Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 97

After Chen Hou leaves, Ye Zhou slumps on the sofa. He stares up at the lamp above his head for a while before deciding to go out and find food.

However, just as he walks to the door, there’s a knock.

Ye Zhou opens the door to find Zou Ming carrying dinner.

There’s a bowl of soup, two stir-fried dishes, and two bowls of rice on the plate. The moment Ye Zhou smells the aroma of the food, his stomach growls audibly.

After talking for so long, he’s indeed very hungry.

Since they’ve lived together for so long, Ye Zhou doesn’t feel embarrassed when Zou Ming hears his stomach growling.

“Come in, I’m starving,” Ye Zhou says as he opens the door fully.

Zou Ming walks in and places the food on the table.

Ye Zhou sits on a low chair and glances at Zou Ming, who sits opposite him. “Why haven’t you eaten yet, so late?”

Zou Ming looks at him and replies, “Waiting for you.”

Ye Zhou feels a little pleased but says, “Next time, don’t wait. I think he’s going to keep coming back with more questions. He’s not having an easy time either.” Ye Zhou sighs. “Even being a monarch seems suffocating.”

Ye Zhou picks up a dish with his chopsticks, places it in his mouth, and swallows before saying, “By the way, I have something to discuss with you.”

Zou Ming raises an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”

Ye Zhou puts down his chopsticks. “When I was checking the information last night, I found that the system unlocked a new function.”

Now Ye Zhou subconsciously checks the unlocked page. After all, there are no prompts for updates, and he wouldn’t notice them unless he looks himself.

Zou Ming asks, “What new function?”

Ye Zhou thinks for a moment. “The supermarket can now move its location.”

It’s a great feature—it means he doesn’t have to wait passively like Jiang Taigong. He can now take the initiative to do business.

Ye Zhou continues, “Just now, Marquis Chen invited me to his capital city, Linzi. But there’s a problem. I don’t think he’s very reliable.” Ye Zhou scoops two spoonfuls of soup for himself and mixes it with rice. It tastes delicious with the pickled vegetables made by Cao’er Niang. “Right now it’s a world ruled by families—lords and nobles don’t hold that much actual power. If someone pretends to cooperate while secretly targeting us and we end up killing someone, it’ll be a mess.”

Ye Zhou picks up a piece of ribs for Zou Ming and looks at him. “Don’t space out, eat.”

Zou Ming picks up the ribs and replies calmly, “It depends on you. If you want to stay, stay here. If you don’t want to stay, go. As for someone looking for trouble…” Zou Ming adds, “I’ll kill them and leave no trace.”

Ye Zhou shakes his head slightly. “I’m mainly worried about constant trouble. It’s okay if one or two people make trouble, but if a group comes to create chaos, it’ll be endless.”

Zou Ming responds, “It won’t be too troublesome. There’s a protective shield. Just activate it whenever there’s a problem.”

Ye Zhou picks up his bowl, drinks the last mouthful of soup, and puts it down. “Then let’s go. But even if we go, we’ll have to wait until spring.” Ye Zhou frowns. “I don’t plan to equip everyone with snowmobiles. Time doesn’t flow here for us, so we can wait.”

Zou Ming has no objections. “This is the best plan. Otherwise, everyone would ride motorcycles, and then…”

If they’re all riding snowmobiles while the commoners watch from the roadside, that would certainly be a sight to see.

Ye Zhou thinks for a moment and can’t help but laugh. “Then let’s wait patiently. But when I spoke with Marquis Chen today, I noticed he didn’t have as many questions. Do you think—was he testing us yesterday with all those questions?”

Ye Zhou doesn’t think Marquis Chen is as “naive” as he pretends to be. Leaning back in his chair with a smile, he says, “He’s definitely testing us.”

Zou Ming watches Ye Zhou chatting and laughing, his lips tightening slightly as his hands slowly clench into fists.

Ye Zhou raises his brows. “But having some scheming isn’t a bad thing. At least if he goes back to Linzi with us, as long as he understands how much he stands to gain from me, he’ll be more careful in his actions.”

