Three days after the arrival of doomsday, the grand spectacle officially commenced. Zhang Yi, anticipating the events of this day, refrained from sleep the entire night, eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama. The transpiring events were, in essence, quite straightforward. The electricity throughout the Yue Lu residential area suddenly ceased! Furthermore, shortly thereafter, due to the cascading effects of the power outage, the water supply company was unable to function properly, resulting in a disruption of water to every household. All of this unfolded as per Zhang Yi's expectations. After all, at the onset of the apocalypse, no one could foresee the duration of this extremely cold-weather catastrophe. The authorities persistently exerted efforts, aiming to resolve this snow disaster. However, only on the third day, as time elapsed, did they realize that this was a predicament beyond human capability. Amidst the frigid conditions, major hydroelectric power plants successively shut down, and thermal power plants, due to the inability of personnel to work, ceased power generation. When the entire nation depleted its stored electricity, a power outage became an inevitable occurrence. At this juncture, it is apprehensible that only a fraction of nuclear power plants continue to operate. However, the generated electricity naturally funnels entirely to official entities. Water interruption, power outage—these plunged the lives of ordinary people into instantaneous darkness! Meanwhile, Zhang Yi had proactively initiated two silent generators, initiating power supply for his dwelling. Upon completing these tasks, Zhang Yi perused his mobile phone, observing that messages across numerous chat groups had all surged to 99+. "Is there electricity in your home?" "Our home lacks power! Moreover, tap water is also cut off. What on earth is happening?" "Our home is also without water and electricity! In such cold weather, air conditioning is rendered useless, and there is no means to use a heater. How are we to endure these conditions?" "Why isn't the government intervening at this critical juncture? If this persists, people might succumb to freezing." Zhang Yi silently shook his head. At this point, the authorities had become preoccupied and had no capacity to attend to everyone. To persevere, one must rely solely on oneself. He was cognizant that the true onset of the apocalypse unfolded from today onward. Deprived of the modern society's electricity and sustenance, humanity would plunge into a massive scale of mortality. Contemplating these thoughts, Zhang Yi cast a fearful glance at his home. Observing his warmly sheltered abode, akin to an impervious fortress, and the inexhaustible supplies within the spatial void, a comforting warmth welled up within him. In the community owners' group, tension and complaints now pervaded the atmosphere. Were it not for technological advancement, mobile phone batteries would no longer cease operation due to low temperatures, and they might even be rendered incapable of using their phones. However, without electricity, phones would eventually become obsolete. "How long will this snow persist? Air conditioning is unusable, and temperatures inside the house have plummeted below minus thirty degrees." "If this continues, people will genuinely succumb to freezing!" "Water has ceased, are we to drink melted snow?" "Our food supplies are dwindling, and with heavy snow blocking access to supermarkets, what are we to do?" Someone began mentioning Mrs. Lin. "Mrs. Lin, didn't you say everything would be fine?" "Exactly, I believed your words and refrained from purchasing supplies. How do we resolve this now?" "When is the government coming to rescue us? Speak up!" Confronting the neighbors' inquiries, Mrs. Lin's inner turmoil matched the anxiety and panic within her neighbors. At this moment, her inner turmoil surpassed that of her neighbors. The property owners were still oblivious to how the authorities would rescue them. However, through the neighborhood committee, Mrs. Lin had already obtained preliminary information. "Currently, the world is experiencing a snowstorm, purportedly a rare event in hundreds of thousands of years. Perhaps, we are witnessing another colossal extinction event—a doomsday!" "Although the authorities are diligently supporting, our country, with its population exceeding a billion, is fundamentally unmanageable." "Several major cities domestically have already succumbed!" "Henceforth, to survive, we must rely on ourselves. It is imperative to stockpile supplies, especially food and heating sources." "I have already commenced collecting supplies from door to door, using the neighborhood committee's name." "Is this not harming others?" "Harming others? If I refrain from such actions, our family might freeze and starve within three days! I can no longer afford to be overly considerate!" "This snow calamity might claim countless lives; I can only first ensure the well-being of myself and my family." "Indeed, leveraging the influence we still possess, let's promptly accumulate more supplies. Survival is paramount in times like these!" Mrs. Lin stared fixedly at the messages within the neighborhood committee group, her entire being trembling violently. Although the indoor temperature had plummeted below minus thirty degrees, cold sweat continued to bead on her forehead. Lying in bed, she was enveloped in three thick layers of blankets, making it almost impossible to breathe. Yet, she dared not lift them, for the room was presently akin to an ice cellar. At this moment, her grandson, Little Tiger, inquired from beneath the covers, "Grandma
, why is it so cold outside? When will Mom and Dad return?" Mrs. Lin gazed at her grandson, and her heart sank. She had conversed with her son and daughter-in-law earlier in the day. They were both employed in other locales and were now trapped in rented accommodations, facing a situation not much better than theirs. "I must safeguard the two of us. We must endure!" Mrs. Lin bit her lip tightly, a resolute expression flashing in her eyes. "Little Tiger, it's alright. Dad and Mom will return shortly." After comforting Little Tiger, Mrs. Lin picked up her phone and began addressing the owners' group. "Everyone, this calamity is merely temporary. It is unsurprising for there to be a lack of water and power in such frigid weather." "Rest assured, personnel are already engaged in repairs." "The authorities have disseminated a notice. In these extraordinary times, the neighborhood committee will undertake unified management of the residents." "We hope everyone cooperates with our efforts. If anyone fails to cooperate, causing severe consequences, we will petition the police for subsequent arrest and interrogation!" Mrs. Lin's words carried weight, arousing strong discontent among the owners. They had not anticipated that, at such a time, the neighborhood committee not only refrained from explaining their lack of progress but also resorted to threatening the residents. Nonetheless, fear gripped everyone, and none dared to voice opposition. Zhang Yi held his phone, leisurely perusing Mrs. Lin's messages on his device. He arched an eyebrow and emitted a contemptuous scoff. He was well aware that Mrs. Lin was fabricating tales. In the previous life, she employed this despicable method to deceitfully acquire a considerable amount of supplies from others. However, he had no intention of exposing Mrs. Lin's tactics. After all, whether the other neighbors lived or perished held no bearing on him. Zhang Yi switched on the television and resumed playing his game. Water cut off, power outage? No problem. In his warehouse, he stored copious backup batteries, generators, fuel, and solid alcohol. As for water, he amassed 500 tons of tap water alone, not to mention the tens of thousands of tons of mineral water and beverages in his storage. Moreover, when necessary, he could obtain water through melting snow. In short, he lacked neither freshwater nor energy.