I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 327
Chapter 327: The Lion King: Hakuna Matata
As Li Chen turned on the outside tap, the gurgling water flowed through the pipe and into the fish tank, gradually raising the water level inside the tank.
The various ornamental fish in the tank, which had seemed somewhat lethargic before, became active again with the influx of new water.
The temperature display above the fish tank showed the current indoor temperature: 22.4°C.
“It’s so beautiful…”
Even someone as mature as “Uncle” couldn’t help but marvel at the sight inside the fish tank. Because it was truly beautiful. Usually, all I saw outside were small fish tanks with nothing much inside, just a few goldfish. But this one was filled with tropical fish of all colors and shapes, along with beautiful corals, aquatic plants, and various oddly shaped rocks at the bottom of the tank.
Especially the scenery of the “Dragon Valley” had a special atmosphere: on both sides were towering, winding peaks, with a wide passage in the middle, flanked by huge dragon bones.
In this tank over two meters long, there was a dragon chest bone of about one meter in the middle, followed by a curved tail bone of about thirty centimeters, and then the skull of the dragon at the front.
Because the two-meter-long side of the fish tank faced the hall and the main entrance, almost all customers entering the door could see the giant dragon skeleton lying on the sand at the bottom of the tank at a glance.
Just looking at this “Underwater Dragon Valley” seemed to evoke a grand and tragic story – ancient dragons fighting side by side with human dragon knights, falling to a powerful enemy, falsely claiming to need rest, finding a secluded deep sea, and sleeping here, leaving only a skeleton decades later to tell the heroic deeds to passing schools of fish.
“These bones… must be very expensive, right?”
During the time waiting for the tap water to fill the fish tank, I instinctively reached out my hands and pressed them against the glass of this huge tank, gazing at the scenery inside.
The table supporting the fish tank was about eighty centimeters high, similar to the height of a regular computer desk used by ordinary people. But for me, who was around two-thirds of that height, eighty centimeters was already close to my shoulder level. Moreover, the tank itself was over a meter deep, so even if I stood in front of it and tiptoed, I still couldn’t reach the top of the tank.
Being short had its disadvantages. This tank was probably just right for tall guys like Su Yunjin, they could reach the top with just a slight tip-toe. But not for me… Or rather, because of my height of less than four feet, many things in daily life felt like Mount Everest, impassable.
For example, some high-placed items in the kitchen or on shelves, or this fish tank.
“It’s kind of a half-gift, half-sale from our former partners.”
After setting up the water pump and lights, Ouyang Xue glanced at the instruction manual and then at a remote control on the tank stand.
“Their lease ended, and they had to move to a new location. The new store is a bit smaller, so they decided to sell this tank. Since we were planning to decorate our store, they sold it to us. The whole set, including all this stuff, was only two thousand yuans.”
Two thousand yuans?
I glanced at the stand under the tank and then at the tropical fish swimming happily inside, starting to roughly calculate the approximate value in my mind.
With such a large fish tank, equipped with temperature control, lighting, water pumps, and a bunch of other things, it should cost over a thousand yuans. But even if they offered a discount, let’s say eight hundred yuans, and then there are so many fish inside… one, two, three, four, five, how many are there? It should be worth a few hundred yuans. And then there’s this delicate dragon skeleton, and so many aquatic plants…
Oh, right, there are also some small black shrimp near the dragon skeleton. I remember these shrimp don’t grow big, they’re similar to the small shrimp we used to catch by the river when we were kids. They don’t have big claws and won’t attack the tropical fish. Keeping these shrimp might also cost some money. Besides the dragon skeleton, there are also many artificial landscapes here, like this big shell.
I slightly bent down and stared at a big shell near the dragon’s head. Under this shell, there should be pipes for transporting gas. The air sucked in from above the fish tank gathers inside the shell, and about every 10 seconds, this air pushes the shell open with a “gurgling” sound, then the lid of the shell closes again, which is quite fun.
There are all sorts of small toys like this all over the fish tank. I estimate they would also cost a few hundred yuans. Plus, there’s this table underneath that looks very expensive… Altogether, it would probably be worth four or five thousand. Selling it for only two thousand yuans is indeed a half-gift, half-sale.
