Cai Wudi blinked at the glowing blue panel hovering in front of him.
A calm, mechanical voice rang out:
"Activation Successful. Welcome, Shopkeeper Cai Wudi. I am the Everlasting Ledger. I am not a system. You will address me as 'Ledger.'"
Cai Wudi raised an eyebrow. "Right… because clearly a dusty old panel has feelings. Got it. Ledger it is."
The panel displayed a neat, boxed interface:
════════════════════
EVERLASTING LEDGER
════════════════════
Activation Successful.
Welcome, Shopkeeper Cai Wudi.
I am the Everlasting Ledger. I am not a system. You will address me as "Ledger."
Your shop shall now operate under my guidance.
[INITIAL FUNCTIONS]
1. Warehouse Management
- Infinite storage space for all inventory.
- Items automatically categorized and organized.
2. Currency Management
- Converts all currencies (including spirit stones and rare coins).
- Tracks profits, losses, and unusual transactions.
3. Appraisal
- Determines value, quality, and authenticity of all items.
- Detects cursed, magical, or unique items.
4. Accounting
- Maintains detailed transaction history.
- Calculates profits and losses.
- Offers guidance (or gentle scolding) on financial decisions.
[NOTES]
- Functions may expand as shop operation progresses.
- Customer satisfaction, item diversity, and shop reputation may affect long-term growth.
- The goal of the shop: Everlasting success (and eventual transcendence).
════════════════════
Cai Wudi stared at it. "…Okay… this is a lot for a dusty little shop I just cleaned. Also… 'everlasting success'? Really?"
The Ledger's voice cut in sharply:
"I said I am not a system! And yes. Everlasting success. Address me properly if you wish to avoid financial instability."
He muttered under his breath, smirking: Yeah, because a panel is clearly going to lecture me on money management. Sure.
Then, shaking his head, he sighed and thought: Well… I guess if I'm going to turn this old shop into a real business, I might as well listen to the talking ledger. Worst-case scenario, it just insults me while I clean shelves.
Cai Wudi leaned back against the counter, smirking to himself. *Well… since I have a system—*he cleared his throat—a ledger now, I can't sell this shop. I've read enough novels to know what this means. I'm on my way to… ascendence.
He glanced at the glowing panel and called out: "Hey, Ledger! Is there… a newbie gift package or something?"
The Ledger's voice responded immediately, dripping with mockery:
"Gift package? Cai Wudi, like you, I am a villainous profiteer. Do not expect charity from me."
Cai Wudi opened his mouth to protest: "I'm not a villain—"
"Silence! As with any true profiteer, there are requirements for full activation of the Ledger. Speaking of—"
Ding.
A soft chime echoed through the shop. A new text box appeared on the panel:
════════════════════
ACTIVATION MISSION
════════════════════
Mission Activated.
Mission Requirements: Sell one thing.
Mission Reward: Ledger fully activated.
Mission Failure: Ledger deactivated and loss of 50% of your invisible height.
════════════════════
Cai Wudi froze, eyes widening. Invisible height?! He squeezed his legs together instinctively and muttered, "You… rogue!"
The Ledger, as if reading his thoughts, continued with smug authority:
"You will comply. Do not test me, Shopkeeper. Your ascent begins with profit… or discomfort."
Cai Wudi groaned, rubbing his temples. Great… first day back, and I already have a rogue, villainous ledger threatening my… my dignity. Perfect
Cai Wudi sank onto the counter, running a hand through his hair. Well… this doesn't seem too hard. Sell one thing. How difficult can it be?
He paused, eyes widening. Wait… I have no money, no goods, and no customers. What do I do? What do I do?!
He snapped his fingers. Wait a second… if there's a failure penalty, there must be a time limit. It can't go on until… death, right? System! How much time do I have left?!
A small window popped up on the panel. Cai Wudi squinted. 23 hours and 59 minutes?
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, the timer halved instantly: 11 hours and 59 minutes!
"System, what just happened?!" Cai Wudi yelled, staggering back.
A mechanical chuckle echoed in the shop. Then, faintly, the words "I wonder…" floated into his ears.
The timer dropped again: 5 hours and 59 minutes!
Cai Wudi nearly toppled over. "Oh… great Ledger! I—I am truly sorry for my insolence! You wouldn't hold it against an ant like me, would you?!"
The Ledger snorted. "That's exactly how it should be."
Cai Wudi pressed his hands together, desperation rising. "Please… can you restore my time?"
"What do you think?" the Ledger replied, tone dry and mocking.
