The Lanshan Community Property Management Office.
As a high-end community for wealthy residents, the Lanshan property management office was a fully equipped residential suite, complete with offices and staff quarters.
Shao Hang brought Tang Yili to the office and offered him a cup of hot water. He had sensed that Tang Yili wasn't a local, and indeed, this was confirmed upon inquiry.
"What do you do?" Shao Hang asked, eyeing Tang Yili's muscular build.
"Fitness instructor."
"Oh, just training?"
"Weight loss, strength training, various fitness routines, and even some martial arts..." Tang Yili explained. The fitness industry was highly competitive, requiring extensive knowledge and versatility.
Satisfied to hear about the martial arts, Shao Hang pointed outside. "It's snowing, and traffic has halted. Do you have a place to stay in Jiazhou?"
"I'm staying at a friend's house," Tang Yili replied honestly.
"And... does he have enough food?"
Tang Yili swallowed. Sun Chenghao's house wasn't entirely out of food, but the options were too limited, so he hadn't eaten. After chasing Ai Bing out, he was now cold and hungry, with his stomach rebelling.
"Do you know what people are saying online about the current situation?" Shao Hang placed a bag of bread and a box of milk in front of Tang Yili. "The end of the world. The apocalypse."
"It's snowing and getting colder everywhere. Have you thought about how you'll survive?"
"N-no." Tang Yili shook his head while eating.
"Look, this is the most luxurious community in Jiazhou. The residents here are wealthy and well-connected. Why not stay and work with me? As long as I have food, you won't starve."
"I..." Tang Yili considered it and realized Shao Hang was right. However, he had one request.
"It's about Ai Bing, right? Don't worry. She won't leave this community unless I allow it. At times like this, we shouldn't overly prioritize women. As long as we have food and weapons, we can have any woman we want. Trust me, among the women in this community, Ai Bing isn't even the best of her peers."
"But I like her," Tang Yili said, finishing his bread.
"Fine, I promise Ai Bing will be yours. How about that?"
"Okay!" Tang Yili agreed without hesitation. "I'll work with you."
"Good brother!"
Shao Hang laughed, patting Tang Yili's shoulder. "I'll find you a winter security uniform and introduce you to the others."
And so, Tang Yili became a security guard at Lanshan Community. After some thought, he called Sun Chenghao, with Shao Hang's permission. Using food and "mutual support" as reasons, Tang Yili convinced Sun Chenghao to join their organization as soon as possible.
Yes, organization!
Though Shao Hang hadn't read much, he was quite clever. At thirty, unmarried, he enjoyed reading various web novels, especially apocalyptic ones.
So when global anomalies began, Shao Hang started comparing them to the novels he had read.
Modern web novelists were impressive, covering possible apocalyptic scenarios and how different social classes might respond. Though some content was far-fetched, like seventy-degree weather (even Shao Hang knew proteins coagulate at sixty degrees), much was useful.
For instance, stockpiling supplies and weapons, finding suitable shelters—most relevant to Shao Hang was recruiting people.
As long as conditions allowed human survival, resources could be managed if there were enough people.
Days earlier, Shao Hang had started talking to the security guards, trying to recruit them. Those who couldn't be recruited were reassigned to other properties, ensuring the "purity" of his team.
Beyond the obedient security core, Shao Hang targeted young, strong "passersby" with no ties. Tang Yili wasn't the first, nor would he be the last.
Uncertain of the disaster's progression, the government's response, and potential societal collapse, Shao Hang made two plans.
If social order remained, some covert tasks could be assigned to recruited "passersby." Should problems arise, Shao Hang could easily dissociate himself by eliminating witnesses and evidence.
Simultaneously, Shao Hang was profiling all current residents, using guards and surveillance. He believed he had a handle on over ninety percent of the community's supplies, noting who bought what, in what quantities, and how many people lived in each household, along with their consumption rates.
With these preparations, Shao Hang believed he'd thrive in the apocalypse. He even felt grateful for the disaster, enabling him to do things impossible in a normal society and enjoy previously unattainable luxuries.
Once the community gate was sealed, he, Shao Hang, would be the ruler of this domain!
When Sun Chenghao arrived, he was nearly frozen stiff.
Few cars were operational on the roads, as most engines couldn't start in the extreme cold, and some lower-quality vehicles had stalled completely.
Worse, power outages were occurring due to electrical line failures.
Without power, heating would be a significant issue.
"It's over, Lao Tang, everything's over!"
Sun Chenghao sobbed.
"Don't worry, Sun Chenghao. Our community has enough fuel and generators to maintain heating. Besides, I've gathered everyone to face even harsher conditions."
Shao Hang resumed his persuasion.
"...There's a gas station not far from here, but can you get the fuel out alone? And even if you do, how much can you carry?"
"...With enough people, we can bring back the entire gas station if we work together!"
"...There are many supermarkets in the city, but would you dare go alone? Can you return safely?"
...
"Manager Shao—no, brother, I'll work with you!"