Chapter Seven: The Delivery Has Arrived
Standing before the elevator, Liu Zheng glanced at the time.
Four minutes remaining.
Fortunately, the elevator was already on the first floor; he should make it in time.
“Ding!”
The elevator doors slid open. He darted inside and frantically pressed the close door button.
Luckily, nothing went wrong during the ride.
Twenty seconds later, the elevator doors opened.
Like a wild horse unleashed, Liu Zheng charged out and reached the door marked 503.
“Hello, your delivery has arrived.”
He knocked and called out.
No response from inside, and no one opened the door.
“Hello, your delivery has arrived.”
He raised his voice and called again.
Still no answer.
“Open up, your delivery is here.”
Liu Zheng’s knocking grew more frantic, even resorting to kicking the door.
After a minute of stalemate, the occupant finally lost patience.
“Stop yelling; this isn’t my delivery.”
“You haven’t even looked and already know it’s not yours?” Liu Zheng challenged.
Seemingly convinced by his logic, the door to 503 finally opened.
A corpulent, dull-looking man appeared, radiating a thick, pungent odor.
It was like a large dog that had spent the day outdoors without bathing and had eaten half a pound of filth.
“Give me the delivery receipt.”
The man extended a hairy, bulky hand.
“Here.”
Liu Zheng handed over the receipt.
“This isn’t my delivery; I’m not accepting it.”
The fat man glanced at it dismissively.
“Is this the Merlin Community?”
“Yes.”
“Is this Building 3, Unit 503?”
“Yes.”
“Since this is Merlin Community, Building 3, Unit 503, why won’t you accept it?”
Liu Zheng’s voice grew louder.
“I don’t care. It’s not what I ordered, so I won’t accept it. Unless... hehe,” the fat man chuckled strangely.
“Unless what?”
“Unless you give me a piece of meat.”
The fat man licked his lips, revealing a mouthful of yellowed, rotten teeth.
“Heh.”
Liu Zheng sized him up, weighing the possibility of using force to complete the delivery.
The conclusion: unlikely.
Setting aside any supernatural strength, the man’s weight was certainly over 400 pounds.
In hand-to-hand combat, a heavyweight’s advantage was absolute.
Moreover, the fat man’s vital areas were shielded by layers of fat, leaving little room for technique.
“What, you wanna fight me? Hey, tsk!”
The fat man sneered contemptuously, then spat a thick glob of phlegm before Liu Zheng’s eyes.
“I’m just a stinky delivery guy; I don’t accept this. What are you going to do about it?”
He opened his mouth wide, spewing a breath that could be classified as a biochemical weapon.
Liu Zheng held his breath, glanced at his phone.
One minute left.
“No more time to hesitate. One piece of meat for one life—sounds like a good deal.”
The fat man’s voice suddenly softened.
The low-frequency vibrations seemed to resonate with Liu Zheng’s mind, oddly soothing.
Thirty seconds remaining.
“Why didn’t you spit on me just now?” Liu Zheng suddenly asked.
“I spit wherever I want. None of your business,” the fat man growled fiercely.
“Or maybe you’re afraid of spitting on my uniform.”
“You’re talking nonsense!”
The fat man’s face darkened.
Before he could react, Liu Zheng threw the delivery box into the apartment.
Five seconds.
“No!”
The fat man let out a deafening scream and lunged at the box.
“I delivered the food, so eat it or not, your choice.”
Liu Zheng forcefully shut the door and pressed his side against it.
Almost immediately, a tremendous force slammed from inside.
Liu Zheng was hurled backward, crashing into the wall.
The metallic sweetness of blood filled his throat, burning pain spreading across his back.
Fortunately, no bones seemed broken.
The door was pushed open as well, hitting the adjacent wall with a loud boom echoing through the corridor.
The fat man’s bulky figure appeared again, still clutching the delivery box.
“This… this… is… m-my… delivery.”
He spoke each word deliberately, his teeth chattering.
His eyes rolled upward, seemingly avoiding the box.
“I don’t want you to think; I want to think.”
Liu Zheng steadied himself against the wall, standing upright.
“Besides, time’s up.”
He smiled.
The first delivery completed in 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
“No!”
The fat man screamed in terror, then abruptly fell silent.
His expression gradually turned indifferent, the odor around him intensifying.
“Thank you.”
Under Liu Zheng’s wary gaze, the fat man mechanically said this before closing the door.
Only a stench akin to the smell of decay lingered in the hallway.
“This delivery seems expensive after all.”
Liu Zheng looked at the doorplate of 503 and slowly headed back to the elevator.
-----------------
“Congratulations on surviving your first delivery.”
Back at the Bloody Restaurant, Niuma stomped his hooves in encouragement.
“Thanks, boss. Your warning was very helpful.”
Liu Zheng replied politely.
“Of course. I’m a three-time ‘Outstanding Employee’ of the Bloody Restaurant.”
Niuma boasted proudly.
“But you didn’t tell me the customer might refuse the order.”
Liu Zheng frowned slightly.
“I’m not obligated to tell you everything. Besides, extra information comes at a cost. What can you offer in return?”
Niuma said carelessly.
“You’re right.”
Liu Zheng nodded.
“You’re smart. Besides, you still delivered it, though at a bit of a cost.”
Niuma glanced at his arm.
“Can you see it?”
Liu Zheng raised his arm, which showed no sign of injury.
“Everyone can see it except you.”
Niuma said.
“Why?”
“Only a whole person can see what’s missing.”
Niuma looked at him with a gaze that was part pity, part mockery.
“For your sake, once you’re drained dry, I’ll help you pick a way to die.”
“I choose to die drinking Maotai.”
“Dream on. If that were possible, do you think you’d get the chance?”
Niuma rolled his eyes.
“By the way, boss, do you have any Maotai left?”
Liu Zheng asked subtly.
“No Maotai, but I have Maozitai. Want some?”
Niuma snorted.
“Sounds itchy. No thanks. Can you get me another bottle?”
“You’re hooked?”
Niuma gave him a sidelong glance.
I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.