Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 20

For a moment, Ye Zhou feels like he’s dead. His soul seems to float above, leaving his body behind as nothing more than an empty shell.

But he’s still alive—not dead, and certainly not an immortal.

“I’m full.”

Sarah’s voice breaks the dead silence.

Ye Zhou carefully observes Sarah and Zou Ming’s expressions with his peripheral vision. Fortunately, neither of them shows any sign of curiosity or contempt. This relieves Ye Zhou somewhat.

Although he doesn’t ask the employees to call him “immortal,” he doesn’t correct them either—wanting to maintain his image. Others don’t know the “struggles” he’s been through and will undoubtedly think he’s a pervert.

At least they don’t show it on their faces. Ye Zhou can only pretend not to notice, his mind numb with the awkwardness of it all.

“They’re all new recruits,” Ye Zhou says into the silence. “Get along well with them.”

With that, he “floats” to the break room, longing to crawl into bed and bury his head under the covers like an ostrich.

Just as he’s about to enter the break room, someone suddenly grabs his wrist. The hand is thin, strong, and firm, with defined joints.

Ye Zhou leans his forehead against the door and sighs in a muffled voice, “Laugh if you want to.”

He’s desperate. What if he really is a pervert? As long as he’s not embarrassed, others will be. Right?

“You did the right thing,” comes an unexpectedly calm and soothing voice instead of ridicule. “You don’t have any combat ability. You had to find a way to protect yourself.”

Zou Ming’s tone is steady, as if he was born without emotional highs or lows. But when he comforts someone, it’s especially reassuring.

Ye Zhou likes hearing this. Every word Zou Ming speaks seems to resonate deep inside him.

Ye Zhou turns to look at Zou Ming’s face, and he can’t help but think—it’s such a pleasing face. So incredible it leaves him almost speechless.

Ye Zhou unilaterally declares that Zou Ming is his confidant and good friend!

He quickly says, “Exactly! You have no idea—when I first got here, there wasn’t a soul around, just refugees outside. I had to figure out how to survive first. But I didn’t have a gun, so all I could do was fake some mystical act.

Now that you’re here, I can finally relax a bit. You go on ahead, I’ll get us some snacks,” Ye Zhou says, full of enthusiasm. “Do you drink beer?”

Zou Ming slightly shakes his head.

“Then I’ll get two cups of milk tea.”

There’s only instant milk tea, but it tastes good enough. The supermarket also sells small canned ingredients that can be added at will.

“By the way, go ask Sarah if she wants some,” Ye Zhou says to Zou Ming before he leaves.

He’s spent most of the night chatting with Zou Ming, but hasn’t had a chance to speak to Sarah yet.

Though Ye Zhou still feels a bit doubtful and cautious about Sarah’s vampire identity, curiosity dominates most of his feelings.

When he got up that morning, he double-checked the contract. The employed party is indeed Sarah.

So is the issue with him? Did he click the wrong button? Maybe the mouse scrolled too fast?

Is he already going blind at such a young age?

But now that she’s here, Ye Zhou can’t just send her back. Plus, canceling the contract early means paying a penalty!

He pays the other party 3,000 yuan per month, but if the contract ends early, he has to pay not only for that month but also for three months’ salary.

And the whole contract only lasts three months.

Canceling would just hurt him. Besides, his bank account may look like it has money, but it’s only on the surface—he still needs to save for himself.

Plus, Sarah seems to get along well with the employees. She probably won’t be rejected or feared just because of her appearance.

Zou Ming nods to Ye Zhou.

Once Ye Zhou leaves, Zou Ming turns his attention back to Sarah.

Sarah is talking to Cao’er, the youngest female employee, just under seventeen years old. In ancient times, she’d be considered a grown woman, but to Sarah, she’s still just a child.

“You’re over 400 years old?!” Cao’er exclaims, her jaw nearly dropping in shock. “Then why are you so small?”

The female monsters in storybooks are always portrayed as beauties, but Sarah looks like a little baby. Though beautiful, her appearance isn’t that of a “normal person.” Her beauty resembles that of a little girl—completely unrelated to the idea of a “woman.”

Sarah seems displeased with her current appearance. She lifts her chin and snorts, “It’s my mother’s fault!”

Cao’er looks horrified. “How can children blame their mothers?”

Sarah frowns. “I don’t want to be a vampire.”

Cao’er sighs and tries to comfort her. “That’s something destined by the heavens. Now that you’re studying under the immortal, you’ll become human one day.”

Before Sarah can respond, Zou Ming’s voice reaches her ears. “Sarah, the boss wants you to come over.”

Sarah turns to look at Zou Ming. “Okay,” she replies, then tells Cao’er, “You go and get busy first.”

Cao’er slaps her forehead. “Oh! I almost forgot to work!”

With that, she hurries off to the utility room to grab a broom.

Sarah walks up to Zou Ming, pulling a face. “You always look so stern. Aren’t you tired?”

Zou Ming keeps his gaze forward. “No.”

Sarah sighs. “You’re always like this.” She purses her lips and adds, “I don’t care what you think. I know what I want. If you want to take it from me, don’t blame me for being too ruthless.”

Zou Ming remains calm. “You don’t know anything.”

That simple sentence seems to hit a nerve. Sarah, like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, fluffs up in anger. “I’ve lived hundreds of years longer than you, and I don’t know anything?! You’d better lock your door tonight!” she snaps, turning away from him.

Zou Ming doesn’t respond.

“Hey! Come and help me get it!” Ye Zhou, standing by the water dispenser, waves at the two of them.

He has three cups of milk tea and a bunch of snacks—he hasn’t found a serving tray, so it’s better to have them lend a hand and bring everything in at once.

