Chapter 15: The Storm Arrives

The relentless high temperatures made it impossible for people to continue working or studying. Most businesses and schools opted for remote work and online classes.

During the day, the streets were almost devoid of pedestrians and vehicles. It was only around eight or nine in the evening that people would step outside for a breath of fresh air.

The prolonged heatwave persisted without a single drop of rain. Crops in the fields were on the verge of withering, and the water levels of lakes and rivers had significantly dropped.

Some individuals with a keen sense of crisis detected an unusual atmosphere and quietly started stockpiling supplies at home.

Doomsday theorists began spreading their beliefs online, claiming that the nationwide abnormal heat was a harbinger of the apocalypse.

These claims were met with ridicule from netizens, who dismissed the theorists as people who had read too many novels or were trying to promote doomsday panic to sell stockpiled goods.

However, a small minority took the warnings seriously. Some went on shopping sprees at supermarkets, while others, though skeptical, decided to stock up—figuring that even if nothing happened, the supplies wouldn’t go to waste.

The heated debate under these viral posts quickly pushed the topic to the trending list. Not long after, the authorities intervened and blocked all related discussions, making it impossible to search for any doomsday-related content.

With the overwhelming flood of information online, this controversy was soon buried under new discussions and forgotten.

It was Ye Yu’an who had posted the article. This was the furthest extent to which she was willing to warn others. She wouldn’t do more.

In this lifetime, her emotions were subdued. She had neither the energy nor the inclination to concern herself with the fate of unrelated people.

Half a month ago, Shu Xin had also shut down the warehouse-style supermarket and pharmacy she had acquired for stockpiling supplies, citing financial difficulties and bankruptcy.

She remembered that soon after the storm, the government and military would take over all major supermarkets. She had no intention of venturing into the storm to deal with such matters.

Closing early also prevented locals from eyeing the store’s inventory when supplies ran low.

When dismissing the employees, Shu Xin instructed the manager to compensate each worker with three months’ salary, five bags of vacuum-sealed rice and flour, and a small medicine kit with essential drugs.

If they kept these supplies for themselves instead of selling them, it would be enough to sustain them through the coming year of natural disasters.

Bu Xiwen and Mu Qimai also moved into the same house as Shu Xin and Yan Mo. The home was divided into two levels—Shu Xin occupied the upper floor, while Yan Mo and the other two men lived downstairs.

When Bu Xiwen and Mu Qimai saw the fortress-like renovations, comparable to a bank vault in security, they couldn’t help but marvel at Shu Xin’s awareness and preparedness. Their respect for her deepened.

Each of them had secured ten large warehouses full of supplies for Yan Mo, which would cover their future expenses. Understanding their intentions, Yan Mo didn’t refuse and personally accompanied them and Shu Xin to collect everything under the cover of night.

Fortunately, Shu Xin’s spatial storage was vast. Otherwise, there would have been no place to store everything. Even so, some non-perishable supplies had to be stacked on the second floor, taking up space meant for the calves and lambs to roam.

On the last day of June, the once blazing sun dimmed as the sky turned overcast. A cool breeze finally swept through the air, bringing with it the first droplets of rain—offering long-awaited relief from the oppressive heat.

“The National Meteorological Center has issued a yellow-level heavy rain warning. Intense rainfall is expected to persist for about a week. Residents are advised to stock up moderately and limit outdoor activities.”

“Government agencies and relevant departments should implement emergency flood prevention measures, cut off hazardous outdoor power sources, and halt outdoor operations. Institutions in high-risk areas should suspend classes and business operations while ensuring the safety of students, children, and employees already present. Urban and agricultural drainage systems must be managed carefully to prevent floods, landslides, and mudslides.”

The sudden downpour caught many off guard. As soon as the news spread, people swarmed supermarkets. Shu Xin and her group were no exception.

Even though they had ample supplies and had filled every spare room with stockpiles, standing out by not buying anything would only draw suspicion.

Once the general population ran out of resources, those who appeared well-prepared would become prime targets for looting and trouble.

Though they weren’t afraid of conflict, they also didn’t want unnecessary trouble. All they wanted was to live peacefully.

To avoid competing with the masses for survival essentials, they only picked up a single bag of rice and flour for appearance’s sake. Their carts were otherwise filled with snacks, drinks, and condiments.

While the rice, flour, oil, vegetables, and meat sections were packed with frantic shoppers, the snack aisle was nearly deserted, occupied only by a handful of young people.

Taking full advantage of the empty aisles, they grabbed every snack they liked—or had never tried—without restraint. Shu Xin even defiantly placed two large boxes of ice cream in their cart despite Yan Mo’s disapproving gaze.

Watching her steal nervous glances at him while continuing to pile food into the cart without hesitation, Yan Mo sighed in exasperation.

He would have to keep a close watch on her. If she ate too much cold food and ended up with a stomachache during such a crucial time, she’d only be making things harder for herself.

By the time they reached checkout, their four overflowing carts earned them plenty of judgmental looks—especially from elderly shoppers, who seemed ready to chastise them for their “wasteful” choices.

Under normal circumstances, some elder would have walked up to scold them, lecturing about how young people didn’t know how to live properly and wasted money on useless junk. “Can this even fill your stomach?” they would have asked.

But today, everyone was too busy scrambling for their own necessities to bother with preaching.

They loaded their purchases into Shu Xin’s imported Knight XV armored SUV from Germany, which had more than enough room to accommodate their haul.

Since they wouldn’t be able to go out once the storm hit, the group quickly agreed to enjoy one last grand meal outside.

Perhaps the atmosphere was too pleasant, or maybe it was the good food, but even Yan Mo—who was normally self-disciplined—ended up overeating.

Surrounded by friends and loved ones, enjoying a life of stability and happiness—this was the kind of life truly worth living.