Chapter 15: The White Lotus Demands Supplies

At this moment, Fang Yuqing was curled up in her rented apartment, wrapped tightly in two quilts. Even though the air conditioner was set to 40°C, the indoor temperature couldn't even reach 0°C. Shivering uncontrollably, she felt as if cold gusts of wind were constantly seeping into her bedding.

When she saw the photo Zhang Yi had sent, her eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't fathom how, in such freezing weather, Zhang Yi was still lounging in thin pajamas, comfortably eating steak and sipping red wine. They lived in the same apartment complex, yet it felt as if they were living in two different worlds. Seeing the delicious steak and that bottle of high-end red wine on his table made her mouth water. As a self-proclaimed top-tier "pure goddess" and gold digger, she had studied such luxury goods. Based on her knowledge, the steak Zhang Yi was eating was clearly authentic, premium Wagyu. The French red wine beside him was definitely a classified growth, costing at least twenty or thirty thousand per bottle.

Seeing Zhang Yi living so comfortably while she was freezing to death filled her with intense jealousy. She immediately sent him a message: "That looks so good! I want to eat steak and drink red wine too!" She felt her hint was obvious enough. Based on Zhang Yi’s past personality, he would have surely offered to bring her some steak and wine by now.

However, Zhang Yi just chuckled when he read the message. Did she still think of him as the same old "simp"? He replied leisurely: "If you want to eat, go buy it at the supermarket!"

Fang Yuqing’s expression stiffened upon reading this. Wasn't that just stating the obvious? It was sixty or seventy degrees below zero outside; any exposed skin risked immediate frostbite. How could he make such an unreasonable demand to a delicate girl like her? Gritting her teeth, she replied angrily, "Zhang Yi, you really aren't a man! You had such a great opportunity to show some chivalry, and you blew it, hmph!"

At this point, Fang Yuqing still had some pride. Although she desperately wanted the steak and wine, she still viewed Zhang Yi as nothing more than a fish in her pond. Moreover, she believed this snow disaster would pass in a few days. Therefore, she continued to maintain her haughty "goddess" image and did not explicitly beg him for food.

Zhang Yi ignored her and turned his attention to other group chats, looking forward to the show. When he checked the residential homeowners' group, he saw Auntie Lin from the neighborhood committee urging everyone not to panic and to stay safely at home.

"Everyone, don't worry. It's just a sudden drop in temperature; it will pass in two or three days at most," she wrote. "Do not rush to hoard supplies; trust our officials. Our committee will help everyone find a way to get through this snow disaster. Please obey orders and don't cause trouble for the authorities."

A homeowner raised an objection: "With snow this heavy, who knows when it will stop? It's hard enough to go outside now; can we really survive without hoarding some supplies?"

"Exactly! We should go out and buy some vegetables! I'm afraid prices will skyrocket in the next few days."

Auntie Lin immediately raised her tone: "What are you doing? Are you trying to cause chaos? Hoarding will only drive up prices, and then everyone will have to pay high prices for food. If I catch anyone hoarding supplies, don't blame me for reporting you for disturbing the peace!"

Seeing Auntie Lin acting like a leader in the chat, Zhang Yi sneered. Today was the first day of the Ice Age. Because it was so cold outside, the goods in the supermarkets hadn't been picked clean yet. If someone ventured out into the snow now, while there was a risk of frostbite, there was definitely a chance to stockpile supplies. Because of Auntie Lin’s intimidation, many were left with a false sense of security and stayed put. The consequences would be self-evident.

Just then, Auntie Lin set her sights on Zhang Yi and tagged him in the group: "Little Zhang, you already hoarded quite a lot of things at home. Now that the disaster is severe, you must not set a bad example. Stay at home these next few days. If I catch you going out to buy things again, don't blame me for being heartless!"

Zhang Yi’s face darkened. This old hag had held a grudge ever since he refused to give her items last time, and now she was using this opportunity to take a jab at him.

Unfortunately for her, the opinions of a neighborhood committee busybody meant nothing to him now. He replied with a cold laugh: "Auntie Lin, no one knows how long this disaster will last. If it drags on, and everyone runs out of food, can you take responsibility for that?"

His question voiced the hidden concerns of many. Everyone was dissatisfied with Auntie Lin’s words but had been too afraid to speak up due to her position. With Zhang Yi taking the lead, others immediately chimed in: "Exactly, you won't let us hoard supplies, so who will be responsible when we have nothing to eat?"

"Can you bear the responsibility?"

Seeing the crowd turning against her, Auntie Lin panicked. She hated Zhang Yi even more for publicly defying her in the group. "Rest assured, our committee can responsibly tell everyone that there will be no shortage of supplies! The disaster will pass quickly. And you, Zhang Yi—don't incite panic; that is an illegal and disorderly act!"

Curled up at home, Auntie Lin gritted her teeth and muttered, "That Zhang Yi really doesn't know his place. I'll find a way to have him detained for a few days later."

Zhang Yi laughed out loud. At a time like this, the old woman still wanted to use her petty authority to throw her weight around—it was laughable. "Oh my, that’s a heavy accusation; I can't afford to wear such a hat. Don't worry, it's so cold outside that even if you begged me to go out, I wouldn't. Do as you please!"

His supplies were already fully stocked, so he had no need to go out and fight others for wilted vegetables at the supermarket. However, those who believed Auntie Lin’s nonsense were in for a miserable time. Zhang Yi sighed internally. With the end of the world upon them, there was no telling how many would freeze or starve to death. But some deserved it—like the neighbors who had caused his death in his previous life. Regardless of whether they lived or died, Zhang Yi had made up his mind: he would just keep his head down and survive. What did the lives of others have to do with him?