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Zhao Xiaoya stared blankly at Yun Tutu. It was comforting to think that, in the final moments of her life, she wouldn’t be alone.
Yun Tutu didn’t overthink it. Since the girl didn’t respond, she assumed she couldn’t sit up on her own. Gently, she helped Zhao Xiaoya lean against her shoulder and removed the lid from the bowl of broth. “Drink some soup first. These buns are too dry; you can eat them later.”
This poor girl really had no experience with life. In her condition, she should have ordered something like noodles instead of dry buns.
As Zhao Xiaoya became aware of her new position, she smelled the aroma coming from behind her. Her eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected to meet a deity in her final moments.
This deity was kind enough to take pity on her as she was about to starve to death.
Staring at the steaming bowl of fragrant broth in front of her, she hesitated. “Deity, I’m already a dying person. There’s no need to waste your precious food on me.”
When Yun Tutu had touched the girl, she had felt how tightly her skin clung to her bones. Her hands were already small, but they could entirely wrap around the girl’s thin arm, which was no more than a skeleton.
Softening her voice even more, Yun Tutu reassured her, “This isn’t a waste at all. Drink the soup, eat something, and you’ll see—better days are ahead.”
Zhao Xiaoya tried to open her eyes wide and looked up at Yun Tutu. “I’m already very lucky to see a deity before I die. But even if I eat this meal, what difference will it make…”
Zhao Xiaoya hadn’t eaten anything for days, so her voice was weak and feeble. Even when Yun Tutu brought the soup to her lips, she didn’t have the strength to refuse.
But as the strange bowl touched her lips, Zhao Xiaoya instinctively swallowed a sip of the soup. Starving and thirsty as she was, the moment that first sip touched her mouth, her eyes brightened.
This broth was nothing like the bitter and astringent wild vegetable soup she had been drinking. It was indescribably delicious, clearly the work of a deity. She instantly felt a bit more energized.
After she had drunk about half the bowl, Yun Tutu stopped her. “You’ve gone without food for too long. It’s better to eat small, frequent meals. Rest for now, and you can have more later.”
Zhao Xiaoya reluctantly looked at the remaining soup, licking her lips as she savored the lingering flavor. “Deity, this is more than enough. Unfortunately, I don’t have the strength to kneel and thank you for saving my life.”
“Don’t call me a deity or anything like that. I’m just an ordinary person,” Yun Tutu said, glancing around the dark cave. The weak light from her phone wasn’t enough to illuminate the entire space.
However, the screen in front of her kept flashing, with a new message: “Please complete the transaction as soon as possible.”
Yun Tutu frowned at the screen, her lips pursed as she thought, “This girl is already in such a miserable state. What could she possibly have to trade?”
She regretted not being more thoughtful and bringing more food. Now, after just a few sips of soup, she was expected to ask the girl for a trade? This felt like cheating the poor girl.
The screen flashed again: “Please complete the transaction as soon as possible.”
“What transaction? I’ll cover this expense myself,” Yun Tutu snapped, her patience running thin. She was poor herself, but she was still in a much better position than this little girl.
“Deity, what are you talking about?” Zhao Xiaoya asked nervously, shrinking back as if afraid the deity was angry.
Yun Tutu pointed to the air in front of her, softening her tone to its previous gentle manner. “Don’t worry, I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to it.”
Zhao Xiaoya swallowed hard, glancing around the dark cave. “Deity, I don’t see anything…”
Yun Tutu looked at her, then back at the screen. “You don’t see a flashing panel right here?”
Zhao Xiaoya shook her head. “No, Deity, I don’t see anything.”
She couldn’t understand why the deity was asking her that. Was there someone else in the cave? But if a deity had appeared, perhaps there were other supernatural things here too. Her eyes filled with even more reverence.
Yun Tutu placed the buns and dumplings she had brought in front of Zhao Xiaoya. “This is all I have, but it should help you a little.”
Yun Tutu didn’t know if she would ever see this girl again, but this was all she could offer right now. She felt sorry for the girl but had no intention of staying in this world any longer than necessary.
If she didn’t complete the task as required, maybe this bizarre program would let her uninstall it once she returned home.
The screen flashed again: “Please complete the transaction as soon as possible. Countdown: 10, 9… 6, 5… Transaction completed. Please return via the original route.”
Yun Tutu looked down at the stone she had just picked up. The cave was full of them, and when the countdown started, she had grabbed one out of fear, ready to throw it at the screen if necessary.
“Just as I thought, it’s all about bullying the weak,” Yun Tutu muttered, tossing the stone in her hand. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you continuing the countdown?”
The screen flickered rapidly. “Transaction completed. You have one minute remaining in this dimension…”
Yun Tutu looked at the countdown on the screen. “What happens if I don’t leave in time? Another punishment?”
“0038, you have two options: forced removal or permanent stay.”
This damn thing really doesn’t play fair, threatening me again…
“Fine, you win,” Yun Tutu muttered, unwilling to choose either option. She crouched down, gently patting the girl’s head. “This is all I can do. If we’re destined, we’ll meet again.”
She wished she could leave more for the girl, but she was carrying nothing but her phone. She really had nothing else to give. Leaving her phone behind wouldn’t help either.
With some nourishment from the broth, Zhao Xiaoya felt a bit more spirited. “Thank you, Deity, for saving my life.”
She was just an ordinary person, so it made sense that the deity wouldn’t stay long. It was only right for the deity to leave, but Zhao Xiaoya vowed to survive, hoping she might one day see the deity again.
Yun Tutu didn’t have time to correct her about the titles. The annoying screen was counting down again. She took one last look at Zhao Xiaoya, gritted her teeth, and dashed out of the cave.
As soon as she mounted the delivery motorcycle, a beam of light enveloped her, and she disappeared from the cave entrance.
Back in a familiar alley, Yun Tutu immediately recognized it as a corner of the city’s urban village.
Yun Tutu returned to her rented room and casually tossed the stone she had picked up onto the table. “What exactly are you?”
“Task completed, calculating results…”
“Don’t play dumb with me, or I’ll smash you…”
Yun Tutu picked up the stone and tried to throw it at the screen, but it passed right through.
“So it really is a virtual display,” Yun Tutu muttered, confused. Why had the thing seemed afraid earlier if it was just a projection? She hadn’t done anything, yet the transaction was somehow completed.
The screen displayed her information again:
Yun Tutu sat down on her bed, bewildered. “How did I complete the transaction?”
Since she couldn’t fight it and couldn’t uninstall it, she decided it was time for a serious discussion.
“The transaction is complete. Your reward is already in your possession, 0038.”
“This thing?” Yun Tutu sneered at the screen. “Your so-called Cross-Dimensional Delivery Service—is it just charity work?”
“Don’t try to fool me. Nobody goes through all this trouble—crossing dimensions, delivering food—without some ulterior motive.”
Dreamy Land[Translator]
Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying what I'm translating. As an unemployed adult with way too much time on my hands and a borderline unhealthy obsession with novels, I’m here to share one of my all-time favorites. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into this story together—because I’ve got nothing better to do!