Chapter 59
Even though it was great that they could upgrade both directions simultaneously, as they had analyzed earlier, “Bigger is Better” wasn’t suitable for them at the moment.
But the prospect of being able to “have it all” in the future was still something to be happy about.
Tang Yu’an’s gaze fell on the second option, his excitement barely contained.
They could upgrade right away! What new functions would appear after the shop upgrade? Would there be more rewards?
With these thoughts in mind, he eagerly clicked the upgrade button.
However, contrary to his expectations, the system prompt that appeared was:
[Peace Grocery Shop (Quality is Strength!) lv0]
[Upgrade conditions for lv1: Merchant Level lv5 (met), Shop Popularity 100 (met)]
[Do you want to deduct 1,000 points to upgrade the main shop ‘Peace Grocery Shop’ to (Quality is Strength!) lv1?]
Tang Yu’an was stunned.
Looking at the system text that popped up, a big question mark seemed to appear over his small head.
Hadn’t he just spent 1,000 points? Why was it asking for another deduction?
He had worked so hard to accumulate nearly 5,000 points, and now almost half would be gone all at once. QAQ
“What’s wrong?” Zhou Qi asked upon hearing his complaint.
Tang Yu’an explained the situation to him. Although he lamented about the expense, reason told him that this money had to be spent.
He could only sigh, “Fine, go ahead and deduct it.”
How could he become stronger without spending money?
Anyway, even after deducting these 1,000 points, he still had nearly 3,000 left. Tomorrow, he could set up his stall at the market again to sell salt and earn back more!
Zhou Qi reached out and gently touched his cheek. “It’s okay; we’ll earn it back.”
“Mm!”
Gritting his teeth, Tang Yu’an clicked to confirm the upgrade.
[Deduction successful!]
With the 1,000 points deducted, a series of system upgrade prompts appeared.
[Congratulations! The main shop ‘Peace Grocery Shop’ has been upgraded to (Quality is Strength!) lv1]
[Added ‘Renovation’ module]
[Unlocked furniture upgrade and transformation functions. You can upgrade and transform furniture. For details, please check the ‘Renovation’ module]
[Received ‘Super Storage Cabinet’ x1, delivered to the ‘Peace Grocery Shop’ warehouse]
[Added ‘Dream Drift Bottle’ module. You can click the panel to equip this module to the main shop ‘Peace Grocery Shop’]
[Added ‘Personnel’ module. Employee management functions upgraded. You can manage employees more systematically. For details, please check the main page]
Furniture upgrades and transformations!
As they had predicted, this direction could enhance the internal functions of the grocery shop.
But what was the “Dream Drift Bottle”? It sounded rather mysterious.
Tang Yu’an opened the main page and found that there were indeed three new functional modules: “Renovation,” “Personnel,” and “Dream Drift Bottle.”
He clicked on the last one.
[This module requires physical realization before its functions can be viewed. Please click on this module in the main shop ‘Peace Grocery Shop’ and equip it to the main shop.]
It required physical realization before it could be viewed?
Was this adding a piece of “furniture” to the grocery shop?
Guessing this, he was curious about what the “Dream Drift Bottle” was, but he could only wait to see it when he returned.
He exited the page and clicked on “Renovation.”
This page was equally simple, with only three function blocks: [Renovation Plan], [Furniture List], and [?].
The question mark was likely something to be unlocked in future upgrades or perhaps related to the “Bigger is Better” upgrade path.
He first opened the renovation plan to take a look.
[Renovation Plan (Current)]: The initial decoration style of the main shop ‘Peace Grocery Shop’—ordinary and unremarkable.
[Click to equip (Note: After furniture is upgraded or replaced, it cannot revert to its initial state; only the appearance is retained)]
[Renovation Plan 2]: Empty
[Renovation Plan 3]: Empty
Apart from the initial decoration style, there were two empty slots, seemingly for him to save his own renovation plans.
