At this moment, Fang Yuqing was curled up in her rented apartment, tightly wrapped in two thick quilts.
Even though her air conditioner was set to 40°C, the indoor temperature couldn't even reach 0°C.
She was shivering all over from the cold, feeling as if the icy air was seeping into the blanket from all directions.
But when she saw the photo Zhang Ye sent, her eyes widened in disbelief.
She couldn't believe that in this freezing weather, Zhang Ye was still wearing thin pajamas, comfortably eating steak and drinking red wine.
Weren't they living in the same apartment complex?
Why did it feel like they were living in two completely different worlds?
Especially when she saw the delicious steak on the table and that bottle of premium red wine, Fang Yuqing could hardly keep herself from drooling.
As a top-tier "white lotus" and gold digger, she had done her homework on luxury goods.
From her experience, the steak Zhang Ye was eating was clearly authentic top-grade wagyu beef.
And the French wine next to him—just by the look of it—had to be from a classified growth vineyard, with each bottle worth at least twenty to thirty thousand yuan!
She was freezing to death, while Zhang Ye was living so luxuriously. The jealousy in her heart burned wildly.
Immediately, she sent Zhang Ye a message:
"Wow, that looks so good. I want steak and wine too~"
She believed her hint was more than obvious.
Based on Zhang Ye's past personality, he would've instantly offered to bring her steak and wine.
But upon reading her message, Zhang Ye laughed heartily.
She still thought he was the same pushover from before?
He replied lazily:
"If you want some, just go buy it from the supermarket."
Fang Yuqing's face froze when she saw that reply.
Wasn't that just nonsense?
It was minus sixty to seventy degrees outside. Any exposed skin would be frostbitten in seconds.
How could he suggest something so outrageous to a delicate girl like her?
Gritting her teeth, she furiously messaged:
"Zhang Ye, you're not a real man! I gave you such a good opportunity, and you don't even know how to show off a little? Hmph!"
At this point, Fang Yuqing still had some pride left.
Even though she really wanted that steak and wine, in her eyes, Zhang Ye was still just one fish in her pond.
And she firmly believed this snow disaster wouldn't last long.
So she continued to maintain her proud, goddess-like image, unwilling to lower herself to directly ask for food.
Zhang Ye ignored her and turned his attention to the other chat groups, ready to enjoy the show.
When he checked the neighborhood group, he happened to see Auntie Lin from the residential committee trying to calm everyone down:
"Everyone, don't panic. It's just a sudden cold snap—it'll pass in two or three days at most."
"Please don't hoard supplies. Trust the authorities."
"Our community committee will also do its best to help everyone get through this snowstorm. Please follow orders and don't make trouble."
Some residents began voicing concerns:
"This snow is insane. Who knows when it'll stop? It's already hard to go out. If we don't stock up, how will we get by?"
"Exactly! Maybe we should go out and buy some vegetables now. I bet prices are about to skyrocket."
Auntie Lin immediately hardened her tone.
"What are you all doing? Causing unnecessary panic?"
"Panic buying will only drive prices up. Then everyone will have to eat overpriced vegetables."
"If I find out anyone hoarding supplies, don't blame me for reporting them to the authorities for spreading unrest!"
Seeing Auntie Lin act like some kind of authority in the group, Zhang Ye couldn't help but sneer.
Today was only the first day of the Ice Age. Since the cold had just hit, supermarkets hadn't yet been completely emptied.
If someone braved the snow right now, while risky, they could still stock up on supplies.
But Auntie Lin's fearmongering made many people hesitate, clinging to false hope—and missing their only chance.
The consequences would be obvious later.
Just then, Auntie Lin suddenly directed her attention at Zhang Ye.
She tagged him in the group chat:
"Xiao Zhang, I remember you've stocked up quite a bit before. Now that the snowstorm is serious, you must set a good example."
"Don't even think about going out to buy more! If I catch you sneaking out, don't blame me for being harsh!"
Zhang Ye's expression darkened.
This old hag—last time she came begging him for supplies and he refused, and now she was taking the chance to throw shade at him.
But unfortunately for her, the so-called residential committee held no power over him anymore.
He sneered and replied:
"Auntie Lin, no one knows how long this snowstorm will last. If it goes on for a long time and people have no food, can you take responsibility?"
Zhang Ye's question hit the nail on the head.
Many residents shared his concerns, but had held back out of respect for Auntie Lin's position.
With Zhang Ye speaking up, others began to chime in:
"Yeah! If we don't stock up now and end up starving, who's responsible?"
"Can you really guarantee there'll be enough supplies later?"
Auntie Lin panicked as more residents began questioning her.
And in her heart, her hatred toward Zhang Ye deepened.
This brat dared to openly challenge her in the group chat—how dare he embarrass her like that?
"You can rest assured," she typed, trying to regain control. "The community committee can responsibly tell everyone—there will be no shortage of supplies! The snowstorm will be over soon."
"And as for you, Zhang Ye, don't stir up unrest during a time like this. That's a violation of law and order!"
At home, Auntie Lin gritted her teeth and cursed:
"This Zhang Ye is too arrogant. I'll find a way to get him detained for a few days through the back door!"
Zhang Ye burst into laughter.
In times like this, this old woman still thought she could throw her weight around using a tiny bit of power. How ridiculous.
"Oh please," he said mockingly in the group chat, "I don't deserve such a big hat."
"Relax. It's so cold outside, I wouldn't go out even if you begged me. Do whatever you want!"
He had already stockpiled everything he needed, so of course he wasn't going to run outside and fight over some leftover cabbage.
But those who believed Auntie Lin's lies were in for a rough time.
Zhang Ye sighed inwardly.
The end of the world had come—and countless people would freeze or starve to death.
But some deaths were well deserved—especially those neighbors who had betrayed him in his past life.
Whether they lived or died had nothing to do with him.
Zhang Ye had already made up his mind—to survive at all costs.
Everyone else? Not his problem.