“Plunk—”
At this moment, lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice a large tropical fish swimming to the glass in front of me. Then, this fish, for some reason, suddenly made a big leap in the water, and its tail slapped against the glass panel in front of me, startling me.
“Yikes!”
?User “Mozambique” sends a barrage: Nuo’er is so silly, she can even be startled like this.?
?User “For the Alliance” sends a barrage: Silly lolis are like this. Even if you work in a café every day and become the Cat Queen, fish can still ride on your head.?
“It’s not like that.”
Listening to the barrage broadcast in my headphones, to cover up my embarrassment, I had to pull down the microphone and take on the role of commentator.
“Ahem, well… This fish tank will be the signature decoration of our café in the future. When everyone comes, they can’t feed the fish inside, okay…”
In theory, if you want to keep fish at home, you can’t just buy a tank and then add fish directly to tap water. Tap water has obvious differences in water quality compared to outside ponds, and there are various disinfectant components. It needs to sit for three or four days before it can be used to sustain life. This practice is called “water conditioning” in the industry.
Similarly, when changing water, you can’t just scoop out all the fish in the tank and pour out the water, then add tap water. You must retain at least one-third of the “original water,” otherwise the organisms in the tank may get sick or die due to drastic changes in water quality.
However, most of the tap water in Nanqi District comes from nearby rivers, and it doesn’t need as much “purification” as in those big cities. In areas like Nanqi District, the water quality is relatively much better. I heard that when I lived in the previous Apartment before, some people just put fish directly into tap water and nothing happened.
In coastal cities, there’s plenty of water and many rivers.
“Nuo’er.”
I was still commentating when Yin Xiamo walked over. Seeing my curious expression, she lifted me up in a princess carry without saying a word. Then, with ease, she tossed me into the air and quickly squatted down to catch me firmly on her shoulder.
Huh?
With the world spinning around me, I came to my senses sitting on Xiao Mo’s shoulder. Feeling like the whole world had suddenly shrunk, I lowered my head and asked.
“Wha… what are you doing?”
Between my legs now was Xiao Mo’s head. When I looked down, I could see her smooth long hair and my legs wrapped in gothic Lolita tights and small leather shoes.
“This way, you can see it, right?” Xiao Mo walked towards the fish tank, gesturing for me to look inside. “There.”
Huh?
?User “Illyasviel’s Magic Wand” commented: Wow! Xiamo is a good husband.?
?User “Gungnir of Gognir” commented: This pair never disappoints. I come to the café’s livestream every day just for moments like this.?
Hmm… Although it was a bit embarrassing, I had to admit that with Xiao Mo’s help, I could indeed see the whole appearance of the fish tank directly from above.
It’s really beautiful…
“Meow?”
The commotion in the lobby quickly attracted some of the nearby cats, mostly domestic ones. These little cats stared at the fish swimming continuously in the tank, some even jumped onto the table, scratching at the glass screen.
?Are you not worried about these cats causing trouble at night in the cat café with fish??
?This café really knows how to decorate.?
?Feels like enough food for Nuo’er for a month.?
“Hey, I’m not a cat!”
Listening to the increasingly outrageous remarks from the streaming, I felt like I had seen enough. I quickly tapped Xiao Mo’s shoulder.
“Quick, let me down. The customers will be coming soon.”
Ye Yuqing came around noon, at about 12 o’clock. Along with Ye Yuqing, there would be some journalists from the television stations, as well as various “big shots.”
The local station in Shenzhen City would be broadcasting live throughout, and afterward, other TV stations would also air the “interview.” It’s somewhat similar to “civil construction” interviews. After interviewing us, Ye Yuqing and the press corps would take a stroll through the commercial street and the subsequent Mianyun Commercial City, introducing various buildings that are about to be constructed here to the citizens.
As the entrance to the commercial street and a signboard in the vicinity, the cafe’s popularity online has been increasing day by day. Naturally, it became Ye Yuqing’s first stop. Of course, we didn’t need to do anything special to welcome Ye Yuqing and the press corps. We just needed to treat them the same way we treat ordinary customers when they enter and answer their questions, then get busy with our own tasks.
