Chapter 13
“The orphanage has fewer and fewer children now. I wonder whether the director will be able to bring back any good news this time.”
Doctor Chen stood with his arms folded, leaning against the kitchen door. He glanced at Teacher Xiaomei, who was kneading dough. “Sister Liu, with only this many kids left, do you think we’re going to lose our jobs?”
Teacher Xiaomei kept her head down and continued working. “That depends on the director’s arrangements.”
“It’s so hard to find work these days. If I lose my job at the orphanage, I’ll probably only be able to go work in a factory.”
Doctor Chen laughed at himself. “Good thing there are plenty of construction sites and factories around Changyang Town. At least I won’t starve.”
Teacher Xiaomei comforted him. “You’re capable and educated. Even if the day really comes when you have to leave the orphanage, you’ll still be able to find a related job.”
“If I were really that capable, I wouldn’t have ended up leaving home and coming all the way to Huan City.”
Doctor Chen curled his lip. “If you ask me, Sister Liu is the truly capable one. You can sing, you can coax children, and you can take the kids on livestreams. Even if you lose your job, you can still make money with an account that has tens of thousands of followers. In a little while, you’ll probably start taking ads too, right? Once you really become some huge internet celebrity, don’t forget this pitiful bunch of children.”
Teacher Xiaomei heard the sarcasm in his voice and said seriously, “Xiao Chen, the livestreaming was decided by the director. If you have a problem with it, you can wait and tell him when he gets back.”
Doctor Chen’s face changed at once. “You’re taking the kids on livestreams, and I want to apply to film videos with them too. If there’s money to be made, we should all make it together. Why should you be the only one earning money?”
Teacher Xiaomei said coldly, “Half of the money from livestreaming goes into the orphanage account. I’ve also set aside part of the remaining money for the children’s food, daily expenses, and clothes. Haven’t you seen that? Besides, every day I only teach them two songs and let them do half an hour of homework. The director reminded me again and again not to let the children show their faces. There are all kinds of people in this world, and there are many outsiders working at the town’s construction sites and factories too. We can’t allow any safety risks for the children. I will not agree to you filming videos! And the children are too young. They only have so much energy. There’s no way they can pose for your staged videos too! The account is very popular right now, but starting tomorrow I’m deleting it, and I won’t be taking the children on livestreams anymore. That’s the director’s decision too!”
With nothing else he could do, Doctor Chen kicked the door hard in anger and stormed off.
Lunch that day was wontons with sour soup and shiitake mushrooms.
Guanguan sat on a little stool, holding his small bowl in both hands. Big tears still clung to his wet lashes. Every time he bit into a wonton, he would say, “So yummy,” then let out a little sob and murmur, “Qiqi.”
Wei Cheng sighed. Guanguan really was a deeply affectionate child.
He reached out and wiped his tears. “Don’t cry. Qiqi’s older sister is very rich. Being able to live with her own sister is the best choice for Qiqi.”
In his previous life, after the poisonous fog passed, the remaining children at the orphanage, including Qiqi, had all survived.
They were taken by relief workers to a residential complex, but no one expected that a few days later, the medical staff who came to take their temperatures would suddenly go mad and start eating people. In an instant, the entire neighborhood was filled with cries of grief and terror.
The helicopter that came to support them took many people away. But fate was cruel. In the very last few seconds, Wei Cheng and Guanguan were entangled by a blood-soaked zombie, and they missed the first wave of rescue—which was also the last.
That was the last time Wei Cheng ever saw Qiqi, Mingming, and Wang Xiaotiao.
Guanguan’s eyes brimmed with tears, the tip of his nose red. “Really?”
“Really.” Wei Cheng smiled.
Because rich people always got the news before ordinary people.
—
In summer, the sky darkened late. Even at seven o’clock, there was still light outside. But Teacher Xiaomei still brought the children back to bathe, wash up, and get ready for bed.
“Guanguan and Chengcheng, go to sleep early. Don’t stay up playing,” Teacher Xiaomei said as she turned off the lights.
Guanguan lay on the bed wearing his Ultraman tank top, his little chubby hand covering his eyes as he obediently answered, “Okay!”
Only after the footsteps in the hallway had faded away did Wei Cheng turn over, get out of bed, and lock the door.
“Guanguan?”
“Your Guanguan is already asleep.”
Wei Cheng pinched his little curls. “If you’re asleep, then how are you still talking?”
“It’s Ultra-Guanguan talking.”
Wei Cheng found Guanguan too adorable. He could not resist messing up his little curls into a tiny mohawk.
Guanguan bared his small white teeth and sprang up from the bed, but while his spirit was willing, his body had a little too much padding, and the whole plump baby crashed straight into his brother’s arms. “Brother is bad! Guanguan’s hair is messy now, not pretty anymore!”
