Chapter 34: The Eccentricities of Ugliness

Zhang Ye scolded Fang Yuqing, exposing her true nature as a scheming woman who uses her looks to manipulate men. This struck a chord deep within Fang Yuqing. Despite her materialistic and promiscuous ways, she considered herself a virtuous woman. Zhang Ye's mockery shattered her confidence. Even someone like Zhang Ye, a petite bourgeoisie, could disdain her. It indicated that her allure was insufficient, making it unlikely for her to seduce wealthy second-generation men and become a wealthy wife.

After ending the call, Zhang Ye soon received a long string of voice messages from Fang Yuqing, cursing him. Did Zhang Ye care? Not at all. In this apocalyptic world, the delicate flower would wither away slowly in extreme cold and hunger. Zhang Ye was merely toying with her, observing her misery. How could he be angry with a dead person?

He laughed heartily and went to the kitchen, retrieving a bottle of Romanée-Conti worth 200,000, stored in a constant-temperature wine cabinet at Walmart's warehouse. Zhang Ye didn't have many such bottles; just a few dozen. Today, in good spirits, he decided to celebrate.

His home had a stable power supply, the wiring having been revamped during renovations. It was connected to a backup power source and a noiseless generator. Energy was not a concern.

In the living room, Zhang Ye ceremoniously arranged a table full of exquisite dishes: French escargot, tomahawk steak, Stargazing, Jinling salted duck, accompanied by a bottle of 200,000 Romanée-Conti. In this post-apocalyptic world, all societal conventions were swiftly disappearing. Zhang Ye didn't fuss over eating etiquette. He ate whatever he wanted, pairing fish roe with rice, a luxury life unseen anywhere else.

This luxurious lifestyle was probably unique in the current world, as even the most powerful and wealthy people globally couldn't prepare adequately for the sudden apocalypse. Zhang Ye's father, for example, was a renowned conglomerate executive in Tianhai City. Yet, in Zhang Ye's memory, his father died half a month into the apocalypse. His wealth turned into worthless paper, and the obese old man lacked the survival skills necessary.

...

Meanwhile, in the house Fang Yuqing shared with Lin Caining:

Fang Yuqing's mental state was on the brink of collapse. Furious, she smashed objects and cursed Zhang Ye. Under normal circumstances, she might not be so enraged. However, the current situation, coupled with the glimpse of Zhang Ye's warm and well-fed household, pushed her to the edge of acceptance.

"Zhang Ye, you damned fellow! What do you think you are? How dare you insult me! If it weren't for this snow disaster, I wouldn't even look at you!"

Fang Yuqing gnashed her teeth angrily.

On the sofa, Lin Caining stared at her, a hint of disdain in her eyes.

"If you hadn't played around before, we could be enjoying the same delicacies and warmth in Zhang Ye's home now!"

Lin Caining wrinkled her brow. "But now, Zhang Ye has so much food, and there's a fireplace at home. It's much better than being a second-generation wealthy wife."

Looking out of the window at the continuous snowfall, Lin Caining worriedly said, "Will this snow disaster continue? Those few official channels still encouraging people on TV are just shivering, saying the disaster will soon pass. But look at everything; where's the sign of it ending?"

Her concern brought a chill to Fang Yuqing's heart. Ten days had passed since they were confined at home, making it feel longer than a decade. If one hadn't experienced such a situation, they wouldn't understand the unbearable suffering.

It could even lead to a person's mental confusion.

Even though Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining presented themselves as a combination of green tea and a delicate flower, being women in their twenties, their inner selves were fragile. Faced with the snow that showed no signs of stopping, they thought of death.

Curled up on the sofa, Fang Yuqing's mind was filled with the warm and well-stocked home of Zhang Ye. She mournfully said, "This is unfair! Why can Zhang Ye live so comfortably? I'm so pretty, yet I have to live in such misery!"

Lin Caining glanced at Fang Yuqing without saying a word. She wrapped herself in a blanket, took out her phone, and found Zhang Ye's contact.

Soon, Zhang Ye received a message from Lin Caining.

"Zhang Ye, I saw you scolding Fang Yuqing just now, and I'm genuinely happy for you."

"I always knew Fang Yuqing was a gold-digging woman who never took you seriously."

"I've been hoping that one day you'd see through her true nature. Congratulations on waking up!"

Zhang Ye chuckled.

"Plastic sisters indeed. They've sold out Fang Yuqing so quickly."

But that was normal; birds of a feather flock together.

Lin Caining had always shown interest in Zhang Ye before. Although her own conditions weren't great, she still thought highly of herself as a fairy. Now, seeing Zhang Ye reject Fang Yuqing and observing the high quality of Zhang Ye's life, she immediately wanted to take advantage of the situation.