July was scorching, and the afternoon sun was still blazing, making one's scalp tingle.
Lin Fei struggled to pedal his tricycle delivery vehicle, sweat streaming down his chin. His work clothes were already soaked through, clinging tightly to his back, sticky and irritating.
The back of the tricycle was empty, with only one package left.
"Damn it, this awful weather is killing me,"
he spat, wiping the sweat from his face, and squinting at the address on his phone.
"Sunshine Garden, Building 3, 702... Huh? Wait, isn't this my next-door neighbor?"
Lin Fei paused, carefully checking again.
Yes, it was the old neighborhood where he rented, the same building, the same unit.
He lived in 701, a tiny single room.
Next door, in 702, lived a newlywed couple, rumored to be high-ranking executives at some big company, high-class people.
Whenever they met, they looked down on him, a lowly deliveryman, never giving him a second glance.
"Damn it, the last fare is from this place."
Lin Fei muttered, but resignedly turned his bike around and rode towards his home. He had no choice; he needed to earn a living.
...
Parking his bike downstairs, Lin Fei, carrying the not-so-large cardboard box, went up to the seventh floor with practiced ease.
Standing in front of the high-security door of 702, he took a deep breath, adjusted the stiff muscles in his face caused by the heat and fatigue, and rang the doorbell.
"Ding-dong—"
Light footsteps came from inside, and the door clicked open.
A cool breeze mixed with a pleasant perfume wafted out, instantly invigorating the overheated Lin Fei.
Standing in the doorway was his newlywed neighbor, Su Man.
Lin Fei had seen her a few times, and each time he thought she was indeed beautiful—the kind of striking, almost aggressive beauty that made people afraid to look directly at her.
Today, she was at home, dressed even more revealingly: a tight-fitting tank top and denim shorts that were practically too short for her.
Those legs were exposed to the air without any cover.
Fair, long, straight, their lines as smooth as a meticulously sculpted work of art.
Sunlight streamed in from the balcony, even casting a faint halo around her legs.
Lin Fei felt his breath catch in his throat.
He was a normal man, out in the wind and rain all day; he'd never seen anything like this before. His gaze lingered on those beautiful legs for a couple of seconds longer than expected.
Just two seconds.
"What are you looking at!"
A cold, disdainful shout, like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, snapped him back to reality.
He met Su Man's beautiful almond-shaped eyes.
At that moment, there was no politeness in those eyes, only undisguised disgust and contempt, as if she were looking at some filthy garbage.
"I…I'm delivering a package, please sign for it." Lin Fei quickly lowered his head, handing over the package, his voice a little hoarse.
"Just because he's a delivery guy doesn't mean he can look at things like that! You're disgusting !"
Su Man snatched the box away, her sharp nails almost scratching Lin Fei's hand. Her ample chest heaved slightly with anger, her tone cutting, "You lowlifes are just so low-class! Your eyes are lewd, your minds are filthy! I'm going to complain about you! What's your employee number?" Lin Fei's face flushed red, blood rushing to his head. A mix of frustration, anger, and the embarrassment of having his thoughts exposed clenched his fists. Just then, a man in casual loungewear and gold-rimmed glasses approached, Su Man's husband, Li Zhe. He put his arm around Su Man's shoulder, his gaze sweeping over Lin Fei's employee badge like a cold searchlight. "What's going on?" Li Zhe's voice was calm, yet carried a condescending pressure. "Honey! This delivery guy, he… he just stared at my legs with those disgusting eyes!" Su Man immediately nestled into her husband's arms, her voice filled with grievance, her finger pointing directly at Lin Fei. Li Zhe's gaze instantly turned colder. He pushed up his glasses, looked at Lin Fei, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "Lin Fei, is it? You've got some nerve." His tone was indifferent. "A delivery guy like you dares to fantasize about my wife? Fine, I'll remember you." He paused, each word carrying a chilling edge: "I'm fairly familiar with your area manager. You don't need to come to work tomorrow. I'll have someone 'arrange' things for you." He emphasized the word "arrange. " Lin Fei felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, his blood running cold. He looked at the glamorous, arrogant couple before him, at the undisguised contempt and threat in their eyes, his teeth grinding. He wanted to argue, to curse, even to punch that hypocritical face. But he couldn't. He needed this job. Without income, how would he pay next month's rent? How would he eat? All his bravado crumbled into laughable bubbles in the face of harsh reality. Lin Fei gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched so tightly that he used almost all his strength to squeeze out a few words. "I...I'm sorry...I wasn't paying attention...Please, please don't complain..." His back involuntarily bent, his posture so humble it seemed to sink into the mud. Li Zhe seemed quite pleased with his cowardly appearance, scoffed, and without bothering to say another word, slammed the door shut with a loud "bang."
The heavy security door separated two worlds. Inside, a cool, fragrant afternoon belonged to the elite. Outside, the sweltering, filthy reality of a lowly deliveryman.
Lin Fei stood bent over at the door for a full half minute.
