On the 28th day before the apocalypse arrived, it was still another day without any way to contact Jiang Yi.
Looking at the “vehicle location” displayed on her phone, Cheng Lin could not help but curl her lips into a faint smile of relief. This was an all-wheel-drive top-tier SUV that the Original Owner’s parents had given her as an eighteenth birthday gift. Normally, the Original Owner had treated that car as a status symbol, leaving it parked in the garage, gathering a thin layer of dust.
When the apocalypse came, traffic would collapse and fuel would be scarce. A high-performance SUV would be a mobile life-saving talisman.
Calling out to the system “Heheda” in her mind, she had it search for an integrated architectural design and construction company, with requirements of strong confidentiality, short construction time, and solid capability.
Almost instantly, her phone screen displayed Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., ranked first in the industry. Its profile read: “Undertakes various special construction modifications, possesses top-tier construction qualifications, and has extensive emergency project experience.” Beneath it were several anonymous client reviews, all praising “excellent confidentiality” and “astonishing construction efficiency.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Cheng Lin directly tapped the “Contact Customer Service” button. The moment the call connected, her voice trembled slightly with nervousness. “Hello, I need to renovate a standalone villa. It must be completed within twenty days. All construction processes must remain strictly confidential. Price is not an issue.”
The customer service representative on the other end was clearly experienced and calmly asked, “Hello, ma’am. Could you please specify your renovation requirements? We need to formulate a plan and quotation based on your needs.”
Cheng Lin had already memorized the Apocalypse Fortress Design Blueprint provided by Heheda. Those densely packed annotations were all hard-earned lessons survivors had paid for with blood and tears over the next ten years. She stated her requirements clearly, word by word:
“First, thicken the walls with an internal reinforced concrete sandwich layer, adding waterproofing, insulation, and soundproofing. It must withstand an eight-magnitude earthquake, flooding, and external impacts. Second, replace all windows with the highest-grade bulletproof glass, install anti-theft alloy bars, and add remotely controlled steel shutters on the inside. Third, lay an independent power grid throughout the house, install solar panels on the roof and walls, and equip it with a large-capacity battery system to ensure normal power supply after outages. Fourth, install a whole-house air purification system to filter viruses and harmful gases; also install multiple oxygen supply devices to prevent oxygen depletion if the house is submerged in water for a short time. Fifth, build a top-tier independent safe room in the basement with waterproof and moisture-proof treatment for storing supplies, with a concealed entrance. Sixth, re-dig drainage ditches in the yard to prevent flooding, install surveillance systems around the exterior walls, and set up a high-voltage electric grid around the villa, equipped with infrared motion detection alarms that trigger automatically when foreign objects approach.”
She paused, recalling scenes from the novel about zombie sieges and extreme weather, then added, “Also, redesign the drainage system to separate rainwater and sewage, preventing backflow and the spread of viruses through wastewater. Install one-way valves in all kitchen and bathroom pipes to prevent odor and virus backflow.”
The customer service representative recorded everything rapidly, occasionally expressing amazement. “Ma’am, your requirements are extremely detailed. However, a twenty-day timeline is indeed very tight. We would need to mobilize our most elite construction team, and the material costs will also be very high…”
“Money is not an issue,” Cheng Lin interrupted. “What I want is speed and quality. As long as it’s completed on time, you can increase the price by thirty percent. But I have one condition—every construction worker must sign a confidentiality agreement. During construction, they are not allowed to carry communication devices such as mobile phones. After completion, all traces of construction must be cleaned up. No clues whatsoever can be left behind.”
“No problem, ma’am.” The representative’s tone immediately became enthusiastic. “We can send a designer to your home tomorrow morning to take measurements and develop a detailed plan. Would that be acceptable?”
“Yes. The sooner, the better.” Cheng Lin hung up and let out a long breath of relief.
Early the next morning, the designer arrived punctually. A young man wearing black-rimmed glasses, who introduced himself as surnamed Lin, carried a tablet and maintained a serious, professional demeanor. Cheng Lin accompanied him around the villa inside and out. As Designer Lin took measurements, he recorded data on his tablet and occasionally offered optimization suggestions:
“Ma’am, for the wall sandwich layer you mentioned, we can use a new type of bulletproof composite material. It is lighter than reinforced concrete but provides better protection. As for the solar panels, we have a latest foldable model. In addition to the roof, they can also be installed along the yard’s fencing, increasing power generation by twenty percent.”
Cheng Lin’s eyes lit up. Even Heheda’s Design Blueprint had not mentioned these details. She immediately nodded. “Alright, we’ll do it your way. As long as it improves the fortress’s safety and practicality, money is not an issue.”
Designer Lin looked at her resolute expression and felt secretly astonished. In all his years in the industry, this was the first time he had encountered a client who was both so decisive and so demanding. Especially her requirements regarding protection, ventilation, and drainage—they seemed almost tailor-made for some kind of extreme disaster.
However, he was being paid to do a job. He did not ask further questions and simply focused on refining the plan. By that afternoon, the detailed construction drawings and quotation were delivered to Cheng Lin. Looking at the staggering number on the quote, Cheng Lin did not even blink. She signed it directly and paid fifty percent as a down payment.
Looking at the remaining balance displayed on her phone—100,000—Cheng Lin felt the pressure of earning money immediately. As a college student who had not yet started working, the fastest way she could think of to obtain a large sum was to mortgage the villa at a bank. But as someone who had worked for years, she knew how tedious and slow the approval process could be. Time was running out—how could she get money quickly?
Her gaze fixed on a familiar number on her phone. Uncle Si was her parents’ closest friend when they were alive, and a well-known lawyer in the industry. He was steady and reliable. After her parents had died in an accident, it had been him who handled the aftermath and inheritance matters. Now, facing the need to mortgage her only home, she could not help but feel a pang of sorrow—but even more, she felt a firm resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats.
The moment the call connected, Uncle Si’s gentle voice came through. “Lin Lin? It’s been a while. How have you been lately?”
Cheng Lin took a deep breath. “Uncle Si, I’ve been well… I just have something I’d like your help with. It might be a bit abrupt.”
She did not hide anything and directly explained her plan to mortgage the villa for a loan, claiming she had found an urgent investment project with excellent prospects but requiring a large amount of capital in a short time.
There was a brief silence on the other end. Uncle Si did not ask for details about the investment, only speaking in a low voice, “Lin Lin, have you thought this through? This villa is what your parents left behind. It’s also your only residence. Mortgaging it carries significant risk.”
“I’ve thought it through, Uncle Si.” Cheng Lin’s voice was unusually firm. “I’ve researched this project for a long time. It definitely won’t lose money. Don’t worry—I won’t put myself in danger.” She knew he was concerned, but with the apocalypse approaching, compared to sentimental “memories,” tangible funds and supplies were the true foundation for survival.
Uncle Si sighed, his tone full of indulgence. “Since you’ve already decided, I’ll help you. I’ll arrange for the villa’s valuation as soon as possible, and I’ll expedite the loan process. I’ll do my best to get the funds for you in the shortest time possible.”
“Thank you so much, Uncle Si!” Cheng Lin’s eyes grew warm as a surge of emotion welled up within her. To have such an elder willing to trust and support her unconditionally was like a ray of light in the darkness.