Chapter 020: A New Dimension​​

​​(Subject:)​​ Has anyone tried that super viral durian everyone's talking about online?

​​(Original Poster:)​​ Is it really that good? I'm getting cravings...

​​Reply #1:​​ Fake, probably. Feels like an ad. The whole thing exploded too fast. Hard to believe it isn't marketing.

​​Reply #2:​​ Agreed. Viral outta nowhere? Definitely a push behind the scenes.

...

​​Reply #23:​​ FAKE! I bought it after seeing the livestream. Tasted awful! Total scam! Don't believe the hype! Stick with known brands—at least the quality's guaranteed.

​​Reply #31 (to #23):​​ Uh, I also bought the durian from that stream. It was AMAZING—best I've ever had. Where'd you buy yours? Sounds like you got a fake.

​​Reply #38 (to #31):​​ Online! On eBay.

​​Reply #40 (to #38):​​ Fake for sure. Asked the seller myself—they don’t have an online store. Said their supply’s too limited for dedicated links. Orders are WeChat-only.

​​Reply #43:​​ Seriously tasty? ^Upstairs?

​​Reply #50 (to #43):​​ DEAD SERIOUS. It blew me away. That livestream wasn’t exaggerating—premium stuff. Just ordered another yesterday! Proof: [chat screenshot]

​​Reply #62:​​ Want! Got the WeChat ID? ^Upstairs^

​​Reply #67 (to #50):​​ Can’t post it outright. Search “[Social Media Platform] User [Account Name]” – that’s the seller. They posted durian vids before, said a friend handles sales. [Account screenshot]

...

​​Reply #157:​​ OMG!! They’re limiting orders!! [chat screenshot showing limit]

​​Reply #175:​​ THIS many buyers?! The girl said orders exploded! How many lurkers we got here??

​​Reply #185:​​ Didn’t reply earlier—got one! Messaged the seller. Her friend says durians are running low. Limits going forward: ONE per person. [confirmation chat screenshot]

​​Reply #200:​​ Genuinely low supply? Thought it was a marketing gimmick...

​​Reply #253:​​ AAAAAAHHH!!! Mine arrived! Total "gratitude durian" — and it’s UNREAL! The streamer and poster #50 didn’t lie! SO GOOD! Zero regrets!!!

​​Reply #287:​​ !!!!! Sincere apologies to those I doubted earlier!! IT’S INCREDIBLE!!! Better than advertised! What variety is this?! After eating this, regular durians just taste… flat.

​​Reply #354:​​ Convinced. Placing an order.

​​Reply #452:​​ What’s the deleted screenshot up there? ^? Missed it! Please reshare!

​​Reply #501 (to #452):​​ Here! Saved it earlier. [Account screenshot re-uploaded]

...

​​Reply #1253:​​ Wait WHAT?! Sold out ALREADY?!?! SERIOUSLY?!?! Who stole my durian?!? I wanted more!! GIVE IT BACK!!!

​​Reply #1342:​​ I was wrong. This isn’t marketing!! What kinda marketing sells out THIS fast?!

​​Reply #1511:​​ When's the next batch?! My parents never liked durian, but now they're bugging me nonstop! Bought them a supermarket one—they refused, said it’s not the same! They threw money at me for the expensive one! It’s not me!! There’s NONE LEFT! Seller’s social media is just [OUT OF STOCK WARNING] now.

...

"That should do it," Wei Xiaoshuang passed her phone to Qin Qing, showing her updated social media profile. "Reply fatigue is real. Once this batch ships, we can finally breathe."

"Thanks. You’ve been incredible," Qin Qing said sincerely.

"Worth every second!" Wei Xiaoshuang grinned, shaking her head vigorously. "I'd sell these 'til the end of time if your friend wasn't out of stock!"

Qin Qing chuckled, pulling out her phone and transferring 5,000 yuan.

Wei Xiaoshuang blinked. "Isn’t this... too much?"

"Nope. We never expected sales like this. You earned it." Qin Qing set her phone down. "Bet your mom won’t nag now?"

