I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 26

At night, in Yuri's shop.

Kevin, March 7th, and Dan Heng returned to the Astral Express through the portal.

The moment Kevin arrived, he sprinted straight to the bar, dragging a large black garbage bag behind him. The sudden movement startled Paimon, who had been pouring drinks.

"Kevin! Why are you running so fast? You scared me!" she yelped.

Kevin chuckled, dropping the heavy bag with a dramatic thud and bowing playfully. "Sorry, sorry, it's urgent."

Paimon took a sip of her drink through a straw. "Urgent? What's the big deal? Need help?"

Kevin waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, I got this."

Without another word, he reached into the bag and pulled out handfuls of Stellar Jade, dumping them onto the exchange scale. The gleaming gems piled up, and the star coins on the other side of the scale quickly overflowed, spilling across the bar counter.

Paimon's eyes widened. So many star coins! How much food could she buy with this? One roasted chicken, two roasted chickens, three roasted chickens...

Behind Kevin, March 7th stood patiently with a smaller bag, waiting her turn to exchange.

Before long, they had converted all their Stellar Jade. In total, the two had earned 50,000 star coins—equivalent to 500 Stellar Jades. That meant each of them had exchanged 250 Stellar Jades for 25,000 star coins.

Kevin, satisfied, dampened his fingers under the bar's faucet and gleefully began counting his star coins one by one.

Just then, Bronya, Seele, and Natasha stepped through the portal—and were immediately met with this scene.

Bronya nearly fainted on the spot.

It wasn't the Stellar Jade itself—those had always been ownerless, fair game for anyone. But... did Kevin really have to carry them in a bag that had "Belobog" printed in bold letters across the front?!

She recognized that bag instantly. It was the same type used for disposing of old documents outside her office—the ones meant for burning.

Where in the world did Kevin even get this bag?!

Before she could say anything, Yuri approached.

"Natasha, Seele, Bronya," he greeted casually.

Natasha smiled. "Sorry to trouble you again, Yuri."

After a brief round of pleasantries, Yuri asked, "Here to shop?"

Bronya nodded and pulled out a box containing Stellar Jade. "Yes. Seele and Natasha told me that I could exchange Stellar Jade for supplies here, so..."

She hesitated for a moment, then remembered something important.

"By the way, last time you treated my mother, I believe you used a potion. That was 100 Stellar Jade, correct?"

Yuri nodded. "Yes, that potion is worth 100 Stellar Jade."

Bronya took out 100 Stellar Jades and handed them to him. "Thank you for saving my mother."

Yuri smiled and turned toward Paimon. "Paimon, come here."

Paimon, still daydreaming about her future feast, snapped out of it and flew over. "What do you need, Yuri?"

"Take Bronya through the shopping process," Yuri instructed.

Paimon frowned. "No way! This is your shop! You help the customers!"

Yuri smirked. "I'll give you a roast chicken."

Paimon, who had started to float away in protest, froze mid-air.

"Two!" she countered, holding up two fingers.

Yuri chuckled. "Deal."

At once, Paimon dropped her drink and flew over to Bronya. "Hello! My name's Paimon. Let me walk you through how to shop here. Trust me, buying things from Yuri is a process. First, you have to exchange the scales..."

Yuri watched as Paimon enthusiastically led Bronya away. He smirked to himself. Paimon was easy to handle.

Still, he thought to himself, he really needed to find a shop assistant. He wanted to step out and explore the world, but he couldn't leave the shop unattended.

After some consideration, he finally decided on the perfect candidate.

It's decided.

Noelle.

He grabbed a sheet of paper, quickly wrote a letter, and sealed it in an envelope.

"Paimon! Paimon!"

Paimon had just finished guiding Bronya and was about to sip her drink when she pouted in frustration. "What now?!"

Yuri placed three "Super Delicious Roast Chickens" on the table. "Take this letter to Jean."

The moment Paimon saw the roasted chicken, her irritation vanished. She grabbed the envelope with a beaming smile. "Alright! Wait here, I'll be right back!"

