Chapter 9: Homecoming
1481 Words
The eruption of the Great Yellowstone Volcano was both expected and beyond imagination. As a supervolcano, from the moment it erupted, it had no intention of leaving any survivors in the vicinity.
Ash clouds soared into the sky, blotting out the sun and churning the heavens. Thunder and lightning followed, setting the skies ablaze with fire and falling meteors. Those who witnessed the spectacle felt only despair.
Yet, the eruption was merely the beginning. Ten minutes later, an accompanying earthquake struck. Roads split open, mountains crumbled, rivers changed course, and countless buildings were torn apart by the near nine-magnitude tremor. Some managed to escape, covered in ash—some wailing, some stunned into silence, resembling the walking dead. But more were unable to flee in time. They trembled, swayed, and were ultimately buried within the ruins, becoming one with the debris.
In the aftermath, statistics showed that over 300,000 lives were lost in the earthquake alone…
The world watched the devastation unfold through the vast web of digital connectivity. However, human emotions rarely resonated across borders. At least on the surface, life in the Xia Empire continued as usual.
At the train station, Ai Bing did not show up alone. Beside her was a young woman dragging a suitcase. She wasn’t as pretty as Ai Bing, but her figure was undeniably better—at least she wasn’t flat as a board.
Yang Qiqi? Why was she here?
Ai Bing’s so-called best friend—though if Zhou Lin remembered correctly, their friendship was more of the flimsy, disposable kind.
In his past life, Yang Qiqi had stuck with Ai Bing for the first couple of years, but at some point, they had a falling out. Ai Bing never explained what happened, but Zhou Lin had a strong guess—it had to do with a man.
As for Yang Qiqi herself, Zhou Lin had no particular opinion. In his past life, he had been foolishly devoted to Ai Bing, never sparing a thought for any other woman. The outcome of that devotion? He could only laugh at his own stupidity.
"Qiqi wanted to take a trip as well. You don’t mind, do you?"
In front of her best friend, Ai Bing was always fiercely possessive.
Zhou Lin shrugged. It didn’t matter. One more passenger on the road to doom made no difference. After all, anyone who could be Ai Bing’s close friend must share a certain… compatibility.
On the train, Zhou Lin barely looked at Ai Bing. Even when he wasn’t dozing off, he kept his eyes closed, deep in thought.
On the third day following the Great Yellowstone eruption and earthquake, intense tectonic activity would trigger volcanic eruptions worldwide—including in the Xia Empire. The dense volcanic eruptions wouldn’t just bring secondary disasters; they would also darken the sky.
In about seven days, the volcanic ash in the atmosphere would reach critical mass, completely blocking out sunlight. The world would be plunged into three months of darkness.
Crops and fruits would fail, plants would wither, and food chains would collapse. The lack of sunlight would cause land and ocean temperatures to plummet. The violent temperature shifts would disrupt ocean currents, leading to constant hurricanes. Coastal regions would become uninhabitable due to relentless storms and rising tides.
A certain densely populated island near Deep City, with its millions of residents, would see fewer than one in ten survive due to a delayed evacuation.
Though inland areas wouldn’t suffer the ocean’s wrath, they would experience an even harsher temperature drop. In Zhou Lin’s past life, when he and Ai Bing had followed the military’s evacuation to the South Lake region, the temperature had already dropped to -20°C. Later, it had fallen by another 20 degrees. He distinctly remembered the coldest recorded temperature exceeding -40°C.
Would the Bashu Basin fare any better this time? Even if the temperature did drop to -40°C, Zhou Lin wasn’t worried. The Lai Fu had two nuclear reactors—it wouldn’t lack for warmth.
"I’m hungry," Ai Bing suddenly said.
The meal cart had just passed by, but she hadn’t ordered anything. She assumed Zhou Lin would automatically invite her to the dining car.
"I brought instant noodles," Zhou Lin replied.
"Instant noodles? You just sold an apartment, and you’re eating instant noodles?" Ai Bing couldn’t believe her ears. Zhou Lin had changed.
