Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 116

Ye Zhou doesn’t expect the noble sons of this era to be so wild.

From the moment Bai Yu walks into the lounge, his searchlight-like eyes don’t leave Ye Zhou for a second.

Even though Ye Zhou knows he looks decent and has seen his fair share of grand occasions, he has never encountered someone as intense as Bai Yu. Under that burning gaze, a chill runs down his spine.

Ye Zhou coughs lightly, pulling Bai Yu out of his trance. It seems Bai Yu has completely forgotten the purpose of his visit and instead foolishly asks, “Master, you’re so charming. Why do you stay here and do business as a merchant?”

As soon as those words leave his mouth, Ye Zhou’s brows furrow slightly.

Opening a supermarket has been his dream since childhood. Hearing someone speak like this, Ye Zhou’s smile nearly vanishes.

But Bai Yu doesn’t stop, continuing, “Master, why not come to Zhao with me? I’m a descendant of the Bai family, and I would treat you as an honored guest.”

He blinks, sending a flirtatious look Ye Zhou’s way.

Now, Ye Zhou feels goosebumps on his arm.

Is this guy into men? Ye Zhou muses calmly.

After everything he’s experienced at Luoyang Base and on Minzil Continent, he’s come to accept that people can have various sexual orientations.

At Luoyang Base, he sees people attracted to different genders. On the Minzil Continent, people even show interest in animals.

Ye Zhou smiles faintly at Bai Yu. “Master Bai, weren’t you here to discuss business with me?”

Bai Yu is just about to reply when his milk brother can’t bear it anymore and cuts in. Although he isn’t a noble son himself, he’s grown up alongside Bai Yu, enjoying an upbringing and education equal to any aristocrat’s. He might never enter politics, but the household affairs of the Bai family will one day be his to manage.

“Master, you have so many new and exotic goods, so money is no issue for you,” the milk brother says, tugging Bai Yu’s arm to get him to be quiet. He turns his attention to Ye Zhou with a gentle tone. “Zihao and I have come here on the head of the family’s orders to invite you to Zhao.”

Ye Zhou shakes his head and replies bluntly, “I have no intention of leaving Chen. If you’re here to do business with me, I welcome you. But if you want me to leave Chen, we have nothing further to discuss.”

Bai Yu can no longer resist. “Chen State is weak. What good can you do here? If you come back to Zhao with me, even without your merchandise, I can still ensure you live in comfort.”

The milk brother shoots a glare at Bai Yu, as if he wants to knock some sense into him. He knows Bai Yu will be a problem, but he doesn’t expect him to be this much of a problem.

Ye Zhou doesn’t respond to Bai Yu’s words, but calmly turns his attention to the milk brother.

The milk brother continues, “In that case, I won’t push it. I’m afraid Zihao and I will have to stay in Linzi for a while. I hope we won’t be a bother to you.”

Ye Zhou replies, “No problem.”

The milk brother places a wooden box on the table and opens it in front of Ye Zhou. Inside is a piece of green jade. Even without knowing its exact type, Ye Zhou can tell it’s incredibly valuable.

“This is a gift from our Bai family to you. Please don’t think poorly of it,” the milk brother says.

Ye Zhou glances at the jade, showing no particular interest. “Thank you.”

The milk brother notices the lack of greed in Ye Zhou’s eyes and, though disappointed, keeps his thoughts to himself.

But Bai Yu still can’t help himself. “Master, do you stay here every day?”

Ye Zhou glances at him, feeling a bit tired. But he still keeps up the polite façade. “Not often.”

Bai Yu presses on, “Where do you live? Can I visit? It’s not convenient to stay in an inn.”

Ye Zhou understands Bai Yu’s implications but doesn’t comment.

Bai Yu is about to speak again when his milk brother yanks him toward the door.

“Master, you don’t have to see us off. We’re leaving now,” the milk brother says calmly. “Don’t worry, we won’t buy less from you. We’re not asking you to sell only to us. It’s good to maintain a good relationship.”

After that, he shoots another sharp look at Bai Yu before dragging him out.

