Chapter 4: Supplies, and the Wish to Become Strong

Bian Kuang gave her a careful look, as if making sure she was okay, then showed off his beloved motorcycle like it was a treasure: “This isn’t a Yamaha. I’m so patriotic—would I buy something like that? I had a friend make this for me. It looks the same on the outside, but it’s been modified—way more maneuverable. Today’s actually my first time riding it. If you want, I’ll lend it to you for a few days. How’s that for generosity? So, how are you going to thank me?”

Of course, Bian Changxi knew where this bike came from. In her previous life, he’d always gone on about how he’d left his beloved motorcycle behind in Jiangcheng. She’d heard it so many times that it was the first thing she thought of now. She couldn’t get her hands on something as tough as a Hummer or a Land Rover right now, but this was a pretty good way to get around.

She stroked her chin. “Is your friend available? Ask him to help reduce the noise a bit—it’s too loud. Did you bring money?”

Bian Kuang pouted. In his mind, the louder the bike, the cooler it was—people could hear it from blocks away.

But he still did as she asked. He figured his cousin must’ve been through something big—she wasn’t even bothering to be polite to Bian Wei anymore, and look at her hair now. Whatever she said, he’d just go along with it.

He called someone to take the bike back for modifications, then pulled out his bank card and walked with Bian Changxi into the farmers’ market. “You said not to alert those people, so the only money I can use is what’s on this card—just over a hundred thousand.”

“You’re richer than me. That’s plenty.”

They walked into a wholesale shop. Bian Changxi casually picked out a few things from the shelves and pointed: “Five boxes of these compressed biscuits, twenty packs of these crackers, two boxes of Master Kong instant noodles, and thirty each of these ready-to-eat beef cans, dried fish, salted duck eggs, braised eggs, chicken legs, and sausages.”

The shop owner saw Bian Kuang looked like he had money and happily started packing everything up. Bian Kuang tugged at Bian Changxi. “Why are you buying all this? Do you need this much food just to live at school?”

“I’m planning to move out. I’ve already rented a place—this is just short-term rations,” Bian Changxi explained lightly.

Bian Kuang frowned and pulled her aside to whisper, “You didn’t see that post too, did you?”

“What post?”

“That ‘Doomsday is Coming’ post! Someone posted it just over an hour ago—who knows which idiot wrote it—claiming the world would end at midnight tonight. The internet’s been roasting them. You’re suddenly moving out—don’t tell me you believe it?”

Bian Changxi’s face darkened a little. How embarrassing—the “idiot” he was talking about was her.

“Yeah, I was just online,” Bian Changxi replied coolly, then paused, suddenly realizing this might actually work in her favor.

She’d sent Bai Heng an email from an internet café, warning him about the coming apocalypse. Then, on a whim, she’d posted a public warning online. She knew hardly anyone would believe it, but she just wanted a clear conscience. Now, though, it made the perfect excuse.

Her eyes flashed as she got an idea. Lowering her voice, she said, “I hadn’t thought about it before—I just wanted to live alone for a while. But now that you mention it, I’m starting to get nervous. There’s no smoke without fire. Maybe that post isn’t just made up. Look at how bad the flu is right now—everyone’s on edge, prices are soaring. Stocking up on food can’t hurt. Oh, and I need to save some money to buy weapons. Do you have any connections?”

Bian Kuang’s jaw dropped. “You’re not serious, are you?”

Bian Changxi looked at him coolly. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

Leaving Bian Kuang behind, she bought two bags of rice, three large water jugs, five dozen bottles of water, several boxes of high-fat milk, a few cases of compressed bread, and a tray of eggs. That would be enough food for a few weeks. Honestly, if she wasn’t worried about accidents, she’d only have bought a few days’ worth. In the early days of the apocalypse, if you had guts and skills, food was easy to come by.

But she had other plans for the early stage—

There was no way she’d waste time fighting others for food.

Next, she went to a seed shop and bought a packet of every kind of seed she could find.

