Open a group to change your life

Chapter 25 Ellie

Lin Keke shrank back, looked at Liang Junjie, then at Yu Xueji, and whispered, "It's...it's possible...but she's probably at work right now."

"Going to work?" Liang Junjie and Yu Xueji asked in unison, their expressions both a little strange.

"Um... I work at the 'Mishue Elf' milk tea shop."

Lin Keke's voice became even softer, "She said she wanted to experience human life and save money to buy the latest magic... oh no, I mean 'special effects' creation software."

Liang Junjie's lips twitched. Fine, that's very clever.

The two people and one demon quickly arrived at the "Mishue Elf" milk tea shop located on the commercial street. The shop was not big, but it was decorated in a refreshing style, and there were quite a few customers.

Liang Junjie immediately spotted the barista behind the counter shaking a shake. Her long, golden hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and her pointed ears, disguised by magic or some other means, had been rounded into the shape of an ordinary human. However, her clear, bright green eyes and overly refined features still exuded an inhuman aura. She moved nimbly, her smile impeccable, seemingly perfectly embodying the role of a working-class person.

"It's her, Sister Ellie," Lin Keke whispered, hiding behind Liang Junjie.

Liang Junjie nodded, signaling Lin Keke to calm down. He then pulled Yu Xueji to the counter.

"Welcome~ What would you like to drink?" Ellie looked up, revealing a professional smile. Her gaze swept over Liang Junjie and Yu Xueji, and then paused for a moment on Lin Keke, who was peeking out from behind them, without changing her smile.

Liang Junjie glanced at the menu: "One hot bubble tea, full sugar."

He then pointed at Yu Xueji: "Give her a cup of Treasure Girl Tea, no ice and half sugar."

Finally, she looked at Lin Keke: "And you? What would you like to drink? I'll get you a cup of room temperature tea?"

Lin Keke quickly waved her hand: "No, no need to spend money..."

"Let's have a glass of lemonade, room temperature," Yu Xueji decided for it.

After placing his order, while waiting for it to be made, Liang Junjie leaned against the counter and casually remarked, "Boss, business is good. I heard that those magical card battle games are quite popular lately? Have you considered doing a collaboration or something? I think your store name is quite suitable."

His pickup line was really bad; even Yu Xueji, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but glance at him.

Ellie, who was busy packaging milk tea, paused almost imperceptibly upon hearing this. She looked up, her smile still sweet, but a hint of inquiry flashed in the depths of her green eyes: "Do you also play 'Secret Realm Summoning'? We have considered a collaboration, but the application process seems quite complicated. And..."

As she handed the freshly made milk tea to Liang Junjie, she casually remarked, "Young people in China seem to prefer fantasy-themed games. Is magic and such a misfit here?"

Her words were natural, but she pronounced the word "fantasy hero" a little more clearly. Her gaze seemed to casually sweep over the fire umbrella sword that Liang Junjie was using to conceal it at his waist, as well as the light-colored coat that Yu Xueji was wearing, which was of ordinary style but contained spiritual power.

Liang Junjie took the milk tea, inserted the straw, and took a sip. His tone relaxed a bit: "Fantasy martial arts have their coolness, and magic has its dazzling flair. Besides, good things transcend East and West. Take milk tea, for example; it originated abroad, but now it's everywhere, isn't it?"

He smiled knowingly, "The key is whether you have real substance and whether people can like you."

Ellie blinked, handed the Treasure Girl Tea to Yu Xueji, and then made lemonade for Lin Keke. "The customer is right. As long as you put your heart into it, it's only natural to be popular."

She glanced around and saw that there were no new customers in the shop, so she relaxed her stance slightly and unconsciously twirled the ends of her hair with her fingers. "However, some raw materials or formulas are more readily accepted and more effective when they are local, right?"

The implication in those words was quite obvious. Liang Junjie and Yu Xueji exchanged a glance.

"Indeed." Liang Junjie nodded. "However, it's quite interesting to try foreign flavors occasionally, as long as it's legal, compliant, and has all the necessary permits. The only concern is that some 'special ingredients' might come on their own without prior notice, which could easily lead to misunderstandings."

