Dimensional Store: Welcome to the Apocalypse Apartment - Chapter 162

Chapter 162

“No.” Lin She took a step forward, shielding Gu Huaiwei behind him. His face was pale and bloodless, and his thin black lips barely moved, yet his voice emanated from them nonetheless. “Last time it was you; this time it is my turn.”

Bai Miemie tilted her head, blinking with an expression of pure innocence. “Then can it be Miemie’s turn next time?”

Lin She and He Xueyi both looked at her simultaneously.

Lin She’s face remained expressionless, but the aura surrounding him grew even colder and gloomier, like a narrow alleyway after months of continuous rain; even the air he breathed felt damp.

He Xueyi, on the other hand, looked at Bai Miemie kindly. His features exuded gentleness and peace, but his smile was like winter sunlight reflecting off ice-devoid of any warmth.

Bai Miemie balled her hands into tiny fists and pressed them lightly against her cheeks. Her eyes curved into crescents, and she wore a smile as sweet as honey. “Please? Next time, Miemie wants to go out with Sister Gu so we can have some wonderful quality time together, just the two of us.”

“Alright, next time it’s your turn.” Gu Huaiwei tried to restrain herself but ultimately failed. She reached out and pinched Bai Miemie’s cheek, which was as soft as a marshmallow. Seeing the red mark she left behind, she withdrew her hand with a slight sense of guilt.

As expected, it felt just as soft as it looked.

“That hurts a little bit.” Bai Miemie puffed out her cheeks with mock seriousness. However, upon hearing Gu Huaiwei agree to her request, she immediately broke into a smile sweet enough to melt anyone’s heart. “But since Sister Gu promised Miemie, Miemie will let Sister Gu pinch this side of her face too.”

Gu Huaiwei helplessly ruffled Bai Miemie’s short hair. She had very little resistance against people or things that appeared cute on the surface.

In a spot hidden from Gu Huaiwei’s line of sight, Bai Miemie’s horizontal, rectangular pupils flicked to the left, glancing at the chillingly cold Lin She, before she stuck her tongue out at him.

Lin She’s dark green, vertical slit pupils stared at her. He said nothing, instead following Gu Huaiwei out of the hall as she headed to her office to work.

Bai Miemie skipped over to He Xueyi’s side, grabbing the sleeve of his white robe with her small hand. She made a face at Lin She’s retreating back and said cheerfully, “I just can’t stand how he wants her all to himself. Sister Gu should belong to all of us.”

“Indeed. Those of us who aren’t even allowed at the dinner table must learn to share even more.” He Xueyi maintained his usual inclusive attitude, though whether his words were sincere remained to be seen.

Gu Huaiwei sat at her desk, creating a spreadsheet for the latest quarterly revenue. Lin She stood behind her, his frigid aura providing more cooling than the office’s air conditioner.

His presence was impossible to ignore.

Gu Huaiwei sighed. “Why are you following me?”

It was quite uncomfortable to be stared at like that from behind.

He really was like a snake; once he coiled around someone, he wouldn’t let go.

Lin She’s gaze was as cold as a dark winter night. He said in a low voice, “Bai Miemie is not as simple as she appears to you.”

“I know,” Gu Huaiwei replied, scrolling down the list with her mouse. She smiled with satisfaction at the latest quarterly profits.

She swiveled her office chair around slightly and saw Lin She still standing there, staring intently at her. She let go of the mouse and explained, “I know none of you are simple.”

“I mean you no ill will.”

Seeing Lin She’s serious expression, Gu Huaiwei fell silent for a moment before continuing, “The most expensive things in life are those that are free. You’re all working here without asking for a salary. If you’re telling me you’re not after anything at all, I simply don’t believe it.”
“But I don’t care what you’re plotting. All I need is for you to work hard so we can coordinate and complete the shop upgrade. We’ll move to the next Dimension and keep going until we open the Paradise Gate.”

At least on the point of opening the Paradise Gate, Gu Huaiwei shared the same goal as them.

As for malice… even if Paradise bore her no ill will, she certainly felt it toward them.

Paradise was nurturing her.

It gave her money, it gave her youth… She gladly accepted the gifts of Paradise, devouring the bait. She knew Paradise was casting a net to reel her in, but this bait also allowed her to grow rapidly.

If her sister really was trapped in Paradise, then once Gu Huaiwei found her, she would use the power Paradise had given her to help her sister vent her grievances, given the slightest opportunity.

Gu Huaiwei sent a message telling Zhou Chuanning that she would head to the Dawn Alliance in two weeks. In response, Zhou Chuanning had Wu Ming deliver an internal communication phone to her.

Wu Ming and Lin Xiaomei had successfully completed their Bonding. When he came to deliver the phone, he also handed Gu Huaiwei a Bonding ceremony invitation.

“You must come when the time comes! We’ve reserved a seat for you in the VIP section.”

Gu Huaiwei glanced at the date on the invitation.

Unfortunately, she likely wouldn’t be in this Dimension by then.

Two nights later.

The Oasis Matchmaking Agency had already closed for the day. Gu Huaiwei was about to pull the curtains in the lobby to get some early rest.

When the curtains were halfway closed, she suddenly spotted a figure by the red pillars of the Matchmaker God Temple. Zhou Chuanning was standing there quietly, dressed in his black uniform, his posture straight and his expression cold.

With his hands in his pockets, his dark eyes watched the busy Gu Huaiwei through the lobby glass.

Gu Huaiwei’s hand froze in mid-air, the velvet fabric of the curtain slipping from her fingertips. Separated by the glass, their gazes met in the air, creating a moment of inexplicable awkwardness.

Seriously… showing up at this hour without a word or even a knock. Gu Huaiwei wondered if she should invite him in or if it would be better to just pretend she hadn’t seen him.

Ah-it was that awkward feeling of seeing your boss and not wanting to say hello, only to realize the boss had already spotted you.

The sky tonight was an anomalous shade of purple. The eerie light fell upon the courtyard in front of the door, where the Sunflowers swayed in the evening breeze. Zhou Chuanning walked over slowly and asked through the glass, “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

His voice was calm and deep, carrying a strange sense of pressure.

Gu Huaiwei’s main door was already locked.

“A late-night visit? Does Officer Zhou have something important to discuss with me?”

“I just wanted to see you.” The black pupils of his eyes occupied more space than usual, deep as bottomless wells, looking somewhat different from his normal self.

“No idle chatter, please. I’m a Matchmaker; solving emotional problems requires an hourly fee.” Gu Huaiwei had no desire to chat with an Alien she wasn’t interested in during her late-night rest hours.

She wanted to send Zhou Chuanning away.

Zhou Chuanning raised his hand, pressing his palm against the cold glass. His gaze remained locked on her face, and a bizarre smile suddenly spread across his lips. He spoke, asking, “Why hasn’t that Worm grown inside your brain?”

“Huh?” Gu Huaiwei took a step back, distancing herself from the glass door. She stared at the “Zhou Chuanning” at the entrance with a sharp, guarded look. “Wait! You’re not Officer Zhou at all!”