“It’s pretty, it’s pretty.”
Wei Cheng hurriedly smoothed his little curls back into place. “Still handsome Guanguan.”
“Let’s spin the grand prize wheel, and then Brother will stock up on supplies while you go to sleep properly, okay?”
Guanguan yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Okay.”
The moment they pulled up the system panel, the surprise prize wheel, glittering in black and gold, popped out.
Compared to the earlier wheels, this one looked much more luxurious.
Guanguan was already getting sleepy. His round little face rested on his brother’s arm, squishing into a soft peachy lump of cheek. He casually tapped the wheel with his small hand.
The black-and-gold pointer spun rapidly, then stopped in the lower left corner with a ding.
In an instant, dazzling starlight spread across the system panel.
[Congratulations! Little House Owner is the luckiest emperor in the world! You have won a cozy 70-square-meter home with one bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, and one bathroom!]
[Reminder: The safehouse currently has an area of 95 square meters. Once the safehouse expands to 200 square meters, the cozy home will automatically move in!]
[Reminder: The occupancy duration matches the safehouse stockpile amount. If the stockpile amount is 100, you may live in the safehouse for 100 hours. Once the time is up, you will be automatically ejected. To access stored food supplies, please operate through the system panel by touch. Reentry requires a 24-hour wait. If you wish to live there long-term and peacefully, actively accept missions to expand the safehouse stockpile and upgrade the Twisty Car’s transformation level!]
“Guanguan! We have a home now!”
Wei Cheng lowered his voice, thrilled beyond words, only to hear a tiny snore coming from beside his arm.
Looking down, he saw Guanguan already asleep, both little hands tucked close, his round face so smooth and plump it had no angles at all, now flattened a little in sleep.
Wei Cheng gently laid the child on the bed, then took a standing fan out of the safehouse, set it to the lowest speed, and pointed it at the opposite wall.
At the very least, it would help cool the room down a bit.
After settling Guanguan, Wei Cheng finally opened the personal information panel.
[Twist Coin balance: 10013]
[Safehouse stockpile amount: 65]
[Twisty Car transformation level: 65. Two-person escape unlocked! Skill: Supports self-driving, 70 km/h!]
Wei Cheng had already discovered the relationship between Twist Coins and the safehouse stockpile amount. Roughly 40,000 RMB = 1 stockpile point = 1 point of Twisty Car transformation.
That meant they only needed to buy another 1.4 million RMB worth of goods—1,400 Twist Coins—to gain 35 more points, bringing the Twisty Car’s Beginner Form to 100. Then they would unlock escape functions with invisibility and defensive power.
He and Guanguan had limited savings. It was impossible for them to hide in the safehouse forever. In the future, natural disasters and zombies would run rampant, earthquakes and mountain fires would happen frequently, and zombies that could not be burned to death would crawl out of the ground to devour flesh and gnaw bones. The important thing now was to spend this money where it truly mattered.
If he bought a ten-level, fifty-meter super-long heavy-duty storage shelf with a double-layer structure and unlimited weight capacity per level (with a 100-year shelf life), it would cost 1,000 Twist Coins—one million RMB.
That would expand the safehouse area and allow the cozy home to move in successfully, but was it really worth wasting such precious Twist Coins on that? Even with 100 stockpile points, they would only be able to stay in the cozy home for a little over four days. Besides, even now, he and Guanguan could just buy a small bed and sleep in the safehouse—it just would not be as comfortable as the cozy home.
In the apocalypse, the most important things were supplies, water, medicine, and… truth.
After thinking it over, Wei Cheng directly entered Cloud Mall and walked for quite a while until he reached the machinery section.
For now, the machinery section was still covered in mosaic blur.
It seemed they would only be able to unlock that area once the world order truly collapsed.
Wei Cheng had no choice but to set that thought aside and continue stockpiling.
This time, he bought even more self-heating ready meals and canned food. Before, he had carefully compared prices and bought with caution. But this time, he picked nutritious and tasty foods and bought them by the box: Malaysian curry beef brisket rice ×100, braised noodles with large chunks of lamb ×100, real-broth beef rice noodles ×100, fresh sweet crab roe noodles ×100, extra-large meatball rice balls ×100… As for canned meats, he did not even bother checking the prices. He just added box after box to the cart.
He also made another big purchase of ready-made hot and cold meat dishes, steamed buns, milk, and milk powder. Guanguan was too short. In the future, he definitely needed to be fed well and built up properly.
And as for water, the more the better. He stocked up on another full twenty thousand extra-large water barrels.
He then spent another three hundred thousand RMB on all kinds of medicine according to the list he had made. In the apocalypse, he had worked as a bounty hunter. To survive and earn supplies, he had taken on many missions to search for medicine in the most dangerous hospitals and pharmacies. Perhaps one day, once he and Guanguan had grown stronger, they might also be able to do some business with other people.
