Nina Jacobs hadn't expected Vera Coleman to show up.
Daniel Hale had come with her.
Fortunately, she had already stored everything important in her system's inventory. All that was left out in the house was some rice, flour, oil, and the like.
"I heard from Leo Hale that he ran into you, and that you were being harassed by someone? Why wouldn't you tell Mom about something so serious?"
As soon as the door opened, Vera Coleman pulled Nina Jacobs in and looked her up and down. She spoke quickly, and her furrowed brow made her look angry.
In her past life, Nina couldn't get along with this version of Vera.
She had even found her words harsh and cutting.
And yet, it was this same Vera who had been willing to come get her during the most dangerous of times.
"As long as the kid's okay, that's all that matters. All that matters."
Daniel Hale spoke in Mandarin with a thick regional accent. The large gold chain around his neck was even thicker than the last time Nina had seen it.
The old Nina had found Daniel Hale unbearably tacky, thinking only the nouveau riche would buy something as gaudy as Gold.
But now, she thought Daniel Hale had exceptionally sharp instincts.
Because by the second year of the apocalypse, paper money and bank cards had become completely worthless.
Besides the Crystal Cores from zombie heads, the only other thing that served as currency was Gold.
In her past life, she had only learned from Leo Hale that the high-paying job she found right before graduation was also something Daniel Hale had specifically arranged for her.
He just hadn't told her because he was afraid she wouldn't accept it.
"I know you think I'm a nag, but please, don't think I'm a nag."
Vera Coleman remembered the purpose of her visit today and quickly changed her tune.
"Come on in first."
Nina Jacobs ushered the two inside.
Seeing that Nina wasn't angry and actually had a gentle expression, the previously anxious Daniel Hale let out a sigh of relief.
But as soon as they entered the living room, Daniel Hale immediately reverted to his true self:
"This place of yours won't do. The house is old and in disrepair, and it's not safe for a young lady to live alone. If it comes to it, Uncle Hale will just give you a house!"
Vera Coleman quickly jabbed Daniel Hale, signaling for him to tone it down.
Her daughter hated this kind of showing off.
However, Nina's reaction caught them both completely off guard.
"Okay. Since Uncle Hale is so rich, why not give me a few gold bars?"
Nina Jacobs smiled, but she didn't seem to be joking.
It took Daniel Hale a moment to process this, and then he burst into laughter.
"Classy, very classy! To know at such a young age that gold is more valuable than a house… you really are college-educated."
"I was just kidding."
"We're family, we don't joke about things like this. As long as you're willing to come home and live with us, forget gold bars—I'll get you a mountain of gold."
Daniel Hale said with a smile.
"Live with you?"
Nina knew that Vera had always wanted her to move into the Hale Family home right after graduation, but today, Vera looked like she had something else to say.
"Nina, come back to Mom's side. You can learn the ropes of business from your Uncle Hale, and our family can build a good life together. That's more important than anything."
Vera Coleman held Nina's hand, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and hesitation.
"That's right, Nina. That good-for-nothing Leo is out messing around all day, so instead of working for someone else, why not come work for our family? I'll pay you ten times your current salary. Oh, no—a hundred times is fine too! That way, I can also free up some time to spend with your mom."
Daniel Hale felt like he might actually have a shot today.
For some reason, he had a feeling that today's Nina was a little different from before.
"Mom, if you have something to say, just say it."
But Nina had read a different meaning in Daniel Hale's words.
"Nina, ah… your mom is pregnant."
As soon as Daniel Hale said this, the room fell silent.
Vera watched as her daughter Nina's expression grew darker and darker, and her heart began to ache.
'My daughter is already grown. It's normal for her not to be able to accept something like this.'
'But if I had to get rid of the little life in my belly, neither I nor Hale would be able to bear it...'
"How many months?"
Nina Jacobs asked, frowning as she stared at Vera Coleman's stomach.
"F-four… a little over four months."
Both Vera Coleman and Daniel Hale sat up straight.
She hadn't even been this nervous during her prenatal checkups. 'Could it be that my daughter really can't accept this child?'
"I see."
Nina's mind was racing, trying to figure out what to do next. She didn't notice their tension at all.
"I'll come over tomorrow afternoon. Just remember to get the gold ready. The more, the better."
Nina's feelings were complicated.
'Perhaps the reason Leo Hale hated me so much in my past life was also because of this child. But he never told me about it.'
"Oh, oh! Okay, okay! We'll all be waiting for you at home. I'll go get things ready as soon as I get back!"
Daniel Hale and Vera Coleman were overjoyed.
'Does this mean Nina has agreed to come back?'
Vera was especially happy. Although Nina didn't seem particularly fond of the baby, at least she hadn't pushed them away.
'Besides, buying gold is an investment anyway, so it won't hurt to buy a bit more.'
After Vera Coleman and Daniel Hale left, Nina became even more agitated.
She ended up running to the nearest baby store and buying a load of baby supplies, clothes, blankets, and more.
As she was walking down the street, laden with bags, she happened to run into a familiar face.
"Nina Jacobs? You're out shopping? What are you doing buying so much?"
Renee Strong got out of her car, her eyes fixed on Nina and the bags in her hands.
'The apocalypse is about to begin. Could Nina be stockpiling, too? Does she know something?'
"Why do I keep running into you? Stealing my man was one thing, but don't tell me you're going to try and snatch what I'm buying, too?"
Nina then remembered that the wholesale grain and oil market was just on the next street over.
Renee Strong must have been there to stockpile supplies as well.
She had just happened to run into her by chance.
"I'm just curious what you could possibly be buying this late."
Renee Strong still looked like she wasn't going to let it go.
"I just came out of a baby store. What else do you think I could have bought?"
Nina simply let go of the bag handles, openly revealing the baby clothes and supplies inside.
Renee Strong let out a sigh of relief.
'Who in their right mind would buy baby clothes right before the apocalypse? I was clearly overthinking things.'
"What about you, though? Wandering around here so late at night, you didn't get into a fight with that scumbag, did you?"
Nina's gloating expression instantly infuriated Renee Strong.
"Don't you worry, we're doing just fine. Liam's parents and family are in City D, so I just came out to buy a few things."
Renee Strong explained.
'She brought his family here, too?'
Thinking of Liam Grant's family, Nina couldn't help but let the corners of her lips curl up.
'Having a family like that around during the apocalypse would certainly be... interesting...'
"Well, I hope you all have fun."
Nina walked away without a backward glance.
Renee Strong returned to the car, where two other people were waiting.
"I'm still not convinced. Wyatt, go and double-check."
Simon Abbott said, pushing up his glasses as he gazed in the direction Nina had gone.
"Is that really necessary? Shannon Renner wasn't reborn, and Nina Jacobs is acting like this. There's no way she's one of us."
Renee Strong said, clearly disagreeing.
Simon Abbott had always been cautious. In their past life, he had been the brains of the team.
But she felt she had already questioned Nina quite clearly. There was no need for Simon to take such a redundant step.
"It is necessary. Because she will be the only variable among us."
Simon Abbott stated.