Zhang Yi played his game while snacking on imported treats, living a comfortable and leisurely life.
Across the city of Tianhai, or rather 99% of the entire world, the power and water supply had been cut off. The water issue was somewhat easier to deal with. For those who couldn't stand it anymore, they could go outside and gather snow to melt for water.
But the power outage—that was the real nightmare. Modern people were fragile, and forcing them to live in subzero temperatures was essentially a death sentence.
Zhang Yi's neighbors were flooding the community group chat with cries of despair. Fear had driven them to huddle together, hoping for someone to bring them a glimmer of hope.
Chen Zhenghao, who had his leg broken by Zhang Yi earlier, was now dragging his injured leg around, on the verge of freezing to death at home. Already suffering from his injury, living in such extreme cold only doubled the pain.
And his gang of lackeys was faring even worse. While Zhang Yi had only doused them with water, in these temperatures, with no heating available, the indoor temperature had dropped to match the outdoors, reaching minus 50 to 60 degrees. Several of them had come down with high fevers, the lowest being 39°C, with some spiking over 40°C.
They had no foresight to stock up on medicines like ibuprofen, and going out to buy any in this weather was impossible. They could only grit their teeth and bear it.
This was why Zhang Yi hadn't killed them back then—letting them freeze to death slowly in despair was far more satisfying than a quick death!
Sitting on his carpet, Zhang Yi focused on his game. Outside, the frigid wind howled, carrying thick snowflakes. Inside, however, it was a cozy 27°C, bright and warm, with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment.
If there was one thing missing, it might be the company of a woman. But Zhang Yi wasn't a fool driven by lust. Having suffered because of a woman in his previous life, his top priority now was his own safety and quality of life.
Unless it was absolutely safe, he wouldn't let anyone into his secure home. In the apocalypse, human nature was unpredictable.
He had once seen a woman kill her own husband for a packet of instant noodles.
Just then, Zhang Yi's phone lit up again. Curious, he picked it up and saw that Aunt Lin had mentioned everyone in the group chat.
"Due to the heavy snowfall, which has greatly impacted everyone's lives, the official notification is that this snow will only last for a short period of time. To help everyone get through this difficult time and to ensure we all survive with dignity during these tough conditions, the neighborhood committee will now collect resources from every household and redistribute them fairly.
"This is an official order, and I ask that all households cooperate. If anyone acts selfishly and refuses to comply with the organization's arrangements, they will be dealt with accordingly after this crisis.
"Don't think you can defy our organization just because you feel confident in your own abilities. Remember, everyone has their own vulnerabilities!"
Zhang Yi let out a cold laugh.
It was the same trick as in his previous life. Aunt Lin, as a member of the neighborhood committee, didn't have much power, but she had more access to information than the average person. She had probably already realized that the apocalypse had struck, and the authorities in Tianhai City had fallen into chaos.
That's why she was using deception and threats to make people hand over their supplies. But her methods were clumsy—after all, she was just an old woman with a middle-school education.
Anyone with half a brain could tell something was wrong with what she said. Even if the authorities were to redistribute resources, there wouldn't be such a directive.
But in their building, with over 50 households, there were bound to be a few who were scared and would give in to Aunt Lin's demands.
Zhang Yi didn't plan to get involved. He just wanted to sit back and watch the show.
Sure enough, Aunt Lin's push to confiscate everyone's resources sparked anger.
Wang Min, a colleague of Zhang Yi's who lived on the 15th floor, was a frugal housewife. She often brought things home from the warehouse, and the neighbors were aware of it.
Now, with Aunt Lin trying to collect everyone's supplies, there was no way she could avoid it.
Wang Min spoke up, "The snow has blocked us in, and we can't go out. Everyone's barely managing with the food they have, and you want to collect everything and redistribute it? That's unreasonable."
Another resident, Sun Zhichao, chimed in, "It's hard enough for all of us right now. It's not right to take away what little we have left."
Aunt Lin gritted her teeth and pressed her finger hard against the voice message button.
"I've said it before, we're in an emergency situation, and desperate times call for desperate measures! The snow will pass soon, and you don't need to worry. It's just a temporary redistribution of supplies.
"There are families out there with nothing to eat. Are you really going to be that selfish? Can't you think about your neighbors for once?"
Some households were better off, but naturally, there were others who lacked supplies. Those who were short on food immediately sided with Aunt Lin.
"Exactly, we're all neighbors. What's wrong with helping each other out in times like these?"
"It's just some food and drinks. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be a problem to buy more, but this situation is only temporary!"
"This is a directive from the organization. If you don't comply, the consequences are not something you can afford to face."
The group chat erupted into a heated argument, with two opposing sides. Zhang Yi said nothing, and neither did the likes of Bai Lianhua, Fang Yuqing, or Lin Cainin, as they still had plenty of supplies at home.
But knowing their personalities, they wouldn't hand over a thing, even if threatened.
Zhang Yi's desire to enjoy the spectacle didn't last long, as Aunt Lin reached out to him directly.
"Xiao Zhang, you work at the warehouse, right? Your house must have plenty of food and drinks stocked up. I remember you buying three whole truckloads of supplies last time!
"Now that everyone's in trouble, it's time for you to step up and help out. Don't worry, once the snow passes, we'll make sure to return everything to you. People will appreciate your generosity."
Aunt Lin was stirring up fear in the group chat, creating panic among the weak-willed, then targeting individuals one by one. As long as she could fool even one household, she'd gain enough supplies to keep her and her grandson alive for a few more days.
And now, she had set her sights on Zhang Yi, the warehouse manager at Walmart.