Chapter 14: The Ice Age Unveiled
688 Words
The Ice Age had begun.
In the southern city of Tianhai, thick snowflakes gently blanketed the streets. Online discussions buzzed with a mix of complaints and celebrations. Unbeknownst to them, the heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures were not a temporary phenomenon but the onset of a prolonged and escalating disaster.
However, Zhang Yi, comfortably reclining on his sofa at home, was blissfully unaware of the impending catastrophe. He enjoyed the cozy warmth of his safe house, maintained at a toasty 30 degrees Celsius. Sipping chilled Budweiser, he savored the tranquility.
Suddenly, his phone rang, interrupting his peace. Glancing at the screen, he discovered a flurry of messages from various chat groups – former classmates, hobby enthusiasts, and the neighborhood homeowners.
"Goodness, why did it suddenly snow so heavily? The weather forecast didn't mention this!"
"Woken up in the middle of the night. Quickly getting up to turn on the heating."
"Forget it, our lousy heater isn't effective. It's getting colder by the minute."
"Don't know how long this cold spell will last. I haven't even bought winter clothes!"
Amidst the myriad comments, Zhang Yi sensed that most people viewed the sudden temperature drop as a surprise rather than a cause for concern.
Clear in his understanding, he knew this was only a temporary reprieve. Suppressing a yawn, he decided to disengage.
Returning to his warm bed, covered with a velvet quilt, Zhang Yi closed his eyes in comfort.
His bed, sourced from the Walmart warehouse, was exceptionally comfortable. The mattress, rumored to be a 3-million-yuan replica of a famous actress's, was a symbol of luxury.
Outside, as goose feathers of snow danced in the freezing wind, Zhang Yi's fireplace roared, maintaining a pleasant temperature within.
In this serene environment, Zhang Yi quickly drifted into a dream.
...
The next morning, Zhang Yi was awakened by his phone's ringing.
Opening his eyes, he saw a call from Bai Lianhua Fang Yuqing. Disturbed from a good dream, Zhang Yi's mood wasn't the best.
Answering with a lack of enthusiasm, he said, "Hello, why are you calling me so early?"
Hearing Zhang Yi's cold tone, Fang Yuqing hesitated for a moment. Eventually, she asked, "Zhang Yi, it's so cold outside today! Did you know about the drastic temperature drop when you stocked up on supplies?"
Fang Yuqing's voice trembled, as if struggling to bear something.
At these words, a mocking smirk played on Zhang Yi's lips. The white lotus had quite the knack for timing.
He lazily responded, "I just heard it in passing from a friend. Didn't expect the temperature to drop so severely."
Lifting the quilt, Zhang Yi felt the warmth inside the room, causing him to break a sweat.
Putting an end to the call, he walked to the window. The familiar scene outside caught his attention, freezing his gaze.
The snow had engulfed the entire city, obscuring streets and shrubs. The outlines of buildings were barely discernible, and several ground floors were submerged.
At the same time, messages from Fang Yuqing continued to pour in.
"Zhang Yi, why did you abruptly hang up!"
"It's snowing heavily outside, and I can't go out. Didn't you buy a lot of food? Can you lend me some? I'll return it after the snow disaster passes."
Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Yi couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity.
The white lotus was aware that the prices of food would soar in such severe weather. Unwilling to face the minus 60-70 degrees Celsius temperature outside, she sought food from Zhang Yi.
However, he knew this Ice Age disaster would endure far longer than expected. Moreover, he had no intention of sharing his supplies with Fang Yuqing, considering her past actions.
With a smirk, he sent a message back, "You should have said earlier. Most of my stocked items are almost finished. Look, I just cooked a steak for breakfast!"
Zhang Yi deliberately included a selfie, showcasing himself in pajamas with a backdrop of steak, red wine, and a breakfast setting.
Mocking her audacity, he reveled in the satisfaction of playing with the white lotus's emotions, eager to witness her eventual pitiful demise.
- Writer
