Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 80

Lying on the bed in the break room, Ye Zhou feels, for the first time, that this single bed is incredibly comfortable.

After nearly ten days of sleeping outdoors, he is especially grateful for the comfort of his current life.

Sometimes, it really takes suffering to appreciate what you had before.

Ye Zhou even thinks that his reincarnation is quite fortunate. If he had been born in this place as a slave and hadn’t run into someone like himself—someone from another world pretending to be a god—he probably wouldn’t have had a chance to turn his life around.

After a day of rest, Ye Zhou wakes up early the next morning, eats breakfast, then exercises with Zou Ming, learns some fighting skills, and later, takes a shower. By noon, he sits down to look at his computer.

Ye Zhou searches through the “unlocked devices” section for a long time before finally spotting a few lines of small text.

[Default unlocked devices]:

System Mall (unlocked)

Unlimited water, electricity, and gas (unlocked)

Dimension box (unlocked)

Garbage disposal system (unlocked)

Ye Zhou sits in front of the computer, deeply puzzled. Although these lines of text are small, they aren’t invisible, so why hasn’t he noticed them before?

While the dimension box is the only device that requires active use, seeing it listed makes things clearer. Ye Zhou has been wondering where the garbage from the trash can goes. The trash from the previous day would mysteriously disappear overnight. Though he knows deep down it has to be handled by the system, knowing for sure—thanks to the system’s markings—makes a difference.

“Am I blind?” Ye Zhou mutters, staring at his reflection in the black screen.

After a few seconds of self-doubt, he shrugs it off and begins to explore the system more carefully.

The system interface is still quite basic. Perhaps it’s precisely because of its simplicity that Ye Zhou has always overlooked the small-font “manual” in the past.

Determined not to be distracted this time, he reads through the small text carefully, even reading it aloud. He jots down important information in his notebook as he goes.

When he finally finishes reading everything, he lets out a long sigh, feeling satisfied.

Just then, Feng Ling knocks on the break room door.

“Come in,” Ye Zhou calls, turning off the computer.

Feng Ling enters with a cup of tea. She has adjusted well to life in the supermarket and has made new friends. She now appears much more relaxed and open compared to when she first arrived.

“Boss,” Feng Ling says, placing the teacup on the table. Standing up instead of sitting down, she adds, “You mentioned yesterday that Kane should come see you today.”

Ye Zhou leans back in his chair, massages his temples and says, “I almost forgot. Ask him to come see me in about half an hour. And don’t use honorifics with me.”

Feng Ling smiles. “I’m used to it.” She can’t help but add, “Kane’s back is much better now. Although it’s still not completely straight, it’s far better than before.”

Ye Zhou nods. “That’s a good thing.”

Feng Ling hesitates before speaking again. “Kane wants to stay here.”

She has been taking care of Kane for some time now. Over the weeks, she has grown attached to him. Of course, she hopes he can stay.

But deep down, Feng Ling knows that she was only allowed in because the boss is kind-hearted. She isn’t particularly strong, nor can she boast any great skills. With so many options available to Ye Zhou, why would he choose her?

So, she only dares to bring it up, not expecting to push for anything.

Ye Zhou shakes his head. “He can’t stay here.”

Feng Ling falls silent, but Ye Zhou smiles. “Don’t worry. I have something for him to do. If everything goes as planned, he can become an employee at the supermarket, but he won’t be coming with us.”

Feng Ling looks at Ye Zhou, her eyes lighting up with joy. She isn’t hoping that Kane will travel with them; she only wishes for him to survive and have a decent life after they leave.

At the Luoyang Base, she has seen too many people living miserable lives, herself included.

But with a country and a government, even the poorest are not abused or starve to death, even if all they have is corn cakes.

Kane, however, has it much worse. She can’t help but sympathize with him—his hunchback, his perpetual state of panic. He has nothing, yet he is always willing to share. Despite his suffering, he remains full of hope for the future.

