Ch 14: My Multiverse Supermarket

Qiao Sinang had also bought plenty of general goods—iron pots, tarpaulins, buckets, bedding, and small carts among them.

When she finally moved everything outside onto the open ground, she realized belatedly that she hadn’t hired enough people to help.

Even Dou Dalang and Chen Wulang, who were waiting in line, couldn’t help feeling a surge of envy as they watched.

There was so much cargo, yet they knew that once it reached the county, it would sell out in no time.

They both regretted not placing larger orders while they had the chance.

After checking through her list, Qiao Sinang suddenly remembered something. She quickly grabbed her flashlight and asked, “divine lady, do you still have more of these glowing iron tubes?”

Her flashlight was one she’d bought after seeing Zhao Changyan purchase one earlier.

A tool that could shine as bright as daylight at night was far more practical and affordable than oil lamps or candles.

Zhou Li said, “No, they’re gone.”

After the refugees discovered the usefulness of flashlights, they’d quickly bought up every last one.

It was only later that Zhou Li remembered flashlights used lithium batteries and needed recharging.

Once the battery ran out, it could only be recharged at her shop—meaning that if she wasn’t around, they were useless.

So instead of restocking flashlights, she decided to order old-fashioned kerosene lamps.

Kerosene lamps, a relic from the last century, were now rarely seen except in temples or remote villages—if not for that lingering demand, they would’ve been discontinued long ago.

Zhou Li purchased two hundred lamps and several hundred catties of smokeless butter oil.

When Qiao Sinang heard there were no more flashlights, she was disappointed—but also secretly pleased.

The fewer people owned something, the more valuable it became.

Zhou Li took out a kerosene lamp and said, “How about this oil lamp instead?”

She demonstrated how to use it—insert the wick, add butter oil, light it, adjust the flame, and place the glass cover.

Qiao Sinang immediately decided to take twenty lamps and a hundred catties of butter oil.

*

After finishing deliveries for the three major distributors, Zhou Li realized it was already three hours past opening time.

By now, even more refugees had gathered outside the supermarket.

Some peeked through the glass nervously, unsure whether they were allowed to enter, while others crowded around to gawk at the mountains of goods being counted by Qiao Sinang, Dou Dalang, and Chen Wulang.

“The goddess really gave them that much stuff!”

“Of course—do you think the goddess would lie?”

“Tsk, wasn’t it you just two days ago doubting her?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! I would never be disrespectful to the goddess!”

Inside, Zhou Li slumped in her chair, exhausted.

System: “They’re the ones hauling all the cargo. You’re just talking—how are you tired?”

Zhou Li: “…”

Just then, she noticed Zhao Changyan standing in the outdoor goods section.

Sensing her gaze, Zhao Changyan picked up a storage bag printed with a picture of a tent and asked, “Little Boss, is this a field tent?”

Zhou Li nodded. “Yes. I usually call it a tent. It’s smaller than a military field tent—so small you can’t even stand upright inside—but the one you’re holding sleeps two, keeps out wind and rain, and blocks mosquitoes.”

Zhao Changyan’s eyes lit up. “Do you have a larger one?”

“The largest I have can fit four people. Anything bigger—like the kind used for construction or disaster relief—has to be custom-made.”

Zhao Changyan thought for a moment, then smiled. “I’ll take this one.”

Zhou Li pointed behind her. “From now on, you can check out over there yourself. The amount will show on the screen—just place your card on the reader and swipe.”

Zhao Changyan had already noticed that strange metal box before, but since Zhou Li hadn’t mentioned it, she hadn’t dared touch it.

“Is that… a divine artifact too?” she asked in awe.

Zhou Li replied vaguely, “…Mm.”

She showed Zhao Changyan how to use it. “Every item has a code made of thick and thin black lines. Point it at this red light here, and the price will appear on the screen.”

The self-checkout machines had already been set to display traditional Chinese characters; only the prices still appeared in Arabic numerals.

But that didn’t bother Zhou Li.

After all, by now most of the refugees who shopped regularly could recognize Arabic numbers.

When Zhao Changyan saw the tent appear on the screen of the “divine artifact,” she was once again stunned by Zhou Li’s powers.

