16: earthquake.

"Attention all residents. This year's weather is abnormal. Please take appropriate precautions and prepare daily necessities, such as food and oil. Earthquake Clouds appeared yesterday, and an earthquake is very likely to occur today. Please try not to stay indoors and move to open areas!"

Early in the morning, this announcement was broadcast on a loop in every community.

Director Zhang and several other high-level officials looked at the printed anonymous letters in their hands, their brows furrowed and expressions solemn.

"A week ago, all our major departments received this. We previously thought someone was spreading rumors to mislead the public, but unexpectedly, Earthquake Clouds really appeared yesterday!"

"Yes, the relevant departments didn't detect this earthquake. This year's weather is indeed unusual!"

"It says here: earthquakes, rainstorms, hail, zombies, extreme cold, extreme heat... It lists the natural disasters for the entire year. Is this a coincidence or is it real?"

"Regardless, we would rather believe it and take the necessary precautions."

"If you ask me, it's just a coincidence. Some young person who reads too many novels is just indulging in wild fantasies..."

"Who can predict the future? It's simply absurd!"

Opinions were divided.

The public felt the same when they heard the broadcast.

The wealthy thought: 'Anyway, I have money, my house is earthquake-proof, and Capital City has never had a major earthquake. I'm not afraid.'

Some ordinary people thought: 'If an earthquake really comes...'

'...there's no need to run from a small one, and you can't outrun a big one.'

Other ordinary people thought differently.

'It's never wrong to respond to the state's call. It's better to buy some things and be prepared. I'd rather hoard more now than have nothing and wait for death when the time comes.'

The members of the Lin family didn't take it to heart. Lin Ze and Lin Xu went out early to inquire about company matters.

Lin Zhiyuan sat on the sofa, calculating how to repair his relationship with Lin Wan so that Shen Mo Chi would help them.

He heard that the Shen Group had recently divested and ceased operations—such a massive conglomerate.

What exactly happened? Was it related to the backer behind him?

Lin Ran sat in her room with a gloomy face, replaying the scenes of being insulted over and over again, her long nails digging into her palms.

Lin Wan had snatched Shen Mo Chi away from her. Did she think she would win this time?

No, she hadn't won before, and she wouldn't win this time either!

Thinking of how quickly Lin Zhiyuan had changed his tune that day, she was filled with murderous hatred.

She was the one who was mistreated, yet Lin Zhiyuan hadn't offered a single word of comfort from start to finish. Instead, he spent every day thinking about how to win back his precious daughter.

All so he could bask in her glory and use Shen Mo Chi's connections and endless money!

Hmph, he really is daydreaming!

After one o'clock in the afternoon, the three of them sat at the dining table, each lost in their own thoughts. The atmosphere was silent and oppressive.

Xu Lan smiled and sat next to Lin Zhiyuan, cutting his steak for him.

"Zhiyuan, our Ran Ran is still angry. She was so mistreated; she feels incredibly wronged."

Lin Zhiyuan glanced at Lin Ran, who looked completely out of sorts, and felt a hint of dissatisfaction in his heart.

"Ran Ran, you are my daughter, but your elder sister is also my daughter. Matters of the heart are unpredictable. Shen Mo Chi likes Wanwan; he will be your brother-in-law in the future. This is beneficial for you and for our Lin family. Stop being so stubborn."

Lin Ran lowered her head, gripping her fork tightly. A second later, she threw the fork down forcefully.

"Father, you are too pragmatic! Is whoever is useful to you your daughter?"

"Presumptuous! Who do you think you're talking to? You—"

Before he could finish, the floor began to shake violently.

An earthquake!

The three of them wanted to run, but they couldn't help themselves. The shaking was so intense that they couldn't even stand, let alone run. All three were thrown violently to the ground!

...

Before people could even recover from the joy of the rain stopping, a world-destroying earthquake that had been the subject of so much debate began.

A rumbling sound emanated from deep underground, like a giant beast wanting to devour everything.

The entire earth was shaking and cracking.

Shen Mo Chi and Lin Wan entered the space as soon as the earthquake occurred. At first, there was only the sound of buildings collapsing outside.

Before long, screams, desperate cries, and pleas for help filled the entire city.

A global disaster had begun.

Even though she had experienced it once before, Lin Wan's heart couldn't help but feel heavy.

At first, everyone thought this was just a disaster more severe than before. Little did they know, it was only the beginning. That happy life was gone for now and would not return.

By the time the aftershocks ended, it was already past six in the evening.

