Chapter 19 Preparations
April 21, 2025.
The privacy film and soundproof wall panels that Lin Xi ordered arrived in a large package.
She couldn't apply the privacy film herself, so she had to schedule a professional to come and install it for her on the weekend. She applied the soundproofing film during her free time after work.
Installing soundproofing tape throughout the house is no small project. Lin Xi worked overtime overnight to finish it before she could store supplies.
To ensure safety, Lin Xi turned on music at home and went outside to test the soundproofing effect herself. After closing the door, she couldn't hear any sound, so the effect was very good.
This way, you don't have to worry about making noise while cooking, showering, or flushing the toilet, and you don't have to tiptoe around the house.
Over the weekend, Lin Xi received her online wholesale supplies, which mainly consisted of staple foods and snacks, as well as various commonly used medicines, vitamin tablets, protein powder, glucose, and self-defense tools such as baseball bats.
Online wholesale shopping saved her a couple thousand yuan compared to buying in a pinch in her previous life, and the delivery person even helped her carry it upstairs, which greatly saved on manpower.
The commotion in the hallway drew Gu Lanjuan out again. She leaned against the wall to let the deliveryman pass, asking curiously, "Xiao Lin, what did you buy? You get so many packages every day?"
In her previous life, Gu Lanjuan discovered her hoarding and even came to her door demanding supplies. In this life, Lin Xi was more careful and insisted that everything be wrapped in cardboard boxes so that the contents could not be seen.
She had anticipated that such a sudden surge in deliveries would attract attention, and had already prepared an excuse: "I'm planning to quit my job and open a shop, so I'll stock up on some goods at home first."
Once she heard that, Gu Lanjuan understood and asked, "What do you sell in your shop?"
Lin Xi hadn't expected to be questioned so thoroughly, so she casually replied, "I sell clothes."
Gu Lanjuan gossiped for a couple more minutes and then went back.
With the help of the deliveryman, Lin Xi stored 100 bags of rice in two separate rooms.
The deliveryman, looking at the walls covered in soundproofing panels, couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's the purpose of putting so many foam boards on your walls?"
Lin Xi had a sudden inspiration. The deliveryman had overheard her telling Gu Lanjuan that she was going to open a shop, so she simply followed up on that topic and said, "I've also opened an online shop. Live streaming is all the rage now, so I'll put up some soundproofing stickers to avoid disturbing the neighbors."
The deliveryman gave a thumbs up: "Truly courteous."
After neatly stacking the rice bags, Lin Xi, covered in sweat, took a comfortable shower and then discovered a missed call from Gu Yixuan.
She quickly replied, "I didn't see it just now, is something wrong?"
Gu Yixuan replied after a while: "It's nothing serious, I just wanted to ask you out for dinner."
Last time Lin Xi helped feed the cat, Gu Yixuan said she would treat her to a meal.
Lin Xi replied without hesitation, "Okay, see you there."
Gu Yixuan sent me a restaurant introduction.
Lin Xi always put on makeup and changed clothes before going out to dinner. Looking at her closet full of clothes and the brand-name cosmetics on the table, she had a sudden inspiration—
I photographed all the cosmetics and sold them on Xianyu (a second-hand marketplace), keeping only some basic skincare products.
All those beautiful wool coats and designer clothes in my closet were put up for sale on Xianyu (a second-hand marketplace app). Some of them were still in very good condition, but I could only sell them at a drastically reduced price, even 30% off, but at least I could make some money back.
That evening, Gu Yixuan waited for her at a restaurant with a minimalist design and a touch of artistic atmosphere.
The two hadn't seen each other for a long time and exchanged pleasantries.
Most of the time, Lin Xi patiently listened to Gu Yixuan flaunt her superiority, occasionally agreeing with her, and only asked questions after making the young lady happy.
Seeing that things were almost settled, Lin Xi seized the opportunity to ask, "I noticed you have several feeders at home, but why isn't there an automatic water dispenser?"
“My dad installed a water filtration system at home, so the pets can drink the water directly from there.” Gu Yixuan sighed softly, then added, “But it didn’t rain much last week, so the water supply was cut off.”
Lin Xi deliberately asked, "The water filtration system, is it the one in the sunroom?"
"yes."
Lin Xi complimented, "Wow, that's so high-tech! This is the first time I've seen a water filtration system and solar charging device in someone else's home."
Gu Yixuan waved her hand gently, but smiled and said, "No, it's all my dad's fault. He insists on implementing the green and ecological concept and doing all this at home. Actually, who is short of a little bit of water and electricity bills?"
Lin Xi asked curiously, "That sounds interesting. I'd like to get one too. Do you know where I can buy one?"
Gu Yixuan: "The water filtration system is convenient. If you want it, I can ask my dad for the company's contact information and they can come and install it."
"What about solar charging?"
"Then don't even think about it." Gu Yixuan lowered her voice mysteriously, "It's a very new system, a small machine that can maintain the power supply for the entire villa."
Lin Xi had previously observed that the charging system wasn't particularly large, and although it covered many solar panels, they looked somewhat unusual. Now that Gu Yixuan said the system could power the entire villa, she knew it was definitely not simple.
Lin Xi, undeterred, asked, "Is it very expensive?"
Gu Yixuan held up one finger and shook it: "Of course, this number."
"..." That's a price we simply can't afford.
Lin Xi was a little disheartened, but her dejected demeanor made Gu Yixuan feel that she had successfully flaunted her wealth to others, and she felt smug.
After dinner, the two parted ways.
Lin Xi contacted the water filtration system distributor listed on the business card Gu Yixuan had given her and scheduled an on-site installation.
It cost more than 10,000 yuan in one go.
But at least the problem of "water," the source of life, has been solved.
Since we can't get our hands on that small, high-conversion-rate charging system, we have to find another way to solve the problem of solar power generation, and it's urgent.
Otherwise, there won't be enough time to prepare the refrigerator and fresh food.
On her way home, Lin Xi used the fragmented signal in the subway to search for information about solar charging. She couldn't buy the kind of small generator that Gu Yixuan's family had that could power an entire villa, but installing a few more panels to save electricity would be fine.
After finishing her research, she bought several solar charging panels and batteries and installed them on the roof.
Considering that the apartment building she lived in was not tall, and that people might steal her solar panels when they ran out of water, electricity and food, even though they dared not go out after the zombie outbreak, Lin Xi bought two camping-specific solar charging panels and corresponding batteries.
These two systems are placed in a sunroom with a one-way privacy film, and the skylight is opened during the day to let in light and charge the devices.
On a sunny day, all three solar charging systems can charge at least 30 kWh of electricity, enough to power an air conditioner and two refrigerators for 24 hours. Charging mobile phones and cooking with an induction cooker will not require much electricity.
It cost another ten thousand yuan.
Lin Xi didn't have time to worry about the money; she immediately ordered an energy-efficient large refrigerator, a freezer, and two air purifiers. She also bought two sets of induction cookers, rice cookers, and electric kettles as spares.
The balance will be reduced by another 13,000.
Back home, I didn't rest. I took a tape measure and went to the sunroom to measure. A water filter and two solar charging systems will be installed here soon, and I also need to buy more buckets and basins.
Although Nanhua is rainy, it doesn't rain every day; sometimes it can go a whole month without rain.
Therefore, when it rains, try to collect as much rainwater as possible and let it filter slowly for later use.
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