Then, he straightened up, silently turned around, took out his key, and opened the door to room 701 next door.
...
"Clang."
The old iron door slammed shut behind him, shutting out everything outside.
Lin Fei leaned against the cold door and slowly slid down to the floor.
The cramped single-room rental room was as stuffy as a steamer because of the afternoon sun. But he felt nothing; only a cold, lifeless silence remained in his heart.
Anger, humiliation, resentment... gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes.
Why?
Why could they be so high and mighty, arbitrarily deciding other people's fates?
Why should he pay the price of losing his job just for glancing at him unintentionally?
Just because he was poor? Because he was an incompetent deliveryman?
"Damn it!"
Lin Fei slammed his fist into the concrete, his hand instantly bleeding and bleeding, but he felt no pain.
A wave of powerlessness washed over him.
In this cold, realistic city, he was as insignificant as a speck of dust. Those with money and power could crush him to dust with a flick of their fingers.
Should he accept his fate?
He was unwilling!
But what else could he do but accept it?
...
Just as Lin Fei was swallowed by despair, his eyes gradually becoming vacant—
[Ding!]
A cold, emotionless mechanical voice suddenly rang out from the depths of his mind.
[Detected strong unwillingness and will to survive in the host, meeting the binding conditions... Activating the Doomsday Sign-in System...]
[Activation successful! This system aims to help the host survive in the apocalyptic environment.]
[Doomsday Warning: Earth will be struck by an unknown super-strong cold wave in 24 hours, at this time tomorrow, entering the "Winter Apocalypse" era. Global temperatures will plummet to below minus fifty degrees Celsius and remain there for an extended period, accompanied by extreme blizzards. ] [Please prepare yourself as soon as possible!]
Lin Fei suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
System? Doomsday?
He pinched his thigh hard, the intense pain telling him this wasn't a hallucination!
[Daily check-in available. Check-in rewards are the following four items, randomly refreshed daily, the host can only choose one to claim.]
[Check-in available today, check-in now?]
A semi-transparent blue screen suddenly appeared in the air in front of him, clearly listing four pieces of information:
[1. Receive various living supplies daily (including but not limited to food, drinking water, daily necessities, etc.).]
[2. Receive a bottle of physique enhancement potion (slightly improves overall physical fitness).]
[3. Receive unlimited energy blocks (compatible with most civilian electrical appliances, providing permanent energy).]
[4. A box of toothpicks that never runs out (it automatically replenishes after each toothpick is pulled out. Hmm, maybe I can pick my teeth in the apocalypse?)]
Lin Fei stared blankly at the screen, his mind a complete blank.
A deluge of information overwhelmed him.
The system was real! The apocalypse… was real too! Tomorrow, the world would be completely changed!
After the initial euphoria came an unprecedented sense of urgency and panic.
He forced himself to calm down, his gaze fixed on the four options.
The second, a physique-enhancing potion, sounded tempting. In the apocalypse, a strong physique was absolutely essential for survival.
The third, an unlimited energy block! This thing was practically a godsend! It meant he would have continuous warmth and electricity in the extreme cold! The temptation was immense.
The fourth… a direct pass! What the hell was that?! In the apocalypse, what use was a box of toothpicks that would never run out? Was he kidding?
His gaze finally settled on the first option:
[Receive various daily necessities at set times.]
Food, water, daily necessities…
in the extreme cold of minus fifty degrees Celsius, these things were the most basic and crucial guarantee for survival!
Energy was important, but without food and water, how long could energy sustain him?
The increased physical strength might make him more resistant to the cold, but the feeling of starving and dying of thirst was far worse.
Moreover, "daily scheduled replenishment" meant a stable and sustainable supply!
Given the uncertainty of how long the apocalypse would last, this was the safest and most reassuring choice!
"Damn it, I'll risk it!"
Lin Fei's eyes hardened, and he no longer hesitated.
"System, I choose 1!"
[Selection successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the "Daily Supplies" permission. Starting tomorrow, every day at midnight, the system will automatically distribute random types of living supplies to the system space (initial space 10 cubic meters, which can expand as the host's mental strength increases). First-time sign-in reward has been issued, please check!]
The screen flickered, option 1 became highlighted, and the other three options dimmed and disappeared.
At the same time, Lin Fei felt his consciousness connect to a void space of about ten cubic meters. At this moment, the space was empty, with only a small pile of things lying there alone—a few packs of compressed biscuits, a few bottles of mineral water, and a few pieces of chocolate.
Not much, but it represented hope!
With this, he had a chance to survive the impending hell!
Lin Fei stood up, walked to the window, and looked out.
The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the city with a golden hue; cars streamed by, neon lights began to glow, a facade of bustling prosperity.
Who could have imagined that 24 hours later, this place would be transformed into a frozen hell?
His gaze involuntarily turned to the tightly closed door of the room next door.
Li Zhe, Su Man…
aren't you high and mighty?
Aren't you going to "arrange" me?
