Zhang stepped out of his apartment, and the world outside seemed as vibrant and peaceful as ever. The sun was shining through the blue sky, casting its warmth over the streets. The air felt fresh, and people were strolling along the sidewalks, families laughing and playing in the park. Children ran around on the square, their parents grinning happily. Everything seemed perfect, as if nothing had changed, and the future was still full of hope and warmth.
But deep down, Zhang could feel an eerie chill creeping up inside him. He knew that this peace wouldn't last. In just a month, everything would be swallowed by a merciless disaster. The lively streets, the cheerful laughter — it would all crumble into ruins in the blink of an eye.
With that thought, he quickened his pace, walking out of the neighborhood. Just a short distance away was a Michelin three-star restaurant, its grand exterior and luxurious interior drawing long lines of people waiting to get in. A single meal there could easily set you back five or six thousand yuan. Zhang had always been too frugal to indulge in such extravagance before, but now, none of that mattered. After surviving the catastrophe, he had come back to life. He was no longer the same person — the one obsessed with mere survival. This time, he decided to live for himself and enjoy life.
He entered the restaurant with a sense of resolve, choosing a seat by the window. Outside, the busy street continued its bustling pace, but inside, a feast awaited him. Without a second thought, Zhang ordered the most expensive dishes on the menu: oysters, foie gras, lobster, truffle steak, and a bottle of Lafite wine — the price of which was nearly equivalent to a small car. The waiter looked momentarily surprised, but quickly regained his composure, offering professional service.
The other diners couldn't help but cast curious glances at Zhang, whispering among themselves. "That guy doesn't look like an ordinary person. How can he afford such a lavish meal?" Zhang didn't care what they thought. He dug into the food, savoring each bite like it was his last meal. His manners went out the window as he wolfed down the dishes.
"Is he in some kind of eating contest?" someone murmured.
Zhang ignored the comments and kept eating, savoring each mouthful. After surviving the ice-cold end of the world, the taste of such luxury brought tears to his eyes. In the past, he had only been able to survive on rations and dry food. Now, sitting in a Michelin-starred restaurant, he almost forgot how he made it through those endless days of hunger.
Just as Zhang was immersed in his meal, two women outside stopped in their tracks. They were dressed in high-end fashion — one with long flowing hair, impeccable makeup, and a stunning designer outfit, complete with an expensive watch and a diamond necklace. The other, her best friend, wore a fashionable ensemble and carried a pricey LV handbag.
They paused, their gazes drawn to the restaurant's grandeur, eyes filled with longing. To them, a Michelin three-star restaurant was a luxury they could never afford, a world far beyond their reach. They could only dream of dining in such a place. Despite their envy, they still couldn't help but eye the restaurant with a sense of fascination, hoping to spot some rich "second-generation heir" who might be their ticket to a life of luxury.
Suddenly, the first woman froze, her eyes widening. "No... isn't that Zhang?" she said quietly, with disbelief in her voice. "How can he afford to eat here?"
The other woman, Li, was equally shocked. She covered her mouth, eyes wide as she stared at Zhang. "Wait… he's so rich now? How did Zhang get so wealthy?" A hint of envy flashed in her eyes, but she quickly smirked, glancing at her friend. "Rainy, you sure have some luck! The 'puppy' who's been chasing you around is actually some hidden rich kid!"
Her gaze flickered over the luxurious spread on the table, "Look at that spread. At least 50 or 60 thousand, right? Who can afford to eat this much in one go? And he's doing it alone, enjoying it like it's no big deal."
Rainy felt a stir of doubt in her heart. Was Zhang really just an ordinary guy? He had always been so devoted to her, practically penniless, just dreaming of being with her. But now, he was here, alone, eating a lavish meal. It made her question everything. Could he really be just a small-time office worker?
"Could he be a second-generation heir?" Rainy started to think, her brow furrowing slightly. "Wait, isn't this like what happens in TV dramas? Someone who seems ordinary but secretly has a fortune, pretending to be poor just to find true love?"
She convinced herself, a spark of excitement lighting up her eyes. If Zhang really was a hidden rich kid, she might just have found an easier way into a life of luxury.
"Rainy, let's go find him!" Li urged, her eyes glinting as she glanced at the feast. "This kind of meal, I might never get to try again in my life!"
Rainy hesitated for a moment but then shook her head, a calm smile on her lips. "That might look bad, don't you think? What if he thinks I'm just after his money?"
She laughed lightly, a hint of cunning in her eyes. "Let's wait outside, pretend we ran into him by chance. That way, he won't think I'm being too forward."
She knew exactly how to play this. Even if Zhang was some wealthy second-generation heir, she would still keep her goddess-like demeanor. Only by maintaining control could she make sure he remained devoted to her.
So, the two women waited at a nearby street corner, watching and waiting for Zhang to leave.
After over an hour, Zhang had devoured everything on the table. He rubbed his belly, letting out a satisfied sigh. The food wasn't as mind-blowing as he'd expected, but for him, after coming back from the apocalypse, it was the most luxurious meal he could imagine. In the past, he hadn't been able to eat like this for months, and now, it was enough to bring him to tears.
Once done, he planned to stop by the nearby supermarket to stock up on supplies. He needed to test the storage function of his spatial ability, just to be safe. Although he was confident he could haul resources from the Walmart warehouse, it never hurt to be extra cautious. After all, he'd been through hunger before, and he wasn't about to let any surprises ruin his plans.
He paid the bill, and the waitstaff gave him a warm smile as he left the restaurant. Just as he stepped outside, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Zhang, what a coincidence!"
Zhang turned, and there they were — Rainy and Li. Rainy adjusted her hair, deliberately exposing her smooth neck and the delicate pink of her earlobes.
Zhang's heart sank with disdain. This was classic "green tea" behavior — acting like she wasn't trying to get attention, but actually playing all the right moves to make men fall for her. Zhang wasn't the naive guy he used to be, the one who followed her around like a lovesick fool.
His gaze darkened, and memories of how she betrayed him in the past flooded back. The pain of his death, all because of her.
He froze for a moment, the urge to end her right there rising within him. After all, the apocalypse was coming, and no one would care. But quickly, he suppressed it. There was no need to make a move now. He'd let her live and experience the desperation of the end of the world. After all, with the memories of his previous life, he could make her suffer a hundred times worse.
For now, though, his focus had to remain on creating the safest refuge for himself, a place where he could survive comfortably when the world fell apart.