Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Hey, Lao San, I've already taken care of the dorm inspection. You can count on me," Sheng Yao's voice, barely audible over the howling wind, came through the phone.

"It's not about the dorm check. My sister brought her cat, and all the hotels here are pet-unfriendly. We can't even get a ride—no drivers are accepting our requests. I was wondering if you know any place where we could crash for the night? We're currently at..." Tang Teng glanced around and rattled off their exact address.

"Oh, that area? Let me think... My mom has a vacant villa nearby that's been empty. I'll come pick you up—you can stay there tonight."

"Thanks, man. We'll wait here for you."

After listening to their conversation, Tang Man lowered her head in thought before asking, "How many people are in your roommate's family? What are their temperaments like?"

Tang Teng hesitated but answered honestly, "His parents are divorced. Right now, he lives with his mom. She's a teacher at our university. Her temper... seems okay?"

Thinking of Sheng Yao's fear of his mother, Tang Teng's last words lacked confidence.

Tang Man pondered for a moment before nodding. "Alright, we'll stay at your friend's place tonight."

As they waited, she spotted a still-open pharmacy nearby and handed the pet carrier to Tang Teng. "Xiao Teng, wait here for me. The cold wind made my throat sore—I’ll grab some medicine."

"Sure."

Tang Teng took the carrier and began playing with the kitten inside.

Inside the pharmacy, Tang Man bought stacks of gauze, Yunnan Baiyao, anti-inflammatories, cold medicine...

Basically, she stocked up on every OTC medicine she thought might be useful, buying two boxes of each. The total came to over three thousand yuan (nearly $500 USD), filling three shopping bags. She even asked the cashier to wrap them in black bags to conceal the contents.

Medicine would be a high-value trade item in the apocalypse. Once the government took control of the area, just a few boxes could secure her a decent rental.

Tang Teng was stunned by the bags. "Sis, why so much medicine? Did the pharmacy push some health supplements on you?"

"No—" Tang Man started to explain, but the roar of an engine cut her off.

A bright red convertible pulled up beside them. The driver, a sharp-featured young man with a prominent nose and a mischievous smile, wore a black studded biker jacket.

"Lao San, Sister Tang, get in."

Tang Man stared at his sunglasses for a moment. Was the light really that harsh?

Sheng Yao got out to help load their luggage into the trunk. Only then did Tang Man take in his full outfit—leather pants, studded boots, a skull earring, and several edgy rings.

"Sister Tang, what's in these bags? Why bring so much stuff when house-hunting? It’s such a hassle."

"That’s—" Tang Teng tried to explain.

"Things from home," Tang Man jumped in, avoiding Sheng Yao’s outstretched hand as she placed the bags in the trunk herself and pushed Tang Teng toward the car.

Sheng Yao’s hand hung awkwardly in mid-air before he withdrew it.

Once inside, Tang Teng made introductions. "Sis, this is my roommate Sheng Yao—just call him by his name. Sheng Yao, this is my sister Tang Man. You can call her ‘Sis’ like I do."

"Or just my name is fine," Tang Man added, figuring rebellious boys wouldn’t want an extra sister.

Since he was her brother’s roommate and their temporary landlord, she even flashed a smile at the rear-view mirror.

Within ten minutes, they entered a gated luxury community. Tang Man observed the surroundings, memorizing routes and nearby shops—potential targets for future supply gathering.

The sports car cruised slowly through the neighborhood for over thirty minutes without stopping, Sheng Yao squinting out the window.

Tang Man frowned. "Are we going in circles?"

"Uh... the lighting’s bad. I’m kinda lost," Sheng Yao said sheepishly.

"Lao Si, are you serious? You don’t know your own house?"

"Back off! Real men don't quit, got it? I’ve never lived here! My mom just stays occasionally for the fresh air... Plus, who can read house numbers in this darkness?"

"What’s the number?" Tang Man interrupted.