A cold, icy smile slowly curved his lips.
Just wait.
Tomorrow, the world will be different.
We'll meet again then.
He eagerly awaited the expressions on the faces of that elite couple.
Lin Fei slept very restlessly that night.
In his dreams, one moment he saw Su Man's long, fair face, yet it carried an icy chill; the next, he saw Li Zhe's cold, threatening gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses; and finally, he saw a swirling, all-encompassing snowstorm engulfing him .
He sat bolt upright in bed, his heart pounding.
Outside, dawn had broken, and all was deathly still.
No, not still.
He listened intently; a faint, dense rustling sound was constantly tapping against the windowpane.
He threw back the thin blanket, and an unprecedented chill instantly enveloped him, sending a shiver down his spine. He
rushed
to the window, pulling back a corner of the slightly yellowed curtains—
outside, everything was a blanket of white.
Not ordinary winter snow. It was a blizzard.
The snowflakes, as dense as goose feathers, poured down from the greyish-white sky like an unbreakable wad of cotton, almost obscuring the outline of the building across the street.
In just one night, the flowerbeds, vehicles, and roads below were all covered in a thick layer of white, and this thickness was increasing at a visible rate.
The cold wind howled, swirling up the snow and creating a cacophony of howls.
Lin Fei subconsciously reached for his phone beside his pillow to check the time.
5:47 AM.
What about the temperature?
He remembered it was over 30 degrees Celsius during the day yesterday, and even with the windows closed before bed, the room was still quite stuffy.
Now…
He reached out a finger and carefully touched the cold glass.
A bone-chilling cold instantly spread from his fingertip.
A thick layer of glistening frost had already formed on the glass.
"It's here… it's really here…"
Lin Fei murmured to himself, his heart feeling as if gripped by an invisible hand, a mixture of anticipated heaviness and a natural fear of the overwhelming power of nature.
He took a deep breath of the icy air, forcing himself to calm down.
Turning around, he quickly pulled on his thickest down jacket, pulled out his winter beanie, and breathed warm air onto his stiff hands.
After doing this, he immediately immersed his consciousness into the system space.
Inside, there were still only the few packets of compressed biscuits, a few bottles of mineral water, and a few pieces of chocolate he'd received from checking in last night. Not much, but it felt like a reassurance.
[Check-in available today. Check-in now?]
The cold, mechanical voice sounded in his mind precisely on time.
The blue screen reappeared.
[1. Multi-functional wilderness survival knife (high-strength alloy, integrated with compass, fire starter, etc.)]
[2. Portable high-efficiency heater (no external power required, continuously emits heat, temperature adjustable within a small range, maintaining a maximum temperature of 25°C within three meters)]
[3. Anti-gravity skateboard (basic version, one-hour battery life, maximum lift of one meter off the ground)]
[4. A pack of cigarettes that never runs out (smoking is harmful to health, but in the apocalypse, it might be used to exchange for supplies?)]
Lin Fei's gaze quickly swept over the four options.
The first, the survival knife, was very practical, an excellent choice for self-defense and tools in the apocalypse.
The third, the anti-gravity skateboard? This thing sounded like science fiction, but in this knee-deep or even deeper snow, a one-hour battery life and a one-meter lift off the ground seemed a bit useless, and too conspicuous.
The fourth, skip it directly.
His gaze finally locked firmly on the second option.
[Portable high-efficiency heater (no external power required, continuously emits heat, temperature adjustable within a small range, maintaining a maximum temperature of 25°C within three meters)]
No power required! Temperature control!
What's the temperature outside? Although he didn't have a thermometer, he felt it was definitely below zero, and it was dropping rapidly! Where's the electricity? Where's the water? How long can it last?
This heater is a godsend, the only thing that can guarantee his survival right now!
With it, at least in this room that's rapidly turning into an icebox, he can have a small, warm oasis!
"Option 2!"
Without hesitation.
[Selection successful! Congratulations, host, you have obtained a "Portable High-Efficiency Heater." It has been stored in the system space and can be retrieved and used at any time.]
The screen disappeared. Lin Fei immediately probed his space with his consciousness. Sure enough, next to the pile of food in the corner, there was a palm-sized, silver-white metal device with a simple design, resembling a small speaker.
He took it out.
It felt slightly heavy and cool to the touch. It only had a simple power button and a small LCD temperature display.
Following the instructions from the system, he pressed the power button.
A soft "beep" sounded.
The LCD screen lit up, displaying the current ambient temperature: 7℃.
Immediately, a warm, gentle airflow emanated evenly from the heater's vents.
A miracle occurred.
Centered on the heater, a noticeable warmth began to dispel the surrounding chill.
The biting cold quickly subsided, as if an invisible shield had enveloped an area of about three meters, creating a warm and comfortable zone.
The numbers on the LCD screen began to fluctuate: 8℃…10℃…15℃…
finally, stabilizing at 25℃.
Standing in this warm "circle," feeling his toes and fingers regain their flexibility, Lin Fei was almost moved to tears.