Perhaps this was just to facilitate one-click switching after renovations, but seeing this, Tang Yu’an was momentarily taken aback.
The initial plan…
That was how his home looked now.
If the grocery shop’s furniture was upgraded in the future, or even the house underwent renovation, then his home would become unrecognizable, right?
Realizing this, the excitement in his mind calmed a bit.
He felt that, rationally, he might make the right choice, but emotionally, he couldn’t help feeling a bit lost.
He didn’t want to change his current home. Even though it was small and worn, it was where he had lived with his parents for over ten years, filled with their family’s memories.
But now…
With the existence of the initial renovation plan, perhaps he didn’t have to fear change anymore.
As long as he wanted, he could revert it back anytime!
Feeling happy again, Tang Yu’an quickly shared his new discovery with Zhou Qi.
“In the future, if we miss our home as it is now, we can change it back!”
Tang Yu’an’s eyes sparkled. “We can keep our memories intact.”
After a moment of surprise, Zhou Qi also smiled.
After all, Tang Yu’an’s childhood memories were his as well. If they could preserve this sentiment, that would be wonderful.
Exiting the renovation plan, Tang Yu’an clicked on the furniture list. He was particularly excited about this function now.
At the top of the furniture list was the storage cabinet he had just received. Clicking on it, he could view detailed information.
[Super Storage Cabinet]
[Level: lv1]
[Size: 2 x 1 x 0.5 (meters)]
[Description: A magical item from the magic realm—exquisite and compact, occupying little space, yet capable of holding items 20 times its own volume.]
[Upgrade Conditions: Points x1000, Any Attribute Energy Stone x1, Vine Plant x1, Void Stone x1]
[lv2 Effect: After upgrading, it can hold items at least 100 times its own volume; the specific multiple depends on the quality of the Void Stone.]
After reading the entire description, Tang Yu’an’s eyes lit up.
This cabinet truly lived up to its name—it was super capacious!
The cabinet’s volume was only one cubic meter, but it could hold 20 cubic meters of items. Placed in his home’s small warehouse, it was equivalent to adding 19 cubic meters out of thin air!
Moreover, the cabinet could be upgraded. After upgrading, it could hold at least 100 cubic meters.
That’s larger than his entire warehouse at home!
However, the upgrade conditions were a bit challenging. The first three items were manageable, but what was a Void Stone?
“Could it be a material from the magic realm?” Zhou Qi suggested.
On the notepad before him, he had quickly jotted down the information that Tang Yu’an had just shared.
“Probably, we might only be able to buy it in the Dimensional Store,” Tang Yu’an nodded. “Spending these 1,000 points is quite worthwhile.”
As they traded more items, their home’s warehouse was indeed becoming insufficient. Now, with a cabinet that could expand space, it could alleviate the issue somewhat.
If they continued upgrading the shop in the future, perhaps they could unlock more furniture like this.
Exiting the information, the rest were the other furniture he currently owned. There was also an “Upgrade and Transform” button next to them. Clicking it brought up a new interface.
[Please select the furniture you wish to upgrade and transform from the following options]
[1. Signboard] [2. Cabinet]
[3. Refrigerator] [4. Freezer]
[5. Broom] [6. Rag]
[Next Page]
Many options appeared on the interface.
So, the signboard referred to the “Peace Grocery Shop” sign hanging at their door?
Curious, he clicked into it.
[Signboard]
[Level: lv0]
[Description: A regular signboard with no function other than displaying the shop name.]
[Upgrade Conditions: Points x100, Wooden Planks x5, Fluorescent Agent x1, Milk (1000ml) x1]
Looking at the upgrade conditions, a big question mark formed over his head.
He could understand the points and wooden planks, but what was with the 1000ml of milk? Why did upgrading a signboard require milk?
Below was the description of the upgrade effect.
[lv1 Effect: After upgrading, it can emit cool light, dazzling even at night (the color of the light is determined by the fluorescent agent).]
