Zhang Yi and his companions pushed three cartloads of supplies back to the community.
Along the way, many neighbors noticed them, sparking discussions.
Zhang Yi didn't mind being seen. After all, some neighbors had already spotted him at the supermarket.
Moreover, Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining would surely spread the news.
Hiding was pointless.
He even anticipated that when the apocalypse came, many would try to break into his home to steal supplies.
He had experienced all this before.
But this time, he wasn't afraid. He would be prepared.
He wanted those people to see but be unable to touch his supplies, leaving them furious.
Zhang Yi and Fang Yuqing lived in the same apartment building.
Because Zhang Yi worked as a manager at Walmart's warehouse, neighbors often asked him to help buy discounted items.
Thus, everyone knew Zhang Yi.
Seeing Zhang Yi with so many supplies, an elderly woman out with her grandson approached.
Seeing the fresh beef and lamb in the cart, she was tempted.
"Xiao Zhang, why do you have so many things? Are they from the warehouse?"
"These are too much for you alone. Why not share with the neighbors?"
This was Aunt Lin from the property management office. She often used her position to boss the neighbors around, acting like a leader.
In the past, she often asked Zhang Yi to buy cheap discounted goods, always taking advantage.
In his previous life, she had pestered Zhang Yi for food and played a major role when the neighbors stormed his house.
Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining didn't want to provoke her and quickly said, "These are Zhang Yi's. We're just helping him."
Aunt Lin turned to Zhang Yi with a smile. "Xiao Zhang, looks like you got these from the warehouse. How about sharing some with Aunt Lin?"
As she spoke, her grandson Xiaohu climbed into a cart and grabbed a box of chocolate.
Despite his small size, he had a keen eye. That box of imported chocolate cost over two hundred yuan.
Without a word, Zhang Yi snatched it back.
Coldly, he said to Aunt Lin, "Sorry, these are for me."
The apocalypse was imminent, and Zhang Yi saw no need for politeness.
Aunt Lin's face turned ugly. "You..."
Zhang Yi's blunt refusal embarrassed her.
Especially since her grandson Xiaohu, after being pulled away, was crying for chocolate.
"Children don't understand. How about giving him a box? I'll pay you back later," Aunt Lin said sternly.
Zhang Yi scoffed.
In the age of mobile payments, money transfers were instant.
Her promise to pay later was clearly a lie.
"I said these are for me. If you want some, go buy them yourself!"
Zhang Yi sneered and led Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining away.
As they left, Aunt Lin's curses echoed behind them.
Zhang Yi ignored her.
Aunt Lin's son and daughter-in-law worked out of town, leaving her alone with her grandson.
She only bought enough food for a day at a time.
When the apocalypse struck, her supplies would be the first to run out.
In his previous life, Zhang Yi had helped her out of kindness. Without his help this time, she and her unruly grandson would be lucky to survive ten days.
Zhang Yi had no time to quarrel with the walking dead.
It wasn't cruelty; in the apocalypse, everyone struggled just to stay alive.
Others' survival was secondary.
After pushing the supplies home, Zhang Yi dismissed Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining.
"Don't forget you owe me a meal!" Fang Yuqing said playfully. But Zhang Yi only felt disgust.
He brushed her off.
They intended to stick around, hoping to uncover clues about his wealth.
But seeing his disinterest, they left.
After they left, Zhang Yi opened his alternate space and stored the supplies.
He wanted to see if there would be any changes to the items stored inside.
By the time he finished, it was late.
Instead of resting, Zhang Yi took out a pen and paper to plan the next month's preparations.
Though usually lazy, the will to survive pushed him to his limits.
"To live comfortably in the apocalypse, food is the first priority. That's easy enough."
"Apart from my regular groceries, I can take supplies from the warehouse. But I need to investigate first."
"I should wait until just before the apocalypse to avoid attention. Getting arrested now would mean death."
He wrote "Food" on his list and checked it off.
"Next, heating."
"Post-apocalypse, energy shortages will render air conditioning useless."
"So, the simplest method: a fireplace!"
Fireplaces work on the same principle as traditional kang beds, using basic methods for warmth.
European winters are extremely cold, and they use fireplaces to get through.
"I need to renovate my house, adding insulation and heat barriers."
Thinking of renovation, Zhang Yi recalled how his home was broken into in his past life, making him uneasy.
"My house needs to become an impregnable fortress."
"Thick steel plates should cover the walls, able to withstand explosions."
After the apocalypse, people would do anything to survive. He needed thorough preparation.
Having experienced death once, Zhang Yi had no intention of risking it again.
Securing the house was manageable.
Tianhai City had security companies catering to the elite, offering safe room construction.
In his previous life, a top tycoon had built a super fortress, even resistant to small nuclear weapons.
"Next, medicine. I must prevent illness."
"Walmart's warehouse has basic meds for colds and fevers, but that's not enough."
"The Cambrian storm will last decades; I need complete preparation."
Luckily, Zhang Yi had good connections in Tianhai City.
As a warehouse manager, he knew hospital storage staff.
With enough money, any medicine was obtainable.
With these problems solved, Zhang Yi tapped his notebook with his pen.
"One last issue."
His gaze sharpened.
"Weapons!"
In the apocalypse, humanity lost all morals. Fights for supplies were common.
Lives were expendable. To survive, one needed strength.
Zhang Yi wasn't a martial artist, but even masters feared sharp weapons.
With strong enough arms, he'd be safe.
"Machetes, crowbars, and axes are easy to get."
"Bows, airguns, and compound bows are also accessible."
"But the best is American-style machetes, obtainable only through the black market."
Zhang Yi rubbed his chin. This would take time to solve.
But with a month to prepare, spending enough money should open doors.
He spent three hours perfecting his plan, then enjoyed a hot shower and a comfortable sleep.
...
The next morning, Zhang Yi woke up.
His sleep was restless, waking from nightmares several times.
Seeing himself in his warm, comfortable bed, he sighed in relief.
The apocalyptic memories haunted him deeply.
Determined to avoid repeating the past, Zhang Yi resolved to be thoroughly prepared.
After breakfast, he checked the stored supplies.
To his delight, the meat, fruits, and vegetables were unchanged.
Though short-term, fruits and vegetables usually lose freshness overnight.
But in his alternate space, they remained as fresh as the day before.
"My space is separate from this world. Time might flow differently."
"Maybe time is slower or even stopped. This is great news!"
"This way, I can store all kinds of things."
But when he checked the fish, he found them dead.
Though lifelike, they hadn't decayed.
Zhang Yi stroked his chin, learning more about his space.
"Living things can't survive inside. Living there isn't practical."
This wasn't a major issue. The empty space wasn't as comfortable as home.
As long as he could store items, it was fine.
With this realization, Zhang Yi's mind buzzed with ideas.
If fresh meat and produce stayed fresh, what about cooked meals?
Though he could cook, professionals were much better.
Relying solely on himself would get boring.
So, Zhang Yi called the biggest five-star hotel in Tianhai City.
"Hello, this is Hongfu Tianxia Hotel. How can we help you?"
"I need to host a three-day banquet at my house and need to order 500 tables of food."
The receptionist was stunned.
Five hundred tables would take ages to prepare.
And at a five-star hotel, each table cost three to four thousand yuan.
Five hundred tables would be over a million!
She couldn't decide alone and quickly fetched her manager.
"Hello, sir. I'm Chen Dingfang, manager of Hongfu Hotel. How should I address you?"