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

Chapter 74 – Store Promotion
 

“Wait, Jiang Cha opened a witch shop by herself?”
Mephisto’s expression froze for a heartbeat, her surprise betraying her usual poise. But she quickly masked it with elegance, lifting her cup and taking a slow sip of coffee.
“It’s just a grocery shop. A grocery shop,” she replied.

The girl beamed, repeating the words with such cheerful insistence that it almost felt like she was celebrating a festival.
“Senior Mephisto, do you want to place an order? Jiang Cha can do anything—as long as it’s within my power!”
“Anything…? Is that do anything, or do anything? Jiang Cha always phrases things in misleading ways.”

“I don’t have any orders yet.”
Watching her bright smile, Mephisto set down her teacup, her gaze drifting toward the window as if retreating into thought.
“Now that I think about it,” Jiang Cha tilted her head, “Senior Mephisto seems to come here for tea every day. Is your alchemy research giving you trouble?”
She didn’t actually expect to receive an order. After all, the Karel family was an alchemy lineage through and through. As the eldest daughter being groomed with utmost care, what could Mephisto possibly lack?

“No trouble,” Mephisto sighed softly. Her eyes lingered on Jiang Cha, complicated and unreadable, as if she were weighing some private thought. “I just passed the advanced alchemy exam. For now, I plan to rest. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Balance is important—work and rest together. That’s how one continues to progress in alchemy.”
“Student Jiang Cha, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”
“Mm~ I know! Ah—Senior Sinan is here, I’ll go first! See you next time, Senior Mephisto!”

Next time…? When will that be?
The elegant white-haired witch raised her teacup once more, the black tea already cooled. She smiled faintly after the retreating girl.
“I’ll be waiting for that next time.”

“Senior Sinan!”
Jiang Cha called out brightly as she spotted the busy witch. Qu Sinan, despite being burdened with the affairs of the Alchemy Society, was reliably found here with just a bit of patience. Fortune was on Jiang Cha’s side today—one teacup with Mephisto, and here came Sinan.
“What is it, Jiang Cha?”

“Can I promote my shop in the Alchemy Society?”
She hugged Qu Sinan’s arm with practiced sweetness, eyes blinking expectantly.
“It’s hard to sell alchemy goods inside the society.”

“No! Don’t underestimate me—I’m going full-time!”
“Full-time? Do you have the certificates?”
Sinan raised a brow, though her surprise quickly subsided. Given Jiang Cha’s absurdly fast growth since entering the academy, it wasn’t unthinkable. She had seen plenty of young witches with remarkable talent—Estel, already a mid-level alchemist, or Xingzi, whose alchemy rivaled fourth- and fifth-years by her second year.

But almost without exception, such prodigies carried glaring flaws in their personalities. Jiang Cha was the rare exception—balanced, with no obvious weaknesses.
It was precisely that quality, however, that made Sinan certain Jiang Cha could never be entrusted with the complicated affairs of the Alchemy Society. Better to treat her impartially.
“Yes! I passed them all~” Jiang Cha puffed her chest with exaggerated pride, deliberately playing the role of the naive yet smug little witch.

Not that Qu Sinan would fall for it. She knew this girl’s nature all too well.
But still, Jiang Cha’s little performance wasn’t wasted. Every eye turned her way was another chance to promote—not just her shop, but herself. In this business, a cute and interesting shopkeeper was often far more appealing than whatever goods a low-level shop sold.
Cruel, but true.
Competition was fierce—within the academy alone, she had to contend with mid-level deputy witches, not to mention established masters like Mortel outside.

If she wanted her store to thrive, she’d need more than merchandise. She’d need connections. Charm. Maybe even a little “personal appeal.”
Cough. Not seduction—just networking! Totally just networking!
“Then I’ll allow it. Anything else?”

“That’s all! Oh, I also handed the new design for the focus-glasses to Shilan-senpai, okay?”
“I see.”
Busy as she was, Qu Sinan’s manner was brisk and decisive now—far from how she had seemed when Jiang Cha first met her. Jiang Cha didn’t mind. She never expected such a high-level alchemist and potion master, with her wide web of contacts, to patronize her little store anyway.

No problem. She could manage.
Hands behind her back, she turned with a mischievous smile—only to catch Xingzi in the distance.
“Senior Xingzi—hey! Don’t run!”

“…Am I really that scary?” Jiang Cha muttered under her breath, pouting as laughter rippled from the senior students nearby.
“Sister Jiang Cha, to Xingzi you’re worse than a flood or a beast!” one teased.
“Ha! You’re like Esther the Goblin to her!” another chimed in.

“Hahahaha!”
Jiang Cha only batted her eyes innocently. “Seniors, you’ll take care of my business, won’t you?”
“Of course, we’ll stop by.”

Success! Another line cast.
Alchemy Society, done.
With advertising there sorted, she skipped off toward her next stop—the Battle Club.

But truth be told, she barely knew anyone there. Every time she came, it was nothing but combat training. Which meant her best bet was—
“Lina baby~!”
“Stop right there!”

The golden-haired loli, fresh from battle, stiffened the moment she saw Jiang Cha’s overly-sweet approach. Danger bells rang in her head. This girl definitely wanted something. She stuck out her hand to block, nearly smacking Jiang Cha in the face.
“What do you want?”
“Baby Lina, how heartless… wuwuwu…” Jiang Cha’s eyes brimmed with shimmering tears, her expression the very picture of heartbreak.

“Good sisters should settle accounts clearly!” Lina snapped, fighting off her softening heart.
Among witches, few knew Jiang Cha better than Lina. That teary face? Completely fake.
“Alright then—let’s settle things clearly.”

Jiang Cha dropped the act at once, voice bright again. “Introduce me to a client and I’ll pay you commission. Twenty percent of the net profit.”
“…You could’ve just said that from the start.”
Lina rolled her eyes. She didn’t care about the money, but if it was for her good sister, she could spare some effort.

After all, money she earned herself was easy to spend.
“Lina baby~!”
“Fine, fine. But play with me later.”

“….”
Jiang Cha’s smile stiffened. Of course this battle maniac wouldn’t let her off so easily.