Dimensional Store: Welcome to the Apocalypse Apartment - Chapter 155

Chapter 155

“What kind of Dimension did you bring that from? Won’t you tell me about it?” Gu Huaiwei wanted eyes like those, too. With them, she might find a way to peer across infinite space and find her sister’s shadow.

A new world meant new rewards.

“I’m not giving it to you.”

Yin Zhitao realized that Gu Huaiwei’s eyes held only anticipation for a new Dimension World-there was no worry, no fear, and no trepidation regarding an uncertain future.

This was different from what she had expected.

Yin Zhitao let her hair fall back down and retreated step by step. “Aren’t you afraid?”

“Of what?”

“The unknown.” Yin Zhitao grinned, revealing white teeth. She backed away until she sat on the edge of the bed, her split fingernails resting against her hospital gown. “Some Dimension Operators have Assistants, while others don’t. I see that Red Thread on your hand. It’s a mark left on you by your Assistant, isn’t it?”

Yin Zhitao knew much more than Professor Feng from the previous Dimension. She had likely experienced more Dimensions than he had as well.

“Those Assistants come from Paradise. When they look at you, doesn’t your sixth sense scream a warning?

“Their bizarre habits, the way they look at you… do you really dare to believe that Paradise is some peaceful, pure land? Watch out, or you’ll end up being swallowed whole.”

“You have a point there,” Gu Huaiwei mused for a moment. She raised an index finger and twirled it in the air. “But the essence of any relationship between people is mutual utility. A relationship can only last as long as both parties can use each other.”

Gu Huaiwei didn’t mind Paradise using her.

To her, managing these shops was a means to open the gates of Paradise and find her sister. Even if Paradise truly held unknown dangers, she couldn’t just give up everything and go home now.

“Ah, that’s such a pity. Since you want to leave this Dimension, I can’t keep you here…” Yin Zhitao lowered her head, beginning a neurotic mumble. “As expected, you all want to leave. You’re all so smart; no matter how I try to persuade you, you won’t stay. In the end, I’m the only fool who chose to remain in this Dimension.”

Hearing Yin Zhitao speak this way, Gu Huaiwei guessed that she must have tried to persuade other Operators who had lived in this world before.

Paradise had chosen many people, but so far, not a single one had been able to resist the various temptations of the small Dimensions, complete all their business objectives, and open the gates to Paradise.

Gu Huaiwei intended to be the first.

“Even if I was going to stay, I should have chosen a better Dimension… Ah, why am I the only one who chose to stay here? Damn it, after going through so many Dimensions, why did I believe that emotions could exist between different species?” Yin Zhitao covered her face with one hand in agony. The blood seeping from her fingernails smeared across her face, making her expression look even more hideous.

Gu Huaiwei had originally wanted to learn more about Yin Zhitao’s red eyes.

But looking at her current state, it seemed impossible to continue a normal conversation.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today.” Gu Huaiwei stood before the glass and gave a slight bow to Yin Zhitao, who was spiraling into infinite chagrin and regret. “Visiting hours are almost over. Do you need me to call a nurse to bandage the wounds on your fingers?”

Yin Zhitao was no longer capable of processing anything Gu Huaiwei said.

Her thin hands rubbed back and forth across her knees incessantly. Because of the force she was using, her torn fingernails were a bloody mess. Her mouth hung open, leaking a continuous string of regretful whispers.
She regretted choosing to stay in this Dimension.

This Dimension was not a good one.

Humans here had weak constitutions and relied on Aliens to maintain their youth. Their social status was low; though they appeared to be protected, they were essentially nothing more than prized, endangered animals.

“Fine, it seems you don’t need it after all.” Gu Huaiwei lowered her eyes, no longer listening to Yin Zhitao’s incoherent mumbling.

In the previous Dimension, Professor Feng had chosen to stay in the Wasteland World out of cowardice and a misplaced sense of superiority, playing petty power games at the Black Spiral Research Institute.

In this Dimension, Yin Zhitao had believed in the existence of true love between different species, only to fall into an Alien’s trap of infatuation and end up losing her mind.

Both had been defeated by their own desires.

Gu Huaiwei turned and left the visitation room, her long, waterfall-like black hair swaying gently behind her.

Her heels clicked sharply against the cold floor. The cool white light fell upon her composed figure; as she departed, there was no hesitation or confusion in her step.

Yin Zhitao’s current situation served as a cautionary tale.

To a Dimension Operator, a minor Dimension was not worth lingering in.

A Dimension was a chessboard, and an Operator could only be the one moving the pieces. Once they entered the game personally, they would transform from a player into a discarded pawn, abandoned by Paradise.

A single thought could be the difference between Heaven and Hell.

An Operator’s goal should be to climb toward higher peaks. She would never allow herself to fall into the pathetic abyss that had claimed Professor Feng and Yin Zhitao.

Xinqing Mental Hospital gave every visitor a Sunflower upon their departure.

The Sunflower was not a plant, but a type of Worm. Its petals, which came in seven different colors, were actually the creature’s wings. The center of the flower was its mouthparts; if one looked closely, they could see white, serrated teeth inside.

The weather today was misty. He Xueyi stood quietly under the shade of the trees, the white fog casting a soft glow around his edges. Dressed in pure white, his golden eyes shimmered with faint light, like the first rays of dawn.

“Shop Manager Miss, is this a souvenir you brought for me?” He Xueyi stood in the shadows of the trees; the darkness concealed the fact that he had no shadow.

Gu Huaiwei had seen countless Sunflowers in the hands of the nurses at Xinqing Mental Hospital.

The things were just free giveaways.

Gu Huaiwei casually handed the Sunflower to He Xueyi. “If you like it, you can have it.”

He Xueyi brought the Sunflower to his nose. The seven-colored petals made his flawless face appear even more exquisite.

“This flower, like the Worms from before, is very nourishing.”

“It’s a good item? Then give it back.” Gu Huaiwei reached out, ready to take it back.

He Xueyi raised his hand to dodge her.

“Once a gift is given, how can it be taken back?”

“Then wait here for a moment. I’ll go back and ask for two more.”

Just as Gu Huaiwei was about to head back the way she came, He Xueyi caught her wrist.

“What is it?”

He gave a soft sigh. “Shop Manager Miss, you really are quite greedy.”

“I am a merchant. Merchants always like things that bring profit.” Gu Huaiwei never denied that fact.

“Don’t go. Hold out your hand.” He Xueyi reached his finger into the heart of the Sunflower and dug out six or seven golden seeds, placing them into Gu Huaiwei’s open palm.