For half a month, Zuo Lingguan stayed at home and didn't go anywhere except to go downstairs to clear snow and fetch water from the south gate.

Climbing up and down to fetch water every day was a chore for Zuo Ling, but she couldn't avoid it.

She lives in a doomsday fortress type apartment, but who says that people living in doomsday fortress type apartments don't have to worry about water?

Although she didn't really lack water, she still had to avoid being seen. Not taking water for a long time would arouse suspicion.

Many residents are asking the property management if they can collect several days' worth of tickets at once, as there are many residents on high-rise buildings.

The property management company is quite flexible. They replied that you can collect the money from the previous days, but not the later ones, meaning you can collect all the money you missed in the previous days at once.

Every few days, Zuo Ling would take the electric stair climber to fetch water. If she ran into Professor Jin fetching water, she would bring his water back as well.

The old man was cunning; he figured the day was approaching, so he quickly called and asked Zuo Ling to come with him to fetch water.

The rest of the time is spent exercising, cooking, absorbing energy crystals, training ice abilities, and occasionally doing small crafts. The days are busy and fulfilling.

After the first complete water, electricity and gas outage, I couldn't watch TV programs anymore, and I could only occasionally get some news from the radio.

Resumption of work, classes, and transportation seems a long way off.

The internet connection was intermittent. At first, people were still talking in the neighborhood group chat, happy that they didn't have to go to work or school.

Now people are worried about when they can resume work and when they can return to school. If they don't resume work soon, their families will go hungry. More and more people are complaining.

Over time, the pessimism became so intense that it wouldn't dissipate, and no one spoke anymore.

The waterfall has found its hobby: every day it asks Zuo Ling to turn on its tablet and play cartoons, which it watches with great interest.

The little guy is very smart. After watching Zuo Ling operate it for a long time, he can turn it on without help. He can even turn it on by clapping his little paws and watch his favorite programs.

When it's happy, it makes a few whimpering noises, shakes its head, and seems to be saying something unintelligible.

Zuo Ling took some videos of the waterfall, but unfortunately, it was in the apocalypse and she couldn't upload them to the internet.

Otherwise, with its cleverness and cuteness, the waterfall would surely become a household name and a popular internet celebrity.

One day, while I was clearing snow downstairs, Professor Jin followed me up.

"Miss, is your walkie-talkie out of battery? I've tried calling you several times, but I can't get through."

Zuo Ling had long since tossed the walkie-talkie aside, completely forgetting about charging it.

"The supermarket is open tomorrow. Are you going to buy some things? I heard it's only open for one day. If you miss it, you don't know when it will be open again."

The supermarket has been closed for more than a month.

While clearing the snow, I heard from people in the neighborhood that the government had taken over all supermarkets in the city and that they were able to open for business, which meant that the government had regained control of the order in Beijing.

"Go take a look around, buy whatever you like, and I'll bring some things down for you later."

Thinking that Zuo Ling was referring to the supplies obtained from the family of doomsday theorists, Professor Jin said "Oh," indicating that he understood.

After clearing the snow, Zuo Ling dragged a large suitcase to Professor Jin's house. Professor Jin and his wife were stunned when they saw the large suitcase full of hundred-yuan and thousand-yuan bills.

The house they live in was bought by their son, who is a wealthy man, while the elderly couple are not.

The son pays the property management fees and heating fees, but other expenses such as water, electricity, gas, and living expenses are covered by their salaries, so they don't need the son's money.

My son gives me money, but I just keep it for him and never spend it. I've never seen so much money before.

"We got it from the villa security guard; we each get half."

Zuo Ling had always kept people at arm's length, so this sudden move greatly surprised Professor Jin and his wife.

“This is something you earned through your own abilities; my husband and I cannot accept it.”

The elderly couple were not greedy people and refused to accept benefits for nothing.

"It's been snowing for so long without stopping, do you think that's normal?"

Of course it's not normal!

But what does this have to do with money? The two elders didn't understand what Zuo Ling meant.

“With transportation cut off, supplies from outside can’t get in, and the supply of goods is getting less and less, so prices are bound to keep rising. This money was spent on my behalf by you two, and we’ll split the goods we get in return.”

Zuo Ling was afraid that she wouldn't be able to spend all the money, and also afraid that if she delayed for too long, the government would declare the paper money invalid.

She remembered clearly that in her previous life, a year after the apocalypse, the government announced that paper money was invalid, causing an uproar among the people.

She, a poor woman, would find it hard to accept, let alone a wealthy family, but she couldn't tell Professor Jin and his wife directly.

Researcher Tang was about to refuse when Professor Jin stopped her.

"We'll take 20% of the supplies we buy, and the rest is yours."

Having dealt with Zuo Ling several times, Professor Jin knew that Zuo Ling was not the type to suffer losses, so her sudden concessions must have a problem.

They had a history of killing people together, and he believed that Zuo Ling wouldn't betray him.

Only by knowing one's limits and avoiding greed can both parties maintain long-term cooperation.

Zuo Ling did not refuse again, agreed on a time, and then took her leave.

After she left, Professor Jin said to his wife:

"How much cash do we have left? Let's use it all to stockpile supplies."

Since the government announced widespread work and business shutdowns, the banks have not opened.

The clever one went to the ATM early and withdrew cash for later use.

Those who react slowly will find that by the time they realize what's happening, the ATM is no longer working.

Due to power outages and internet disruptions, credit card payments are unavailable, and merchants only accept cash.

Researcher Tang said, "There is still more than 50,000 yuan left."

Keeping some cash is for giving lucky money to children and grandchildren, and for gifts to relatives and friends.

The second son's family said they would be back on the third day of the Lunar New Year. The eldest and third sons had agreed to come back for the Lantern Festival. Several old colleagues originally planned to have a lively celebration together.

The heavy snowfall has ruined everything.

The next morning, Zuo Ling went downstairs early to meet Professor Jin and his wife.

The elderly couple carried three shopping carts, and Zuo Ling took two of them.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!