By the time she was done with the call, Louisa had already arrived. She wore a pink sweatshirt and matching pants, her red hair draping over her shoulder.
She was as cute as an elf, and Sienna's expression softened.
"Which restaurant shall we go to?" Louisa asked with shining eyes. She was as much a foodie as she loved cooking.
Sienna smiled. "Whichever you wish."
The little girl's eyes lit up. "Then Moon Lake Restaurant! Their Mapo Tofu is what I live for!"
Sienna nodded. "Alright."
She glanced at the key in her hand, turning it over. It belonged to a Range Rover.
With Louisa leading the way, they arrived at the garage. There were three luxurious cars parked inside.
Her Range Rover Autobiography stood out the most with its sleek appearance. She was truly doted on.
They got into the car and drove to the restaurant, parking in the crowded lot.
Louisa murmured as they entered, eyes darting. "There are so many people today."
Sienna hummed in agreement, her gaze sweeping across the bustling restaurant. There were barely any seats, and the waitstaff could be seen constantly moving around.
"Probably because it's lunchtime."
Louisa shook her head. "I came last week. Not many people though." She pointed towards the counter. "Even Boss Grey is helping with the serving."
The Boss glanced up and quickly approached them, sweating but smiling. "Little Young Lady, you came today."
Louisa beamed. "Of course! I can't get enough of your tofu."
"Hahaha, you flatter me. I'll arrange a seat right away."
He glanced at Sienna. "Please, come this way."
"Thank you."
"By the way, why's it so crowded today?" Louisa asked.
Boss Grey chuckled. "Probably because of the weather. It's been crazy lately. Today hit 0°C. Everyone's craving something hot and spicy."
Louisa blinked. "That's true, but wait —it's summer, isn't it?"
"That's the thing," he said. "No one knows anymore. It's hot one moment, freezing the next."
Sienna's expression froze.
0°C in summer.
Of course.
Drastic weather changes — she remembered it all too well. In the novel, before the actual apocalypse began, the climate had spiraled out of control. The weather forecast had become as unreliable as a broken clock. One day it was sunny, the next day felt like the Arctic had swallowed the Earth.
Humans were indeed adaptable, and they quickly got used to it.
Then came something even more extreme — the unbearable heat. Temperatures soared to 60°C and beyond, day after day.
People were dropping dead from heatstroke just walking to the store. Birds plummeted from the sky. Wildfires spread like paint on paper.
Governments issued stay-at-home orders. "Avoid sunlight. Avoid exertion. Stay hydrated."
The sun scorched the sky for over fifteen hours a day, forcing people to live nocturnally. But that also didn't last two weeks when the weather flipped.
Suddenly, the world plunged into a numbing coldness. Even breathing hurt. Skin froze within minutes, and people got frostbite faster than they could blink—literally. Even blinking could get your eyelids stuck together.
People started dying of hypothermia and hunger, unable to leave their home to get food, since they would freeze the moment their feet touched their front step.
And finally, it rained.
It was unexpected, but the day it rained, the weather was normal in the morning. Extremely normal. It was as if those previous days were all but a nightmare.
For the first time in weeks, people stepped outside, laughing and crying, thinking maybe… just maybe, it was over.
But guess what? It wasn't.
It was just the beginning.
It rained. Not water, but something deadlier. For some reason, it was the corrosive kind.
Skin melted, and people cried in agony.
Many died, and the world's population plummeted.
But that didn't stop.
Instead, the world officially entered the apocalypse era.
Because the people hit by that rain didn't die, no, they became zombies — rotting, mindless, bloodthirsty creatures that filled the street.
Sienna clenched her fist, her heart pounding.
She had to gather everything she would need quickly.
Food.
Supplies.
Everything.
The urgency gnawed at her gut, making her feel restless.
The system gently reminded her. [Host, don't fret too much. You just got here a few hours ago. You still have a few weeks left before the extreme weather begins.]
Sienna calmed a bit.
That's right.
She still had time.
Worrying wouldn't solve any problems and would only cause unnecessary ones.
A seat was quickly arranged for them at the corner of the restaurant.
"My usual." Louisa told the Boss. She turned to Sienna. "Sister?"
"I'll have the same as you."
The owner nodded and hurried away.
Louisa's stomach growled like a starving beast, making Sienna chuckle softly.
But she soon realized why. When the Mapo Tofu arrived, the aroma hit instantly — spicy, savory, with that deep umami punch. The dish was a vibrant red, bubbling slightly from the heat, scattered with green onions and just the right amount of chili oil glistening on top. Silky tofu cubes floated in the thick, fiery sauce, and you could tell it had that mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorn. The smell alone made Louisa clap her hands in delight.
Even Sienna swallowed, stomach growling.
"Enjoy!" The owner beamed and left.
Without another word, the two sisters dug in.
Louisa squealed dramatically.
Sienna paused a bit, her eyes widening at the taste of the delicacy.
No, she had never had anything like this.
Not in the military or in the lab.
And right now… she thought she saw heaven for a moment.
Damn, this world had some mad cooking skills!
Louisa took a sip of her tea and murmured under her breath. "I wish I could eat like this forever."
Suddenly, Sienna's eyes lit up.
Yes, the apocalypse wouldn't last forever, but during the time it lasted, food had become rarer than people themselves.
She couldn't cook. But she could store.
Meals like this—she could preserve them in her space!
She glanced at the girl beside her, eyes shining as if she had found a treasure. Well, she just had.
"Louisa… sister needs your help with something."
Louisa blinked, chopsticks mid-air. "Huh?"
Sienna smirked devilishly. "Nothing major. Let's get home first."