"Ha! She calls it a 'proper job' now!" Wei Xiaoshuang pocketed the money happily. "Sweet! More quality couch time!"

With business settled, Wei Xiaoshuang stood up. "Okay, going home to crash. These past few days were wild. See ya!"

"Get some serious rest," Qin Qing walked her to the door.

Once alone, Qin Qing ran the numbers.

"Stopping" wasn't due to actual shortage. The price surge at the vending machine had unleashed a frenzy of harvesting over there—she’d stockpiled plenty.

The ten-day peak pricing period ended today.

Result? Over 500 durians sold in ten days. Fifty per day on average. Each durian roughly seven pounds, priced around ¥700.

Total revenue: ¥350,000.

Total cost? A mere ¥17,000-18,000.

Qin Qing stretched, satisfaction warming her, and took a well-earned day off.

The final seventy-odd durians plus earlier pickings—over three hundred total—rested securely in her interdimensional space. Ready for the next opportunity. Demand clearly wasn’t dying down.

Qin Qing walked into the Dimension Supermarket the next morning. She automatically scooped up the three durians left by the entrance overnight. After futile protests against "offerings," she’d given up. The supermarket could repay them eventually. A few durians daily was trivial.

"Immortal Master." Greetings came as Qin Qing stepped outside.

"Morning. Headed out early?" Qin Qing saw Yu Niang and Qiu Niang, children in tow.

"Yes! Gathering white stones," Yu Niang smiled, ruffling her daughter's hair. "The kids spot them better than us."

"Great focus training. Promising for their future," Qin Qing nodded, scanning the area. "Harvesting durians today?"

"Some are. Fewer today, though. Many are prioritizing building more shelters before the cold hits," Yu Niang answered quickly. "We remember the durians you need, Immortal Master."

"Not a strict necessity," Qin Qing reassured. "Pass the word: Do what makes sense. Harvest for yourselves—sell for supplies. My needs are secondary."

"As you command, Immortal Master." Yu Niang bowed.

"Go on now, don't delay."

To Qin Qing, white stones were energy. To Yu Niang’s group, they were currency. Each extra stone meant extra food, more security.

Back inside the supermarket, post-durian rush calm settled. Business was still better than before—the heatwave meant steady beer and soda sales. Profits looked solid. A decent month could net ¥5,000-6,000.

Afternoon sun hammered down. Qin Qing flicked on the countertop fan and grabbed a cold drink from the fridge behind her.

Suddenly, a prompt flashed:

​​[ Upgrade Available? [Yes] or [No] ]​​

​​[ Upgrade Requirement: White Stones — 100 // Transaction Windows: +1 ]​​

Qin Qing instantly hit ​​[Yes]​​.

The system confirmed the upgrade. Another prompt appeared:

​​[ Open New Dimension? ]​​

Qin Qing snapped upright, eyes alight.

​​[ Yes ]​​

​​[ Select New Dimension Activation Time: …… ]​​

Her fingers flew over the system panel. Seeing the upgrade needed 12 hours, she chose 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM without hesitation. She typically opened the shop around 8:30 or 9:00 AM. Local customers knew not to come too early. Closing time was 7:00 or 8:00 PM anyway. Perfect timing.

After confirming, the countdown on the panel made her itch. She burned to see the changes and discover the new dimension.

But… Yu Niang’s group relied on daily supplies. She’d promised the shop wouldn’t close. A sudden daytime closure might trigger panic buying or hoarding. Prematurely giving out large stocks was risky—no interdimensional storage for them. Food could spoil fast in this heat.

Be patient. Qin Qing stared at the panel, clenching her fist. This new world would open eventually. One more day didn’t matter. She drained her soda, tossed the bottle into the corner collection box—useful for resale or storage later.

​**​*

At 8:00 PM sharp, the system began upgrading.

Qin Qing, usually an early sleeper, tossed and turned for hours, finally drifting off near dawn. She woke, grabbed her phone… barely 7:00 AM.

"HURRY UP! Show me what world you are!!!" Qin Qing jabbed at the glowing panel, certain the next hour would feel like eternity.