Chapter 40: Who Cares

Wang Ping could not help but praise Qianqian again, saying how truly adorable she was.

Having been complimented twice in a row, and seeing Auntie Wang working alongside her mom and dad, Qianqian suddenly felt that Wang Ping was kind and approachable. She kept tagging along beside Wang Ping, insisting on helping with the work.

Of course, she couldn't actually do anything and only ended up getting in the way. Zhang Suxin had no choice but to take Qianqian upstairs to play.

After that, the work went much more smoothly. After a busy half-day, all the books were moved into the shop, filling it to the brim.

Lu Anzhi and Wang Ping cross-checked the inventory against the manifest. Once confirmed, Lu Anzhi settled the payment and offered the two drivers who had helped a glass of water before they departed.

Next came the task of sorting and shelving the books, a process largely guided by Wang Ping. With her there, progress remained very steady, and by noon, the shelves were mostly organized.

The excess books, intended as stock, were to be placed in storage cabinets. Wang Ping had already categorized them; they just needed to be arranged after a short lunch break, which would make them easy to find later.

Lu Anzhi thought to himself that it was fortunate to have Sister Wang’s help. If it had been just him, he feared it would have taken an entire day to finish this much work. It seemed he had truly made the right choice when he posted the job ad last night.

If hiring a shop assistant were like drawing a card, he had undoubtedly pulled an SSR.

"Sister Wang, I really owe you today. Without you, I’m afraid this bookstore wouldn't be able to open as scheduled tomorrow. I’m going to give you a 500-yuan bonus later; please don't think it's too little."

During the lunch break, none of them went home. Lu Anzhi ordered a few dishes from a nearby restaurant and ate with Wang Ping, Zhang Suxin, and Qianqian. He said this to Wang Ping in the middle of the meal.

Wang Ping was pleasantly surprised and hurriedly said, "There's no need for that, Boss. This is just what I should be doing."

Lu Anzhi laughed, "It’s just this once; there won't be another chance to get a bonus like this later. Please don't decline, Sister Wang, and please don't think it's too little."

Wang Ping couldn't say anything more, and besides, who wouldn't want to earn a little extra money? She replied, "It's not too little, it's not too little at all."

She offered to help feed Qianqian, but Zhang Suxin insisted it wasn't necessary.

Qianqian, meanwhile, seemed completely indifferent to the conversation. She was slurping her noodles, eating with great relish. Her eyes darted between Lu Anzhi, Wang Ping, and Zhang Suxin, as if she were trying to figure something out.

After lunch, Lu Anzhi and Wang Ping worked for a while longer, placing all the stock into the storage cabinets. They then tidied up the place, and the entire bookstore, now filled with books, looked brand new.

With nothing left to do, Lu Anzhi gave Wang Ping the 500 yuan in cash and told her she could head home, adding that she should just come by tomorrow for the grand opening.

It was then that Wang Ping mentioned what her daughter-in-law, Liu Xiuting, had asked her about the day before. "Boss, I noticed we have quite a few copies of *Dragon Raja III*. I know there's a requirement for a synchronized nationwide release tomorrow, so I haven't put them on the shelves yet."

Lu Anzhi said, "Yes, Sister Wang, you were very thoughtful. I had completely forgotten about that. If I had done it myself, I certainly would have put them out already."

Wang Ping asked, "Could I reserve a set of *Dragon Raja III*? My son loves this book, and my daughter-in-law asked me last night if I could see about buying a set to take home."

Lu Anzhi said with surprise, "Your grandson is already in primary school, so your son must be quite grown up, right? He still likes reading *Dragon Raja*?"

Wang Ping replied, "Yes, my son has loved fantasy novels since he was in school, and he's kept that hobby to this day. He doesn't smoke or drink, and he doesn't have any other hobbies. My daughter-in-law is always worrying because she never knows what to get him as a gift."

Lu Anzhi laughed, "Hearing you say that, it sounds like your son and daughter-in-law have a great relationship."

At the mention of this, Wang Ping couldn't help but reveal a relaxed and happy smile. "Yes, it's quite good."

Lu Anzhi said, "That's fine. Sister Wang, you take a set of *Dragon Raja III* home tomorrow. Besides, I don't think we'll sell out of these in a single day. I ordered a large quantity, and since the shop is just opening, I doubt there will be enough customers to buy them all."

As the author of *Dragon Raja III*, he naturally had access to a large allocation of copies. With the popularity of the first two installments as a foundation, the initial print run was already high, and his allotment was even larger.

Wang Ping thanked him profusely before leaving the store.

Unexpectedly, not long after she left, a customer walked in and asked, "Do you have *Dragon Raja III*?"

Lu Anzhi replied, "We do, but it doesn't go on sale until tomorrow. You're a bit early."

The person asked, "Can't I buy it today?"

Lu Anzhi said, "There are specific requirements; it's not easy to sell it today."

The person said, "Then can I pay a deposit and have you set a copy aside for me? I'll come pick it up tomorrow."

Lu Anzhi agreed, "That's fine." He found some paper and a pen, had the customer leave his information, and accepted a deposit.

After the customer left, to avoid further early arrivals, Lu Anzhi temporarily closed the bookstore door.

He went to the storage cabinet and retrieved a three-volume set of *Dragon Raja III*. He opened the books and took his pen, signing his pen name, "Doraemon," on the title pages. He decided to bring out these signed copies as a surprise to see if Sister Wang would like them.

If she wanted the signed version, he would give her this opened set; if she preferred a pristine, unopened set, he would just grab another one for her.

"Wow! Books!"

Qianqian had just woken up from her nap. Hand-in-hand with Zhang Suxin, she walked down the stairs, bracing herself on the railing, and said with delight, "So many books!"

Coming down, it was as if she had entered a brand new world. She wandered around the shelves, her little hands touching one book and then another.

Zhang Suxin reminded her not to mess them up or damage the books. Qianqian nodded obediently, said "Okay," and then continued to walk around and touch the books gently without taking them off the shelves or flipping through them carelessly.

Lu Anzhi, having finished signing the books, saw Qianqian’s actions and said, "Wait a moment, Qianqian. Daddy will get you a picture book in a little while."

Qianqian was even happier. "Okay!"

It was then that Zhang Suxin noticed the books in Lu Anzhi's hands. She asked in surprise, "You've already opened a set?"

Lu Anzhi nodded. "Yes, Sister Wang said her son likes them, so I took a set out to sign. I'll see tomorrow if she wants the signed version; if she does, I'll give her this set."

He paused, suddenly thinking of something, and added with a smile, "What about you? Do you want one? Should I open another set and sign it for you?"

Zhang Suxin rolled her eyes at him and laughed, "Hmph! Who would care for that!"