Dream Delivery System: My Delivery Jobs Keep Changing History – CH88

Chapter 88

To Parsons, Jiang Jitang appeared again after only five minutes. Parsons was still rolling up his sleeves and hadn’t even finished washing the dishes.

The returning Jiang Jitang had slightly flushed skin, and his clothes were a bit wrinkled, but there was nothing on him that didn’t belong to this world—even scents picked up in that other world would completely vanish upon returning.

Parsons withdrew his gaze: no injuries, no negative emotions.

“Task completed. Want to take a look?” Jiang Jitang pulled out a DSLR camera. “I took a lot of pictures.”

Parsons looked through them. The backgrounds were countless bonfires lighting up the gray-blue sky. The subjects were people with colorful clay painted on their faces. Everyone seemed like they carried their own story; their eyes were so clear it was as if they had never seen an industrialized world.

The photographer lacked a bit of technique, but more than made up for it with emotion—enough to move the viewer.

“You have to cross time and space to make deliveries?” Parsons hadn’t been sure this was a different timeline, but Jiang Jitang’s photos included many magical beasts. It reminded him of a photo he’d once received—taken in the mountains—also full of strange animals.

Back then he thought they were AI-generated, too beautiful to be real.

Replica worlds were also alternate timelines, but they were nothing beautiful. Jiang Jitang’s photos, however, were full of beauty.

“Yes. My life sounds complicated, but it’s not. Accept an order, place orders, make deliveries—tedious, but not dangerous at all. See? It’s actually pretty fun.” This was his daily routine. As for being an external assistant—that could be explained if he ever got caught.

Parsons was infected by his joy. This strange job, full of new surprises each time, truly suited Jiang Jitang. He loved unexpectedness and freshness.

It was precisely because he had such a free soul that he could never tolerate the Church’s rigid rules.

Parsons only learned after coming to this world that eating meat or being vegetarian didn’t have to be regulated, how many windows a house had didn’t need inspection, who one married wasn’t controlled, even what books one read wasn’t monitored—so long as one harmed no one and didn’t break the law.

To people from the magical world, whether commoner or noble, this was a mythical place beyond reach.

Growing up inside strict rules meant becoming shaped by those same rules. Parsons had always thought that was normal—until he met the person who took him to see the stars and the vast sea.

But sometimes Parsons wondered—if his dearest friend could have lived in his ideal country, what kind of person would he have become? Would he still be so sharp-tongued, always wearing that sarcastic smile?

Now he finally saw it.

So this was who Jiang Jitang would be, growing up in a peaceful, normal household.

He could do what he loved, decorate his own home, cook food, bring joy to different people. His life was relaxed, steady, not frantic or manic.

Most importantly—he was happy.

The silhouette shrouded in Parsons’ mind’s fog seemed to become a little clearer.

“If you need a driver or mover next time, I’m always available. Just treat it as giving me a chance to observe at close range.” Parsons spoke seriously and sincerely.

Jiang Jitang was surprised. “That doesn’t sound like something you’d say.” So proactive? Where was the reserved Knight Commander?

“You can get to know me again. Since we’ve both already died once.” Parsons revealed another side of himself; he couldn’t remain completely unaffected by this world’s culture.

“Oh no, oh no.” Jiang Jitang stepped back. “That’s my style. You’re stealing my way of doing things. I’ve become the stand-in now.”

Unlucky brat.

The phrase suddenly popped into Parsons’ mind—a new C-Nation slang he’d learned. He suddenly wanted to punch this guy—pretending to be shocked while giving him that smug little look.

The warm atmosphere from a moment ago vanished completely. Parsons admitted defeat. “Just pretend I suddenly went crazy.”

“Okay.” Jiang Jitang nodded earnestly.

“…”

Two deliveries were done. Only the last one—the Castle Ghost—remained.

Such special deliveries couldn’t be finished quickly just by knowing the content. If the system handed over the order, it meant it had its own difficulties. So for his 30,000 payment, he had to buy as many books as possible.

Jiang Jitang already had a plan. Using his “history” tab on Xianyu APP[1], he found a bookstore he’d browsed earlier while searching for secondhand books.

Thanks to his bizarre memory, as long as something interested him, he never forgot it at a glance. But when it came to actual academic work, he had to study diligently for ages.

