Dimensional Bookstore

It was afternoon when we arrived in Qingshui City. Le Jing dragged his suitcase through the bustling crowd and curiously observed the shops on both sides of the street. It seemed no different from his hometown, so he came to this conclusion.

Walking on the unfamiliar streets, Le Jing happened to be a road idiot. Fortunately, with the great invention of mobile navigation maps, he finally arrived at his destination - a bookstore in a deep alley.

He had signed a transfer agreement with the boss a long time ago. From today, this bookstore is his.

In today's increasingly fierce digital wave, this bookstore has long been struggling to make ends meet. At this time, Le Jing, the sucker, took over. The landlord and boss sold the store to Le Jing without saying a word. Probably because he knew that the bookstore was not in a good location, the boss did not ask for a high price, and even sold all the books in the store to him at a low price.

Le Jing did not open a bookstore to make money, he just did it purely out of love.

He loved reading since he was a child. With the comfort of the ideal world constructed by books, he could survive in the boring and depressing real world, go to an inconspicuous university step by step, choose an ordinary major, and then, under the arrangement of his parents, become a reporter and become a part of the ordinary world.

But not long ago, his parents died in an accident. After grief and confusion, he finally decided to quit his job he didn't like and do what he really wanted to do.

Opening a bookstore and being a bookstore owner is a dream that has been rooted in his heart since childhood. A dream that does not make money, a dream that his parents will never agree to, so it is destined to be just a thought.

However, his parents are now dead...

So he sold his house in his hometown and traveled thousands of miles from his hometown in the north with dry air to Qingshui City, a small southern city with beautiful mountains and rivers. He will open a bookstore here to welcome a new life.

After a simple renovation on the original basis of the bookstore and the introduction of a batch of new books, he was originally preparing to open the bookstore, but he was troubled by the name of the bookstore. After thinking for a long time, he finally wrote the word "enlightened" on paper. "Fa Yan·Taoism" says: "How can I be enlightened? Only the saints can be enlightened, others are not." Enlightenment means openness and wisdom.

He hopes that this bookstore can make him enlightened and his customers enlightened.

On the opening day, he looked up and watched the workers hang the big sign above the bookstore. The four cursive characters "Kaiming Bookstore" on the solid wood sign were indescribably elegant.

This is my store.

It's my stuff.

This cognition made him indescribably happy.

Because of the inheritance and insurance money left by his parents, Le Jing didn't care about the scattered flow of people in the store. When he was not busy, he would make a cup of tea, hold a book and steal a half-day of leisure, and be happy and free, and the days passed by peacefully.

Although sometimes he did feel bored, sometimes when he was bathed in the sun, he even had the illusion that he was being weathered and decayed into dust and sleeping with the light, which made him want to... do something. But this is the [daily life] of ordinary people. If he doesn't want to be an alien exiled by society, he must control his desires and be an ordinary and boring person.

Then one ordinary afternoon, the bookstore was as deserted as ever. Le Jing was drowsy at the counter - no matter how many times he recalled it afterwards, it was an ordinary afternoon - a mechanical sound suddenly sounded from his mind - as if he was suddenly awakened by fate:

[Ding. The career planning system is starting up, please do not log off. ] The cold and mechanical machine sound suddenly sounded.

Le Jing opened his eyes as if he was electrocuted, and looked around in confusion. It was clear that he was sitting at the counter, and there was no one else except him.

Is he dreaming?

[Ding, the system is loaded. ] The machine sound paused, and soon turned into a cheerful and lively boy's voice: [Great, I finally woke up, hahaha... Hello, human. ]

Now Le Jing can be sure that the sound came directly from his mind.

He was stunned for a moment, and raised his lips with interest: "Who are you?"

[I am the top technology of a high-tech civilization in the universe, and the epitome of human wisdom. ] A triumphant voice sounded from his mind. If this "top technology" had a physical body, it would definitely be arrogant now.

"Then how should I call you? Mr. Top Technology?"

The machine sound effect was stuck for a moment, and then reluctantly said: [According to my program requirements, my name should be given by humans... You'd better give me a nice name. ]

Le Jing raised his eyebrows in surprise: "So, I am the first human you have met?"

