Chapter 004 Permission to Explore​​

“Mama, I’m full.”

Yu Niang offered another strand of noodle to her obedient daughter. “Eat more.”

The child gripped her sleeve, shaking her head. “You eat, Mama.”

“Alright. Mama eats one bite, you eat one.” Yu Niang lifted the noodles to her mouth. The moment the soft strands touched her tongue, mingled with the taste of animal fat—absent since their flight began—tears welled in her eyes.

Though the bowl was modest, it filled both mother and daughter with profound satisfaction. This small portion of warm noodles, though only a fraction of what they needed, felt like a feast after months without meat.

The elderly man had prepared a bowl too, but the portion he’d consumed seemed deliberately small.

Stone foragers returned, drawn by the aroma. Following instructions from earlier returnees, they traded their finds for noodles and borrowed hot water.

Some couldn’t bear to use the precious noodles outright. They broke hardened travel rations into pieces, dropped them into bowls with squeezed-out seasoning paste, and poured hot water to soften the mix.

“Our group shares one pack. We’ll save the rest.”

“My pack today, yours tomorrow. One per day is enough.”

“Agreed.”

“Speaking of, I went farther out,” one added. “Saw signs of animals. Should be edible wild greens there. After eating, let’s forage. This food’s too precious to waste.”

“Can we settle here permanently?”

“If allowed, it’d be perfect. This clearing has plants but no beasts. Safe ground. But will the Immortal permit it?”

Yu Niang listened, her gaze fixed on the open doorway across the clearing.

Through it, she glimpsed impossibly clean, gleaming floors and walls—finer than any imperial palace. Only a deity could reside in such splendor.

The Immortal had retreated inside after trading, leaving the door wide open. Yet, not one refugee dared cross the threshold. Their deepest hope was permission to build shelters in this blessed clearing.

“Yu Niang,” someone urged, “you’ve spoken to her. Ask if we may stay? If not, we must leave soon. Our remaining food won’t last days.”

“I’ll ask when she emerges.”

“That’ll be thirty-five yuan.”

“Can I pay by phone?”

“Sure, let me scan you.” Qin Qing fumbled briefly with the payment scanner. “Cash is still king around here.”

“Yeah, forgot how it was. Haven’t visited in years.”

As she processed the payment, another figure entered but bypassed the shelves, staring intently at Qin Qing.

She looked up, pausing in recognition.

“Qin Qing! It is you! This place belongs to your family, right? Old classmate! Haven’t seen you since junior high—must be over a decade!”

“Xie Hengliang?”

“Thought you forgot me! Heard the shop changed hands, never guessed it was you,” he leaned on the counter. “I run the local courier station. Been here years. You, a college grad, running a supermarket?”

“City life burned me out. Taking a break.” She sat on her stool behind the counter. “Town life suits you?”

“Surviving. It’s boring, honestly. Still dream of the city.” He gestured. “Grab me those cigarettes. Oh, and I’ll take a couple instant noodle packs too.” He disappeared down an aisle, returning moments later with noodles.

Qin Qing scanned the cigarettes. Spotting his courier uniform, she remembered. “Actually, I ordered a large freezer. Should arrive soon. Will you deliver it here?”

“Absolutely. I’ll handle it.” Xie Hengliang pulled out his phone as she scanned the noodles.

“Got some near-expiry noodles too. Seven or eight days left. One yuan per pack, if you want?” Her spatial storage kept them fresh, but regulations were regulations.

“Perfect! Give me extra packs—six? Prices keep climbing.” He pulled a cigarette from the pack, sticking it between his teeth. “Living on noodles this week...”

He flicked his lighter. Qin Qing’s sharp glare stopped him mid-motion.

“Not lighting up! Still got that class monitor stare.” He pocketed the cigarette.

“Just don’t smoke inside. I can’t stand the smell.” She bagged his items. “Scan now.”

He quickly presented his payment code.

After the morning rush subsided, Qin Qing checked the empty street and slipped towards the back room. Small-town life meant constant familiar faces, but a decade-old classmate bond didn’t warrant special visits.

Pushing open the door revealed the Interdimensional Supermarket. Its defense systems deterred hostile intent. Besides, she thought, the refugees wouldn’t dare trespass the Immortal’s domain.

Indeed, the space was untouched. The group kept a respectful distance of several meters.

Yu Niang approached immediately as Qin Qing appeared. “Immortal, we wish to ask…”

“I thought everything here was poisonous?”

“We scouted further, Immortal,” Yu Niang bowed. “Five kilometers out lies land safe for animals—and foraging. We are lost people, homeless in this chaotic world. If we might settle here, find sanctuary... If not, we depart immediately.”

“Stay if you wish,” Qin Qing permitted. “Trade white stones for noodles anytime you need food.”

“Thank you, Immortal!” Yu Niang’s relief was palpable.

Cheers erupted. Plans formed instantly: one team stayed to build shelters, another ventured for safe greens and berries, the third continued searching for stones. Yu Niang and her daughter, skilled finders, joined the stone group. Stronger members gathered wood, others foraged. Noodles were treasure, they knew, not everyday fare.

​​*Can I leave?​​*

Qin Qing scanned the system notes: binding allowed the Interdimensional Supermarket to function as an anchor point. Instant return was possible from anywhere.

​​[Yes]​​

Excitement surged through her. She was a doer, death had dulled her fear of the unknown, and curiosity burned brighter than caution.

But what if customers come while I’m gone?

Currently in the interdimensional space, she could hear her main store’s bell and respond instantly. Exploration would take her beyond earshot.

The solution struck her. Back in her supermarket, she found cardboard and a marker.

[Lunch Break: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM]

She hung the sign outside. Perfectly reasonable for a small business owner.

At 10:55 AM, she ate a self-heating meal. At 11:00 AM sharp, she locked the glass doors (the security shutter unnecessary midday) and entered the interdimensional space.

Standing before its outer door, she hesitated only a moment before stepping out—one foot, then the other, onto alien soil. She tapped the prompt:

​​[Return to Store]​​

White light flashed. She stood precisely in the center of the Interdimensional Supermarket.

She tested again: one minute outside, return.

Again: three minutes out, beyond clear sight of the structure, return.

Grinning, she dashed outside once more. Three refugees knelt nearby, having witnessed her teleportation.

“The Immortal manifests! She truly manifests!”

Qin Qing cleared her throat.

“Immortal!”

“Attend to your tasks. I am merely walking.”

“Yes, Immortal.”