Chapter 9: Arrangements for the Renovation.
Chapter 9: Arrangements for the Renovation.
The first step was for Su Jinjin to directly stockpile supplies.
This is the foundation for survival.
Su Jinjin turned on her computer and quickly made a list:
Food: Compressed biscuits, canned food, vacuum-packed rice, purified water (the more the better).
Medications: Antibiotics, hemostatic bandages, painkillers, disinfectant
Tools: Multi-tool knife, rope, flashlight, battery
Protective equipment: gas mask, heat-resistant gloves, tactical vest
"I can buy these things in batches to avoid attracting attention," she thought. "Anyway, I have a scavenging backpack, and I can store it in the house when it's full."
Thinking about houses.
To prevent danger, it must be reinforced.
Su Jinjin began clearing out a room and took out some of the supplies she had collected from the scavenging backpack in the [Alien Apocalypse] dungeon and put them in the room.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows.
"I keep some at home and some in my storage space for use in dungeons. Who knows what kind of apocalypse will occur in the next dungeon?"
The scavenging backpack contained a variety of miscellaneous supplies, including food and medicine, but Su Jinjin didn't think she had too much.
After clapping her hands, Su Jinjin looked at her supplies.
"Real-world security is also a problem. It needs to be strengthened; what if there are reckless rioters?"
The next day.
Su Jinjin didn't go to work; instead, she went to the nearest renovation company first.
Su Jinjin stood at the entrance of the decoration company, looking at the bustling crowd inside, her brows furrowed.
The line was longer than the aunties scrambling for discounted eggs at the market; each person held a design drawing and shouted:
"I need a blast-proof door! The kind with thickened steel plates!"
"Replace all the windows with bulletproof glass! Money is no object!"
"Could we add a hidden escape route to the balcony?"
The receptionist was frantic, answering the phone while shouting, "Everyone, don't worry! Orders are booked three months in advance, and reinforcement materials are in short supply..."
Three months?
Su Jinjin's heart sank.
She can't wait three months.
She immediately took out her phone and dialed the number of her friend and confidant, Lu Wei.
Lu Wei is a bald man.
Both Su Jinjin and Lu Wei graduated from the same design school. After graduation, Su Jinjin became a brand designer for the company, while Lu Wei became a home decoration designer for a decoration company.
Half an hour later, a shiny bald head swaggered out from the side door of the renovation company.
Lu Wei, dressed in work clothes and carrying a tool bag, grinned:
"Oh, what a rare guest! Miss Su, you've come all this way to my humble abode today, instead of making a grand entrance?"
Su Jinjin handed over the bottled water: "Stop being cheeky, I need your help."
Lu Wei unscrewed the bottle cap, took a swig, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "What? Got fired by the boss? Getting ready to work in the renovation business with me?"
Su Jinjin lowered her voice: "I want to renovate the house and the front door, to make sure they're very strong and secure."
Lu Wei glanced at the crowd frantically placing orders in the company, then suddenly leaned closer: "You didn't believe those doomsday rumors either, did you?"
Su Jinjin did not answer.
Seeing Su Jinjin remain silent, Lu Wei's eyes widened: "Holy crap! You actually believe what you read online??"
"Just for peace of mind." Su Jinjin shrugged, pretending to be relaxed. "It would be best if there was no apocalypse, but if there is, I can't just be unprepared. After all, I live alone, and the more secure the Meridian Gate is, the more at ease I feel."
Lu Wei stared at her for a few seconds. "Not bad. You usually seem quiet and reserved, but you're sharper than anyone else when it matters!"
Lu Wei and Su Jinjin arrived at the underground parking garage.
"Inside the beat-up van," Lu Wei said.
"The kind of security door you're looking for is definitely out of the question through official channels." Lu Wei scrolled through the materials list, "but my brother has some connections—he has two sets of military-grade security doors stockpiled in the warehouse, originally intended for bank branches…"
Su Jinjin's eyes lit up: "How much? I want this one."
Lu Wei gestured: "The original price is 80,000, but I'll give you the cost price of 50,000." Seeing Su Jinjin frown, he lowered his voice: "I know your savings are almost gone, so here's what we'll do—you design a few blueprints for me, and I'll give you half the cost price."
"make a deal!"
"It would be best to start renovations immediately."
"Got it! I renovated your house before, I know it well!"
Looking at Lu Wei's nonchalant attitude towards the doomsday news.
Su Jinjin still reminded everyone, "It's best to be cautious. The government hasn't stepped in to control the spread of this doomsday information, nor has it reminded anyone to do anything. The message is quite clear."
They neither intervened nor stopped it; it felt like they tacitly approved it.
Su Jinjin believes that some officials have also become players.
Lu Wei, who was smoking a cigarette, scoffed at this and flicked the ash off his cigarette nonchalantly: "Jinjin, you're just a bit paranoid. Those doomsday rumors on the internet come out every year, but when have they ever come true? If you ask me, they're just made up by those self-media outlets for traffic."
Su Jinjin leaned against the wall. "But this time is different. Think about it, in the past, whenever there was even the slightest rumor, the authorities would immediately deny it. But this time, the news has been circulating for so long, and there hasn't been a single word from above. Why do you think that is?"
Lu Wei paused in his movements, and cigarette ash fell onto his shoe.
He looked up, the smile fading from his face: "Do you think the country is tacitly acknowledging this news?" His voice unconsciously lowered a few decibels.
Su Jinjin nodded, her gaze serious: "It's hard to say. So it's good to prepare as soon as possible and stockpile more supplies. Better safe than sorry."
Lu Wei was silent for a moment, then stubbed out his cigarette on the ground, stood up, and patted his pants. "Okay, I'll do as you say. After I finish installing your door, I'll install the last door for my own house." Although his tone was relaxed, his eyes became alert.
Su Jinjin breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave: "I'll go to the mall first to buy some more food to stock up, just in case."
Go!
However, the moment she stepped into the mall, the scene before her completely stunned her.
The once-full shelves are now empty, with only a few scattered bags of rummaged-through snacks in the corner.
Several staff members were pushing empty carts back and forth, their faces filled with exhaustion and helplessness.
Su Jinjin stood there, muttering to herself, "This shopping mall... has closed down?" She looked around and found that there were many other people like her, staring blankly at the empty shelves.
Some people even squatted on the ground, carefully searching for any items that might have been missed.
Not far away, a couple hurried past pushing a shopping cart, the few bottles of water and packets of instant noodles inside standing out conspicuously.
The wife grumbled softly, "I should have bought more last night. Now I can't get anything." The husband sighed, "Who would have thought it would turn out like this..."
Su Jinjin shook her head with a wry smile, thinking to herself, "It seems that the public's sense of crisis is still quite keen; everyone is preparing."
She took out her phone and sent Lu Wei a message: "The mall has been emptied out. After you finish installing the doors, hurry up and go to other places to see how much you can buy."
After sending the message, Su Jinjin took a deep breath and turned to walk out of the mall.
On the street, pedestrians hurried along, each with a hint of tension and anxiety on their face.
Suddenly, Su Jinjin heard her boss's voice message on her phone.
Su Jinjin ignored it.
The end times are coming, who will still go to work!