Chapter 10: Unraveling Threads
1080 Words
On the sidelines, Zhou Peng was enthusiastically trying to woo Fiona Rain.
However, it was evident that Fiona Rain wasn't interested in a man like Zhou Peng. Despite Zhou Peng having significantly inferior economic conditions compared to Oliver, not even owning a house but renting one, Fiona Rain maintained a smiling demeanor and politely declined, "Thank you, Zhou Peng. Unfortunately, I already have plans with a friend tonight. What a coincidence!"
A hint of disappointment flickered across Zhou Peng's face. He had spent his entire month's salary on those concert tickets, hoping to confess to Fiona Rain during the event.
However, things didn't go as planned.
Observing this scene, Oliver couldn't help but wear a sardonic smile. He knew Zhou Peng, this loyal lapdog, would end up with nothing.
In the midst of Zhou Peng's dismay, he noticed Oliver's amused expression and couldn't contain his frustration.
To deflect his own embarrassment, Zhou Peng approached Oliver and criticized him, "Oliver, your actions are really unscrupulous! A grown man like you, making a woman help you move. Have you no shame? Rain complained about back pain all day at work. Next time, try not to trouble others!"
Oliver glanced at Fiona Rain.
So, it was this woman who spread the word.
Fiona Rain, with feigned innocence, added, "It's nothing, really. My body is perfectly fine. I just can't handle heavy lifting; my back got a little strained."
To showcase his masculinity in front of Fiona Rain, Zhou Peng pointed at Oliver boldly, "Give Rain 500 yuan for medical expenses."
Unexpectedly, Oliver's eyes turned cold, and he scolded Zhou Peng, "She helped me move voluntarily; I didn't ask for her assistance. Besides, who do you think you are, pointing fingers here? Do you consider yourself a man?!"
Oliver's rebuke left both Zhou Peng and Fiona Rain stunned.
Zhou Peng, just an ordinary clerk in the warehouse with no authority, dared to scold Oliver only because Oliver had a generally amiable temperament and avoided conflicts.
However, witnessing Oliver's fury, Zhou Peng instantly became apprehensive.
"Why... why are you shouting so loudly? I'm just discussing things with you."
With a disdainful snort, Oliver walked away.
He didn't want to waste words on Zhou Peng.
Because, to him, everyone around him now resembled dead men walking.
In less than a month, around 99% of these people would perish in the frigid storms of the apocalypse.
Why bother talking to the dead?
After Oliver left, Zhou Peng approached Fiona Rain and whispered, "Rain, I always said that Oliver isn't a good person. You should keep your distance from him in the future."
Fiona Rain furrowed her brows, feeling perplexed.
Over the past few days, Oliver seemed to have undergone a drastic change.
He no longer came over to greet her, and he didn't initiate conversations or bid her good night like before.
"There must be something odd," Fiona Rain thought to herself.
...
After finishing work, Oliver drove to a five-star hotel in Tianhai City.
It happened to be the one where he had previously booked a meal at Hong Fu Tian Xia.
The manager of Hong Fu Tian Xia, upon hearing Oliver's arrival, promptly arranged a guest room with a smiling face.
A night in a five-star hotel cost over a thousand yuan, but Oliver was unbothered.
With several million in his hands, he didn't consider it a waste if he couldn't spend it all.
That evening, Fiona Rain, surprisingly, took the initiative to send a message to Oliver.
Fiona Rain: "Oliver, I passed by your house today and noticed someone doing renovations!"
Oliver smirked, "Yes."
Fiona Rain: "You've been acting strange lately, stocking up on supplies and renovating your house. Is something going to happen soon?"
Oliver's eyebrow raised slightly. This white lotus might be wicked, but her mind wasn't dull. It seemed his recent peculiar actions had indeed caught her attention.
However, Oliver didn't care. Others' opinions had no significance to him now.
"Nothing," he curtly replied and tossed the phone aside.
On the other end, Fiona Rain, faced with Oliver's indifferent attitude, felt uncomfortable.
Over the past two years, Oliver had always treated her well, showing constant concern and chatting with her every night.
But recently, he had become a completely different person, distant and uninterested in initiating conversations.
This change bothered Fiona Rain.
She might not be interested in Oliver, but she wouldn't allow Oliver to lose interest in her.
In her eyes, it meant losing a potential backup plan if she couldn't find a wealthy man to marry. Despite Oliver not being a second-generation wealthy, he was still a decent middle-class entrepreneur.
Fiona Rain picked up her phone and sent another message, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I feel like our contact has reduced recently. It makes me a bit lonely."
But after waiting for half a day, there was no response. Irritation crept into Fiona Rain's heart.
"This darn Oliver, has he gone mad recently? I take the initiative to contact him, and he dares not to reply!"
Her roommate, Li Caining, overheard Fiona Rain's complaints and approached with a smile.
"Indeed, this Oliver has been acting strangely. Who knows why he's buying so much food and even booking so many banquets in hotels? It's starting to seem like there will be a shortage of supplies soon."
Hearing this, Fiona Rain furrowed her brows slightly.
She said to Li Caining, "Ning Ning, do you think that something might happen soon? Did Oliver get some information and started hoarding goods?"
Li Caining paused at the words, then burst into laughter, covering her stomach.
"Rain, are you being silly? If something significant were to happen, the authorities would surely notify us. Let's just live peacefully, and if Oliver is stocking up, others will just mock us as fools."
Fiona Rain forced a smile, "You're right."
...
Meanwhile, Oliver stayed in the suite of the five-star hotel for several days.
He didn't go anywhere, spending his time purchasing banquets from various hotels and practicing with the compound bow and crossbow in his room.
Fortunately, Oliver had a background in hunting, and his accuracy within a fifteen-meter range was exceptionally high.
Especially with the professional-grade compound bow, such modern equipment allowed an ordinary person to shoot arrows comparable to ancient archers.
Not only could he deal with humans, but even encounters with wild boars, jackals, large dogs, or wolves could result in significant damage.
Now, Oliver needed to continue his preparations for the impending apocalypse.
- Writer
