Lin Xi had no idea how significant the lunchbox she had airdropped to Xu Huanhuan was to her. Riding her blue bike to the bus stop, she passed by a pancake stall and bought one loaded with meat, sausage, spicy strips, and an extra-spicy sauce.
She took the bus and then transferred to the subway. The moment she boarded the train, her phone started ringing.
Lin Xi had been in this industry for two years now. She was professional, patient, and meticulous. She tailored her advice to clients' budgets, preferred styles, and home layouts, offering thoughtful suggestions. Her strong sense of responsibility and excellent after-sales service had earned her a loyal clientele through word-of-mouth referrals. The call she was answering now came from a new client introduced by a previous one.
After handling the inquiry, Lin Xi hurried to the store and arrived just in time at 1:30 PM.
Her coworker He Chun was buried in calculations for area measurements when she spotted Lin Xi, as if seeing a savior. "Sister Xi, please help me! I’ve been stuck on this corner measurement for hours and still can’t figure it out."
Lin Xi didn’t rush over immediately. Instead, she said, "Hold on, Chun. Let me change first, or Sister Xiu will dock my pay when she gets back."
He Chun froze mid-step, her welcoming gesture awkwardly suspended. Lin Xi noticed but didn’t care.
He Chun had joined the store last year, but even after a year, she still struggled with basic tasks like calculating cabinet dimensions. Everyone in the store had helped her at some point, but there was a limit. If she refused to learn and always relied on others, why should they keep bailing her out?
After changing in the staff room, Lin Xi returned to find a customer browsing the store. He Chun trailed behind them, eagerly pitching products. Ignoring her, Lin Xi sat at the front desk, reviewing measurements from a morning client while occasionally responding to the shopper’s questions.
By the time she finished calculating the dimensions for the morning client’s custom cabinets, He Chun had already seen the customer out. Leaning over the counter, she pouted. "Sister Xi~ I left the measurements on the table. Why haven’t you checked them yet? My client’s in a hurry and keeps pressing me!"
Lin Xi closed her workbook, grabbed her phone, and stood to face He Chun directly. "Chun, I have my own work and clients waiting too. You need to handle this yourself. Calculating area dimensions isn’t rocket science. Brother Feng, Sister Xiu, and Sister Fang have all taught you repeatedly. Just practice a few more times, and you’ll get it. You can do it."
Just then, another customer walked in. Lin Xi strode forward to greet them. "Welcome to XINJU Whole-Home Customization."
The customer was a woman in her forties, dressed impeccably with a designer handbag and flawless makeup.
She smiled at Lin Xi and said, "I’m just browsing for now."
Lin Xi kept her smile warm, maintaining a polite distance. "Of course, take your time. If anything catches your eye, I’d be happy to provide details."
"Thanks."
As Lin Xi shadowed the customer, she glanced over and caught He Chun glaring at her before putting on an exaggerated pout.
Lin Xi turned away calmly. Honestly, she couldn’t care less about He Chun’s feelings or tantrums. Harsh as it sounded, once they left this job and deleted each other’s contacts, they’d be strangers—likely never crossing paths again.
XINJU offered a wide range of styles. Within two rounds, the customer paused at a redwood furniture set arranged as a model room, complete with a sofa, desk, bed, and wardrobe.
Redwood wardrobes were always pricey, especially in stores like this. Even if the customer only ordered one piece, the commission would be substantial.
Noticing her genuine interest, Lin Xi stepped closer. "This is our solid wood collection, crafted from beech. As you know, beech is exceptionally durable..."
Her soft-spoken pitch covered craftsmanship and practicality. The customer listened attentively, eventually exploring other sets. By the end, Lin Xi successfully secured her WeChat contact.
"Take care, Sister Cai! Feel free to message me anytime if you have questions." Lin Xi saw her off at the door.
Sister Cai waved and walked away in her heels.
Back inside, He Chun was scribbling at the desk, deliberately ignoring Lin Xi. Sitting down, Lin Xi checked her phone.
Xu Huanhuan had bombarded her with messages, overflowing with excitement and gratitude. Lin Xi replied with a simple "You’re welcome." The group chat also had mentions—she skimmed through, explaining she was at work, then switched to a new message from Sister Xiu, their store manager.
"Xi, did you steal He Chun’s client?" The accusation left Lin Xi stunned. She shot a glance at He Chun, who quickly ducked her head behind the counter. Lin Xi scoffed and recounted the interaction to Sister Xiu.
The store had cameras. Sister Xiu could easily verify whether Lin Xi had poached anyone. He Chun was foolish to even suggest it—especially since this wasn’t the first time. Over hotpot last time, Sister Xiu had admitted He Chun would’ve been fired long ago if not for her connections.
A ding announced another message, this time from the Transmigrators’ group chat.
