Ch 183: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

On the deserted highway, dozens of different car models and an oil tanker were crowded by the roadside. The tanker driver’s upper body hung out of the window, his face a grotesque mess of decayed red and white flesh, exposing the fresh bones underneath. A thick swarm of green flies buzzed and scattered as the wind swept past.

Inside the compact cars, neither drivers nor passengers had survived. The worst was a gray sedan crushed against the back of the oil tanker, flattened like a squashed tin can. Flesh and dark red viscera were smeared across the ground, now dried into a tarry black crust, nearly blending into the asphalt.

Harold rode his electric scooter slowly past the scene. Around his waist was a thick rope, the end of which was tied to five enormous garbage bins. The bins had been emptied of trash, and each now held a full-grown man standing inside, clutching backpacks filled with supplies. At their feet were several cans of oil, bottles of purified water, bags of rice, and various other items.

Harold had put considerable thought into this. Since Lu Yao forbade him from using magic in front of others, there was no way the scooter alone could carry five grown men. Fortunately, there were several large garbage bins nearby with wheels conveniently attached at the bottom for easy dragging.

Harold proposed the idea to the group, suggesting they ride in the bins back to the neighborhood. The men, reluctant to be left behind for another 10 or 20 minutes, reluctantly agreed.

Though skeptical of the scooter’s horsepower, they were even more afraid of being left alone. Resigned, they each emptied and cleaned a garbage bin for their own use, even ensuring they were as spotless as possible before climbing in.

Yes, the passengers cleaned their own “carriages.” Once done, they wheeled them to Harold, who attached them to the back of the scooter.

The bins, each perforated with holes for the ropes, were strung together like train cars. To maintain balance and safety, Harold discreetly used a bit of magic to stabilize the contraption, ensuring the bins wouldn’t tip over or come apart.

The scooter itself lacked the power to pull such a heavy load—Harold was the one actually doing the work. For him, the weight was negligible; the scooter was just for show.

The passengers, however, were unaware of this and were visibly uneasy. The tall, narrow bins seemed precarious, and the idea of being pulled by a small electric scooter didn’t inspire confidence. Still, they said nothing.

Harold’s striking appearance added to the surreal experience. His youthful, finely sculpted features were a rare sight in the Golden Kingdom. When he arrived at the back of the supermarket to pick them up, he had faced a group of zombies head-on, dismounting the scooter and punching them down one by one with explosive force. Brains and blood splattered like crushed watermelons, mingling with the rancid trash around them.

The passengers were left with an indelible (and traumatic) impression. Harold’s savage efficiency had terrified them even more than Lu Yao’s precision with a gun.

As the passengers climbed into their bins, the scooter began its journey back to the neighborhood. Despite their initial doubts, the trip was surprisingly smooth. Even at steep inclines and sharp turns, the bins remained stable, much to their amazement.

At one point, they encountered a massive horde of zombies. A dense wave of undead surged around the corner, resembling a displaced refugee crowd. The passengers held their breath, afraid to make a sound and risk spooking Harold, who might abandon them halfway.

To their surprise, the scooter suddenly sped up, its engine buzzing louder. Within moments, Harold had left the zombies far behind.

As they approached Guanyin Road, Da Liu hesitated, swallowing hard before summoning the courage to speak. “Uh… how about you let us off here? The neighborhood is just up ahead. We can walk the rest of the way.”

The other four immediately nodded in agreement.

Though the world had changed, many of the remaining residents spent their days peering out from windows. No one wanted to be seen riding garbage bins home—it was too embarrassing.

Harold didn’t even look back. “No. If I drop you off here, it doesn’t count as a safe delivery. If Lu Yao finds out, I’ll get an earful. The store policy is to ensure every delivery reaches the client safely.”

Da Liu: “…”

Clients?

This would likely earn him a lecture from Lu Yao too.

Before they could protest further, the scooter turned onto Guanyin Road. Left with no choice, the passengers lowered their heads, trying to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible.

The main road was empty, with no cars or pedestrians in sight. Harold’s scooter chugged along, slow but steady, pulling a colorful string of garbage bins that resembled a row of mismatched traffic lights trailing behind him.

