Seducing and Flirting with Boss O While Stockpiling in the Apocalypse (GL) - Chapter 8

Over the next two days, Luo Sheng was busy stockpiling supplies. Her home renovations were complete, and Nan Shuwan hadn’t come back to talk about the project, leaving Luo Sheng undisturbed and spending several days rotating through various wholesale markets.

She tried to select different markets to buy food, even if they were farther away. Buying things repeatedly in the same place was too conspicuous, and if she were targeted by anyone, it would be a huge problem.

The scorching heat of over forty degrees made the ground feel like a hot iron plate—if you cracked an egg directly onto it, it would probably fry. Even the air seemed to be rippling with heat, bending and twisting under the sun.

The streets were largely deserted during the day. Apart from business owners keeping their shops open, most people hid indoors to escape the summer heat. However, cold drinks and ice cream sold incredibly well in this weather, and many people would buy a few cases to store in their refrigerators.

Luo Sheng went directly to the slaughter market, which was stuffy and hot. Even fully geared up and wearing a mask, the stench of raw meat still stung her nostrils. Cut pieces of meat, if not frozen in a freezer, would definitely turn sour and smelly in a short amount of time.

This place was a paradise for flies and mosquitoes. The old open-air market had little overhead cover, at most a sun umbrella overhead. The meat was exposed to the air, and every stall was surrounded by swarms of flying insects buzzing around.

Luo Sheng rubbed her forehead uncomfortably. The ground was covered in dark grease stains. She carefully watched her step. If it weren’t for the cheap prices here, she wouldn’t have traveled so far to shop.

Luo Sheng stockpiled another few hundred pounds of freshly cut beef and mutton. The variety of vegetables and fruits here was more complete. She had only stockpiled a few vegetables before, and she should buy more fruits to replenish water content.

Watermelons, peaches, bananas… Luo Sheng bought all her favorite fruits, ordering dozens of boxes of each. Then, she turned and went to the seafood market.

She had purchased enough regular meat. She should buy some small fish and shrimp. Luo Sheng knew her mother loved fish, and when she brought her over, she had to prepare some of her mother’s favorite foods.

Since live creatures couldn’t survive in the storage space, Luo Sheng had the stall owner immediately kill, skin, and portion out five hundred pounds of live fish into individual pieces, then sealed them in vacuum bags.

She didn’t buy everything from one seafood vendor, dividing the purchase among five stalls, one hundred pounds each. This was also faster. Once done, she had the stall owners deliver the bags directly to the back of the truck.

Then, she bought three hundred pounds of shelled shrimp tails, along with dozens of boxes of frozen scallops and clams, which were all packed in insulated boxes and sent to the abandoned factory.

To prevent the goods from spoiling in the extreme heat, Luo Sheng drove closely behind the transport vehicles. The trucks were parked outside, and the cargo could only be placed by the door first. Only after everyone had left would Luo Sheng take out her ring and move the items one by one into the storage space.

The space was currently packed with too many supplies, and it hadn’t expanded yet. To fit everything in, Luo Sheng removed all unnecessary outer packaging and reorganized everything by category.

The entire second floor, except for the small space in the living room where she could still step, was completely jammed with all kinds of supplies. Even the restroom had several boxes of raincoats and non-slip shoes stuffed inside.

With everything arranged, Luo Sheng felt relieved and left the space. She went to the supermarket to select self-heating meal boxes, bought dozens of cases of various instant noodles, and dozens of cases of self-heating hot pot. These easily stored items would be sent to the abandoned factory for now.

By the time she finished stockpiling these items, it was nearly evening. Pondering what to eat for dinner, Luo Sheng browsed the drink aisle at the supermarket, finally grabbing a bottle of peach fruit sparkling water and a bottle of jasmine tea before hurrying away.

…

Lin Fu followed her aunt, watching her pick and choose various items in the supermarket, secretly rolling her eyes behind her back because she was extremely reluctant to be there.

Due to the high temperatures, the company had finally given them two days off. Lin Fu originally wanted to relax, but then her mother’s next-door neighbor, Aunt Zhang, suddenly showed up, saying she wanted to spend a few days here.

Big city hotels were too expensive. Considering this, Aunt Zhang thought of Lin Fu, who worked here. Her aunt even had Lin Fu’s mother call ahead to inform her. Despite her extreme unwillingness, Lin Fu had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

Watching Zhang Yun pick up another bag of frozen beef dumplings, Lin Fu wanted to walk out on the spot. She hadn’t expected Aunt Zhang to be so unaccommodating. All the big and small expenses were coming out of Lin Fu’s own pocket. She had only been here for two days and had already cost Lin Fu over a thousand yuan. Anyone would think she had come specifically to fleece her!

Lin Fu looked away for a moment, and Zhang Yun had run off to the crab section, staring at the pool holding King Crabs. Lin Fu couldn’t take it anymore. She quickly walked over, tapped her on the shoulder, and put on a bright smile. “Aunt Zhang, we’ve bought so many things. How about we finish what we have first? The weather is too hot, and it’s hard to store things. Buying too much will easily spoil and just be a waste.”

