Chapter 52: That’s… a Lot to Take In

“Honey, do you think that brat next door is just going to stay at the official shelter and never come back?”

He Chunmei stood about a meter away from Jiang Yan’s door, holding a nearly dead flashlight, sweeping its weak beam a few times over the wire mesh above the door.

The light was so dim it barely helped. She craned her neck for a long time but couldn’t make out anything useful.

When everyone else had rushed out into the rain to “let loose,” her family had still been in the underground parking lot, not venturing out.

So, at least they hadn’t gotten wet—they were dry.

But last time, she’d gotten a nasty shock from this door.

Even though the whole city was now in a blackout, she was still traumatized and didn’t dare get too close.

“She’ll probably come back,” Zhou Guangfu said, opening their own door with a creak and letting their daughter and son in before replying to her.

He Chunmei: “Oh? Why’s that?”

“It was extreme heat before, so the official shelters were all underground or in the mountains. Now with this torrential rain, those places have become disaster zones—floods, mudslides, landslides. The authorities will definitely evacuate them.

If it were me, I’d stick with the officials to find a new place. But she doesn’t seem like the type who can handle hardship. With this storm outside, coming home would be her first choice.”

After saying this, Zhou Guangfu’s tone shifted, puzzled: “Wait, weren’t you just mad at her for not letting us in before? Why are you suddenly so concerned about her?”

“Who cares about her! I just think there’s going to be a great show soon! The best kind—dog eat dog!” He Chunmei’s lips curled up unconsciously, her voice rising with excitement.

At her words, Zhou Guangfu’s previously calm face darkened:

“Seriously, wife, we’re barely scraping by ourselves here, and you’re already plotting something again?”

His parents had died the very first night they moved to the underground parking lot.

His father had a heart attack triggered by the heat, and his mother had a stroke—both gone in the night.

After they passed, it was like he finally woke up.

Before, for the sake of family harmony, he’d always put up with everything He Chunmei said and did.

To outsiders, he probably looked a bit spineless.

He knew it, but chose to ignore it.

But now, with his parents gone and after twenty-some days of living like the walking dead, he realized he didn’t have to tolerate it anymore.

“I’m not plotting anything! This time, I don’t even have to lift a finger. We just need to get our little stools and some peanuts and sunflower seeds ready at home! You know as well as I do—when she left for the shelter, she didn’t close the unit door properly. Look how many people in Building A died because of that!

Even Zhang Qiqi’s son was killed by those bloodsucking mosquitoes! Ha! Just wait—once everyone’s had a couple days to recover at home, and that cold-blooded, selfish brat comes back, there’s going to be a real show!!” He Chunmei finished gloating, even giving a snort of disdain.

“….” Over at the surveillance feed, Jiang Yan raised her eyebrows slightly.

That’s… a lot to take in.

“Alright, wife, you didn’t see it with your own eyes. Let’s not jump to conclusions without proof. Let’s go home.

Aren’t you tired of standing here?” Zhou Guangfu frowned, but in the end, he managed to swallow his anger for now.

He Chunmei, however, wouldn’t let it go:

“What do you mean, no proof?! Tons of people saw her leave! She even posted in the group chat that she was going to the official shelter!

Besides, if one person says she’s got a problem, maybe it’s nothing. But now, so many owners in Building A are saying she’s got a problem—she must have a problem!

Just wait, Zhang Qiqi has teamed up with Zhang Qiming and Liu Dahong as her backers, and they’ve rallied all the families in Building A who lost people to the blood mosquitoes. They’re just waiting for her to come back so they can tear her to pieces!!

Who knows, maybe people from the other buildings will join in too! Last time, she strutted around with a chainsaw in front of all us old, weak, sick, and pregnant folks.

This time, with so many people and even a few of the property security supervisors around, let’s see how tough she acts!

Honestly, I really hope she comes back soon!!!”

Listening to her rapid-fire rant, Zhou Guangfu’s frown deepened until it looked like a mountain: She’s getting more and more unreasonable!

“Wife, are you not planning to go home? Fine, you stay here and keep giving your passionate speech! I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in over twenty days! I’m exhausted!” With that, he let out a deep sigh, turned away, yanked the door open, and strode inside.

The iron door slammed shut with a heavy bang.

“….” He Chunmei stood there, stunned for a moment. Was this the first time her husband had ever lost his temper with her?

She was about to raise her hand to knock when she heard footsteps coming from the stairwell.

Turning, she saw Sun Jingtao and Su Dai, both soaked to the bone and looking like drowned rats.

The memory of being humiliated by them in front of everyone flashed through her mind, and He Chunmei’s voice turned sour as she said, “Well, aren’t you two energetic! Out for a little romance in the rain, were you?”

Most of the people who’d rushed out into the rain were young.

Families like theirs, who’d managed to stay dry, had basically just come straight home from the underground parking lot.

“Chun—”

Su Dai started to explain that they’d been helping the property staff move sandbags, but Sun Jingtao pulled her away. “Let’s go home, babe. There’s no point explaining to someone who says such dumb, boring things.”

Su Dai pressed her lips together and obediently nodded.

Hand in hand, the two of them turned and went inside.

In the past, people would have at least tried to keep up appearances for the sake of neighborly relations.

Most of the time, they’d smile on the outside while cursing on the inside.

But now, even seven- or eight-year-old kids knew—the apocalypse had come.

No one had to put up with anyone else anymore.

Left out in the cold, He Chunmei stood there in silence for a few seconds, feeling a bit embarrassed, before finally opening her own door and going inside.

Jiang Yan stared at the now-blank surveillance screen, replaying He Chunmei’s words in her mind.

So, Zhang Qiqi had even prepared a “welcome home” gift for her.

Heh.

She’d been planning to pay them a visit herself anyway.

Well then—bring it on!

*

Her stomach rumbled again, and Jiang Yan finally realized she really needed to eat.

She put down her tablet, got up, and pulled a light, handmade silk shawl from the wardrobe before entering her space.

She’d had too much spicy hotpot lately and was feeling a bit overheated, so tonight she wanted something lighter.

With a thought, a perfectly balanced solo meal she’d previously ordered from a Cantonese restaurant appeared on her table:

Pork rib and yam congee, blanched choy sum, steamed chicken feet in soy sauce, pan-fried yellow croaker, spicy-sour lotus root salad, and a glass of iced lemon tea.

Simple dishes, but full of color, aroma, and flavor.

Jiang Yan ate contentedly, completely satisfied."