Chapter 246: Contract Renewal

Shen Lu hurried out of the car, pressing her red lips together as she looked at the delivery receipt the truck driver handed her.

Phew...

’Zhao Qian is acting like a normal person today, unlike the last two days when he sent a whole truck of scallions and green onions.’

She called people over to move the vegetables. Without needing any instructions from Shen Lu, the few people in the back kitchen skillfully got to work.

After finishing her part, Shen Lu returned to the front counter to edit a video. Wang Daguo had snuck over at some point and leaned on the counter to ask quietly, "Boss, have you decided which two people you’re going to keep?"

Shen Lu was taken aback. "Why are you asking?"

"Just curious."

"Then you can just stay curious."

After publishing the video, Shen Lu started tidying up the front counter.

Wang Daguo clicked his tongue and turned to get back to his own work.

It wasn’t that Shen Lu didn’t want to tell him; she simply hadn’t decided yet.

Besides, it seemed Ye Fan and Lin Zhou’s contracts were expiring in the next day or two.

’Originally, my plan was to not renew their contracts once the business stabilized.’

’But now, who knows how many people are watching me, both openly and secretly. I’d better renew them for now.’

’I’ll talk to Xue Can about it tonight.’

Also, it was time for her to pay Wang Daguo and Cai Su.

’Look at all this stuff, it’s just one thing after another.’

In the afternoon, Shen Lu settled Wang Daguo’s wages. Cradling a pile of Star Coins, Wang Daguo was so happy he could barely see straight.

"Thank you, Boss!"

It was the first time he’d ever received such high wages!

Back when he was a corpse collector, he only made a little over 1,000 Star Coins a month. Working for Shen Lu, he earned nearly 3,000 Star Coins a month.

This was considered a high salary in the Lower City District.

Shen Lu said, "You need to keep working hard next month. I’ll dock your pay if you slack off."

"That won’t happen! I’ll definitely work hard!"

After paying Wang Daguo, it was Cai Su’s turn.

However, Cai Su had taken an advance on her salary, so she wasn’t due any money this month. She would only get paid next month. Still, Shen Lu gave her 500 Star Coins.

"This is a bonus," Shen Lu said. "You’re pretty much the deputy manager of the shop. When I’m not here, you’re the one in charge of them, so I’m giving you a bonus for the month. If you continue to do well in the future, the bonuses will keep coming."

Shen Lu had just made this up. She was afraid Cai Su wouldn’t accept the money if she just gave it to her directly.

Cai Su indeed hadn’t wanted to accept it. Not only had she received a salary advance, but she also lived and ate at the shop. Shen Lu also deserved credit for Xiao Lang’s successful second awakening. She had already benefited so much.

’But the reason Shen Lu gave is very convincing. It should be fine to accept it, right?’

Shen Lu stuffed the money into Cai Su’s hands. "Alright, alright, I’m going to make dinner now."

With that, she went into the kitchen.

Shen Lu glanced back and saw that Cai Su hadn’t followed her. That must mean she’d accepted the money.

She began to cook with peace of mind, with Song Zhigao helping her as an assistant.

Cai Su poked her head in through the doorway. "Boss, I’m going to make a trip to Granny Jin’s place."

"Okay. If Granny Jin is willing, ask her to come over and have a meal with us."

"Okay."

Cai Su was going to repay a debt. She had owed Granny Jin money for some time now, and with money in her hands, the first thing she wanted to do was pay it back.

Just as Shen Lu was about to finish cooking, Cai Su returned with Granny Jin.

As soon as Granny Jin arrived, she started telling Shen Lu about the Liu Family’s recent activities.

"Three more people showed up out of nowhere yesterday. I don’t know how they all fit." Granny Jin’s brow was tightly furrowed. "It’s one thing for it to be crowded, but they’re also incredibly loud. Their next-door neighbors complained to me today. I went up to take a look, and there were four young men lying in the room, all of them injured and just groaning and moaning non-stop."

"That’s unacceptable," Shen Lu said with a straight face. "If they’re disturbing the neighbors, you’ll have to charge them extra."

Even though Granny Jin knew her relationship with the Liu Family was strained, she never expected those to be the first words out of Shen Lu’s mouth.

"That’s not all I wanted to say." Granny Jin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "I heard them mention you."

"Oh? What did they say about me?"

"It sounds like they’re planning to come after you." Granny Jin had only caught the last few sentences, not the whole conversation. "From what I gathered, they’re going to come settle the score with you once they’ve recovered from their injuries."

Shen Lu wasn’t afraid in the slightest. ’Liu Yaozu is just a low-life punk. He hasn’t latched onto anyone powerful, and he has no skills of his own. How strong could his scummy friends be?’

’They’re probably about as tough as the three guys who tried to rob me on the road yesterday.’

"Thank you, Granny Jin." Shen Lu already had a plan, but she didn’t intend to tell Granny Jin about it.

’It’s better for the elderly not to worry too much. She should just enjoy her golden years in peace.’

At Shen Lu’s strong insistence, Granny Jin stayed for dinner. Afterward, Shen Lu personally escorted her back to the Seventeenth District.

"The streets are chaotic at night. I’ll go with you and Boss Shen," Xue Can said.

"Alright." Shen Lu didn’t refuse. It was a perfect opportunity to talk to Xue Can about the contract renewal.

Watching the three of them leave, Fu Cheng felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest. He sullenly went upstairs.

The walk from Little Deer Cuisine to the Seventeenth District was only about twenty minutes, so Granny Jin was home in no time.

"Hurry back now," Granny Jin said, waving her hand. "Don’t linger outside."

The Lower City District was very unsafe at night. Recently, there had been frequent incidents of sudden, violent attacks, as well as new types of mutant beasts. People lost their lives every single night.

"Okay," Shen Lu replied, turning to walk back with Xue Can.

Shen Lu wasn’t sure if Xue Can would walk her all the way back to the shop, so she decided to take the initiative and bring up the contract.

"Ye Fan and Lin Zhou have worked very diligently this past month. I’m very satisfied. Their contract is about to expire, and I’d like to renew it."

Xue Can wasn’t surprised that Shen Lu wanted to renew. However, he had his own considerations and arrangements.

"Ye Fan and Lin Zhou are first-tier members of our Mercenary Corps. They’re very strong. If you renew, I’ll send two different people over."

’A blade that isn’t regularly sharpened will slowly grow dull, its killing power greatly reduced.’

He had sent Ye Fan and Lin Zhou over with the idea of letting them rest. Now that they’d rested for a month, it was time for them to get back out there and stretch their legs.

"Can I pick them myself? I’ll choose members other than Ye Fan and Lin Zhou."

"Fine. Boss Shen, please come to the stronghold tomorrow."

So, the matter was tentatively settled. Shen Lu said she would sign the new contract after she had chosen her people.

The next afternoon, Shen Lu made a trip to the Gale Mercenary Corps’ stronghold.

Xue Can had all the members who weren’t currently on a mission assemble. Shen Lu directly activated her Good and Evil Judgment Device and eliminated everyone whose heart was gray. From the remaining people, she chose two based on Xue Can’s introductions and her own considerations.

One of them was a female member. She was slender with her hair cut short for easy maintenance. Her expression was cold, and she looked like the type of Superpower User who could really fight.

However, Xue Can still had to ask for the members’ opinions. If they were truly unwilling to work as security guards, he wouldn’t force them.

Naturally, the two members agreed. Everyone knew that being a security guard at Little Deer Cuisine came with hidden benefits. If they really got bored, they could request a replacement; it wasn’t like they’d be stuck there permanently.