She admires him, even. He is the first person she has met who is willing to die for freedom.

“I admire him,” she admits softly.

Ye Zhou smiles. “Feeling reassured now?”

Feng Ling can’t help but smile, a little embarrassed. “Boss, sorry, I was out of line.”

Ye Zhou waves it off. “It’s normal. Everyone has compassion.”

Feng Ling leaves the break room and heads to the house where Kane is staying. The employees have moved out of the warehouse, finally gaining their own privacy. Feng Ling shares a room with Sarah, who, though a vampire, doesn’t seem all that different except for her diet.

“You’re here!” Kane exclaims as he comes out when he hears Feng Ling’s voice. He has changed a lot. His red hair now has a healthy luster, and his sunken cheeks are fuller. Even his skin doesn’t look as dry as before.

He wears a red short-sleeved shirt with the four Chinese characters “Chinese Youth” written on it, black shorts, and sandals. His expression is one of joy.

Since he can walk again, he has been doing whatever tasks he can—sweeping the area in front of the supermarket, cleaning the garbage, and even mopping the floors alongside Cao’er and the others.

In short, he enjoys his new life. He earns his living through work, free from the threat of being whipped. His hours are fixed, and he has made friends.

“The Moon God is back,” Feng Ling says, hugging Kane and ruffling his hair.

When she is with Cao’er and the others, she calls Ye Zhou The Lord Immortal, but when she is with Kane, she refers to him as the Moon God.

It feels right to her; there is no confusion.

“He wants to see you,” Feng Ling says. “He said he has something for you to do.”

Kane immediately responds, “I can do anything, as long as it’s for Lord Moon God.”

Feng Ling smiles. “Don’t worry, it shouldn’t be dangerous.”

Kane, undeterred, replies, “Even if it’s dangerous, I’m not afraid.”

He isn’t afraid of death, so how could he fear danger?

“Have you eaten?” Feng Ling asks. “We have some fried food today.”

When Ye Zhou isn’t around, Cao’er Niang is too lazy to cook for everyone, so they mostly have stews. There’s always meat and vegetables, and no one complains. After all, if they want stir-fried dishes, they can cook them themselves.

Feng Ling only cares about having meat and doesn’t mind what kind of dishes they are. Stews are fine by her. There are mixed stews, pork stewed with vermicelli, braised pork, and stewed spareribs. She changes things up every day and never grows tired of it.

Initially, she was worried that Kane wouldn’t get used to their food, but Kane has now learned to use chopsticks. He develops a deep love for noodles and loses interest in bread. He even learns to dip freshly steamed buns in white sugar without anyone teaching him.

Feng Ling also tries eating the buns with white sugar and finds them delicious. When chewing, the sugar is crunchy and crispy, and combined with the soft and delicate buns, the simple dish brings joy.

The two chat for a while, and half an hour later, Feng Ling takes Kane to the break room.

After Ye Zhou lets them in, Feng Ling whispers to Kane, “Go in by yourself, don’t worry, the Moon God is a gentle person.”

Kane nods nervously, still hunched over, and walks in cautiously after Feng Ling opens the door.

Ye Zhou sits on the sofa and looks at Kane as he enters. The boy before him is no longer the thin, frail figure he was when they first met. He now looks like a normal teenager—maybe even younger than fifteen. Ye Zhou has rescued him, and seeing the improvement makes him feel relieved.

“Sit down, don’t be so stiff,” Ye Zhou says, gesturing toward the single sofa opposite him.

Kane quickly shakes his head. “No, no, no, I don’t deserve it.”

Ye Zhou doesn’t insist. He sets his teacup down and says, “Feng Ling must’ve told you that I need you to do something.”

Kane nods eagerly. “As long as you ask me, I’ll do it!”

Ye Zhou smiles and says, “I went to the cliff. That piece of land is mine now. The lord who enslaved you before has become my slave. I need you to go back there.”