This store sold secondhand picture books—but it wasn’t a picture book library. It was a closed-down kindergarten.

Recently, real estate developers had been pulling out every trick to sell houses—including building public kindergartens and elementary schools with the neighborhoods. So all the kids chose to go to the schools nearby.

As a result, private kindergartens had a hard time surviving. This one had just shut down.

It had been confirmed it would never reopen. The lease was ending, and the principal urgently needed to get rid of the picture books.

Because the requirement was for buyers to take at least 3,000 books, the listing had been up for over a month with no inquiries. The price kept dropping—from two yuan per book to one yuan per book, shipping not included.

It was local, in an old residential area.

Jiang Jitang tried contacting the seller but hadn’t received a reply yet.

He left his number and reserved 3,000 yuan in his budget.

During this time, a food supplier arrived. Jiang Jitang carried everything into the kitchen and converted it into special food. He also completed today’s check-in, which added a slightly mismatched little landscape painting to his shop.

He hadn’t tried to hide any of this from Parsons.

Parsons, however, had already turned away and was watching rice fish on the balcony.

“It’s still early. Want to go with me to the secondhand book market? It’s for my next delivery.” Jiang Jitang asked.

The driver-slash-mover readily agreed, so they went to Jin City’s largest secondhand book marketplace.

On the way, Jiang Jitang noticed several construction sites starting work, and some narrow streets were being widened, with larger green belts being added.

Jin City had been designated as a player demonstration zone, and the effects were beginning to show. Many new things were slowly transforming the city.

They arrived at the marketplace.

It was a circular four-story building filled with small and large used bookstores and wholesalers. Wholesalers had piles of workbooks; used bookstores carried classics of all kinds.

These books were either waste collected from recycling stations or sold by people by the kilo.

That was exactly what he was here to buy.

He hadn’t gone directly to the recycling stations—the true “source”—because they only accepted full bulk purchases, no picking allowed.

But picking was exactly what he needed.

“The more you buy, the cheaper it gets. Others sell at ten yuan per kilo—I’ll give you eight.” the bookstore owner said without looking up.

As far as Jiang Jitang knew, they bought books at 1.6 yuan per kilo, then resold at 10 yuan. Hardcovers and collector editions were sold at 50–60% of their original price—sometimes 70–80% if in great condition.

But considering that many people went door-to-door collecting books, taking a cut was fair. And this time, his funds were plentiful, so he didn’t need to haggle too hard.

“New books outside sell for ten yuan a kilo. Look at the condition—70–80% new. How about this: paperback books at 3.2 yuan per kilo, hardcovers at ten yuan. I’ll be buying a few hundred kilos.”

“Those street stall books are pirated—lightweight paper. These are genuine, high-quality books, many collectible.” The owner snorted. Several owners nearby also glanced over—some uninterested in the deal. They all had online accounts and weren’t worried about sales.

Jiang Jitang browsed all four floors and found one store willing to negotiate.

In the end, they agreed:
– For over 1,000 kilos in one purchase -> 3.8 yuan per kilo
– For over 3,000 kilos -> 3.2 yuan per kilo
– Hardcovers and collector editions -> 30% of original price

Jiang Jitang placed a plastic crate onto the scale and zeroed it.

“Dear Knight Commander, help me out?”

The Knight Commander silently went to the shelves. Jiang Jitang walked behind him with hands clasped behind his back, steps light and cheerful.

Used bookstores had the most editions of world classics. But no matter how well translated, something was always lost. So he picked original-language versions when possible. With recent enthusiasm for foreign languages, originals weren’t rare.

“Parsons, that set.” Jiang Jitang pointed to the top shelf—an entire series of famous works.

At 1.96 meters, Parsons reached it with just a tiptoe.

The bookshelves extended to the ceiling to save space. Jiang Jitang could reach most books, but for the highest ones he needed either a ladder or Parsons.

One trip, two trips, three trips… It felt like they’d only finished one shelf, yet the crate already weighed over 100 kilos.

“So heavy?” And this was only half a crate?

“High-quality paper weighs more. Lightweight paper doesn’t weigh, but you don’t want those, right? Honestly, this is very cheap. These books cost 20–30 yuan originally; some 40–50. And these are the simplified editions,” the owner said.

