Flytrap Diner 7

She had thought everything through quite well, but she did not expect problems to arise the very next day.

Dashan and Xiaoshan arrived first. When they saw an extra craftsman, they were only momentarily taken aback. After hearing Su Man explain that he was a new employee, they accepted it without much fuss.

Dashan and Xiaoshan were chefs who also handled procurement. After gaining a basic understanding of the craftsman’s role, Dashan wore a troubled expression as he spoke to Su Man. “The factory we usually source from has raised their prices.”

Their restaurant had been doing relatively well before. They had a partnership with a large nearby factory, which allowed them to purchase goods at very low prices. But when they went there today, they were told that from now on, any supplies they buy would be at market price.

Their restaurant was known for its excellent quality and affordable prices. If costs rose sharply, their longtime customers would surely stop coming.

If that happened, the shop would fall into a vicious cycle and eventually have to close down.

They had hoped that with Su Man’s arrival, the business would improve. But now, this move by the factory was even harsher than the freeloading customers—they were effectively being squeezed to death.

Both sighed heavily, weighed down by worry.

Su Man frowned. Just as things were starting to look up, the factory cut off their lifeline. Was it coincidence, or something else?

If someone wanted to target her deliberately, she had barely been here and hardly met anyone. Who would be so petty as to single her out?

Or was it that the shop had already made enemies?

Su Man carefully questioned Dashan and Xiaoshan about the shop’s background. They told her that the previous owner was not someone who liked to stir trouble. The business had always been run amicably and profitably, with no grudges until recently.

It seemed, then, that this was just a coincidence.

She asked, “How long will our current supplies last?”

Dashan replied, “Today’s stock is enough, but by tomorrow we’ll need to restock.”

After a brief pause, he added, “But the factory staff were unpleasant. I doubt going back tomorrow will change anything.”

He analyzed the surrounding small shops, explaining, “If we buy from them, prices are as high as the factory’s retail prices. The costs are just too steep.”

In short, Su Man heard only one thing from his words: their shop was doomed.

“Maybe I should try going again,” Xiaoshan suggested. “I’ll try to see someone higher up. Maybe they don’t realize our shop is improving. If it’s a higher-up, maybe they’ll still give us a discount.”

Su Man nodded. “Then you go. Be careful. If it doesn’t work out, come back quickly and we’ll make a plan.”

Xiaoshan agreed and left.

Dashan went into the kitchen to get busy. Business had to continue as usual today.

Su Man sat at a table by the door, gazing out at the gray, hazy surroundings. She didn’t have much hope Xiaoshan would bring back good news.

In this terrifying realm, only the area within five meters of the fast-food shop where she was located appeared clear. Everything beyond was shrouded in mist, with no buildings visible.

According to the luminous screen’s explanation, this was a form of protection for her.

She was not yet capable of fully perceiving the whole terrifying realm.

The true terrifying realm was nothing like the mild encounters she had experienced so far.

Indeed, the screen had told her that even the most fearsome creatures she had faced were but a fraction—less than one ten-thousandth—of the actual terrors of the realm.

If Xiaoshan failed to bring back good news, she would have no choice but to go out herself.

After a moment’s hesitation, she entered the “No Entry” room again to search through her supplies.

The revival cards for those light points had all been used yesterday, but she noticed this morning that new ones had refreshed. She hadn’t needed them yesterday, so she hadn’t worried. But now, if she really had to leave, she needed to stock up more. After all, she was about to confront the wild, untamed terrifying realm in its purest form.

Youyou arrived for work on time. Seeing the craftsman, she hesitated briefly. Since he hadn’t reverted to his immense original form, and they didn’t know his true nature as a terrifying evil creature that would frighten them, their attitude toward him remained normal.

After hearing Dashan’s report about the factory, Youyou was also worried. “I’ve dealt with those factory people once before. Their eyes seem to be set in the sky, and with a bit of power, they’re very arrogant. Xiaoshan won’t get anything favorable.”

Sure enough, just as she finished speaking, Xiaoshan returned looking disheveled and defeated.

Though he was a terrifying creature himself, he was beaten and bruised. If he hadn’t spoken first, Su Man might not have recognized him.

“Boss, they’re really bullying us!” Xiaoshan, usually a tough man, could no longer hold back. His eyes reddened as he sat on the ground, wiping away tears of frustration.

“I hadn’t even started talking when those pig-headed fools surrounded me and beat me up!” Xiaoshan said angrily, speaking fast but clearly. He explained that the pig-headed men told him that if they wanted to discuss pricing, the manager herself had to come.

“Boss, if you don’t go, they’re just bullying us!” Xiaoshan wiped his tears and stood up. “But if you go, I suspect it might be a trap aimed at you!”

He was too embarrassed to say the worst of his suspicions aloud, but he suspected those pig-headed men were deliberately using this excuse to trouble them and refuse any discounts. So even if Su Man went, it probably wouldn’t solve anything.

“They want me to go?” Su Man glanced again at the hazy outside world. “They’re so eager—if I don’t go, it feels a bit inappropriate, doesn’t it?”

It was as she had expected. To complete this task, she had no choice but to go.

Moreover, she couldn’t let this slide. She had worked so hard to save this shop, and now it was about to collapse over a few words from those people? What did they think of her efforts?

If they had a reasonable explanation for the price increase, she might not be so angry. But they had no justification and even beat her employee—how could that be right?

Su Man’s growing intuition told her this was a deliberate scheme targeting her.

But who was behind it?

She thought of the Tong family from yesterday. Could there be some connection between the factory and the Tong family?

After pondering without any conclusion, Su Man stood and said, “Tell me the location of that factory.”

She recalled the luminous screen mentioning that there were transportation means within this terrifying realm. As long as she could handle it, she could go anywhere.

Xiaoshan tried to persuade her otherwise, but failing that, he reluctantly gave her the address.

He said anxiously, “That factory is quite a distance from here. By bus, it takes an hour; by taxi, about twenty minutes…”

They knew the special nature of their acting manager, so Xiaoshan’s concern deepened. “What if something happens to you on the way? Recently, there have been more cannibalistic monsters on the buses.”