Amid the flood of texts, a glaring system notification stood out:
[System Alert: Earthling Lin Xi has completed the task commissioned by Xu Huanhuan of the Ancient World. Task Rating: SSS. Rewards have been deposited into Lin Xi’s bag. Please check.]
Perhaps anticipating confusion, the system even attached a photo of the bag in question.
Lin Xi clutched her phone and hurried to the staff room. Inside her locker, nestled in her everyday black chain bag, were handfuls of golden, gleaming peanuts.
Her heart pounded like thunder, eyes misting briefly before exhilaration took over. After a moment, she shut the locker, secured the key, and stepped out.
Brother Feng had returned from his site visit.
In his thirties, with black-framed glasses and a lean frame, he was a fiery yet warm-hearted ethnic Korean from Yanji, Jilin Province. Since Lin Xi started working here, she’d frequently mooched his homemade rice balls.
"Brother Feng, smooth sailing?" He’d landed a major order—a whole-home customization for a villa in Huating Yipin, West District. The deposit was paid, and measurements were underway.
"Perfect so far. Just waiting on final blueprint approvals." They stood together at the entrance, chatting between greeting customers.
Brother Feng gestured toward He Chun with his chin and asked, "She's been sulking since I got back. Did you upset her?"
Lin Xi rolled her eyes. "She wanted me to help her calculate cabinet measurements, but I went to attend to a client instead. She got mad and even complained to Sister Xiu that I stole her client."
Hearing this, Brother Feng’s expression darkened. Both things Lin Xi mentioned were pet peeves of his. Brother Feng wasn’t the type to hold back—when Lin Xi first started working, he had patiently taught her everything, even handing her a few deals to practice on.
He Chun had also been under Brother Feng’s guidance when she first arrived, but he quickly lost patience with her. Aside from being sweet-talking, He Chun was hopeless at everything else.
Tasks like calculating measurements could be mastered in a couple of days by someone willing to learn, or at most a week or two for slower learners. But He Chun? After a whole year, she still claimed she couldn’t do it.
"Don’t bother with her. My wife says she’s making stewed pork bones on your day off and wants you to come over," Brother Feng said. Having worked together for years, he appreciated Lin Xi’s considerate nature—she wasn’t the type to take advantage of others. His wife, Li Ying, got along with her quite well.
Lin Xi waved her phone. "She already texted me. I’ll be there first thing Wednesday."
Brother Feng clicked his tongue. "Your Sister Ying treats you better than she treats me. She just got paid yesterday and immediately thought of you, worried you haven’t been eating well. That’s why she decided to buy ribs."
Lin Xi grinned. "My Sister Ying is the best. You can just stay jealous."
In the two years since coming to the capital to work, Brother Feng and his wife had been her greatest source of warmth. They treated her like a little sister—even bringing her hometown specialties after their New Year visits. Knowing she was saving to pay off debts and skimping on meals, they often invited her over for proper food.
Their cheerful conversation stung He Chun, who was still inside. She had also asked Brother Feng for help earlier, only to be refused, which embarrassed her deeply.
Noticing her glare, Brother Feng glanced back, frowned, and turned to discuss work with Lin Xi instead. Colleagues from the neighboring bathroom fixtures store, like Xu Meili, who didn’t have to hustle outside as much, joined them at the entrance, chatting away.
Time flew when there was little to do, and soon it was time to clock out. Lin Xi grabbed her tote bag, planning to cash in the gold peanuts on her way home. While waiting for the bus, she saw He Chun climb into a BMW X3.
Lin Xi recognized the car—it belonged to General Manager Wang of the building materials market. He Chun’s lack of effort at work was no mystery; she had Manager Wang backing her. And everyone in the market knew Manager Wang’s wife wasn’t He Chun.
Lin Xi didn’t care how others lived their lives. She gave the car a brief glance before refocusing on the bus. Meanwhile, the staff group chat for the building materials market was buzzing about the situation.
Lin Xi skimmed it without interest and switched to the "Transmigrators Chat Group."
The group had plenty of messages. Though replies weren’t instant, someone always responded within minutes or half an hour. Several people had @’d her. She tapped the red notification, and the chat jumped to the first unread message.
The first message was from Lin Duxi from the "Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland." Before tagging her, he had chatted with Xu Huanhuan, confirming that Lin Xi had indeed sent photos of her parents.
"@Earth Girl Lin Xi, Lin Xi, could you check on my girlfriend for me? I’ll send you the latest gene serum developed by our base’s research institute in return."
Lin Xi’s finger hovered over the message before replying, "Sure. DM me the details."
Just as she sent it, the bus arrived. Adjusting her bag to her chest, she squeezed on with the crowd.
Lin Xi got off after two stops, heading to the pawnshop. She pulled out her phone to see Lin Duxi’s private message.
"Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland Lin Duxi: Lin Xi, we share the same surname—we’re practically family. I’ll be straight with you. The reason I transmigrated is because I found out my ex cheated on me. When I confronted her, her lover ran me over with a car."
