"I think I understand what you mean."
Inside the brightly lit convenience store, Zhou Ping, dressed in uniform, stood behind the register and listened carefully to Uncle Shang's explanation, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"...Are you sure you really understand?" Uncle Shang asked uncertainly.
"You came from 2012 and used some Forbidden Ruins to project your gaze into this era, all just to find me and have me help you fight."
Uncle Shang patiently explained again, "Strictly speaking, it's to use the current you to locate the 2012 you, help you grow in advance, and then..."
"And then help you fight?"
"...Yes."
Zhou Ping pulled down the brim of his cap, hiding most of his face, then turned and walked into the storeroom, leaving Uncle Shang standing alone in the empty convenience store.
Uncle Shang was still thinking about how to make Zhou Ping believe such an absurd story. Seeing him turn and leave, he froze briefly. Before he could recover, the storeroom door handle turned again, and Zhou Ping came out carrying several large boxes with steady steps.
"You..."
Confusion flashed through Uncle Shang's eyes. Just as he was about to say something, Zhou Ping's apologetic voice rang out.
"I'm really sorry, hold on a moment... I haven't finished stocking the shelves yet. If the boss comes and sees me slacking off, he'll dock my pay."
Uncle Shang: ...
"Anyway, I understand what you mean, but you may really have found the wrong person." Zhou Ping spoke seriously while working. "I don't have the kind of Forbidden Ruins you mentioned, and I'm not good at fighting either. I'm just an ordinary person..."
"Ordinary people can't see me. No, it should be said that none of the beings in this era—even gods—should be able to detect me, because the me here