Once outside the lounge, the milk brother can’t contain his frustration any longer. “Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough back at home? You can’t even walk when you see a beautiful person. If Father finds out, you’ll be locked up for a year!”

Bai Yu quickly protests, “You won’t tell Father, will you?!”

The milk brother sighs deeply. “If you behave, I won’t say a word to him.”

Bai Yu sighs dramatically. “You don’t understand me. I don’t blame you. In this world, gold and silver are easy to find, treasures are easy to see, but beauties—true beauties—are hard to come by.”

His brother is baffled by Bai Yu’s mindset but doesn’t argue further. “Just don’t mess up the business.”

The milk brother knows Bai Yu’s character all too well. Since childhood, Bai Yu has been captivated by beautiful faces. His milk brother has only been able to stay by his side because Bai Yu selected him from a group of servants. He’s risen from being a mere servant’s son to someone who can read and write, and now he’s tasked with managing the Bai family’s affairs.

At first, he thinks Bai Yu is touched by his loyalty—until Bai Yu says, “The others are just too ugly. You’re the only one I can stand to look at. But only barely.”

Honestly, the milk brother thinks it shows great restraint that he hasn’t beaten Bai Yu up over the years.

Over the years, Bai Yu has accumulated many “beauties,” mostly from ordinary families, commoners, and even slaves, regardless of their status—only their beauty matters. Bai Yu treats them equally, providing them with a house and occasionally visiting to talk, drink, and observe any romantic pairings that develop.

He’s especially curious about what kind of child two beautiful people might produce.

Bai Yu doesn’t care about status. Among his “beauties” are commoners’ children, plebeians, and even slaves.

As long as they’re beautiful, Bai Yu treats them equally.

The milk brother can’t help but whisper, “I really don’t know why you’ve become like this.”

Among all the Bai family’s children, only Bai Yu has this strange quirk. Nearly all his money is spent on his collection of beauties.

This trip is because Bai Yu has run out of money. While the Bai family has plenty, Bai Yu’s personal funds are running low, and he needs to resell goods to support his “hobbies.”

Bai Yu sighs again. “I never had any interest in beauties from noble families. They already have everything. It’s the common people, the ones who don’t have protection or resources, who need someone like me to step in.”

The milk brother has no response to this.

Sometimes he feels Bai Yu is infuriating. Other times, he thinks Bai Yu might actually be a good person.

It’s just that this good person doesn’t care about character or talent—only looks.

And thinking about that makes him annoyed all over again.

After Bai Yu leaves, Ye Zhou finally has time to eat dinner. He grabs a box of tomato-flavored self-heating hot pot from the shelf and asks Aunt Li to help him steam some rice. As he’s heading back to the lounge, he bumps into Zou Ming, who’s entering with a bag of gifts from merchants.

Although Zou Ming appears serious and even a bit intimidating to outsiders, merchants seem comfortable dealing with him, likely because they trust that people like Zou Ming won’t lie.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Ye Zhou asks. “Do you want to eat together? I’ll grab a box of self-heating hot pot. What flavor do you want?”

Zou Ming responds, “Sure, I’ll go put these away first.”

Ye Zhou nods. “Go ahead. I’ll get it ready. Do you want Coke?”

Zou Ming replies, “Fanta.”

As Zou Ming goes to the warehouse, Ye Zhou retrieves the hot pot and drinks.

The supermarket is set to close in two hours, and he plans to head back to his rented house to rest afterward. Ye Zhou hasn’t attended court recently—there aren’t many critical state affairs in Chen, just officials from various regions coming to cry about poverty.

As for whether Chen Hou will actually deliver the resources, that’s another matter entirely. Ye Zhou can’t be bothered to argue with bureaucrats. He only goes to court if Chen Hou personally sends an envoy to summon him.

For now, making money is far more satisfying than dealing with those pests.

Only the supermarket gives Ye Zhou a sense of accomplishment.

By the time Zou Ming returns to the lounge, the hotpot is almost done. The steam has subsided, leaving just a thin wisp of smoke. Ye Zhou looks up and smiles. “Come sit. I have to tell you what just happened.”