Even after doing all of that, he had spent less than five hundred thousand RMB.
He checked the stockpile amount. It had already changed from [65] to [77].
So he bought even more grain, sugar, eggs, and crop seeds. If they could settle down in the countryside for the long term, these would all be essential. Only at the very end did he slowly begin selecting wilderness survival supplies and multifunctional knives.
The first thing he picked up was a solar hand-crank emergency radio.
The radio was palm-sized and easy to carry. Besides having an independent power supply, it also had very powerful lighting.
He remembered that this type of radio had been extremely scarce in the apocalypse. Only the top leaders of bases had been qualified to use one.
With a radio, they would be able to learn in time about zombies and natural disasters in the apocalypse.
He also bought level-three outdoor emergency kits, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, inflatable pillows, emergency blankets, duct tape, all kinds of lights, protective goggles, binoculars, magnesium fire starters, compasses, batteries, foldable solar panels and household solar panels, small generators, gas stoves and cassette stoves… multifunctional entrenching shovels, foldable long knives, and more.
There were even household gasoline and diesel generators.
Wei Cheng glanced once more at the mosaic-covered machinery and energy section. If that section contained not only truth but also diesel and gasoline, then he and Guanguan truly would never have to worry about food and clothing in the future.
He stockpiled all of those items in multiples—some several times over, others tenfold—according to their importance.
Finally, when he clicked on the balance, he saw:
[Twist Coin balance: 8600]
[Safehouse stockpile amount: 100]
[Twisty Car transformation level: Twisty Car Beginner Transformation 100, …]
[Reminder: The Twisty Car is about to complete Beginner Transformation. Multiple escape functions will be unlocked. This process will take 15 working days.]
Fifteen days?
Wei Cheng opened one of the four main sections, the [Twisty Car Safehouse Section], and saw a line of small text floating above the sleek, handsome black bicycle on the left:
[Beginner Transformation Progress: 0.01%]
Today was August 11. The upgrade would be completed on August 26. That world-destroying rainstorm would come at the end of September, followed immediately by deadly high temperatures.
There was enough time.
Then starting tomorrow, he would persuade Teacher Xiaomei to have air conditioners, solar panels, and reinforced iron gates installed at the orphanage.
—
When Wei Cheng woke up, he heard a tentative, trembling little voice by his ear.
“Bro… Brother, you kind of seem a little dead.”
Wei Cheng: “…”
Without opening his eyes, he patted Guanguan on the head. “I’m not dead.”
Yesterday, he had stayed up stockpiling for too long and did not go to sleep until after three in the morning.
Guanguan let out a heavy sigh of relief and patted his brother’s forehead with his little hand too. “Is Brother sick? Guanguan called and called for so long, but you still didn’t wake up. The sun is already shining on your butt.”
“I’m not sick.”
Wei Cheng slowly fought off the lingering drowsiness. He tried to prop himself up, but noticed Guanguan pressing down on his shoulder.
“Brother, sleep properly. Guanguan can take care of himself!”
At that moment, Teacher Xiaomei also came to look for the brothers, who still had not gone to the dining hall. She pushed the door, but it would not open.
Standing on top of his brother’s oversized shoes, Guanguan pattered over to open it for her. “Teacher Xiaomei, Brother didn’t sleep well!”
“He didn’t sleep well? Is he sick?”
Teacher Xiaomei jumped in alarm and hurried over to touch Wei Cheng’s forehead. “Chengcheng, where do you feel unwell?”
Wei Cheng swallowed back the words I’m fine. Frowning, he covered his chest and said, “Teacher, I think I got heatstroke. The bath water was too cold, and the room was too hot at night.”
“Ah, heatstroke?”
Teacher Xiaomei helped Wei Cheng sit up. “In a bit I’ll ask Xiao Chen to come take a look at you. If it’s serious, we’ll take you to the clinic for an injection.”
“Teacher, since our livestreams are making money now, could we buy a few air conditioners? And the water heater doesn’t give hot water anymore. Is the solar heater broken?”
In the past month, their orphanage really had earned around three hundred thousand yuan from livestreaming. Most of that was probably from Qiqi’s sister’s donations.
Teacher Xiaomei thought for a moment and said, “I’ll call and ask the director about it in a little while. If he doesn’t agree, I’ll pay out of my own pocket to install air conditioners for you. If the water heater doesn’t work, then from now on I’ll boil hot water in a big pot for your baths.”
Wei Cheng did not want Teacher Xiaomei spending her own money. A few times, he had overheard her calling to order milk powder and medicine.
He said, “Teacher, I want to speak to Director Grandpa too…” He refused to believe he could not persuade that stubborn-but-soft-hearted old man.