"Suit yourself. If you want some, make it yourself."
He tossed a cup of instant noodles onto Ai Bing’s lap, then got up and walked to the train’s water dispenser, showing no intention of helping.
"Bingbing, what’s with him?" Yang Qiqi adjusted her glasses. Since they were traveling, she wasn’t wearing her usual contact lenses.
"How should I know? He must be in one of his moods again! Whatever, I’ll deal with him later. Forget eating—I need to keep my figure anyway!"
Furious, Ai Bing threw the cup of noodles onto Zhou Lin’s seat and yanked down her sleep mask, acting as if she wouldn’t forgive him unless he apologized.
But Zhou Lin had already seen through all her tricks. He didn’t spare her act a second thought.
As Ai Bing continued stewing in her own frustration, she remained completely unaware—inside Zhou Lin’s mind, he had already "killed" her countless times.
By the time the train arrived at Shudu Station, night had fallen. After stepping out of the station, Zhou Lin, for once, didn’t skimp. He treated Ai Bing and Yang Qiqi to a hotpot dinner.
"I’ve already booked a hotel nearby," Zhou Lin said.
Ai Bing nodded. Though Zhou Lin had been acting strangely the past couple of days, she tolerated it for the sake of the millions at stake. Still, she had already made up her mind—once the property deed was in her name, she would cut ties immediately. She had no intention of indulging him any further. A lapdog that doesn’t behave is useless.
"WAS! Someone cleaned out an entire auto mall in one night? That’s insane!"
"Heard the losses are in the tens of millions. What kind of cars were stolen? Were they made of gold?"
"That’s because you don’t know, man. Conquerors, ever heard of them? Each one is worth over ten million, even more if custom-built!"
Zhou Lin froze, chopsticks stopping mid-air.
The auto mall incident had already made its way to Shudu. Had the authorities identified him? If so, were they already making their move?
He lowered his head. Surveillance cameras were everywhere—it was best to keep a low profile.
"What’s a Conqueror? Is it really that expensive?" Ai Bing asked, intrigued.
Yang Qiqi looked up as well. The Bashu hotpot was both delicious and punishing—her lips were already swollen, yet she couldn’t stop eating.
"It’s an off-road RV modified from a Mercedes heavy-duty truck. Ten million is just the starting price…"
"Ten million, just to start? We could never afford that in our lifetime," Ai Bing sighed dreamily.
Zhou Lin chuckled. He leaned in slightly and whispered, "It’s not a big deal. My family has one."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie?" Zhou Lin smirked. "Want to take a look?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Ai Bing nodded enthusiastically, her smile wide.
In your next life, maybe, if you get one.
Zhou Lin thought to himself. Still, he could let her see one—just enough to know what she would never have. As for whether this might expose him…
Dead people don’t leak secrets.
***
The next morning, Zhou Lin yawned as he shook Ai Bing awake. It was time to go.
Two hours later, he called his mother while still in the taxi, instructing the driver to drop them off directly at the house.
"You live in the countryside?" Ai Bing was stunned as she took in the farmhouse before her.
Zhou Lin didn’t answer. He grabbed his luggage and headed for the gate. Before he even reached it, a large, muscular black dog bolted out, barking ferociously before leaping at him.
"Blackie, stop! No licking!" Zhou Lin laughed, rubbing the dog’s head to keep it from drenching him in slobber.
Following closely behind was his mother, Cheng Yali.
Despite being in her forties, she had a strong, robust presence—practically exuding the aura of a warrior. Ai Bing was so taken aback she didn’t know how to greet her.
Zhou Lin didn’t bother introducing anyone. Hugging his mother, he grinned. "Mom, I missed you!"
"Quit your sweet talk! It’s only been six months!" Cheng Yali chided, though the joy on her face was unmistakable.
Then she noticed Ai Bing and Yang Qiqi lingering hesitantly by the gate, and her smile grew even wider.
"Why aren’t you inviting your friends inside?"
Zhou Lin leaned in and whispered, "Mom… what if I told you one of them is my enemy?"
- Writer
