Because she hadn't slept well last night, Fang Yuxin didn't get up until almost nine in the morning. After changing her clothes, she saw Qu Qianhe sitting on the living room sofa. Qu Qianhe was holding a magazine and reading it; when she heard footsteps, she looked up, then set the magazine down and tenderly watched Fang Yuxin, "Hungry? Go, sit down, and I'll ask Aunt Li to get you something to eat."
She didn't wait for Fang Yuxin to reply and called out, "Aunt Li, bring Xinxin some breakfast."
Aunt Li, who was busy in the kitchen, answered upon hearing her and soon came out with a tray. Although the breakfast was simple, it was very nutritious. Fang Yuxin was already hungry, and the smell of food made her stomach even more uncomfortable. The savory and soft seafood porridge immediately aroused her sensitive taste buds and her hunger was enticed.
Fang Yuxin wolfed down the porridge as if she were a refugee who hadn't eaten for a long time, frightening both Qu Qianhe and Aunt Li. Aunt Li couldn't help asking, "Madam? What's wrong with Xinxin? Why is she so hungry?"
Remembering Fang Yuxin's cries in the middle of the night, Qu Qianhe's brows slightly furrowed. Something wasn't quite right with Fang Yuxin. Qu Qianhe had been specifically waiting here because she was worried about Fang Yuxin and had wanted to counsel her after she woke up. But she was shocked by the change in Fang Yuxin's eating behavior and found herself at a loss for words.
Fang Yuxin quickly finished the rest of the breakfast, then holding the empty porridge bowl, she said to Aunt Li, "Aunt Li, is there any more porridge? Could you get me another bowl? I'd like some more."
Aunt Li glanced at Qu Qianhe, a bit distressed. She felt that Fang Yuxin had already eaten quite a bit, even more than usual. She was hesitant to give her more as she might overeat. Having studied some nutrition, she valued health and adhered to eating until eight-tenths full.
Qu Qianhe shook her head at her, "It's all been put away."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Li swiftly collected the dishes, afraid that Fang Yuxin would continue eating. A flash of bewilderment crossed Fang Yuxin's face, then she lowered her head and clenched her fists tightly. The dream from last night was too realistic; having struggled to survive in an apocalypse where no day was guaranteed, Fang Yuxin subconsciously felt hungry, as if she could never eat enough.
But upon further feeling, she realized she was actually full, even a little bloated. Qu Qianhe pulled her to sit on the sofa and, stroking her head with concern, she asked, "Xinxin, are you alright? Tell Mom, what's really going on? Is it because of the nightmare last night? What exactly did you dream about?"
Unable to hold back, Fang Yuxin plunged into Qu Qianhe's arms and hugged her tightly. Qu Qianhe's body carried a light and pleasant tea fragrance, soothing and calming to the senses, unlike the strong scent that Fang Mengyao exuded in the dream.
Fang Yuxin, feeling Qu Qianhe's soft embrace, slowly calmed down—Qu Qianhe was still alive, so were her dad and brother. It was such a relief! As for Fang Mengyao, she believed she would uncover the truth!
Feeling Qu Qianhe's worried gaze, Fang Yuxin, somewhat ashamed, then said, "Mom, I'm sorry, I can't talk about it now, but don't worry, I'll be fine soon!"
Qu Qianhe had no choice but to drop the subject, "Alright then, if you won't tell me, come with Mom for some shopping instead." In reality, she wanted to take Fang Yuxin out to distract her.
Fang Yuxin did not refuse, but once outside, facing the towering buildings and bustling crowds, she almost desperately wanted to flee and be alone. Qu Qianhe clutched her wrist tightly, and seeing her panicked expression, couldn't help but frown and ask, "Xinxin, are you really okay? Should Mom take you to the hospital?"
The hospital? No way! Absolutely not! Just then, a news report played on a display screen in a neighboring store, mentioning a global flu outbreak, urging citizens to be cautious and to seek medical attention in time. Fang Yuxin instantly remembered that in her dream, a global flu outbreak had occurred as well, many people with persistent fevers had been admitted to hospitals, and once the apocalypse began, the hospitals became the most dangerous places. Almost none who were inside managed to escape; they all turned into zombies.
So, she instinctively said, "No! We can't go to the hospital!" Because her tone was so severe, people nearby couldn't help but glance over, surprised at her.
Qu Qianhe quickly pulled Fang Yuxin away, no longer mentioning the hospital, but Fang Yuxin was still thinking about the news she had just heard. She silently counted the days, and if that dream was real, the world would end in a month, and she had to do something ahead of time! With this in mind, she took out her cellphone and called her assistant. She had bought a villa in the newly developed western part of the city using her savings, and she left the decoration responsibilities to her assistant.
It wasn't long before the assistant picked up the phone, "Hello? Mr. Fang? What can I do for you?"
Fang Yuxin immediately asked, "How's the decoration going for that villa in the west?"
The assistant replied, "It's already more than halfway done. Is something the matter, Mr. Fang?"
After recalling the scale of the villa, she said, "Send the details to my email; you don't need to handle this matter. I'll take care of it personally. Also, how's the supermarket business going?"
The assistant, though curious, smartly didn't ask anything and simply said, "All right, I'll compile the details and send them to you shortly. The supermarket is doing well, but quite a few staff members have called in sick, saying they're running a fever and have been admitted to the hospital; we're a little short-staffed. Mr. Fang, do you think we should hire some temporary workers?"
After thinking it over, Fang Yuxin said directly, "No need; I have other plans for the supermarket. Notify everyone, we will have a meeting at 2:30 this afternoon, I have an announcement to make. That's all, I'm hanging up." Having finished, she hung up the call.
Qu Qianhe, who had been silent until then, couldn't contain herself after the call ended and asked, "Yuxin, what are you planning to do?"
Fang Yuxin didn't hide it from her and straightforwardly shared her plan, "Mom, I'm thinking of closing the supermarket for now."
Qu Qianhe didn't understand, "Close it for what? Even if you want to expand the business, you can just rent the space next door. You can renovate while still running the business, right?"
Fang Yuxin smiled and said, "Mom, don't ask, I have my plans."
Seeing her finally smiling and a sparkle back in her eyes, a much better look compared to her previous startled demeanor, Qu Qianhe was reassured and stopped inquiring about what Fang Yuxin truly wanted to do.
There was a smile on Fang Yuxin's face, her eyelashes casting a perfect shadow that concealed the darkness in her eyes. The Fang Family's supermarket was a large low-price supermarket, managed by Fang Yuxin herself. The Fang family didn't open this supermarket to make a profit; the prices were only slightly higher than wholesale, and they conducted strict quality control, all for charity. The elderly, those with low-income benefits, and the disabled could apply for a membership at the supermarket, get discounts while shopping, and even have goods delivered to their homes.
Therefore, the supermarket barely made any profits, in fact, losing money every year. Furthermore, the Fang Family had also established a charity fund to help those in need. Yet, after the apocalypse arrived, not only was the supermarket looted empty, but Fang Mengyao also slandered the Fang Family as 'hypocritical', 'pretend philanthropists', and 'show-offs', and many people believed her. No one stood on the Fang Family's side.
Fang Yuxin felt a chill in her heart! However, she had another reason to close the supermarket; she needed to stockpile supplies!