Chapter 22: The Spare Tire Is Still More Useful

Zhang Yi feigned ignorance, saying, "What’s wrong? I haven’t done anything wrong!"

Lin Caining replied, "Are you stupid? The city is snowed in, and we’ve almost run out of food at home. If you send over some good food now, wouldn't that be the perfect way to show your devotion to Yuqing? If I were you, I’d bring over all the steak, lobster, and other premium items you have. Once Yuqing is touched, wouldn't your chances be much better?"

Looking at the message from Lin Caining, Zhang Yi could easily picture that gold-digger’s greedy expression. He sneered. How was this any different from begging? But what was truly ridiculous was that even while begging, they still had to act as if they were doing him a favor—as if by accepting his food, they were granting him an opportunity. Their audacity made Zhang Yi want to slap them across the face. Despicable!

Zhang Yi decided to toy with these two "green tea bitches."

He replied, "But we don’t have much left either! Just enough for me to get by."

Lin Caining frowned and immediately scolded, "Foolish! How long can a snow disaster last? If you endure hunger for a couple of meals and manage to win Yuqing over, won't you reap a huge reward? To be so stingy with such a small amount of food—I don't think you're sincere about our Yuqing at all!"

Zhang Yi laughed even harder. These two women were playing good cop/bad cop, and they thought they had his brain completely manipulated. Unfortunately for them, Zhang Yi was a man reborn; he had long since seen through their shameless faces. Faced with Lin Caining’s manipulation, he simply sent a cold "Oh" and tossed his phone aside, ignoring her.

Seeing that "Oh," Lin Caining was furious. "Oh? What is that supposed to mean? I've been talking to you for ages, and this is your attitude? Hurry up and bring the food over! I want to eat steak and Australian lobster too!"

Lin Caining was a glutton. Having not eaten anything decent for two days and knowing Zhang Yi had a feast, she was drooling with envy. She had intended to use Fang Yuqing’s name to trick Zhang Yi into delivering his supplies, but things had turned out exactly the opposite of her expectations. That single "Oh" had nearly caused her to lose her composure.

Could it be... that he was no longer interested in Fang Yuqing? No, no, that was absolutely impossible! Recalling Zhang Yi’s fawning behavior over the past few years, she shook her head. "He must just be having a temporary lapse in judgment!"

Filled with frustration, Lin Caining went to Fang Yuqing and twisted the facts. Naturally, she told Fang Yuqing that she had reached out to Zhang Yi solely to secure supplies for her.

Fang Yuqing wore a cold, aloof expression. "Hmph, who is Zhang Yi? Do I know him? Don't mention him in front of me again!"

In her mind, if Zhang Yi wanted to return to being her lapdog, he would have to apologize profusely for these past few days and pay a heavy price for her forgiveness.

Lin Caining nudged her. "Since Zhang Yi is being dense, don't you have other lapdogs?"

There were several colleagues from their warehouse company living in the apartment complex, including one of her other admirers—Zhou Peng, who was the most sycophantic of them all. Fang Yuqing knew exactly who she meant. She curled her lip in disdain; Zhou Peng didn't even qualify as a backup option. Though they worked at the same Walmart, Zhou Peng didn't even own a home in Tianhai City and was still renting. Fang Yuqing only used him for small favors and had absolutely no affection for him.

Lin Caining urged, "It’s freezing outside and the snow is so heavy. We can't go out to buy anything, so why not use him to run errands for us?"

Fang Yuqing wavered, realizing Lin Caining had a point. She sent a message to Zhou Peng. To her surprise, within five minutes, Zhou Peng came scurrying over with a backpack full of food. As a warehouse worker, he often brought home discounted goods, so he naturally had some stock. At Fang Yuqing’s word, Zhou Peng was like a man possessed, picking out only the best items to bring her.

He patted his chest and promised, "Yuqing, just say the word if you need anything. You know I’d do anything for you!"

Fang Yuqing gave him a rare smile. "Thank you, Zhou Peng! You’re so kind."

With a few sweet words, she dismissed him. Once back inside, her expression shifted instantly. "Pah, a loser like you thinks you have a chance with me? Keep dreaming!"

...

Throughout the building, the atmosphere had grown strange. The extreme cold meant that even with the air conditioning running, the indoor temperatures were dropping below freezing—something the southerners in Tianhai City were entirely ill-equipped to handle. They had no habit of hoarding supplies, and two days of being frozen in had left their refrigerators empty.

Although Grandma Lin was still insisting that everything was fine and the snow would clear soon, everyone had their own private concerns. Zhang Yi, watching all of this, felt quite satisfied. He had prepared meticulously for the apocalypse; his life was actually more comfortable now than it had been before. He was like an outsider, quietly watching the drama unfold.

After being taught a lesson by Zhang Yi, Chen Zheng-hao and his lackeys had temporarily stopped bothering him. They knew Zhang Yi’s home was impenetrable. Besides, Chen Zheng-hao’s leg was essentially crippled; if he couldn't get to a hospital, he would likely be disabled for life. As for the other thugs, they were all suffering from colds and fevers after being soaked. Without heat, they would likely die from their illnesses rather than starvation.

Zhang Yi spent his time at home playing games, scrolling through chat groups, and working out. He had plenty of international-brand fitness equipment and a collection of professional e-books he had downloaded, such as the *Barefoot Doctor’s Manual* and the *Militia Training Manual*. It was better to be prepared; mastering these skills might just save his life in an emergency.

Outside, the snow swirled, and the sky was so heavily blanketed by clouds that day and night were indistinguishable. On the morning of the third day, Zhang Yi climbed out of bed, holding a delicious roast duck as he checked the clock.

"It’s about time. The real show is about to begin," Zhang Yi said calmly.

Just then, the chat group exploded!