Zhang Shu noticed the trajectory of the electric scooter on the map in the backend system and realized Harold was almost back. Curious, she got up and walked to the shop entrance, only to see Harold pulling a string of garbage bins as he passed by.

Zhang Shu: “…”

At the main gate of Guanyin Community, Da Liu and the others disembarked from their unconventional “carriages.”

Family members, who had been eagerly waiting at their windows upon hearing the sound of the scooter, rushed downstairs to greet them once they arrived.

Da Liu threw his backpack of supplies to the ground and quickly climbed out of the garbage bin. He then turned back to retrieve the remaining items. Some of the others, lacking strength, had to rely on their companions to help them out of the bins.

Harold parked the scooter and walked over to assist. With his effortless strength, he held the bins steady with one hand and easily lifted grown men out with the other.

One of the passengers, startled by being hoisted out so unceremoniously, stiffened in shock. The rest, seeing this, hurriedly called for their companions to help instead.

The five families received their men back safely, marking the successful completion of all five orders. Harold even made two additional trips to carry the heavier supplies upstairs before returning to the shop.

By then, the residents of Guanyin Community were well aware of the peculiar but capable “courier shop” operating outside their neighborhood. The shop’s runners were not only efficient but also didn’t take any of the customers’ supplies.

Whether or not they needed errand services, many people mentally noted this information. Some residents finally opened their doors and retrieved the flyers left hanging on their doorknobs.

…

Ping’an Road 198, City People’s Hospital, Building 3 Clinic

Lu Yao walked slowly toward the van parked at the entrance. Perhaps wary of the weapons in her hands, the people in the van didn’t step out.

Lu Yao ignored them, circling around the vehicle to head straight into the clinic.

The Dream Fulfillment System had detected two women tied up inside, one of whom was likely the customer who placed the order. Lu Yao needed to find them first.

Just as she stepped onto the first stair of the clinic’s main entrance, a weak voice called out from behind her.

The system had earlier detected two people hiding behind the van. The voice belonged to an elderly man, his face deeply wrinkled, skin weathered and darkened, with white-streaked facial hair. He wore a tattered, army-green long-sleeved work jacket and leaned against the van door, his eyes half-closed, groaning in a drawn-out, pained tone.

Next to him squatted a young man in his early twenties with a buzz cut, wearing an oversized, once-white T-shirt now yellowed with age.

The young man seemed to be caring for the old man. Noticing Lu Yao’s gaze, he glanced at her briefly, then lowered his head timidly. A few seconds passed, and seeing Lu Yao had no intention of speaking, he hesitantly called out as she turned to walk away.

“Wait!”

Lu Yao stopped and turned back. “What is it?”

The young man replied, “My name is Chen Fu, and this is my grandfather. He’s old, and during our escape, his chronic illnesses flared up. He needs medicine for stomach issues and high blood pressure. We finally found this hospital, but there are so many zombies inside. Can you help us?”

Lu Yao widened her eyes, feigning a look of disbelief. “Are you talking about me? I’m just here to find medicine too, but I’m scared of those things. To give myself courage, I brought these two props my brother used for cosplay. They might look impressive, but they’re completely harmless.”

Her voice was calm but carried a hint of naive innocence.

The young man crouching beside the old man almost failed to hide his gleeful expression. He quickly looked down, pretending to comfort his grandfather before standing up and walking toward Lu Yao. “I’ve actually been inside once. I found the pharmacy, but there were too many zombies for me to go in. I can accompany you if you’d like.”

The Dream Fulfillment System nearly rolled its metaphorical eyes. “Idiot.”

Lu Yao replied silently to the system, “Don’t be so harsh. Who knows how many people he’s already deceived like this? Ordinary people without someone like you to help them wouldn’t even guess the traps in his mind.”

The system was momentarily flustered by the unexpected praise, sensing something different about its host this time.

Lu Yao didn’t nod or refuse the young man’s offer. She simply stood in place, waiting for him to approach. Then they walked side by side toward the clinic entrance.

Once inside, the two men stationed at the entrance were nowhere to be seen. The young man confidently led Lu Yao down the right corridor, stopping in front of a door with a plaque reading “Examination Room.” He kicked the door open and shoved Lu Yao from behind.