That made sense. Hardcover books were even heavier—full of coated paper.

“Oh? I’ve been looking for this one for a long time.” While moving books, Jiang Jitang found a rare, out-of-print illustrated comic. The illustrations were a master artist’s “final work”—this edition was no longer available on the market.

He searched more—found thirteen volumes. The original series had sixteen, so three were missing.

“What a pity.”

He silently lamented, but Parsons—who knew him too well—could tell just from his expression. Must be another incomplete series.

Parsons quietly memorized the cover.

After working the whole morning, they gathered over a dozen crates of books—literature, history, technical… totaling 3,078 kilos. Round it down—3,000 kilos. Cost: 9,600 yuan.

Hardcovers were fewer but pricier—discounted, still 17,000 yuan.

Together: 26,600 yuan.

Jiang Jitang also bought one extra box for himself.

Parsons loaded that box into the car. This new car had carried wilted vegetable leaves in the morning, and now old books.

“Next we’re heading to Xinghuo Village. There’s a kindergarten that just closed. They have over 3,000 hardcover picture books at one yuan each.” Jiang Jitang explained as Parsons drove. The books they’d bought would be delivered to his place in the afternoon.

“I found the listing on a secondhand site. There are plenty of scammers there, but if you want good deals, you can find them—you just need time.”

Parsons listened intently. It was his first time seeing Jiang Jitang’s life in full.

In the magical world, he’d only seen the parts Jiang Jitang allowed him to see. His real work and life—Parsons only learned secondhand.

“You’re trying to save money for your employer?” he asked.

“Yes. If conditions allow, I want to provide more. My employers are usually people living in hardship. Most people, when they themselves are safe and comfortable, don’t mind helping others. I’m the same. Don’t you think it’s interesting?”

It was interesting—but in the magical world, especially among Parsons’ wealthy yet perilous class, such ideas were rare.

His parents had left him vast wealth sheltered inside a “charity foundation,” avoiding huge taxes.

If Parsons wished, he could become a “foundation baby”—holding a nominal position, receiving a huge salary, while the charity’s actual donations were less than a fraction of his wages.

Everyone operated that way. Charity foundations weren’t truly charitable.

The wealthiest were always thinking about taking others’ bread to make themselves even richer. But Jiang Jitang, who lacked such resources, nevertheless did whatever he could—saving every stranded little fish on the shore.

“No payment?”

“Of course there is. That little shop that produces special food—you saw it, right? That’s part of my compensation. Good deeds should be rewarded, so more people are encouraged to do them. Isn’t it right that I get rewarded too?”

Jiang Jitang’s laughter rang in Parsons’ ears.

“But at the beginning, it definitely wasn’t because of the reward.” Parsons thought with certainty. Whenever Jiang Jitang talked about his work, the joy radiated from him.

He genuinely loved this tedious, exhausting job.

Something others avoided—but he found joy in.

Parsons tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He kept his eyes on the street signs to avoid going the wrong way, while half his mind thought deeply.

If he’d rejected joining the charity foundation earlier because it wasn’t charitable enough… maybe that was wrong? Maybe he should join, take over, and turn it into a real charity.

A spark lit in Parsons’ mind—he’d found his next step.

And all of it was thanks to his own little sun—making ordinary life interesting.

Is Illman a player? What would his mindset be entering a replica world? Would he enjoy it?

A crazy thought—but Parsons couldn’t help wondering. Jiang Jitang had magical power that made dull life enjoyable.

If he could live with such a person—how happy would life be?

“We’re here!”

Parsons parked. In a narrow alley stood a kindergarten built from an old house. Its gates were shut; even the security booth was empty.

But the iron gate had a paper notice, listing items for sale: old tables and chairs, children’s play equipment, picture books.

Jiang Jitang had already gotten out and was reading the notice carefully.

“The picture books haven’t been sold yet. There’s a phone number—I’ll give them a call.”

Footnotes:
[1] The Xianyu app (“Idle Fish”) is Alibaba’s popular Chinese mobile marketplace for buying and selling second-hand goods, essentially a C2C (consumer-to-consumer) platform for used items like clothes, electronics, furniture, and toys, known for its huge variety.