As soon as Zou Ming sits down, Ye Zhou can’t help but “share” his experience. It’s his first time meeting someone like Bai Yu—not exactly unpleasant, but definitely a novel experience. After all, it’s the first time someone of the same sex has shown him any romantic interest.

But Zou Ming doesn’t seem amused. Instead, he grows increasingly tense as Ye Zhou speaks, and finally, he interrupts, “He’s a man.”

Ye Zhou looks at Zou Ming, suddenly remembering that Zou Ming hadn’t been pleased when he saw him wearing only underwear earlier.

He sighs. “You have to view this naturally. Ever heard the phrase, ‘homophobia is just being in the closet?’ A man liking a man—put simply, it’s just a person liking a person. Doesn’t that sound much more natural? Don’t be prejudiced against them.”

Zou Ming’s expression remains unreadable, but Ye Zhou presses on. “Let’s eat first. The rice will be ready soon. You—what?”

Zou Ming looks at Ye Zhou’s face, takes a deep breath, and finally says, “Nothing.”

Ye Zhou thinks Zou Ming might be uncomfortable with his comments. Zou Ming has always acted very straight-laced, even more so than Ye Zhou himself.

But Ye Zhou believes that, even if he isn’t gay, it’s important not to have prejudice against those who are. Otherwise, it could lead to unnecessary conflicts, especially in business.

However, Ye Zhou can clearly see the discomfort on Zou Ming’s face as he watches him.

Never mind. Personal preferences are personal preferences. As a boss, Ye Zhou knows he can’t control his employees’ private opinions.

He just makes sure not to let Zou Ming and Bai Yu interact again.

“Do you like him?” Zou Ming suddenly asks.

Ye Zhou freezes. He swallows the fish ball in his mouth before replying, “Who?”

Zou Ming hesitates before finally blurting out, “Bai Yu.”

Ye Zhou laughs lightly. “What? Of course not. Besides, I think he doesn’t really like me that way. He probably just likes my face.”

At this, Ye Zhou notices Zou Ming visibly relax.

“Why are you worried about this?” Ye Zhou asks with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m definitely straight.”

Zou Ming remains silent.

Ye Zhou sees his mood worsen again and hurries to reassure him. “Though I’ve never liked anyone, I’m definitely a straight man.”

Zou Ming doesn’t reply, only buries his head in his meal.

Ye Zhou figures the matter has passed and chats while eating. “Probably about another month and I’ll have enough to leave this world. But if I go that soon, Chen Hou will be in a tough spot. I don’t want to give up halfway. I want to at least wait until Chen Hou has passed the hardest time before I leave.”

Zou Ming replies, “Up to you. I don’t mind.”

Ye Zhou asks, “Are you unhappy?”

Zou Ming shakes his head slightly, setting his chopsticks down. He can’t eat anyway. He whispers, “No, I’ve always been like this.”

Although Ye Zhou is tempted to agree with that, he knows Zou Ming isn’t exactly happy at the moment. But not wanting to repeat himself pointlessly, he says, “I can’t stay in one plane for too long. So, no matter what, I’ll never fall for anyone from one of these dimensions. As for you, if you like someone from a certain dimension, I have no objection.”

Zou Ming looks into Ye Zhou’s eyes. Ye Zhou’s eyes are dark and deep, but Zou Ming knows he’s a very “simple” person. This simplicity doesn’t mean he’s naive, but rather that once he makes up his mind about something, nothing can change it.

Zou Ming loves this about him, but he also resents it.

“No.” Zou Ming says, “I have someone I love.”

He doesn’t even use the word “like.”

Ye Zhou blinks, wanting to gossip, but holds back.

It wouldn’t be appropriate for a boss to gossip about an employee’s love life.

So, he says, “That’s good. I also want to try loving someone.”

But Ye Zhou has only ever loved his family. He wants to experience love, but thinks it would be too troublesome and distract from making money.

Zou Ming gives Ye Zhou a deep look, but unfortunately, Ye Zhou lowers his head, missing the gaze.