Dimensional Store: Welcome to the Apocalypse Apartment - chapter 26

The sensation of pain kept spreading through the dream.

It became impossible to distinguish what was dream and what was reality.

She struggled with all her might to push away the demon before her.

The feeling of suffocation vanished.

Gu Huaiwei jolted awake from her dream, her eyes wide open, her forehead drenched in cold sweat, breathing rapidly as she hurriedly reached for her neck.

It felt so real.

Why would she have such a dream?

Gu Huaiwei took a deep breath, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, got up, and went to the small kitchen to pour herself a glass of warm water.

The sound of labored breathing from the library came and went.

Gu Huaiwei sipped the hot water, trying to digest the warning from her dream.

“You can’t take that money…”

Which money did it mean?

Gu Huaiwei’s original plan was to trade some goods between the two worlds, profiting handsomely from the arbitrage.

Although this kind of business would steal some of the hotel’s customers, in the face of huge profits, Gu Huaiwei thought it was worth it.

But that dream just now made Gu Huaiwei hesitate.

She remembered that when her sister first started working, she actually didn’t have much money. She only spent on things at the end of each month when her salary came in.

Back then, Gu Huaiwei was in poor health and often sick.

Her sister spent quite a bit just on her medical bills.

Until one day, money started pouring into her sister’s private account.

She still remembered that time, when her sister stroked her hair and told her that the two of them would never have to worry about money again.

Starting a company, living in a villa, luxury cars and watches, entering high society…

Gu Huaiwei’s health also grew stronger.

Just when Gu Huaiwei thought they would always live a good life, her sister disappeared, happiness was cut off in an instant, and everything from yesterday seemed like a dream.

Now, Gu Huaiwei had taken her sister’s place.

She was much bolder than her sister.

From the start, she planned to make money.

And then, she had this dream.

A dream full of warning.

Gu Huaiwei sat on the sofa, her head lowered, staring at the white steam slowly rising from her cup.

Just as she was deep in thought-

“Click-”

The library door opened a crack.

Lin She’s jet-black hair was a bit messy.

A blue silk robe draped over him, his bare feet silent as the soft fabric swayed gently with his slow steps, making almost no sound.

In the darkness, his dark green eyes were especially bright.

“You’re still up?” Lin She’s voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of nighttime laziness. “Why don’t you turn on the light?”

Gu Huaiwei took a sip of hot water and looked at him calmly. “I can’t sleep. How is your recovery?”

“Not yet. The acid rain and the smell of pesticide in the air make me uncomfortable.” Lin She really did seem unwell, his face frighteningly pale, his hand constantly pressing on his right arm, fingers digging in deeply as if trying to claw something out through his robe.

Gu Huaiwei spoke casually, “It’ll get better after this season passes.”

“Just now, I heard you scream.”

“Me?” Gu Huaiwei thought for a moment. “Maybe because I had a nightmare.”

“What did you dream about?”

“Nothing… nothing much.” Gu Huaiwei instinctively felt she shouldn’t tell anyone what she heard in her dream. “Probably watched too many horror movies, so I dreamed of monsters and ghosts.”

“What ghosts? What monsters? Can you describe what they looked like?” Lin She pressed further, unusually persistent.

He even muttered complaints in a strange language, neurotically saying things Gu Huaiwei couldn’t understand: “They’re always trying to find ways to come out, even though it’s not time yet… If they come out, it’ll scare people…”
Gu Huaiwei couldn’t understand what he said at the end, so she replied vaguely, “Just the kind you see in ordinary horror movies.”

Lin She didn’t say anything more. He simply stood at the entrance of the library, his green eyes glinting coldly, as if pondering something.

Taking advantage of a sip of water, Gu Huaiwei observed the subtle expressions on Lin She’s face.

After another moment of silence, he spoke in a slightly alluring tone, “If you ever dream of something frightening, you can tell me in detail. Maybe I can help you solve your troubles.”

“Mm, if I need to, I’ll let you know.” Gu Huaiwei’s hand tightened slightly around her teacup.

Lin She finally didn’t press further. Watching him return to the library and lock the door behind him, Gu Huaiwei breathed a sigh of relief.

These matters were really not for outsiders to know.

The acid rain lasted for a whole week.

The white-haired old man who ran the shop next door couldn’t keep his business going either; he hadn’t been seen for days.

The Underground City’s forum kept fermenting, and the Oasis Hotel app’s download numbers continued to climb.

The largest livestream platform in the Underground City was broadcasting the Fifth District young master’s journey to expose fakes.

That young master was still on the road.

He brought a convoy, and two people had already died on the way due to the Radiation Storm.

Xiao Youqi shuttled between the Eighth District and the hotel, quickly selling off all his goods.

Compressed biscuits were selling fast, and had become the most popular food in the Eighth District.

Gu Huaiwei even saw a topic post about compressed biscuits on the forum.

People called Xiao Youqi the mysterious “Child of the Desert.”

Because he could linger in the Contaminated Zone during nighttime Radiation Storms.

He brought precious water resources and delicious food from the distant Oasis Hotel, which operated in the Radiation Zone.

Not only did Xiao Youqi shamelessly accept the praise, he even embellished it himself.

He publicly claimed that the Oasis Hotel was a real paradise, free from contamination, with water and air available at no cost.

The dreamlike rooms Gu Huaiwei posted about-he had seen them with his own eyes.

He was the hotel’s designated trader, connecting the hotel and the Underground City. Anyone who doubted the existence of the Oasis Hotel would be swallowed by radiation.

Thus, Xiao Youqi and the Fifth District young master started feuding.

The two even cursed each other in each other’s posts.

Xiao Youqi accused the Fifth District young master of lacking humility toward the unknown, daring to openly question miracles; he was sure to be slapped in the face and punished by the Contaminated Zone.

The Fifth District young master dug up all of Xiao Youqi’s dark history, telling everyone that as someone from the Lower District, he had betrayed his teammates, was greedy and untrustworthy, and was a wandering liar.

Gu Huaiwei was quite happy to see this situation.

Attention toward the Oasis Hotel in the Underground City was skyrocketing.

As long as she rode this wave of popularity, Gu Huaiwei could complete the second phase of her business goals and upgrade the hotel to Three-star.

Xiao Youqi earned Gold Coins and came to Gu Huaiwei to split the profits.

This time, the amount was quite large-two thousand three hundred Gold Coins. He couldn’t give her physical currency, so he needed to transfer it.

Gu Huaiwei felt a bit troubled.

How was she supposed to accept this transfer?

Seeing Gu Huaiwei standing behind the counter, not making a move, Xiao Youqi looked up and asked, “What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient for you to receive payment?”

Gu Huaiwei answered honestly, “I don’t have a personal account.”

“Just open one, I’ll help you.” Xiao Youqi walked behind the counter and started operating the hotel’s computer.

He was close, and Gu Huaiwei could smell the mixed stench of rot and medicine on him.

It was unpleasant, like a decaying corpse.

He opened the account registration page.

Xiao Youqi froze for a moment. “What? Didn’t you already have an account?”