Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 3: Shopping and Stockpiling
Previously on Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies...
Zhang Yi displayed a notably chilly demeanor toward Fang Yuqing.
Something off was quickly noticed by Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin.
Yet, once they wrongly assumed Zhang Yi to be a secret affluent successor, his iciness didn't provoke anger; rather, it fueled their keen interest in getting closer.
After all, a touch of arrogance in a prosperous individual simply highlights their elite status!
“Hey, Zhang Yi, did you just eat at this eatery?” Lin Cainin inquired, acting casual.
A slight frown crossed Zhang Yi's face. This lady was just as bad as Fang Yuqing; they shared the same scheming nature.
She played a role in the tainted meal that led to his demise.
“Yes.”
Zhang Yi answered curtly, then spun on his heel and strode toward the supermarket, pockets stuffed.Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin rushed to keep pace.
“Zhang Yi, where are you off to?” Fang Yuqing queried, offering a soft grin.
“To the supermarket.”
Impatience laced Zhang Yi's cool tone.
Were it not for his plan to make her taste the apocalypse's utter hopelessness, he would have ended her already.
Fang Yuqing shot a look at Lin Cainin and promptly added, “What luck! We were heading to grab some items ourselves. Let's tag along!”
By this point, Zhang Yi had pieced it together.
They likely spotted him indulging in luxury at the Michelin three-star spot and pegged him as a covert tycoon's son.
Hence the abrupt warmth.
He saw no point in chatting with them and simply advanced to the supermarket.
His growing aloofness only solidified Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin's conviction that he was a privileged scion.
How else could he act so boldly?
The pair stuck right beside Zhang Yi, with Fang Yuqing deliberately grazing against him now and then.
Each time Zhang Yi glanced her way, she'd avert her gaze coyly, cheeks flushing like a demure girl.
Internally, Zhang Yi scoffed.
What a performer, drama queen. Hollywood would hand you an Oscar in a heartbeat.
Zhang Yi stepped into the supermarket, seized a cart, and ventured deeper.
Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin swiftly claimed carts and trailed behind.
“Zhang Yi, were you eating with anyone?” Fang Yuqing smiled as she asked.
Zhang Yi neared the food aisles, retorting coolly, “Can’t I dine solo?”
Fang Yuqing's eyes sparkled, and she hastened, “Oh, that’s not what I meant. Just that the prices there are steep. I figured you were treating a guest.”
Lin Cainin blurted out, unable to resist, “Zhang Yi, you earn around ten thousand monthly, don’t you? That dinner probably wiped out half your yearly pay.”
“Seems like your folks bequeathed you a fortune.”
Fang Yuqing shot Lin Cainin a fierce glare.
Fool, why blurt out something like that?
For a master actress like her, the golden rule was: whisper sweet nothings to the wealthy, discuss cash with the broke!
Catching her error, Lin Cainin scrambled to smooth it over.
“Haha, just teasing. We’re pals, after all—money’s no big deal.”
Zhang Yi paid them zero mind.
He arrived at the food area and eyed the stocked shelves as if discovering a hidden vault of riches.
From his past life, he recalled stretching a single instant noodle packet over two days.
Thus, his craving for provisions knew no bounds.
Zhang Yi dove right in, loading the cart with foodstuffs.
Large hauls of sausages, instant noodles, self-heating pots, and seasonings flew into the basket.
His frenzy left Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin gaping in shock.
“Zhang Yi, why hoard all this grub? Planning a camping trip?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Yi responded flatly.
Doubt crept into Lin Cainin, who murmured to Fang Yuqing, “Would an heir to riches rough it with these snacks on a campout?”
Fang Yuqing shared the confusion but clung to the notion of Zhang Yi's wealth, recalling that lavish Michelin feast.
She dashed to his side and offered brightly, “Need a hand with anything?”
With willing helpers on hand, Zhang Yi saw no downside to employing them.
Besides, Fang Yuqing's feigned sweet expression ignited his vengeful fire.
A full month lay ahead to gear up for the end times.
Constructing an ideal haven for security posed no real challenge.
For daily necessities, the Walmart depot would suffice.
Thus, he could thrive securely and luxuriously amid the chaos.
Why not reveal his stockpiling to Fang Yuqing, ensuring she'd plead for aid down the line?
Should she spill his location and draw those wretched locals, it was a simple fix.
As long as his fortress stood firm, sieges wouldn't faze him—he'd turn the tables on those foes!
Envisioning their desperation warped Zhang Yi's grin into something sinister.
Indeed, this scheme merited pursuit.
Zhang Yi resolved to reach out to a security firm for that fortified dwelling.
Should it prove viable, he'd proceed.
Otherwise, he'd bolt from the city to some remote wilds and dig an subterranean bunker.
This dual approach covered all bases.
A faint smirk tugged at Zhang Yi’s mouth. “You can handle the cart-pushing.”
Fang Yuqing nodded eagerly.
Zhang Yi directed Lin Cainin to snag an extra cart too.
Though questions swirled in their minds, they obeyed.
Zhang Yi amassed heaps of shelf-stable eats: instant noodles, sausages, cured meats, and tins of preserves.
One cart brimmed with fresh cuts of meat, fruits, veggies, and even wriggling fish.
He aimed to check if his pocket dimension preserved perishables uniquely.
With the trio of carts brimming, Zhang Yi assigned the women to haul the one loaded with beef, lamb, and cans.
It tipped the scales at over five hundred kilos, drenching them in sweat.
Fang Yuqing sulked and whined, “Zhang Yi, who all are you provisioning? Hiding some scheme from me?”
Zhang Yi let out a icy laugh. “The weather’s fickle. What if doomsday strikes? Just prepping essentials!”
Zhang Yi spoke plainly, yet belief eluded listeners.
A certain Dr. Li had already demonstrated that harsh reality.
Fang Yuqing dismissed it as banter and chuckled, “If you won’t spill, fine. But no need for wild jokes.”
“Still, you owe me a dinner for all this aid today!”
Anticipation gleamed in Fang Yuqing’s eyes.
She dreamed of Zhang Yi escorting her to that Michelin three-star haven.
Zhang Yi’s mouth quirked. “Fine, but I’m swamped these days. Perhaps next month.”
Fang Yuqing beamed. “Perfect, deal sealed!”
Lin Cainin chimed in fast, “Yes, count us all in!”
Aiding with the haul for a gourmet reward thrilled her.
Fang Yuqing shot another annoyed look at oblivious Lin Cainin.
But Lin Cainin artfully ignored it.
Zhang Yi headed to checkout, dropping over ten thousand yuan on the haul.
He forked it over without a flinch.
In the apocalypse, these goods would multiply in value countless times—potentially invaluable.
Back then, cash alone might not snag even a crumb.
Given the massive purchase, the store kindly allowed cart use.
Without pause, Zhang Yi commanded the women to assist lugging the bounty home.
He could've fetched his vehicle for transport, but gratis manpower? No brainer.
The duo griped about exhaustion, yet the lure of upscale dining spurred them on.
Thus, the three maneuvered the laden carts back to the complex.