While playing his game, Zhang Yi was enjoying imported snacks, living a life of flavor and ease.
The entire Tianhai City, or rather over 99% of the world, had fallen into a state of water and electricity stoppage.
The water issue was somewhat easier to solve. Those who couldn't stand it could go out and dig snow to obtain water.
But it's the power outage that was truly unbearable!
Modern humans are delicate, to make them live in temperatures tens of degrees below zero is life-threatening!
Zhang Yi's neighbors in the owners' group were wailing in fear, seeking comfort in each other during these trying times, hoping someone could bring them a glimmer of hope.
Chen Zhenghao, whose leg was broken by Zhang Yi, was nearly freezing to death at home, his injury magnified by the extreme cold.
His followers were even worse off.
Although Zhang Yi had only soaked them with a hose, without any heating methods, the indoor temperature slowly approached the outdoor extreme of fifty to sixty degrees below zero.
Several of them started to have high fevers, the lowest temperature reaching 39°, some even higher.
Since they had no notion of stocking up on medicine, none had prepared ibuprofen.
And in this weather, going out to buy medicine was impossible.
Therefore, they could only choose to endure.
This was why Zhang Yi hadn't shot them at the time.
Letting them freeze to death in despair was far more satisfying to him than killing them outright!
Zhang Yi sat on the carpet, engrossed in his game.
Outside, it was bitterly cold, the howling north wind mixed with the heavy snow.
Inside his room, it was a warm 27°, brightly lit, with no worry of food or drink, and all entertainments readily available.
If there was anything lacking, it was probably a woman's company for Zhang Yi.
But Zhang Yi was not the kind of idiot ruled by lust.
Having learned from the last life the cost of involving women carelessly, he now placed his own safety and quality of life above all else.
Unless it was absolutely safe, he wouldn't let anyone enter his safe house.
In an apocalyptic world, human nature is an unpredictable factor.
He had seen with his own eyes a woman smash her husband to death over a pack of instant noodles.
At that moment, Zhang Yi's phone lit up again.
He picked it up curiously and saw that Aunt Lin was mentioning everyone in the owners' chat.
"Due to the current snowstorm, everyone's lives have been greatly impacted."
"According to official notices, the snow will continue for a short while longer."
"To ensure everyone gets through this ordeal together, with dignity even under difficult circumstances, the residents' committee will now collect supplies from each household to then distribute them fairly."
"This is a directive from the authorities, and it is critical for all households to cooperate! Otherwise, if anyone is selfish and disobeys the organization's arrangements, they will be held accountable afterward!"
"Do not think you can oppose our organization just because you believe you're capable. Remember, every family has their vulnerabilities!"
Zhang Yi sneered.
The same old tactics as before.
As a member of the residents' committee, Aunt Lin might not have much power, but she did have more access to information than the average person.
She definitely knew about the coming of the end times early on, that the official operations in Tianhai City had already ground to a halt.
That's why she aimed to deceive and intimidate everyone into handing over their supplies to her.
However, Aunt Lin's tactics were not very clever.
After all, she was just an old lady with a middle school education level.
In fact, anyone with a bit of sense could see the problems in her words.
Even if the officials were to take control, such an order was unlikely to be issued.
Still, of the more than fifty households in their building, there were always some timid ones who, out of fear, would comply with Aunt Lin's demands.
Zhang Yi had no intention of getting involved; he just wanted to see how things would play out.
Sure enough, because Aunt Lin was forceful about confiscating everyone's supplies, some people were pushed to the brink.
Wang Min, who lived on the 15th floor, was also Zhang Yi's colleague. As a thrifty housewife who often brought things home from the warehouse, this was well known among her neighbors.
Aunt Lin's move to collect the supplies would definitely involve Wang Min's household.
Wang Min said, "Since we can't go out due to the heavy snow, each household hardly has enough to last. And you want to collect and redistribute everything, is that reasonable?"
Another owner, Sun Zhichao, also spoke up, "It's not easy for any of us to save some food, and now you want to take that away? That's crossing the line!"
Aunt Lin gritted her teeth, pressing the voice message button forcefully.
"I've already said, in an emergency, extraordinary measures are required!"
"The snow disaster will pass soon, don't worry. It's just a matter of re-distributing the supplies."
"There are many families without anything to eat. Are you all that selfish?"
"Can't you spare a thought for your neighbors!"
Some families stocked up on supplies, naturally, others did not.
Thus, those lacking supplies naturally supported Aunt Lin.
"Right, we're all neighbors, what's wrong with helping each other out?"
"It's just some food and drink. It's not like we can't afford it on regular days, it's just these few special days!"
"This is the organization's decision. If you don't abide by it, not everyone can withstand the consequences."
In the WeChat group, the two sides started arguing.
Zhang Yi remained silent; neither did Bai Lianhua Fang Yuqing nor Lin Cainin speak up.
Because in fact, they had plenty of supplies at home.
But with their character, they would never hand them over, not even if they were on their deathbeds.
Zhang Yi's desire to just watch the drama unfolded was soon disrupted.
Though he didn't speak up, Aunt Lin took the initiative to send him a private message.
"Xiao Zhang, you work at the warehouse, so you must have a lot of food and drink at home, right?"
"I remember last time you bought three whole cartloads of stuff!"
"Now everyone's in trouble, and it's time for you to shine."
"Don't worry, as soon as the snow disaster is over, we'll surely pay you back. Everyone will remember your generosity."
Aunt Lin first created a scare in the WeChat group to panic the more timid individuals.
Then she began to break through them one by one.
If she could trick one family, she could get some supplies, enough for her and her grandson to survive a few more days!
And Zhang Yi, the warehouse manager at Walmart, was now squarely in Aunt Lin's sights.