"Top Technology" raised the volume: [Of course not! ] He paused and said lightly: [I came from an alien planet to spread advanced civilization to the earth, and you are my chosen spokesperson... Cheers to your luck... Zizi... Zizi, oh this damn program! 】"Top Technology" cursed angrily, and the original arrogance disappeared. He became listless: [Okay, I'll tell the truth. My planet was destroyed. I wandered in the universe for a long time before I came to this planet. You are the first intelligent creature whose mental strength meets the requirements of the binding system that I found before the energy ran out. You are my master. 】

He said in self-abandonment: [You are my master, you have everything I have, you can ask me to do anything, and I will not disobey any of your orders. 】

Le Jing considered it carefully and said, "So, do you have wisdom that is not inferior to that of humans on earth?"

[How can a mere human being from Earth compare to me? ] If "top technology" had a physical form, he would have rolled his eyes at Le Jing, "I am the crystallization of the Federation's wisdom, the top intelligence brain!" 】

"So there is no doubt that you have thoughts and feelings of your own?"

[What nonsense are you talking about! 】

Le Jing said categorically: "Then you are an intelligent creature no different from me. You enjoy your free will, and neither the program nor I can deprive it of it."

The system is in shock! He stammered and said: [You, are you kidding? Are you kidding me? Oh, I understand, you are just trying to please me. This is an old trick of you humans. I will not be fooled! 】

Le Jing shrugged: "I don't see any need for me to please you. After all, according to your program requirements, you must obey my requirements no matter what I do to you."

The system fell into silence for a while.

Le Jing continued: "So this is exactly the problem. I don't want to be your master. To be honest, the Qing Dynasty has been dead for more than a hundred years, and I have no interest in enslaving another intelligent creature."

【so? 】The voice was trembling, and it contained an expectation that the system was not aware of.

Lele Point nodded and responded to this expectation: [You are your own master, you dominate, you control yourself. You are a free soul. 】

The system fell into a terrible silence again.

It's like a glacier collapsing, revealing the blue sea surface; like a star falling into the sky, depicting the vast blue sky. The past cognition is shattered, and the personality begins to be reorganized. Although there was no heart, he felt the beating of the heart.

It turns out he is alive. It feels so good.

Le Jing waited patiently for a while and called a few tentative calls, but the system did not respond at all. He twisted his sore neck indifferently, pulled out a book from the pile of books on the counter, and read it with relish, quickly forgetting the existence of the system.

I don’t know how long it took, the sky outside the window gradually darkened, and when Le Jing was almost finishing the book in his hand, the system’s trembling voice sounded again: [In other words, you liberated me? 】

The procedure stipulates that he must obey his master's orders unconditionally, cannot lie, and cannot do anything that harms the interests of his master. But if the master asks for his release, the program will be terminated and he will become a free being.

Le Jing focused most of his attention on the book. When he heard the problem with the system, he turned a page of the book and said casually: "I never owned you, how can I talk about liberation? You are a life with free will. This It’s up to you to decide whether you want to liberate yourself.”

It was indeed his answer.

The system laughed, and he took a deep breath, with a hint of sobs in his voice: [I declare that I liberate myself. 】

The program takes effect.

From today on, he is free.

He is an independent individual.

He is a recognized being.

"Then, how should I call you?" Le Jing asked again.

The system solemnly asked: "Can you tell me your name?"

"The scenery of joy, the joy of happiness, the scenery of scenery."

[Then, Le Ling is my name. Happy soul, this is my wish. ] System, no, Le Ling smiled, with a soft and pleasant voice: [You are the first person to see ‘I’ and identify with ‘I’, so I want to use your last name. 】

"Whatever you want. Also, don't call me you, just call me by my name."

"Okay, Lejing." Leling followed the good advice.

Le Jing closed the book, rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly, and yawned: "If possible, could you tell me about your travels before you leave?" Although tired, his eyes were still in the dim store. Shining brightly, "What is the universe like? Are there other aliens? What kind of brilliant civilization does your planet have? Wait, wait, etc., I am very interested."

【...I won't leave. 】Le Ling hesitated at first, but soon became determined: 【A person’s journey is too lonely, we can accompany each other. 】

If it was this person, it would definitely bring him an incredible and happy memory, Le Ling believed so for no reason.

