Zhang Yi glanced at her upon hearing her words.
Zhou Ke'er, afraid that Zhang Yi would think of her as overly compassionate, quickly explained, "At that time, the snowstorm had just started. I thought it would pass quickly."
Zhang Yi smiled indifferently, placing his phone on the table and crossing his arms.
"That's not the issue."
"The supplies you gave them should've been used up long ago. What has she been surviving on?"
Zhou Ke'er, who had just been biting into a rib, quietly put it back into her bowl after hearing Zhang Yi's question.
"Lin Xiaohu died about ten days ago because there was no medicine."
Zhang Yi nodded. "That makes sense, then."
He suddenly chuckled. "Lin Chunxia used to say that Lin Xiaohu was her heart and soul, that she couldn't bear to be without him. Well, she certainly lived up to her words."
Zhou Ke'er couldn't help but cover her mouth, glaring at Zhang Yi playfully.
"I'm eating here!"
"Hahaha!"
Seeing that his joke had landed, Zhang Yi couldn't help but laugh.
He suddenly realized that having a woman around really made life more interesting.
At least he had someone to talk to, and it wasn't so boring.
In the middle of their conversation, a shout suddenly came from outside.
The two of them turned their heads to look out the window.
About forty meters away, at Building 18, a naked man was standing on the balcony, raising his arms and shouting into the wind.
Then, under their gaze, he dove off like a professional diver.
Zhou Ke'er's brows furrowed slightly, and she sighed, "When will this snow disaster finally end?"
In this post-apocalyptic world, many had chosen to end their lives out of despair, unable to see any hope for the future.
Zhang Yi shook his head. "Who knows? The changes in nature are beyond human control with our current technology."
"As long as we survive, that's all that matters."
As they continued talking, Zhang Yi's phone suddenly rang.
He picked it up and saw that it was Uncle You, the building's security guard.
Thanks to his experience in the previous life, Zhang Yi only trusted two people in this life.
One was Uncle You, and the other was Zhou Ke'er.
Both of them had sacrificed themselves for others and upheld human morality to the end.
That's why he allowed Zhou Ke'er into his home and made her his servant.
As for Uncle You, he was the second-largest hoarder of supplies in the building after Zhang Yi.
Even now, his stock of supplies remained relatively plentiful.
A single man in his forties, with no wife or children, working as a security guard—it was only natural for him to hoard cheap instant noodles and sausages to save on living expenses.
Zhang Yi answered the phone.
"Hello, Uncle You."
"Zhang Yi, haha, how... how are you doing?"
Uncle You stuttered, speaking with an awkward chuckle.
Zhang Yi had known him for many years, and he knew that this kind of tone usually meant Uncle You needed a favor but felt embarrassed to ask.
Zhang Yi thought for a moment.
If Uncle You was asking to borrow supplies, he could give him some.
After all, the old security guard had served in the army for five years and was physically fit.
In the future, if anything happened, Zhang Yi could call him in as backup, even as a human shield if necessary.
So Zhang Yi was happy to give him a little help.
"Uncle You, I'm doing okay. But with an extra mouth to feed, the supplies are running out faster."
He glanced at Zhou Ke'er.
Zhou Ke'er blushed slightly and kept her head down, continuing to eat her rice.
"Oh, yeah, that's a real issue. More people means more food, yep."
Uncle You's tone grew weaker, as if he was too embarrassed to continue.
After hesitating for a while, he finally said, "Zhang Yi, I... I need to ask you for a favor."
"Uncle You, no need to be so formal with me. Just say it. If I can help, I'll do my best."
Uncle You said shyly, "Well, it's like this. Xie Limei's daughter, Tangbao, has a fever, and I don't have any medicine at home."
"Her whole body is red, and her mom and I are both worried sick. Do you... have any medicine?"
By the end, Uncle You's voice was trembling with desperation.
Zhang Yi's eyes widened in surprise, as if he had just heard some juicy gossip.
Wow, who would've thought Xie Limei found Uncle You as her white knight!
This woman certainly had good instincts, managing to pick the second-best prospect in the building after Zhang Yi among all the bachelors.
But thinking back to Xie Limei's situation in the previous life, Zhang Yi immediately understood.
She always appeared pitiful, but she outlived even Zhang Yi, proving she wasn't as innocent as she looked.
Xie Limei wasn't even thirty yet, and though her looks were only about a 6, her figure was still very full from childbirth.
Uncle You, a lifelong bachelor, couldn't possibly resist the allure of such a mature woman.
Zhang Yi didn't intend to meddle in other people's personal affairs.
If Xie Limei managed to find someone to help raise her child, that was her skill.
Zhang Yi said, "Oh, so that's what's going on. Congratulations, Uncle You!"
Uncle You, embarrassed, replied, "What's there to congratulate? We're just getting by together. You know my situation—if not for the snowstorm, I wouldn't have found a wife."
Zhang Yi said, "I still have a few boxes of medicine. You can come by and pick them up later."
His tone was casual, but the words "a few boxes" carried a key message.
It subtly implied that Zhang Yi didn't have much fever medicine left either.
But despite the cold and the shortage of supplies, he still generously offered some to Uncle You!
Think about it. Zhang Yi is so righteous and kind to you. How could you not be willing to risk your life for him in the future?
Sure enough, Uncle You was too moved to speak for a moment.
"Zhang Yi, how can I ever thank you?"
"You've helped me twice now. I, You Jiguang, swear that if you ever need me in the future, and I refuse to help, then I'm not worthy to be called a man!"
Uncle You swore in excitement.
Zhang Yi laughed. "Uncle You, there's no need to be so formal. We've known each other for years. To me, you're like family, just like my own uncle!"
"Don't be polite with me. Just come get the medicine."
Across the table, Zhou Ke'er pouted playfully, looking at Zhang Yi with a mischievous expression and even sticking her tongue out at him.
It was only now that she realized Zhang Yi, beneath his cold and cautious exterior, also had such a cunning side.
Zhang Yi slipped his foot out of his slipper and playfully nudged Zhou Ke'er's long legs under the table, gradually moving upward.
Her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed onto the table.
Just when she thought Zhang Yi was about to take things further, he calmly stood up and walked away from the table.
Zhou Ke'er slammed the table in frustration.
"Arsonist!"
She cursed in a low voice, her face flushed bright red.