Chapter 4

群聊中充斥着信息,学生们一个接一个地表达了他们的观点.1201 室的周婷第一个开口:"李阿姨,这不公平.我们为什么要交出我们辛辛苦囤积的食物,然后和其他人分摊呢?她最好的朋友王雪插话说:"是啊,我自己只有一点点食物.我不会泄露它.看到这些反对意见,李阿姨咬紧了牙关.她收到消息说僵尸病毒已经传播到全球,救援可能不会很快到来.她需要得到这些学生所剩无几的资源.所以她继续打字:"这是来自上级的官方指令.如果你拒绝合作,当救援来临时不要怪我,我不会带你一起去."我们只是将资源汇集起来,然后重新分配它们.每个人都会得到他们的份额!当然,也有支持的声音.家里没有食物储备,也没有囤货习惯的2301室的王刚,是第一个支持李阿姨的人."李阿姨说得对.在这样的时刻,我们需要团结一致.不要自私——想想你的邻居吧!他的朋友马立即加入:"正是!如果不是这种情况,我们就能自己买食物.让我们支持李阿姨,一起度过难关吧!其他家里没有食物的人也插话说:"得了吧,我们都是同学和邻居.我们应该互相帮助.当救援到来时,我们一定会报答你的恩情!群聊分成两派,争论激烈.与此同时,黄明保持沉默,悠闲地咀嚼着他的油炸面条,啜饮着他的豆浆.突然,他想起了高薇薇也住在这栋楼——2002 号房间.她不在一间公寓里;她把它分享给了她最好的朋友陈小燕.薇薇平时在家里备有食物,所以她保持沉默,生怕说出来会让她成为分享物资的目标.黄明眯起了眼睛.*"薇薇家里有很多食物.她为什么来找我?**"Was it just for the protection of a man? For the sense of security a man could provide?"*He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. In his eyes, Gao Weiwei was already a dead woman.After finishing breakfast, the group chat was still in chaos. Huang Ming grew tired of it and turned off his phone.He turned on the TV, switching to the news channel. The anchors were reporting:"Regarding the global crisis, authorities are still investigating. Please lock your doors and windows, avoid contact with the infected, and conserve resources rationally while awaiting official rescue."The fact that the news was still broadcasting meant the situation wasn't completely out of control—yet. But what the future held was anyone's guess.As Huang Ming watched the news, shouts erupted from the building across the street. He rushed to the window and saw a fight breaking out on the 20th-floor hallway.Two groups were clashing, some wielding sticks, others with kitchen knives.*"Holy crap!"**"They're already turning on each other? It's only the second day of the apocalypse!"*A smirk crept across his face as he clapped softly and muttered to himself.*"The neighbors upstairs and downstairs must've seen this too."**"Those with food at home are probably barricading their doors and trembling in fear."**Bang! Clang!*Before long, one group had wiped out the other, but not without heavy losses.Only a few survivors remained. But just as they were about to enjoy their spoils, another group emerged from the stairwell.This new group made quick work of the survivors, claiming the resources for themselves.Huang Ming watched in awe:*"Well, well, well. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."*The newcomers had effortlessly secured the resources of both groups. They'd be set for a while.Huang Ming turned away, returning to his living room. He pulled out a treadmill from his spatial dimension and started training.Though he usually exercised by playing basketball or jogging, this was different.In the apocalypse, he needed to build his stamina—it might save his life one day.If a horde of zombies ever chased him, having enough energy to outrun them would be a blessing.He didn't want to end up exhausted after a few steps, surrounded and devoured.An hour later,He stopped, drenched in sweat.*"I'm probably the only one still doing high-energy workouts right now."**"Everyone else is struggling to find enough to eat. Who has the energy to train?"*Huang Ming muttered to himself, slowing to a walk on the treadmill to cool down.Next, he worked on explosive movements—squats, high knees, and jump rope.Explosive strength could save his life in critical moments.He didn't dare slack off. From now on, he'd train for two hours every day.By noon,Huang Ming enjoyed a lavish lunch: salt-baked lobster, scallop soup, stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork, and Yangzhou fried rice.He cracked open an ice-cold cola from 1982. The fizzy sensation almost made him forget the hell outside.Back in the day, he'd scroll through short videos while eating. Now, he scrolled through group chats.Mostly, it was people begging for food from those who still had supplies.But then, a discordant voice shattered the fragile harmony.This marked the true beginning of the cruel, dirty, painful, and desperate apocalypse.The voice belonged to Wang Lei from Room 1903, a well-known rich kid in Tianhai City and supposedly Liu Gui's sworn brother.Wang Lei posted in the group:"One pack of instant noodles for one 'service.' Send photos privately if you're interested. First come, first served."The chat fell silent, as if someone had hit the pause button.Beneath the silence, how many undercurrents were swirling? How many secret deals were being made?After a few minutes, someone finally broke the silence:"One bottle of water for some food. Equal exchange only!"Slowly, the begging messages disappeared, replaced by bartering and resource exchanges."One piece of bread for an equal amount of food!""Students, if you still have food, please hand it over to me. I'll manage and distribute it fairly so no one goes hungry!"Auntie Li's earlier plea was ignored. These were college students, not fools. They all knew better than to trust her.