"Villa 18."

"Turn around, go straight, then right, then left," she directed.

Skeptical but compliant, Sheng Yao followed her instructions—and immediately found Villa 18.

"Damn, Sis, you’ve got sharp eyes!"

Tang Man smiled faintly and followed Sheng Yao inside with Tang Teng, carrying their bags.

The villa was luxurious—three stories tall, with a double-height foyer in opulent European decor. Famous paintings adorned the walls, and every ornament spoke of wealth.

Tang Man frowned at the design. The rear wall was entirely glass—great for sunlight but a security risk.

"Lao San, Sis, pick any room on the second floor. I’ll go to my uncl—" Sheng Yao caught himself. "I’ll stay at my uncle’s tonight."

"Wait." Tang Man stopped him. "I saw an upscale grocery store at the entrance earlier. Could you take me there? The community’s too big to walk."

"Sis, I can—" Tang Teng offered.

"Xiao Teng, feed the cat for me. She barely ate today—I’m worried," Tang Man interrupted, shoving the pet carrier into his arms.

Knowing how much the cat meant to her, Tang Teng didn’t argue, shooting Sheng Yao a look to help out.

Figuring a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt, Sheng Yao agreed.

He drove her to a high-end market outside the community.

Tang Man had planned a big haul, but after circling the aisles, she only bought a few seeded fruits and a pot of Pothos—each in minimal quantities.

It wasn’t by choice. The supermarket catered to the villa’s wealthy residents, with prices that made her hesitate.

Back home, rice cost 2.5 to 3.5 yuan per pound, maxing at 5 yuan. Here, the cheapest was 10 yuan, with imported brands hitting triple digits per kilogram.

Sheng Yao eyed the lone fruits in the cart, suppressing a smile at her "thrifty" choices.

After checkout, Tang Man said, "There’s still more I need. I remember a smaller supermarket we passed earlier—could you take me there?"

Assuming it wasn’t far, Sheng Yao agreed.

Following her directions, they soon found the store. Sheng Yao waited outside.

Though pricier than wholesale, the supermarket’s rates were manageable. Tang Man spent most of her savings on bottled water, rice, flour, seasonings, and basic supplies.

At checkout, the shopkeeper grinned widely.

"Miss, are you shopping for a business? Want me to deliver this tomorrow? Just leave your address—my staff can bring it over..."

"No need, we drove here. We can just make multiple trips. But could you lend me a small cart to make transporting things easier?" Tang Man dodged the first question, steering the conversation elsewhere.

"Sure thing, I'll help you load up later," the shop owner replied cheerfully.

Sheng Yao was propped against the car, shooting the breeze with his buddies, when he heard movement behind him. He turned to look, and his grip on the phone faltered, causing it to drop to the ground, shattering the screen.

But he barely glanced at the shattered phone. He took a deep breath as he watched the two people pushing the cart toward him. "Tang Man, this is what you meant by 'buying a few things'?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "a few things."

This much stuff?! Was she trying to freeload just because his place was fancy?

Tang Man cut in like she'd read his thoughts. "Don’t worry, I’ll move everything out once I find a place to settle down. These are just temporary."

Busted, Sheng Yao scratched his nose sheepishly. "That house has been empty for a while. You can stay as long as you want..."

The small supermarket owner helped load the items into the car. Even with the back seat and trunk stuffed, they’d barely made a dent in the haul.

"You sure you don’t want delivery, miss?"

"No, we can manage," Tang Man said before Sheng Yao could respond.

Sheng Yao’s impression of her took another hit, considering she expected him to move all this in one go.

"Sis, why did you buy so much stuff at once?" Unable to contain his curiosity, Sheng Yao finally asked on the way back.

"I have a hoarding habit. If I don’t have enough supplies where I live, I can’t sleep or eat properly," Tang Man casually made up an excuse.

Sheng Yao’s eye twitched. "Riiight... sure."