The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

Sylvia doesn't really enjoy sitting upright and studying, unless the book is about something she's genuinely interested in.

She could spend an entire day engrossed in looking at the descriptions and pictures of various landscapes on the magic map.

Now, she has become interested in arithmetic, an essential skill for opening a shop and making money.

But this thin booklet, like a candy that had just tasted sweetness, was gone before she could savor its flavor, leaving her wanting more.

"Really... can't I learn more beforehand?" Sylvia asked, resting her chin on her hand in frustration, her gaze lingering on the card shop interface.
"If I don't know how to calculate discounts and multipliers, how should I set prices for the goods in the grocery store?"

What if I sell it at a loss? What if I set the price too high and no one buys it?

“Don’t rush,” Moran smiled and communicated with the contract: “Squeak, clatter, moss, come here for a moment.”

In the blink of an eye, a monkey and a skeleton in a rattan chair appeared here.

“You can ask them for help later,” Moran said.

In fact, she could have directly displayed the discounted prices and tiered pricing for different contract groups on the card shop interface.

But in order to nurture her daughter's budding curiosity about numbers, she chose the most "clumsy" yet most vivid method.

Sylvia's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze shifting between the three of them: "You...can do arithmetic?"

Squeak jumped onto the counter, puffing out its little chest and slapping its paws loudly.

"I'm so smart! I've finished both volumes of 'Basic Mathematics,' and I've also studied books like 'Blue Star Business Handbook' and 'Introduction to Accounting.' I even have experience running my own profitable shop. I taught Kaba and Sentai arithmetic!"

It grew increasingly smug, its fluffy tail wagging high: "Hire me as your financial advisor, a one-stop service for managing money, accounting, and pricing, all for just—"

It held up five fingers and said clearly, "5 gem coins! Pick me! Pick me!"

Before Sylvia could react, Kaba had already silently raised a piece of cardboard that he had prepared beforehand.

The cardboard sign read in neat handwriting:

"Accounting assistant Kaba, on call 24 hours a day, absolutely accurate, never makes a mistake, expected daily wage: 2 gem coins."

The moss vines then curled up another piece of cardboard, clearly newly woven bark, on which was written:

"Senmo, the accounting assistant, is quick and efficient. She can solve basic arithmetic problems and also provides shelf organization services. Her daily wage is 3 gem coins. She is at your beck and call."

Sylvia looked at this and then at that, her little mouth slightly open, but she couldn't say a word for a long time.

I borrowed 1000 gem coins from my mother, and before I could even buy a single card, I had to spend a fortune to hire people.

Even if it only costs 1 gem coin a day, it will add up to 10 gem coins in ten days, and 100 days...

She counted on her fingers, becoming increasingly alarmed.

Arithmetic is indeed an essential skill! Learning it is a real gain.

She secretly resolved that once she started school, she would study arithmetic diligently so that she wouldn't have to pay someone to do her accounts later.

Poverty taught Sylvia a money-saving trick without being taught. Her eyes lit up, and a perfectly timed embarrassed expression appeared on her face, her voice softening slightly:

"I'm still not quite sure who among the three of you is better at math... Can I test you? Whoever answers well, I'll hire them!" The three little ones were all taken aback.

The tips of the moss vines turned towards Kaba, Kaba's skull turned towards Zizi, and Zizi secretly brushed Moran's arm with the tip of its tail, its eyes saying, "Master, this wasn't in the script?"

How could Moran not know what her daughter was up to?

But she felt somewhat relieved.

The child didn't choose the cheapest or the most expensive option; instead, he came up with the idea of ​​"trying it out first, then deciding."

Although the real intention was to get free labor, their quick wit and rudimentary business acumen are quite commendable.

She secretly told the three little ones through the contract, "Say yes to her!"

Zizi immediately understood, slapped the counter with her little paw, and said in a clear voice, "Sure! You can test me however you like! If I, Zizi, can't answer the questions, I'll write my name backwards!"

Kaba silently picked up the cardboard and quickly added a stroke to it: "Okay!"

The moss vines gently touched their tips.

Sylvia was secretly delighted, but she still tried her best to maintain a serious expression:

"Please wait a moment!"

She turned around quickly, her little finger leaving afterimages on the card shop's screen.

She marked all the cards that the Tatars could use, priced below 1000 gem coins.

Then he turned around, cleared his throat, and said, according to the arithmetic problem description in the booklet:
"Suppose my customers are Tatars, whose highest level in the shop is only 4. I have 1000 gem coins to invest in inventory. I need each of you to select a certain number of cards from these cards to form an 'inventory plan'."

Note that the total cost of goods purchased cannot exceed 1000 gem coins. The Tatars' card shop offers a 10% discount, which is approximately 1.8 times the price of the Witch's card shop.

Please calculate the total expected profit of your chosen plan.

Whoever can select the plan with the highest total profit within the specified time is the most capable—and I will prioritize hiring that person!

"Easy!" Zizi took out paper and pen, gripped the pen with its little paws, and quickly browsed the card information on the screen while doing calculations on the paper.

Meanwhile, Kaba and Sentai stood there blankly.

The ghostly fire in Kaba's eye sockets flickered twice in confusion, while Sen Tai twisted and turned in a dilemma. Neither of them knew how to begin this complicated task of "determining the procurement plan and calculating profits".

Sylvia blinked, somewhat confused: "Aren't you... going to start?"

Moran smiled helplessly, walked over, gently patted her daughter's shoulder, and explained softly:
“Sylvia, the task you’ve set requires more than just math skills; it also demands expertise in product selection, product styling, and market demand forecasting. It goes far beyond the scope of a ‘bookkeeping assistant’ job. Only a financial advisor can handle it!”

She pointed to Zizi, who was writing furiously:
“ZhiZhi has experience in planning and starting a business, so it is capable of handling this task.”

Then he turned to Kaba and Sentai: "Kaba and Sentai are just 'accounting assistants' with basic arithmetic skills. They can only calculate instructions based on your specific commands. For example, if you tell them 'Calculate what 1.8 times the price of {Insect Repellent Powder} in the Witch Card Shop is,' they can quickly give you the answer."

Of the two, Kaba's calculations are more accurate, while Sentai's calculations are slightly faster.

Sylvia suddenly realized, "No wonder Squeaky is more expensive!" (End of Chapter)