He carefully placed the heater in the center of the room, making sure his bed and a small area to move around were covered. Then, he went to the window and looked outside again.
The snow was falling even harder.
The wind was howling even more fiercely.
The sounds of the whole world seemed to be swallowed up by the endless snow, leaving only the howling wind and the falling snow. The sky was still dark, with no sign of dawn.
Just then, his phone, which was charging on his bedside table, suddenly started vibrating violently, and the screen lit up, displaying countless WeChat message notifications.
Lin Fei went over and picked up his phone. He
unlocked it and opened the "Sunshine Garden Happy Neighborhood" group, which he had set to Do Not Disturb but was now incredibly active.
The messages were exploding.
[Aunt Zhang from 701: My goodness! Is this snowing or cotton? I've lived most of my life and never seen such heavy snow! We can't even open the windows!]
[Xiao Wang from 502: @Everyone, does anyone have any extra food?] [I just moved in yesterday, and I only have a few packs of instant noodles left. This snow doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon!]
[Grandma Li from apartment 303: The heating seems to be off. The water pipes are ice cold to the touch. Where's the property management? @Property Management-Xiao Chen]
[Property Management-Xiao Chen: Everyone, please calm down! We've received notice that this is extreme weather. The city's heating pipes may be experiencing problems, and the power is being repaired! Please remain calm and try not to go outside!]
[Manager Zhao from apartment 1102: What the hell! I have an important meeting at 9:00! What is the municipal government doing? They should clear the snow already!]
[Mom from apartment 602: My baby woke up from the cold and keeps crying. The air conditioner doesn't seem to be heating up either. What should I do? I'm so worried!]
The group chat was in chaos, filled with panic, complaints, requests for help, and people like Manager Zhao who were still thinking about their meetings and didn't understand the situation.
No one realized that this wasn't an ordinary cold wave.
This was the end of the world.
Water, electricity, and heating—the lifelines of modern cities—are snapping one by one in this sudden, seasonally disruptive super blizzard.
Lin Fei silently scrolled through the messages, offering no comment.
He saw posts from people showing off their refrigerator stock: a few wilted vegetables, half a piece of meat; complaints about poor cell phone signal; and someone tagging 702, his neighbors Li Zhe and Su Man.
[801 Lao Liu: @702 Mr. Li, Manager Su, your company has connections, do you have any inside information? What exactly happened? How long will it take to restore service?]
After a while, Li Zhe finally replied in the group chat, his tone still carrying his usual air of control, but upon closer listening, there seemed to be a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.
[702 Li Zhe: Everyone, don't panic. I asked a few friends, and it's said to be a rare solar activity anomaly causing a global severe convective weather event, affecting a wide area. The government has activated its emergency plan, and I believe it will be under control soon. Everyone should stock up on supplies and wait patiently for rescue.] A bunch of people replied below
, "President Li really knows how to handle this," "Thank you for informing us, President Li," and "We're relieved to have President Li here."
Lin Fei looked at the screen, a cold smile creeping onto his lips.
Abnormal solar activity? Global severe convective weather?
Li Zhe was still using his own cognitive system to explain this complete upheaval.
He had no idea, nor would he believe, that the so-called rescue might never come.
He closed the group chat, ignoring the clamor.
He walked to the window, and through the frost-covered glass, he could vaguely see figures moving behind windows in the opposite building, presumably anxiously looking around or frantically trying to contact the outside world like those in the group.
The whole world was rapidly sliding from bustling modern civilization into a cold, desolate abyss.
And at this moment, he, Lin Fei, the deliveryman who had been despised and threatened with unemployment yesterday, had a small patch of warmth in a corner of this rapidly freezing city, and a steady stream of hope for supplies.
He pressed his hand against the cold glass, feeling the stark contrast between the two worlds inside and out.
The heater silently radiated light and heat behind him, like a loyal guardian.
The snow continued to fall,
seemingly endless.
Lin Fei's gaze gradually hardened and turned icy.
The first day of the apocalypse
had begun.
The blizzard had been raging for five days.
(Please remember Taiwan Novel Network for a quick and reliable update, ₮₩₭₳₦.₵Ø₥)
Outside the window, the world had completely transformed into a snow-covered wonderland.
White, endless white, thickly covering everything.
The snow continued to fall at a leisurely pace; the wind had subsided somewhat, but the bone-chilling cold still seeped in relentlessly.
Lin Fei yawned and climbed out of his soft, warm bed.
Inside, the temperature remained a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius.
The silver-white portable heater continued its faithful, silent operation.
He walked barefoot onto a thick plush carpet he'd received from the system check-in, and went to the window.
Thick frost covered the glass; he wiped it with his finger, creating a small hole.
Outside, deathly silence reigned.
Balconies and windows of several buildings were mostly blocked by snow; not a soul could be seen.
Only the sound of the wind and snow howling, like the wailing of ghosts.
It's the fifth day.
The water and electricity were completely cut off three days ago.
