Zhang Yi was engrossed in his video game, munching on imported snacks, savoring the good life.

Across Tianhai City, and indeed over 99% of the world, water and power outages were the new normal.

Water shortages were somewhat manageable.

Those who couldn't stand it could dig up snow to melt for water.

But the power outages were truly unbearable!

Modern humans are delicate creatures, and living in subzero temperatures was practically a death sentence!

Yet, one couldn't blame the authorities; it wasn't that power plants couldn't operate, but rather that the workers couldn't get to their jobs.

Zhang Yi remembered that there would still be power for a short period each day; the officials didn't want the entire populace to perish.

However, the electricity supplied by 21st-century nuclear and renewable energy plants was severely limited.

At best, it was enough to charge a phone or boil some water.

High-powered appliances like air conditioners and heaters were out of the question.

At that moment, the neighbors were wailing in the property owners' chat group, seeking warmth in unity, desperate for a glimmer of hope.

Chen Zhenghao, whose leg Zhang Yi had broken, was now dragging his broken limb around at home, nearly frozen to death.

Already injured, the extreme cold inflicted double the harm on him.

And his henchmen fared even worse.

Though Zhang Yi had only doused them with a hose, they had no means to warm up in these temperatures.

Indoor temperatures were plummeting towards the frigid outdoor levels, reaching minus fifty or sixty degrees.

Several started running high fevers, with the lowest at 39°C and some soaring above 40°C.

Lacking the foresight to stock up on medicine, they had no ibuprofen at home.

And in this weather, going out to buy medicine was impossible.

So, they had no choice but to endure.

This was why Zhang Yi hadn't killed them on the spot.

Watching them freeze to death in despair was far more satisfying than a quick death!

Zhang Yi sat on the carpet, absorbed in his game.

Outside, the bitter cold raged, the howling north wind carrying a blizzard.

Yet inside his room, it was a cozy 27°C, brightly lit, with no shortage of food or entertainment.

If there was anything missing, it was perhaps a woman's company for Zhang Yi.

But he wasn't one to be ruled by lustful impulses.

Having been burned by a woman in his past life, his priority now was his own safety and quality of life.

Unless it was absolutely safe, he wouldn't let anyone into his safe house.

In the apocalypse, human nature was an immeasurable thing.

He had seen with his own eyes a woman kill her husband over a pack of instant noodles.

Just then, Zhang Yi's phone lit up.

He picked it up with interest and saw that Mrs. Lin had tagged everyone in the property owners' chat group.

"The current blizzard has severely impacted our lives," she wrote.

"According to official notices, the snow will continue for a short while longer."

"To ensure we all get through this together, with dignity, even in these tough times, the Neighborhood Committee will start collecting resources from each household and distribute them evenly."

"This is an official directive, and cooperation is mandatory! Otherwise, any selfish households will be dealt with by the organization afterward!"

"Don't think you can oppose our organization just because you think you're capable. Remember, every family has its vulnerabilities!"

Zhang Yi sneered.

Same old tricks as in his previous life.

Mrs. Lin, a member of the Neighborhood Committee, might not have much power, but she had more information than the average person.

She must have known about the apocalypse and the paralysis of Tianhai City's official functions well in advance.

Now, she was resorting to deceit and intimidation to get people to hand over their supplies.

But Mrs. Lin's tactics were far from clever.

After all, she was just an old woman with a middle school education.

Anyone smart could see the flaws in her words right away.

Even if the authorities were to take control, such an order was unlikely.

Yet, with over fifty households in the building, there were bound to be some who would comply out of fear.

Zhang Yi had no intention of intervening; he just wanted to watch the drama unfold.

Sure enough, Mrs. Lin's aggressive approach to confiscating supplies finally pushed some people to their limits.

Wang Min, Zhang Yi's colleague who lived on the 15th floor and was known for her thrifty household management, was one of them.

She often brought things home from the warehouse, which was common knowledge among the neighbors.

They were bound to be targeted by Mrs. Lin's collection efforts.

Wang Min protested, "We can't even leave our homes because of the heavy snow, and we barely have enough for ourselves. How can you justify taking our supplies to redistribute them?"

Another property owner, Sun Zhichao, chimed in, "We're all struggling to keep food on the table. To confiscate our supplies is just too much!"

Mrs. Lin, gritting her teeth, pressed the voice message button fiercely.

"I've already said, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are necessary!"

"The snow disaster will pass soon, don't worry. We're just redistributing supplies temporarily."

"Many families have nothing to eat. Are you really that selfish?"

"Can't you think of your neighbors for once?"

Some had stockpiled supplies, naturally meaning others were lacking.

So those without supplies naturally supported Mrs. Lin.

"Yeah, we're all neighbors. What's wrong with helping each other out?"

"It's just some food and drink. It's not like we can't afford it on normal days; it's just these couple of days that are exceptional!"

"This is a decision from above. If you don't comply, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

The WeChat group erupted into debate.

Zhang Yi remained silent, as did White Lotus Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining.

Their homes were well-stocked with supplies.

But given their personalities, they would rather die than give anything up.

Zhang Yi's desire to simply watch the drama was soon disrupted.

Although he kept quiet, Mrs. Lin took the initiative to send him a private message.

"Little Zhang, you work at the Walmart warehouse, so you must have plenty of food and drink at home, right?"

"I remember last time you bought three carloads of stuff!"

"Now everyone's in trouble, and it's time for you to step up."

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"Don't worry, once the snow disaster is over, we'll surely repay you. Everyone will remember your kindness."

Mrs. Lin was stirring up fear in the group chat, targeting the timid.

Then she'd break them down one by one.

If she could deceive one family, she'd get some supplies to keep her and her grandson alive for a few more days.

And Zhang Yi, the Walmart warehouse manager, was now in her crosshairs.