Well, I can't speak for others, but I myself...
... am kind of hesitant to get involved answering a bunch of basic questions for a guy who hasn't even bothered to glance at an instruction manual. I know you don't have it yet, but I'm pretty sure that even a chld could figure out how to connect speakers.
And, yes, it is that simple if you just take some time to read it. It's a lot simpler for you to read it and try to think for yourself than for us to try to think for you and try to explain what's already covered in the manual.
Some guy got paid good money to write that manual to try to make the hookup as simple as possible. Give it a try and apply a little thought before posting these questions. Maybe then if you ask a pointed question instead of "do it all for me" type of query you might get a response.
But, top be fair, you did ask two pointed questions, for which you deserve answers. Yes, that receiver can produce decent sound and yes, you can run it safely with only two speakers. It's all in the instruction manual. Read it.