Since the water pipes had frozen, the water supply in the community became a major issue. To get drinking water, residents had to brave the ultra-low temperature of over minus 70 degrees Celsius outside to collect snow from the first floor. However, melting the snow once it was brought back was also a big challenge. The indoor temperature was around minus 50 to 60 degrees Celsius, where ice was as hard as cement. Some residents, desperately thirsty, resorted to licking the ice with their tongues, only to have them stick and frostbite.
In recent days, through surveillance cameras, Zhang Yi discovered that Chen Zhenghao's men had been spying on him every day. Clearly, they thought Zhang Yi would eventually venture out to get water, planning to take the opportunity to kill him. However, for several consecutive days, they didn't see Zhang Yi leave his house. They couldn't imagine just how abundant his supplies were. As long as he wanted, he could live comfortably in his room until death.
"Is Chen Zhenghao still alive? He's quite resilient," Zhang Yi muttered to himself.
Chen Zhenghao had been shot in the calf. Without proper treatment, his leg would undoubtedly be ruined. Moreover, due to infection, his life was at risk. In such extreme temperatures, any wound could lead to a high fever. Surviving was simply a miracle!
"Could it be that the virus can't survive in such low temperatures, so he didn't die?" Zhang Yi, not well-versed in medicine, couldn't figure out why Chen Zhenghao was still alive. But he didn't care much. Who lived or died outside didn't affect him. Chen Zhenghao's death was just a matter of time.
The next morning, after waking up, Zhang Yi sleepily picked up his phone. Checking chat group messages and browsing forums to see the outside situation had become his greatest pleasure. In this apocalypse, watching others struggle in the extreme cold while he enjoyed a paradise-like life gave Zhang Yi a massive sense of satisfaction. At least, it kept his boredom and occasional loneliness at bay. Compared to those dying from cold and hunger or struggling on the brink of death, he felt incredibly fortunate.
When he opened his phone, he unexpectedly saw messages from Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining.
Fang Yuqing:
"Zhang Yi, I'm sorry. I think I was too cold yesterday, and I was in a bad mood. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you."
"You're right. I was too naive and ignorant in the past, not realizing who truly cared about me."
"Now I realize that you're the one who treats me best. Actually, I like you very much too."
"Can you forgive me? Let's live well together in the future!"
"I want to be your woman. Don't you feel lonely living alone?"
"I can come and keep you company so you won't be lonely in the apocalypse."
Zhang Yi sighed. The once haughty Fang Yuqing had finally lost all her dignity and arrogance in the face of disaster. Even after being ruthlessly mocked by Zhang Yi, she had to put aside her pride and grovel to him.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Zhang Yi shook his head—he had been so stupid in his previous life. If he had known she was this type of woman, would he have fallen for her? A woman like Fang Yuqing, who was worthless yet pretended to be a lofty goddess, was obviously cheap but acted pure.
Zhang Yi replied, "Although a rotten pear can quench thirst, I'm not that desperate yet."
He had inherited skills, and even if not, there were plenty of items in his dimensional space—high-end, fully realistic products developed by a certain cherry blossom country. It wasn't that Zhang Yi wanted them, but the Walmart warehouse had such a complete range of items.
After closing Fang Yuqing's chat window, Zhang Yi opened Lin Caining's. This woman was bolder than Fang Yuqing. Perhaps knowing her looks were inferior to Fang Yuqing's, and realizing she'd lose in a competition, she directly sent him several suggestive selfies. Compared to Fang Yuqing, Lin Caining was much more unrestrained—such behavior would have made her a social outcast in the past.
Zhang Yi quickly replied, "I feel nothing, not even a little smile." Then he ignored her.
He knew that after seeing the comfort of his home, these two women would do anything to get in. Now that they had abandoned their dignity to beg him, they would resort to any means. But so what? Zhang Yi had spent a fortune turning his home into a steel fortress to deal with any possible situation.
After receiving Zhang Yi's reply, Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining cursed furiously. They had already given up their dignity to beg Zhang Yi humbly. Especially Lin Caining, who had taken photos of herself from every angle and pose. How dare Zhang Yi say he wanted to laugh after seeing her photos? What a humiliation! Although she had no time or energy to dress up now, and her looks and figure were lacking, she was still a woman! Didn't she have any pride?
The two became more and more resentful. Their current life felt like hell—enduring both hunger and extreme cold. Zhang Yi's home was their last hope! Fang Yuqing gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with fury.
"If all else fails, we'll break into his house!"
"I must live in his house; I don't want to starve anymore!"
"If necessary, killing Zhang Yi doesn't matter!"
As long as she could live in Zhang Yi's house, she was willing to do anything now! Although she thought this way, she knew she couldn't take Zhang Yi on in a fight.
Her gaze turned to the next door. She and Lin Caining had already fallen out; their once "plastic sisterhood" was shattered. But now, Fang Yuqing needed someone to help her. She went next door and said to Lin Caining,
"That bastard Zhang Yi, he just watches us starve and freeze without letting us into his house."
"We can't just wait to die!"
"Such a nice house isn't worthy of him. Let's find a way to take his house by force!"
Upon hearing Fang Yuqing's suggestion, Lin Caining's eyes glowed greedily. Since begging Zhang Yi hadn't worked, they could only try to cheat or rob!
"Okay, I agree with you!"
"Zhang Yi, that bastard, doesn't deserve to live in such a nice house!"
"He should freeze to death and be eaten by wild dogs!"
"We are the most suitable to live in his house."