Chapter 36: A Vicious Woman

With the water pipes frozen solid, securing a water supply had become a major crisis for the residents of the apartment complex. To get drinking water, one had to brave the extreme sub-zero temperatures—dipping below seventy degrees Celsius—to retrieve snow from the ground floor. Yet, even after hauling the snow back, melting it proved to be an even greater hurdle. Indoor temperatures hovered between fifty and sixty degrees below zero, rendering the ice as hard as concrete. Some residents, driven to desperation by thirst, tried to lick the ice, only to have their tongues stick fast and suffer severe frostbite.

Over the past few days, Zhang Yi had been monitoring the situation through his security cameras and noticed that Chen Zhenghao’s men were lurking around daily. It was clear they believed Zhang Yi would eventually be forced out to fetch water, and they were waiting for that chance to kill him. However, for days on end, they never saw him step outside. They could never imagine just how well-stocked Zhang Yi’s home truly was. If he so desired, he could live out his days in this room without ever knowing a moment of want.

"Is Chen Zhenghao still alive? He’s quite the survivor," Zhang Yi muttered to himself.

Chen Zhenghao had been struck by an arrow in the lower leg; without proper medical treatment, that leg was surely ruined. Worse yet, infection could easily claim his life. Not to mention that in such extreme cold, any minor injury was prone to triggering a high fever. Surviving this was nothing short of a miracle.

"Perhaps the cold is so intense that the bacteria can't survive, which is why he hasn't died yet?" Zhang Yi wasn't well-versed in medicine and couldn't fathom how Chen was still breathing. But it hardly mattered; whether people outside lived or died had little impact on him. Chen Zhenghao’s death was merely a matter of time.

The next morning, Zhang Yi woke up and reached for his phone with sleepy eyes. Checking messages in the group chats and browsing forums for news of the outside world had become his greatest amusement. In this apocalyptic wasteland, watching others struggle and suffer in the freezing cold while he enjoyed a life akin to heaven provided a stark contrast that brought Zhang Yi immense satisfaction. At the very least, it warded off his boredom and the occasional pang of loneliness. Compared to those freezing and starving to death, or those clinging to the edge of life, he was infinitely more fortunate.

He opened his phone, only to be surprised by messages from Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining.

Fang Yuqing: "Zhang Yi, I'm sorry. I think I was just too cold yesterday, and my emotions got the better of me. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you."

"You were right. I was too naive and immature in the past. I didn't realize who the person who truly cared for me was."

"Only now do I realize that you are the one who treats me best. In truth, I have always liked you very much."

"Can you forgive me? Let’s live a good life together from now on!"

"I want to be your woman. You must be lonely living by yourself, right?"

"I can come over to keep you company so you won't be alone in this apocalypse."

Zhang Yi felt a sense of irony. Fang Yuqing, who had always acted so cold and aloof, had finally shed all her dignity and arrogance in the face of disaster. Even after being mocked so ruthlessly by Zhang Yi, she had no choice but to cast aside her pride and come crawling to him.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Zhang Yi shook his head. He had been a fool in his past life. If he had known she was this kind of woman, wouldn't he have had her easily? A woman like Fang Yuqing was worthless, yet she insisted on playing the role of a noble goddess. So cheap, yet pretending to be pure!

Zhang Yi replied: "While a rotten pear might quench a thirst, I'm not that desperate yet."

He was a man with refined tastes, and even if he were truly desperate, he had plenty of tools in his spatial dimension—high-end, full-simulation products developed in Japan. It wasn't that Zhang Yi had sought them out, but the Walmart warehouse had simply been too well-stocked.

After closing the chat with Fang Yuqing, he opened Lin Caining’s. This woman was even bolder than Fang Yuqing. Perhaps realizing her looks couldn't compete, she had sent several suggestive selfies. She was far more shameless than Fang Yuqing; in the past, such photos would have led to her social ruin.

Zhang Yi quickly replied: "My heart is unmoved; I actually find this somewhat amusing." Then, he ignored her. He knew that after seeing the luxury of his home, both women would stop at nothing to get inside. They had already abandoned their dignity; soon, they would resort to any means necessary.

But what of it? Zhang Yi had spent a fortune turning his home into an iron fortress specifically to handle any and all contingencies.

After receiving Zhang Yi’s replies, Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining were so furious they erupted in a string of curses. They had already discarded their dignity to beg him. Lin Caining, in particular, had sent photos of every angle and pose she could manage. For Zhang Yi to say he found her photos amusing? It was a humiliating insult! Even if she lacked the time and energy to groom herself, and her appearance had faded, she was still a woman! Did she not deserve respect?

The more they thought about it, the more resentful they became. Life now was like hell; not only did they have to endure hunger, but also the extreme cold. Zhang Yi’s home was their last glimmer of hope.

Fang Yuqing gritted her teeth, a ruthless look in her eyes. "If we have to, we'll just break into his place!"

"I must live in his home. I don't want to starve and freeze anymore!"

"If it comes to it, killing Zhang Yi wouldn't be a problem!"

As long as she could get inside, she would do anything! Though she thought this, she was, after all, just a woman. If she tried to smash down Zhang Yi’s door, she would surely be no match for him. With this thought, Fang Yuqing cast a cold glance toward the neighboring apartment. She and Lin Caining had already fallen out—the once-close "plastic sisters" had completely turned on each other. But now, Fang Yuqing needed help.

She went to the neighbor's door and said to Lin Caining: "That damned, pathetic man Zhang Yi is just watching us starve and freeze, refusing to let us in."

"We can't just sit here and wait to die!"

"A house that good isn't meant for someone like him. Let’s find a way to take his home by force!"

Hearing Fang Yuqing’s proposal, Lin Caining’s eyes glinted with greed. If begging didn't work, then they would have to find a way to trick him or take it!

"Fine, I agree!"

"Why should a wretch like Zhang Yi live in such a nice place!"

"He should be thrown out to freeze to death or be torn apart by wild dogs!"

"We are the ones who deserve to live there."