After the family discussed it, they immediately took action and began the intensive work of stockpiling supplies and reinforcing doors and windows.
Su Yao and her father first focused on reinforcing the doors and windows. Her father retrieved thick metal plates, strong rivets, and welding tools from the tool shed. They covered the windows with the metal plates, Su Yao holding them tightly while her father skillfully operated the electric drill, driving in the rivets one by one to ensure a tight connection between the metal plates and the window frames. Each roar of the drill seemed to add another layer of protection to the safe house's defenses. For the door, they employed a more complex reinforcement method. They added metal protective layers to both the inner and outer sides of the door, filling the space between the two layers with robust fire-resistant and heat-insulating material. Her father also installed a retractable metal threshold at the bottom of the door; when the door was closed, the threshold would automatically pop out, firmly pressing against the ground to prevent zombies from squeezing in through the gaps.
As they welded key joints in the gate, blinding sparks flew everywhere. Su Yao, wearing goggles, assisted her father. She handed him welding rods and helped secure the welds. After several hours of hard work, the reinforcement of the doors and windows was basically complete. Su Yao tried pushing the reinforced windows; their heavy weight gave her a sense of security. She knew that these strengthened doors and windows would become an important barrier against zombies and harsh weather.
Meanwhile, Mom was busy organizing and taking inventory of supplies inside the house. She rearranged various foods according to category and expiration date, placing easily damp dried goods in a dry, well-ventilated, and high place, while neatly stacking canned goods on the lower shelves of the cupboard for easy access. When checking medicines, Mom carefully verified the quantity and expiration date of each medicine. She placed some commonly used medicines in a small medicine box in a prominent position in the living room, just in case.
After reinforcing the doors and windows, Su Yao and her father joined in stockpiling supplies. They carried the newly purchased items into the safe house one by one. Su Yao was responsible for moving lighter items, such as toilet paper and sanitary napkins, which she placed on a special storage shelf, categorizing them according to frequency of use. Her father, on the other hand, moved the heavier items, such as bags of salt and sugar. They neatly stacked the salt bags in a corner of the kitchen, while the sugar was placed in a sealed plastic bucket to prevent it from getting damp.
Regarding weapons and protective gear, Su Yao placed the newly collected longswords and axes on the weapon rack near the door. She picked up a longsword, carefully wiping the blade, feeling its cold metallic texture, deeply aware of the importance of these weapons in crucial moments. Her father, meanwhile, was inspecting firearms and ammunition. He cleaned each gun, checked the chamber and trigger's smoothness, and then categorized and stored the ammunition, labeling it with its type and quantity. Protective vests and helmets were hung on a special hanger for quick donning when needed.
The lighting equipment was also further improved. Su Yao placed the newly purchased flashlights, candles, and emergency lights in different rooms. She put new batteries in each flashlight and kept the spare batteries in a small box next to the flashlights. The candles were placed in a dry drawer, next to a lighter and matches. The emergency lights were hung on the walls of the living room and bedroom to ensure quick illumination in the event of a power outage.
Entertainment items and books were also properly stored away. Mom placed playing cards, chess, and other board games under the coffee table in the living room for the family to enjoy in their leisure time. Su Yao placed books on agriculture and animal husbandry on the bookshelf in the study, hoping this knowledge would help them achieve self-sufficiency in the future. Other books on literature and history were placed on the bookshelf in the bedroom, providing some spiritual comfort for life in the apocalypse.
As time went on, the safe house became more sturdy and the supplies more plentiful. Although the family was exhausted, they felt a sense of security looking at the fruits of their labor. They knew that every preparation was crucial in the face of the cruel trials of the apocalypse, and they were fighting for survival with all their might.
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