"Who's there? Come out!"
Shao Hang, who had been listening to the security guard, suddenly turned and shouted at the shadows outside the door.
"If you don't come out, we'll take action!"
"I'm just passing by, can't I?" Tang Yili, shivering, emerged from the shadows, still glancing into the community.
"Are you with that woman who just came in?"
"That's my girlfriend. I'm here to catch her cheating!"
"Oh?" Shao Hang smiled slightly. "Catch her cheating? But that's not what she said. How can you prove it?"
Tang Yili, of course, couldn't prove it.
"Do you want to go in and confront her?"
Seeing Tang Yili's clueless expression, Shao Hang felt a bit anxious for him and decided to guide him slowly.
"Yes, I want to confront her."
"But why should I let you in? The people living here are wealthy. I don't want to offend them for no reason."
"Buddy," Tang Yili, now less panicked, leaned in and whispered, "I can give you a tip if you tell me where she went. I promise it won't come back to you."
"You think it won't come back to me?" Shao Hang sneered. "Why don't you come to my office and explain in detail?"
Tang Yili, desperate to prevent Ai Bing from being with another man, agreed without much thought.
Meanwhile, Zhou Lin, his parents, and Blackie, along with the poultry and rabbits, entered their home.
Seeing Zhou Caijun covered in blood, Zhou Li couldn't help but gasp, despite being mentally prepared.
Wu Xue remained relatively calm, though slightly nervous.
"Mom, Dad, go to the second floor," Zhou Lin nodded at Wu Xue. "Please help."
"Of course, let's go up." Although unsure why they needed to go upstairs, Wu Xue followed Zhou Lin's lead. Just as they reached the second floor, the doorbell rang.
When Zhou Lin opened the door, Ai Bing felt a rush of warmth, a stark contrast to the cold outside.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" Ai Bing tried to wrap her arm around Zhou Lin, a tactic that usually worked on men. But today, she miscalculated.
Zhou Lin stepped back, expressionless. "What do you want?"
Ai Bing's smile froze. "What do you mean? Didn't you invite me over? Don't forget, I have a share in this house!" She hadn't thought of this earlier, but now her brain seemed to be working again.
Zhou Lin didn't deny the property share, but in these times, ownership meant little. Strength was what mattered.
"I don't care. I'm staying here!" Ai Bing pushed past Zhou Lin and sat in the living room, enjoying the warmth.
She then noticed the snacks and fruits on the coffee table and began eating.
"Is there more food? I'm starving."
Seeing Zhou Lin lock the door, Ai Bing thought she had won again and started giving orders.
"There's food," Zhou Lin sneered. "But do you deserve it?"
Ai Bing stopped, staring at Zhou Lin. She almost didn't recognize him.
"Don't you get it?" Zhou Lin pulled her up and pointed to the sealed windows. "It's the end of the world, Ai Bing. The apocalypse."
"W-what apocalypse? Isn't it just a climate anomaly that will soon pass?" Ai Bing stammered.
"Pass?" Zhou Lin scoffed. "Weren't you with your friend? Why didn't you stay there?"
"I just went to see him. I'm your girlfriend!"
"No! We have no relationship."
"Do you think you're fit to be my sister-in-law?" Zhou Li descended the stairs, linking arms with Zhou Lin. "Bro, why did you let her in?"
Zhou Lin ruffled her hair. "What do you think?"
"Bro, you didn't do anything first, did you? That would be too twisted..."
Ai Bing swallowed nervously. "If I'm not welcome, I'll leave."
"You want to leave? Fine, I won't stop you."
If Zhou Lin had tried to stop her, Ai Bing would have fought to leave. But now, his indifference made her hesitate. Was he tricking her? Was this all an act to make her leave so they could keep her money?
Tens of thousands of yuan!
Much of it was borrowed, with interest due soon!
No, she couldn't just leave!
Even if she left, she needed her money back, with interest and fees...
"Aren't you leaving? The door's open," Zhou Lin said.
"Zhou Lin, I see your true colors now! You're a worthless man!"
"I'll leave if you repay me, with interest!" Ai Bing demanded.
"I admit I borrowed your money, but the note clearly states the term is one year. Even if you go to court now, if the courts are open, see if they'll take the case," Zhou Lin said calmly. "If I were you, I'd hurry home. In a few days, you might not be able to leave."
The more Zhou Lin spoke, the more Ai Bing felt he was trying to trick her into leaving.
"No! You must repay me now, or I'll call the police!" She pulled out her phone to call the police.
Zhou Lin stood still, watching her.
Three minutes passed. Ai Bing tried several times, but either the machine answered, or no one picked up.
"Wait, I'll go to the police station!"
Zhou Lin didn't stop her, letting her rush into the elevator.
As soon as she stepped out, Ai Bing regretted it.
Cold!
The biting wind pierced her bones. Her thin clothes offered no protection. Within breaths, her chest felt frozen.
My luggage!
No, she needed her luggage, or she'd freeze to death!
She turned back and took the elevator up.
"Where's my luggage?"
"Not here."
"Then get it for me."
"Dream on. Weren't you going to the police? Go ahead, I'm waiting."
Thinking of the cold outside, Ai Bing swallowed and forced herself to calm down. "Zhou Lin, let's not fight, okay? You wouldn't let me freeze outside, right?"
"Still want to stay?" Zhou Lin sneered.
Ai Bing nodded.
"Fine, you can stay for now, but we don't keep freeloaders." Zhou Lin pointed to the poultry and rabbits. "Carry these."
With no choice, Ai Bing reluctantly picked up the cages and followed Zhou Lin to the rooftop.
The tool shed was simple but warmer than the living room.
"There's no room for you downstairs. You'll stay here from now on," Zhou Lin said after settling the animals.