Zhou Li returned to her seat behind the main counter to rest.

Other refugees, seeing Zhao Changyan shopping, quickly gathered around her, chattering, “Chang Qiniang, what’s that thing?”

Zhao Changyan patiently repeated everything Zhou Li had told her.

The store instantly erupted in gasps and murmurs of wonder.

After paying, Zhao Changyan pulled out her flashlight and said, “Little Boss, I have another question.”

Zhou Li glanced at the flashlight and guessed, “Out of power?”

“Little Boss truly sees through everything.”

Zhou Li laughed. “Not really. No matter how durable a flashlight is, after this many days, the battery’s bound to be dead.”

Zhao Changyan asked, “How do I… replenish its power?”

She chose her words carefully—half wondering if she needed to summon the goddess of lightning herself.

Perhaps the lights in the goddess’s temple drew power from that very deity!

Zhou Li didn’t bother explaining how electricity worked. She just said, “I can recharge it here. One copper coin for three full charges.”

The supermarket didn’t officially offer charging services, and she couldn’t deduct it from membership cards. The electricity used would come out of her own bill.

System: “That’s highway robbery! A full charge only costs 0.17 kilowatt-hours.”

Zhou Li replied, “And you’re the one who tripled the rates in the first place. Besides, copper coins are dropping in value.”

Ever since the influx of copper and lead coins into the auction system, their value had fallen from 3 yuan to 2.8—and it was still declining.

She needed the refugees to realize that even their money could depreciate here.

System: “…”

Zhao Changyan noted that Zhou Li specifically said “copper coins.”

Though she didn’t understand why the Little Boss had started accepting mortal currency, she didn’t question it.

She took out a Chu coin and handed it, along with the flashlight, to Zhou Li.

“Come back in half an hour,” Zhou Li said.

*

Zhao Changyan didn’t leave after buying the tent. Instead, she wandered the aisles again and eventually bought a folding cart, an elastic rope, a soup pot, a raincoat, an umbrella, an alarm clock, several bars of soap, and some food and water.

Zhou Li asked, “You’re traveling?”

Zhao Changyan wasn’t surprised Zhou Li had guessed.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m heading south, to the Prince Xing’s Palace.”

That palace was the capital of Great Yue.

When Zhao Changyan fled, she had planned to go to Xuzhou to seek refuge with her uncle, Xu Shiyu, the regional governor.

But the route from Changsha to Xuzhou had been cut off.

Left with no choice, she decided to head south into Chenzhou territory, then move north from Guizhou toward Xuzhou.

The supermarket’s appearance, however, had changed her plans.

The road to Xuzhou was not only long but full of unpredictable dangers.

Better to head for the capital first, establish herself, and then contact her uncle later.

Rumor had it the emperor of Great Yue was a debauched tyrant—he favored sorceresses, eunuchs, and female officials, leaving all governance to them.

To scholars, he was a foolish despot. To the people, he was a bloodsucker whose endless taxes drove them into exile or banditry.

But to Zhao Changyan, his incompetence meant opportunity.

And the “divine lady” might just be her way up.

Thinking this, she glanced at Zhou Li, then quickly lowered her gaze.

“Little Boss…”

“Yes?” Zhou Li asked.

Zhao Changyan opened her mouth but swallowed her words. “It’s nothing.”

Zhou Li handed her the recharged flashlight. “Here. Since you’re leaving, do you want me to refund the balance on your card?”

“If I survive the journey to the Prince Xing’s Palace,” Zhao Changyan said, “I’ll definitely come back.”

Then she added, “But if I want to bring useful items for the road, do you have any recommendations?”

Zhou Li handed her a multi-tool folding knife and a few boxes of matches.

Then she remembered Zhao Changyan had once asked for a book on identifying valuable woods.

So she had bought one online: The Illustrated Guide to the World’s Precious Woods.

“This is the book you wanted—the one that teaches how to recognize fine wood.”

Zhao Changyan immediately set down her things and reverently opened the book.

Seeing that the illustrations were perfectly lifelike, she exclaimed, “Little Boss, have you sealed the trees inside the book? Such craftsmanship is truly divine!”

Zhou Li: …

☢️☢️☢️