Chapter 9

At eight months pregnant, my days were a whirlwind of school, prepping for the babies, and making sure I had everything ready for the future I had glimpsed in my dreams. Balancing it all wasn't easy, especially with my growing belly making simple tasks like bending down or even getting up from a chair feel like a Herculean effort. But the thought of holding my babies in just a few weeks—and the nagging sense of urgency from my dreams—kept me moving forward.

School had become a test of endurance. Thankfully, most of my teachers were understanding about my condition, offering extensions on assignments or letting me leave class early if needed. My determination to graduate early had paid off, and I was down to just a few final exams. Every day, I reminded myself that completing school now would mean fewer distractions once the babies arrived.

Between classes, I made time to visit stores and pharmacies, stocking up on the last bits of medical supplies I'd need for both the babies and for the apocalyptic vision that loomed in my mind. The space power I'd discovered was my saving grace, allowing me to store everything without worrying about physical storage in the house. I bought boxes of diapers, formula, baby bottles, and clothes, but I also stocked up on first-aid kits, painkillers, antibiotics, antiseptics, and even surgical tools. Some of the items raised eyebrows at the pharmacy, but I waved it off with excuses about wanting to be prepared for "just in case" scenarios.

Jian Ren had become my steady support, visiting me regularly and ensuring I wasn't overexerting myself. He still worked long hours managing his family's business and mafia affairs, but he always made time to check in. His mother and sister had also become frequent visitors, bringing meals, baby clothes, and more health supplements than I could possibly consume. His sister, Jian Yan, often brought her seven-year-old daughter, Mei, who seemed fascinated by my growing belly.

"Auntie Xiu, can the babies hear me?" Mei asked one afternoon as she pressed her ear to my stomach.

I laughed softly, stroking her hair. "They can hear you. Want to say something to them?"

Mei's face lit up, and she began chatting to my belly about how she couldn't wait to meet her cousins. Watching her made my heart swell with both affection and a pang of longing. I wanted my children to have a bright, loving future, free from the chaos I had seen in my dreams.

One evening, after finishing a particularly grueling study session, I sat down to organize the supplies I'd gathered. My space power allowed me to compartmentalize everything neatly, and I made mental notes of what I still needed: more baby formula, extra blankets, and additional medications. I added them to my list for the next shopping trip.

Just as I finished, my phone buzzed with a message from Jian Ren: Did you eat dinner? Don't forget to rest.

His concern was touching, and I quickly replied to reassure him. After a moment of thought, I added: Can you come by tomorrow? I need your opinion on something.

The next day, Jian Ren arrived as promised, his towering frame and calm demeanor bringing a sense of stability to my chaotic life. I showed him my preparations, explaining the importance of each item without revealing the apocalyptic future I was preparing for. To his credit, he didn't question the surplus of medical supplies or the odd assortment of survival gear.

"You've thought of everything," he said, his golden eyes scanning the neatly organized items. "But are you taking care of yourself?"

"I'm fine," I replied, brushing off his concern. "The babies are healthy, and I'm almost done with school. I just need to make it through the next month."

He frowned, clearly not convinced. "You shouldn't have to do all this alone. Let me help."

"You already are," I said, smiling. "More than you know."

As the days passed, I threw myself into my final preparations. Jian Ren stayed by my side, his steady presence grounding me. His sister and mother continued to spoil me and the babies, and even Mr. Mu and my friends pitched in, offering their support whenever I needed it. Despite the looming sense of urgency, I felt an odd sense of peace.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, I wasn't facing them alone.

The realization that the apocalypse was only a day away weighed heavily on my chest, but I couldn't let it show. I knew what was coming—knew the destruction and chaos would unfold with the rise of the sun tomorrow, but I couldn't tell anyone. Not yet. The burden was mine to bear, and I had to be strategic. I needed to make sure everyone I cared about was safe, even if it meant lying to them.

I had already planned everything. The car was packed with essentials, hidden safely in the space storage I'd been filling over the past few weeks. The house had been prepared for this moment for a while. Everything we needed was in place, but the one thing I didn't have was enough time to make sure everyone was ready.

So, I lied. 

I told my friends that I needed them to stay the night, to help me prepare for the birth. I gave them a half-truth about wanting their support while I was on bed rest, claiming that I was experiencing some unexpected complications with the pregnancy. Mu Zu's mother had been over a few times, checking on me, and she seemed happy to oblige when I asked her to stay the night. 

"Don't worry, Xiu Bai, we're here for you," Mu Zu said, looking at me with concern. She had no idea that tomorrow, her life—our lives—would change forever.

By the time Jian Ren and his family showed up, I had already made sure everything was set. His arrival was a relief, though the heaviness in my chest didn't lessen. Jian Ren looked at me, his golden eyes scanning me with that unreadable gaze. His mother, surprisingly calm, stood beside him, with his father and brother in tow. Jian Ren's younger brother, whom I had met once before, was grinning and looking at me with that bright, youthful excitement I had come to expect from children. His niece, who was a few years older than the triplets, was practically bouncing on her heels as she looked at me with wide eyes, excited about the upcoming babies.

"Everything okay?" Jian Ren asked, his voice low but firm. He seemed to understand there was something off about the way I was acting, but I smiled and nodded.

"Just some bed rest, but it's nothing serious," I reassured him. "I just need to be prepared for tomorrow. For the babies."

His mother, a woman of few words but always sharp and perceptive, nodded. "You're doing the right thing, Xiu Bai. Rest while you can." She looked over at Jian Ren, then back at me, her gaze thoughtful. "I'm sure you'll be just fine."

Inside, I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell them everything, to make sure they understood the urgency of the situation. But I couldn't. Not yet. 

The next few hours were spent in relative quiet. My friends—Mu Zu, Chen Na, and their mothers—kept busy in the kitchen, preparing food and chatting about everything and nothing. The children were excitedly discussing what they would do when the babies were born, their innocence still intact. The world outside the walls of this house seemed normal, but I knew better. Tomorrow, everything would shatter.

We ate dinner together, my heart pounding in my chest the entire time. Jian Ren's family seemed at ease, oblivious to what lay ahead. I kept my smile fixed in place, though my mind was racing. If I had learned anything from the apocalypse in my dreams, it was that survival depended on making the right choices—on being prepared.

When the evening wound down, I made sure everyone was settled in. Jian Ren's family was given their own room, and Mu Zu's family stayed close by in the living room. The house was small but functional, and I knew it would be enough to protect us when the time came.

As I lay in bed that night, my hands resting on my swollen belly, I could hear the sounds of life around me. Laughter, chatter, the occasional sound of something being dropped. But in my mind, I was already far beyond the comfort of this home, far beyond the peaceful moment that was unfolding around me.

Tomorrow, the world would change. And I had to be ready.

I closed my eyes, fighting the exhaustion that had been creeping up on me. I had no idea how I was going to manage when everything fell apart, but I had to believe that the plan I'd set in motion would be enough. 

I wasn't going to let my children—or the people I loved—be swept away by the coming storm.

The apocalypse was about to begin. And when it did, I would be ready.