Am I the only one who didn't ascend?

Chapter 575 Both true and false
As an alternative in the food street, Li Sandao snacks can maintain its business despite being deserted all year round. In addition to its unique craftsmanship, the most important thing is that the owner has a pair of eyes that are good at capturing things and a mouth that can't stop eating.

With his hands trained by famous chefs since childhood, he can cook first-class flavors. However, in this era of long-term war, first-class flavors do not necessarily sell for first-class prices. Only by relying on his eyes and mouth and providing first-class service can he sell the dishes he personally produces at the right price and keep the snack bar standing.

After a brief busy time in the kitchen, the owner put the three dishes on the customer's table. However, when Professor Quan meticulously took out his usual gloves from the inner pocket of his long coat and prepared to roll up the flower cake, the owner started to chatter in a familiar manner.

"Professor Quan, I heard that Taixu Fantasy Land has become popular again recently. Many people are vying to buy the bonds issued by Taixu Company. You are an expert in this field. Can you share some of your knowledge? Can I buy these bonds? Hey, I won't listen to your information for nothing. No matter whether I make a profit or a loss in the future, you will always get a 20% discount on your purchases here!"

As he spoke, the shop owner tactfully handed over a cup of excellent fruit yogurt to cool off in the summer.

“Old customers are welcome to return, it’s free.”

Professor Quan was a little dazed when he saw the cup of yogurt, and the owner took this opportunity to quietly move closer, and in a place where no one else could see, he made a gesture and pointed at the rather beautiful woman.

Professor Quan couldn't help but shake his head, feeling a little embarrassed and angry, but also quite moved.

He certainly knew why this familiar shop owner was so overly enthusiastic, and he couldn't refuse his kindness.

A few years ago, he was a senior professor at a college in Huadu, specializing in the study of the Great Illusion. Although the college was not a famous orthodox school, and he himself could not be said to have profound attainments, in the era of the booming painting scroll industry, the college itself had a wealthy painting scroll workshop as its financial sponsor, and the graduates never had to worry about their careers. A professor like him who has been immersed in the industry for many years not only has a very generous income from the college, but also occasionally works as a part-time consultant in the workshop department, making a lot of extra money.

Therefore, despite his plain appearance, poor speech, and somewhat withdrawn and unsociable personality, he still married a beautiful wife and formed a happy family. At that time, he and his wife often came to this Li San Dao snack bar, and the two of them ordered three or four hundred spiritual leaf dishes, spending a perfect morning in the envious eyes of countless people.

Until the outbreak of the long war, the Great Illusion Realm was eroded by the Jingzhou Demon Lord and disintegrated at a very fast speed. The once booming painting scroll industry was almost crushed, and the almost arrogant painting scroll workshop in Huadu also collapsed in just half a year. After losing the support of the sponsor, although the academy was still barely able to maintain its business, it also drastically cut expenses, closed more than 70% of the classes, and laid off a large number of professors with high salaries. Among them, Quan Ruhai was prominently listed.

It was a great upheaval that swept the entire Immortal Alliance, and countless people were affected. Quan Ruhai was not special among them. But for the person involved, life fell to the bottom at that moment.

In fact, after losing his source of income, Quan Ruhai still had some room to maneuver, relying on his accumulation over the past years, and could even maintain a relatively comfortable life for quite a while. However, just when he was seriously considering how to transform, the dagger from behind almost pierced his vitals.

That beautiful wife resolutely chose to divorce him when he needed support the most, and took away most of his assets without looking back.

After that, Quan Ruhai almost collapsed, but the beautiful lady could still appear in the snack bar as usual, ordering the same set meal as before, and using the permanent 10% discount coupon that the owner had given to the couple as a blessing.

Perhaps in her opinion, a middle-aged man who had no special skills other than illusion studies had no chance of making a comeback in this era of fragmented illusions, let alone the opportunity to openly set foot in this conscientious little shop.

But now, Quan Ruhai is indeed back. Although he looks a little haggard and gloomy, his long robe, which is simple in shape but obviously valuable, and the wisdom in his eyes that symbolizes his full spiritual consciousness, are even better than before the war broke out.

