Chapter 23: Restocking Starts with the Maternity Store

These things were too valuable and took up space at home—better to store them in the dimensional space.

Jiang Yuan didn’t dare enter the space casually now; the accumulation time was still too short, and she didn’t know yet if she could expand it.

On the third day of rain, the downpour grew heavier, visibility decreased, and the sky was shrouded in fog, making it feel several degrees darker.

Due to the volume and intensity of rainfall, surface water overflowed, the drainage system collapsed, and the roads in low-lying areas were already submerged.

Experts advised people to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, there were still plenty of skeptics who went out.

Some got stuck, unable to move in the flooded streets, others fell into uncovered manholes.

The water pressure was so high that manhole covers were lifted, gushing bubbles from below, surrounded by whirlpools. Anyone nearby could easily get sucked in—it looked terrifying.

Everyone was on edge.

Jiang Yuan made up her mind: the operation would happen tonight.

Her parents, Jiang Xingzhi and Qin Yue, were firmly against it, but she was determined to go out.

“Dad, Mom, listen to me. Even though we have a lot of supplies, we’re low on medicine.

Yesterday, quite a few pharmacies reopened. I want to check it out…”

“If anyone’s going, it should be me,” her father said. “You stay home, girl.”

That wouldn’t do—if her dad went, her plan couldn’t be carried out.

“Dad, just trust me. I know which nearby pharmacy is well-stocked. You two stay and look after Xiao Nuan.

Besides, I checked the weather forecast. The rain will ease around 10 p.m. It’ll be perfectly fine for me to go then.

And once I cross the street, there are steps on the other side. The floodwater hasn’t reached that part. It’s still safe.”

Jiang Xingzhi still thought it was risky and said quickly, “Then I’ll go with you, so we can look out for each other.”

“No need, Dad. You just stay home.

I’ve thought it through. If the rain stops in the next couple of days, we’ll need to go out and grab some fresh vegetables too. We’ll need you for that.”

Jiang Yuan reassured them repeatedly until she finally got permission to go out—with the condition that she bring her phone and stay in contact at all times.

At night, she geared up, donning a helmet and a waterproof fiber coat.

She brought an infrared flashlight and self-defense tools.

She also carried a backpack—anything extra she found could be stored in the space.

Qin Yue nagged a lot, worried because the rain hadn’t let up. Jiang Yuan understood her parents’ concern and comforted them before heading out.

Just as she reached the entrance, 2102—Song Yi—also came out. She was surprised; he looked fully geared up for going out too.

“You going somewhere?” she asked.

“Shopping,” Song Yi replied calmly with just one word. Jiang Yuan felt like he could see through her—like he was smiling behind his mask.

“Together?”

“Probably not going the same way.”

Jiang Yuan quickly headed downstairs. No way was she going with him—how was she supposed to “restock” with him watching?

She had a space now—anything she liked, she could just take.

As long as the store was empty, she could easily do “zero-dollar shopping.”

Though a bit unethical, in one more day, everything would be water-damaged anyway—better she put it to use.

Once on the ground floor, it was still dry—their neighborhood was on higher ground.

Rushing water streamed down from above with great force—fast and loud.

“Here—”

Jiang Yuan turned and saw Song Yi handing her a collapsible trekking pole, about 1.3–1.4 meters long.

The water current was clearly strong—this would be very useful.

“Trekking pole?”

“Yeah, take it.”

“What about you?”

“I’m heavier—lower center of gravity…”

Wow, way to compliment yourself.

“I feel bad taking it.”

Despite saying that, Jiang Yuan took it without hesitation.

Song Yi chuckled to himself—this woman really was something else.

The two of them left together. Jiang Yuan walked slower—the water was nearly knee-high now. Luckily, she wore thigh-high waterproof socks, so she was fine.

From Building 13, passing in front of Building 15, she could exit directly.

This gate was a small one, usually opened by facial recognition.

Since the power outage, it hadn’t been repaired. The security system was just decoration now, and the guard booth was empty.

So exiting was smooth.

The maternity store was diagonally across the street, in a slightly secluded spot, so she wouldn’t attract much attention.

The shop owner was also a mom, who didn’t usually live nearby—most likely, no one would be inside.

“Where are you going?” Jiang Yuan asked first. If Song Yi’s destination was close, she’d have to avoid him.

“I’m checking out the supermarket down the block to see if anyone’s there.”

Perfect—not the same direction, and not close either.

“I’m headed that way, then. See you!”

“Mm, be careful…”

They exchanged a few words before parting.

No choice—different goals, and the rain made it hard to hear anyway.

Jiang Yuan headed alone to the maternity store. She wasn’t sure if the owner might’ve stayed overnight—she hadn’t scouted the place or checked if it was open.

Just to be safe, she knocked first.

After a while, with no answer and a quick look around to confirm no one was nearby, she took out her secret weapon from her space: a special steel pin.

Very thin, but strong and flexible.

The store’s security was average—roller shutter on the outside, with a padlock securing the inner door handle.

For someone with experience in construction materials, this was a piece of cake.

She had worked on many projects before, and the locks were usually low quality. She used this very pin for practice.

She figured, even if she didn’t use the skill much in the future, it was still a good one to have.

In under five minutes, she got the door open. After confirming no one was around, she went in.

She pulled the roller shutter down. The windows had their own shutters too, so even with the lights on, no one would notice.

The store wasn’t big—maybe just over 20 square meters.

Two walls were lined with clothes; the wall near the entrance was full of infant formula, with cabinets underneath for storage.

Two rows of shelves in the center held rice cereal, baby food, and snacks.

Near the window were hats and toys. Though small, the store was well-stocked.

There were also two standing clothing racks with summer clothes—usually placed outside during the day for promotions and brought in at night.

Jiang Yuan first cleared out the shelves of formula. She felt the packaging and remembered the positions—it all vanished as she stored it in the space. So magical.

Next, she took all the baby food and snacks—nothing was left behind. Even if Xiao Nuan didn’t eat it, adults could use it to fill their stomachs.

Plus, most baby food was handmade, with no additives.