# Chapter 5: Has the Heatwave Come Early?
After a month of running around, Sophia returned to her apartment and collapsed on the sofa, feeling utterly exhausted.
But her heart was deeply satisfied.
Just looking at the packed supplies in her space gave her a profound sense of security.
Sophia pulled out her printed list to check for gaps.
Less than a month until the apocalypse. She needed to carefully review what was still missing.
Looking over the list, she realized she'd missed quite a few things.
Diesel generators, gas generators, solar panels, solar-powered lights, solar power banks, flashlights, batteries, candles, fans, evaporative air coolers, space heaters, hand warmers—these all needed to be arranged.
There was also something very important: seeds.
After the apocalypse, the climate would become extreme. Outdoor conditions would be completely unsuitable for growing crops. People couldn't farm, and life grew increasingly desperate.
Sophia didn't know how to farm. But having seeds stored might come in handy someday.
To be safe, Sophia bought seeds from a seed store and also purchased heirloom seeds from rural farmers.
Once the extreme heat set in, even they wouldn't be able to preserve seeds. They'd only watch them spoil. Better to sell them to her.
Sophia wasn't cold-hearted. Seeing those honest farmers, she gave them a warning.
"A friend who works at the weather service told me there's going to be prolonged extreme heat. You'd better stock up on extra food and water and preserve them well."
One warning wouldn't leave any traces that could be traced back.
She and these people probably would never meet again anyway.
Besides, she'd deliberately done her makeup and disguise. Even if they met again, they wouldn't recognize her.
With seeds purchased, Sophia went on to buy fuel.
For fuel, Sophia bought 20 tons of coal.
After some thought, she also added propane tanks— she'd drive to pick them up herself. At least 1,000 tanks.
Portable butane cartridges: several hundred cases too.
Sophia also bought ten diesel-powered tricycles, ten pedal tricycles, and ten bicycles.
Spare parts for all kinds of vehicles: she bought plenty.
In the apocalypse, people who could drive cars would be few.
Being able to drive a diesel tricycle would already be impressive.
Most people would be riding pedal tricycles or bicycles.
During her time driving through other cities, Sophia took every opportunity to hunt for delicious food.
Now, in her space alone, prepared foods alone filled ten full shelves.
To fit more gourmet items, Sophia also bought small shelving units to place on top of the large ones.
Looking across the shelves, everything was neatly arranged, with every inch of space maximized.
Ten shelves beside these were still empty. Sophia planned to store her own cooked meals there.
Starting now, Sophia wouldn't go on long trips anymore. She would cook every meal herself.
Each time, she'd make extra—whatever didn't get eaten, she'd pack into disposable containers and store in her space. That way, when cooking wasn't convenient, she could just take them out and eat.
Over these past two months, Sophia had been collecting supplies nonstop, barely noticing time passing.
Now that she'd slowed down, she realized it was already mid-August.
Sophia went online to browse forums. Everything seemed completely normal, with no apocalypse rumors whatsoever.
But Sophia knew this was merely the calm before the storm. It wouldn't last much longer.
In the coming days, Sophia only went out occasionally to buy things she'd suddenly remembered. Most of the time, she stayed in her apartment cooking.
Sophia's cooking skills were excellent. Though she'd been out of practice for ten years during the apocalypse, once she got started, it came back quickly.
Cooking different dishes every day, the aroma practically drifted for miles.
She even saw people in the neighborhood group chat asking who was cooking such delicious food every day, keeping them hungry and awake at midnight.
Seeing that message, Sophia just smiled.
What she paid more attention to were certain posts online.
As time approached late August, temperatures not only failed to drop but rose day by day.
Every day on social media, there were stories of people collapsing from heatstroke, with kind strangers calling emergency services.
At first, people left sympathetic comments about the kindness of strangers.
But as days passed, some people started to sense something was wrong.
This morning, Sophia habitually ate breakfast while scrolling on her phone. A post pinned to the top caught her full attention.
"The weather is getting weirder and weirder. This morning, temperatures already hit 104°F. Weather alerts say the high today will be 113°F.
The heat alone wouldn't be so bad—but haven't you all noticed? The news has been covering this heat wave nationwide, and it hasn't rained in over a month!
I've heard the old folks say when things go against the norm, something's wrong. Everyone should stock up on extra food and water at home. Better safe than sorry."
Reading this post, Sophia wanted to like it but held back.
The post had already gone viral, with hundreds of replies.
Some agreed with the original poster. Others called him a worrywart.
It's just heat—happens every summer. What's the big deal?
Hearing these comments, a sarcastic smile flickered across Sophia's eyes.
Soon, these people would learn whether the poster was just worrying for nothing.
Sophia remembered that in her past life, temperatures didn't hit 122°F until September 1st.
At 122°F, it was no longer a suitable temperature for human survival. At that point, all companies granted leave and switched to remote work.
Even supermarkets, malls, and street shops switched to night operations.
September 1st was three days away. With that thought, Sophia headed out.
But the moment she walked out of her building, Sophia sensed something was wrong.
Heat waves rolled around her with no breeze at all. The air itself seemed scorched and distorted.
The moment she stepped into the sun, Sophia immediately retreated to the shade.
Even so, the small patch of exposed skin was already red and sunburned, stinging with pain.
Sophia frowned and went back inside, taking the elevator up.
Back in her room, she found an outdoor thermometer and held it outside the window.
The reading climbed continuously before finally stopping.
The thermometer clearly displayed: 124°F.
Sophia stared at it, frowning deeply.
The heatwave had come early?
It was beyond her expectations, but thinking it through, it made sense.
She herself had been reborn. Was it so impossible for events to shift in timing?
The only issue was that the temperature had risen so rapidly, without giving people time to prepare. No doubt many weren't ready.