He wears a warm smile, determined to show kindness to the new employees, especially since these two are responsible for his safety. It’s better to have a good relationship than a bad one.

“Peach flavor, huh?” Sarah picks up a cup of milk tea and says a little disappointedly, “I like the original flavor.”

Ye Zhou picks up another cup and hands it to her. “Then give me the peach one. This one is the original flavor.”

He turns to Zou Ming. “I got you red bean milk tea. If you don’t like it, I can change the flavor. I can drink two cups.”

Zou Ming replies, “I’m not picky.”

Sarah’s face darkens slightly, but she quickly gives Ye Zhou a sweet smile. “The boss is so good to me.”

Ye Zhou smiles back, though he doesn’t think he’s being particularly good to her. After all, it would be outrageous to treat her badly when she’s just arrived.

It’s just a cup of milk tea. Not like he can’t afford it.

Caught!

When Chen Liu falls to the ground, he turns his head in disbelief to look at the man who has pinned him down.

“Brother Yang!” Chen Liu shouts in pain. “It’s me! It’s me, Chen Laoliu!”

But Yang Zhi’s grip doesn’t loosen. His knee presses against Chen Liu’s back, and his hands twist Chen Liu’s arms behind him.

“Chen Laoliu?” Yang Zhi says, his voice steady, though his mind is clearly somewhere else. He has forgotten about Chen Liu.

“Brother Zhao! Brother Zhao San! It’s me!” Chen Liu cries out, now addressing the man who has just been sitting with Yang Zhi.

Zhao San stumbles over, likely a bit off-balance from a full stomach. His steps aren’t as weak as before, but still unsteady.

He squats down next to Chen Liu and Yang Zhi, looking at Chen Liu’s face in the firelight. His mind takes a long moment to process, and then he speaks hoarsely, “Brother Yang, he’s Chen Liu, the one who went up the mountain five years ago.”

Chen Liu feels as though he has grabbed onto a life-saving straw. “That’s right! That’s right!”

But even with this revelation, Yang Zhi still doesn’t let go. Despite Chen Liu’s thin frame, Yang Zhi has the strength to hold him down.

“Did you send the things?”

Chen Liu knows he can’t hide it any longer. “It’s me… it’s my own rations.”

“Who ordered you?” Yang Zhi’s eyes flicker with suspicion. “Speak!”

Chen Liu grits his teeth, refusing to cry out from the pain. His heart fills with resentment, but more than that, fear. “No one ordered me! I was thinking of the brothers.”

Zhao San, sitting nearby, speaks more smoothly, “Chen Liu, I remember your family is just an ordinary tenant. How did you come by food and water at a time like this?”

Zhao San studies Chen Liu’s face. Although the light is poor, it’s clear enough to see he still has some flesh. In this day and age, it’s hard to imagine anyone living comfortably outside of the government’s protection.

“You surrendered?” Zhao San suddenly exclaims, his voice incredulous. “Really?!”

“Chen Liu! You have no conscience! Where are the people you brought?!” Zhao San demands, his voice rising in anger.

Chen Liu knows he can’t expose Wu Yan and the others, but he lifts his head, struggling with effort. “No conscience?! I have no conscience for sending you water and food? If I’d really surrendered and wanted to harm you, you’d all be poisoned to death by now!”

Yang Zhi finally loosens his grip.

Chen Liu doesn’t stand up. Instead, he turns over, lying on his back and staring up at the night sky. In a hoarse voice, he says, “I’m saved by a nobleman. I’m no longer a person from Huangshan Mountain. This is the last time I deliver water and food.”

“What nobleman?” Zhao San asks, his voice filled with suspicion. “Have you become a lapdog for those young masters who exploit the people?” He chuckles. “Yeah, if you’re getting enough to eat and drink, why would you want to be a bandit?”

Chen Liu suddenly sits up, glaring at Zhao San. “You’re talking nonsense! I, Chen Liu, would rather be struck by lightning and die here than be a dog for those young masters!”

Yang Zhi also sits down nearby, thinking for a moment before speaking. “I was wrong earlier. But you’ve seen our situation. Apart from the lives of my brothers, there’s nothing for anyone to plot against.”

“You said a nobleman saved you. Which nobleman?” Yang Zhi asks.

Chen Liu thinks for a moment, then realizes there’s no harm in telling the truth. After all, what can mere mortals do against immortals? An immortal could strike them down with a single wave of the hand.

“A celestial,” Chen Liu says. “An immortal lord!”

The people around the fire fall silent, all staring at him. The looks they give him are filled with disbelief, as if they want to devour him.

Chen Liu grits his teeth. “The Lord Immortal wants to save thousands of good people! That’s why he sent me out.” His voice grows hard. “You’ve killed people, so you’re not good people.”

Zhao San suddenly sneers. “Chen Liu, are you stupid? Where are The Lord Immortal in this world? It’s all just nonsense!”

“Where were The Lord Immortal when the common people were eating bran and vegetables?!” Zhao San continues angrily. “Where were The Lord Immortal when those officials were exploiting us?!”

“You’ve been deceived!” Zhao San spits, his tone mocking.

Chen Liu’s expression changes. He glares at Zhao San. “You can’t say anything decent with that filthy mouth of yours. If the Lord Immortal isn’t real, then why save me? Do I have more flesh or more heads than anyone else?”

Yang Zhi suddenly speaks up. “I don’t care whether The Lord Immortal you’re talking about is real or fake. What matters is that if you’ve got so much food, it means the people using you aren’t short on money.” He pauses, then adds, “We have something in our hands, and we want water and food.”