Kane is taken aback, but instead of refusing, he asks cautiously, “What do you want me to do?”

Ye Zhou explains, “Teach those slaves how to be civilians. I want you to be my messenger in this world,” Ye Zhou continues. “Make this place better.”

Kane stares at the table in front of Ye Zhou, confusion and emotions mixing within him. He feels both happy and afraid, unable to speak for a moment.

Ye Zhou asks, “Do you want to leave or stay?”

The supermarket can always hire more people, and there are still too few employees. Ye Zhou can accept another thirty, even more. But for Kane, Ye Zhou feels that staying might be better than leaving.

Kane replies, “Lord Moon God, I’m willing to stay.”

No matter how bad this place is, it’s still where he was born and raised. He has been both a young master and a slave. He has seen both the beautiful and the filthy, the clean and the dirty sides of the world.

He doesn’t want to escape now. Since it’s the Moon God’s order and the goal is to make this place better, he is willing to stay.

Ye Zhou smiles. “Go rest. I’ll call for you when I need you.”

Ye Zhou needs people like Kane to act as his real spokesperson in this world, someone upright who can help spread his message and make real change.

After Kane leaves, Ye Zhou begins packing the things he needs to take. The people here need food that doesn’t demand much from the land. Corn, for example, likes water, but there’s little rainfall and many dry seasons. It’s not suitable here.

So the grains Ye Zhou can offer them are the usual ones: potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. Peanuts aren’t the highest in oil yield, but Ye Zhou hasn’t found a suitable rapeseed variety here. Compared to other options, peanuts can be eaten raw, fried, or used for oil. The yield is decent, and it’s a good addition.

Ye Zhou also glances at what Ryan plans to give him: gold, gems, and wine are the big-ticket items. He can take other things like live animals back as snacks for his employees.

Ye Zhou feels that gold and gems are very valuable here, especially gems. When he looks at them, they are rough and still unpolished, grey even. But Ryan is bold enough to display them, meaning they must be worth a lot here.

The gems Lin You gave him before, which are virtually worthless in the system, are now likely to make a significant profit in this world. A smile creeps across Ye Zhou’s face.

Why work for nothing when there’s a chance to earn more?

Cao’er Niang is preparing lunch. When Ye Zhou returns, she is determined to show off her cooking skills. She gives Cao’er orders like a spinning top and calls the elders for help.

The elders, though unable to do any heavy work, still feel it’s important to contribute in any way they can. They have spent most of their lives working and find it hard to sit idle.

“I stewed pig blood for you,” Cao’er Niang calls to Sarah, who is passing by.

Sarah turns and smiles slightly. “Can you put less salt?”

“Okay!” Cao’er Niang responds cheerfully.

Ever since Cao’er Niang learned that Sarah and Cao’er have become sworn sisters, she treats Sarah as her own daughter. She thinks of Sarah for everything, even cooking for her without fear of Sarah drinking blood.

To ensure Sarah has fresh blood, Cao’er Niang sometimes brings a crossbow and goes hunting with others—though they can only catch birds.

Under Cao’er Niang’s guidance, the women begin learning how to use crossbows, and now almost all the hunters are women.

 Last time, she didn’t go, and she sulked for days. Now, when she sees Chen Shu and Zou Ming, she’s so angry that she wants to pounce on them and drain them of every drop of blood.

“Then I’ll prepare dry food for you,” Cao’er Niang says quietly. “Can you take your sister with you?”

Sarah shakes her head. “The situation here is complicated. I’ll take her once I figure things out. Don’t worry, she has plenty of time to grow up.”

Cao’er Niang sighs and looks at Cao’er, who is picking vegetables nearby.

Sometimes she feels Cao’er is a good child—obedient and sensible. At other times, she feels that Cao’er is too obedient and sensible and doesn’t have her own ideas. Only by experiencing danger will she truly grow up.