Shen Zhiling, with his usual calm determination, had taken the lead in organizing his family's preparations. His father, Shen Tianming, was overseeing the logistics, making sure that every item they needed was either already on its way or being procured by trusted contacts. Shen Zhilan, ever the responsible one, was making lists and double-checking inventories, ensuring that nothing was overlooked.
As for Shen Zhiwei, he was out to collect some things he said was necessary.
"We need to stock up on non-perishables, tools, and fuel first," Shen Zhiling said, his voice steady as he reviewed the plans with his family. "Once we've secured the basics, we can focus on other essentials—medicines, water purification systems, and communication equipment."
Shen Tianmeng nodded, and asked.
"What about weapons?"
"Weapons are on the list," Shen Zhiling replied, not missing a beat. "But we're prioritizing survival essentials first."
In another part of the apartment complex, Zhang Wei and his wife, Lin Yuxi, were also busy preparing. Zhang Wei was on the phone with a contact who was helping him secure a large shipment of food and supplies, while Lin Yuxi was in the kitchen, making a call to her father.
"Dad, I need you to gather as many medicinal herbs and materials as you can," Lin Yuxi said, her voice calm but urgent.
"Send them over as soon as possible. We're stocking up for… well, let's just say we need to be prepared for anything."
Her father was the dean of the largest hospital Chain in the Country. He could hear the seriousness in his daughter's voice, and that was enough for him.
"I'll take care of it, Yuxi. You'll have everything you need by tomorrow."
"Thanks, Dad," Lin Yuxi replied, a small smile of relief crossing her face. "I'll be in touch."
Meanwhile, Wang Lei was preparing to leave the building to pick up his little sister from college.
He grabbed his keys and headed out, his mind already racing with plans to keep her safe once they were both back home.
"I'll be back soon," Wang Lei called to his neighbors as he passed by. "I'm just picking up my sister. Stay safe, everyone."
Lu Ningfei, who had been quietly observing everyone's preparations, decided it was time to take action of his own. While the others were focused on gathering supplies, Ningfei had a different plan in mind.
He made his way down to the 14th floor, moving with the quiet efficiency that came naturally to him. Once there, he began attaching pinhole cameras and microphones in strategic locations, ensuring that he could monitor everything that was happening in the building.
He just wanted to keep an eye on this team of protagonists.
Far from the relative calm of the apartment complex, the atmosphere in the Lu Mansion was anything but peaceful.
Si Qian, the patriarch of the family, was in a rage. His usually composed demeanor had shattered, replaced by a storm of fury that had been building for years. And it was all directed at his son, Si Qin.
"You dare speak nonsense to me?" Si Qian shouted, his voice echoing through the grand hall as he slapped Si Qin across the face, the sound of the blow reverberating in the air.
"I'll pull your tongue out if you continue with this insolence!"
Si Qin's cheek stung from the impact, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional turmoil that had been brewing inside him. He had learned the truth—the truth about what had happened all those years ago, about how his father had betrayed Lu Ningfei's mother, how everything he had been told was a lie.
"You're a disgusting person, Father!" Si Qin shouted back, his voice cracking with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes, but they were tears of rage, not weakness.
"You used someone's sincere feelings, married them, took their innocence, and then betrayed them! You married your mistress and lied to everyone!"
Zhen Weiyi, who had been watching the confrontation with growing horror, stepped forward, her voice shrill as she tried to take control of the situation.
"Si Qin, how dare you speak to your father like this! Shut your mouth right now!"
But Si Qin was beyond reason. His world had been shattered, and all the anger and confusion he had been bottling up for so long came pouring out in a torrent of accusations and pain.
"You're not my mother! You're a disgusting cheater! You and Father—you're both liars! Now I understand why Elder Brother hates you!"
The words cut deep, and for a moment, there was a stunned silence in the room. Si Qian's face twisted with fury, his hands shaking as he tried to contain his rage.
However, His petty pride couldn't take the insult, he lashed out, striking Si Qin again and again.
"You ungrateful wretch!" Si Qian roared, his voice filled with venom. "After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me?"
Si Qin's vision blurred as he felt the blows rain down on him. But something inside him snapped, and with a surge of adrenaline, he pushed his father away, the force of it sending Si Qian stumbling backward. Without thinking, Si Qin turned and ran, bursting out of the mansion and into the night.
The rain was falling hard now, the acid in it stinging his skin as he ran, but he didn't care. He just needed to get away, to escape the nightmare that his life had become. His mind was racing, his heart pounding in his chest as he ran blindly through the rain-soaked streets.
Finally, when he could run no more, he stopped in a darkened alleyway, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He pulled out his phone, his hands shaking as he dialed the only number he could think of—the only person who will listen to him...
The phone rang once, twice, and then it was answered.
"Brother… Sorry, I am sorry," Si Qin whispered, his voice trembling with fear and desperation. "Brother...please pick me up."
In his apartment, Lu Ningfei stared at his phone in silence. He could hear the rain beating against the windows, could feel the weight of the request hanging in the air. Si Qin's voice, usually so full of arrogance and bravado, was now filled with a vulnerability that Lu Ningfei hadn't expected.
For a moment, he considered his options. Si Qin was nothing to him—a spoiled, arrogant boy who had never known hardship. But the desperation in his voice, the sheer fear that had driven him to call Lu Ningfei of all people, struck a chord that Ningfei couldn't ignore.
With a sigh, Lu Ningfei finally spoke.
"Tell me where you are."
When he reached the ground floor lobby, the doors slid open just as he was about to leave. Shen Zhiling stepped in, accompanied by several workers who were carrying supplies into the building. The rain outside was heavier than before, the hissing sound of it audible even through the thick glass of the doors.
Shen Zhiling's eyes narrowed as he saw Ningfei heading for the door, his expression darkening with concern. "Where are you going in this acid rain?" he asked, his tone more commanding than questioning.
Lu Ningfei paused, meeting Shen Zhiling's gaze with a calm intensity.
"A… situation came up."
Shen Zhiling's frown deepened.
"In this weather? It's dangerous out there. You should wait until the rain stops."
"There's no time," Ningfei replied, his voice firm. "This can't wait."
For a moment, the two were in awkwardness. Then Shen Zhiling thought in his heart that why is he caring. Just let him go and get a lesson.
So he just nodded.
"Oh, OK."
As he said that, he left the lobby.
Lu Ningfei was stunned, huh? Why he feels that...Shen Zhiling was sulking just now?