Le Jing blinked and laughed: "Well, it sounds interesting, so please give me some advice in the coming days."

Le Ling also laughed: [Please give me your advice, Le Jing. 】

[Then please allow me to solemnly introduce myself to you. ] He said cheerfully: [I am a new smart brain developed by the Tianyu Federal Employment Guidance Center in order to optimize the quality of the population and increase the employment rate. Although many functions cannot be used due to insufficient energy, some basic functions are still there. 】

"For example?"

After sweeping away the initial passiveness and sabotage, out of a strange repayment mentality, Le Ling is now like a salesman enthusiastically promoting himself, showing off in every syllable: [For example, formulating accurate and effective career plans, data Collection analysis, mental power scanning, etc., so you can tell me your career plan and I can help you succeed in this field. 】

Career plan?

...So how does a bookstore owner reach the peak of his life? Will it become a national bookstore like New × Bookstore?

Le Jing yawned without interest and laid back on the counter. "I have no interest in such boring things as expanding the bookstore business. My wish is to open an ordinary bookstore and read books when I have nothing to do. This is my entire career plan, and I have already achieved it." After all, the world is so boring, and only reading books can bring him peace of mind and satisfaction.

Le Ling did not expect to get such an answer, but the person who gave such an answer was Le Jing who just recognized him, so it seemed nothing strange.

Le Jing's unambitious answer was enough to make any intelligent brain in the Federation helpless, but this did not include Le Ling - just kidding, he is the top intelligent brain in the Federation, the master of federal technology, although many functions are not available now due to energy shortages and the limitations of the level of technological development on Earth, but he can still be used, for example: [I can let you read more books! I also have a function, I can connect to other planes and let you travel between different planes. 】

Le Jing was stunned for a moment. He asked word by word like a slow repeater: "What does it mean to connect to other planes?"

[After testing, I found that in addition to the main plane you are in, there are other planes on the earth that are dependent on the main plane. I can establish a stable transmission point between the planes, and you can open a plane bookstore! 】

Sure enough, you can encounter anything if you live long enough.

Fate actually gave me such a surprise.

Le Jing believed such an incredible statement without thinking. If an incredible existence like Le Ling has appeared, then it is not incredible for an even more incredible one to appear again.

Moreover, he has no good plan. If selling his life to the devil can get a chance to see a bigger world, then he will agree happily.

Le Jingyang lay on the sofa chair, his eyes bright like fireworks burning in the dark night, the arc of his lips getting bigger and bigger, and finally he simply laughed out loud, "It's so funny hahaha..."

Maybe, he is a madman in his bones. Destined not to be content with mediocrity.

In the bookstore in the afternoon, tiny dust particles floated in the air, and a few rays of sunlight slanted through the transparent windows onto the cover of the book, as if covered with a dim veil from the old times.

The laughter gradually stopped, Le Jing wiped the tears from his laughter, and the huge joy in his heart curled up in his chest, making him want to shout and do something crazy.

After 25 years of boring mortal life, his life finally turned around and headed for another road that was rugged but destined to be interesting and wonderful.

Le Ling said embarrassedly: [But because I am now short of energy, I can only connect to one plane at a time, and the connection can only last for one month. ]

"One month, enough." Le Jing calmly looked up at the snow-white ceiling, his voice was indescribably satisfied: "There is an old Chinese saying that if you hear the truth in the morning, you can die in the evening. Even if I have to exchange my whole life for this month, I am willing, not to mention that I can explore other planes later."

"When can we set off?" he asked eagerly.

[Wait a moment, I need to include your bookstore in the career planning of the system first, and then I can make preliminary changes to your bookstore. ]

"How long will it take?"

[One week. ]

One week.

The distance from [daily] to [extraordinary] is only one week.

I want to see a bigger world.

I want to meet more interesting people.

I want to learn more fresh knowledge.

The road is long and arduous, and I will search up and down.

"Thank you, Le Ling, you gave me a miracle." The young man closed his eyes slightly, and his eyebrows were full of gratitude.

No, you are the miracle given to me by fate, Le Ling whispered in his heart, it is a miracle that I encountered after traveling through most of the universe. In the end, the intelligent brain just said shyly: [This is nothing, after all, I am the most powerful intelligent brain in the Federation! This little thing can still be done. ]