with an exchange rate of 1:100:10,000."
10 silver coins equals 1000 copper coins.
The purchasing power of copper coins is roughly equivalent to the common currency of Dragon Country.
"Can I stay in a guest room now?"
"Yes, but only for up to 5 days. I suggest you save some for buying food."
Chu Jiangyue kindly reminded him.
The boy thought for a while and decided to stay for 3 days first, keeping the remaining 400 copper coins for food.
With both food and lodging settled, the boy finally let out a deep sigh of relief.
He had finally made it through!
Chu Jiangyue turned her gaze to the others.
Several students, seeing their leader exchange his childhood pendant for gold, silver, and copper coins, also began rummaging through their belongings to trade items.
Chu Jiangyue answered every question asked, but those unwilling to listen didn't even receive a glance from her.
"Brother Shen, where are you going?"
Seeing that Chu Jiangyue had the situation under control, Shen Zhigui prepared to return to his room with peace of mind.
But before they could take two steps, someone called out to stop them.
"Stop! We've fulfilled our promise by escorting you to the hotel. What you do next is your own decision.
Also, you're still minors. Don't get any wild ideas - the boss isn't interested in little sprouts like you."