There are of course many questions here, and even more unbelievable things... When she saw Quan Ruhai coming in from the corner of her eye, the woman almost forgot to breathe. The food in her mouth also lost its taste instantly. She really wanted to know how Quan Ruhai could come back, but soon she didn't want to know anymore. That poor and useless man must have been trying to save face and overspending. How could he turn things around? He absolutely couldn't turn things around!

However, the shop owner was determined not to let her have her way. Just one or two words from him made the woman feel as if a stone had fallen from her heart and her mind was in a daze.

Re-development? Finding a good position again? With him... How is it possible! ?
The woman really didn't want to listen any more and just wanted to put down the spiritual leaves and leave immediately. However, the owner seemed to be deliberately making things difficult for her. When he handed the drink to Quan Ruhai, his body just blocked the narrow aisle outside the door... If she wanted to leave, she would have to say goodbye to him, and the embarrassment of that was really enough to make her scalp numb just thinking about it.

For a moment, the woman was on pins and needles, but the owner was very interested in learning.

"Come to think of it, Professor Quan, I heard that although this illusion is fragmented, various countries have actually invested a lot in it. Is it true?"

Quan Ruhai couldn't help but sigh when he heard this.

This shop owner is really not a simple person. His performance now is of course to help himself show off and vent his anger. But he has to admit that even with his cowardly personality, he really feels the pleasure of turning the tables and getting slapped in the face despite his embarrassment.

But as a senior professor, he immediately judged that the owner's knowledge was really not like that of an ordinary snack bar owner. Although the news that various countries increased their investment in the illusion was not top secret, it was actually very counterintuitive. Most people only saw that as the illusion was eroded, related industries almost collapsed one after another, and many former illusion elites began to put on coats like Baichengtong and traveled around on Zaiyun. Before the end of the long war, the reconstruction plans of the hundred countries were actually only on paper in many cases, and people could not have an intuitive perception. And there were even fewer people who could enjoy the initial dividends.

Quan Ruhai himself was able to regain the title of professor and witness the full picture of the long-term war between the Immortal Alliance and the Immortal Alliance by chance.

Hearing the shopkeeper's question, Quan Ruhai considered it for a while, selected a few pieces of information that did not violate confidentiality regulations, and simply said: "As the main battlefield of the long-term war, the Immortal Alliance has naturally been investing, but the method is very different from before. So those bonds must also be carefully considered... Even if the reconstruction after the war is not in the same way as before. But generally speaking, the situation is indeed getting better, and we have passed the most difficult time of the long-term war."

The shop owner nodded repeatedly: "I see, I see! I was saying that, I often heard people say that post-war reconstruction is often accompanied by economic growth, so even if the people related to the illusion are temporarily frustrated, they will recover sooner or later. However, it is really amazing that Professor Quan can recover so quickly. Just a while ago, a regular customer placed a takeout order in my shop, and I asked the people from Licheng Express to deliver the food. Guess what the person who came was? It was still your old acquaintance, the so-called genius professor from your academy next door. Who was it... Anyway, it was him! I remember that he looked down on you at the beginning. Now that you have been reinstated, he is still delivering food. Oh, by the way, if you want to eat boxed lunches in the future, you can also find me. I will ask the people from Licheng Express to deliver it to you, and maybe you can meet him again!"

Quan Ruhai heard this and shook his head again and again: "That's not necessary, that's not necessary. Although Professor Hu and I did have some differences of opinion back then, we didn't have any hatred. Moreover, when it's hard to make a living, he is willing to put aside his pride and work hard. This is something that no one should laugh at. I... In the past one or two years, I have also tried part-time work and suffered from it. Professor Hu can put his heart into his work. It won't be long before he can return to his post. Maybe he can go higher than me. He is really talented."

The shop owner immediately gave him a thumbs up and praised him, "As expected of a professor, I really admire your state of mind! That's right, no matter what, hard work is definitely better than living off the fat of the land. Being down-to-earth is definitely better than being unrealistic. But let's put it this way, Professor Quan, you have already taken the lead in reinstating your position when everything was in ruins. With Professor Hu and others returning one after another, won't your position also rise? Haha, maybe I can't call you Professor Quan anymore in the future, I have to call you Mr. Quan."

