Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 66

Amid the thunderous applause, Ye Zhou walks a bit awkwardly onto the makeshift wooden stage. In his hand is a large pair of scissors adorned with a red bow. Behind him stretches a taut red ribbon, and below the stage stand hundreds of farm employees and management personnel.

The last time Ye Zhou spoke in front of this many people was back in elementary school, when he broke a classroom window playing soccer and was punished by being made to give a self-criticism speech at the flag-raising ceremony. At the time, he was still young and not nervous at all—just annoyed at his poor aim. The goal was far from the classroom, yet he still kicked the ball into the building.

Now, as an adult under so many eyes, Ye Zhou feels nervous.

He regrets agreeing to help cut the ribbon for the farm.

If he knew how things would turn out, he wouldn’t have said yes to Yang Guoqin. But Yang Guoqin is busy promoting the photon cannons everywhere and is often away from Luoyang Base. He asks Ye Zhou so earnestly to help, and Ye Zhou can’t bring himself to refuse. After all, if Yang Guoqin convinces people from other bases sooner, he can get the money earlier, unlock the shield, and leave this place.

Ye Zhou doesn’t want to stay in one plane for too long. The longer he stays, the farther he is from home.

He takes a deep breath, encourages himself, and smiles.

“This is my first time cutting the ribbon. I don’t know what to say. I’ve forgotten the script I memorized before coming on stage, so I’ll just speak without one.”

The crowd laughs kindly, and Ye Zhou feels a little more at ease. He continues, “General Yang told me before that the breeding farm is just the first step on the right track. We… need a lot of things—breeding farms, sugar factories, textile factories, countless factories, and countless jobs. In addition to factories, we also need schools, large hospitals, and entertainment facilities.”

Ye Zhou notices that every time he speaks, the smiles on people’s faces deepen. They love hearing these words, even if they’ve heard them countless times before.

Ye Zhou carefully recalls the contents of the manuscript and speaks whatever comes to mind.

“Perhaps, in the near future, we won’t have to worry about zombies outside. Just like before they appeared, cities will be able to travel freely, there will be amusement parks, and various chain supermarkets…” Ye Zhou describes scenes from his world. He once thinks life is normal and ordinary, but now he sees it as beautiful as a fantasy.

“Everyone will receive compulsory education, and no one will have to worry about their future. Even if you don’t have money, you can apply for scholarships. If your family is poor, you can apply for student loans once you’re admitted to university.”

Ye Zhou’s face naturally breaks into a sincere smile.

“Children won’t need to receive training from a young age, nor will they need to pick up guns and go to the battlefield before reaching adulthood.”

As Ye Zhou speaks, he sees someone in the audience with red eyes. For these young people, the “past” is a beautiful, unattainable dream. They are born into the “doomsday,” and everything about the “past” is known only through data or passed down from the elderly. In the “past,” as long as you are capable and not lazy, you can at least fill your stomach.

By the end of his speech, Ye Zhou is a little moved himself. The world he describes seems unreal and too dreamy.

But it’s the world he has lived in for over 20 years.

Although he always hears his friends complain about being tired at work and the low wages, he also hears their hopes for the future. They discuss how to get raises from their bosses or how to fight for better benefits if they change jobs.

Maybe there are still poor areas, and maybe some people still suffer for various reasons, but overall, things are getting better.

Ye Zhou cuts the red ribbon amidst loud applause.

He and the others look behind him.

The hastily built farm is small, not very professional. It’s just a place to shelter from the wind and rain, with basic water and electricity.

But no one minds its simplicity.

Everyone looks at it as though it’s a hard-earned treasure.

People are not afraid of hardship. After over 30 years of suffering, those who can’t bear it have long died. What they fear is that no matter how much they suffer, they won’t see hope. Walking endlessly down a dark road is the most terrifying thing.

But as long as a little light appears in that dark corridor, it’s enough for them to regain hope and continue walking with renewed strength.

Ye Zhou steps down from the wooden platform. The farm employees pass by him, some even greeting him.

Most of them don’t know Ye Zhou’s name or background. Many at the base still think the supermarket run by Ye Zhou is official property, but that doesn’t stop them from smiling at him.

The farm officially gets on track on its first day of operation.