Ellie's smile faded slightly, but she remained polite. "If it's a popular 'ingredient' and we comply with the 'food safety regulations' here, I think... it shouldn't be a big problem? Maybe we can even develop a new hit product."

As she spoke, her gaze this time focused specifically on Lin Keke behind Liang Junjie, her eyes softening slightly. "It's like some saplings; if they're moved to a more fertile garden with someone who takes good care of them, they might grow better and be safer."

Lin Keke, holding her lemonade, listened to their banter with a mixture of understanding and confusion. When she heard their part about herself, she couldn't help but nod.

Liang Junjie understood. Ellie's enlightenment of Lin Keke and the giving of the Yu family map were likely not accidental, but intentional.

She seemed to know about the Yu family's situation, and might even have indirectly contributed to the Yu Kingdom's army's search for the "Tree Spirit Gardener." Her purpose... didn't seem malicious; rather, it seemed more like she was trying to find a reliable home for Lin Keke, this little demon who had just gained sentience?

"Having all the paperwork is very important," Liang Junjie said, echoing her words. "Especially the 'Entry and Exit Registration' and 'Residence Permit.' Otherwise, if the 'administrators' here find out, it'll always be troublesome."

Ellie tilted her head slightly, revealing a somewhat helpless smile: "Ah... that. I came out in a hurry, to experience life, and sometimes it's easy to forget some of the tedious procedures. But I've been very careful and haven't caused any trouble. I just helped a clueless little guy find his way."

She pointed to Lin Keke, "It's very naive and needs guidance. As for that Mr. Yu, from what I've observed, he's a good gardener, comes from a good family, and has a rather special background..."

Her last few words were quite meaningful.

Liang Junjie's heart skipped a beat. The Yu family has a special foundation? Does it refer to those spiritual plants, or something else?

"Looks like you've done your homework," Liang Junjie said. "What about the relocation..."

"That's between you and Coco."

Ellie waved her hand, reverting to her lively working-class tone, "I'm just here to make the connection. If Coco is willing and the Yu family accepts, then everyone's happy. As for me, I still need to save up to buy the software! Our store might actually have to set up a booth at the game expo next month, so I need to hurry up and get the character models done..."

Before she could finish speaking, another customer walked into the shop. Ellie immediately put on a warm smile: "Welcome! What would you like to drink?"

Liang Junjie knew the conversation was temporarily over. He nodded to Ellie, indicating he understood. Ellie nodded almost imperceptibly in response.

"Let's go," Liang Junjie said to Yu Xueji and Lin Keke.

The three left the bubble tea shop with their drinks. Reaching the street corner, Yu Xueji whispered, "She... just like that? Aren't you going to ask her why she came here? Does she have some other purpose?"

Liang Junjie sipped his milk tea, watching the people coming and going on the street. "She doesn't seem to have any ill intentions, at least not towards Lin Keke and the Yu family. And she clearly knows who we are, and her words implied her willingness to 'leave legally,' even though the paperwork might not be complete... As for her deeper purpose, she won't say, and we won't be able to get it out of her even if we press her. After all, according to the rules my master mentioned, as long as 'Western tourists' like her don't cause trouble, in principle... we can't easily drive them away or investigate them further, as it could easily cause a dispute between the cultivators on both sides."

He paused, looking at Lin Keke who was sipping her lemonade: "Now it seems more like she just helped you out by introducing you to a good place. As for her own affairs... let's observe for now as long as it doesn't affect us or violate our bottom line."

Lin Keke seemed to understand, but upon hearing that Sister Ellie was helping her, she felt much more at ease and nodded vigorously, "Sister Ellie is a good person!"

Yu Xueji sighed, "Then now... should we take it back to see Grandpa?"

"Hmm." Liang Junjie tossed the empty milk tea cup into the trash can. "Take the employees from the landscaping outsourcing business back to report. As for that elf-like part-time worker..."

He glanced back at the Mixue Elf sign. "I'll come again sometime. Maybe we can even talk about a game collaboration next time?"