30: Stockpiling supplies for the end times, parents returning home

Chapter 30: Stockpiling for the Apocalypse, Parents Return Home

The supermarket shopping cart was packed to the brim. After paying, Lin Zhou pushed the cart straight to the underground parking lot. Avoiding surveillance blind spots, he quickly stashed the bulk supplies like rice, flour, oil, canned food, and medicine into his system space, leaving only a few bags of snacks, a box of milk, and several packages of vegetables in the cart.

Lin Xi followed beside him holding a bag of potato chips, munching with a loud crunch. "Brother, you put all the heavy stuff in the car; I'll carry the light ones!"

Lin Zhou gave an affirmative hum and handed the remaining small items to her. Together, they pushed the cart to the SUV. "This is enough for us to eat on the road; we'll move the rest later," Lin Zhou explained casually. Lin Xi didn't think much of it and hopped into the passenger seat clutching her snacks.

The car drove all the way toward the train station. With more than half an hour left until the agreed time with his parents, Lin Zhou simply found a shaded spot to park and closed his eyes to rest. In his mind, however, he was reviewing his current preparations: two steel doors had fortified the defense line into the mountains, most of the supplies were stockpiled, and his family was about to arrive. It felt like something was still missing, but his brain was reaching its limit!

Just as he was thinking, his phone rang. It was his father calling, his voice filled with a smile. "Xiao Zhou, we'll be at the train station in 15 minutes. Where are you?"

"We're in the train station parking lot. Dad, give me a call once you've exited the station."

"Alright then." His dad hung up the phone.

Ten-odd minutes later, the phone rang again.

"Xiao Zhou, we're out."

"Dad, I'll be right there!"

The car pulled up steadily at the station exit. Lin Zhou immediately spotted his parents carrying large bags and small parcels. His father carried a bulging snakeskin bag on his shoulder, while his mother held several gift boxes. Their faces were full of the fatigue of long-distance travel, yet they couldn't hide their smiles at seeing their children.

"Dad, Mom!" Lin Zhou stepped forward quickly and took the bag from his father's shoulder.

His father patted his arm and laughed, "Kid, you've gotten a bit sturdier." His mother took Lin Zhou's hand, chatteringly asking if he had been eating well and sleeping soundly lately.

Lin Xi also jumped down from the car, sweetly calling out to her parents and clinging to her mother's arm. "Mom, Brother took me to eat twice-cooked pork and we even went to the supermarket to buy lots of snacks!"

His mother smiled and tapped her forehead. "All you think about is eating."

The group moved the luggage into the car, and the vehicle slowly drove away from the station. On the way, seeing the snacks and vegetables piled in the back seat, his father asked curiously, "Xiao Zhou, why did you buy so much stuff?"

Lin Zhou gripped the steering wheel and spoke after some deliberation. "I heard the weather forecast say there's going to be continuous heavy rain recently. The mountain roads aren't easy to travel on, so I stockpiled more things just in case."

His father paused for a moment, then nodded. "That's true. Once it rains in the mountains, it's a hassle. Better safe than sorry."

"Dad, Mom, you must be hungry after sitting in the car for over ten hours. Let's go to that restaurant from before and get something to eat first."

"Okay."

By the time they finished the meal, it was almost half-past eight. Only then did the car change direction and head toward their home in the mountains.

The car drove into the mountains, and no one spoke along the way. When that brand-new, heavy steel door on the mountainside appeared before them, both parents were stunned.

"This... when was this door installed?" His father pointed at the steel door, his face full of surprise.

"Just installed today. A door like this was also installed at the village gate," Lin Zhou said nonchalantly.

His parents glanced at each other and didn't ask further, but as they looked at that thick steel door, a few more hints of doubt appeared in their eyes.

Upon returning home, the family moved everything from the car into the living room. Lin Xi obediently brought out a few bottles of drinks to hand out, and the four of them sat around the table.

Outside the window, the night grew darker. Occasional insect chirps came from the mountain forest, making the living room seem exceptionally quiet.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath. His fingertips trembled slightly, yet he still looked up at his family. His voice was low and clear, each word striking their hearts. "Dad, Mom, Xi, I'll keep this short—in less than 42 hours, the apocalypse is coming. An unknown virus will break out on a massive scale. It might spread through droplets, water sources, or even the air. Those infected will turn into mindless zombies and attack the living."

He paused, looking at their instantly frozen expressions, and continued, "I've awakened a system. Currently, it only has two functions: one is a precise countdown to the arrival of the apocalypse, and the other is a storage space. The supplies and tools I bought these past few days are still inside." With a thought, a multitude of items appeared on the table, leaving all three of them dumbfounded!

Lin Zhou changed the subject, a glint flashing in his eyes. "However, this system isn't static. After killing zombies, other new functions can be unlocked. By then, the confidence we'll have will be far more than just what we have now!"

His mother's lips trembled, and she finally found her voice, her eyes filled with terror. "Then... then how can we avoid being infected? The tap water in the city definitely won't be usable. We drink groundwater; will it..."

"Mom, don't panic," Lin Zhou quickly spoke to reassure her, his tone certain. "Our groundwater comes from our own well and is completely isolated from the external tap water system. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be a big problem."

He shifted his tone, his expression becoming serious. "But just in case, we must take precautions! The well water will be temporarily sealed and is not to be drunk directly. I've stockpiled about fifty barrels of purified water, which is enough to last us a long time."

Lin Zhou straightened his back and laid out the plan he had long calculated at a very fast pace, finally adding, "Also, first thing tomorrow morning, we're going to the town to purchase a batch of steel plates and pipes. Dad, you work in construction; when the time comes, we'll work together to reinforce the hinges and latches of the two steel doors, as well as the gaps in the house windows! These preparations aren't enough yet; we must ensure nothing goes wrong!"

His father nodded in silence, his gaze gradually becoming firm. He clenched his fist and pounded the table heavily. "Fine! As long as I can protect the three of you, I'll do anything! Tomorrow morning, we go!"