Dimensional Store: Welcome to the Apocalypse Apartment - Chapter 223

Chapter 223

Gu Huaiwei stood on tiptoe, avoiding the red liquid trickling down from the sinks. She looked at the woman holding a pair of scissors, her black hair covering her face, and thought to herself that these Anomalies really did love wearing their hair loose. Every last one of them had hair so long it must be a nightmare to maintain. Maybe she could open a scalp-care service in the Sanatorium and create a new revenue stream.

The doors of the toilet stalls began to bang-pap, pap, pap-and the lights turned red.

Scenes like this always showed up in horror movies. Most people would scream and run, but Gu Huaiwei felt that, as the Shop Manager, she carried the sacred mission of marketing. Customers of every type ought to be treated equally.

The woman in front of her only had hair that was a little long, eyes that were a little red, nails that were a little sharp, and an appearance that was a little strange. It was hardly a big deal.

Out of the kindness of her heart, Gu Huaiwei reminded her, “Miss, your hair is soaking in the water.”

Not every Anomaly liked communicating with humans.

Some Low-level Anomalies, and Anomalies whose resentment ran too deep, preferred to attack first.

The woman opened her mouth. A shrill, bizarre cry came from her throat, and then she raised the scissors and charged at Gu Huaiwei.

“Click, click, click… glug, glug… click, click, click… glug, glug…”

Gu Huaiwei seized her wrist.

The woman was incredibly strong. It was absolutely not the sort of strength an ordinary person could contend with.

Gu Huaiwei watched the scissors inch closer to her eyeball. She did not blink. Instead, she stared at the tip of the blade and pushed the woman’s hand back.

“Miss, my glasses frames are a newly fitted limited edition. If you damage them with those scissors, you’ll have to compensate me at full price.”

The woman did not speak. Her teeth kept chattering. Only when Gu Huaiwei observed her up close did she realize that the “glug, glug” sounds the woman had been making came from a deep wound in her throat. Blood bubbles were constantly welling out of it.

It was like the open mouth of a fish, blowing bubbles outward.

“You are not allowed to bully Sister Gu.” Bai Miemie planted both hands on their hips and, puffed up with anger, pulled out a boning knife, preparing to take the woman’s hand off.

Bai Miemie was a little short, so they had to jump when they fought.

This kind of Anomaly, one that could not be communicated with, had no value as a customer.

So Gu Huaiwei tacitly approved Bai Miemie’s actions.

Just as Bai Miemie was about to make a move, Gu Huaiwei heard a familiar voice.

“Wait.”

Han Zhusheng appeared at the entrance to the women’s restroom, stopping what was about to happen next.

When the woman saw Han Zhusheng, some of the resentment around her faded. She let go of the scissors and dragged her somewhat deformed legs toward him.

Gu Huaiwei shook out her slightly sore hand.

Why was he here?

Han Zhusheng gently stroked the woman’s hair and said, “She isn’t one of those Bandits’ accomplices. Don’t be afraid. Go back.”

The red liquid stopped gushing from the faucet.

The woman obeyed Han Zhusheng. Limping, she returned to the toilet stall she had come from and closed the door.

The lights returned to normal.

Gu Huaiwei followed Han Zhusheng out of the women’s restroom.

“What is this about Bandits?” Gu Huaiwei asked.

“My father used to be one of the veteran employees at the chemical plant. He owned shares in it, and he also had some business dealings with the merchant who contracted the mine.

“Those Bandits were hired by the merchant to come talk to my father about how to handle the chemical plant explosion.

“They were too savage. On their way to the Library, they happened to run into a classmate of mine alone. When their harassment didn’t work, they followed my colleague into the restroom and tried to assault her.
“My classmate refused to submit, even at the cost of her life. She slit her own throat with a pair of scissors and killed herself. Blood sprayed everywhere. The Bandits didn’t get what they wanted, so they left with their tails between their legs.”

The red liquid that had gushed from the sinks in the bathroom was because the Bandits had been sprayed with blood and used the water from the faucets to wash their hands.

The woman’s blood was an extension of the contamination.

All Trial-takers who entered the wrong toilet stall would be cut open by the woman with her scissors.

“Does her throat need stitches? A cut that deep must hurt a lot.” Gu Huaiwei was exceptionally considerate. “She seems to listen to you more. You can talk to her. Our Sanatorium offers a basic physiotherapy service that can help Anomaly stitch up their wounds.”

Once the wound was stitched shut, it would stop making that gurgling sound.

“Are you really human?” Han Zhusheng suddenly turned his head. His face was expressionless, and his voice sounded a little hollow in the Corridor where there were only the two of them. “Very few humans can see what my classmate looks like and not be afraid.”

“Genuine article. Why are even you asking me that?”

Han Zhusheng had never met someone as strange as Gu Huaiwei. In his eyes, humans were noisy, greedy, and prone to weeping and wailing.

He thought that perhaps he had been working inside the Instance for too long. Maybe the outside world had already changed beyond recognition.

He really should leave the Instance and go outside to take a look.

“Are there other people like you in that Sanatorium of yours?”

“Probably… not.” The few Assistant around Gu Huaiwei probably didn’t count as people.

“If I have the chance, I’ll take my female classmate to your Sanatorium with me. She became like this because of me. When the time comes, her recuperation fees can be put on my tab.”

“You’re very welcome.” Gu Huaiwei loved buy-one-get-one deals like this the most.

Night fell, and the Trial-takers were still struggling to survive inside the Instance.

Because of Bella’s disappearance, their odds of survival had increased.

Gu Huaiwei carried her work and went with Han Zhusheng to the basement to deliver the painting.

The Female Painter sat before the easel, her long black hair draped down her back. Holding a paintbrush in her hand, she looked peaceful and still, as if time itself had softened around her.

She currently had no suitable pigments, so she stared at her own work in distress, unable to bring herself to start.

Han Zhusheng knocked on the door.

The Female Painter did not turn her head. She did not even spare him an extra glance.

“Mother, take a rest. You’ve been in the Painting Studio for too long.”

The Female Painter seemed not to hear Han Zhusheng at all.

Han Zhusheng sighed. “Mother, my friend and I worked together on a painting. We want to give it to you.”

Only when she heard the word painting did the Female Painter slowly turn her head. She was no longer as frenzied as she had been last time. Facing her own son, her attitude was exceptionally cold.

“Without suffering, one cannot create a perfect painting.”

“A true work of art requires one to cough up the blood of one’s heart before it can reach its ultimate effect.”

“A poet cannot write weighty verses in an age of peace and prosperity. If a painter’s heart is as still as water, they cannot paint a work that moves others to tears.”

“Child, go back to your father’s side. Don’t come here again.

“You have no artistic talent. No matter how hard you try, you cannot complete my work in my place. I must paint it with my own brush. Please stop disturbing me.”

At that moment, Gu Huaiwei felt that Han Zhusheng, standing there so forlornly, looked like an abandoned dog.