"I Became a Witch, but Now Everyone's in Love with Me!"

Chapter 73: Annie’s Cup
 
After days of preparation, Jiang Cha’s Witch Shop finally opened its doors.

And then… she spent the entire day sitting inside without a single customer stepping through.
“Welcome to Witch Lit—ah? Lina?”
The moment the door finally moved, Jiang Cha leapt up, brimming with excitement and ready to deliver her carefully rehearsed greeting—only to swallow half the words when she saw who it was.

“How’s it going, Cha Cha Baby? Business booming yet?”
Lina strolled in with her usual mischievous smile, clearly aware the shop had just opened and wouldn’t see much traffic.
“Lina-chan!”

Behind her, He Qin gave the little blonde a scolding tap on the head.
“I know, I know. Chabao won’t mind, right?” Lina stuck out her tongue playfully, brushing off the reprimand.
Jiang Cha didn’t really mind—Lina was a close friend, after all. Still, she couldn’t help the tiny pang of disappointment in her chest.
“Looks like today’s sales are going to be in the red…” She glanced at the spotless ledger on the counter and let out a soft sigh. “A big, fat zero.”

“Then~ let me order a batch of psychoactive potions flavored with… girl juice!”
“…Strawberry, right? How many bottles?”
Jiang Cha didn’t even flinch at Lina’s dirty joke. With a professional smile, she reached for her pen and account book.

“Eh?! So today’s tea is strawberry? Then I’ll take twenty bottles to start!”
“Twenty bottles of strawberry-flavored mental potion,” Jiang Cha repeated calmly as she wrote. “That’ll be eight hundred yuan. Since it’s opening day, I’ll give you twenty percent off.”
Low-grade potions were all Jiang Cha could produce at the moment. They weren’t terribly expensive—products meant for small profit and quick turnover. After subtracting costs, even with Lina’s order, her net profit barely reached twenty yuan.

Hardly enough to call it business, but at least it was something.
“Then I’ll take twenty as well,” He Qin said shyly. “Mango flavor this time.”
“Haven’t you finished your last batch already?” Jiang Cha blinked in surprise.

“Well, with the discount… If potions didn’t have an expiration date, I’d stockpile even more.” He Qin fiddled with her fingers sheepishly.
But that was how it worked between witches. Even among friends, money and favors were kept clear. Jiang Cha charged a modest processing fee, and her sisters happily took advantage of the discount.
“Alright, twenty mango it is.” Jiang Cha noted it down with a small smile. She didn’t bother with false modesty—their support meant a lot. Besides, this was a long-term business. None of the girls in their dorm specialized in potions, so she was their natural supplier.

The only downside was her potions’ shorter shelf life, but that wasn’t much of an issue for close customers who trusted her skills.
“Then we’ll head out first, Chabao. Take care of the shop and earn lots so you can support me in the future!”
Lina waved her little hand, tugging He Qin out with her.

Jiang Cha waved back brightly. “Go on, go on. Love you guys, babies~”
The shop quieted again.
“How’s business?”
A sudden red head popped into the doorway. Annie skipped inside with her hands behind her back, eyes sparkling playfully.

“Barely scraping by. It’s the first day, after all,” Jiang Cha replied lightly. She wasn’t about to complain—especially not to Annie. Their acquaintance wasn’t that deep yet, and besides, she didn’t want this rich lady offering to bankroll her.
Her shop was, after all, right next door to Annie’s bustling maid café.
“Want me to help advertise?” Annie asked, more cautious this time. She didn’t barge in with offers, but offered her support in a way that wouldn’t feel overbearing.

“We could put up a notice in my café. With the maids acting all cute, plenty of customers will wander over here to take a look.”
“That’d be great. I’ll also visit the Alchemy Club and Battle Club to promote myself,” Jiang Cha said, tapping her chin.
Most student-run witch shops specialized in just one craft—alchemy or potions, rarely both. Jiang Cha, however, was different. She could handle a wide range of crafts, and even produce integrated items combining multiple disciplines.

That versatility would appeal even to skilled alchemists at the club, not to mention fighters at the Battle Club.
“Oh, and I should display my certificates too.”
Certificates for low-level side professions weren’t worth much—those exams were easy. Still, they added credibility, enough to reassure cautious customers.

“A witch shop with every certification under the sun… it’s a selling point in itself.”
“You already got your certificates?” Annie blinked.
“Mm. Sister Jasmine took me to Science and Technology City for the exams.”

“As expected of a genius,” Annie murmured, sipping her tea—only to choke when Jiang Cha carried out not one, not two, but five certificates, and hung them proudly on the wall.
“Pfft! You’ve already passed all of them?!”
“Why not?” Jiang Cha tilted her head innocently, her eyes gleaming with mischief. With a flick of magic, she caught the tea Annie had just sprayed mid-air. “Should I keep this? I bet someone would pay big for Annie’s saliva tea.”

“Throw it away!!” Annie’s face went scarlet.
“Hehe, I’m joking, I’m joking.” Jiang Cha smiled sweetly as she poured the tea into the trash. Of course she’d never actually sell something like that… even if it would fetch a fortune.
“Really, Jiang Cha-san!” Annie puffed her cheeks, glaring at her. “Don’t make such weird jokes so casually!”

“If you really wanted to sell something, though, the cups would work. Seniors would pay good money for the cups you’ve used, Annie—after all, you’re so popular.”
“HELLO!!” Annie’s outraged shriek rang through the shop.