[Attraction effect +50%. When customers enter within a 100-meter radius of the grocery shop, they will 100% notice its existence.]
Ah, although the effect was impressive, he didn’t need it!
At least for now, the grocery shop’s location must remain hidden.
Closing the upgrade page for the signboard, he opened the cabinet’s information.
[Cabinet]
[Level: lv0]
[Size: 2 x 1.2 x 0.8 (meters)]
[Description: A cabinet made of ordinary wood, using partitions to effectively utilize vertical space—perhaps its only advantage.]
[Upgrade Conditions: Points x200, Wooden Planks x10, Metal Blocks x10, Any Energy Stone x1, Any Mutant Fruit x1]
Why did upgrading a cabinet require a mutant fruit?
He glanced at the upgrade effect below.
[lv1 Effect: After upgrading, you will get a very sturdy cabinet capable of bearing 1,000 kilograms. Even bullets cannot penetrate it. Seeds placed on the lowest shelf have a chance to mutate.]
Wow, a cabinet that could cause seeds to mutate? That sounded interesting.
But… wasn’t the main function of a cabinet to store and display items?
Shifting his gaze to the fifth option, he saw:
[Broom]
[Level: lv0]
[Description: A broom made of low-grade materials like plastic from the technological realm. Used for many years; though still functional, it’s nearing the end of its lifespan.]
[Upgrade Conditions: Points x200, Dry Batteries x5, Metal Blocks x5, Wheat Beer (500ml) x1]
He directly looked at the upgrade effect.
[lv1 Effect: After upgrading, you will get an electric broom capable of cleaning the entire house. It will sweep the floors spotlessly clean, working for 2 hours on a single charge.]
0.0
A broom that could automatically clean!
Wasn’t this similar to the robot vacuum cleaners advertised on TV?
Although it could only work for two hours per charge, this was just lv1; it could surely be further upgraded! Perhaps one day it might even have timing or remote-control functions?
Thinking of this, his eyes lit up.
In this way, even if they left the grocery shop, they wouldn’t have to worry about completing the daily task of cleaning!
He was already eager to upgrade the broom! Unfortunately, the broom was in the grocery shop, and Brother Chi Hao still needed to use it.
Although he could use the Remote Retrieval skill to bring it over, it wouldn’t be good if he startled Brother Chi Hao, and he also needed to find a way to obtain wheat beer.
As for the 200 points… it didn’t seem too bad!
He had to admit that he was hooked by this tempting prospect, and spending 200 points no longer felt painful.
He then looked at the “Rag” option.
[Rag]
[Level: lv0]
[Description: A rag that’s been used for at least 10 years. After countless uses and washes, it’s become tattered and unrecognizable.]
[Upgrade Conditions: Points x200, Burlap Cloth (1.2 x 1 meters) x1, Milk (1000ml) x2]
[lv1 Effect: After upgrading, you will get a brand-new rag with strong decontamination abilities. No matter how stubborn the stains, they can be easily removed. Soaking it in clean water will make it as good as new again.]
The upgrade materials also required milk; although baffling, the upgraded effect was somewhat magical.
If only there were a rag that could wipe tables automatically… he thought. Perhaps, if he continued upgrading in the future, such functions might appear?
The upgrade effects for the refrigerator and freezer were also impressive!
[Refrigerator]
[lv1 Effect: Can absorb heat and convert it into electrical energy, reducing energy consumption by 50%.]
[Freezer]
[lv1 Effect: Can absorb heat and convert it into electrical energy, with a chance to trigger the special effect “The Hotter, the Colder”: the higher the ambient temperature, the better the cooling effect. The electrical energy conversion is most efficient under scorching sunlight.]
After upgrading, they could save electricity!
The upgrade materials for these two appliances also required wheat beer, which they didn’t have at the moment, but perhaps they could try brewing it themselves if they had wheat?
Of course, the points required for upgrades weren’t few. If they hadn’t known about these upgrade effects, they might have ignored them, but now that they did, how could they resist?
