With seven days left until the apocalypse, the atmosphere inside the safe house grew increasingly tense. Everyone was like a tightly wound machine, racing against time to continue stockpiling supplies.

Su Yao left home early in the morning, heading straight to the city's hardware market. Inside, she wandered between shops, searching for various practical tools. She bought a large quantity of manual water pumps, which can draw water from groundwater or other sources without electricity, whether from rivers or underground aquifers. Next, she selected a wide variety of screws, nuts, and bolts, from small ones for securing electronic equipment to large ones for reinforcing building structures. These hardware accessories are essential for repairing safe house facilities, vehicles, or creating simple protective devices.

Su Yao hadn't forgotten to buy some waterproof tarpaulin and rope. The tarpaulin could be used to build temporary rain shelters or cover supplies to prevent them from being damaged by rain. Rope, on the other hand, had countless uses; it was indispensable for securing objects, making traps, and in climbing and rescue situations. She loaded these items onto the vehicle one by one, each movement filled with strength and determination, because she knew these seemingly ordinary things could become life-saving treasures in the apocalypse.

Meanwhile, Dad went to an outdoor gear store. He selected some high-quality tents, which were not only lightweight and portable but also waterproof and windproof. Dad imagined that in a post-apocalyptic world, if a safe house broke down or if he needed temporary shelter while searching for supplies, these tents would provide a relatively safe space. He also chose several sets of professional climbing gear, including harnesses, carabiners, quickdraws, and climbing shoes. In a post-apocalyptic environment, he might encounter situations requiring him to climb tall buildings or overcome obstacles; this gear would increase his safety.

In addition to these, Dad also bought many large-capacity outdoor backpacks. These backpacks have sturdy shoulder straps and a reasonable carrying system to reduce the pressure on the body from carrying heavy loads for extended periods. After putting the backpacks in the shopping cart, he went to select some portable solar chargers and hand-cranked flashlights. These lighting and charging devices do not rely on traditional electricity and can continuously provide them with light and energy in the dark environment of the apocalypse.

The mother stayed in the safe house to do a final sorting and categorizing of the previously stored food. She kept perishable foods in the storage space to preserve them, while rearranging more durable dry goods and canned foods according to category and frequency of consumption. During this process, she discovered some small items she had previously overlooked; for example, the lid of the salt shaker was a little loose, so she used sealing tape to reseal it; some food bags had minor tears, which she carefully repaired with tape. The mother knew that in the apocalypse, any small oversight could lead to food loss, and food was the key to survival.

After preparing the food, Mom checked the cleanliness of the safe house. She carefully wiped every corner with disinfectant, especially in areas prone to bacterial growth like the kitchen and bathroom. She washed the used rags and mops and hung them to dry in a well-ventilated place, ready for the next use. Mom knew that maintaining a clean and hygienic environment was crucial for her family's health in the apocalypse; disease could be more terrifying than zombies in such a harsh environment.

As night fell, the family dragged their weary bodies back to the safe house. Looking at the newly stockpiled supplies, a sense of relief welled up within them. Although the fear of the apocalypse still lingered, these supplies were like twinkling stars in the darkness, giving them hope and the courage to continue the fight. They sat together, ate a simple dinner, and then began discussing their stockpiling plans for tomorrow, because time was of the essence; every second could determine their life or death in the apocalypse.