Chapter 20: A Fright in the Mall

Following Wei Qu into the mall, the top floor retained its familiar cinema layout. After a brief discussion, they decided not to let the opportunity slip by and split up to search for supplies hidden within the cinema.

To their surprise, they managed to find quite a few stockpiled goods. Though most were standard cinema snacks, their long shelf life made them valuable, allowing them to occasionally enjoy a change in flavor. Unfortunately, they couldn’t carry much, so after carefully selecting their favorites, they prepared to descend to the next floor.

The next two floors housed various restaurants. In their kitchens, they discovered rice, noodles, oil, meat, vegetables, and eggs. Further down were the clothing stores, but upon reaching the third floor, they encountered standing water.

It seemed the mall’s doors had held back some of the flooding, resulting in different water levels inside and outside. “This is as far as we can go,” Wei Qu said, shining his flashlight beneath the water. The scene below was unclear, only some floating debris—likely items from the shops below.

“Let’s start collecting supplies here, carefully. Otherwise, if we return next time, there might not be anything good left for us,” Lin Bu Wan said regretfully, glancing at the flooded level. Most jewelry stores in malls were on the first or second floor, now submerged up to the third. Even with the will, she hadn’t the means.

“Should we split up then?” Wei Qu glanced back at Lin Bu Wan, knowing well her cautious nature and asking deliberately. He actually preferred moving together; in such times, teammates ensured greater safety than going it alone. But Lin Bu Wan had never been on the same wavelength. Hearing the suggestion, she nodded without hesitation.

She was willing to act alone but couldn’t help worrying about Hua Xiao and instructed her to stick closely to Yu Su. After a brief exchange, the four separated.

Lin Bu Wan moved swiftly from shop to shop, barely glancing at the contents before stowing everything into her space. After visiting several stores, she entered one filled with items from another era, making her pause. Sweeping her flashlight around, she saw an array of antiques on display racks, and the quiet, dim surroundings lent the place an eerie atmosphere.

She rubbed her arms to calm the goosebumps, then scrutinized the store for anything of interest. Yet after circling it, her space remained unresponsive. Unsure of the authenticity of the items, she decided not to take them, lest they take up room.

Just as she was about to leave, her right foot struck something. She knelt to take a look.

Under the sandalwood tea table were two safes. She didn’t know the codes, of course, but anything kept in a safe was likely valuable. Without hesitation, she stowed both safes into her space, deciding to examine them later and see what treasures lay within. What she didn’t realize was that the space expanded significantly the moment the safes were added.

When the four regrouped, their hands were filled with new items. Ascending together, they took plenty of clothing, with Lin Bu Wan sweeping through like a locust swarm, leaving no garment—men’s, women’s, or children’s—untouched.

In a corner, she found several adjoining bedding stores, which delighted her. She grabbed a variety of pillows, quilts, and even mattresses, though she couldn’t take everything, as they occupied too much space.

When they returned to the two floors below the cinema, Wei Qu glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. Either we move quickly or we’ll have to spend the night here.”

“What? Let’s hurry, then. I don’t want to stay here—it’s creepy,” Hua Xiao said, glancing around nervously.

Without lights, the mall resembled a monster with its abyssal jaws agape, and they were the reckless ones dancing at its mouth.

“Don’t jinx it,” Lin Bu Wan said, giving Hua Xiao a deadpan look. This one’s bad luck seemed to work all too well—hopefully she wouldn’t tempt fate.

“Hehe, I can’t help it. I’m scared,” Hua Xiao replied sheepishly, aware of her own reputation.

“Let’s hurry then. Meet back here in half an hour,” Wei Qu said, and without further delay, they each headed toward nearby shops.

Lin Bu Wan entered a restaurant, and the dog Dao Dao suddenly began barking.

“Dao Dao, quiet!” she hissed, scolding the animal in a low voice. But Dao Dao not only kept barking, it assumed a defensive posture, growling and barking incessantly toward the interior.

Seeing Dao Dao’s behavior, Lin Bu Wan understood instantly. She slipped her hand into her backpack, actually retrieving a butcher’s knife from her space, holding it ready across her chest and watching the area warily.

She swept her flashlight back and forth, but saw nothing amiss.

Just as she wondered if Dao Dao had misread the situation, footsteps sounded behind her.

Before she could turn, Wei Qu’s voice came. “I heard Dao Dao barking. What’s happened? Is something wrong?”

Turning to explain, she saw Black Bean crouch suddenly, growling toward a particular direction.

No explanation was needed; Wei Qu’s expression turned serious, and he signaled her. Producing a stick the length of his arm from somewhere, he cautiously advanced in the direction Black Bean indicated.

Following Black Bean, they reached a door with a sign beside it: “Restricted Kitchen Area—Staff Only.”

Exchanging glances in the darkness, they agreed the kitchen was an ideal spot. As they hesitated, Dao Dao suddenly lunged forward.

Lin Bu Wan reacted too slowly—the leash slipped from her hand.

“Dao Dao!” she cried, chasing after the dog.

Wei Qu tensed, muscles taut, and followed with Black Bean. As soon as they entered the kitchen, they heard a scream followed by frantic barking.

Tracking the sound, they crossed the kitchen to a staff rest area. Shining the flashlight inside, they found three people hiding there. One was a young woman, around whose feet Dao Dao spun excitedly.

Lin Bu Wan recognized her immediately—it was Dao Dao’s previous owner.

The young woman stared at Dao Dao, pale and stunned, evidently recognizing the dog but unsure how to react.

“Dao Dao, come here,” Lin Bu Wan called sternly.

Dao Dao seemed to sense the tone’s severity, turned to glance at her, hesitated briefly, whined softly, and finally ran back to Lin Bu Wan.

“Dao Dao?” In the quiet, the girl’s murmured words were distinct.

Lin Bu Wan looked up at her, then crouched down and patted Dao Dao’s backside.

“Don’t run off blindly. If you meet someone heartless, you might not make it out alive.”