However, without enough points to spend freely, they could only choose to upgrade the furniture that was currently most needed and practical.
“Crash!”
Just as he was about to click on the next page, they heard the sound of something shattering downstairs, startling him.
What was going on? He and Zhou Qi exchanged glances, then got up and walked toward the door.
When they opened it, they saw that Grandpa Li had already reached the stairs ahead of them. His conversation with Lin Meiyu drifted up.
“Boss lady, are you okay?”
“It’s nothing, just dropped a bowl.”
Hearing her reply and confirming it wasn’t a big issue, Grandpa Li didn’t continue downstairs.
He turned back, saw Zhou Qi and Tang Yu’an peeking out through a crack in their door, and waved at them. “It’s fine, go back inside.”
Then he entered his room next door.
However, Zhou Qi and Tang Yu’an didn’t obediently comply.
They hadn’t yet gained experience points from the boss lady and Wang Hu! The two together could give up to 10 experience points. If they could get these 10 points, Tang Yu’an could level up again.
From his personal storage, Tang Yu’an took out a ceramic bowl.
Someone had traded it to him when he was selling salt; perhaps he could offer it to the boss lady now?
The two exchanged a glance and quickly left their room, locking the door before heading downstairs.
*
There were four rooms on the second floor. Lin Meiyu and her husband lived in the innermost one on the left.
As they approached the door, a strong herbal scent wafted from the room.
In this apocalyptic world, being able to find these healing herbs was remarkable. The doctor respectfully called “Old Zhang” must be quite capable. They wondered if he was a survivor from before the Apocaplyse, like Grandpa Li.
The door was open.
A porcelain bowl lay shattered on the floor, but no one was cleaning it up.
Earlier in the kitchen, while brewing medicine and wearing a gentle smile, Lin Meiyu now sat dazed by the bed, looking lost and helpless.
On the sickbed, Wang Hu’s skin had returned to normal after Hong Li removed the fire poison, but he didn’t seem to have regained his vitality. He lay face down on the bed, his face ashen, barely breathing.
Zhou Qi looked at Wang Hu and was momentarily stunned.
Wang Hu’s aura was extremely weak, similar to when Chi Hao was near death before, except his life was fading more slowly. But if he wasn’t treated further, he would surely die.
Although Tang Yu’an didn’t have Zhou Qi’s perceptive abilities, he could see that something was seriously wrong.
“Boss lady…” he called softly.
Hearing the sound, Lin Meiyu mechanically turned her head. Seeing the two young guests, she quickly raised her hand to wipe her tears, trying to put on a strong front.
“What brings you here?”
She bent down to pick up the broken porcelain pieces on the floor. “There are shards everywhere; if you have something to say, please stand at the door. Don’t hurt your feet.”
“Boss lady, are you okay?” Tang Yu’an asked with concern.
Lin Meiyu paused, a bitter smile on her face. “What could be wrong with me? The one in trouble is my…”
Zhou Qi observed her state, put away the ceramic bowl they had brought, and went to fetch a broom and dustpan. Entering the room, he said, “Boss lady, let me help.”
He swiftly cleaned up the broken porcelain pieces.
Meanwhile, Tang Yu’an approached the bed, looked at Wang Hu, and asked, “Did the Mountain Lord remove the poison for him? Why does he still look so bad?”
Unable to hold back any longer, Lin Meiyu’s tears began to flow.
She covered her face, turning away, her sobs stifled.
After cleaning the floor, Zhou Qi assessed Wang Hu’s condition and speculated, “Although the poison was removed, his body has been severely damaged by the fire poison. These injuries won’t recover immediately just because the poison is gone.”
“He’s still in a very dangerous state. Boss lady, you’d better find a doctor to see him.”
Lin Meiyu closed her eyes. “I tried, but Old Zhang was taken away by the guards. They said he could only come to treat him tomorrow.”
“I had no choice but to try using the leftover herbs.”
