Holding a watering can in one hand, Mr. Bai leisurely watered his scallions, a look of complete ease on his face. In his other hand, he held his phone, his tone puzzled and a little strained. "Li, we really don’t need you all to come over right now. Besides, with this abnormal weather, isn’t it much more comfortable for everyone to be at home on paid leave?"
After the person on the other end spoke again, Mr. Bai replied, "You know how it is. Li Tan works for my Bai Chen. Recently, our family has been helping some disadvantaged kids and young adults, and we just happened to be able to offer them some positions here as housekeepers in a work-study arrangement."
"The Group? But the kids still have their studies. I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving them at the company. Having them work here at home lets us pay them legitimately and also ensures their safety."
"Alright, alright. Once all this is settled, you absolutely have to come back. The house just doesn’t feel right without you, we’re really not used to it."
After he hung up the phone, Mrs. Bai asked with a smile, "Still putting on an act at your age? Why not just fire them?"
Mr. Bai shook his head. "I told you to pay attention to Bai Chen instead of just focusing on your design company. Be careful, or that boy will come storming over here."
"He’s laid a trap to swindle a huge sum of money and take down the Li family in one fell swoop."
Mrs. Bai laughed. "That boy, Bai Chen. He never leaves his opponents an escape route."
Mr. Bai squeezed her hand. "It’s fine, don’t worry. The Martial Arts instructor I hired for him as a child wasn’t for nothing. That boy is skilled. Even if his enemies corner him, he’ll be able to escape."
Mrs. Bai shook her head. She had already given her employees a two-week vacation. In two weeks, transportation would be completely paralyzed, communication signals would destabilize, and the extreme-cold apocalypse would officially arrive.
As for the two of them, old as they were, all they needed to do was think about their retirement. The rest was up to the younger generation.
To be honest, they were still a little worried that once society descended into chaos, someone might try to assault their villa.
A thin protective shield had already been activated, enveloping the entire villa. A large-scale HVAC system provided heat, while electricity came from a self-installed power generation facility on the property.
Outside, however, chaos was already beginning to unfold.
The Bai family browsed the internet from time to time and would often come across various posts.
[The weather is getting colder and colder. Giant hailstones have fallen in many places, and the hospitals are overflowing. They can’t keep up.]
[We’re doing okay over here for now, but the supermarkets are already empty. Most of the stores and markets are closed, and we’re almost out of rice at home.]
[Don’t even talk about it, person above me. I specifically ordered a case of soba noodles online, but I didn’t realize deliveries had stopped T_T My stockpile is still on its way.]
[My family is in the countryside, so we’re self-sufficient for now. But what’s going to happen to the crops in the fields now that it’s so cold? My parents are devastated.]
[OMG you guys, who can relate? My coworker went out today without a hat, and his ear actually froze off!!!]
[People really shouldn’t be going to work in this weather.]
[Get lost, you ’let them eat cake’ person above. If we don’t have money, we die directly, lol. Don’t even need to wait to freeze to death.]
The Bai Group, along with several other corporations, worked with the government to organize food donations and began deploying aid deep into affected regions.
A promotional video was featured on the Bai Group’s official website.
A man in a sharp suit sat in the president’s chair, signing off on a huge purchase order for supplies. The scene then cut to him on the front lines, wearing a thick protective suit and distributing aid door-to-door alongside rescue team members in matching blue gear. They even flew helicopters into the mountainous regions.
The video ended with a notice that due to limited funds, this aid initiative would only last for ten days.
[HNNNNNG, that’s my man, alright. He came all the way to my city just to save me.]
[Get a grip, person above. That’s *my* husband. Please be less possessive and delusional about what belongs to others.]
[Wait, am I the only one who thinks they’re just putting on a show? They’re so rich, but the rescue effort is only for ten days?]
[Yep, you’re the only one. Already reported you as a foreign agent. Just gonna sit here and look pretty while I wait for my big reward.]
Subsequently, a blogger posted an estimate of the Bai Group’s expenses for the relief effort, though in reality, the Group’s actual spending was much higher.
More wealthy individuals began posting photos from a charity auction they had attended, where the Bai family had sold off numerous properties and items from their collection.
In an instant, the Bai family gained countless new admirers, and some fans even proposed donating money to the Bai Group.
[Bai Group: We thank everyone for their kind intentions, but there’s no need to give to us. If we were short on funds, we would simply withdraw early. Please donate directly to the relevant government departments. Have faith in our country!]
With support from private corporations, government departments could free up time to repair essential infrastructure, allowing it to continue operating in the low temperatures. However, transport was at a near-standstill. Supplies could only be moved in difficult, small batches. Small components were manageable, but it was impossible to transport large-scale equipment and materials.
In some regions, the temperature had already plummeted to minus 70 degrees Celsius, and they had fallen almost completely out of contact.
People were panicking, able only to scramble to stockpile warm clothes, filling food, and sources of water.
In the village, Fang Meiqing clutched her mother’s urn as she returned to her cold, empty house. She was there to gather her mother’s belongings before moving to the Bai family’s home.
The village’s PA system was still broadcasting: "Do not fear the cold weather! Everyone, stock up on grain and firewood, and stay active! If you lose signal, or if your power and water are cut off, do not be afraid or worried. It will all be restored before long! Stay calm and optimistic!"
Bai Chen was waiting outside the village to drive her back. His vehicle was a modified armored car, capable of navigating the ice and snow without issue.
"Thank you!" She gave Bai Chen a deep bow, her expression resolute.
Ten days before the extreme cold of minus seventy degrees set in, Fang Meiqing arrived at the Bai family home. Aside from Bai Chen, who was still away, everyone else was hunkered down, with no intention of leaving the house.
Ye Yunyun gazed at the foggy sky outside the window, silently counting down the days.
’In six months, the temperature will drop to minus one hundred degrees. In the original novel, it took the government over half a year to stabilize things. It should be quicker this time, right?’
’Oh, Heavens... my wish is a small one. Please just let the people I care about be safe and sound.’
「Elsewhere.」
"Ha! I really don’t know whether to call that kid a fool or a saint," President Fang of Fangwu Group said to Li Tan over a video call. "He actually gave up the project just to raise funds. Hah! To get his hands on a few hundred million, he abandoned a project that could have netted over a billion."
Li Tan frowned and tried to reason with him cautiously. "But President Fang, after Fangwu Group pays out several hundred million, our liquid capital will be tight. Besides, with everything paralyzed by this extreme weather, I’m afraid the project’s window of opportunity will close..."
"This show has been a hit overseas for ten years, and it’s still going strong. We won’t just corner the domestic market; we’ll break into the international market as well." President Fang waved a dismissive hand. "Alright, that’s enough. You’re just a rookie assistant. You don’t understand these complexities."
"But Bai Chen’s side requires payment in full before they’ll transfer the project..."
President Fang raised an eyebrow. "What, you think it’s a trap? You’re the one who stole the proposal. Are you afraid the data is fake?"