Chapter 81: Air Conditioning

After eating and drinking her fill, Fugui waddled over with her belly sticking out, drawn by the smell.

“Greedy dog!” Annan tossed her another piece of grilled crocodile meat.

Once the barbecue was ready, she knocked on the door of 1401.

Chu Peipei opened the door, wearing nothing but a very short camisole nightdress, fanning herself nonstop with a flyer.

When she saw the barbecue in Annan’s hand, her eyes lit up and she hurried to take it.

“Nannan, how did you know I was too hot to cook?”

She lowered her head and sniffed, “Smells amazing!”

Although Chu Peipei had also managed to get a lot of crocodile meat, she usually just sliced it thin and boiled it to save as much fuel as possible.

It had been a long time since she’d tasted barbecue sprinkled with cumin and spices like this.

“Nannan, wait a sec, I’ll get some rations to trade with you.”

Annan stopped her. “No need, you and Zhao Ping’an caught this meat before. I just grilled too much and can’t finish it all. Let’s eat together—my treat today.”

Chu Peipei thought for a moment. “Alright, I’ll treat you next time. Thanks to you, my supplies at home are pretty well-stocked now.”

As she spoke, she looked at Annan in surprise. “I’m just sitting at home and my face is all red from the heat, but you grilled skewers and still look totally fine?”

Annan answered honestly, “I have a generator at home, so I turned on the air conditioning.”

There was nothing to hide about this. She had an outdoor AC unit, and since Chu Peipei lived next door, she’d find out sooner or later.

Chu Peipei just nodded in understanding, not surprised at all.

Annan’s house was well-stocked, so it wasn’t strange she could keep the AC running with a generator.

Even Chu Peipei, who’d only recently gotten rich by catching crocodiles, had a generator at home.

As for why she was still so hot…

Good news: she’d traded for a generator.

Bad news: she traded her air conditioner for it.

Of course, just an air conditioner alone wouldn’t be enough to get such a valuable item.

At the time, Chu Peipei had traded a lot of food, plus the air conditioner, washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances she thought were useless, to get the generator and a small amount of fuel—just enough to keep her fridge running.

Who would’ve thought the weather would suddenly get this hot?

Now, the air conditioner had become a precious commodity.

Chu Peipei couldn’t help but complain, “I’ve even got a generator, but no air conditioner…”

Annan actually had spare air conditioners in her storage space, but she couldn’t just take one out and give it away.

After all, even apocalypse preppers like Zhao Ping’an wouldn’t have several AC units at home.

She had to be cautious about anything that might reveal her space.

After thinking for a moment, Annan suggested, “A lot of people have air conditioners. Just look around the neighborhood—you’ll find one easily.”

Many people had died during the floods, leaving a lot of empty apartments. Just pick one and there’d be an AC inside.

Chu Peipei hesitated. “But the temperature can’t stay this high forever, right? Maybe it’ll cool down tomorrow.”

Annan replied, “That’s what everyone thinks, so air conditioners aren’t in high demand yet. But if this heat lasts as long as the floods did—several months—it’ll be a real problem.”

Actually, the extreme heat would last not just a few months, but a full two years.

By then, not just air conditioners—even old electric fans would be fought over.

The most sought-after supplies during the extreme heat: drinking water, cooling appliances, generators, and food.

Clothes didn’t matter anymore—there’d be plenty of people running naked in the streets from the heat.

Chu Peipei thought over Annan’s words and realized she was right.

This temperature spike was already abnormal, just like that sudden, extreme rainstorm four months ago. It could easily last a long time.

No matter how long it lasted, being prepared could only help.

She said seriously, “I’ll take a walk around the neighborhood later and find an AC to install.”

Annan reminded her, “Remember to take your weapon.”

After saying goodbye to Chu Peipei, she headed upstairs to find Zhao Ping’an.

The stairwell was unbearably stuffy. Annan had barely walked a few steps before breaking out in a thin sweat. But when Zhao Ping’an opened the door, a cool breeze immediately wafted out.

Looks like he had the AC running too.

Zhao Ping’an came out, instantly drawn to the fragrant platter of barbecue in Annan’s hands.

“Idol, your barbecue is just in time! My mom was just complaining that my noodles are too bland.”

Annan smiled. “I just felt like having barbecue today, so I thought I’d bring you guys some to try.”

Zhao Ping’an was touched: Who else understands! My idol is now my friend, and she even brings me good food!

Then he looked at her with concern. “Idol, it’s so hot these days. You grilled at home—didn’t get heatstroke, did you?”

Annan shook her head. “No.”

“That’s good!” Zhao Ping’an breathed a sigh of relief. “The temperature rose so suddenly today. Good thing we all stayed home, or we could’ve gotten sick.”

Annan nodded. “Yeah, it was really sudden—just like that rainstorm, coming on so fiercely.”

She deliberately brought up the first disaster to get Zhao Ping’an’s attention.

Sure enough, Zhao Ping’an frowned and nodded.

“Yeah, when something’s this abnormal, something’s up. I suspect this apocalypse isn’t over yet. We all need to stay alert and be careful.”

Then, as if remembering something, his eyes lit up.

“Oh right, Idol, that cut-resistant fabric I traded you before—did you make it into clothes yet? That material also keeps your body temperature stable. Remember to wear it, so you don’t get heatstroke.”

Annan nodded, about to reply, when another figure appeared behind Zhao Ping’an.

“You must be Annan?” Hu Cuilan beamed at her.

“I always hear Ping’an talking about his idol, and Peipei praised you a lot when you did acupuncture for her. I finally get to meet you today! Such a pretty young lady!”

Annan smiled politely. “Hello, Auntie.”

Zhao Ping’an said, “Mom, you’ve met before, remember? In the elevator.”

Hu Cuilan’s expression changed and she smacked him on the head.

“You little brat, always contradicting me and making me look bad on purpose?”

Zhao Ping’an yelped and dodged. “Ow, Mom! My idol’s here—give me some face!”

Then he explained to Annan, “Sorry, Idol, my mom has a temper—she can blow up at any moment. Sorry you had to see that.”

Annan watched them bicker and didn’t feel put off at all. Instead, she found it very heartwarming.

Her own home was always so quiet and lonely. If it weren’t for Fugui, she might have lost the ability to talk altogether.

If only her mother were still alive…

Her mom wasn’t as outgoing as Hu Cuilan—she was a very elegant and gentle woman. But no matter how different their personalities, the way mothers look at their children is always the same.

Whether they’re praising or scolding, there’s always love in their eyes."