Chapter 62 The Ring—Let’s Wear It Together

“I’ll do it. I’ll take the position of deputy manager.”

A man with bleached blond hair suddenly raised his hand. Niu Haoshou looked at him with satisfaction and nodded.

“Not bad... Since you want to be the deputy manager, why don’t you introduce yourself first?”

The blond man cleared his throat and stepped forward.

“My name is Huang Zhongwang, I’m twenty-seven years old. Back in my hometown, I used to run a small supermarket.”

“I’m experienced in supermarket management and know the business process inside out.”

“If you choose me as deputy manager, I won’t promise mountains of gold every day, but at the very least, I guarantee we can maintain a steady turnover in an orderly fashion.”

Niu Haoshou’s eyes gleamed with excitement, and his plump belly quivered as he grew more animated.

“Good! Very good! Our supermarket needs talents like you!!!”

With that, Niu Haoshou immediately pinned the “Deputy Manager” badge onto Huang Zhongwang’s chest.

[Congratulations to player “Huang Zhongwang” for becoming the deputy manager of the Big-Eyed Monster Supermarket!]

[Player “Huang Zhongwang” has obtained the following rights:]

[1. A private staff dormitory, with an exclusive bathroom and 24-hour hot water supply.]

[2. The authority to assign work to other players.]

[3. In the manager’s absence, the deputy manager has full power to manage the Big-Eyed Monster Supermarket.]

[4. The right to temporarily leave frontline positions each day.]

“So good?”

Huang Zhongwang’s face lit up with joy. Clearly, he realized that being deputy manager was a cushy job.

“This Mr. Huang... I really didn’t see any managerial ability in him,” muttered the man with slicked-back hair, pouting in disappointment.

“A guy who looks like a small-time thug—how could he possibly lead us? If I’d known, I would’ve volunteered for the deputy manager position.”

The others began whispering among themselves.

Clearly, being deputy manager wasn’t as terrifying as they’d imagined.

Ji Linmo watched the scene before him, expressionless.

“Listen up, all of you. From now on, everyone must complete performance assessments. If you fail, you’ll be sent to the third floor immediately!”

With that, Niu Haoshou handed a sheet filled with text to Huang Zhongwang, signaling for him to post it on the wall.

Ji Linmo glanced at the paper.

Written in bold black characters were the staff operating rules for the supermarket.

[Big-Eyed Monster Supermarket Staff Operating Rules]

[1. Each day, staff must work in their assigned area and may not change it at will. The assignments are as follows:]

[Daily essentials: Ji Linmo, Qin Feng]

[Fresh produce: Huang Zhongwang, Lin Hao]

[Snacks: Liu Feifei, He Jiale]

[Tobacco and alcohol: Ma Dahai, Li Juan’er]

[2. Before clocking out each day, staff must complete the daily sales target. Total goods sold must not be less than 500 underworld coins.]

[3. Anyone failing to meet targets for more than two days will be sent to work on the third floor.]

[4. Staff may not leave the supermarket and must wear uniforms at all times.]

“See this chart? From now on, all of you work according to these rules. Be vigilant during your shifts, and remember what I said earlier: do your work diligently at your posts.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Niu Haoshou shook his belly, then gestured toward a small door to the side.

“I won’t say more. Breakfast will be served soon. All of you, return to your dorms and put on your uniforms. The old staff are already resting there—they’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

With that, he waddled out the supermarket’s glass door and onto the bustling street.

Ji Linmo glanced at the busy street, then led the way toward the small side door.

“Let’s go...” Ji Linmo raised his eyes, signaling for Qin Feng to follow.

Seeing Ji Linmo beckon him, Qin Feng happily tagged along at the man’s heels, sticking close.

“Mr. Ji, being a shop assistant went smoothly. Who knows, maybe we’ll catch a lucky break with a delivery and sneak out?” Qin Feng grinned at Ji Linmo, clearly hoping for a response.

But Ji Linmo ignored the youth. After glancing around and finding no one nearby, he suddenly pressed Qin Feng’s shoulder and shoved him against the wall.

“Whoa—Mr. Ji, you’re so rough! I’m just a kid, you know?”

Qin Feng’s tone remained teasing and light.

Seeing the youth’s fearless, tilted head, Ji Linmo’s expression grew uncharacteristically grim.

“Did you do it on purpose, Qin Feng?”

“I know you’re upset about the ring...”

“But your reckless insult to the manager was extremely dangerous, especially under these rules.”

Seeing that Qin Feng was still smiling, Ji Linmo tightened his grip on the boy’s shoulder.

He truly couldn’t understand what was going on in the youth’s mind.

Such brazen provocations were far too risky. He had to worry—could Qin Feng really survive this scenario?

This round contained too many unknown dangers; they could not afford to take risks.

“Qin Feng, stop overestimating yourself. Be cautious, all right?”

“No game can be survived with carelessness.”

“So from now on, behave yourself and follow my lead, just as we agreed before.”

Ji Linmo looked at Qin Feng with utter seriousness. As a teammate and temporary guardian, he felt obliged to warn him.

“Kid, did you understand what I said?”

“If you get it, nod.”

Staring at Ji Linmo’s earnest lecture, Qin Feng suddenly widened his eyes, as if seeing something unbelievable, and gazed at Ji Linmo in a daze.

“You... you’re angry?”

Before Ji Linmo could reply, Qin Feng burst out laughing.

The boy reached up and pinched his cheek, saying, “Mr. Ji, you look so nostalgic when you’re mad.”

“But I have no intention of changing my attitude.”

Ji Linmo felt as if he were talking to a brick wall.

He sighed inwardly and murmured, “Fine, you win. I’ll wear... the ring. We’ll both wear it from now on.”

Qin Feng’s face lit up with a dazzling smile, his eyes sparkling as if catching the light.

“Oh? Mr. Ji, are you serious?”

“Really... don’t ask again.”

Ji Linmo pressed his hand to his forehead in exasperation, blocking the boy’s next question as he started searching for his dorm.

Just then, the side door was kicked open and the rest of the players filed in.

The newly promoted deputy manager, Huang Zhongwang, strode in puffing on a cigarette, looking full of himself.

But the moment he stepped into the staff dormitory corridor, he was stunned.

“You’ve got to be kidding. We’re supposed to live in a place like this? I’m the deputy manager! Don’t tell me I have to stay here too?”

Unlike the bright, spacious supermarket interior, the staff dorms were tucked away in a damp, gloomy corridor that reeked of mildew.

Between the battered wooden partitions, four rooms had been carved out—clearly the place where they would have to stay for the next week.