Upside Down Grocery Shop - Chapter 28

The flying sword saw that Li Xiaotong wasn’t backing away, and in the next moment, it charged straight toward her.

A flash of silver light streaked by, knocking the flying sword away. The blade spun backward and disappeared without a trace.

Terrified, Li Xiaotong had already closed her eyes, bracing for death. But hearing the commotion, she opened her eyes to see a woman in white traditional shirt standing there, holding a silver flying sword in her hand.

“Are you okay?” The woman’s voice was calm and indifferent.

Li Xiaotong stared at the woman in white, hurriedly stepping away from the middle of the road to stand somewhere safe. Finally calming down, she asked, “Who are you?”

“My name is Bai Yi. You must be Li Xiaotong.”

The woman in white spoke in the same monotonous tone, almost unnervingly so.

Li Xiaotong glanced at Bai Yi. Her traditional shirt was elegant and perfectly fitting, but the flying sword in her hand made Li Xiaotong uneasy. She didn’t dare get closer and repeated her question.

“Who are you?”

“I already said, my name is Bai Yi.”

“Are you a sword spirit?”

Hearing the term “sword spirit,” Bai Yi paused for a moment before responding, “I am.”

Li Xiaotong didn’t know how to feel about Bai Yi admitting she was a sword spirit.

Earlier, a flying sword tried to kill her, so she should hate sword spirits, right? But now, another sword spirit appeared and saved her life. What was going on?

Could it be that sword spirits were divided into factions or something?

“Did you kill Qianqian?”

“No.”

“Then who did?”

“It wasn’t me.”

This woman, Bai Yi, maintained her flat tone, calm and slow, like a talking puppet. Her eyes were stunning but exuded an icy indifference, completely devoid of emotion.

“Li Xiaotong, I need you to do me a favor.”

“Why should I help you?”

“Because I just saved your life.”

Wow, talk about calling in a favor super fast!

“And if I refuse?” Li Xiaotong wanted to know what this sword spirit was up to.

“Then I’ll kill you right now.”

Her voice remained indifferent, but Li Xiaotong had no doubt that Bai Yi would really do it.

“What do you need me to do?”

“I want to meet Su Ran.”

Li Xiaotong’s heart skipped a beat. This Bai Yi was clearly after Su Ran. What was her agenda? Could she mean harm to Su Ran?

“Su Ran is at the Upside Down Grocery Shop. You can just go find him yourself.”

“I’m unable to do so.”

“So, you need me to arrange a meeting?”

“Yes.”

“When and where?”

“Same time tomorrow, right here,” Bai Yi said and turned to leave.

That’s it? So simple and straightforward? Couldn’t she have chosen a better location?

In any case, Li Xiaotong had barely survived and regained her life. It seemed she wasn’t the only one being targeted—even Su Ran had someone keeping an eye on him. She would definitely have to heed Su Ran’s advice to be extra cautious from now on.

For now, she decided to tell Su Ran about the sword spirit Bai Yi.

Night had already fallen, and the Upside Down Grocery Shop was closed.

Walking down the street, Li Xiaotong grew increasingly nervous. Even though there were still plenty of people around, who could guarantee that some of them weren’t sword spirits?

She knocked on the door and heard Su Ran’s lazy voice from inside. “We’re closed. Come back tomorrow.”

“Su Ran, it’s me. I have something important to tell you.”

Su Ran sighed. She had been pestering him all day—couldn’t she give him a break? Was this little girl planning to leech off him for life?

Opening the door, his expression was one of impatience. “What now, Auntie?”

“You!” Li Xiaotong pouted. “I came to you so late, and you’re still calling me Auntie. Do you even have a conscience?”

“If you have something to say, spill it. Otherwise, please leave. I have a patient resting here.”

“Another sword spirit has appeared.”

Su Ran’s expression shifted slightly. “And?”

“She specifically wants to see you.”

“See me?” Su Ran glanced inside, then closed the door and walked with Li Xiaotong down the street. “Tell me how she found you.”

Li Xiaotong recounted how she returned to school, was tricked by a fake text message, nearly died, and was ultimately saved by the sword spirit.

“I swear, do you even have a brain?” Su Ran scolded without hesitation.

“What did I do now?”

“You knew someone was after you, yet you dared to come find me alone. Aren’t you afraid of getting hit by a random car on the way here?”

“Well…” Li Xiaotong had been so focused on delivering the message to Su Ran that she forgot to think about that. Now that he mentioned it, she felt a bit scared.

With so many people on the street, any one of them or a minor accident could have been her end.

“It’s clear you’re not safe anymore. I’ll accompany you to school to ask for leave, and then you’re moving into my shop.”

“Isn’t that… inappropriate?” Though Su Ran seemed like a good guy, they hadn’t known each other long. Moving in with him felt a bit improper.

“Suit yourself. If you want to die, go ahead.”

“Fine.”

After that, Su Ran stayed by Li Xiaotong’s side, not leaving her for even a moment. Even when she said she needed the restroom, he told her to hold it in. Li Xiaotong felt her future days were bound to be miserable.

Eventually, Su Ran helped Li Xiaotong take leave from school, posing as her uncle.

But instead of going back, they headed to the designated meeting spot at 108.

“She said it’s tomorrow. Why are we here now?” Li Xiaotong pointed around. “See? I told you there’s no one.”

Ignoring her, Su Ran scanned the area. With a wave of his hand, mist spread out like clouds, enveloping the street. “Come out. I’m here.”

No response.

Li Xiaotong thought Su Ran was either too impatient or overly paranoid.

“I’ll say it again. I’m Su Ran, from the Upside Down Grocery Shop. If you don’t want to meet, you won’t get another chance.”

Of course, there wouldn’t be anyone. They had said tomorrow.

“You’re not punctual, Su Ran.” Bai Yi’s odd voice echoed.

Oh, she really was here.

“If I waited until tomorrow, you’d be dead,” Su Ran replied coolly.

Bai Yi stepped out, still the same as before. She glanced at Su Ran, then at Li Xiaotong, as if confirming something. “So, you know everything?”

“I know nothing,” Su Ran said angrily. “But three people have already died because of you. Just how far are you planning to take this?”

“It’s not our fault.”

“Explain yourself.”

Bai Yi hesitated, seemingly wary of something.

“Have you met Chi Mei?”

Chi Mei? What was that? They hadn’t met anyone like that.

Li Xiaotong felt Bai Yi was just as strange as ever.

“Do you mean that sword spirit impersonating me?” Su Ran guessed.

“Yes. Where is she now?” Bai Yi’s tone finally shifted, showing urgency. It seemed Chi Mei was very important to her.

“She’s dead.” Li Xiaotong blurted out before Su Ran could answer.

Bai Yi’s elegant eyebrows twitched. “You killed her?”

“Watch your mouth!” Su Ran glared at Li Xiaotong. “It was an accident. She tried to kill me.”

“Impossible. Chi Mei wanted to find you. She said you were the only one she could trust. That’s why she impersonated you and created the fake Upside Down Grocery Shop—to lure you out,” Bai Yi said emotionally. “But you killed her.”

“I don’t know what’s going on between you sword spirits, but I’m telling the truth,” Su Ran paused. “Chi Mei tried to kill me, and Lin Xiu saved me.”

“Lin Xiu!”

At that name, Bai Yi was visibly startled. She immediately drew her flying sword.

“So, you’re all in on it. You killed Chi Mei. I’ll avenge her!”

Su Ran shoved Li Xiaotong aside and faced the flying sword, freezing it midair. “Explain yourself clearly, or don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Bai Yi said nothing and simply continued driving her flying sword toward Su Ran.