The power occasionally struggles to come back on, flickering for a few minutes before plunging back into long darkness.
The residents' group chat has long been in an uproar, evolving from initial complaints to fear and despair.
Lin Fei didn't rush to check the group. He first checked in for the day.
The blue screen appeared precisely on time.
[Check-in available today, check in now?]
[1. One set of polar cold-weather clothing (effective insulation at -100 degrees Celsius)]
[2. Multi-functional engineering robot (basic, capable of executing simple construction and excavation commands)]
[3. 500g of premium Wagyu beef steak (A5 grade), with black pepper sauce and rock salt]
[4. A pair of flip-flops that will never wear out (only for indoor wear)]
Lin Fei glanced at it and immediately selected option 3.
He wasn't lacking in warmth right now, and he didn't need to do any construction work for the time being. The allure of that A5 Wagyu beef steak was irresistible after
eating compressed biscuits and self-heating rice for several days . "Choose 3." A flash of light appeared in his system space, revealing a thick-cut steak with an enticing color and beautiful marbling, along with two small condiment bottles. Lin Fei happily took it out. The cold touch of the steak invigorated him. He hummed an off-key tune as he walked to a corner of the room. There sat a small, compact "multi-functional outdoor energy stove," also obtained from system check-ins. He skillfully turned on the stove, and a steady blue flame rose. He placed a frying pan on it to heat, then poured in a little olive oil. Once the oil was hot, he carefully placed the thick A5 Wagyu steak into the pan. "Sizzle—" A delightful crisp sound rang out, and the rich aroma of meat mixed with the fragrance of oil exploded instantly, filling the entire room. Lin Fei squinted, took a deep breath, and his face was full of enjoyment. He used tongs to flip the steak, watching the surface develop a perfect caramelized layer, then sprinkled it with freshly ground black pepper and rock salt. The juices were locked in, and the aroma became even more mellow and enticing. While he was leisurely preparing a top-tier apocalyptic feast, the scene next door in apartment 702 was quite different. ... Li Zhe and Su Man, wrapped in all the thick clothes they could find, huddled on the living room sofa. The curtains were tightly drawn, but the chill still seeped in through the gaps. The air conditioner was long gone; the temperature in the house was probably below zero. They looked haggard, their lips cracked. On the coffee table next to them were two empty instant noodle containers, the soup congealed into white lumps of oil. "Husband... I... I'm so hungry..." Su Man's voice was choked with sobs, her usual radiant beauty gone, replaced only by dishevelment and fear. "Instant noodles... we finished the instant noodles yesterday... the last pack..." Li Zhe's face was ashen, his eyes bloodshot behind his gold-rimmed glasses. He tried to remain calm, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed him. "Don't panic!" he said hoarsely, "The government... the government will definitely come to rescue us! It's just a matter of time!" Even he himself didn't have the confidence to say that. The phone had long since died, becoming a useless brick. When it finally had power again, the group chat was filled with wailing and lamentation; some people had even started fires with furniture, nearly choking on the smoke. Rescue? Not a single sign. "I can't take it anymore!" Su Man suddenly stood up, swaying from weakness and cold. "I have to go out and see! Maybe…maybe we can find something to eat at the convenience store downstairs! Or, maybe we'll run into rescuers!" Li Zhe couldn't think of any other solutions. They were out of food, not even crumbs of biscuits. Water was a bigger problem; the tap water they'd collected a few days ago was almost gone, even with careful drinking. "Okay…let's go check the door together." Li Zhe gritted his teeth and stood up as well. The two supported each other, shivering, as they walked to the entrance. The heavy security door was icy cold. Li Zhe took a deep breath, forcefully turned the lock, and opened the door a crack. A chilling draft, far more biting than the air inside and carrying icy shards, rushed in instantly, causing both of them to cough simultaneously.
The corridor outside was dim and cold. Most of the windows were blocked by snow, letting in only a sliver of pale light.
The temperature was definitely below minus twenty or thirty degrees Celsius.
Just as they were shivering and preparing to quickly close the door—
an incredibly rich, scorching aroma of roasted meat, carrying the rich scent of top-quality fat, burst forth like a powerful punch from the crack of the old iron door of apartment 701 next door, striking their olfactory nerves precisely!
That aroma… was meat!
High-quality meat being cooked at a high temperature! Mixed with the smoky aroma of black pepper and charred fat!
In this cold, desperate, and starving world, where they had been surviving on scraps and meager hope for five days, this aroma was like a bomb!
Li Zhe and Su Man froze instantly.
They were as if frozen in place, staring intently at the tightly closed iron door of apartment 701, a door that, in their minds, represented poverty and lowliness.
Su Man's throat bobbed uncontrollably, making a clear gurgling sound.
Her eyes were wide open, filled with utter shock, disbelief, and a hunger, almost overwhelming her reason, aroused by the aroma.
Li Zhe's facial muscles twitched. His mind went blank.
701? That poor delivery boy?
