Chapter 35: Selling the House

“By the way, I recently discovered that the Zhang family has also been stockpiling supplies,” Li Zhaozhao blurted out.

“Are you sure?” Shen Yanming asked, his brow furrowing in surprise.

“Yes. They’re claiming they’re preparing for a supermarket, but I don’t think that’s true. They’re focusing on high-energy, long-shelf-life foods. It seems more like apocalypse preparation. I wasn’t suspicious until I saw their orders coming to me. Some observation afterward confirmed it.” Li Zhaozhao explained

“They likely have insider information. Let’s pretend we don’t know,” Shen Yanming said. “We have no conflict with them, so there’s no need to cut off their lifeline.”

“Aren’t they afraid of being targeted with such large-scale preparation?” Zhang Heping asked, wide-eyed.

“I think this is just their surface plan,” Ji Kangyong reasoned. “Two-pronged preparation might be safer.”

“You’re right. Let’s withdraw completely. We’ll live like normal, buy our usual groceries, and act like our warehouses don’t exist. Don’t keep tabs on the Zhang family either, just pay casual attention to any news from them,” Shen Yanming instructed.

With the serious discussion over, the three stayed for lunch.

“Qiao’an, you’re an amazing cook! Shen Yanming is so lucky!” Li Zhaozhao exclaimed after a bite of braised pork.

“Hehe, I hear you three are all single. Find girlfriends who can cook!” Bi Qiao’an said with a smile.

“Well, that depends on fate. Who knows what the future holds?” Li Zhaozhao shook his head. No need to create trouble for himself in these uncertain times.

Bi Qiao’an smiled, saying no more.

After they left, Bi Qiao’an asked, “Which Zhang family is it?”

“The Zhangs of Feiyang International. You should know their daughter, Zhang Chenjun. She went to the same school as you.”

“Zhang Chenjun!?” Bi Qiao’an gasped. “It seems she’s also been reborn!”

Shen Yanming had suspected this when Li Zhaozhao mentioned it. “Yes, we must be even more careful.”

Bi Qiao’an thought for a moment. “Do you know anyone? I want to sell unit 1601.”

“It’s in good condition, why sell?” Shen Yanming was puzzled. “We’re not short on money!”

“I know, but 1601 won’t be safe to keep. Instead of trouble later, it’s better to find a good neighbor now,” Bi Qiao’an said seriously.

“How did you lose your house in your previous life? And if 1601 was lost, why not stay in 1602?”  Shen Yanming voiced a long-held question.

Bi Qiao’an paused. “During a census, government officials reclaimed 1602 since the deed wasn’t in my name. As for 1601, it was mine initially. But Chen Jin had long coveted it. Since the deed was in Dad’s name, she found a loophole, claiming I wasn’t the rightful owner. At that time, Xiao Fei had influence. Most higher-ups wouldn’t offend him. Chen Jin used his name and had me kicked out.”

Shen Yanming felt a pang of heartache, his voice heavy with remorse as he said, “It’s my fault. I should have come back sooner!”

Bi Qiao’an smiled slightly. “That’s all in the past. But why didn’t you come back sooner?”

Shen Yanming’s lips tightened. “At first, no one foresaw the apocalypse. Later, with climate change and food shortages, we suspected something was wrong. A riot broke out in Europe, and I only got back to Qinghua after that. Money was useless by then. As a foreigner with no power, I could only hide. Two years passed like that. Later, Cai Chun died too. I didn’t care about life or death anymore…so I crossed borders, walking all the way back, not knowing the way so I just walked in one direction. When I ran out of food, I searched the mountains and rivers.”

Bi Qiao’an hugged Shen Yanming tightly. “I thought I suffered, but I didn’t expect you to suffer more. The heavens must have let us be reborn to compensate us!”

“Yes, we’ll definitely be happy this time!” Shen Yanming laughed, feeling blessed. “I’ll call Zhang Heping, I reckon he’ll buy your house.”

“Huh?” Bi Qiao’an eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yeah. He’s an orphan, grew up with his uncle…even now that he’s successful, he lives in a hospital dorm.”

Bi Qiao’an nodded. “That’s perfect. We can watch out for one another and avoid the hassle of difficult neighbors.”

After their lunch break, Shen Yanming called Zhang Heping about Qiao’an’s house. Zhang Heping exclaimed excitedly, “Bro, you’re the best! I was just worrying about where to buy a place. Hehe, I didn’t expect this! Don’t worry, I’ll match any price Qiao’an asks, and I’ll feel safe living next to you!”

Shen Yanming chuckled. “Qiao’an’s belongings are still there. Once we finish packing, you can finalize the sale. Did you want to keep the furniture? If not, we’ll remove it first.”

Zhang Heping thought for a moment. “No need, you take it. I’m planning to start fresh with new furnishings. That way when I get married in the future, my wife and I can make the place our own.”

“Alright, we’ll contact you when it’s ready.”

That night, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an went to 1601. This was Bi Qiao’an’s first time back since her rebirth. Looking at the familiar yet strange furnishings, her heart ached.

With a trembling hand, she gently stroked the family photo in the living room, then carefully picked up the cherished doll her mother had given her during childhood, hugging it close to her heart. Shen Yanming stood beside Bi Qiao’an, waiting patiently. After half an hour, she said, “Brother Yanming, let’s pack up.”

“Okay!”

They carefully packed the ornaments, outfits, linens, and her parents’ keepsakes into boxes. Once finished, they moved everything to their own space. An hour later, only furniture such as beds, cabinets, tables, chairs, and sofas remained in 1601.

Under the cover of night, Shen Yanming took Bi Qiao’an to the warehouse that Heping and the others had readied. Once he confirmed the area was secure, Shen Yanming started moving all the supplies to his own storage space. He couldn’t help but be impressed by the group’s comprehensive preparations, which included items that hadn’t even crossed his mind.

Shen Yanming arranged for professional movers to relocate the furniture from 1601 to their previous warehouse the next day, planning to retrieve it at a later time.

After a few days had passed, Zhang Heping, Ji Kangyong, and Li Zhaozhao paid Shen Yanming another visit. “We went to the warehouse recently and divided the supplies in two. Most of the stockpile is for you to move somewhere secure, but we’ll leave a small portion behind as a decoy.”

With a nod, Shen Yanming replied, “Give me the inventory list and keys. I’ll find a suitable time to transport the supplies.”