Chapter 2 White Pond Lily

 Here's the translation of the article into English:

Zhang Yi stepped out of his home, greeted by a peaceful scene filled with joy and contentment. Many parents were seen playing with their children in the square of the neighborhood, their faces adorned with blissful smiles.

Yet, Zhang Yi knew that all of this would dissipate into thin air in just a month's time. He quickly walked out of the community and headed towards a Michelin three-star western restaurant not far away. A meal there could easily cost five or six thousand yuan, something Zhang Yi had always hesitated to indulge in before.

But now, he didn't care. Having risen from the dead, he felt compelled to celebrate in grand style! Upon entering the restaurant, Zhang Yi chose a window seat and ordered every dish on the menu that was the most expensive, along with a bottle of Lafite Château's red wine. The entire bill amounted to fifty thousand yuan, leaving the waiters with amorous glances, assuming he must be a wealthy heir. After all, who would spend so much on a single meal unless they were?

Zhang Yi didn't care about others' perceptions. When the table was laden with delicious food, he began to devour it with gusto. Perhaps due to the six months he spent in the frigid apocalypse, the mere taste of such exquisite cuisine brought tears to his eyes. His ravenous eating style drew whispers and stares from fellow diners, but Zhang Yi was unfazed.

In the aftermath of the apocalypse, people would kneel and beg for a mere packet of instant noodles. Civilization and morality would crumble into dust.

As Zhang Yi savored his meal, a woman passing by the window outside halted in her steps. She was a stunning figure with long flowing hair, impeccable makeup, and Gucci heels, her arm looped through an LV bag. This woman was Fang Yuqing, the one who had betrayed and ultimately killed Zhang Yi in his previous life. Accompanying her was her best friend, Li Caining.

Both of them couldn't help but glance longingly at the Michelin three-star restaurant every time they passed by. Their hearts yearned for the extravagance inside, though their wallets prohibited them from indulging. Yet, they couldn't resist scrutinizing the patrons, hoping to spot a wealthy heir they could catch the eye of.

To their surprise, they spotted Zhang Yi inside, surrounded by a feast of gourmet dishes.

"Isn't that Zhang Yi? How can he afford to eat here?" Fang Yuqing exclaimed in amazement.

Li Caining covered her mouth in shock, "Zhang Yi is actually this rich?" She cast a knowing glance at Fang Yuqing and chuckled, "Yuqing, you're truly blessed! Your simping suitor turns out to be a secret heir."

"Look at all that food on his table, it must've cost at least fifty or sixty thousand. Who in their right mind would spend that much on a single meal?" Li Caining added enviously.

She knew that Zhang Yi had been pursuing Fang Yuqing for two and a half years. Fang, a gold digger at heart, had always believed she would marry a wealthy heir and live the life of a lady. Yet, she couldn't quite let go of Zhang Yi, who was well-off in Tianhai City with a car and an apartment. So, she kept him as a backup, following the principle of not initiating, not rejecting, and not committing.

Seeing Zhang Yi enjoying a luxurious meal alone made Fang Yuqing wonder, "Could it be that Zhang Yi is actually a secret heir?"

She pondered over the possibility, growing more convinced with each passing thought. "Isn't that what often happens in TV dramas? Someone who's secretly wealthy pretending to be ordinary to find true love."

Fang Yuqing began to believe her own theory, her eyes sparkling with excitement. If it were true, she could save herself a lot of trouble. After all, Zhang Yi had been pursuing her relentlessly. She felt that with just a nod, he would propose marriage to her instantly.

Li Caining encouraged, "Yuqing, let's go inside and talk to Zhang Yi!" In truth, she was eyeing the sumptuous food. A meal at a Michelin three-star restaurant was something most people would never experience in their lifetimes.

Fang Yuqing hesitated but shook her head, "That wouldn't be proper. He might think I'm a gold digger."

"Alright, then let's wait outside and pretend we stumbled upon him by chance," Fang Yuqing decided, not wanting to compromise her dignity for a meal. "Even if Zhang Yi is truly wealthy, I must maintain my aura as a goddess. Only then, when we're together in the future, can I keep him firmly under my control, ensuring he remains my devoted admirer." Fang Yuqing thought to herself, determined to retain her dignity and elegance.

The two women hid not far from the restaurant, waiting patiently for Zhang Yi to emerge. After more than an hour of indulgence, Zhang Yi patted his full stomach contentedly. The Michelin three-star meal, though not extraordinary in taste, was a feast beyond compare for someone who had just returned from the apocalypse.

Next, he intended to visit a nearby supermarket to stock up on supplies, testing the limits of his mysterious storage space and ensuring everything was in order before the inevitable chaos. Though confident in his ability to transport resources from the Walmart warehouse, Zhang Yi knew that caution was crucial. Hunger had been his constant companion in the past, and he would not tolerate any mishaps now.

With a satisfied nod, Zhang Yi settled his bill and stepped out of the restaurant, greeted by the smiling servers. As he did, a familiar voice called out.

"Zhang Yi, what a coincidence!"

Turning, Zhang Yi saw Fang Yuqing and Li Caining standing there. Fang Yuqing deliberately brushed her hair behind her ear, exposing her pale neck and pink earlobe in a calculated move to arouse interest.

Zhang Yi sneered inwardly. Such tactics were classic for a manipulative woman like her, designed to subtly captivate men's hearts. But now, he was no longer the naive admirer he once was. He had been betrayed and killed by this woman, his fate cruelly ended by her hands. The very thought made his gaze turn icy, filled with naked hostility.

In the looming apocalypse, killing her would pose no consequences. Should he strike now?

Feeling the chill in Zhang Yi's gaze, Fang Yuqing trembled, asking nervously, "Zhang Yi… What's wrong?"

Zhang Yi quickly regained his composure, responding with a nonchalant, "It's nothing. I mistook you for someone else."

He had changed his mind. Letting her die so easily would be too merciful. And with the law looming, killing her now would only land him in trouble. Zhang Yi had no intention of spending the apocalypse behind bars.

Instead, he would let her experience the despair of the end times before dealing with her. With his foreknowledge and ample time to plan, Zhang Yi had a hundred ways to make her suffer. For now, she was of no immediate threat.

His priority was building the safest haven possible, ensuring his own survival and comfort in the impending chaos.