Cai Wudi muttered under his breath, grumbling, Stingy…
The timer blinked and dropped again: 2 hours and 59 minutes.
He groaned, sinking to the floor. Well… I guess I'd better start selling something. And fast.
Cai Wudi stood up, brushing the dust off his shorts. When I get back… I need to sweep properly. But for now, I need to sell something.
He paused, hand on his chin. Unfortunately… I have nothing to sell. So first, I need to buy something. Something cheap, in high demand, that I can sell on the side of the road. Obviously I can't sell it here — no customers, no foot traffic… nothing.
His eyes brightened as a thought struck him. I know what it should be.
Without another second wasted, he bolted out of the shop, the sound of his sneakers echoing down the old street. A few blocks away… a rival convenience store. If I'm quick, I can grab some stock before they even notice.
And with that, Cai Wudi sprinted, thoughts racing faster than his legs. This is it. My first sale. My first step toward… whatever ridiculous immortality this ledger has in mind.
Cai Wudi stepped into the convenience store, and immediately, memories washed over him. He remembered coming here with Lin Yue to buy sweets when his grandpa wouldn't let him. He could almost taste the sugar and hear their whispered giggles as they sneaked coins from their pockets.
His eyes wandered to the counter—and his heart leapt. Auntie Zhang was behind it, just as kind as he remembered. Their eyes met, and she called out with a bright smile, "Xiao Wudi! Is that you?!"
Cai Wudi grinned. "It's me, Aunt Zhang."
Her smile softened, then dimmed slightly. "It's a shame about that old rascal… villains are supposed to live a millennia, but that scoundrel went before me. Xiao Wudi, are you here to stay, or leaving soon? Either way, you have to come over for dinner tonight."
A warm feeling spread through Cai Wudi's chest. Even if my family is gone, I was loved… he thought. "I'm here to stay for good now, and I will definitely come over for dinner."
Auntie Zhang waved him toward the shelves. "Take whatever you want!"
Cai Wudi's eyes flickered toward the blue panel, where the Ledger's voice cut in sharply:
"Only things that the host owns may be sold."
He sighed. "Wait, what about gifts? Aren't gifts things I own?"
"Only items bought or sold count as possessions. You may only sell what you truly possess," the Ledger replied, tone dry and precise.
Cai Wudi turned back to Auntie Zhang, giving her a reassuring smile. "No, Auntie, don't worry about it. I can take your hospitality, but I can't take your possessions."
Resolutely, he walked toward the fridge. One item caught his eye—a single bottle of water. Simple, ordinary, yet essential. Everyone needed it, and it was affordable.
This is it. My first sale
Cai Wudi grabbed the cheapest brand of water from the fridge. It's all the same, right? he thought, shrugging.
He walked to the counter and pulled the last dollar from his wallet, grimacing as he glanced at the single coin that remained. I should keep this… commemorate my origins, he mused, tucking it carefully back into his pocket.
Auntie Zhang handed him the bag with a warm smile. "Don't forget to come over tonight!"
"Of course, Auntie," Cai Wudi replied, hurrying out of the store, the bag clutched tightly in his hand.
As he stepped onto the street, he instinctively glanced at the timer floating on the ledger panel. Thirteen minutes have passed… that leaves 2 hours and 46 minutes.
He exhaled, feeling a tiny spark of confidence. Well… selling a single bottle of water should be easy enough. How hard can it be?
Hard, very hard.
The timer blinked in front of him: Time Remaining: 8 minutes 37 seconds.
Cai Wudi froze. What the hell? Where did the time go?
His mind raced back over the last two hours. People had passed by him relentlessly; anyone he called out to had brushed him off with a cold shoulder. Every attempt at a sale had been ignored.
Before he could even process it, an egg came hurtling through the air and splattered on the back of his head.
"Get a real job!" a somewhat young voice shouted.
Cai Wudi whipped his head around. A group of young boys was laughing and pointing at him before scurrying off down the street.
He stood there, dripping egg, grumbling, Damn kids.
A mechanical voice echoed from the ledger, dripping with mockery:
"I think I chose the wrong host. He can't sell a single bottle of water. He's looked down on by a group of children… what good are you?"
Cai Wudi muttered under his breath, Yeah… and berated by a system…
"What?" the Ledger snapped.
He quickly waved his hand. "I… said nothing."
"Good. And keep it that way," the Ledger replied, tone firm and unamused.
Cai Wudi sighed, wiping egg from his hair. Great. So I'm being mocked by both a system and children. Fantastic