Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Someone Is Following!

Page 1/3

Qiao Yuan could sense changes in the space. More precisely, whenever Ning Jue took something from the space, she could feel it. Just now, she noticed Ning Jue had taken a gun. Could it mean danger was approaching? But with an infinite-ammo pistol in hand, Ning Jue shouldn’t be at a disadvantage. Thinking this, Qiao Yuan hummed a tune and scrolled through her phone. She didn’t watch short videos; instead, she logged onto the local community website to start selecting new storefronts.

“Welcome!” The chime of the doorbell rang out. Qiao Yuan looked up. Who would dare come to my shop nowadays? A flash of multicolored feathers appeared first in her sight. Where did this macaw come from?

“Qiao Yuan!” Chen Chen strode directly to the front desk, looking down at her from above.

“Did you see my dad yesterday?”

Ah, right—this was Chen Wei’s wayward son, Chen Chen. After graduating high school, he had stayed home living off his parents, good-for-nothing, bullying folks in the village. A true village tyrant.

“Village Chief Chen? I haven’t seen him,” Qiao Yuan shook her head.

Chen Chen squinted, eyes sharp and fierce. “I’m telling you, if you saw him and don’t say a word, I won’t let you off.”

Qiao Yuan spread her hands. “Instead of asking me, why don’t you call the police?”

After all, Chen Wei was already in another world. Not even the police, let alone the highest authorities, could find him. Why should she fear him?

“Recently, my dad had a falling out with you. I hope his disappearance has nothing to do with you, or I swear I’ll kill you.”

Chen Chen looked around and left with those harsh words. Qiao Yuan patted her chest. Good thing I’m moving soon. No more putting up with these brats in the village.

Qiao Yuan had arranged viewing times with several landlords online and spent a day visiting stores in the city.

The first one faced the street but was too remote to be suitable.

The second was perfect in every way, but the landlord—a bald, burly man with lecherous eyes—was unsuitable.

She pressed the navigation on her phone, hoping to reach the third location before dark.

Hmm?

Qiao Yuan glanced at the rearview mirror.

That black sedan with license plate ending in 627 had been following her for quite some time.

Because her birthday was June 27th, she had noticed the car the first time and even stole a few extra glances.

If she recalled correctly, the last time she saw it was at 11 a.m.

Qiao Yuan started her SUV and followed the navigation.

The black sedan quickly followed, tailing her closely.

This is definitely not a coincidence!

Her mind raced.

The Qiao Zhiyun family had been dealt with, no one would find out.

Chen Wei was dealt with last night in the RV; no one could discover it.

Moreover, their car was a white BMW, so it wasn’t Chen Chen.

Who exactly was watching me?

Was it for money or something else? Qiao Yuan wracked her brain but couldn’t figure it out.

Since it had been tailing her all day, it probably wouldn’t act in the busy district.

Qiao Yuan drove to No. 22 Zhongxing Street, where the landlord was waiting at the door.

When Liang Hui saw a young woman step down from a huge SUV, he was somewhat curious but politely asked, “Are you Boss Qiao?”

Qiao Yuan glanced at the black sedan parked not far away, then smiled sweetly at Liang Hui.

“No need to be so formal. I’m Qiao Yuan, here to view the property as arranged.”

“Oh, good, please follow me.”

Liang Hui unlocked the U-shaped lock on the glass door.

Inside, the storefront was empty, nothing inside.

“What’s the area?”

“380 square meters.”

Over 300 square meters, the storefront faced the street, right opposite a middle school—location was good.

“You said on your website there’s a warehouse, right?” Qiao Yuan asked.

Liang Hui nodded. “The warehouse is here.”

Qiao Yuan quickened her pace to keep up.

“The previous tenant didn’t use the warehouse and thought the door was ugly, so they wallpapered over it to hide the door.”

Saying that, Liang Hui put both palms on the blue wallpapered wall.

With a creaking sound, he pushed the wall to the right—it was a sliding door.

Behind the sliding door was a small warehouse of 30 square meters.

Yes, this store met all three system requirements.

“Good, not bad. How much is the rent?” Qiao Yuan asked.

Liang Hui was taken aback. Already decided? No need to think it over?

“20,000 yuan per month rent, 20,000 yuan deposit, annual payment.”

Qiao Yuan clapped her hands. “Great. Do you have the contract with you?”

“No, want to see more?” Liang Hui kindly reminded.

“No need. I’ve made up my mind.”

Thirty minutes later, Liang Hui handed over the U-lock and keys to Qiao Yuan, then, after seeing the bank info in a text, left the store somewhat confused.

The young lady was wealthy and generous—260,000 yuan given just like that.

After Liang Hui left, Qiao Yuan stood by the window, looking out at the street.

The black sedan still quietly sat about ten meters behind her car.

Hmph, not leaving? Let’s see who tires out whom.

Page 2/3

Page 3/3

Qiao Yuan lowered all the curtains in the store.

[Ding dong! Task 5 completed.]

[Reward: 200 square meters of space, fast food sales area]

[Do you want to relocate the supermarket entirely?]

[Yes or No]

She clicked “Yes.”

In a flash, almost in a single breath, six rows of shelves suddenly appeared in the previously empty room.

Besides the original five rows from the grocery store, a new row of warming cabinets was added by the window.

Qiao Yuan walked over and looked—the warming cabinets held ready meals no different from those in convenience stores.

Fish-flavored shredded pork, stir-fried three delights, Kung Pao chicken, spicy stir-fried shredded potatoes, spicy hot pot, fish-flavored eggplant, dry-fried green beans, scrambled eggs with tomatoes...

The dishes were steaming hot, wisps of steam rising. Next to the warming cabinet stood a huge electric rice cooker, wafting the scent of freshly cooked rice.

Beside the warming cabinet was a glass display case about a person’s height.

Inside were baked sweet potatoes, grilled sausages, fried chicken, grilled meatballs, and several unidentifiable meat skewers.

At the very front of the cabinet were classic convenience store snacks—oden.

“Gurgle gurgle~”

The aroma made Qiao Yuan’s stomach growl.

She took a meal box from the counter, packed herself a serving of shredded potato rice bowl, and grabbed a few pieces of radish and bamboo shoots from the oden.

Sitting behind the counter, she ate heartily.

Delicious! Much better than convenience store food!

After eating, Qiao Yuan suddenly thought of Ning Jue.

He seemed to have been living off instant noodles and canned food these days. Since the temperature rose, those self-heating meals had spoiled.

Qiao Yuan sighed inwardly, thinking, How kind I am!

She took twenty more meal boxes, filled them with hearty dishes, sealed them, and placed them in the food section of the space.

If nothing went wrong, Ning Jue should sense it immediately.

After tidying up the shelves, Qiao Yuan stood by the window and pulled aside the curtains.

Through the gap, she saw that ghost-like black sedan still lingering.

Still here?

No, it was already 10 p.m. The way back to Yongle Village was remote and desolate. If anything happened, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

After careful thought, Qiao Yuan put on the “Hand in Hand, We Walk Together” device.

Still a bit uneasy.

She then entered the weapons storage in the space. She didn’t take out the infinite pistol—too noisy, and this wasn’t a post-apocalyptic world.

She looked around and finally took out a small crossbow.

Ten bolts—enough!