His family… how could they… be grilling steak?!
And with this level of aroma?!
He'd been to many high-end restaurants for business, but this aroma was far more tempting than anything he'd ever tasted!
How could this be?!
Power outage! Water outage! Food outage! It's the end of the world outside!
How could a lowly deliveryman like him enjoy such top-notch food in this environment?!
Hallucination?
Impossible! The aroma was too real, too overwhelming!
Su Man grabbed Li Zhe's arm violently, her nails digging almost into his flesh. Her voice was shrill and distorted with excitement and hunger:
"Husband! Can you smell it?! It's meat! It's meat! It smells so good… Where did he get it?!"
Li Zhe didn't answer.
He just stared intently at the door, as if trying to burn it through with his gaze.
The color drained from his face, replaced by a mixture of shock, jealousy, and a bewilderment born from a complete upheaval of perceptions, and… a barely perceptible fear.
In the corridor, the cold air mingled eerily with the tempting aroma of roasted meat.
Inside room 701, it was warm and cozy, with top-quality ingredients sizzling in the pot.
Outside room 702, a hungry and cold couple was stunned by this luxury that was so close yet so unattainable.
On the fifth day of the apocalypse, class was redefined in such a cruel and direct way.
A knock sounded at the door.
Not loud, but exceptionally clear in the deathly silent hallway.
It carried a hint of hesitation and an undisguised anxiety.
Lin Fei had just put the last piece of juicy Wagyu beef into his mouth, chewing contentedly.
Hearing the knock, he paused, a cold smile slowly creeping onto his lips.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up unhurriedly.
Reaching the door, he didn't open it immediately.
Instead, he peered through the peephole.
Sure enough, it was his elite neighbors:
Li Zhe and Su Man.
The two huddled in the doorway, their faces blue with cold, their lips chapped and cracked, their hair greasy and disheveled, wrapped in several layers of thick, barely-insulating clothing, their bodies trembling slightly.
Where was the arrogant, glamorous figure they had been five days ago?
Su Man's eyes held an almost frantic longing as she stared intently at the door, as if she could see through it to the source of the aroma inside.
Li Zhe frowned, his face a mixture of lingering arrogance, disbelief, and the humiliation and anxiety of being brutally beaten by reality.
Lin Fei looked at their disheveled state, feeling no sympathy, only a chilling pleasure.
With a thought, he retrieved the "high-tech single-shot crossbow" he'd received from yesterday's check-in from his system space.
It was matte black, with a streamlined design, futuristic in appearance, and felt heavy in his hand.
The bolt was already loaded, gleaming with a cold, eerie light.
This thing was simple to operate, yet quite powerful; the system description said it could pierce thin steel plates at close range.
He gripped the crossbow with one hand, concealing it at his side, and with the other, picked up the bone china plate on the table, still bearing a trace of black pepper sauce.
Then, with a "click," he unlocked the door and yanked it open.
The door opened.
A warm, dry air, carrying the rich aroma of meat and the breath of life, rushed out like a warm tide, instantly washing over the two almost frozen figures outside.
The shock of the temperature difference made Li Zhe and Su Man shiver violently, their eyes widening instantly.
What did they see?
Lin Fei inside the door was only wearing a clean short-sleeved T-shirt!
His face was rosy, his expression relaxed, and there was even a bit of black pepper sauce on the corner of his mouth!
The white plate he was holding had some tempting sauce and a few bits of meat left, and that deadly aroma was emanating from there!
But the scene inside the door made their minds go blank.
The room was warm!
There was no heating equipment in sight, but the feeling of being in springtime contrasted sharply with the icy corridor outside, creating a scene of heaven and hell!
This… how could this be?!
Power outage! Water outage! Sub-zero temperatures!
How could he… how could this be…
Li Zhe's glasses instantly fogged up, and he instinctively reached to wipe them, but his hand froze halfway up.
His worldview had been shattered in that instant.
Su Man stared intently at the plate, making choking, hissing sounds, hunger and shock making her almost unsteady on her feet.
"What is it?"
Lin Fei spoke, his voice calm, even slightly lazy.
He seemed oblivious to their bulging eyes and refugee-like faces.
His gaze swept between Li Zhe and Su Man, finally settling on Li Zhe's face with undisguised mockery.
Li Zhe jolted back to reality from that look. A wave
of immense humiliation washed over him, causing his facial muscles to twitch.
But when he glanced at the plate in Lin Fei's hand, emanating the aroma of food, and felt the warmth he craved so desperately from inside the doorway, all his resentment and arrogance were forcibly suppressed by his survival instinct.
He swallowed a non-existent saliva, his chapped lips moving to force a smile more painful than a grimace.
"Brother Lin... Brother Lin Fei..." His voice was dry and hoarse, carrying a humility he himself loathed. "It's... it's us..."
Su Man also reacted, hurriedly squeezing forward, her face forcing a fawning smile, though the smile was incredibly distorted by the cold and hunger.