Although the people working there have little experience, they are obedient. Yang Guoqin treats the farm like an army, and his biggest requirement is to enforce orders.

With the guidance of professionals, nothing major goes wrong in the following days.

The livestock loss remains within the expected range.

When Yang Guoqin returns, he looks for Ye Zhou to buy a batch of dairy cows and machines for making milk powder.

At the same time, he brings Ye Zhou good news: the other six bases are going to buy photon cannons.

Perhaps because he’s leaving soon, Ye Zhou hasn’t opened the supermarket in the past two days. The supermarket remains closed, with a sign hanging on the door: “Temporarily out of service.”

The employees are busy setting up tables outside the back door of the supermarket.

Because so many people are involved, they don’t make stir-fries. Cao’er Niang prepares the soup base for a mandarin duck hot pot.

Others wash and cut vegetables and serve drinks.

Chen Gang is among them. He’s so busy that sweat drips down his forehead, but he always wears an excited smile.

“Wipe your sweat,” Qian Lan calls out to Chen Gang with some disdain and pulls out a tissue to wipe his sweat.

“Mom.” The girls hold hands. It’s their first time in the supermarket, so they don’t dare walk around. They stick close to their mother and whisper, “We need to go to the toilet.”

Qian Lan looks at Chen Gang. Just as he’s about to point them in the right direction, Feng Ling stands up and says, “I’ll take them.”

Chen Gang and Qian Lan thank her.

Feng Ling waves her hand. “It’s okay.”

She leads the two girls into the back door of the supermarket. The children are old enough to go to the toilet on their own, so she lets them go in together while she waits outside.

While waiting, Feng Ling glances at herself in the mirror by the bathroom door.

Her complexion has improved—no longer sallow, and her lips are rosy.

During this time, thanks to her companions, she has meat and rice at almost every meal. Occasionally, she has steamed eggs and vegetable soup. After her companions receive their wages, they buy her candy. She hasn’t had hypoglycemia in a long time.

Sometimes, she even feels that the days when she couldn’t get enough food belong to another life.

The corn cakes seem like something from a distant memory.

“Why are you here?” The half-grown boy trots over, holding a box of soy milk in his arms. He finds Feng Ling looking in the mirror and winks, “What? Are you checking if you’ve become prettier?”

Feng Ling pretends to hit someone and rolls her eyes in a lively manner. “I’m checking if my complexion has improved. And I’m accompanying Uncle Chen’s two children to the toilet.”

The boy says enviously, “Uncle Chen really made it big!”

Chen Gang works hard, gets a raise, and brings his wife and kids to Luoyang Base.

Even if the supermarket shuts down, it’ll be easy for him and Qian Lan to find work. Luoyang is rebuilding from the ground up and needs people.

The Changfeng Base doesn’t try to keep Qian Lan either. Her job is tough but replaceable—anyone can do it.

They trade a bag of rice to have the convoy bring the mother and daughters here.

“They even got a bigger house,” the boy adds, more envious. “Being an adult really is better.”

Houses are now allocated based on family size. If there are more people, the house is bigger; fewer people, the house is smaller.

Chen Gang’s family, which includes four elderly people and two children, a total of six, originally lives in a house of more than 80 square meters, with three bedrooms and one living room. Now they move to a house of more than 100 square meters, with four bedrooms and one living room. The floor height is ideal, and it’s on the third floor.

“When we grow up, we can count as a family too and get a big house,” the boy says.

“A two-story one would be best,” someone chimes in. “Guys live upstairs, girls downstairs.”

“Yeah, that’s good,” a girl laughs. “I don’t want to climb stairs.”

“Don’t even want to climb one floor.”

Feng Ling is moved by the future they envision. She purses her lips and whispers, “I heard that there might be a textile factory in the future. I’ll go and see if I can apply for it.”

Others are not very supportive. “You’re not in good health. It’s best not to go.”

“Yes, it’s enough for us to have it. We’ve saved a lot of things during this period.”

Ye Zhou doesn’t deliberately hide it, so the local employees in the supermarket know the supermarket will be closing soon, and the boss and others will be leaving. Although they are regretful and anxious, they eventually accept it. After all, there’s nothing they can do if they don’t accept it.

