Chapter 53: The Twilight Convenience Store

Zhang Deshuai's eyes were bloodshot. With a low roar, his entire body sprang forward like a cannonball, aiming straight for Wang Shuhan.

With a dull thud, Zhang Deshuai was knocked to the ground by a single palm strike from Wang Shuhan, plunging his vision into darkness as he passed out.

Looking down at the young man before him, a flash of murderous intent crossed Wang Shuhan's eyes.

"Forget it, Father said he is a very important person."

Wang Shuhan hoisted the bag stuffed with cash onto his shoulder and waved at the teenager sprawled unconscious on the ground.

"Sorry, I was a bit too harsh just now."

"Well, see you next month, then."

It wasn't until the cold night air struck, and frost-covered fallen leaves drifted down onto Zhang Deshuai's face, that he slowly opened his eyes.

Being trampled under someone's foot and degraded like that really felt awful.

He slowly sat up on the bed, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

I... want to grow stronger, too.

"Growl..."

It wasn't until the sound of his stomach rumbling echoed that Zhang Deshuai was snapped back to reality.

Whatever, I'll eat first.

Zhang Deshuai put on his clothes, walked downstairs, and stepped into a 24-hour convenience store right by his doorstep.

The sign above the convenience store clearly read: "Dusk Convenience Store."

Stepping inside, he saw the store clerk leaning against the shelves, smiling brightly and bragging to two pretty girls wearing short skirts.

"Take whatever you want, seriously, help yourself. The owner of this store is my buddy, and I own half the shares. Let's exchange social media handles later and grab dinner together tonight."

Hearing someone enter, the clerk didn't even turn his head as he shouted, "Welcome to Dusk Convenience Store. Please scan your items and notify the clerk for checkout."

"It's me," Zhang Deshuai said, addressing the back clad in the employee uniform.

Hearing the voice, the clerk chuckled, exchanged a few parting words with the two girls, and walked over to Zhang Deshuai.

Beneath the brim of that cap was the familiar face of Xiao Ting!

He strode right up to Zhang Deshuai, lowered his voice, and hissed, "You dog, you still know how to show up? Let me tell you, I'm trying to pick up girls right now. You better have some tact, go cook a pack of noodles yourself, and don't ruin my chances."

Zhang Deshuai crossed his legs indifferently and said in a raised voice, "I am the store manager. This entire store belongs to me."

Then he cast a flirtatious glance at Xiao Ting, stroked his chin, and said with exaggerated grease, "You~ belong to me, too~"

"You motherfucker..." Veins bulged on Xiao Ting's forehead. He rolled up his sleeves and prepared to fight him to the death, only to see the two girls staring at him with strange expressions, covering their mouths as they bolted out from behind.

"Girls... my girls..." Xiao Ting was instantly petrified on the spot, two clear tracks of tears streaming down his face.

"You mean, you're leaving soon?" Xiao Ting spat out a mouthful of instant noodles, saying in surprise.

"Yeah, I still have some important matters to attend to. The store is in your hands now." Looking at this longtime friend, a pang of reluctance stirred in Zhang Deshuai's heart.

Ever since his father left, this friend had been his only solace left in this city.

"Tomorrow, put up a recruitment notice, find a couple of reliable clerks, and this store will officially be yours from now on."

Zhang Deshuai patted him on the shoulder and slurped down a mouthful of noodle soup.

"Alright... Make sure to come back and visit often," Xiao Ting said with a smile.

Zhang Deshuai could tell he was forcing a smile. He cuffed him on the head and scolded jokingly, "You idiot, cut the tragic act. Come on, let's go play online games, my treat."

I have to hand it to Xiao Ting; his gaming addiction was truly colossal. Even past 3:00 AM, when Zhang Deshuai was ready to head home to rest, Xiao Ting was still dragging his previous round's teammates into voice chat to scream curses at each other.

"This bastard..."

Zhang Deshuai smiled as he watched Xiao Ting's shoulders shake from the intense verbal sparring, and he walked home alone.

The next day, Zhang Deshuai slept straight through until the afternoon. He had already saved enough money for this month's labor.

Ever since that first payment, Wang Shuhan hadn't made a move against him again. Every time, he would arrive in silence, take the money in silence, and leave in silence.

"It's good to have money..."

Thinking to himself, Zhang Deshuai tidied up a bit and got ready to head to the convenience store to check on the recruitment situation.

As he reached the entrance of the convenience store, Zhang Deshuai nearly vomited a mouthful of blood.

Right beneath the sign of the Dusk Convenience Store hung a massive recruitment poster.

*Dusk Convenience Store is hiring full-time and part-time staff! Earn over ten thousand a month with ease!*

*Specific Requirements:*
*1. Female, aged 18–25, height between 160–170 cm, pretty face, stunning figure.*
*2. Those who love wearing short skirts and black silk stockings are preferred.*
*3. Interested candidates, please head to the store entrance and look for the manager for an interview!*

Meanwhile, Xiao Ting had changed into a sharp suit, holding a large megaphone as he sat at the entrance of the convenience store, shouting slogans with all his might.

Zhang Deshuai felt his face burn with scalding shame. He felt like Xiao Ting was far better suited to inherit the Dusk bloodline than he was, and covering his face, he intended to sneak past from the side.

Xiao Ting's eyes were sharp, and his hands were quick. He grabbed Zhang Deshuai and shouted into the megaphone down the street:

"Hey beauties, this handsome and wealthy store manager of ours is Zhang Deshuai! Any interested beauties, come quick and interview with him!"

"Get lost, get lost, I am not!"

Zhang Deshuai shoved him hard, wishing a crack would open in the ground for him to crawl into. A warm current surged through his body, hotter than ever before.

Just as the two of them were pushing and bickering at the store entrance, a sweet voice came from behind them.

"Hi..."

"Are you... still hiring?"

Hearing the voice, Zhang Deshuai and Xiao Ting stopped fighting instantly and looked in the direction of the sound.

Standing behind them was a remarkably sweet-looking girl with long, rose-pink curls, wearing clean makeup. She was dressed in a pure black princess minidress paired with over-the-knee black calf socks, radiating youthful vibrancy.

Seeing both of them staring at her in unison, a bashful flush spread across the girl's face, making her look even prettier and more charming.

"U-Um, if you guys are busy, I won't intrude for now," the girl said timidly.

"Not at all!"

"We're totally free!"

The two of them shouted in unison.

Xiao Ting was the first to snap back to his senses. Beaming all over, he grabbed the girl's hand and said, "Hello, I'm the manager of Dusk Convenience Store. Welcome to the interview! Let's go inside to discuss the details."

With that, he pulled the girl's hand, preparing to drag her inside.

"Except you're wearing an employee uniform," Zhang Deshuai chimed in out of nowhere from behind.

"Haha, haha, that's our store's philosophy! No hierarchy, everyone is equal."

Xiao Ting chuckled awkwardly while holding the girl's hand, then twisted his neck around and hissed with a dark face at Zhang Deshuai, "If you ruin my good thing again, I'll kill you."

Instantly switching back to a fawning, flattering smile, he led the young girl into the store.