"Why isn't it morning yet?"
Since Zhou Caijun had called the teacher to ask for leave the previous day, Zhou Li didn't go to class that morning. Instead, she stayed in her dormitory, waiting for Zhou Lin's call.
Staring at the still-dark sky, Zhou Li couldn't shake off a sense of foreboding. Her keen mind recalled scenes from the apocalyptic novels she had read, as recent events began to resemble those fictional scenarios.
"The day before yesterday, they exposed the lie. Yesterday, a group of experts explained it. It seems the end of the world is really coming. I wonder if I can convince Dad and the others. I hope my brother will side with me."
"Zhou Li, your family is at the south gate. Hurry up, do you need help with anything?" The dormitory teacher's voice interrupted Zhou Li's thoughts.
Refusing the dormitory teacher's offer of help, Zhou Li quickly walked towards the south gate, occasionally glancing at the sky with a heavy heart.
Zhou Lin greeted her, saying, "Why the long face? Worried that the trip will affect your grades?"
"Someone as smart as me doesn't need school or teachers. Don't judge others by your own standards!"
Zhou Lin was unfazed by his sister's retort. In his past life, she was the one he cared about the most and felt most guilty towards. This time, things should be different, Zhou Lin thought.
"Brother, look at the sky. Doesn't it look like the end of the world, as described in the stories?"
Zhou Lin glanced at her in surprise, "Did you buckle your seatbelt?"
"Don't need your reminder. I heard you brought your girlfriend back. Are you going to marry her?"
"Marry? Zhou Lin laughed, "She's not worthy."
"Great! My brother finally shows the demeanor of a rich second generation."
"You all are rich second generations. Look at the difference between us growing up. I even doubt I'm their biological child."
"Bro, have confidence. Think about who gave you your allowance in high school and college."
Their family practiced "frugal son, rich daughter." Even at just thirty, Zhou Li had a combined bank savings of a hundred and thirty thousand, not including pocket money.
As for Zhou Lin, before working, his spending was zero. Even his New Year money was handed over at 95%, called "tuition."
"Brother, what do you think about what I just said?"
"Of course, keep an eye on the road while driving." Zhou Lin joked, seeing his sister's calm demeanor, he quickly steadied himself. "You don't believe those novels, do you?"
"Art imitates life, legends might be ancient history. Brother, I don't blame you for reading less, but you must learn to adapt."
"I graduated college, you're just in middle school." Zhou Lin tilted his head.
"I just started middle school, and you're already in college."
Zhou Lin was momentarily speechless, unable to refute, "Alright, you win. But I think you'll never get into college."
Hearing this, Zhou Li was silent for a moment.
"Brother, do you know?"
"Know what?" Zhou Lin squinted, glancing at the rearview mirror.
"I think so too." Zhou Li sighed like an adult. "Do Grandpa and Grandma know? How much longer can we live?"
Zhou Lin realized she had guessed the truth. Though he was cautious, her intelligence surpassed his acting.
They had only been together for less than ten minutes.
"It's not that serious, just a minor disaster. As long as we..."
"Understate minor matters, simplify major ones. I'm not talking about you, but the country." Zhou Li replied, "It seems this time it's really over. What a pity, I haven't finished learning linear algebra."
"So that's what you're upset about?" Zhou Lin was puzzled.
"Of course, life has no inherent meaning. All my joy comes from exploring knowledge. With your intelligence, you can't understand. Tell me about your girlfriend, is it Ai Bing?"
"I said, she's not my girlfriend. She's not worthy."
"I see, you want to drag her down. How big is the grudge? A life-and-death enemy? But it doesn't make sense, you two weren't married, so there's no infidelity. So... when all other possibilities are eliminated, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. Brother... have you been reborn?"
If it weren't for driving, Zhou Lin would've wanted to pry open Zhou Li's head. Her brain worked differently from normal people!
"Our parents aren't that smart, how did they have a genius like you?" Zhou Lin couldn't understand, nor did he want to talk to Zhou Li.
"This is the doomsday fortress you and Mom and Dad prepared? I think the farm would be better." Entering the house, Zhou Li began inspecting, quickly jotting down notes in a notebook.
"The main door is an issue. From the elevator to our home, then the stairs, at least a real security door is needed. I remember a brand in the city, each door costs 170-180 thousand, it should be fine."
"And the floor. This poured concrete floor is about 10 cm thick, not enough. A 6 cm thick homogeneous steel plate, fixed to the walls with screws to increase strength, would be best.
"Our layout is good, the entire floor is ours, no need to worry about partition walls being broken. But the despair layer needs to be redone. If time is tight, we can use an American style, filling wood walls with foam and sealing with panels for good sleep and excellent effect. And replace the windows. Transparent glass is only effective under normal conditions. When the temperature difference exceeds 30 degrees, its effect diminishes. Is this enough?
Zhou Lin shook his head in confusion.
"So you were reborn. Your last life must've been tough, right?"
"Uh... continue talking about the windows."
"If the weather gets extreme, we need that many windows. Like the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony doors, we can seal them completely. It should be done in two days."
"Lastly, the roof should allow for a tray. Best encase it in 2 cm thick PC transparent panels with a 304 stainless steel frame, welded for thickness."
"Brother, reborn, no place? The food at home seems to be running low, and we need water, both flood and domestic. If time permits, after sealing the pool, get some simulated water. Depth less than 80 cm is safe. A 60-square-meter pool can store over 45 tons of water, enough for our family's water needs for a year or two."
"And..."
No one knew how Zhou Lin endured this hour. Though a doomsday reborn, Zhou Li was more professional, meticulously noting many overlooked details.
"You make me feel useless!"
"You have space, that's your greatest value!"