CH 66

Chapter 66: Roommates' Concern

After familiarizing himself with the environment of the alchemy room, Xiao Qingyang took out all the necessary spiritual plants from the spatial button. He planned to start by making a gradeless healing potion.

Apart from the assessment for transferring majors, Xiao Qingyang hadn't touched potions for over half a month. He wanted to practice by making healing potions first until he found his rhythm before attempting to make strengthening potions and basic healing potions.

Xiao Qingyang spent the entire afternoon in the alchemy room, continuing until the sun had completely set, nightfall arrived, and dinner time had passed before he finally emerged from the room.

Due to the lack of windows in the alchemy room, combined with the fact that alchemists often lose track of time when engrossed in potion-making, Xiao Qingyang had no idea how long he had been in the room.

When he realized it might be very late, he noticed that he had accumulated many bottles of healing potions and strength enhancement potions.

Of course, he had also encountered failures along the way, but the explosions didn't have a significant impact on the alchemy room. Seeing that the room remained exactly the same as when he first entered, Xiao Qingyang felt even more satisfied.

From now on, he no longer had to worry about explosions affecting others while he was making potions. He also didn't have to deliberately prolong his potion-making time since no one would know.

With a contented expression, Xiao Qingyang left the alchemy building and only then realized that it was already 9 p.m., long past dinner time.

Fortunately, he wasn't responsible for providing ingredients today, or everyone would probably have been starving by now.

Xiao Qingyang hurriedly rushed back to the dormitory and found his three roommates in the living room. When they saw him enter, their gazes all fell upon him.

Feeling a bit nervous under their scrutiny, Xiao Qingyang forced a smile and greeted them, "Everyone's here."

"Qingyang, where did you go? We sent you text messages, but you didn't reply, and we almost called the police to find you," Xu Kaiyang said with concern.

Although they had only been together for a few days, they got along well due to their compatible personalities and temperaments. Xiao Qingyang was the youngest and least knowledgeable among the four, so they treated him like a little brother.

Usually, Xiao Qingyang would return to the dormitory after class, never later than mealtime. They would also exchange text messages, but when they suddenly couldn't find him and couldn't reach him via text or video calls, the three of them became worried.

Xiao Qingyang hastily opened his terminal and discovered more than ten text messages and video calls from his three roommates. He immediately felt guilty.

"I... I went to the alchemy building and didn't pay attention," Xiao Qingyang said guiltily in a low voice.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that he had gone to the alchemy building.

The alchemy building was specifically designated for alchemists to make potions, and alchemists needed a disturbance-free environment during the process. Therefore, it was understandable that there was no signal there, and text messages and video calls couldn't go through.

"You scared me. I thought you were missing. Next time, remember to let us know in advance if you're going to the alchemy building. Otherwise, we might really have to report you as a missing person," Xu Kaiyang finally let go of his worries.

"Alright, Qingyang probably hasn't had dinner yet. Let's eat first," Lin Weiran went to the kitchen and brought out the dinner that they had saved for him.

"I made sweet and sour spare ribs today, your favorite dish, Qingyang. Come and have a taste, Yangyang," Gu Xiaotian said with a smile.

Faced with everyone's care and affection, Xiao Qingyang felt a warm feeling in his heart. It was the third source of warmth he had received in this world, besides Grandpa Du and Xiao Long.

After the initial period, they rarely brought up the topic of the alchemy building. They had an unspoken agreement not to ask Xiao Qingyang about his potion-making progress.

Generally, alchemists didn't voluntarily disclose their situation to others, and considering Xiao Qingyang had just started his first year, he was probably just experiencing the alchemy room.

However, after Xiao Qingyang finished the dinner left for him by his roommates, he took out three bottles of healing potions from the spatial button and handed them to his three roommates.

"These were made by me today. I'm giving them to you, but they are of low grade. I hope you won't mind," Xiao Qingyang said somewhat embarrassed.

He was always generous with his friends because they deserved it, and besides, he didn't consider potions to be particularly valuable or rare.

However, Xu Kaiyang, Lin Weiran, and Gu Xiaotian considered even the lowest-grade potions to be precious.

"This... This was made by you?" Xu Kaiyang looked at the potions in Xiao Qingyang's hand and was so astonished that he began to stutter.

Xiao Qingyang nodded and said, "Yes."

"Oh my god, you can already make potions?" Xu Kaiyang felt lucky enough to be living in the same dormitory as someone studying alchemy, but now it turned out that Xiao Qingyang could already make potions. He had become a true alchemist.

It felt as if he had been hit by an S-class mech that had fallen from the sky.

"Uh..."

Xu Kaiyang's reaction was too exaggerated, and Xiao Qingyang didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Was it really rare to be able to make potions at this stage? Shouldn't their classmates in the same major be able to do it too?