The sky was gloomy as if it were about to collapse. Night fell early, making people feel very uneasy.

The city center, with its dense high-rise buildings, was the most severely affected.

Everywhere one looked, there were collapsed buildings. People trapped under reinforced concrete cried out in fear for help, while others broke down in tears, unable to accept the loss of their families.

People were covered in dust, shrouded in fear, panic, pain, and helplessness.

The survivors all ran frantically toward open spaces.

When true death arrives, who wouldn't be afraid?

Half a month ago, Lin Wan and Shen Mo Chi had already sent anonymous letters to all the major official departments.

The contents were all printed.

They described the natural disasters that might occur next. After all, as Chinese people, they truly couldn't stand by and watch with cold indifference.

As for whether they were believed, that remained to be seen. However, even if they hadn't been believed before, this massive earthquake should convince them.

With the arrival of the Apocalypse, natural disasters occurred frequently, yet they were not something human power could prevent. They could only do their best.

Next, natural disasters would become more frequent, viruses would break out, and the first wave of zombies would soon appear.

Although The Authorities had been responding actively, they still couldn't stop the arrival of the Apocalypse and the collapse of order.

As far as the eye could see, there were sirens and rescue vehicles everywhere.

The power system was severely damaged by the earthquake, and the internet was temporarily gone as well.

Shen Mo Chi and Lin Wan stood on the villa's balcony, looking at the pitch-black city in the distance.

All of this was indeed real.

Hopefully, someone would take those anonymous letters seriously.

Regardless, they had done what they could.

"Wanwan, shall we go out for a bit?"

Lin Wan had the same intention.

"Okay. After today's earthquake, heavy rain mixed with hail will start tomorrow. By then, the entire city will become a vast ocean, the temperature will plummet, and travel will be difficult."

At night, rescue operations were still underway. Due to the earthquake, many roads had collapsed. Official helicopters were also dropping supplies so people would have food and water.

Lin Wan and Shen Mo Chi dressed inconspicuously and blended into the crowd.

The entire city was now without power; generators could only provide basic electricity. Coupled with the lack of internet, there was no surveillance at all.

They first went to a large shopping mall. The building was relatively sturdy, with only the top floor having collapsed.

After entering, they found a scene of chaos with things piled up on the ground.

The first floor was the cosmetics counter.

Lin Wan put all the unopened items in large boxes into her space.

The second floor was women's clothing; these things wouldn't break from a fall.

Since she was thin, she could basically wear anything.

Since it was currently autumn, most of the items were for autumn and winter, along with some summer clothes on clearance.

Dresses, suits, coats, thick down jackets, cotton-padded jackets, pajamas, underwear, thermal wear, brand-name sneakers, sports suits...

She didn't go to the supermarket on the third floor because the food stored in her space was already sufficient; there was no need to hoard more.

Tomorrow, many people would come out for Zero-dollar shopping.

The two of them also collected some useful items from shops that hadn't collapsed.

Various electronic products, game consoles, and books from bookstores—they could use these to watch shows or read to pass the time.

She collected things in front while Shen Mo Chi remained alert. Although everyone was busy with post-earthquake matters, they still had to prevent anyone from suddenly appearing.

Two hours later, they planned to head home.

As they passed a pile of rubble, they heard a faint cry for help.

"Wanwan, save me!"

Lin Wan paused. Following the sound, she saw Lin Zhiyuan pinned under a large stone slab, his head bleeding, with only half of his body exposed.

In her previous life, Lin Ran had snatched her space, and their whole family had lived well, quite comfortably.

Lin Zhiyuan looked at Lin Wan, who was looking down at him with indifference, and his desire to survive reached its peak.

The one-month deadline was almost up. He hadn't waited for the company's freeze to be lifted, but instead, a massive earthquake had arrived!

When the earthquake struck, Lin Ze and Lin Xu were not at home. Only Xu Lan and Lin Ran were there.

Since the scene they caused at the villa three days ago, the previously well-behaved Lin Ran had become like a different person—sharp-tongued and mean, constantly badmouthing Lin Wan in his ear and saying she had seduced her beloved.

Today, she even dared to throw things at him. That hideous look on her face was simply revolting!

Lin Zhiyuan was focused on the benefits Lin Wan being with Shen Mo Chi could bring to the Lin family. Just because he had scolded her a few times, she wouldn't let it go and kept making a fuss.

When the earthquake happened, they were all thrown. He was pinned down by a fallen ceiling and had been stuck for several hours!

