Chapter 21: The White Lotus and the Green Tea

In the residents' group chat, Auntie Lin could still be seen chattering away incessantly.

"Everyone has seen the news, right? Our country is powerful and fully capable of handling this blizzard!"

"Don't be nervous. All problems will be solved easily."

"By the way, if anyone needs supplies at home, those who are able should try to help out. After all, this blizzard will pass soon, so there's no need to hoard supplies."

However, very few people replied to her. Clearly, after two days without any signs of the blizzard ending, many people were beginning to feel anxious.

Fang Yuqing sent another message to Zhang Yi.

"Zhang Yi, are you okay?"

Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. Fang Yuqing probably assumed he had been dealt with by Chen Zhenghao. However, he didn't think she was acting out of kindness.

"I'm perfectly fine."

"Oh, that's good."

Fang Yuqing felt a bit disappointed deep down. But soon, she said, "We’ve run out of food at home, and I remember you bought quite a lot of things. Could you give me some?"

"I'll treat you to a meal later! ღ( ´･ᴗ･` )"

A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Zhang Yi's mouth. As expected, this woman definitely had an ulterior motive for reaching out. He remembered that when they went to the supermarket last time, Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining had also bought some things. Although not as much as he had, they certainly shouldn't have run out in just two days.

"Oh, that was such a long time ago. I didn't keep those things at home; in reality, I don't have much left either."

Fang Yuqing refused to give up. "Then a few packs of instant noodles will do, right? You work in the warehouse, surely you have enough food at home?"

Zhang Yi was very blunt. "I really don't have any instant noodles left. Look, this is all I can eat these days."

He took a photo of the Australian lobster and steak on his table and sent it to Fang Yuqing. Seeing the photo, Fang Yuqing’s eyebrows shot up in anger.

"Damn you, Zhang Yi! What do you mean by this? Are you doing this on purpose to provoke me?"

Beside her, her best friend Lin Caining poked her head out from under the covers. Because it was so cold, the two of them were sleeping in the same bed. As soon as she saw the delicious food in the photo, Lin Caining’s eyes glowed with greed!

These "little fairies" didn't know how to cook at all under normal circumstances. They either ordered takeout or had men treat them to meals. With the city locked down by heavy snow for the past few days, the two of them were starving. They had been forced to survive on instant noodles and canned food, which they usually disliked.

Seeing that Zhang Yi could still eat Australian lobster and steak, the two women felt both angry and envious. They were angry because Zhang Yi was eating alone without even thinking of sending some over to them!

Lin Caining immediately said sourly, "Wow, this Zhang Yi is too much! He actually has such good food at home and didn't even think of you!"

"And to think he used to keep saying he liked you. Hmph, I think he's completely fake!"

Fang Yuqing was also very unhappy. This wasn't the first time Zhang Yi had sent her photos. She knew he was trying to provoke her on purpose. However, she still believed that Zhang Yi liked her and was just trying to use this method to force her into submission.

"Hmph, stupid! Does he think he can make me his girlfriend with just a little bit of food?"

"Zhang Yi, you are way too naive!"

Fang Yuqing spoke with disdain. As a proud gold-digger, she naturally had to maintain her image of being high and mighty. Yet, looking at the photos Zhang Yi sent, the longing in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Lin Caining, naturally, understood her well. She suggested, "Yuqing, why don't you tell Zhang Yi that you're willing to have dinner with him? But he has to provide the food!"

"That way, you can save face while still getting to eat that delicious lobster and steak. I’m sure he’ll be so excited he’ll agree immediately!"

Fang Yuqing frowned and thought about it. In her heart, Zhang Yi was just a high-level backup option. Although he was handsome and had some assets, he was still far from the "rich and handsome" man she envisioned. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for her to lower her head. But now... she really couldn't stand eating instant noodles and canned food every day.

"Fine, I'll give him the opportunity to dine with me!" Fang Yuqing pouted, sounding somewhat reluctant. She picked up her phone and messaged Zhang Yi.

"Zhang Yi, it's been a while since we hung out. Why don't you come over to our place tonight and have a meal together?"

Seeing the message, Zhang Yi laughed.

"You want to treat me to a meal? Alright then, thank you!"

This sentence turned Fang Yuqing's face pale with rage—though it might have also been the cold. She angrily said to Lin Caining, "This Zhang Yi is simply ungrateful! I gave him the chance to treat me, and he actually wants me to host!"

Lin Caining was stunned. She hadn't expected that Zhang Yi, who had always pursued Fang Yuqing, would suddenly become so obtuse. Strange, could a "simp" actually have a moment of realization?

Fang Yuqing threw her phone aside in a fury. "This Zhang Yi, I was originally planning to keep him as a backup. Now he’s dropped to the bottom of my list!"

"I am truly angry this time!"

"From now on, I will never say another word to him. Even if he comes to beg me later, it won't be any use!"

Although Lin Caining was greedy, she continued to fan the flames. "Exactly, he should look at his own pathetic state! Trying to pursue you while being so stingy—men like him deserve to be single for life!"

The two of them continued to curse Zhang Yi for a while. During that time, Fang Yuqing picked up her phone, expecting Zhang Yi to send a message apologizing. But there wasn't a single word from him, which made her face darken even further.

Meanwhile, Lin Caining started plotting. She secretly sent a message to Zhang Yi.

"Zhang Yi, why are you so stupid? Yuqing is unhappy now. Do you have any idea how serious this is?"

After receiving the message, Zhang Yi checked it out of habit. For him, reading the messages in the various group chats had become a source of amusement. What could be more fascinating than human nature during the apocalypse?

Realizing it was a message from Lin Caining, Zhang Yi glanced at it and chuckled.

"One playing the good cop, one playing the bad cop, right? You two really are a piece of work!"

He had long since seen through this "green tea" and "white lotus" duo. Usually, Lin Caining acted as Fang Yuqing's accomplice. Because Fang Yuqing needed to maintain her image as a pure goddess, it was always Lin Caining who did the dirty work of asking for gifts or hinting for men to spend money on her.