As soon as Paimon left, Ying walked over from the next booth.

"Yuri, those three roast chickens are for Paimon, right?"

Yuri nodded. "Yeah, why?"

Ying chuckled, picked up all three roast chickens, and strolled toward the next room. Without hesitation, she tore off a drumstick and took a bite.

"Mmm~ Free food always tastes the best!"

Paimon returned moments later and zoomed toward Yuri. "Yuri, I delivered the letter! Now, where's my roast chicken?"

Yuri sipped his tea. "Didn't Ying already take them?"

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Paimon froze. "WHAT?!"

Fuming, she dashed to the next booth and found Ying happily munching away.

"Ying! Let go of my roast chicken!"

Ying swallowed her bite, grinning. "What's wrong with me eating your food? You've eaten plenty of mine before."

Paimon hesitated—she had no argument.

Sighing dramatically, she sat down, grabbed a drumstick, and joined in. "Fine, but I get the last one!"

Meanwhile, in Jean's office at the Knights of Favonius headquarters in Mondstadt...

After reading Yuri's letter, Jean called for Noelle.

Noelle arrived promptly. "Captain Jean, you needed me?"

Jean smiled warmly. "Yes, I have a favor to ask."

Hearing that Jean needed her, Noelle instantly straightened up, eyes shining with determination.

Jean chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Don't be so nervous—it's nothing too serious. I just need you to work as a clerk at a friend's shop."

Noelle blinked in confusion. "A... shopkeeper?"

Jean nodded. "Yes, a shopkeeper."

Noelle wasn't entirely sure why Jean was asking her to do this, but she didn't question it. Captain Jean was an exceptional knight, and she was merely an apprentice. Whatever Jean needed, she would do.

Most importantly—Captain Jean needed her! That alone was enough to ignite her fighting spirit.

Jean, seeing her enthusiasm, smiled. "Good. Let's go. I'll take you there now."

With that, Jean led Noelle through the portal, heading straight to Yuri's shop.

Bronya's side.

She was browsing the mall, carefully managing her budget of 70,000 Star Coins.

Every item she looked at—machinery, food, weapon schematics—was something Belobog desperately needed. The city was impoverished, lacking even the most basic necessities.

Bronya spotted Clara, who was just getting out of school, and borrowed a piece of draft paper and a pen. She crouched down and began scribbling calculations, doing her best to maximize what she could buy with her limited funds.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the black garbage bag at Kevin's feet.

Regret hit her like a truck.

"I'm short by 500 Stellar Jade! What am I even doing?!"

She sighed, frustrated but resigned, and continued shopping.

Just then, a commotion broke out nearby.

"Everyone! Look over here! I'm opening the bucket!"

Bronya turned her head toward the voice and saw Kevin standing in an open space next to a booth. In front of him were ten brand-new trash cans, neatly arranged.

Curious, she frowned. "What is Kevin doing?"

March 7th, who had just finished washing her hands after eating roast chicken, explained, "That's unboxing—a lottery draw."

She gestured toward the trash cans. "Kevin bought these from Yuri. They're scratch-card trash cans, 1,000 Star Coins each. If you're lucky, you can get something way more valuable than what you paid."

Bronya raised an eyebrow. "There's something like that?"

Inside the store, everyone's attention was now fixed on Kevin.

The two little ones, Klee and Hook, stopped playing and ran up to Kevin, standing in a row to watch.

"Big Bro Kevin, what are you doing?" Klee asked curiously.

Kevin smirked. "I'm drawing a lottery. You two should step back—the light might be too bright. I don't want it to hurt your eyes."

Hearing that, the two obediently took a few steps back but still stood on their toes, peering into the trash cans with wide, excited eyes.

Kevin clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the cans before lighting three sticks of incense and praying.

March 7th stared at him, unimpressed. "Kevin, stop with the superstitions. It won't change your luck."

