Chapter 31: The Space Password Levels Up

“Haha…”

People at the back had already started whispering, and beyond that, everyone wore an expression like they were watching a show unfold.

Listening to the murmurs and teasing, that woman’s face didn’t look good at all.

“Stop changing the subject. We came here today for supplies.”

Jiang Yuan looked at the crowd in front of her and felt even more delighted inside.

“Mr. Lawyer, I’d like to ask: are you here to buy supplies or to get supplies? These are two completely different things. You lawyers like to be precise with words—shouldn’t this be clarified?”

Sun Yian was no stranger to confrontation, and a few words from Jiang Yuan wouldn’t faze him. He kept his tone calm and composed.

“Jiang Yuan, this has nothing to do with you. We’re all neighbors. I understand you want to defend 2102, but everyone’s low on supplies now.

Your neighbor made multiple trips today bringing things back. Selling some to everyone wouldn’t affect him much.”

Jiang Yuan scoffed. This man was clearly implying she was siding with Song Yi, which in turn hinted they had a relationship.

She didn’t bother arguing over this—what was the point? In the apocalypse, arguing over right and wrong was a waste of energy, and energy meant water—something you couldn’t waste.

“So basically, you’re trying to coerce him into selling?”

She smiled as if commenting on the weather.

“That’s not what I mean. For a purchase to happen, both parties must be willing.”

Sun Yian pushed up his glasses. Jiang Yuan was sharp-tongued and a pain to deal with.

Song Yi overheard the exchange and said coldly, “I don’t want to sell. Please leave.”

The people gathered looked dissatisfied, but with Sun Yian in the lead, no one dared protest too loudly.

The people from the 20th floor were clearly the most upset. Jiang Yuan glanced at the “compass lady” and the “scar-faced man” — those two were definitely among the most dangerous in the building.

“Alright, you heard him. He doesn’t want to sell, so let’s go back.

Don’t forget—just a few days ago, many of us went out to get supplies. We all saw it.”

Her gaze swept across the crowd. Some of them had bought things before—she knew it.

“Lawyer Sun, here’s a piece of advice for you and everyone. The heavy rain hasn’t stopped and won’t for a while. It’s better to think about gathering more cash. The power will go out eventually, and mobile payments won’t last.

There are still places selling things outside. If you can get out, buy more while you can. Understand?”

Everyone understood, of course—but her reminder about hoarding cash hit home.

After she finished speaking, Jiang Yuan shut the door to Song Yi’s apartment firmly, cutting off all the noise from outside.

“Next time something like this happens, just ignore them,” Song Yi said, rubbing his temples. He could handle intense work, but the arguing outside drained him.

“I was afraid that if I stayed inside, they’d keep making a scene and disturb you,” she replied.

After all, the 21st floor wasn’t just his. He had to consider his neighbors too.

“So, you really brought back a lot of supplies this time?”

Looking at the two full backpacks by his feet, Jiang Yuan understood.

Song Yi nodded, not denying it.

“Jiang Yuan, let’s not beat around the bush. You also believe the rain won’t stop anytime soon, right?”

He stared at her intently, as if trying to read her thoughts.

“I think so too. And I bet you’ve gone out for supplies as well these past two days.

I have a proposal—let’s work together. Don’t get me wrong, I just don’t think this will be the end of it.

We live on the same floor. If one of us gets compromised, the other will be in danger too.”

Jiang Yuan nodded. In the peak of summer, even having an air conditioner could provoke jealousy. Now that they had supplies, it was only natural to become a target.

“Alright, we should stick together. Next time you go out, call me.”

“Deal.”

With their agreement made, the two went back to their respective apartments.

The reason Song Yi got exposed this time was because he brought back too many things, and carrying them took too much time.

Jiang Yuan, on the other hand, didn’t take her items out immediately—she was waiting for most people to run out of supplies first. Then she could sell at high prices.

She needed money to extend time in the space, and at that point, she wouldn’t care about “morality.”

Once back in her apartment, she immediately entered her space.

After bringing back so many items the day before, she needed to sort everything out.

The upgrade screen lit up again. This time, the character “木” (wood) lit up.

The icons from last time were still there, plus a new one that looked like a sketch of a well.

Thinking of the wardrobe area, her suspicions grew stronger.

That part felt more like land, and she wanted to test it out.

After a moment of hesitation, she smiled.

“木” was followed by “水” (water)—and during endless rain, water was everywhere.

So she decisively chose the “land” icon.

After the icon dimmed, she rushed out to check.

There was a change. The originally neat courtyard had a new square patch, about one square meter in size.

The surrounding area was still misty and unclear.

“Ah!”

She felt a sharp pain in her hand. Looking down, she saw her bracelet glowing faintly with a golden light.

Suddenly, the number “10” lit up by itself.

She was startled and instinctively touched it.

The glow instantly vanished—as if nothing had happened.

Rushing back in, she saw that “水” (water) had lit up as well, and a new icon had appeared—one that looked like a five-hole power socket.

So that earlier activation must have been a switch. That meant the space only responded after touching the correct control.

Then what had happened during the previous two upgrades?

After fiddling with her bracelet for a while, she understood—it must have been accidental. Since she always wore the bracelet, she must have triggered it by accident before.

Now that she knew the mechanism, she’d be more careful from now on.

Inside the space, there was no day or night. She wasn’t sure if the socket meant it could charge devices or was just for lighting.

Regardless, she chose the well icon.

And sure enough—in one corner of the courtyard, a well appeared.

This would make things much more convenient.

Still, she would focus on land for now.

She needed to grow food, and land was the most important thing.

Her family had already stocked matches, lighters, gas stoves, and a coal stove.

She even had some nutrient soil for planting.

After tinkering a while, she expanded by two more square meters.

Though small, she was already satisfied.

She still had plenty of gold jewelry—enough for another upgrade.

She didn’t know what would happen next, but her heart was full of excitement.

She pressed “10” again, and the golden light glowed once more—brighter this time.

A new number appeared: “2.”

An upgrade?

Whatever it was, she selected another plot of land.

And with that, she called it a day.