Chapter 6: A Puppy

Lin Buwan knew Hua Xiao well; though she insisted she didn’t want anything, she would still bring everything exactly as she wanted in the end. As for Hua Xiao’s boyfriend, Yu Su, Lin Buwan had a pretty good impression of him—he treated Hua Xiao well. If she didn’t let them come together, Hua Xiao might just go back for him.

In the apocalypse, people’s hearts changed easily. Whether it was Hua Xiao or Yu Su, if either became a threat, Lin Buwan wouldn’t hesitate to deal with them. The secret of her portable apartment was something she never planned to share—it was her lifeline.

She unboxed deliveries until midnight, finally finishing. All the supplies in her space were piled together, but Lin Buwan lacked the energy to sort them now; she’d leave them for later. When the apocalypse arrived, she’d have all the time she needed.

Her taut nerves relaxed with the sound of rain, and Lin Buwan drifted off, clutching her phone.

The phone, lying beside her pillow, vibrated and pulled her from sleep. With eyes still closed, she groped for it and glanced at the screen—a strange number, probably from a courier. She answered, but before she could speak, a furious voice erupted from the other end.

“Do you have any conscience at all? Lin Buwan, did you block my number and your brother’s? He’s only nineteen—what if he gets lost? Can you take responsibility?” You Yue yelled. “I’ve already sent your address to Yue Bin. Find him a place to stay; the typhoon’s coming, do you even know that?”

Lin Buwan frowned and held the phone away from her ear. “I don’t have time. Stop calling me!” With that, she hung up and swiftly added the number to her blacklist.

On the other end, You Yue was so angry she nearly smashed her phone. Hearing Lin Buwan’s tone, it was clear she wouldn’t help, so You Yue immediately booked the earliest ticket.

Lin Buwan was now fully awake. Sitting up, she found herself remembering her childhood.

Back then, Lin Buwan was fourteen. It was Mid-Autumn Festival and school was out—her turn to spend the holiday at You Yue’s. The moment she entered, Chen Yue Bin, three years her junior, threw a toy at her head. Lin Buwan shoved him away, and he immediately sat on the floor and wailed.

You Yue saw everything but still slapped her daughter. That slap, Lin Buwan never forgot. No matter how hard things got, she never visited You Yue’s house again. How could the woman shamelessly call, asking her to arrange care? Truly shameless.

From then on, during every holiday, she always went to Hua Xiao’s house. Their relationship remained strong.

She checked the time—it was just after seven in the morning.

Lin Buwan stopped dwelling on the past; it was pointless, a waste of time. The typhoon would arrive tonight, and she still had unfinished business.

The rain was even heavier than yesterday, pouring for a full day and night, water pooling on the streets. Lin Buwan drove to the largest supermarket downtown. With the money Hua Xiao gave her yesterday, she still had seven thousand, planning to buy everything in one go. It was typhoon weather, and the supermarket was already crowded with people stocking up.

Baicheng was close to the sea, plagued by frequent typhoons every year, both big and small.

The locals were experienced; every time a major typhoon approached, they’d stock up on supplies—it was routine. Lin Buwan blended right in.

She picked out everything she liked: chocolate, biscuits, beef jerky, cola, beer, hot pot ingredients, beef and lamb rolls, all kinds of meatballs, marinated steaks, fried chicken...

After several rounds, she filled four or five shopping carts. After checking out, she loaded up her car and continued shopping.

She wasn’t the only one doing this—others were too. Some families had many members, so buying extra was normal. Two years ago, one typhoon left Baicheng without water or power for a week. Many people were frightened; if they couldn’t finish what they bought, they could eat it slowly. It was always better to be safe.

After spending everything, her card had only two hundred fifty-two left.

The supermarket was too crowded, so Lin Buwan decided to spend the remaining money at the supermarket near her apartment complex. Driving with her car loaded with supplies, she headed home.

Not only was the rain heavy, but the wind had picked up. The car swayed as she drove.

Lin Buwan slowed down; if she died in a traffic accident, wouldn’t all her efforts stocking up over the past three days go to waste?

Soon, she arrived at the supermarket outside her complex. Before she even got out, she saw a couple arguing at the entrance. The girl held a small red-brown animal; the boy yanked it away and threw it to the ground.

The girl cried as she tried to retrieve it, but the boy dragged her away.

The supermarket owner emerged, shook his head at the little creature on the ground, picked it up, and tossed it into the nearby trash bin.

Her parking spot was close to the supermarket. Lin Buwan didn’t bother with an umbrella; she ran to the entrance. Amidst the rain, she heard faint whimpering from the trash bin—a small, pitiful sound.

She had intended to head straight inside, but her gaze lingered on the trash bin.

After a moment’s hesitation, she walked over. Inside was a tiny puppy, likely just over a month old, awkwardly crawling through the garbage and whimpering.

Lin Buwan’s heart softened; she saw her younger self in the puppy, pushed around like trash. Only, tossing her away would have been a crime...

She reached in and scooped up the pup, just barely bigger than her palm. Maybe it was hungry, because it kept whimpering at her.

“If you keep crying, I won’t want you either,” Lin Buwan warned. The puppy actually fell silent.

Inside the supermarket, she grabbed a few things at random, spotted dog food, and threw a bag into her cart—just enough to use up the last of her money.

Driving back to the parking lot, Lin Buwan checked everything, packed all usable items into her space, including the toolbox from her car. With a supermarket bag in one hand and the puppy in the other, she waited for the elevator.

As she waited, laughter and chatter sounded behind her, men and women together.

“Buwan!” Qin Wei ran up, trying to take Lin Buwan’s arm. “It’s typhoon day, we’re having dinner at Ji Dong’s place. Come join us!”

What persistent ghosts, Lin Buwan cursed inwardly, darting aside so quickly that Qin Wei grabbed at nothing.

Before Lin Buwan could retort, Qin Wei shrieked, pointing at the puppy in her arms. “Ah!!! A rat!!!”

“Are you sick?” Lin Buwan felt her ears ringing. “Stay away from me. You’re the rat—sharp-faced and monkey-cheeked, not a scrap of flesh on your face. Clearly a person with no luck.”

“You...”

“Ding—” The elevator doors opened.

Lin Buwan stepped in first, pressed the close button, and the doors shut, sealing out the idiots outside.

Qin Wei stomped her feet in anger, her eyes reddening. Secretly, she thought, just wait till I get the jade pendant—then we’ll see who’s unlucky! She didn’t know Lin Buwan had already discovered the pendant’s secret.