Feng Ling says, “I still want to try. I can’t let you all keep supporting me. Maybe now it feels fine, but if someday your income drops and I’m still here freeloading, it’s bound to get awkward.”

“Otherwise, it’s good to open a stall,” a girl suggests. “We’ve saved so many things, we can open a snack stall, and you’ll be responsible for collecting money and giving change.”

“That’s a good idea!” Their eyes light up.

Young people in their teens don’t want to work in a factory and prefer more flexible work. When the girls come out, they see a group of older brothers and sisters standing at the door of the toilet, enthusiastically discussing what they will sell in the future. They tilt their heads slightly, and some don’t dare to speak.

“Let’s go, let’s eat first.” Feng Ling naturally takes the girls’ hands. “Say less.”

The companions smile a little awkwardly, carrying the boxes and walking out the door with them. Cao’er Niang has already brought the induction cooker to the table, and the bottom of the pot is boiling. She uses pork bones and chicken racks to make soup. After the hot pot ingredients are stir-fried, they are added to the soup. Even before anything is added, there’s already a delicious aroma.

Wu Yan and his friends bring out two boxes of wine—white wine and beer. Some people still can’t get used to beer and always say it has a strange smell.

Beef rolls and mutton rolls are placed on the table, along with tripe, live shrimp that has just been shelled and deveined, and cod cut into pieces.

Meat dishes fill one side, and vegetarian dishes fill the other.

Qian Lan sits at the table a little awkwardly. She has just arrived with her children three days ago and has just gotten familiar with the route from home to the supermarket. It’s also the first time she meets Chen Gang’s colleagues. Although the supermarket owner has said that family members can be brought to the dinner, she still feels she’s taking advantage.

“Are you Chen Gang’s furen?” Cao’er brings Qian Lan a cup of hot water.

Although Qian Lan thinks the word “Furen” is a bit old-fashioned, she still nods and smiles. “Do you work here too?”

Cao’er nods. “I’ve been working in the supermarket for a long time.” She’s a little proud. “The boss even praised me.”

Qian Lan smiles. “Then you must be very dedicated.”

Cao’er becomes even prouder.

“Eat more meat when you eat later,” Cao’er says, swallowing her saliva. “The fat beef is delicious.”

The employees don’t eat very spicy food. There are no peppers in the Daliang Dynasty, only peppercorns. Peppercorns are considered spices, and spices aren’t affordable for ordinary people, so they have never eaten spicy food before coming to the supermarket.

So even if they eat hot pot, the hot pot uses clear oil and a mildly spicy base.

Ye Zhou himself doesn’t eat much spicy food, so the overall taste at the supermarket is light.

Qian Lan nods and whispers, “I heard from Chen Gang that the supermarket will be closing soon. Have you thought about where you’ll work after it closes? My relative said that the sugar factory in the base is recruiting. Do you want to try applying with me?”

Cao’er shakes her head, and her pride is clear. “I won’t go. I’ll always work in the supermarket. Not only me, but my children and grandchildren will work in the supermarket if I have kids in the future.”

Qian Lan: “…”

Little sister, your ideal is really grand—like the story of Yugong moving mountains?

“But the supermarket is going to close,” Qian Lan says, confused.

Cao’er: “It’s just not opening here anymore. We’ll open elsewhere. We came here after closing at the previous place.”

Qian Lan’s lips part: “…You’re not from Luoyang Base?”

Cao’er: “Yes.”

Qian Lan suddenly becomes anxious. “What about Chen Gang? Can he go to the next place with you?”

Cao’er remembers what the boss said before, touching her hair. “If he’s willing to go with us, he can. But I don’t know when we’ll come back next time. It might be a few months, or it might be years, even more than ten years. It’s hard to say.” Cao’er looks at Qian Lan and says, “You still have two children. You can’t let them be without a father forever.”

Qian Lan looks at Cao’er with a complicated expression. It seems that Cao’er has suddenly become a different person, no longer just an ordinary supermarket employee, but someone else.

Just working at a supermarket—how could that mean being gone for years?

They aren’t from Luoyang Base, then where are they from?

There’s nothing wrong with this supermarket, but somehow, she can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.