Weird Rules: Start by playing God in Bikini Bottom!

Chapter 24 Zhenzhen, are you satisfied?

This is clearly aimed at him and SpongeBob.

The rules emphasize that the "satisfaction" of "key customer" Zhenzhen is directly linked to their "evaluation," which is likely related to the "tenfold deduction for messing up" mentioned by the crab boss, or even more serious consequences.

He quickly jotted down the key points: he had to leave before 3 a.m.; he couldn't mess with the cashier; there was a time limit in the fitting rooms; he had to stay away from unusual areas; he had to be careful of his companions getting separated and the announcements; and, most importantly, his mission was to make Zhenzhen "satisfied".

At this moment, the other surviving Chosen Ones followed their respective instances of Zhenzhen into the shopping mall. They too saw these rules. Their reactions varied:

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Naraku immediately took out his notebook and quickly copied down the key rules, especially the parts about time limits and dangerous areas, and highlighted the "accompanying personnel" reminder.

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Player Garen only glanced at the rules briefly, feeling dizzy and only remembering "leave before 3 o'clock" and "follow Zhenzhen." He felt confused and fearful about the details.

Zhenzhen was already having a great time trying on jewelry at the counter, holding up various necklaces and bracelets while directing SpongeBob:

"How about this one? And that one? Ugh, they're all so pretty, I can't choose!"

SpongeBob, meanwhile, sincerely offered all sorts of exaggerated praise.

Jiang Xiu walked over, maintaining a suitable distance so that he could be at Zhenzhen's beck and call at any time, while also being able to observe his surroundings.

He noticed that the saleswoman at the jewelry counter was an octopus-like woman with a standard, almost rigid smile and unblinking eyes. Her tentacles were serving several customers at the same time, and her movements were strangely fluid.

"Squidward! You've come at the perfect time!"

Zhenzhen picked up two necklaces with very different styles.

"Tell me, which looks more elegant, the one with the pearl or the one with the rhinestones? Tell me quickly!"

Jiang Xiu rolled his eyes inwardly, but outwardly displayed an octopus-like, slightly artistically discerning eye, glancing at her twice before saying in a perfunctory but not provocative tone:

"The pearl ones... are too classic, like something from a shipwreck from the last century. The rhinestone ones... sparkle a bit cheaply, like shattered glass bottles. But, if you really have to choose..."

He pointed to the rhinestone one, "At least it's noisy enough to match your shopping 'enthusiasm' today."

Upon hearing this, Zhenzhen wasn't angry at all; instead, she seemed thoughtful: "Hmm...you're right, Pearl is too old-fashioned! It should be removed!"

She made her decision with a smug look on her face and then started haggling with the octopus salesperson—of course, under the rule that "the cashier is always right," her haggling was destined to be futile, and she ended up paying the price as marked.

This is just the beginning.

Next, Zhenzhen seemed tireless, sweeping through the clothing section, the shoe and hat section, the cosmetics section... bags and bags of things quickly filled the shopping basket that SpongeBob was holding, and she started stuffing them into Jiang Xiu's hands.

Jiang Xiu remained vigilant throughout the shopping process.

He noticed that some of the fitting room mirrors in the clothing section did occasionally flash discordant reflections; the headphones on display in the electronics section were not being used, yet they emitted a faint hissing sound; and in the distance, he could vaguely hear distorted music drifting from the direction of the children's playground, but Zhenzhen was walking in another direction with great interest, so he took the opportunity to avoid it.

The other contestants were not so fortunate:

The contestant who was born was in the clothing area. Out of curiosity, he glanced at a black shadow that flashed by in the mirror. As a result, he was distracted and almost failed to keep up with Zhenzhen. After being scolded by Zhenzhen, his condition worsened.

Time passed, and it was approaching midnight. The number of "customers" in the shopping mall seemed to be gradually decreasing, and the lights began to flicker.

Zhenzhen was finally a little tired, but her eyes were drawn to the third floor, where a huge poster for the "Midnight Rare Items Auction" was hanging.

"Oh, right! The auction!"

Zhenzhen's eyes lit up.

"Dad seems to have mentioned that there will be some good stuff at the auction tonight! Maybe there will be some cheap rough gems! Let's go take a look!" she said, heading towards the third floor.

"An invitation is required for the auction."

Jiang Xiu immediately reminded him, according to rule number six.

"An invitation? Of course I have one!"

Zhenzhen pulled a gold-rimmed card with a skull and Christmas stocking design from her shiny little bag, waved it proudly, and exclaimed, "Dad got me this a long time ago! Let's go!"

Jiang Xiu's heart sank.

The auction is open to holders of special invitations only; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to attend.

Are they considered "unrelated personnel" since they are "accompanying staff"?

The rules do not specify whether accompanying persons can enter.

This is a gray area with extremely high risks.

He glanced at SpongeBob, who was still holding a large bag of things and looking expectantly at the third floor.

Players in other instances faced the same choice: follow along?

Or should we try to dissuade them?

Zhenzhen was already excitedly heading towards the escalator leading to the third floor.

Jiang Xiu knew that it was almost impossible to dissuade Zhenzhen from shopping, and it might directly lead to "dissatisfaction".

He had no choice but to grit his teeth and keep up, while his brain raced, considering the possible rules and dangers of the auction, and whether the echo conch and resonant acorn in his pocket could come in handy in this obviously "special event".

The clock struck midnight, seemingly echoing faintly somewhere in the shopping mall.

The auction is about to begin. The real highlight of this "Christmas Midnight Horror Sale" may be waiting for them on the third floor.

Carrying more and more shopping bags, Jiang Xiu stepped onto the escalator leading to the unknown area.

The escalator slowly ascended, taking Jiang Xiu, SpongeBob, and the excited Zhenzhen to the third floor.

The higher you go, the fainter the noisy music from the shopping mall becomes, replaced by a deep hum, like the working of some huge machine, mixed with a faint, strangely rhythmic pendulum sound.

The third floor was noticeably dimmer, with the main light sources coming from the eerie neon lights that constantly changed colors emanating from the central hall, and from the wall lamps on both sides that emitted a pale white light, spaced far apart.

Two tall, grouper-shaped security guards, dressed in black uniforms and wearing sunglasses, stood at the entrance to the central hall.

They stood like two statues, expressionless, scrutinizing everyone who approached.

Zhenzhen held her head high and waved the skull Christmas invitation in her hand, causing the security guard to step aside.

But when Jiang Xiu and SpongeBob, carrying a lot of stuff, tried to follow them in, one of the security guards stretched out his burly arm and blocked them.

"The invitation holder may bring a maximum of one 'attendant' into the venue."

The security guard's voice was dry and cold, like the rubbing of stones, "Judgment: Miss Whale, you may bring one person. The other person, stop."

Only one person can go in!

Jiang Xiu's heart tightened. SpongeBob clearly lacked the ability to handle such a complex and bizarre situation; letting him in was too risky.

But as "Squidward," he would normally be even less willing to get involved in such "troublesome matters."