Upside Down Grocery Shop - Chapter 32

Li Xiaotong realized that her relationship with Su Ran had grown much closer. The subtle distance that had lingered between them was now completely gone. She also discovered that, contrary to his cold and indifferent appearance, Su Ran was actually a warm and easygoing person deep down.

Moreover, Su Ran’s sense of justice wasn’t something ordinary people could match.

He often claimed he didn’t care about meddling in other people’s business. Yet, whether it was Qian Qian earlier or Li Chuan just now, Su Ran could have stayed out of it entirely. But instead, he was willing to break his own rules to help her and Li Chuan.

That alone was proof enough.

“Su Ran, what are we doing next?” Li Xiaotong asked.

“What else? Go home, sleep, and make sure we stay alive,” Su Ran replied without looking up.

“And the flying swords? Are we just going to leave them alone?”

“Do you even know where the rest of the flying swords are?”

That shut Li Xiaotong up. Right—neither of them had any idea where the other flying swords might be. The ones they’d encountered, like Chimei and Baiyi, had come to them on their own. So, even though they seemed to have plenty of leads, there was no concrete direction to start from.

The Upside Down Grocery Shop, despite being small, did have a room for Li Xiaotong. Yet, sleeping in an unfamiliar place left her wide awake, her mind full of thoughts about Su Ran. She wasn’t sure why.

Underneath her pillow was Baiyi’s flying sword—a precaution ordered by Su Ran, who had insisted she keep it close, even while sleeping.

Outside, Su Ran was busy knocking and clunking away at something.

Unable to resist, Li Xiaotong got up. “Su Ran, what are you doing out there?”

“Nothing. Go back to sleep.”

“You’re making so much noise! How am I supposed to sleep?” She stepped out and saw him tinkering with some wood and metal pieces. “What are you trying to build?”

“Since we’re going after the flying swords, we need a proper tool for the job,” Su Ran said as he continued working. “Haven’t you heard? A workman must sharpen his tools if he wants to do his job well. Or is that concept too advanced for you?”

“Excuse me, I’m a university student, not a little kid.”

“Aren’t university students these days only good for eating, sleeping, and gaming?”

“Who told you that? As a modern university student, I’m ready to dedicate myself to the nation at any time.”

“Alright, alright, modern university student. Is it true you can’t sleep without a stuffed animal?”

Li Xiaotong ignored his jab. She knew Su Ran had a sharp tongue. Looking around, she commented, “Your shop really doesn’t have much stuff—less than a convenience store even. How are you supposed to make money like this?”

Su Ran chuckled. “If I could actually hold on to money, I’d be working hard at it.”

“Oh, right. The stuff you sell isn’t exactly ordinary,” she remarked, grabbing a bottle of milk. “Su Ran, tell me about yourself.”

“You want a story? That’ll cost you. Got money?”

“Why are you so greedy? We’re friends now, and you’re still talking about money. That’s so tacky.”

“Money is never tacky.”

“Fine, how much do you want? I’m not rich, but I’ve got some savings.”

Before she could get an answer, Su Ran glanced toward the door. “Someone’s here. Step aside.”

“Who is it?” Li Xiaotong suddenly felt uneasy. After everything with the flying swords, she was now jumpy at the slightest thing.

“Just a regular customer.”

“Can I see?”

Su Ran gave her a quick look. “Go change your clothes.”

Excited, Li Xiaotong nodded and hurried off.

When the door opened, a woman in her forties walked in, holding a black umbrella. Her face was lined with exhaustion and sadness. Seeing Su Ran and Li Xiaotong, she only cast them a brief glance. “Boss, I heard you have candles that let people see the dead. Do you have any?”

“I do. But they’re expensive.”

“How much?”

Su Ran studied the woman. “I don’t want money. I want years of your life.”

“My… life?” The woman looked surprised but quickly nodded. “I can give you that.”

Standing to the side, Li Xiaotong watched with wide eyes. She wanted to speak up but found herself silenced by Su Ran’s spell. She couldn’t even make a sound.

“Twenty years.”

“Deal.”

The transaction was straightforward. The woman received her candle, and as she left, she was no longer a forty-something but an old woman in her sixties.

“Su Ran, so that’s the secret behind those candles?” Li Xiaotong asked eagerly, now able to speak.

“Yes,” Su Ran said, resuming his tinkering. “Now you understand just how much of a bargain you got from me last time.”

If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, Li Xiaotong wouldn’t have believed it. To think someone’s lifespan could actually be traded—this was beyond anything she’d imagined. A forty-year-old woman, aged twenty years in an instant. It was unbelievable.

“Su Ran, what other treasures do you have here?”

“I’ve got plenty of good stuff, but you probably can’t afford it.”

Su Ran finally finished his project. It looked like an arm guard, but it was extremely ugly.

Li Xiaotong pouted. Su Ran wasn’t wrong, though. If everything cost decades of her life, she could probably only afford one shot, despite her youth and beauty.

“This thing is hideous!” she couldn’t help but criticize the arm guard.

“You don’t get it. A tool’s priority is functionality, not aesthetics,” Su Ran replied, though in truth, he was just too lazy to make it look better.

“Li Xiaotong, you seem pretty awake. Want to head out for a walk?”

“Now?” She glanced outside. “Wait for me. I’m bringing something with me.”

Bringing something? Did she think they were going treasure hunting?

The two of them grabbed black umbrellas and wandered the streets aimlessly. Searching for flying swords like this was like looking for a needle in a haystack. They might as well stay at the store and wait for something to show up.

At this point, it was all about luck.

Li Xiaotong twirled the black umbrella in her hands. “Su Ran, what’s the deal with this umbrella?”

“With this umbrella, no one can detect you. Surveillance cameras and similar devices won’t work on you either,” Su Ran said proudly. “With this, you’re practically invisible, except for a few special circumstances.”

“Whoa, that’s amazing! I love it!”

“Can’t you act a little more ladylike?”

“What are these special circumstances you mentioned?”

“Things like scent and shadows,” Su Ran explained, looking around. “The umbrella hides your body, but you’re still physically there, emitting scent. Animals with a keen sense of smell won’t be fooled.

“As for shadows, they’re another giveaway.” He stopped under a streetlamp and pointed at the ground. “Someone observant could still notice your shadow.”

“Chubby boy!” Li Xiaotong suddenly shouted.

“Chubby boy?” Su Ran looked puzzled.

Sure enough, not far from them, a chubby figure was sneaking around. Clutching a woman’s handbag, he scurried past like a thief.

Late at night, Chubby boy’s suspicious behavior was bound to be up to no good.

“Looks like he’s scored something. Let’s follow and see what he’s up to,” Su Ran said.

“We’re cutting in halfway.”