Princess Retail Store/Story

## Customers

### Opening

The Dark Moon Estate was originally a famous and bustling place, so families with strong economic power weren't lacking. However, the gradual slump in recent years made the families turned their focus to the foreign place. Yet, the foundation accumulated over the years still existed, so there was no lack of spending power. The key was the lack of places and products for consumption.

It turned out that after Shea personally attended the Princess Retail Store's grand ribbon-cutting ceremony a few days ago, the business became better immediately. At first, it was basically just aristocrats coming with the main intention of supporting, but gradually, many people were truly attracted by the two types of chess, especially the demon-fighting chess. The customers gradually increased and the commoners also began to follow suit. The brand of Princess Retail Store had been successfully set, especially the limited editions of the two chess were in short supply. Looking at the magic crystal coins coming in daily, the little loli grinned from ear to ear.

"I have a good news! 1 of the 2 burr puzzles has been sold to the patriarch of the Mellon Family!"

Chen Rui was taken aback. *The burr puzzle is tagged with a sky-high price, but 1 was actually sold. Besides, it's the Mellon Family! Isn't the Mellon Family supporting Joseph's party? Why did they support us so much?*

"The burr puzzle was sold at 50,000 black crystal coins!" When it came to this, the little loli's eyes were brightened, and her pupils seemed to have changed into dollar signs.

### Joseph Alan bidding war

Joseph and Alan compete over a Kongming Lock. It exposes a deep rift between the two factions.

The birthday of the empire's regent, Prince Obsidian was coming soon. Alan wanted to buy the burr puzzle as a gift and offer it to Prince Obsidian through his father at the capital. Coincidentally, Joseph came to the Princess Retail Store. After learning about Alan's intentions, he offered to buy the burr puzzle with twice the price.

Alan had already hated Royce and Arux who killed Mikas and fought their way to Alan's mansion. Now that Joseph returned to the Dark Moon, not only he didn't initiate reconciliation, but he provocatively competed for the burr puzzle. Alan was extremely furious. If it weren't for his lack of strength, he would've started a fight. The injured customer was hurt by Alan's subordinate because he was unlucky.

"Joseph, are you that rich? You should keep that little money to continue fighting with your brother, Kanita!" Alan diverted his biggest hostility to Joseph again. "I'll pay 3 times the price! This burr puzzle is mine!"

*The original price of the burr puzzle is 50,000 black crystal coins. 3 times the price is 150,000. That's a huge sum of money!*

The Demon Realm's rule was generally the highest bidder won. Joseph and Alan compete bidding more and more.

Just when it seems Joseph has the upper hand, eventually Alice says, "The motto of Princess Retail Store is integrity and that includes all our customers. Alan came in before Joseph today, so the burr puzzle will be sold to Alan at the original price, 50,000 black crystal coins. However, Alan, your subordinate injured my customer, so you must pay for his treatment. Do you have any opinion?"

"I absolutely have no opinion!" Alan was overjoyed and quickly gave the injured a handful of black crystal coins, "I am really grateful! The Princess Retail Store is indeed the best store in the city. Much stronger than some guy's store!"

After the customers leave, Alice is furious at that she did not get the 150k. Chen then calms her down, saying:

"If you want the Princess Retail Store to truly prosper for a long time, or even open more chain stores, you must remember this sentence." Chen Rui saw Alice still looked like she didn't understand. "Let me tell you a story. Once, there was a Great Demon King called King Zhao of the Yan Empire (Yan Zhaowang). He once spent a million black crystal coins to buy a rare mare..."

Chen Rui gave the Demon Realm version of "Yan Zhaowang Buys Horse Carcass with Million Gold".<ref>燕昭王千金买骨 story from around 3rd century BC. The lesson is roughly that when you sell something to a poor person at a certain price, richer people will arrive to you to pay more for that thing. They think that if a poor person can get something like that, why can't richer people get it as well? In this case, selling the burr puzzle to a weakling like Alan will make richer people flock to the Princess store to buy and pay more--at least in theory.

Clever Alice had already understood the meaning.

There was another meaning that Chen Rui couldn't tell in front of Kia and Kaguli. The Magic Store's items allegedly stolen by Mikas (Alan's servant) were a point in contention between Joseph and Alan. Selling to Alan was more conducive to the strategy of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf. Today, Alan's deliberate show-offs had worsened the relationship between the two parties in reality. However, why did Joseph compete with Alan for the grand master's work? Wasn't reconciliation most needed currently?