Dan Heng nodded. "If it's meant to be, it'll happen. If it's not, you won't get it no matter how hard you try."

Before Kevin could respond, Ying chimed in with a smirk. "You guys don't get it. There's a metaphysical aspect to the lottery."

Kevin shot her a thumbs-up. "A true comrade!"

Ying folded her arms. "Kevin, trust me. Go for ten draws at once—at least that way, there's a guaranteed hit."

Kevin didn't hesitate. "Alright, ten in a row!"

The moment he made the draw, the entire store exploded in golden light. Klee and Hook, caught in the glow, quickly covered their eyes.

As the light faded, everyone leaned in to check the results.

Kevin grabbed Yuri's sleeve, eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Yuri, help me check if I hit anything big!"

Yuri examined the contents and burst into laughter.

"Three Musang King durians, three cans of Super Herring Pro Max, one regular samurai sword, a 10-ton delivery card for high-quality rice, one Manchu-Han banquet set meal, and... one laptop."

Yuri laughed even harder. "Hahahaha! Kevin, you might wanna stop now. That's a total loss! Hahahaha!"

Kevin collapsed onto the floor, looking utterly devastated. "Noooooo!!!"

March 7th shook her head in sympathy. "See? I told you this was a waste of money, but you wouldn't listen. Now you just threw away 10,000 Star Coins."

She picked up a Musang King durian and turned to Yuri. "Hey, is this durian any good?"

Yuri nodded. "Of course. This is top-tier durian—the best you can get."

March 7th's eyes gleamed. She remembered the durian she had once eaten at Natasha's clinic and licked her lips unconsciously.

"Seele! Lend me your knife! Let's eat some durian!"

Seele, always ready for food, grabbed her scythe and followed March 7th into the kitchen.

March 7th placed the durian on the chopping board, and with a few swift cuts, Seele split it open.

Klee and Hook scurried over, climbing up the kitchen counter in excitement.

Klee peered curiously at the fruit. "March 7th, what's this?"

March 7th placed a piece of the golden pulp onto a plate. "This is durian! Don't lean on the counter—come over and try it!"

The two little ones eagerly took their portions.

Klee sniffed it and immediately pinched her nose. "It's rotten! Don't eat it, Hook!"

Just then, Yuri walked over with two more durians in his arms. "Klee, that's just how durian smells. Try it—it's really good."

Klee hesitated, staring at the fruit, conflicted. But when she saw Hook munching happily, she finally gathered the courage to take a small bite.

Her eyes lit up. "It's delicious!"

Yuri chuckled, ruffling Klee's hair. "If you like it, eat as much as you want."

He cut open the remaining durians, and together, he and March 7th distributed the pieces to everyone.

After they finished, Klee grabbed a plate and ran over to Kevin, holding it out like an offering. "Kevin, eat some durian! It's really yummy!"

Kevin, still mourning his lost Stellar Jade, felt a little better seeing Klee's bright smile.

"Thanks, Klee."

She grinned. "Kevin won't be sad anymore after eating something delicious! Mama says if you smile more, good things will come!"

Kevin chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright. I'm not sad anymore."

Then, with newfound determination, Kevin stood up and slammed another 10,000 Star Coins onto the counter. "I refuse to accept this! I WILL hit the jackpot today!"

Everyone, still eating durian, turned to watch the spectacle unfold in front of them.

March 7th took another bite and nudged Seele. "Wanna bet Kevin sinks again?"

Seele licked her fingers. "No need. Didn't he just fail miserably?"

Walter let out a long sigh. "It seems I'll need to have a talk with Kevin about gambling addiction."

Meanwhile, Klee and Hook continued cheering Kevin on.

"Go, Kevin! You're the best!"

"Show 'em what the Star Honor Team can do! Let the Mole Gang's might be known!"

Kevin patted Klee's head and prepared for another draw.

Once again, the entire store erupted in light.

This time, everyone was ready—sunglasses were slipped on in advance.

March 7th even made sure Seele, Natasha, and Bronya had their own.