"Yes, yes, Brother Lin Fei..." Her voice trembled, her eyes involuntarily glancing at the plate, "We... we're neighbors, we came... came to see you..."
"See me?" Lin Fei raised an eyebrow, shaking the empty plate in his hand, "See what I'm eating?"
These words were as blunt as a slap in the face, striking both of them.
Li Zhe's face instantly flushed red, then quickly faded due to the cold, becoming even more unsightly.
Su Man's smile also froze on her face.
"No... no..." Li Zhe took a deep breath of the cold air, enduring the humiliation, lowering his posture even further.
"Brother Lin Fei, we...we really have no other choice. We're completely out of food at home, and our water is almost gone. This awful weather..."
He paused, glancing at Lin Fei's thin short-sleeved shirt and the warm space inside the doorway, his eyes filled with incomprehensible shock and longing.
"We see your situation...it seems a bit better..."
He licked his chapped lips, finally revealing his purpose.
"Could...could you lend us some food? Or...some water would be fine too! When rescue arrives, we'll repay you tenfold...no, a hundredfold!"
"Yes! A hundredfold return!"
Su Man quickly chimed in, looking pleadingly at Lin Fei. "Brother Lin Fei, we're all neighbors, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative, please help us! Please!"
She even tried to lean closer.
Just then, Lin Fei raised his right hand, which had been hidden at his side.
A uniquely designed, technologically advanced black crossbow was clearly exposed before their eyes.
The tip of the bolt gleamed with a chilling light in the dim light.
Li Zhe and Su Man froze instantly, their pleading expressions turning to terror.
They stared at the crossbow, clearly not an ordinary weapon, and then at Lin Fei's calm yet cold eyes. A chill ran from their feet to the top of their heads, more piercing than the cold outside.
"Borrow?"
Lin Fei lightly weighed the crossbow in his hand; the tip of the bolt trembled slightly with his movement, making Li Zhe and Su Man's hearts nearly leap out of their chests.
He scoffed, his gaze sweeping over Li Zhe's terrified face.
"Mr. Li, have you forgotten?"
"Five days ago, right here at the door, what did you say?"
Lin Fei's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced their ears like icicles.
"You said you wanted to find my manager to 'arrange' things for me."
"You said I, a deliveryman, dared to peep at your wife?"
With each word, Li Zhe and Su Man's faces paled, their bodies trembling more violently.
Those arrogant words they had once uttered now became the sharpest mockery, utterly tearing away their last shred of dignity.
"Now," Lin Fei took a small step forward, the tip of his crossbow seemingly pointing at them.
"You're starving like dogs, freezing like rag dolls, coming to me, a nobody, to beg for food?"
He shook his head, his face filled with undisguised disgust.
"Get lost."
Only one word.
Cold, decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
Li Zhe and Su Man stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, their faces drained of color.
Fear, shame, despair, and the disbelief of being utterly rejected twisted their expressions like those of demons.
Inside the door was warmth, the lingering aroma of food.
Outside was a cold hell, and the cold crossbow bolts of their neighbor.
Lin Fei stopped looking at them, holding the empty plate, and took a step back.
"Bang!"
The heavy iron door slammed shut once more before Li Zhe and Su Man.
Separating them from two worlds.
It also completely shut down the last glimmer of hope in their hearts.
Outside, in the deathly silence, only the heavy, desperate breathing of the two men and the lingering, maddening aroma of meat remained.
The resounding crash of the iron gate slamming shut still echoed in the corridor.
Li Zhe and Su Man stood frozen in place, as if encased in ice.
The pleading on their faces hadn't completely faded, replaced by a deathly despair.
That door had closed off more than just warmth and food;
it had shut off their last chance for survival.
Su Man's legs buckled, and she nearly collapsed.
Li Zhe quickly reached out to support her, his own hands trembling uncontrollably.
Cold.
Bone-chilling cold.
Colder than when the door had opened.
The warmth emanating from within felt like a cruel joke, making the chill they felt now doubly brutal.
The aroma of meat still lingered in their nostrils, making their stomachs burn.
It's over.
That was the only thought in their minds.
Just then,
"Click."
The lock clicked again.
The iron gate, which had just been locked shut, slowly opened a crack once more.
Lin Fei's expressionless face reappeared behind the crack.
The empty plate was gone from his hand, but the black crossbow was still casually held in his grasp.
Li Zhe and Su Man looked up abruptly, a faint glimmer of hope, almost unbelievable to themselves, instantly igniting in their lifeless eyes.
"After thinking about it," Lin Fei's voice remained calm, devoid of emotion.
"After all, we're neighbors; it wouldn't be right to just stand by and watch them die."
Their hearts pounded, and they held their breath as they stared at him.
"Borrowing it is fine." Lin Fei's tone shifted, his gaze falling on Su Man, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
That look sent a chill down Su Man's spine, and she instinctively shrank back behind Li Zhe.
"However," Lin Fei said slowly, "I don't really like giving things away for free. Besides, my house is a bit messy and I need someone to clean it."