When things first calmed down, Xu Lan and Lin Ran were uninjured because they had been thrown into a corner, though they looked disheveled.

Seeing them, he originally thought they would definitely save him!

Unexpectedly, Lin Ran's eyes were full of coldness.

"Father! It's just as well if you die. If the company recovers later, I will naturally manage it for you. You can die in peace!"

He simply couldn't believe it! Was this the sweet and well-behaved daughter he had doted on for over a decade?

"Why! You're not my biological daughter, but I raised you for so many years! I doted on you, loved you, and gave you the best of everything. Why treat me like this!"

Lin Ran looked at him with mockery.

"Fine, then I'll let you die with understanding! You were nothing more than a stepping stone for my mother and me. If you weren't rich and easy to fool, why would we have stayed with you for so many years?"

"When Lin Wan came back, I certainly wasn't going to let her snatch away everything that belonged to me. You and your two sons could only be good to me!"

"Lin Wan is stubborn and proud. Every time I used a little trick to stir up trouble, you would believe me unconditionally and take turns criticizing and verbally abusing her. Lin Zhiyuan, don't you understand yet? You personally pushed your biological daughter away time and again, completely breaking her heart!"

"For so many years, I tried my best to please you and made you happy every day, but what about you?"

"You actually saw that bitch Lin Wan with Shen Mo Chi and fantasized about taking her back! Then what am I? What were all my years of effort, taking care of you and buying things for you, worth?"

"I'm telling you, it's too late! Don't you know your own daughter? Once her heart is broken, she will never look back! Hahaha."

Lin Zhiyuan's heart jolted. In his grief and indignation, he thought of everything from the past.

So that was it, so that was it...

He couldn't help but weep, tears of regret flowing continuously.

With one last shred of hope, he looked at Xu Lan, who remained indifferent.

"And you? Do you think the same way?"

Xu Lan held her daughter's arm.

"Zhiyuan, back then I was alone and helpless with Ran Ran. I had to find a place for us to settle down, so I had no choice but to pick you. Actually, you can't blame me; blame your own fickle and ungrateful nature. Otherwise, how would I have had such an opportunity?"

"I've been with you for so many years and helped you raise Lin Ze and Lin Xu; I've repaid you. Now, your company is gone, and it looks like you won't survive. But I still have decades of life ahead of me. Let us part ways here."

Lin Ran gave him a disdainful look, her eyes filled with a ruthlessness and disgust that Lin Zhiyuan had never seen before.

"Save me, don't go..."

Watching their backs as they left without hesitation, Lin Zhiyuan couldn't help but recall the past once more.

After he married Tang Wanyun, they started from scratch. She left her family for him and endured a lot of hardships by his side...

But in the end, his ego inflated, and he couldn't resist Xu Lan's deliberate advances.

After the divorce, under Xu Lan's gentle words, he wanted his sons but not his daughter.

She probably knew that even if he divorced, he wouldn't give up his sons, and by driving away Lin Wan, Lin Ran would become his only daughter.

He suddenly remembered something that happened shortly after Lin Wan had returned.

During the day, because she and Lin Ran had fought over something and she pushed her down, Lin Zhiyuan had slapped her in a fit of rage.

Lin Ze and Lin Xu also protected Lin Ran and gave her a harsh scolding.

That year, she was 23.

That night, she came to his study, her large eyes red with grievance.

"Father, I really didn't push her. Lin Ran snatched my thing first and even said Mother deserved to die. She was also the one who pushed me first. Father, why don't you believe me?"

Lin Zhiyuan only remembered that he was fuming with rage at the time.

"You still dare to come here and stir up trouble by framing your sister! To fabricate such malicious words just to slander her? Get out!"

Lin Wan ran out crying. Since then, no matter how they scolded her because of Lin Ran, she never cried again; she just looked at them with a stubborn and cold gaze...

He suddenly seemed to understand everything.

After fainting and waking up again, he saw Shen Mo Chi passing by, holding Lin Wan's hand.

Lin Wan saw him, but felt no emotion in her heart.

Lin Zhiyuan's eyes were bloodshot. Having been pinned down for so long, he wasn't going to make it.

"Mo Chi, let's go."

"Wanwan! Father is sorry. Father was wrong! Father was wrong!"

Lin Wan paused.

"The person you let down the most is Mother."

Leaving those words behind, Lin Wan left without hesitation.

Lin Zhiyuan stared wide-eyed at her retreating back, and in endless regret and pain, his breath slowly faded away...