The rest will be taken care of by Su Yunjin and the others.
“Meow, meow, meow…”
“Alright, stop scratching. These fish are not for you to eat.”
After getting down from Xiao Mo’s shoulder, I started to pick up the cats that were gathering more and more on the table, one by one. Seeing that the water in the fish tank was almost filled, I helped Ouyang Xue cover the top and turned on the tank’s lights with a remote control.
“Wow, there are actually six colors to choose from.”
Ouyang Xue held the remote control and tried purple, red, green, blue, white, and colored lights. Each light effect shining down onto the fish tank had a different vibe.
“It says here that if we keep the lights on too much, the algae inside will grow rapidly. We’ll turn off the lights after we finish work.”
Seeing that things were almost settled, Ouyang Xue covered the fish tank and took out several cans-like containers from a nearby box.
“This is fish food. Feed them once a day. There’s a small opening on the top cover where you can pour the fish food in. Nuo’er, if you’re not tall enough for this job later, Xiao Mo can do it, or… I can find a little stool for you.”
“No need.”
Yin Xiamo yawned, “I can handle it, Nuo’er, you’re just responsible for being cute.”
“What do you mean by me being responsible for being cute…”
I instinctively punched him, “Ignoring you, I’m going to work.”
Damn it, Xiao Mo is still as domineering and willful as before.
Unfortunately, I don’t know any magic now, and I don’t have any obvious strengths. If I had to say, it would all be household chores like laundry, cooking, and cleaning that I’ve practiced from spending so much time at home. I couldn’t threaten her at all.
I feel like I’m just a mascot.
At this rate, my hope of turning things around is becoming more and more elusive…
Although I’m not satisfied with my “soft and cute” self, life still has to go on, and work still has to be done.
I’m in charge of delivering orders on the first and second floors, Xiao Mo is in charge of the cats, Lan Jiajia is responsible for the second-floor milk tea, Fei Luo and Gabriel work in the basement. With the fish tank placed, Li Chen continues to drive the truck to transport goods, and Ouyang Xue returns to her workstation. Another busy day begins.
At noon, the current mayor of Shenzhen City, Ye Yuqing, arrived at the cafe with a group of reporters.
“To all our friends watching in front of the TV, now we are here at the much-anticipated cafe, ah, the full name is… Shangjing Cat Maid Cafe. Just looking at the appearance, it’s very unique. It’s shaped like a big mushroom, and I believe it will be very popular among girls. I really like this design style myself.”
“Recently, this shop has received high praise online, being rated by netizens as the cleanest, most affordable, and most beautiful environment in Shenzhen City, while also having the best service. It has only been open for a little over a month and has received a large number of positive reviews.”
“It’s said that there was a misunderstanding here not long ago. Several customers complained about the hygiene and fire safety here. The city’s inspection team came for a surprise inspection that day and didn’t find any problems, which deserves praise… Of course, as for the situation in this Shangjing Cat Maid Cafe, the variety and taste of the food, it’s not up to us to judge. It’s up to everyone’s opinion.”
“Now, let’s follow the camera and step into this legendary cat cafe snack shop together!”
As agreed, Su Yunjin and his uncle, along with several middle-aged men who looked like leaders but whom I didn’t recognize, pushed open the door of the cafe with Ye Yuqing and the reporter team accompanying them.
I greeted them according to the standard for receiving ordinary customers: “Hello, how many of you?”
“Xiao Nuo’er!”
Ye Yuqing waved at me. “How have you been recently?”
Huh?
Ye Yuqing’s sudden greeting caught me off guard.
Because according to Su Yunjin’s previous instructions, I and Ye Yuqing were supposed to act as if we didn’t know each other in front of the camera.
“It’s been okay, just going to work on time every day, grabbing a midnight snack here at night, then going home to take a shower and drink a glass of milk, and I can sleep soundly.”