“I didn’t expect that after he drank the medicine, he vomited it all up. His condition not only didn’t improve but worsened…”
Trying hard to calm herself, she finally couldn’t suppress her sobs.
She knew that someone in the guard wanted Wang Hu dead. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that Wang Hu’s subordinates were all sent to patrol the mountain at this time?
If they delayed another day, Wang Hu might not make it. The guards took Old Zhang away under the Mountain Lord’s orders…
Apart from Wang Hu, Lin Meiyu had no one in Jufeng Town and didn’t know what to do.
Her ability was “Speech-ability,” which sounded powerful, but only she knew its limitations and drawbacks.
She didn’t know how others’ “Speech-ability” abilities worked, but hers only made bad things come true, not good ones.
Moreover, the greater the consequences triggered by the “Speech-ability,” the longer it took to take effect, and the higher the price she had to pay.
People outside said that the “Speech-ability” of Jade Pavillion Inn had been fulfilled ten times, but in reality, only two or three had truly come true. The rest were just misfortunes, or Wang Hu secretly dealt with them.
She knew because whenever it came true, she would fall seriously ill, bedridden for at least two or three months.
During those times, it was Wang Hu, who had grown up with her, taking care of her and helping her through difficult periods.
Now that he was dying, Lin Meiyu felt her soul was lost.
If only she could be stronger… she couldn’t help thinking. Then she wouldn’t have to fear others in town; then she could have a voice in front of the Mountain Lord; then… Wang Hu wouldn’t have to die.
Covering her face, she wept bitterly.
“If he dies, I might not be able to go on…” The facade of strength she had maintained before others finally crumbled.
Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but feel sympathy.
Zhou Qi also frowned, his expression grave.
Sympathy was one thing, but on the other hand, without the boss lady, the Jade Pavillion Inn would cease to exist. In the future, when they came to town to trade, they would lose such a safe place.
Zhou Qi looked at Wang Hu on the sickbed. He hesitated for a moment and said, “We can try to help.”
Lin Meiyu was startled and looked up at the two teenagers. “Try what?”
Tang Yu’an continued, “We can try to see if we can save him.”
“You know medicine?”
“A bit.”
The despondent Lin Meiyu suddenly seemed to find a lifeline.
“Really?” She tightly grasped Tang Yu’an’s hand. “Please save him! I’ll give you anything you want!”
“Boss lady, please calm down…”
Shaking her head while crying, Lin Meiyu couldn’t remain calm after the day’s emotional turmoil. Just thinking about the bleak future plunged her into panic.
She had been frail and sickly since childhood. Without her father and Wang Hu, she would have died long ago. Although her health had improved, she lacked the ability to survive independently in the wasteland.
The way those guards looked at her was like wolves and tigers. She knew that once Wang Hu died, they would find ways to make her leave the Jade Pavillion Inn and plot against her.
If she couldn’t find a strong person to rely on, she would inevitably face a tragic end.
But the Mountain Lord wasn’t interested in her ability; perhaps it could be useful in the fortress, but in Jufeng Town, there wasn’t much opportunity to utilize it.
Apart from the Mountain Lord, Lin Meiyu didn’t want to rely on anyone else.
If Wang Hu could survive, if he could live well, she wouldn’t have to worry about these issues!
“Please save him! In the future, when you stay at the Jade Pavillion Inn, I’ll waive all accommodation fees!” Lin Meiyu said urgently. “And… and…”
She gritted her teeth, stood up, and rushed to a cabinet in the room. Opening it, she retrieved a small cloth pouch from a hidden compartment.
Holding the pouch, she walked over to Zhou Qi and Tang Yu’an and said, “If you can save him, if he survives, I’ll give you this!”
She unfolded the cloth in her hand, revealing two crystal-clear stones lying quietly within.
One was deep blue, the other light green, both sparkling beautifully under the light.
Both Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi were stunned.
Were these energy crystals? And of attributes they hadn’t seen before!