Ye Zhou isn’t afraid of bad people—only stupid ones.

Bad people know how to weigh the pros and cons, but stupid ones ignore them.

Ye Zhou hasn’t realized it until now—how much his way of thinking has changed.

He can even understand why so many emperors favor treacherous ministers.

How good it is to have them. They understand everything with a glance, never go against the emperor, and when they’re no longer useful, they can be killed to regain the people’s favor. All the mistakes are blamed on the treacherous ministers. The emperor was deceived, after all. The emperor is a good man. The previous mistakes weren’t his fault.

It even gives the emperor a chance to gain a reputation for “recognizing and correcting his mistakes.”

Ye Zhou says, “Let’s inform Aunt Li and the others later, so they can start preparing themselves mentally. Honestly, I’m curious to see what the royal capital looks like in this era.”

After all, it’s the capital of a country. It shouldn’t be too bad.

“We can take more photos as souvenirs.” Ye Zhou stands up to clean the dishes. “You’ve always done it—let me handle it today. I should move around a bit.”

Zou Ming doesn’t stop him but stands up with him. “I’ll go with you.”

Ye Zhou raises an eyebrow. “It’s just a few steps away. Do you really need to accompany me?”

However, because of Cao’er Niang, Ye Zhou still can’t wash the dishes himself.

Since he’s decided to leave, Ye Zhou orders another batch of bulletproof vests from the system. Although there are no bullets here, there are bows and arrows, so bulletproof vests can still be useful—though it would be best if they aren’t needed.

Chen Hou has grown accustomed to the “supermarket.” Although he doesn’t fully understand the meaning of the word “supermarket,” it doesn’t stop him from becoming familiar with the place.

Perhaps because he finally asks fewer questions, the others in the store are now more willing to engage with him. The soldiers occasionally send someone to check that Chen Hou and Chen Yan are still alive, but they always keep Chen Shu’s previous warning in mind. Each visit is made with only two or three people at most—never more.

As time passes, the exchanges between both sides increase, and Chen Shu and her team sometimes send supplies. After all, the soldiers don’t have much food or provisions left. Without the supermarket’s supplies, they would have starved by now. Chen Shu and her team even send over a few large pots so they can cook rice, rather than relying on steamed buns and dried meat every day. Vegetables are also provided, but only once a week, and the fruit given is sugar oranges.

Since Chen Shu leads each delivery, she and Han Ran gradually become familiar with each other.

During one of these supply runs, Han Ran pulls Chen Shu aside. “I wonder if your parents are still alive?” Han Ran lowers his gaze, not daring to meet Chen Shu’s eyes.

Chen Shu frowns. Who asks a question like that? Still, she answers politely, “They are still alive.”

Han Ran hesitates before continuing. “Which country do they live in?”

Chen Shu replies, “They live far away. They don’t control me anymore.”

Han Ran presses his lips together. “I—I am the Left General of the Chen State, granted fiefs of three thousand households. I am twenty-three and not yet married. My parents live in Linzi. May I ask if you are betrothed?”

Now, Chen Shu understands what Han Ran means. She doesn’t react with embarrassment but instead wrinkles her nose and replies seriously, “I’m not interested in marriage. I don’t want to find a husband.”

Han Ran asks persistently, “Why? If you simply wish to turn me down, there’s no need to bring marriage into it…”

Chen Shu responds firmly, “It’s not an excuse. I truly don’t want to marry. Tell me, what do I gain from getting married? A child? I can have one if I want. If having a child is the goal, marriage is unnecessary. Plenty of men father children and then don’t raise them. Whether he’s there or not makes no difference.”

Han Ran is stunned.

Chen Shu shrugs. “See? I can do what you can do, and I already have everything you have. There’s no benefit for me in marriage, so why should I bother?”

Han Ran doesn’t know how to respond, but he feels that something is off. He manages to say, “The intimacy between men and women is natural…”

Chen Shu shoots back, “If beasts don’t marry, does it stop them from having children? Isn’t marriage just a rule humans created? Or do you believe human nature is superior to nature itself?”

