Chapter 14: Rumors

Shen Yanming choked with anger at the realization. How could he have suffered such a huge loss from a woman he had only met once? 

Sitting in his car, he glared at the distraught woman through the cafe window while his lips pursed as he spat out, “I hope you have some self-awareness. Stay away from me from now on, or else I will make you pay back everything with interest!”

He then started his car and sped home.

Shen Yanming acknowledged that Miss Wei and Cai Chun’s collaboration had contributed to his past life’s unfortunate circumstances, but he couldn’t deny his own role in losing Bi Qiao’an.

In this new life, he couldn’t always be bound by his previous one. What mattered the most was to live a fulfilling present and a better future. 

Lugging countless shopping bags, Shen Yanming arrived home. He meticulously removed tags before tossing machine-washable clothes in the washer and putting the delicates that required hand-washing in a net bag to wash together.

An hour later, he looked at the new clothes hanging on his living room balcony and then entered the master bedroom where all kinds of lingerie and dresses were hanging. Shen Yanming felt a wave of contentment wash over him.

Forgoing a restaurant meal, he grabbed his phone and browsed online recipes for lunch. Despite having an innate talent for cooking, the result was disappointingly mediocre. Memories of past hunger pangs flickered, and with a grimace, he forced himself to finish the bland meal as he refused to waste a single bite. 

“Things were better with Qiao’an around. We always had delicious meals,” he sighed wistfully.

Waking from a short nap, Shen Yanming fired up his computer. With narrowed eyes, he scoured maps of Hai City to hunt for secret spots to stash supplies.  

Currently, security wasn’t his primary concern. What he worried about were natural disasters like floods burying their survival rations underground or desperate scavengers unearthing his caches once famine kicked in. Surely then, nothing would remain!

Stockpiling too early risked spoilage, while waiting too long could lead to theft. 

He shook his head in frustration as he found it a headache.

Shen Yanming yearned for a haven, a secure nook, however small. It wouldn’t be much, but it could hold lifesaving supplies for him and Qiao’an.

A flicker of a thought sparked in his mind – the fantastical spatial abilities he’d read about in novels. He chuckled self-deprecatingly. Wishful thinking, of course. Such things only existed in fiction. But oh, if only they were real!

After printing out his marked maps, he circled a few locations in red pencil to investigate on site tomorrow.

Glancing at the clock reading half past four, he drove to the cafe and negotiated with the manager for the security footage of Cai Chun and Miss Wei’s conversation. 

Next, he headed to Qinghai University to pick up Bi Qiao’an.

She was surprised by his swift return. Barely half a day and her brand new beau already couldn’t help shedding his restraint?

If Shen Yanming knew what she was thinking, he would definitely say no, not at all! In fact, he even yearned to openly attend Bi Qiao’an’s classes with her.

Their lighthearted banter began on the drive home.

“Stay over whenever you don’t have classes, okay?” he suggested.

“Commuting constantly would be tedious,” Bi Qiao’an countered.  

“No trouble at all. Door-to-door service guaranteed.”

“Do you even work? When are you flying back to Europa?” 

“I’m not going back. I quit my job. There’s no point staying another year when things are bound to change anyway, and it would just be a hassle.”

“I understand. But there are only three months left in my college term. The last two years of my previous life were especially rough. Back then, I used to dream of going back to my university days. It was truly my happiest time.”

Shen Yanming fell silent after hearing this. He’d been on Weibo and various forums lately and read countless complaints about everyday life. Ironically, these were the very things people missed most after the apocalypse.

“When I’m here, come home and stay with me. I might have to go out for a few days,” he said.

“Where?” Bi Qiao’an’s voice held a hint of worry.

Shen Yanming quickly reassured her, “Just scouting for a suitable warehouse. Since we’re given a second chance at life, we should at least secure some supplies for ourselves.”

Qiao’an sighed. “If only we had that kind of storage space you read about in novels.”

Shen Yanming chuckled. He wouldn’t mind one of those either! 

Back home, it was barely six-thirty. Bi Qiao’an looked at the densely hanging clothes on the balcony and admired Shen Yanming’s taste. “Brother Yanming, you’re changing your style! Getting into fashion, I see.”

“It’s because you’re eight years younger, and I want to make myself look younger,” Shen Yanming grinned. “There are spring and summer clothes for you on the master bedroom balcony. Go see if you like them.”

Bi Qiao’an shot him a glance and muttered, “What did you buy?” 

She soon emerged blushing. “Why did you get underwear too? It’s embarrassing!” One hand tried to cover her flushed face as she admitted, “But the dresses are beautiful, even though, well, I can’t really wear them in the apocalypse.”

“I know. So let’s enjoy them while we can. No regrets later.”

“Okay, thank you!” Bi Qiao’an nodded happily.

They moved into the kitchen, a seamless team – one washing vegetables, the other chopping; one cooking, the other watching. Afterward, they sat across from each other as they waited for the food to cook. 

Bi Qiao’an’s cheeks blushed with embarrassment as she looked up close at his handsome face, while Shen Yanming softly smiled as he gazed at her lively expression. He couldn’t help but reach out to caress her face.

“Dinner’s ready!” she called out and stood up, wanting to break the tension in the air. 

“Mm, a feast for the eyes,” he said, his gaze lingering on Bi Qiao’an.

They fell into a comfortable routine after dinner, washing the dishes and cleaning the table together, like an old couple’s unspoken rhythm.

“Qiao’an, keep yourself entertained with the TV for a while. I need to handle something, but I’ll be back soon!” 

“Alright!” Qiao’an agreed readily.

Alone in the study, Shen Yanming donned his earphones and started the video he’d copied earlier that day. A tense conversation flowed in his ears.

“Cai Chun, are you serious? Don’t tell me you’re messing with me!”

“Miss Wei, I wouldn’t joke about something like this. Even I was surprised, but the doctor confirmed it – Mr. Shen has heart disease.”

“Heart disease? But… how? Isn’t that very serious?” Distress laced the woman’s voice.

“The doctor prescribed medication and emphasized the importance of rest and avoidance of strenuous activity.”  

“I’ve waited for him for so many years… Why now, of all times?” Despair tinged her words.

“Miss Wei, perhaps it’s time to consider moving on. It’s been a long time.” Cai Chun offered consolation.

“I… I need some time to think.” 

Shen Yanming watched as the woman’s emotions ran high. Cai Chun’s soothing murmurs contrasted with the smirk playing on the lips of the man lurking in the corner.

With a click, Shen Yanming shut down the computer. He found Qiao’an in the living room and to her surprise, pulled her into a tight embrace. They settled onto the couch together.

“Don’t do this, it’s weird,” Qiao’an mumbled, flustered.

“Then get used to it. Practice makes perfect,” Shen Yanming replied with a playful glint in his eyes.

Bi Qiao’an rolled her eyes and ignored him, but Shen Yanming remained in high spirits. His thoughts drifted to Cai Chun, and he marveled at the man’s efficiency. It was an unexpected turn of events, but the result was the same. 

The next day, a rumor rippled through the city’s commercial district: Shen Yanming of the Shen Group had heart disease. Soon, whispers turned into grim pronouncements – he was terminally ill, with little time left.