“Okay, Teacher will ask the director first.”
Not long afterward, Doctor Chen came over unwillingly with his medical kit to check Wei Cheng’s temperature.
He had barely placed the thermometer under Wei Cheng’s arm for a minute before he yanked it out and lazily glanced at it. “You’re fine. No fever.”
He was just about to leave when he noticed someone tugging on his clothes.
Guanguan looked up at him, a little frightened. “Uncle Chen, check Brother again. Teacher Xiaomei said you have to count lots and lots of tens before the thermometer knows whether Brother is sick!”
Wei Cheng pulled Guanguan back. “Guanguan, Brother is fine. Brother’s better now.”
Doctor Chen did not pay the two children any attention at all. He picked up his medical kit and walked off.
Guanguan pressed his lips together, and his eyes reddened instantly.
The moment Wei Cheng saw that, he regretted it a little. “Guanguan, don’t be scared. Brother isn’t sick!”
Then he lowered his voice and added, “Brother was pretending, just so Director Grandpa would install air conditioners for the orphanage!”
“Brother, are you telling the truth?”
Wei Cheng smiled. “It’s true. Brother won’t lie to Guanguan.”
Standing on tiptoe, Guanguan touched his brother’s forehead again, then touched his own. His eyes were still red, but he looked a little happy too. “Brother really isn’t sick!”
What surprised Wei Cheng was that Director Wang had actually agreed to install air conditioners and a solar water heater at the orphanage.
He was that easy to talk to?
That made Wei Cheng want to bring up reinforcing the iron gates too, but he was afraid of arousing suspicion, so he could only let it go for now.
Anyway, there was still some time before that great rainstorm. He could think of another excuse later.
The next day, two teams of workers came to install the air conditioners and solar water heater.
There were many factories and workers in Changyang Town, so for a popular service like installing air conditioners, there was no need to make an appointment.
They installed two air conditioners in total: one in the dining hall and one in the children’s dormitory. That meant Wei Cheng and Guanguan would now be sleeping together with Mingming and Wang Xiaotiao.
The children were all delighted to hear that sleeping at night would finally be cool. They hopped around happily, staying close to the workers and watching them.
One of the workers thought Guanguan was adorable and asked him in an out-of-town accent, “This little kid is really handsome. His hair is so curly, he looks like a little foreign child. How old are you?”
Guanguan answered obediently, “Guanguan is three years old.”
“My grandson is three too. Do you go to kindergarten?”
Guanguan tilted his head and thought about kindergarten for a moment, then shook his head. “Guanguan has no education.”
Several of the workers laughed. “This kid is pretty interesting.”
Wei Cheng, who had been talking to Teacher Xiaomei nearby, always kept an eye on Guanguan. When he saw this, he called out, “Guanguan, Mingming, Wang Xiaotiao, come here for a second!”
Guanguan threw down the little screwdriver he was holding and ran over. “What is it? What is it?”
Teacher Xiaomei smiled and said, “Go wash your hands. We’re eating soon. Today we’re having cold noodles.”
Mingming and Wang Xiaotiao cheered and ran into the washroom.
Wei Cheng took Guanguan by the hand as they walked. “From now on, if strangers talk to you, don’t respond, okay?”
Having lived through the apocalypse, aside from Guanguan, he could not trust anyone—including the people in the orphanage.
Guanguan answered carefree, “Okay!”
Wei Cheng thought for a moment, then asked, “If a stranger says you’re cute, what do you do?”
Guanguan’s eyes lit up. “Say thank you!”
Wei Cheng shook his head. “Brother told you, you can’t talk to strangers.”
Then he asked, “If a stranger offers you candy, do you want it?”
Guanguan puffed his snowy white cheeks a little, clearly looking conflicted. “How many would they give? Guanguan wants cola flavor.”
Wei Cheng took a deep breath and rubbed his fluffy little head. “After lunch, Brother will give you a cola-flavored lollipop.”
Forget it. From now on, he would not let Guanguan out of his sight for even a single step. He would protect Guanguan no matter what.
Two days later, on August 15, the orphanage’s air conditioners and solar water heater were finally installed.
The children were all very happy. After taking hot showers, they ran back into the pleasantly cool room to play.
Wei Cheng was drying Guanguan’s hair while Guanguan played rock-paper-scissors with Wang Xiaotiao and Mingming.
“Rock, paper, scissors!”
“Hahaha, Mingming lost again!”
The little room was filled with the innocent laughter of children.
Then suddenly, a deafening clap of thunder crashed down from the sky!
The bright daylight outside instantly turned pitch black!
A chill ran down Wei Cheng’s spine as his eyes widened in disbelief.
It was over.
The apocalypse had arrived early.
