Chapter 5: Surging Prices

It was clearly nighttime, but the outside was brightly lit, and a long line of people had formed, holding flashlights and torches, waiting outside the supermarket to buy supplies.

Many were complaining about the skyrocketing prices of goods, while others cursed at the number of people in line.

Food and supplies had clearly become scarce, unable to meet the demand!

But now, no one could step in to manage these market-disrupting phenomena.

"What? This is just a box of ordinary instant noodles! It used to cost only a few dozen yuan, and now it's nearly 1,000 yuan?"

"This isn't business—you're outright robbing us!"

The commotion caught Lin Cheng's attention.

He turned toward the source of the noise and saw a young girl arguing with the supermarket cashier.

The cashier sneered, "Do you still expect to pay the original price at a time like this?"

"If you're not buying, then move along! There are plenty of people waiting behind you!"

The cashier's words quickly resonated with the crowd.

"Exactly! If you're not buying, just go! Don't waste our time!"

The girl blushed and quietly handed over her money, buying the box of instant noodles at a price dozens of times higher than normal.

Lin Cheng recognized the girl—it was Song Ya, his former neighbor. As a child, she often clung to him, pulling him into games of make-believe.

They had grown up together, like childhood sweethearts.

Their parents were close too, often joking about how the two of them would get engaged when they grew up.

But a few years ago, Lin Cheng's family had moved away, and they hadn't seen each other since. It had been four or five years now.

In just a few years, the once-clingy little girl had grown into a graceful young woman.

From a distance, Song Ya spotted Lin Cheng and enthusiastically waved, just like she used to.

"Lin Cheng! I'm over here!"

She ran over to him, panting from the exertion. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she asked breathlessly, "Are you here to buy supplies too?"

Lin Cheng shook his head, "I live nearby. I just finished dinner and came out for a walk."

"I remember your place isn't close to here. Why did you come all the way out here to buy supplies?"

Song Ya pouted, "Don't even ask. After my dad heard the news on TV about the shelters opening, he had the whole family split up to buy food."

"I walked all the way here and finally found a supermarket that was open."

"And look, just this one box of instant noodles cost me over 900 yuan."

As she spoke, Song Ya lifted the box to show Lin Cheng.

Lin Cheng wasn't surprised at the price surge. The merchants had been waiting for this day.

Too bad they didn't realize that once the true apocalypse came, money would be nothing but worthless paper.

The real hard currency would be survival supplies!

"You mentioned you're going to a shelter?"

Song Ya nodded, "Other than the shelter, there's no other place for us to go. If the apocalypse really happens, staying at home would be like waiting for death."

"If we bring enough food to the shelter, at least we'll have enough to eat and drink."

Seeing the naive smile on Song Ya's face, Lin Cheng sighed inwardly.

If the original owner of this body were still in control, he would probably have rushed to save Song Ya and invited her to his shelter.

But Lin Cheng wouldn't do that now.

He had taken over this body a year ago, and though he had the original owner's memories, he didn't feel much attachment to this so-called childhood sweetheart.

The supplies he had stockpiled were just enough for himself and his parents for six months. Adding another person would introduce too many variables.

If fate allowed, maybe once his shelter was stronger and he had more resources, he could invite Song Ya then—if she was still alive. It would be a way to fulfill a wish for the body's original owner.

"When you go to the shelter, remember to bring some weapons," Lin Cheng advised her kindly.

"Why?" Song Ya asked, confused, still wearing that innocent expression. "The news said the military will be guarding the shelters, so there shouldn't be any danger."

"The military can only temporarily ensure safety outside. Internal conflicts in the shelter—they won't have the energy to deal with those."

"The strong will remain strong, and the weak will stay weak. If you have food but no means to protect it, you'll become a target for those with bad intentions."

Lin Cheng had said all he needed to. Whether Song Ya believed him or not was up to her.

After chatting with Lin Cheng for a while, Song Ya hurried home to meet up with her parents.

Lin Cheng looked around at the surrounding houses and scenery. This was the last time he would gaze at this scene.

…

On his way home, Lin Cheng noticed that the neighbors had started packing up and driving away.

A small minority were welding metal plates to their fences.

But these last-minute preparations were utterly pointless and meaningless.

If preparing a few hours before the disaster would work, Lin Cheng wouldn't have spent so much time building his shelter.

These makeshift defenses wouldn't even withstand the first wave of attacks from the mutated creatures.

Even though it was late into the night, distant booming noises could still be heard, along with shouting and the sound of breaking glass.

Tonight, for most people, would be a sleepless night!

The next morning, every TV channel was broadcasting news.

The usual entertainment shows, movies, and dramas had all disappeared.

#Official Announcement: National shelters are now open. The military will ensure the safety of the shelters. Citizens are encouraged to go!#

#Rumor: A giant deep-sea creature suspected in the Pacific. The creature is massive and aggressive, having already sunk several warships!#

#Official Denial: Online rumors of a deep-sea creature are false. Netizens are urged to remain rational.#

Even with the government trying to suppress all the negative news, it couldn't quell the fear in people's hearts.

Suppressing information was a desperate move.

There were just six hours left until Judgment Day!

Even from the city center, Lin Cheng could see tanks and military vehicles on the streets.

The military vehicles were likely heading to the shelters, while the tanks were probably bound for the sinkholes caused by the collapse.

Without a drone, Lin Cheng couldn't bypass the military to check the sinkholes himself.