Han Ran falls silent. He clasps his hands together. “Miss, what you say is very true.”

Chen Shu glances at him and says, “Don’t bring this up again. If you ask me about marriage next time, I’ll take it as a provocation, and I’ll fight you then.”

With that, she walks over to Cao’er, leaving Han Ran feeling dejected. He regrets his poor choice of words but also can’t help thinking that what Chen Shu says makes sense. Everything in the world, except for humans, reproduces naturally without the need for marriage—so why is it necessary for humans?

Cao’er looks over at Han Ran, who is slumped in defeat, and then at Chen Shu, who seems as fired up as a rooster ready to fight. She guesses what has happened and cautiously asks, “Sister Chen, are you angry?”

Chen Shu sighs, looking at her. “You’re still young. You wouldn’t understand.”

Cao’er blinks in confusion. At seventeen, she is old enough to be a mother in the Daliang Dynasty, but to Chen Shu and others, she is still considered a child.

Chen Shu whispers, “You’ll understand one day.”

Cao’er sighs. “Sister Chen, isn’t it just because he wants to marry you?”

Chen Shu’s eyes widen, as if struck by lightning. It takes her a moment to recover. “Did you hear that?”

Cao’er shakes her head. “You can tell just by looking at it.”

Chen Shu sighs and reaches out to rub Cao’er’s hair. “Don’t tell anyone about this when you go back.” She continues, “You should be careful too. Marriage is something you have to consider very seriously. As for me, I’ll probably never get married—unless I fall madly in love, so much that I can’t live without him. Only then would I marry—for my own happiness.”

Cao’er asks curiously, “Aren’t you supposed to find someone who’s good to you?”

Chen Shu, though lacking much experience in relationships, has plenty of theoretical knowledge. She explains, “If you marry just because he’s good to you, what happens if he stops being good? People change. Who can guarantee they’ll stay loyal their whole lives? And when he stops treating you well—what will you do then? If you choose someone you truly like, even if it ends badly, at least you gave it your all. There’s no regret.”

Cao’er is a little conflicted. She feels that her mother’s advice makes sense, but at the same time, Chen Shu’s view seems valid as well.

Seeing Cao’er’s confused expression, Chen Shu can’t help but laugh. She rubs Cao’er’s hair again and says, “Besides, there’s always the option of not getting married. Why bother? In my place, only a few people get married and have children. It’s perfectly fine to fall in love without getting married. If you want children, choose someone with good genes. If you don’t want children, then don’t have them.”

Cao’er’s eyes widen. “Isn’t that adultery?”

Chen Shu raises an eyebrow. “Why make it sound so dirty? If you’re in love, you’re willing. When you break up, you’re no longer tied to each other, and that’s it. Oh, I forgot, you’re from the Daliang Dynasty,” Chen Shu adds, rubbing the back of her head. “Anyway, just remember that no one lives forever. As long as it doesn’t break the law or violate basic morals, don’t worry too much. Just live well.”

Cao’er nods, still not fully understanding.

Meanwhile, Han Ran stands there, looking dejected.

A personal soldier happens to pass by and, seeing Han Ran’s gloomy face, guesses what has happened. He pats Han Ran on the shoulder, offering some comfort. “General Zuo, it’s clear the woman here won’t marry.”

Han Ran sighs. “I know, but I just can’t help asking. I’ll only feel at ease once I ask.”

From that day onward, Chen Shu delegates the task of delivering supplies to the soldiers to Zou Ming. She is determined not to go anymore, as seeing Han Ran makes her uncomfortable.

Zou Ming doesn’t refuse. It doesn’t take much time, and besides, he doesn’t have much to do. In addition to his own training, he is teaching Ye Zhou to fight and supervising the children’s studies, so he can spare half a day for other tasks.

The weather slowly grows warmer. While snow still covers the ground, Ye Zhou has already informed the employees in the store that he will be traveling to the capital with Chen Hou.

“You all know how to ride horses now, and the children can ride in the carriage. It’s a bit steep, but it shouldn’t be a big problem,” Ye Zhou says, addressing the employees in the lounge. “We’ll continue business as usual once we return.”

