Shi Ran knew that saying this was essentially handing her weak spot over to Ye Shuyao. It was a statement that represented absolute trust.
But when she thought about everything between her and the original owner of this body, and the tears in her eyes when she walked in, she couldn’t bring herself to simply tell her, “Buy more supplies for the house and don’t go out for a month.”
That would just be delaying death.
In her past life, Shi Ran had no friends. Deep down, perhaps she longed for someone to accompany her in this unfamiliar world—just one person would be enough.
After hearing Shi Ran’s words, Ye Shuyao stopped what she was doing gracefully, a hint of panic appearing on her face, though amusement still lingered in her eyes.
“Then what do we do, Ranran? Are we going to stockpile supplies like in novels, and then you’ll have some space that can hold everything, some overpowered cheat ability, and you’ll take me through the apocalypse living it up? Tsk tsk, your imagination is pretty wild, haha.”
Shi Ran sighed helplessly.
“You know what? You really do know what,” she said, watching Ye Shuyao’s expectant expression, her tone cold. “I don’t have any of that.”
She didn’t want to either, okay? Who knew novels were so full and rich, while reality was so painfully bare?
She had read hundreds of thousands of words and still had nowhere to make use of it—she had ended up as just some nameless background character.
What a joke. Why did transmigration novel plots only give half the package? How was she supposed to play this?
Despite her thoughts, Shi Ran—the rationalist whose only goal was survival—would not indulge in fantasies of clinging to someone else.
But she knew there was no evidence proving the apocalypse was coming. Not only her best friend, even her biological parents would probably just ask:
“Are you okay?”
So Shi Ran could only activate “benevolent lie mode.” Fortunately, she had read this novel carefully before; she still vaguely remembered the early signs of the zombie outbreak.
She would find a way to let Yao Yao sense something was wrong, and convince her not to rush, but to wait for the right timing and conditions.
“Alright, but don’t you think this is actually kind of interesting? Like a real crisis experience. Isn’t this tense atmosphere more exciting than an escape room? You literally said you’d go wherever I go—don’t tell me Miss Ye doesn’t keep her word?”
Shi Ran narrowed her beautiful eyes. Her gaze basically spelled out: you can’t handle this, huh?
Ye Shuyao’s temper flared instantly.
“Who are you looking down on? Fine, we’ll do it! I even think it’s not exciting enough. Can it be more thrilling than bungee jumping?”
Shi Ran said nothing, only smiling faintly.
When you actually see what’s coming, you’ll be on the ground looking for your face.
“You’re right,” Shi Ran said. “So from now on, you listen to me. If we’re going to play this, we’re playing big. Take a one-month leave. No problem, right?”
As she spoke, she sat on the sofa and lazily crossed her legs, looking completely at ease.
“A leave of absence? I usually just skip class.”
Even though Ye Shuyao was a rich young lady, her parents had divorced early. Her father favored sons over daughters and essentially left her to her own devices.
If not for hoping she’d be useful for a marriage alliance, they wouldn’t have sent her abroad for so-called “elite education” in high school against her will.
Whether it was family or relatives, everything was just mutual use.
“You have to apply for leave,” Shi Ran said. “For this month, nothing can disturb us in any way. After the May Day holiday, we’ll apply for it.”
Don’t ask why it can’t be done online. Every school has its own absurdities—simple things always end up requiring exhausting effort.
“I’m planning to sell this apartment and my small car. I’ll stay with you these days. We’ll also sign up for a private mixed martial arts course to improve our fitness and combat skills.”
Shi Ran said this while already operating her phone.
They had no spatial storage and not much money. Supplies had to be portable and filling. In the future, with all kinds of ability users, two girls eating too well would just make them targets.
She just wanted to survive first. As long as she lived long enough, there would still be hotpot, milk tea, and snacks in the future.
Shi Ran thought firmly.
“You’re serious?! Ranran… you’re really playing this in a pretty unique way. Do we really need to be this realistic? You’re even selling your house.”
Ye Shuyao stopped eating and sat up properly, her brows slightly furrowed, suddenly looking serious like she was entering a real simulation game.
“I did learn some combat sports before… so we still need to stock up on food, clothes, and supplies, right?”
“…You just want to go shopping, don’t you?”
“Hehe~”
Fine. They might as well enjoy the last bit of peaceful life.
The two girls left immediately and went shopping.
Shi Ran was 168 cm tall, with a slim waist and long legs. Though she had a sweet face, it didn’t diminish her presence—in fact, that contrast made her even more captivating.
Ye Shuyao was 173 cm, with similar proportions, but she had a typical elegant, glamorous “cold beauty” aura.
Strangers would think she was a aloof beauty—who would’ve known she was actually a firecracker that went off at the slightest spark.
They ate snacks, hotpot, and milk tea along the way, drawing plenty of attention.
That night, back at Shi Ran’s place, they collapsed onto the sofa.
While out, Shi Ran deliberately observed Y City’s prices and supplies, gaining a rough idea of things.
“Ranran, you rarely look this happy. You’re usually so quiet. Seeing you like this makes me really happy.”
Maybe it was the night that made emotions more sensitive. Ye Shuyao looked at her gently, her gaze soft and slightly dazed.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take this game seriously with you. If your apocalypse is real, I’ll stay with you forever. If not… then that would be something to be thankful for.”
Shi Ran froze.
She had assumed Ye Shuyao wouldn’t take it seriously and that she would need to work hard to convince her. She had even prepared to plan everything alone.
Even though Ye Shuyao still treated it like a game… this level of trust was already enough.
“Mm, Yao Yao. Believe me. I’ll explain everything to you later.”
Shi Ran didn’t say much else and planned to use this month to train.
Her apartment was 200 square meters and near the university, but not in the city center. Yuning City was the capital of Y Province, but only a second- or third-tier city nationally.
If she sold the apartment and car, plus the 50,000 yuan in her account, she would have nearly 2 million.
Enough to buy a decent car, useful weapons, and supplies for two people.
Thinking of this, Shi Ran couldn’t help rubbing her forehead. Just buying this little stuff—who would even notice her? All the cleverness she got from novels couldn’t even be used.
Never let her transmigrate again. Thanks, but no thanks. No expectations anymore.
The two girls lay in bed, unexpectedly silent, each lost in thought.
In the four days after the May Day holiday, Ye Shuyao found a very reputable combat instructor.
He was a strict old man, but he didn’t dismiss their strange idea of learning combat.
Although it was grueling, neither girl complained once, which only made the teacher more excited.
Especially Shi Ran—despite having no foundation, she picked things up incredibly fast. Within just a few days, she was already showing signs of surpassing Ye Shuyao, who had practiced combat sports for years.