Chapter 31: Passing By
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Yu Sheng hesitated before the supermarket door, his hand hovering just above the handle. Opening a door—such a simple, mundane action. Yet, after the events of recent days, it felt like stepping into the unknown every single time.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The familiar sight of shelves stocked with goods and the young shopkeeper behind the counter greeted him. Relief washed over Yu Sheng, but a sliver of doubt lingered. What if this wasn’t his usual supermarket? His mind conjured wild images: shelves lined with jars containing eyeballs floating in formaldehyde, the shopkeeper transforming into a monstrous figure wielding a chainsaw…
“Get a grip,” Yu Sheng muttered under his breath, shaking off the absurd thoughts. He needed to focus.
Confirming that everything seemed normal, he approached the counter and nodded to the shopkeeper. “I’m here to buy some things. Do you have boxes of instant noodles and compressed biscuits?”
The shopkeeper looked up, raising an eyebrow at Yu Sheng’s slightly disheveled appearance. “Instant noodles, sure. Unopened boxes are stacked under the stairs to the second floor. Help yourself.” He gestured toward the iron staircase. “As for compressed biscuits, we don’t have any boxes left. They’re on the middle shelf to your left. Not many folks buy them, so I don’t stock much.”
“Thanks. I’ll take all the biscuits you have, please. I’ll grab a box of noodles myself.” Yu Sheng paused. “Oh, and could you add two packs of the large sausages?”
“Sure thing.” The shopkeeper grabbed a large shopping bag and began packing the biscuits. As he worked, he glanced up. “Stocking up, are we? Eating just instant noodles and biscuits isn’t exactly a balanced diet. My wife gives me an earful whenever I try.”