He pauses before adding, “But there’s one more thing to mention. There will be many nobles there. If they cause trouble, don’t hesitate to act. You’re all armed, and as long as you don’t kill anyone, just aim for their limbs.”

The employees nod obediently, unbothered. After all, they’ve already witnessed cannibalism and zombies during their journey to escape famine. How could they be afraid of regular people?

Ye Zhou looks around and says, “We’ll wait until the snow melts before setting out, to avoid any accidents on the road. Safety is the most important.”

“Got it, Lord Immortal,” the employees reply.

“Go and rest,” Ye Zhou adds.

Truthfully, Ye Zhou himself wants to leave. They’ve been waiting here for several months for Chen Hou and his team, and if it weren’t for their bad luck and being intercepted, they wouldn’t have ended up here. This place is desolate—harder to find people than even the Daliang Dynasty.

He is curious about what the capital of Chen State looks like.

The capital of Chen State, Linzi City.

The carriage passes through the city gates, kicking up dust as it rolls through the narrow streets. Pedestrians cough and cover their mouths, squinting at the dust storm. Soldiers in ill-fitting armor trail behind the carriage, holding long spears. Commoners shrink their necks and murmur once the soldiers pass.

“Whose carriage is this? Why the hurry?”

“Covered me in dust! These are new clothes. My wife sees this, she’ll scold me again!”

“Haha, let’s see how she scolds you when you get home.”

“Don’t tease me. She’s like a tigress. Last time I went to Zuiyi Pavilion for a drink, she smelled alcohol on me and immediately went to her parents’ house. I had to pick her up, and she forced me to swear that if I ever drank again, I would be punished and not buried in the family tomb.”

“Are you scared of your wife?”

“I respect her! It’s not about fear—how can you say that between husband and wife?”

Laughter fills the air, but soon, the tone shifts.

“I heard there’s still no news of the marquis. Last time I went to Zuiyi Pavilion, I heard from the scholars that there’s been no word about the marquis from any country. No one knows whether he’s alive or dead.”

“I heard Zhao State sent many people, but they couldn’t find any trace of the marquis. Maybe he’s already…”

Sighs echo in the street. “When the marquis was around, we were still bullied.”

At these words, the crowd falls silent. While the marquis might not have been a powerful ruler, he had been good to them. Linzi hasn’t raised taxes in years.

One old man speaks up, “Your Majesty is blessed by God. He will surely return safely.”

“That’s right! Don’t talk like that. It’s good news that he hasn’t been found. Maybe he’s on his way back.”

“Yes, he might be back tomorrow.”

The carriage speeds on and finally stops in front of the palace. The man inside jumps out before the carriage can fully stop, stumbling and almost falling. He holds a token high above his head, shouting, “Let me in! I need to see the Marquis’s wife!”

The gatekeeper takes the token, examines it carefully, and then lets him in.

The man is hurriedly led to the Marquis’s wife’s palace. He waits anxiously, and when he hears footsteps outside, he quickly bows his head and waits.

The Marquis’s wife, accompanied by two palace maids and guards, enters. Seeing the man, she asks, “Who are you? Why do you want to see me?”

The man trembles as he pulls out a jade pendant from his pocket and hands it to the maid.

The Marquis’s wife’s eyes widen when she sees the jade pendant. “This is the jade worn by the marquis! Why is it in your hands?!”

The man falls to his knees with a loud thud, sobbing. “Madam, the marquis… the marquis has been found!”

The Marquis’s wife staggers, and one of the maids rushes to support her. “Where is the marquis…?”

The man beats the ground with his fists, crying out in despair. “When the marquis was found, his face had been crushed by a huge rock. This jade was the only way to identify him. The marquis has passed away… Lord Zuo Tu personally carried his coffin back. The marquis has appointed a prince. Please appoint a new marquis quickly, for the good of the people.”

The Marquis’s wife trembles, staring at the jade in her hand before collapsing backward. The maids rush to catch her, calling out in panic, “Madam! Madam!”

The man continues to weep, his voice breaking, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty…”