"I've always known that brother Chen Rui is powerful." After the little loli understood, her face changed really fast. She was blinking her big eyes and instantly changed to a look of adoration, "Perhaps, let's go to the Blue Lake again for a picnic?"

Chen was still recovering from training, so he, Alice, and Athena plan to go for a city stroll instead.

Alice said, "Wait for me downstairs. Also, Kia and Kaguli should go down too. I have something to say to Athena privately."

### Returning from Silent Night

After returning from Silent Night Wetland:

When Chen reached the main road, he suddenly had an idea. He walked toward the colorful, gorgeous store. That store was presently the most famous store in Dark Moon City, the Princess Retail Store.

The Princess Retail Store was no longer what it used to be. The last "honesty" incident had a big impact on Dark Moon City. Although many people think that princess was a fool to give up on a huge sum of money for no reason, but the Princess Retail Store gained a good reputation from this incident that the previous advertising strategies did not provide. Not just the upper class but the number of lower class customers had also skyrocketed. They did not have to worry about being cheated or scammed; they could shop without worry.

Who was the little princess? The Lord of Dark Moon's sister did not blink even in the face of over a hundred thousand black crystal coins. She would rather sell it to customers who paid first. This was a royalty's true generosity! The things sold in the Princess Retail Store were a symbol of status and glory, and many of them were sold in limited quantities. Once they were sold out, no matter how much money one had, they had to wait for the next batch of stock. They were truly quality and authentic goods! Even if other stores sold the same imitation products, their products would never have the nobility and honor the authentic products contained!

Chen Rui walked into the Princess Retail Store. He noticed that many furnishing details had been adjusted. The space seemed a lot bigger. He could tell that Alice put in a lot of effort in running this store.

The number of salespeople in the store also increased. As soon as Chen Rui entered the door, he received a warm reception.

## Development

Alice went to Bailing Estate with her sister this time. Little loli was very business-savvy as she bought a lot of specialty products at Bailing Estate. She brought all of them back to the Dark Moon together with the gift from Bailing Estate's lord and sold it under the brand of Princess Retail Store. The price was quite expensive, but it had attracted many buyers.

In addition, the Shadow Empire's top business family, Custer Family, had sent people to come and discuss the opening of the Princess Retail Store branch in the Dark Shadow Empire capital. With the influence of Custer Family, the Princess Retail Store merchandise which were labelled as fashionable and high-end would very likely become popular in the Dark Shadow Empire. This was only the first step in business cooperation between the two sides.

Alice had her hands full as soon as she came back. As the most popular and most effective clerk in the Princess Retail Store, Kia naturally became the busiest person.

Kia is very high-spirited after being freed from the Soul Shackles that had controlled her for many years. When Alice asks the Succubus why she is alacritous, Kia laughed and said, "I'm forcing myself to hold on. Actually, I'm almost worn out. I'm afraid I don't have the energy to accompany the little princess to the night market tonight."

Alice then announces: "Okay, everyone! Let's work hard for the shiny black crystal coins! If you can achieve the volume this month, your salary will be doubled!" Speaking of the shiny black crystal coins, little loli clenched her fist and a dragon-like light shined in her eyes, radiating a powerful aura. The "ultimate technique" of salary raise was amazingly powerful indeed. It infected all Princess Retail Store employees rapidly, boosting their morale instantly.

## Volume 5

As the top brand store of the Dark Moon, the current Princess Retail Store had undergone further expansion and refurbishment. Many capable shop assistants were added. As the auction approached, more and more people came to the Dark Moon. The guests of the Princess Retail Store surged and the business was unprecedentedly bustling. By right, Alice should be very busy, but the little loli was daydreaming.

Although the present income was completely different from when the Princess Retail Store was first founded, and the daily income was more than the previous monthly income, the little loli couldn't seem to find the original excitement by just looking at the rise in numbers that represented money.

The most important thing was that the human brother rarely came here anymore. In fact, the little loli understood that he had now become the highest officer in charge of the economics and finances of the estate. Especially during this period, he was almost too busy, but the little loli wanted to see him. She liked to daydream when she couldn't see him.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 57
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 77 (Steambun)
3. ↑ Joseph's Store
4. ↑ Chapter 139 (Steambun)
5. ↑ Chapter 314 (Steambun)
6. ↑ Chapter 402 (Steambun)