Unlike ordinary players, Taotao's chat dialog box was pink with a delicate shimmer, exuding an air of sophistication.
"Wow, this is so cool!"
"I'll give you one."
With a few taps from Taotao, Qi Xu received a gift.
"Pink shimmer chat dialog box."
Without hesitation, Qi Xu equipped it immediately!
Then, following Taotao upstairs, Qi Xu couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment. After playing this survival game for over four years, this was the first time they'd discovered the monster shop had a second floor!
As soon as they stepped up, they spotted the shop's two other proprietors—a pitch-black three-tailed fox and an orange-and-yellow twin-tailed fox. The two froze for a moment upon seeing Qi Xu's flashy new accessory, then shot Taotao an envious glance. How had she managed to snag such a big-spending customer?
Though the two foxes smiled and chimed, "Welcome to the Monster Shop VIP section," their grins didn't quite reach their eyes.
Not wanting to make enemies with working monsters, Qi Xu politely nodded and trailed behind Taotao.
"Qiqi, look! Do you like anything here? Last time, you mentioned wanting a pink auto-collector mechanical arm—I’ve already gotten approval for it!"
Qi Xu winced.
They’d completely forgotten about that excuse they’d made back when they were broke.
Putting on an eager face, they replied, "Really? Let me see!"
Taotao happily handed over a tablet displaying the product’s animated ad, price, and detailed description.
[Upgraded Pink Auto-Collector Mechanical Arm: When gathering supply crates, no need to slow down—this arm automatically adjusts its reach for seamless collection. Best of all, it’s adorably pink and ultra-stylish!
Price: 1,000 Survival Coins]
Qi Xu’s heart ached—truly ached—but they pointed at the screen and declared, "I’ll take this one. The design is gorgeous."
This wasn’t impulsiveness. There was a type of disaster called "Darkness Descends," where monsters would swarm the roads and attack any vehicle that slowed or stopped.
Unless you had the power to slice your sister in half (figuratively, of course), stepping out of your vehicle to collect supply crates was pure fantasy.
The last time Qi Xu encountered this disaster, they’d driven nonstop for seven days straight—no autopilot back then, just a desperate reliance on fatigue-relief items, skipping meals and water, surviving on sheer willpower.
They’d nearly lost their mind.
So while this pink mechanical arm was pricey, it wasn’t entirely useless. At the very least, during "Darkness Descends," the supply crates were packed with high-value loot.
[Monster Shop Owner Taotao (Pink-White Twin-Tailed Fox) has increased her favorability toward you by 10 points! Current favorability: 75!]
"I knew you weren’t lying to me! My coworkers said your excuse sounded too flimsy—that you just didn’t have the money. Hmph! Good thing I didn’t believe them!"
Qi Xu forced an awkward chuckle. "How could I ever deceive someone as lovely as you, Taotao?"
Eager to change the subject, they scrolled to the next item.
[Pet Nutrient Pod: Speeds up pet growth while they rest or sleep.
Price: 100 Survival Coins]
[Universal Upgrade Card (Excluding Vehicles): Upgrades any upgradable item instantly, skipping the wait time.
Price: 200 Survival Coins]
[Full Autopilot System: The must-have for hands-free driving.
Price: 800 Survival Coins]
[Massage Chair: Quickly restores stamina and reduces fatigue.
Price: 100 Survival Coins]
Flipping further revealed nothing else. The first floor always had ten items, while the second floor seemed to stock only five.
"I’ll take these too. Any purchase limits?"
Taotao sighed regretfully. "Yes, dear Qiqi."
"Alright, then I’ll scan to pay." Qi Xu also pulled out their membership card.
The total came to 2,200 Survival Coins. After the membership discount, it was 1,760, but Qi Xu rounded up to 1,800.
"Can’t let my Taotao work for nothing. Keep the extra—spend it however you like. Since I’m your agent now, we’ll make money together! Treat yourself!"
Taotao clung to Qi Xu’s arm affectionately. "You’re the best..."
"So, what’s this month’s featured product?"
"I haven’t restocked yet. Any recommendations, dear Qiqi?"
"Something to beat the heat!"
"Got it!"
Taotao showered Qi Xu with every gift within her power—20 pre-packed sandwiches, stacks of flower cakes, bundles of rose tea—before reluctantly seeing them off at the door.
"Goodbye! Next time I visit the Monster Shop, I’ll message you first. Only when you’re around."
"Mhm! Taotao will miss you~"
Back in their vehicle, Qi Xu exhaled deeply. This trip had been wildly profitable! But with nightfall setting in, further travel was impossible.
Time to organize their haul—using items promptly was the smartest move.
First, they posted the autopilot system and their old auto-collector arm in the group chat.
"Autopilot system fresh from the Monster Shop—800 Survival Coins. The auto-collector arm is my old one, selling for 300 since I bought a new one."
Old White Dragon in the Waves: "Damn, I got scammed! Just had Wine Monkey buy one for me at 1,600!"
Chinese Master Chef: "Me! I want the mechanical arm!"
A private message followed, along with a transfer of 1,100 Survival Coins. "Boss, and the autopilot system you lent me before."
Invincible Black Whirlwind (Qi Xu): "Just 300 is fine. Keep the autopilot—it’s a gift."
Chinese Master Chef: "If I were broke, I’d shamelessly take it. But I’ve got coins to spare, so no worries!"
Since they insisted, Qi Xu didn’t refuse.
In the group, the autopilot system was snatched up by Bubbly Girl Guo Degang.
"Just finished renovating, ready to open for business! Haha! With autopilot, I can stay in the cabin and chat with monster passengers—build some connections!"
Invincible Black Whirlwind: "[Thumbs up!]"
After selling the big-ticket items, Qi Xu pulled out the Universal Upgrade Card, hesitating—should they upgrade the Pink Chainsaw or find another item?
First, they tried the Universal Copy-Paste Box, but it displayed: Cannot be upgraded.
Next, they placed the upgrade card inside the box, only to see: Requires 178,963 Energy Stones...
Well. That dream was dead.
Though they’d had this box for ages, they’d never used it. Copying cheap items was pointless—hardly any profit, and a waste of its once-a-month limit.
But copying anything valuable was impossible—ridiculous.
Finally, Qi Xu held the upgrade card over the Medicine Cauldron.
This time, a prompt appeared!
[Player Invincible Black Whirlwind, would you like to upgrade the Medicine Cauldron now?]
[Yes/No]
Qi Xu shouted, "YES!"
...........