Inside, two men were waiting by the door, grinning lecherously and preparing to grab her as soon as she stumbled forward. They weren’t worried—she was holding what they believed were harmless props. Besides, she looked clean, gentle, and obedient, the type of woman who wouldn’t resist.

But as Lu Yao reached the doorway, she didn’t stumble. Instead, her eyes scanned the room, noting the two women cowering in the corner and the two men standing ready to pounce.

Without hesitation, she flicked her wrist.

“AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

Screams filled the air as both men’s hands were severed cleanly at the wrist, falling to the floor one after another. They staggered backward, clutching their bleeding stumps, their faces contorted in pain. Tears and cold sweat poured down as they collapsed against the walls, howling in agony.

Zhang Shulan, recognizing Lu Yao, was too shocked to speak. She hadn’t even had time to warn her to run before witnessing the grisly scene: vivid red blood sprayed across the walls and floor, pooling around the two severed hands lying in the doorway.

The girl huddled in the corner, her face previously blank, slowly turned her gaze toward the commotion. Her dark, lifeless eyes glimmered faintly as she shifted her attention to Lu Yao, who stood calmly at the entrance.

Outside, Chen Fu froze, stunned by the sudden turn of events. He had thought this woman was gullible and naive, easily tricked by a few casual words. But those swords in her hands weren’t props—they were sharper than any weapon he’d ever seen. With a mere flick, she had sliced through bone and flesh as if cutting tofu.

Fear overwhelmed him. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted.

Lu Yao, still adjusting to the sight of blood and violence, hesitated briefly. But recalling the other three men outside, she quickly gave chase. With a swift thrust of her short sword, she struck his leg, sending him crashing to the floor with a cry of pain.

Chen Fu’s knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground with a scream of pain.

The Dream Fulfillment System chimed in at the right moment: “The zombies upstairs are moving down.”

Lu Yao paid no further attention to Chen Fu and turned back into the examination room to find Zhang Shulan.

With a flick of her sword, she cut through the coarse rope binding Zhang Shulan’s wrists and ankles. Zhang staggered, grabbing onto Lu Yao for support. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Lu Yao then used her blade to cut the bindings of the younger girl. As she bent down to help her, the girl flinched away, her gaze fixed on the sword in Lu Yao’s hand.

“I’d like to borrow your sword,” the girl said softly. Her voice was hoarse, her expression icy. Standing up, she was a little taller than Lu Yao, though gaunt and frail.

A pang of pity stirred in Lu Yao’s heart. Without hesitation, she handed the girl one of her swords, then turned to steady Zhang Shulan.

The sound of zombies shuffling closer hinted at the urgency of their situation. The commotion and the scent of blood had likely drawn them downstairs.

Suddenly, blood-curdling screams erupted from the examination room.

“AAAAHHHHHHH—”

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH—”

The wails were louder and more heart-wrenching than before, piercing the air.

Both Lu Yao and Zhang Shulan froze, then instinctively turned toward the source of the cries.

The two men who had lost their hands now had dark red stains spreading from their crotches, soaking their clothes. They writhed on the ground, clutching themselves, tears streaming down their faces as they howled in agony.

The young girl stood over them, her expression cold, the blade of her sword stained crimson. Without hesitation, she plunged the sword into them again and again, each strike fueled by a raw, unrelenting hatred. Her teeth clenched as she delivered every blow.

Lu Yao steadied Zhang Shulan and walked toward her, cautioning softly, “The zombies are heading down. We can’t stay here any longer.”

The two injured men heard this as well. Between sobs, they began pleading desperately, “Please, save us! We know we were wrong! We’re nothing but beasts! Please, have mercy!”

But Lu Yao remained unmoved. She guided Zhang Shulan out of the examination room, her mind heavy with thoughts. Deep inside, she felt a twinge of irritation, but she had no regrets.

Saving people like them would only harm the innocent.

In the hallway, Chen Fu leaned against the wall, leaving a long trail of blood behind him. When he spotted Lu Yao, a glimmer of hope lit up his eyes—until he noticed the young girl following behind her, still holding the bloodied sword. His face turned ashen with terror.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

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