Chapter 20: Boss Chu Is Absolutely Not to Be Offended

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Chu Jiangyue hadn’t expected that Shen Zhigui and the others would be so proactive in rescuing survivors and even bringing them back to Jianglin Hotel—just because of one thing she said.

“Theoretically, yes, but I can’t guarantee it.”

After all, the rewards for completing missions were always random.

And before a mission was completed, she didn’t even know what the reward would be.

“It’s fine, anyway we were just helping out.”

Before rescuing anyone, Shen Zhigui always made assessments in advance. If something posed a life-threatening risk to them, he definitely wouldn’t do it.

“So this is the hotel Shen Ge said could provide accommodation?”

Chu Jiangyue had only exchanged a couple of words with Shen Zhigui when someone interrupted. Chu Jiangyue’s next words were blocked in her throat.

Shen Zhigui glanced coolly at the person who had spoken. He was slightly displeased at the interruption, but seeing Chu Jiangyue unbothered, he simply nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

“That’s great, thank you Shen Ge! If it weren’t for you, we’d have been trapped in the underground parking garage for sure.”

In the underground garage, there was nothing but cars.

But because of this, they were lucky not to have been attacked by zombies.

They had survived this long because they occasionally tapped on car windows and found some snacks inside.

“Anyone who wants to stay, register with Boss Chu. Why are you just staring at Shen Ge?”

Xie Silin noticed the tense atmosphere and quickly spoke to ease it.

The girl who had spoken earlier didn’t look pleased.

But seeing that Xie Silin was with Shen Zhigui, she only pursed her lips and said nothing further.

The smart ones, upon Xie Silin’s reminder, ran to the counter to ask Chu Jiangyue.

“Is what they said true? This place really provides accommodation? What do we need to register?”

“Yes, there are rooms. But let me clarify first—I run a hotel. Accommodation costs money.”

Chu Jiangyue realized some people might be treating Jianglin Hotel like a relief station.

“What? You said you provide accommodation and food. Why do we have to pay?”

As expected, the moment Chu Jiangyue mentioned payment, someone objected.

Su Zhucheng, Lin Xuyuan, Xie Silin, and a few others widened their eyes at the person who had spoken. Did he really understand it that way?

“Boss Chu, I swear, we never said accommodation or meals were free.”

Su Zhucheng immediately distanced themselves from the misunderstanding.

Boss Chu controlled where everyone ate and stayed—he absolutely could not be offended.

Chu Jiangyue knew this wasn’t their fault; some people had simply assumed too much.

“I run a business. If you don’t want to pay, then just leave—go straight and turn right, leave Shengshi Huadu.”

Chu Jiangyue wasn’t the type to endure insults silently.

“Sis, we’re still students and don’t have much money. Can you make an exception? We don’t expect to stay for free; we can work in exchange for accommodation time. Is that okay?”

The speaker seemed to be a respected figure among the students. Although a few showed reluctance, no one openly contradicted him.

Honestly, Chu Jiangyue admired that he had thought of this solution. But…

She picked up a cup of water on the counter and poured it onto the floor.

“Hey! Why are you pouring the water? You don’t want it? You can give it to us!”

God knew how they had survived these past few days.

Seeing Chu Jiangyue waste water, several people frowned.

“Take another look.”

Chu Jiangyue gestured at the puddle.

Everyone’s eyes followed, and soon the water on the floor vanished completely.

They all looked at Chu Jiangyue in unison: “This is…”

“Still think I need you to work?”

Chu Jiangyue looked at the boy who had suggested exchanging labor for accommodation.

The hotel had an automatic cleaning system. Even if someone spilled a bowl of soup on the floor, it would instantly be clean again.

The boy said nothing further—there was no labor needed, and he had no other options.

“Anything valuable on your person can be exchanged for this hotel’s unique currency. Handle it however you like.”

Since they were students, Chu Jiangyue was relatively lenient and didn’t hold their earlier rudeness against them.

“I see, you just want to trick us into giving up all our valuable stuff so you can sell it for cash! I like that sofa over there, I’ll stay there tonight.”

Su Zhucheng looked at the girl who had just spoken as if she were crazy. Had she never seriously listened to what anyone had said along the way?

“Forget it. Let’s not bother with them. We’ve already done enough by bringing them here.”

While introducing Jianglin Hotel along the way, they had emphasized the hotel rules multiple times. If someone still didn’t know by now, it was their own fault.

“Non-hotel accommodation guests can stay in the hotel for only two hours per day. Overstaying will result in automatic eviction.”

Although she didn’t like troublesome guests, Chu Jiangyue still reminded them once.

Of course, some people didn’t listen. Even after her warning, they persisted.

Chu Jiangyue didn’t care—after all, those who were evicted in the end weren’t her problem.

But some heeded her advice, looking through their belongings and exchanging anything they could for hotel currency.

The boy who had suggested exchanging labor also removed the jade pendant from around his neck.

【Detected hand-carved jade, can be exchanged for 10 silver coins. Exchange? Press Yes to confirm, No to cancel.】

“10 silver coins? How much is that?”

He had never seen this currency and didn’t know its value.

“The hotel uses three types of currency: gold, silver, and copper, with an exchange rate of 1:100:10,000.”

10 silver coins equaled 1,000 copper coins.

Copper coins’ purchasing power was roughly equivalent to general currency in Long Country.

“Can I stay in a guest room now?”

“Yes, but only for up to five days. I suggest saving some for food.”

Chu Jiangyue kindly reminded him.

The boy thought for a moment and decided to stay three days, saving the remaining 400 copper coins for food.

With accommodation and meals settled, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had made it through!

Chu Jiangyue looked at the others.

Several students, seeing their leader exchange his lifelong pendant for hotel currency, began pulling out their own valuables to exchange as well.

Chu Jiangyue responded to those who asked questions. For those who refused to listen, she didn’t even spare a glance.

“Shen Ge, where are you going?”

Seeing that Chu Jiangyue had already taken control of the situation, Shen Zhigui prepared to return to his room.

But he hadn’t gone far before someone called out.

“Stop! We’ve fulfilled our promise by escorting you to the hotel. What you do next is up to you.

Also, you’re still minors—don’t think about anything inappropriate. The boss isn’t interested in little sprouts like you.”