Apocalypse Showdown: Carrier Conquest

Chapter 13: Zhou Lin’s Greatest Value

"Zhou Li, your guardian has arrived at the south gate. Hurry up. Do you need help carrying your things?" The dormitory supervisor reminded Zhou Li, who had been lost in thought.

"No need." Her voice was cold, devoid of the innocence and romanticism typical of her age.

Declining the supervisor’s offer, Zhou Li moved swiftly toward the south gate. As she walked, she frequently glanced up at the sky, her expression grave.

"It's still dark. Zhou Lin, what’s your take on this?"

Zhou Lin wasn’t sure if it was because he hadn’t seen his sister in a long time since his rebirth, or if there was another reason, but he felt that Zhou Li’s gaze upon him was rather strange. It wasn’t the look one gives a familiar loved one—it was more like she was scrutinizing a stranger… or even an enemy.

As for how she addressed him, that was just how she had always been. Ever since she could talk, she had never sweetly called him "brother"—it was always just "Zhou Lin."

"The government debunked the rumors the day before yesterday, and yesterday, a group of experts stepped up to explain. Do you think the apocalypse is really coming? If I told you it was, would you believe me?"

Though Zhou Li’s attitude was less than friendly, Zhou Lin didn’t take offense in the slightest. In his past life, the person he had regretted and felt the most guilt toward was his little sister. That wouldn’t happen again in this life. He was determined.

"Seatbelt fastened?"

"You don’t need to remind me. I heard you brought home a girlfriend. Is she the marriage kind?"

"Marriage?" Zhou Lin chuckled. "She’s not worthy."

"Tch!" Zhou Li smirked and nodded. "Not bad. My brother finally has a bit of a rich second-generation vibe."

"You’re the rich second-gen here. Look at how we were raised—sometimes, I wonder if I’m even really their child."

"Be more confident, brother. There’s no need to wonder. Just think about who covered your allowance throughout high school and college."

Raise sons humbly, raise daughters lavishly. In the Zhou family, this was an absolute principle. Though Zhou Li was only thirteen, her combined savings in her bank and investment accounts already exceeded three hundred thousand, not to mention her monthly allowance.

As for Zhou Lin? Before he had a job, let alone getting an allowance, even his New Year's money was taxed at a 95% rate—under the guise of "saving up for his tuition."

"Zhou Lin, what do you think about what I just said?"

"Well, I'm looking at it as I drive, obviously." Zhou Lin joked. But when he noticed how serious his sister looked, he adjusted his expression. "You don’t actually believe all that fiction, do you?"

"Art imitates life. Legends might just be forgotten history. I don’t blame you for not reading much, but at least learn to go with the flow."

"I have a college degree, and you’re still in middle school." Zhou Lin tilted his head.

"I’m just getting started with middle school. But for you, a college degree is already the end of the road."

Zhou Lin was momentarily stunned—he couldn't even find a way to argue back. He could only pout. "Fine, fine, you win. But I’m guessing you won’t even get the chance to finish middle school this time."

At those words, Zhou Li fell silent for a moment.

"Wait a second—you suddenly came to pick me up, and you brought a girlfriend home… You guys already know, don’t you?"

"Know what?" Zhou Lin squinted at the rearview mirror.

"So it’s true." Zhou Li sighed like an old soul. "You all still see me as a kid?"

"Aren’t you?"

Just from the way she spoke, Zhou Lin knew he had slipped up again. Sure enough, the intelligence gap was something no amount of acting could cover. No matter how careful he was, Zhou Li had still figured it out.

And it hadn’t even been ten minutes since they met.

"It’s not as bad as you think. It’s just a small crisis. As long as we—"

"Downplay minor issues, silence major ones. I’m not talking about you guys—I’m talking about the government." Zhou Li shook her head. "Looks like this time, we’re really done for. What a shame… I haven’t even finished learning linear algebra yet."

"That’s what you’re worried about?" Zhou Lin asked incredulously.

"What else? Life is inherently meaningless. My only joy comes from exploring knowledge. Sigh, you wouldn’t understand with your intelligence. Let’s talk about your ‘girlfriend’ instead. It’s that Ai Bing, isn’t it?"

"I told you, she’s not my girlfriend. She’s not worthy."

"I remember you didn’t say that before. Let me think… They say a leopard can't change its spots. A simp will always be a simp—unless he gets a second life… You knew the apocalypse was coming, but you still brought her along. If it’s not to keep simping, then you must be planning to use her. What made you change your ways so suddenly? If this were a novel, such a drastic shift in behavior would usually mean… If you eliminate all other possibilities, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Brother… don’t tell me you’re one of those reborn protagonists. You must’ve suffered under that woman in your past life, abandoned your parents and… your sister, all for some two-faced manipulator…?"

For some reason, when Zhou Lin looked at his sister through the rearview mirror, her piercing gaze sent a chill down his spine.

Sh*t! How does she make it sound so real?!

"I was just joking. No need to confirm or deny it." Zhou Li abruptly changed the subject. "Anyway, I’m reading now. Can’t waste time. I’m already thirteen and still haven’t finished college-level math. Ugh, I’m so stupid."

Zhou Lin clenched his fists.

If you’re stupid, then what does that make me? An i***t?

—

"So this is the ‘doomsday bunker’ you and Mom and Dad prepared? Personally, I think the farm would be a better choice." The moment she entered, Zhou Li started making assessments. After a thorough tour, she even took out a notebook and pen, scribbling away.

"The front door is a problem. We need at least one proper security door for both the elevator and stairwell entrances. There’s a brand in the city, I forget the name, but those seventeen-to-eighteen-thousand-dollar doors should do.

"The flooring is another issue. The concrete slab here is probably around ten centimeters thick. Ideally, we should lay a six-centimeter steel plate on top and anchor it to the beams with chemical bolts to reinforce the structure.

"The layout is decent—an entire floor to ourselves. No need to worry about neighbors breaking through shared walls. But the insulation needs a full redo. If we’re short on time, we can use American-style construction: wood framing, foam insulation, and sealed panels. Great for both soundproofing and temperature control.

"Oh, and the windows. These double-glazed ones won’t cut it. Once the temperature differential exceeds thirty degrees, they’re useless. We don’t even need so many windows. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the living room, all the bay windows, and the ones in the balcony—just seal them off. Shouldn’t take more than two days."

She continued, her pen flying over the page.

By the time she moved on to the rooftop modifications, water storage, and emergency provisions, Zhou Lin’s head was spinning.

I’M the one who’s been reborn, so why is she more professional than me?!

"You’re making me feel useless."

"Well, you have a storage space, don’t you? That’s your greatest value."

"Dammit! I don’t have a storage space!"

"So you really are reborn, huh? You ARE! Must’ve had a rough time in your past life, didn’t you?"