Standing in front of the elevator, Liu Zheng glanced at the time.
There were only 4 minutes left.
Fortunately, the elevator was stopped on the first floor; he should make it in time.
"Ding!"
The elevator doors opened, and he dove in, frantically pressing the close button.
Thankfully, the elevator ride went without any hitches.
20 seconds later, the elevator doors opened.
Liu Zheng bolted out like a wild horse off its reins, rushing to the door marked with the number 503.
"Hello, your delivery has arrived."
He knocked and called out.
There was no response from inside, nor did anyone open the door.
"Hello, your delivery has arrived."
He raised his voice and called out again.
Still no response.
"Open up, your delivery is here."
Liu Zheng's knocking grew wilder, and he even started kicking the door.
After a standoff of one minute, the person inside finally couldn't stand it anymore.
"Stop yelling, this isn't my delivery."
"How do you know it's not yours without looking?"
Liu Zheng challenged.
Perhaps finding his point valid, the door to 503 finally opened.
A plump man with a chunky appearance stood before Liu Zheng, giving off a strong body odor.
It was as if a large dog had been out wandering for a day without a bath and then ate half a pound of excrement.
"Give me the delivery slip."
He extended his hairy hand.
"Here."
Liu Zheng handed over the delivery slip.
"This isn't my delivery; I'm not taking it."
The chubby guy glanced at it and said.
"Is this the Merlin District?"
"Yes."
"Is this Building 3, Room 503?"
"That too."
"Since this is Merlin District, Building 3, Room 503, why on earth won't you take it?"
Liu Zheng's voice grew louder.
"I don't care; this isn't the delivery I ordered, and I just won't accept it. Unless... heh heh."
The chubby guy let out a sinister laugh.
"Unless what?"
"Unless you give me a piece of meat."
The chubby guy licked his lips, revealing his yellow and black rotten teeth.
"Heh."
Liu Zheng sized him up and down, weighing the possibility of using force to complete the delivery.
The conclusion was that the chances were slim.
Putting superhuman strength aside, the other guy's weight was at least 400 pounds.
In hand-to-hand combat, the advantage of being heavyweight is absolute.
Not to mention that all the chubby guy's vital spots were protected by layers of fat, severely limiting any technical maneuvers.
"What, you want to hit me? Hey, spit!"
The chubby guy sneered disdainfully and then spat a wad of thick phlegm right in front of Liu Zheng.
"A stinking delivery guy, I just won't accept it, what can you do to me?"
He opened his mouth wide, liberally spewing breath that could be considered a biological weapon.
Liu Zheng held his breath and glanced at his phone.
There was one more minute.
"Time's up, huh? Don't hesitate. One piece of meat for a life, it's a good deal."
The voice of the chubby guy suddenly became gentle.
The low-frequency sound waves caused his brain to resonate, strangely comforting.
30 seconds left.
"Why didn't you spit on me just now?"
Liu Zheng suddenly said.
"I'll spit wherever I want, none of your business."
The chubby guy said fiercely.
"You didn't dare, afraid to spit on my uniform."
"You're farting!"
The chubby guy's face changed abruptly.
Before he could react, Liu Zheng suddenly threw the delivery box into the room.
5 seconds.
"No!"
The chubby guy let out a deafening scream and then lunged for the delivery box.
"Anyway, I've delivered the meal; you can damn well eat it or not."
He forcefully shut the door and then leaned against it.
Almost instantly, a huge force came from inside the door.
Liu Zheng was slammed into the wall.
A metallic taste rushed to his throat, and a burning pain spread across his back.
But, probably no broken bones.
The door was also pushed open, hitting the wall with a loud crash that echoed down the hallway.
The chubby guy's corpulent figure reappeared, still holding the takeaway box.
"This, is, not, my, my, delivery."
He enunciated each word, his teeth chattering in his mouth.
His eyes rolled upward as if trying to avoid looking at the delivery box.
"I don't care what you think, I want what I think."
Liu Zheng propped himself against the wall, forcing himself to stand straight.
"And, time's up."
He said with a smile.
The first delivery, completed in 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
"No!"
Fat Boy let out a terrified roar, which abruptly stopped.
His expression gradually became indifferent, and his body odor grew stronger.
"Thank you."
In Liu Zheng's cautious gaze, Fat Boy said mechanically, then closed the door of his room.
Only the smell akin to that of a corpse lingered in the hallway.
"This delivery seems rather costly."
Liu Zheng glanced at the door plate of 503 and slowly walked toward the elevator.
-----------------
"Congratulations, you survived the first order."
Back at the Bloody Restaurant, Niu Ma stomped his foot to show encouragement.
"Thank you, boss. Your reminder was very helpful."
Liu Zheng said politely.
"Of course, I am the three-time 'Outstanding Employee' of the Bloody Restaurant," Niu Ma said proudly.
"But you didn't tell me the customer would reject the delivery," Liu Zheng frowned slightly.
"I am under no obligation to tell you everything. Besides, additional information comes at a price. What more do you have to offer?" Niu Ma said nonchalantly.
"You're right," Liu Zheng nodded.
"You're sensible, kid. Besides, you managed to deliver, even though it cost you a little," Niu Ma said, looking at his arm.
"You can see it?"
Liu Zheng raised his arm, which bore no sign of anything unusual.
"Everyone can see, except for you," Niu Ma said.
"Why?"
"Only the complete can see the incomplete," Niu Ma said, his gaze pitying yet mocking.
"Considering you're on the right track, kid, I can pick the way you die after you've been completely consumed," Niu Ma said.
"Then I'll choose to drink Mao Tai to death," Liu Zheng said.
"You wish; you think good stuff like that would fall to your turn?" Niu Ma rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of which, boss, do you still have Mao Tai?" Liu Zheng asked casually.
"I don't have Mao Tai, but I do have Mao Zi Tai; you want it?" Niu Ma hummed.
"Sounds scratchy, forget it. Can you get another bottle, though?" Liu Zheng asked.
"You've got a taste for it now?" Niu Ma glanced at him.
"No, I want to trade it for something," Liu Zheng told the truth.
"I can get it, but what do you plan to trade for it? I don't accept credit," Niu Ma didn't probe further.
"Meat?"
"The little meat on you wouldn't be enough for a bottle of Mao Zi Tai," Niu Ma said disdainfully, looking at him.
"Then you name your price," Liu Zheng said bluntly.
"How about this, beat the game Snake. Whatever the prize is, I'll trade a bottle of Mao Tai for it," Niu Ma thought for a moment and said.
"The 53-proof Ascending Mao Tai," he emphasized.
"Alright, alright, the 53-proof Ascending Mao Tai. You humans sure are crafty," Niu Ma said annoyedly.
"What if there's no prize?" Liu Zheng asked.
"We'll still trade, happy now?" Niu Ma said impatiently.
"Okay," Liu Zheng nodded.
"By the way, boss, if the order only has an address, does that mean as long as it's delivered, it's okay if no one signs for it?" Liu Zheng asked, recalling his recent delivery experience.
"Correct, that's why I said you're lucky. Those are the best kinds of orders to deliver," Niu Ma replied.
"And if they don't open the door?" Liu Zheng asked further.
"If they don't open up, you trick them. If trickery doesn't work, scare them. If you can't scare them, climb through a window or break down the door. There's always a way," Niu Ma said confidently.
"Impressive, truly worthy of being an 'Outstanding Employee,'" Liu Zheng expressed his admiration.
"The three-time 'Outstanding Employee,'" Niu Ma emphasized, raising three legs.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Suddenly, there came the sound of forceful banging from inside the storage locker.