Alexander: "We don't know when the power will be back, and the things in the fridge can't wait. How about frying the meat for now?"
"No need, we have a generator at home." Alice stood up and walked into the room, taking out the prepared generator and placing it in the corner of the living room.
Alexander was stunned. "Little sis, when did you buy the generator?"
He hadn't seen it.
"A few days ago," Alice calmly replied.
No one doubted her, as Alice had bought so many things a few days ago that they were overwhelmed.
The power outage didn't affect the use of the gas stove, so there was no immediate concern about cooking.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the circuits were still not repaired, and residents were complaining in the group chat.
The property management could only explain that due to the heavy rain outside, the staff couldn't inspect the circuit problems, hoping for everyone's understanding.
The neighborhood was pitch-black tonight. To avoid attracting attention, even though Alice had a generator, she didn't turn on the lights.
She browsed through the situation across the country. In many low-lying areas, floods had submerged houses up to the rooftops, and rescue workers were working tirelessly, having not slept for several days and nights.
More and more people found this rain suspicious. Never before in history had there been such a continuous downpour.
The discussions about the apocalypse intensified, plunging into a wave of online panic.
Of course, there were many who denounced it as baseless talk. No one could predict natural disasters, and getting through it was the main thing.
One expert predicted that the rain would stop in three days. Alice liked that post.
Indeed, three days later, the heavy rain briefly stopped, only to resume a couple of days later.
Until a month later, the rain finally stopped completely. The next day, Alice was repeatedly awakened by people knocking on the iron door. She went out with Arnold to see, and the visitors were a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, accompanied by three children, all staring at them with pleading eyes.
"Don't bother asking, there's no food supplies," Alice preemptively cut them off before they could speak.
"Sis, I know everyone is running out of rice and vegetables. I'm not asking for food. It's just that the three kids at home are too hungry to speak. Could you give them some porridge or bread? Just a mouthful for each person," the older woman pleaded, looking at Alice.
Alice, expressionless, said, "We don't have any. Please don't disturb us."
The daughter-in-law looked displeased, "You don't look like you're going hungry. Clearly, there's still plenty of food at home. Why are you unwilling to help and give a bite to the kids? What harm can it do?"
This question was quite interesting, but moral blackmail wouldn't work on her.
"Sharing a bite with you means I have to eat one bite less. We're not related, and I'm not a living Bodhisattva. Why should I sacrifice myself to help you?"
Alice stood behind the large iron door. Even with the three kids staring at her with innocent eyes, she remained unyielding.
"How can you be so heartless? Sharing a bit of food could save lives. Good deeds bring good karma. If you're willing to help us, after the disaster passes, our family will repay you double."
Suddenly, the mother-in-law took two steps forward, trying to reach Alice's hand through the small opening in the iron door.
Alice quickly stepped back, watching the old woman desperately stretch her hand but couldn't reach her. The old woman's face was filled with frustration.
"We don't need anyone's repayment. In times of crisis for everyone, isn't being cold-blooded quite normal? Remember how indifferent we are. Don't come here next time."
Alice finished speaking and turned to walk back into the house.
The next moment, cries of shock came from outside the large iron door, "Mom, are you okay? What happened to you..."
Alice instinctively stopped and looked over. The old woman from earlier was clutching her chest, collapsing with a pale face and trembling lips, appearing as if she were having a medical emergency. The children beside her burst into tears.
Ignoring the scene, Alice turned and walked back into the house. Seeking sympathy from her was equally futile.
Arnold coldly glanced at them and followed behind Alice.
"You can't leave! You've harmed my mother like this..."
The woman's only response was the sound of the door closing.
"Big brother, do you also think I'm heartless, selfish, and terrifyingly indifferent to people's feelings?" Alice sat on the sofa, glancing at the expressionless Arnold, suddenly asking.
Arnold shook his head, looking at her with tender eyes. "I know you have your reasons for doing this, and this door can't be opened. If you give them food this time, they'll come again and again. Once the news spreads, everyone in the building will come begging for food, and it will never end. In the end, our momentary kindness will bring endless trouble."
Most importantly, others won't be grateful for receiving food once. If not given the second or third time, they won't understand; they'll only hurl insults, attack, and wish to drain everyone else's food.
When survival is threatened, one can't expect others to have a conscience.
Since the decision was made to be ruthlessly firm, there couldn't be any wavering.
Upon hearing Big Brother's response, Alice gave him an appreciative look. Like father, like son. She smiled, "It would be great if everyone had the determination of Big Brother."
Arnold glanced at Alexander's firmly closed door and shook his head helplessly, "The second son, apart from having a talent for business, often lacks common sense."
Atticus and Blanche happened to overhear the conversation between the siblings, and they pondered for a while. In these days, they had also been browsing online news, paying attention to the disaster situation across the country. The natural disaster showed no sign of ending, and waiting for rescue seemed distant. At this time, prioritizing self-preservation became the most important.
Conscience and morality had to be temporarily set aside; otherwise, it would only drag down the two insightful children. Atticus, after reaching a resolution, pulled Alexander out of bed, and the whole family held a meeting.
"In the future, Alice will be in charge of this household. We fully support any decision she makes. Whoever dares to drag their feet, don't blame me for kicking them out," Atticus declared, glancing at the bewildered Alexander.
Scratching his head, Alexander said, "Sure, say whatever you want. I'll definitely support Alice, whatever she decides."
Arnold smiled gently, and his voice was clean and magnetic, "Agreed!"
Blanche had no objections either.
Thus, the family reached a unanimous decision.
In reality, Alice wasn't worried about Atticus and Blanche. The couple had been navigating the business world for many years, experiencing all kinds of darkness. Describing them as genuinely kind-hearted might not be accurate; it was said that Atticus was ruthless in his youth, with thunderous methods and decisive actions. Blanche, too, was not a person with a soft heart, able to distinguish between right and wrong.
Alice's only concern was Alexander, and the terrifying thing about having a romantic brain.
As she was thinking, Alexander suddenly expressed his concern, "Beryl's phone might be out of battery. I've been calling her all day and couldn't get through. I wonder how she's doing." After Alexander spoke, he noticed the awkward silence from the family, and he looked at them in confusion. "Did I say something wrong?" he asked, even more puzzled.