Even though I didn’t know what Ye Yuqing meant by that, I forced myself to calm down and said in the most natural tone to Ye Yuqing and the camera beside her, “Although it’s a bit busier and tiring during holidays, I feel very fulfilled. We just ordered new uniforms recently, this set, do you think it looks good?”
After saying that, I twirled in place, holding the hem of my skirt.
“Very cute, suits you well, hehe.”
Ye Yuqing also smiled happily at this.
Um… what was the next thing I was going to say?
“Mayor Ye seems to know this young lady?”
Luckily, the young reporter next to Ye Yuqing helped to diffuse the situation at this moment. She proactively brought the microphone to Ye Yuqing’s mouth.
“We’re good friends, I suppose.”
Although she’s already at the age of being a mother, and even has a daughter in college, Ye Yuqing gives off the vibe of a woman in her twenties or thirties, making her very approachable.
In front of millions of viewers nationwide, Ye Yuqing smiled and said, “I occasionally visit café as well. I heard that this place is very popular, so I’ve come here for coffee a few times. I chatted with this young lady, who happens to remind me of my daughter, and couldn’t help but talk a bit more.”
“So that’s how it is.”
The reporter had a sudden realization expression, and several cameras around aimed at various decorations in the café and the customers around.
“You can see that the decoration style of this café is indeed quite unique. With such a large fish tank, so many fish inside, and the lights hanging from above, it’s very cute and shiny. You can feel that the owner is someone who really enjoys life.”
“Look, there are kittens here… oh no, these are already big cats, such a big cat, what breed is it?”
“Meow?”
On this side of the first floor, a large fish tank was just brought in, and there were already quite a few cats gathered around. Now with so many people suddenly coming in, the cats’ attention naturally shifted from the fish tank to the people.
More precisely, it was the cameras in the hands of those reporters and the camera tripods.
The new fish tank has a cover, inside of which are integrated circuits controlling temperature, various lights, and heating for the water. It also integrates several circuits for water pumps. Even adults need some force to open it.
The cats themselves are not tall, and even if they jump onto the fish tank, they cannot open the lid at all. So, when it comes to the question of “will the cats in the cat café eat the fish,” we are very confident.
But the camera tripods brought by these reporters are different.
Cats naturally have a strong curiosity about “tall” and “thin and long” things, and the camera tripods are an example. They instinctively approach those tripods, sniff, lick, then rub against them a few times, leaving their scent.
“His name is Dingman, a kind of Maine Coon, a male, and also the largest cat in our café, considered the leader of the cats here.”
I took out some cat treats in front of the reporters and said to Dingman, “Dingman, sit.”
“Meow.”
Dingman obediently sat down.
“Left paw.”
Dingman extended his left paw and shook hands with me.
I handed over the snacks, and Dingman quickly licked them into his mouth, then started crunching on them.
“I remember the name Dingman is based on ‘The Lion King’, right?” The young reporter’s eyes widened. “So… do you have Simba or others here?”
“I’m not sure about that. Most of the cats in our café are either stray cats that we’ve taken in or cats whose owners couldn’t keep them due to job transfers or personal reasons. Perhaps it’s true, like you said, that the owner had two cats, Dingman and Pengpeng, but because Dingman eats too much every day and they couldn’t afford it anymore, they sent him to work in our café?”
I made a little joke, “Dingman is indeed the cat that eats the most in our café.”
At that moment, I saw Su Yunjin signal to the reporters behind.
“Maine Coon cats are big cats, especially males. They definitely eat a lot.”
The reporter immediately caught on and changed the subject, directing the cameras elsewhere.
“It looks like this is the kitchen here, a completely transparent kitchen, and free fruit juice…”
While the reporter was speaking, Su Yunjin quietly approached me, “Nuo’er.”
“Yeah?” I turned my head. “What’s up with you guys?”
“It seems like Ye Yuqing has been under some pressure and is planning to publicly acknowledge her acquaintance with you guys. Probably to protect you. There have been more and more troublemakers coming to the café lately.”
Su Yunjin lowered his voice, “The plan has changed. Just act like you know Mayor Ye when you receive us later.”
“……”
……