Bian Kuang was totally baffled. Bian Changxi explained innocently, “In the novels, doesn’t the main character always have a farm or something? I have to be prepared.”

Bian Kuang was speechless. “Then should we buy some saplings and fish fry too? I hear those pocket dimensions always have mountains and rivers.”

Bian Changxi thought for a moment, then nodded. “That actually makes sense.”

Bian Kuang: …

In the end, they didn’t buy saplings or fish fry—too weird, and she wouldn’t need them for now anyway.

Then she dragged Bian Kuang to an outdoor gear store, bought a few sets of lightweight, durable clothes, picked out some super-cool military-style fitted hiking outfits, and got hiking boots, backpacks, solar flashlights, compasses, lighters, and other gear.

That little shopping spree cost over thirty thousand yuan.

With the rest of the money, plus her own, they still had eighty thousand left. Bian Kuang actually had a way to get a homemade pistol, but he flatly refused to let Bian Changxi touch anything like that. After some bargaining, Bian Changxi settled for three high-quality straight knives.

One was a 20-inch rosewood-handled straight blade, the other two were silver, curved leg-strapped knives. She had the seller sharpen all of them.

Bian Changxi had thought about it—she was already a decent shot, but bullets were consumables. In the later stages of the apocalypse, guns often weren’t as practical as melee weapons. In the early days, the military and government still kept things under control, and the criminal underworld was rampant. Carrying a gun would just bring trouble. Better to practice her knife skills and train her body. Besides, zombies weren’t that tough at first—she should be able to handle them.

The three knives used up the last of their eighty thousand yuan. With a hundred-yuan note she’d kept in her wallet, Bian Changxi treated Bian Kuang to a big open-air barbecue. Watching the groups of people chatting and laughing under the bright lights, Bian Changxi squinted and smiled. “If the apocalypse really comes, we’ll never get to sit around eating barbecue like this again.”

Bian Kuang took a swig of beer straight from the bottle and grinned. “So what? As long as you want it, no matter what happens or where we are, your big brother will always barbecue for you.” Then, getting a little worked up, he added, “You’ve got me all hyped up too. Feels like the world really could end tomorrow. But this big shopping spree—feels like we’re prepping for a getaway. It’s actually kind of fun.”

Bian Changxi’s heart stirred. “This is nothing. A real prepper would have vehicles, gas, and warehouses full of supplies, plus a detailed doomsday plan. What we’re doing is just small potatoes.” She paused. “Too bad the post said doomsday is tonight at midnight—there’s no time to do more.”

Bian Kuang’s eyes lit up, and after a moment, he said firmly, “If the apocalypse really comes, I’ll come get you and bring you back to the family estate.”

Bian Changxi was startled. “Don’t! I’m better off alone.”

Bian Kuang thought she was just being stubborn and was about to argue, but then figured, come on, there’s no way the world’s ending, and shook his head at himself.

But Bian Changxi grew serious, looking up at him. “I mean it. If the apocalypse really comes, look at all the preparations I’ve made—I’m not going down easily. But if I go back, you know those people can’t wait for me to die so they can split my father’s shares. I’d be safer alone! Even if they let me stay, I’d have no status or freedom. What kind of life is that? Bian Kuang, if you really care about me, don’t come looking for me!” She paused, then added, “At least wait until you’ve built up some strength. I don’t want to get dragged down with you.”

After the apocalypse, things like shares and companies were worthless—no one cared about harming her anymore, but those people would be even more ruthless. The humiliation she’d suffered returning to the Bian family in her last life still stuck in her throat. She’d never live like that again.

She clenched her fists. In the apocalypse, strength was everything. This time, she was determined to awaken her powers early—even if it was still just wood-type—she would walk the path of the strong.

And the jade bracelet farm—she had to develop it quickly and thoroughly. That would be her greatest asset in the apocalypse.

This time, no one would ever covet her treasures or threaten her life again!

Qidian.com welcomes all readers! The latest, fastest, and hottest serialized works are all on Qidian Originals! Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com."