Quan Ruhai was shocked when he heard this.

This shop owner... is he too perceptive? Indeed, his current position is exactly where he will rise in the future. Many people enviously call him a dead tree that has come back to life and has a promising future. The long clothes he wears now, as well as the elixirs he uses for daily practice, are all high-end special supplies distributed by his superiors, which he never enjoyed in his past when he lived a comfortable life. However, these things are confidential and cannot be discussed with others.

Unexpectedly, the shop owner seemed to see everything and took the initiative to help him expose the matter... For a moment, he was a little frightened.

Is this shop owner really okay? Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly saw the uneasy woman not far away stand up angrily, pretending to wipe her forehead with a handkerchief but actually covering her face, and hurried over, speaking in a low and fast tone.

"Boss, borrow it... I put the spiritual leaf on the table."

The shop owner did not make things difficult for her and made way for her. After the woman walked away quickly, the shop owner sighed and said, "From now on, this snack bar will have one less regular customer."

At this time, he and Quan Ruhai were the only two people in the store, so Quan Ruhai did not hide anything and asked directly: "You sent me a reward flyer and invited me to come today, just to... help me vent my anger?"

The shop owner laughed and said, "How can that be possible? It's because the business is not doing well, so I have no choice but to actively try to win back old customers!"

Quan Ruhai frowned and even laughed: "If you cherish your old customer so much, why do you drive her out? She is the real old customer, right? Besides, I don't hate her that much."

"Oh Professor Quan, you can hardly hide your smile."

Quan Ruhai's expression suddenly darkened, but it only lasted for a moment before he shook his head and laughed again: "It seems that I am still not shrewd enough... Over the years, I have been convincing myself to let it go, but sometimes I really need to be happy before I can let it go."

The shop owner said, "Don't let it go. She still owns your house. She has lived here for two years, using all the money you left her."

Quan Ruhai still shook his head: "It doesn't matter, there's no need to bother with her anymore."

The shop owner agreed: "That's right. When your position rises in the future, someone will take care of some things for you. You don't have to step in person."

Quan Ruhai was stunned when he heard this. He felt that such a day seemed indeed foreseeable, and he felt a little confused for a moment.

The shop owner said, "If you ask me, Professor Quan, don't think too much. If you really want to let it go, then let it go completely. Whatever the person below loves to do, it's what she deserves, right? If you can't let it go, it will only cause more problems."

Quan Ruhai was lost in thought again. After a moment, he nodded with a sincere smile, "That's right, that's the truth... Boss, you are right. Haha, I didn't expect that I just accepted your flyer today and wanted to relive the old taste on a whim, but I didn't expect that before I could taste the old taste, I tasted the five flavors of life and learned some truths. Boss, you are running a snack bar like this, it's really a waste of your talent."

The shop owner smiled and said, "Professor Quan, the tone of your speech now sounds a bit like Master Quan."

"Hahaha!"

Amidst the laughter, Quan Ruhai finally relaxed completely, and his slightly gloomy face seemed to be blooming with sunshine.

The entire Li Sandao snack bar, and even the entire Huadu Li City, gradually slowed down and solidified in the laughter.

Time stood still at this moment, and the whole world seemed to be printed as a motionless painting.

Then, a pleasant but cold voice-over sounded.

"The script [Snack Story 0312] has been completed."

"Now settle the script."

"Traveler [Wang Luo], successfully completed the main quest [Business Method], side quest 1 [New Dishes], side quest 2 [Takeaway], side quest 2 [Regular Customers], hidden quest [Spring Like the Sea]"

"Overall rating 94, congratulations on getting the highest rating."

“You’ve outlasted your competition.”

"Do you want to return?"

The owner, Wang Luo, nodded slightly at the scroll, and then let out a slightly tired sigh.

When the sighs ended, everything belonging to the Flower City Licheng shattered like a dream bubble, and was replaced by sounds of joy.

"Master Wang Shan is awesome!"

"This is so fucking perverted. He's fighting against the Primordial Demon Lord alone! Holy shit!"

"An overall score of 94, is this really something a human can achieve?!"

(End of this chapter)