The Never-Ending Downpour  

Three days later, there was still no sign of the relentless rain letting up. The weather forecast indicated that heavy rainfall would persist for another week. Within the residential community, people were gradually losing their calm, and emotions were becoming increasingly volatile.

A week had passed, and the torrential rain showed no signs of stopping. Most households had limited supplies, prompting some to brave the rain and go out to buy food. However, before they could step outside, the property management notified them that water had risen to the second-floor staircase.

Residents on lower floors were in jeopardy, and if the rain continued for a few more days, even those on the fifth floor and below might face flooding.

Unable to go out for groceries, the property management appealed to everyone in the community to help each other and get through this difficult time together.

As the message spread, many residents began expressing their needs in the group.

Unit 303 in the East Block: "I have run out of food at home. Any neighbors with extra supplies? I'm willing to pay double the price."

Unit 506 in the North Block: "My family is large, and the ten days of rain depleted our supplies. Does anyone have extra food? I'm willing to pay triple the price."

East Block: "I can sell some rice. Each person is limited to ten kilograms. Due to flooding, I can only serve residents of this block on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out."

...

Many people signed up to buy rice, while residents of other blocks could only look on enviously. With water levels at least three meters deep in the community, even if someone managed to swim over, they couldn't bring the rice back.

Seeing these messages, Atticus and Blanche felt grateful for Alice's foresight in stocking up on supplies, enough to last them two months.

Arnold, sitting elegantly on the sofa sipping coffee, glanced at the relentless rain outside the window. "Our home must be flooded, but luckily, we're on the sixteenth floor, so the water won't reach us."

Alexander, looking concerned, said, "I just asked Beryl about her situation. She's still in her rented apartment, fortunately on the sixth floor, so she's safe for now. However, she's running low on food. When the rain stops, I plan to bring her here."

Alice raised an eyebrow. Arnold, nonchalantly, suggested, "She can buy food herself when the rain stops. Our place is small, and living together would be inconvenient."

Alice, in her 'kind' suggestion, said to Alexander, "If it doesn't work out, you can go live with her. It's an opportunity to bond."

Considering this, Alexander nodded thoughtfully and said, "Alright, I'll ask her if she needs company when the time comes."

Alice sensed that Arnold might not like Beryl very much. Puzzled, she blinked and stared at him.

Arnold just smiled, gently patting her head. "I'll go make lunch."

After some time, Alice followed and took out meat and vegetables from the fridge. It took a while before she asked Arnold, who was washing the pot nearby, "Does big brother not like Beryl?"

He chuckled gently. "Why would you think that?"

"Just a gut feeling."

 Beryl seems to be a scheming person. Don't mess with Allen family anymore.

"I feel that woman is not simple, her thoughts are impure," with a hint of greed in her eyes.

"Second brother is in the midst of it and can't see through. Mom and dad see through but don't expose," Arnold whispered.

Atticus and Blanche, having been in the business world for so many years, could easily see through Beryl's intentions. However, they didn't consider it a major issue. Beryl excelled in other aspects, and since Alexander liked her, they let it be.

After lunch, Alice returned to her room and took advantage of the available internet to download TV shows and movies, regardless of genre.

Continuing, Alice proceeded to download various useful information online. In the post-apocalyptic world, such data would become incredibly valuable.

While fetching another glass of water and about to grab some fruits, a loud banging echoed at the corridor entrance.

"Is anyone upstairs?"

Upon hearing the call, Alice set down her glass and went out, accompanied by several other members of the Allen family group.

A small opening had been intentionally left on the heavy iron door, revealing two middle-aged men outside. Alice straightforwardly asked, "Do you have something to discuss?"

One of the men rubbed his hands and awkwardly smiled, "The heavy rain has lasted for over ten days, and we've run out of food at home. Could we buy some from you? We'll pay any amount."

"Sorry, our food supplies are also limited. There's someone selling rice in Room 110 on the tenth floor. You can go ask them," Alice replied without opening the door, just standing inside.

The other man spoke, "There are too many people buying rice, and the person on the tenth floor said they're out. We have elderly and children at home. They can't withstand hunger. We don't need much, can you sell us two or three pounds of rice to tide us over?"

Considering the remaining supplies at home, Blanche thought it wouldn't hurt to give away a few pounds of rice. She was about to agree when Alice directly refused, "We have a large family, and there's not much food left. I'm sorry, I can't help. Please leave."

After saying that, Alice pulled her mother into the house. Unbeknownst to them, the expressions of the two men outside instantly turned gloomy.

Arnold and Atticus noticed this and furrowed their brows, silently retreating into the house.

Alice felt it necessary to inform them in advance about the impending apocalypse. Such misguided kindness could lead to trouble sooner or later. Perhaps, in Blanche's eyes, this prolonged rain would stop in a few days, and life would continue as usual. Therefore, giving away some rice might not seem like a big deal.

"Mom, do you believe in the apocalypse?" Alice suddenly asked.

Blanche, initially about to talk about not being too stingy, was taken aback by her question. She looked at her daughter, who had a serious expression, and burst into laughter. "Those are all scenes from movies, all fake. How could there be an apocalypse?"

"But I believe," Alice remained serious. She took out her phone and opened the latest trending topic to show her. "This continuous heavy rain has already claimed many lives. People online say it's the beginning of a natural disaster."

Blanche glanced at the comments, somewhat speechless. "Their basis is from movies, and film plots are fictional. How can you take it seriously?"

Atticus also thought those online comments were for attention, just sensationalism. "Don't believe those people talking nonsense. The rain has lessened a lot; perhaps it'll stop tomorrow."

Alice, seeing that they didn't believe her, wasn't in a hurry. Time would provide them with the answers.

Atticus guessed wrong. The next day, the heavy rain continued, accompanied by howling winds. Occasionally, the sound of breaking windows could be heard.

At noon, suddenly, the power went out.

In the group chat, everyone was mentioning the property management.

East Block Unit 501: "Why is there a power outage? Are they trying to make us suffer?"

North Block: "I cook all my meals with electricity. What do we do now? Eat raw food?"

East Block Unit 2: "The property management is becoming more unreliable. Can we get a clear answer on when the power will be restored?"

Property Management: "Everyone, please remain calm. The circuits have been soaked by water, and we have already contacted technicians for repairs."

"..."