He gestured with his chin towards Su Man.
"Your wife seems alright. Have her come and do the chores for me."
"Every day, from eight in the morning to eight at night. Cleaning here."
Lin Fei paused, looking at Li Zhe and Su Man, whose faces had turned deathly pale, and added the last sentence.
"Work a day, and I'll give you a day's worth of food and water. How about that? Fair trade."
...
In the corridor, only the howling of the wind and snow through the cracks in the windows remained.
Li Zhe's face slowly turned from deathly pale to a deep liver color.
The veins on his forehead bulged, and his teeth clenched so tightly they rattled.
Insult!
This was a blatant, undisguised insult!
He wanted his wife to be a maid for this deliveryman he had looked down on yesterday? To clean?
And for twelve hours a day
, no less! This was even harder for him to accept than a direct rejection!
"You...you're dreaming!" Li Zhe forced out the words through clenched teeth, his voice trembling with extreme anger.
"Su Man! Let's go! Even if we starve to death! Freeze to death! I won't let you suffer this kind of humiliation!"
He grabbed the stunned Su Man, practically dragging her along, staggering back to his home.
"Bang!!"
The security door to 702 was slammed shut by Li Zhe with all his might, making a louder noise than the one from 701, echoing throughout the deathly silent hallway.
...
Lin Fei stood at the door, listening to the loud bang, his face showing no surprise.
He even smiled slightly.
With a hint of mockery, a hint of indifference.
He knew they would come back.
What was dignity worth in the face of hunger and death?
He shrugged indifferently and closed the door again.
Warm air enveloped him once more.
...
Inside 702.
The temperature wasn't much higher than in the hallway.
Dark, cold, deathly still.
The moment the door closed, the strength he had been holding onto vanished instantly.
Li Zhe leaned against the cold door, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently.
Su Man slumped to the floor, hugging her knees, burying her face in them, her shoulders trembling slightly.
It was unclear whether it was from the cold or fear.
Despair, like an icy tide, engulfed the two of them once more.
Even more so than before.
This time, they themselves had slammed their only chance of survival out the door.
And with a laughable, unvented rage.
"Bastard! Scumbag! Who does he think he is!"
Li Zhe slammed his fist on the door, the sound dull thud.
His hand ached, but it couldn't compare to the humiliation and anger in his heart.
Su Man didn't look up, her voice muffled, tinged with tears: "Husband…we…what do we do…"
What to do?
Li Zhe didn't know either.
He looked around at this "home" that had once represented success and comfort.
Now, it was just a slightly more ornate ice cellar, a coffin.
The cold was all-pervasive.
Hunger, like an invisible hand, gripped his stomach tightly, causing waves of throbbing pain.
Time passed second by second in the cold and deathly silence.
Each second felt like pushing them one step closer to the abyss of death.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Maybe half an hour, maybe an hour.
Li Zhe's breathing gradually calmed down.
But it wasn't because of calmness, but because... something was being worn away.
He slowly slid down to the ground, sitting right next to Su Man.
In the faint, pale light reflected from the snow outside the window, he could see Su Man's purple, frozen profile and her slightly trembling body.
He opened his mouth, but his throat was too dry to make a sound.
He licked his equally chapped lips and tasted blood.
"Manman..." His voice was terribly hoarse, like a broken bellows.
Su Man didn't move.
Li Zhe took a deep breath, the icy air stinging his lungs.
"We...we might...not last much longer..." he said with difficulty.
Su Man's body trembled violently.
Li Zhe didn't dare to look into her eyes, his head lowered, staring at his cold floor, his voice growing softer and softer, carrying a weakness and...tentativeness that even he himself loathed.
"That Lin Fei...although...although he's a bastard..."
"But what he said...seems...to have some merit..."
Su Man suddenly raised her head, looking at him in disbelief.
In the darkness, her eyes were wide open, filled with shock and a...unfamiliar fear.
Li Zhe felt uneasy under her gaze, but he still forced himself to continue, his speech quickening, as if trying to persuade her, or perhaps more like trying to persuade himself.
"It's just...just cleaning! Yes! Just cleaning!" "
It's nothing! Manman! It's just some chores!"
"In this world...survival...is more important than anything else!"
"We...we can survive once we get food and water!"
"When the rescue comes...everything will be alright! Then...then we'll..."
He stopped speaking.
Because he saw Su Man staring at him with an expression he had never seen before.
In that gaze, there was no approval, no understanding.
Only a cold, bone-chilling despair and unfamiliarity, as if she were seeing him for the first time…
She looked at her husband, the man who had always been confident and in control in her presence.
Now, in a trembling voice, he was urging her to become a servant for the man they both despised and insulted.
Just for… a little food.
Su Man didn't speak.
She just looked at him, kept looking.
Until Li Zhe, unable to bear her gaze any longer, awkwardly looked away.
The room was filled only with their heavy, suppressed breathing.
More suffocating than the snowstorm outside.