Chapter 24: Auntie Lin's Threat

Zhang Yi played video games while snacking on imported treats, living quite comfortably. Throughout Tianhai City, and indeed over 99% of the world, the power and water supplies had been cut off. The water situation was somewhat manageable; for those who truly couldn't endure it, they could venture out to dig up snow for water. But the lack of electricity—that was the most unbearable part. Modern people were physically pampered; forcing them to live in sub-zero temperatures was practically a death sentence.

However, this wasn't entirely the authorities' fault. It wasn't that the power plants couldn't function; it was that the workers couldn't make it to their jobs. Zhang Yi recalled that in the days to come, there would still be brief periods of power supply. The authorities didn't want the general population to perish entirely. Yet, the power generated by these 21st-century nuclear and renewable energy plants was extremely limited. At most, it was enough for people to charge their phones or boil some hot water. Appliances that consumed high amounts of power, like air conditioners and heaters, were out of the question.

At this moment, the neighbors were howling in the owners' group chat. Fear had driven them to huddle together for warmth, hoping that someone might offer a glimmer of hope. Chen Zhenghao, whose leg Zhang Yi had broken earlier, was dragging his fractured limb at home, nearly frozen to death. Being already injured while having to live in such extreme temperatures caused him double the agony.

His little lackeys had it even worse. Although Zhang Yi had only doused them with water from a hose, there were no means of heating in such temperatures. The indoor temperature was slowly approaching the outdoor level, hitting negative fifty or sixty degrees Celsius. Several of them had developed high fevers; the lowest was 39°C, and several others were over 40°C. Since they lacked the foresight to stock up on medicine, they had no ibuprofen at home. In this weather, leaving the house to buy medicine was impossible. Therefore, they had no choice but to tough it out.

This was exactly why Zhang Yi hadn't shot them at the time. Watching them freeze to death in a daily cycle of despair was far more satisfying than killing them outright.

Zhang Yi sat on the carpet, focusing intently on his game. Outside, the world was frozen solid, with howling north winds carrying thick, feather-like snow. Inside his room, however, it was a cozy 27°C, brightly lit, with no shortage of food or drink, and every convenience for entertainment at his fingertips. If there was anything lacking, it was perhaps a woman to keep him company.

But Zhang Yi wasn't some sex-crazed idiot. Having already been burned by a woman in his past life, he now prioritized his own safety and quality of life above all else. Unless he was in a position of absolute safety, he would never let anyone into his sanctuary. In the apocalypse, human nature was something that could never be measured. He had once witnessed a woman beat her own husband to death for a single pack of instant noodles.

Just then, Zhang Yi's phone lit up again. He picked it up with interest and saw that Auntie Lin was tagging everyone in the owners' group.

"Due to the current blizzard, everyone's lives have been severely impacted," she wrote. "According to official notices, this snow will continue for a short while longer. To help everyone overcome these difficulties and live with dignity during these hard times, the neighborhood committee will begin collecting supplies from every household for centralized distribution. This is an official mandate; every household must comply! Otherwise, if anyone is selfish and fails to follow the organization's arrangements, they will be dealt with by the organization afterward! Do not think that just because you are capable, you can go against our organization. Remember, everyone has their own weak spots at home!"

Zhang Yi sneered. It was the same old tactic from his past life. As a member of the neighborhood committee, Auntie Lin didn't hold much power, but she had more access to information than the average person. She must have known early on that the apocalypse had arrived and that the authorities in Tianhai City had essentially ground to a halt. That was why she was trying to use deception and intimidation to get her hands on everyone's supplies.

But Auntie Lin's methods were not very clever. After all, she was just an old woman with a middle-school education. In truth, anyone smart could see the holes in her claims. Even if the authorities were implementing centralized control, such an order would never be issued. However, there were over fifty households in their building, and there were always some cowards who would obey Auntie Lin out of fear.

Zhang Yi had no intention of interfering; he just wanted to watch the show. Sure enough, this time, because Auntie Lin's tone was so aggressive about confiscating supplies, some people were finally pushed to their breaking point.

Wang Min, who lived on the 15th floor and was also a colleague of Zhang Yi's, was a thrifty housewife who often brought things home from the warehouse. The neighbors all knew this. Since Auntie Lin was going to collect everyone's supplies, her household was definitely a target.

Wang Min retorted, "The snow has blocked the doors, and it's impossible to go out. No one has enough food for themselves, and you want to collect it for centralized distribution? Does that make any sense?"

Another owner, Sun Zhichao, added, "Everyone is having a hard time; it's not easy to save a little food. You want to confiscate it? That's going too far!"

Auntie Lin gritted her teeth, pressing hard on the voice message button. "I said this is an extraordinary time, so we must use extraordinary measures! The snow disaster will pass soon; you don't need to worry. We are simply reallocating resources. At a time like this, many families have nothing to eat. Are you really that selfish? Can't you think of your neighbors?"

Since some families had stockpiled supplies while others were in need, those who lacked supplies naturally stepped up to support Auntie Lin.

"Exactly! We're all neighbors; what's wrong with helping each other out in times like this?"
"It's just some food and drink. It's not like we can't afford it in normal times; it's just a special situation for these two days!"
"This is a decision from the organization. If you don't comply, the consequences won't be something everyone can bear."

In the WeChat group, two factions began to argue. Zhang Yi remained silent, and the "white lotuses" Fang Yuqing and Lin Cai'ning didn't speak either, as they actually had quite a few supplies at home. But given their personalities, they would never hand them over even if they were beaten to death.

Zhang Yi's desire to just watch the drama was soon interrupted. Though he hadn't spoken, Auntie Lin sent him a private message.

"Little Zhang, you work at the warehouse, so you must have plenty of food and drink at home, right? I remember you bought three big carts of stuff last time! Now that everyone is in trouble, it's time for you to show some spirit. Don't worry, once the snow disaster passes, we will definitely return it to you. Everyone will remember your kindness."

Auntie Lin had first built momentum in the WeChat group to stir up panic among the timid, and then she began to target individuals one by one. As long as she could swindle one household, she would gain some supplies to keep herself and her grandson alive for a few more days. And Zhang Yi, the warehouse supervisor at Walmart, had been marked by Auntie Lin.