Her words were quite reasonable, but Zhang Yun still bent over, staring at the crabs for a long time before slowly straightening up and looking at Lin Fu. Then she grinned, showing a few missing teeth. “Aiya, Fu-girl, your aunt rarely comes to the big city. This trip is mainly to bring some things back for my sister. I’ve never seen these fancy things. I’m so sorry for causing you trouble, you mustn’t mind me!”

Lin Fu smiled warmly, outwardly appearing hospitable. “How could I? What are you talking about? We haven’t seen each other in a while; I’m happy you’re here! You can take more local specialties back when you leave, and it won’t be a wasted trip!”

Hearing “local specialties,” Zhang Yun’s cloudy eyes darted around. She smiled, nodded repeatedly, and no longer looked at the seafood. She obediently followed Lin Fu to the checkout.

Lin Fu took a deep breath, suppressing the anger simmering inside.

Zhang Yun and her family were all greedy people. Even before Lin Fu left home to work, they would occasionally come to their house to sponge off them, taking everyday items and various foods. They even borrowed five thousand yuan from them, which still hadn’t been paid back, had it?

Because they were neighbors, Lin Fu’s mother believed that harmony brings wealth and that it wasn’t necessary to ruin neighborly relations over trifles. Yet, their family’s financial situation wasn’t that bad; they just pretended to be poor to elicit sympathy.

Lin Fu remembered her mother always boasting about how well she was doing here. If it weren’t for her pride, she wouldn’t bother with this family at all.

Lin Fu looked at Zhang Yun’s back with disgust. The brightly colored clothes were truly an eyesore. She spat subtly, cursing her as a “hick” under her breath, and carried the items to pay.

While waiting in line, Lin Fu impatiently scrolled through her phone, her eyes casually glancing around. She saw workers carrying things back and forth by the side door. She hadn’t paid attention at first, but she felt the woman walking behind them looked very familiar.

Looking closely, Lin Fu realized she actually knew her. Isn’t that Luo Sheng, who disappeared days ago???

Since bumping into her hurriedly leaving the apartment complex that day, she hadn’t seen Luo Sheng again. Wang Yongqiang had told her about the resignation. When Lin Fu went home after work that day, she asked the landlord and found out Luo Sheng had moved out.

Furthermore, Luo Sheng had blocked her on both WeChat and her phone. Lin Fu was a little confused. I don’t think I’ve really offended her, have I?

However, Lin Fu didn’t care much. Her departure only benefited her. It was just a coincidence running into her here today and seeing boxes of items being carried out, which looked like they were Luo Sheng’s purchases.

Lin Fu couldn’t help but feel curious. This person suddenly resigned and moved in just a few days, and now she was inexplicably buying so many things. Although there might be nothing to it, Lin Fu felt something was a little off.

Thinking this, Lin Fu immediately rushed to the self-checkout and frantically hurried out of the supermarket. Aunt Zhang, who was behind her, saw Lin Fu suddenly dash out and, not knowing what happened, shouted a few times and followed her out.

The small car had already followed the truck onto the street. Lin Fu only caught a glimpse of the exhaust as she emerged. She bent over, panting for breath. A little running in this scorching heat left her drenched in sweat.

Since Luo Sheng had already left, she lost interest in investigating further. She waved to Zhang Yun and then left the area.

…

Back home, Luo Sheng took some fresh vegetables and pork out of the space. After a thought, she also took out a box of shrimp tails. She had brought back some of the instant noodles she had just bought today, which would come in handy.

She washed the vegetables and pork, cut them into small pieces, and put them on a plate. The thawed shrimp tails were placed next to them. She felt the ring was even better than a refrigerator; some vegetables she took out after several days were still incredibly fresh.

She opened two bags of instant noodles, but instead of using the seasoning packets, she boiled the noodles, rinsed them with cold water, and set them aside.

Once the water boiled, she added the prepared ingredients, blanched them several times, covered them to cook, and then drained them. The instant noodles, vegetables, meat, and shrimp tails were all placed in a large bowl.

Luo Sheng mixed in a small, melted chunk of buttered hotpot base, squeezed the remaining seasoning packets from the instant noodles on top, added two spoonfuls of chili powder and cumin, and topped it with a handful of scallions. Then, she started vigorously tossing it with her chopsticks.

In no time, a spicy aroma filled the air. A simple serving of spicy mala mix was ready. Luo Sheng took a frozen ice ball from the refrigerator and put it into a glass cup, poured in the cold jasmine tea, and prepared to eat.

The savory and spicy flavor was very appetizing. Hungry, Luo Sheng quickly finished the meal. The floral tea was also very refreshing. After dinner, she unusually didn’t feel like staying home.

Although the sky was dark, it was quite lively outside. Since the daytime was too hot for anyone to venture out, only the nighttime temperatures were suitable for people to take a walk after a hearty meal.

Luo Sheng glanced out the window at the sky. The moonlight was clear, and the stars were twinkling. After contemplating for a while, she took her keys and decided to go for a stroll.