If there were students from the alchemy major here right now, they would definitely tell him with great certainty that it was rare and not possible.

"Yangyang, I don't want it. I'm not a supernatural being or a mech warrior. I don't need these precious potions. You should keep them for yourself," Gu Xiaotian said with difficulty as he looked at the vial of potion.

Although he wasn't a supernatural or a mech warrior and didn't need potions like they did, it was still a potion. Who would dislike having more potions?

But this was the result of Xiao Qingyang's own efforts. He couldn't just accept things from others without giving anything in return. Just being able to see what a real potion looked like, he was already satisfied.

Gu Xiaotian grew up in an ordinary family with limited financial means. He didn't have extra money to buy potions, even if the lowest-grade potions were relatively cheap, he wouldn't spend that money.

"I made a lot today, and there's more. These three bottles are for you. Consider them as belated back-to-school gifts," Xiao Qingyang said with a smile and extended the potions in his hand.

Xu Kaiyang and Lin Weiran stopped refusing when they saw how Xiao Qingyang insisted, and they accepted the potions.

Gu Xiaotian still hesitated, but Xiao Qingyang directly stuffed the potions into his arms and said, "Fortunately, we have Xiaotian here. Otherwise, relying on nutritional supplements all the time, I probably wouldn't have made it to the break."

Gu Xiaotian understood that Xiao Qingyang was considering his feelings, and he was deeply moved. He also decided to study hard and make more delicious food in the future.

After giving the gifts, Xiao Qingyang returned to his room and opened the backend of his online store, preparing to list all the newly made potions. However, he was immediately overwhelmed by numerous messages.

[Shop owner, why haven't you listed any potions today? Did you forget? Shop owner! Shop owner! Hurry up and list the potions.]

[Where is the shop owner? It's been three days without any new potions being listed. Where did the shop owner go? Calling the shop owner!]

[Day four: Did the shop owner list any potions today? No!]

[Day five: Did the shop owner list any potions today? No!]

[It's been a whole week already. Where did the shop owner go? Why hasn't he come to list the potions? Shop owner, please make a sound and let us know you're still here.]

[It's been half a month without any news from the shop owner. Has anyone reported it? The shop owner is like a missing person now.]

Xiao Qingyang quickly skimmed through these messages. Most of them were asking about the whereabouts of the shop owner, when he would come back. They mentioned how they had been waiting for him and even some customers checked in every day, asking for updates. It warmed his heart to see their concern and enthusiasm.

So unknowingly, he had gained the care of so many kind-hearted people? Although most of them were concerned about the potions, there were also many who cared about him as the shop owner.

Moved, Xiao Qingyang closed the messages and listed all the potions he had made today. He even posted a rare announcement, explaining his recent situation to everyone.

[Yangyang's Little Shop: Today, I suddenly noticed many messages online. Thank you all for your concern. Due to starting school recently, I was busy with enrollment matters, so the shop's new listings were delayed. Starting from today, the shop will resume daily updates. Those who want to purchase potions, remember to stay tuned.]

After reading so many customer messages, Xiao Qingyang noticed that they were calling each other "honey" and "dear," and he initially misunderstood, thinking that people in this world were very open-minded. Later, he learned that it was just a term of address and didn't carry any deeper meaning. Slowly, he accepted it and occasionally joined in with everyone.

As soon as Xiao Qingyang posted this announcement and updated the shop, it immediately attracted numerous customers who had been patiently waiting. The backend messages were flooded once again.

[Ahhh... the shop owner who disappeared for half a month is finally back! Celebratory flowers!]

[New listings, new listings! The shop owner actually posted new items. I need to hurry and grab them!]

[Whimper... I was too slow and missed out. Shop owner, when will you update tomorrow? I want to be the first to make a purchase.]

[Shop owner, just a few new listings aren't enough. You owe us half a month of updates. Please make up for it.]

As soon as this message appeared, it received a response and agreement from everyone. The backend was filled with requests for Xiao Qingyang to make up for the missing potions from the past half month.

Initially, Xiao Qingyang didn't think much of it, but seeing how warm-hearted and adorable the customers were, he suddenly felt a sense of apology. He decided to make more potions from tomorrow onwards and strive to catch up on the missing half month.

Today had been a fulfilling day, Xiao Qingyang couldn't help but feel grateful in his heart.

As usual, before going to sleep, he had a video call with the old butler and Long Jingze. However, Long Jingze's call didn't connect, probably because he was busy. After ending the call, Xiao Qingyang began his daily cultivation practice.

Now, Xiao Qingyang used his sleeping time for cultivation. Fortunately, cultivation not only didn't make him feel tired but also helped him overcome fatigue. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to handle it.