In the group chat for the landlords, Auntie Lin can still be found prattling on incessantly.
"Everyone's seen the news, right? Our nation has the strength to manage this snowstorm!"
"Don't worry, all problems will get solved."
"If anyone's home is in need of supplies, those of us who can should help out. After all, this snowstorm should pass soon, there's no need to hoard supplies."
Yet, hardly anyone responded to her messages.
Evidently, after two days, with no sign of the snowstorm letting up, anxiety has begun to creep into many residents' hearts.
Fang Yuqing sent another message to Zhang Yi.
"Zhang Yi, you okay?"
Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. Fang Yuqing probably assumed he was getting a handle on situations.
He, however, did not think Fang Yuqing had his best interests at heart.
"I'm well and good."
"Oh, that's good."
Fang Yuqing seemed a little disappointed deep down.
However, she quickly said, "Oh, we've run out of food at home. I remembered you bought quite a lot. Can you spare me a little?"
"I'll take you out for a meal later, alright?"
Zhang Yi cracked a cold smile.
So, this woman had an ulterior motive for finding him, as he had surmised.
He remembered, the last time when he went grocery shopping, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin bought some too.
They certainly didn't buy as much as he did, but it wouldn't be the case that they run out of food after only two days.
"Oh, you were talking about days ago. I didn't leave that food at home, there's not much left at my place either."
Fang Yuqing, however, would not back down.
"Can't you spare me some instant noodles, at least? You're the warehouse manager, there can't be a shortage of food at your home, right?"
Zhang Yi shrugged.
"I am completely out of instant noodles. As you can see, I only have scanty rations myself."
He snapped a photo of the Australian lobster and steak on his table and sent it to Fang Yuqing.
Upon receiving the photo, Fang Yuqing was seething in anger.
"Wretched Zhang Yi, what on earth is the bloody purpose of your message, to deliberately infuriate me?"
From one side, her best friend, Lin Cainin, stuck her head out from under the quilt.
Because it was so cold, they had shared a bed.
On seeing the delicious food in the picture, Lin Cainin was salivating with envy!
These two young women, like fine, little nymphs, never cooked.
Takeaways were their usual routine, or men bought them meals.
The city's lockdown in the snowstorm put them in straits over their food crisis.
They were down to instant noodles and canned food that they normally disliked eating.
Seeing Zhang Yi enjoying Australian lobster and steak made them resentful and envious.
They were angry because Zhang Yi was having a feast by himself and never thought to bring some food over to their place!
Lin Cainin immediately complained sourly, "Wow, this Zhang Yi is just so despicable! He actually didn't think about you when he's having these great foods at home!"
"He always claimed to like you. I think he's just faking it!"
Fang Yuqing was also upset.
It wasn't the first time that Zhang Yi sent pictures to her.
She was aware that Zhang Yi was deliberately provoking her.
Yet, she believed that Zhang Yi was still fond of her, but thought to use this tactic to get her to compromise.
"Hmm, foolish indeed! Does he think he can make me his girlfriend just for a bit of food?"
"Zhang Yi, you are so naive!"
Fang Yuqing sneered with disdain.
As a proud woman, she had to maintain her aloof image, of course.
But as she looked at the photo Zhang Yi sent, the longing in Fang Yuqing's eyes was undeniable.
Lin Cainin, who understood her friend well, suggested, "Yuqing, maybe you can tell Zhang Yi that you'll have dinner with him, but he has to provide the food!"
"That way, you can maintain your dignity and still get to enjoy the delicious lobster and steak."
"I'm sure he'd be thrilled and would agree right away!"
Fang Yuqing frowned and pondered for a moment.
In her heart, Zhang Yi was nothing more than a backup option.
Although he was handsome and had some wealth, he was still far from the ideal rich and handsome man she yearned for.
Under normal circumstances, she would never lower herself.
But now...
She could no longer bear eating instant noodles and canned food every day.
"Then I'll just give him the chance to dine with me," Fang Yuqing reluctantly said with a twist of her mouth.
Picking up her phone, she sent a message to Zhang Yi.
"Zhang Yi, it's been a while since we've got together. How about you come over tonight for dinner?"
Seeing the message, Zhang Yi chuckled.
"Are you inviting me for dinner? Great, thanks then!"
This response infuriated Fang Yuqing at the other end of the line, turning her complexion pale, possibly from the cold.
Annoyed, she said to Lin Cainin, "Zhang Yi is really unappreciative! I give him the chance to invite me to dinner, and now he expects me to host!"
Lin Cainin was taken aback.
She had not expected Zhang Yi, who once pursued Fang Yuqing earnestly, to suddenly become so uncooperative.
Strange, since when do dogs have a day of awakening?
Fang Yuqing, now livid, tossed her phone aside.
Fuming, she said, "This Zhang Yi—I was thinking of keeping him as my backup. Now he'll have to move to the back of the line!"
"I am genuinely angry this time!"
"Starting now, I'll no longer speak to him. Even if he pleads, it will be of no use!"
Although Lin Cainin was extra hungry, she added fuel to the fire.
"That's right, he doesn't know his place!"
"Trying to woo you and still be such a cheapskate, a man like that deserves to stay single!"
The two continued their tirade against Zhang Yi.
During which, Fang Yuqing checked her phone, expecting Zhang Yi to apologize.
But with no message from him, her frustration only deepened.
Meanwhile, Lin Cainin had other ideas.
She secretly sent a message to Zhang Yi.
"Zhang Yi, why are you so clueless! Yuqing is upset now. Do you realize how serious this is?"
Zhang Yi glanced at the new message with his usual habit.
Reading various chat groups' messages had become a form of entertainment for him.
What could be more fascinating than human nature during an apocalypse?
Realizing it was from Lin Cainin, he sneered before replying.
"Playing good cop, bad cop, right? You two really put on quite the drama!"
He had long seen through the duo's green tea and white lotus act.
Lin Cainin usually played along to complement Fang Yuqing.
It was because Fang Yuqing needed to maintain the image of a pure goddess.
So, whenever gifts were needed or hints dropped for men to spend on Fang Yuqing, Lin Cainin would be the one to speak up.