Chapter 47 - 43: Life Doesn’t Have That Many Spectators

Chapter 47: Chapter 43: Life Doesn’t Have That Many Spectators

CLICK!

Sister Zhang flipped on the light with her large, pudgy hand.

"How many times do I have to tell you to turn on the light during the day? It’s as dark as a basement in here."

Lin Xiaojun, who was sitting in a swivel chair, turned around. His intense, tiger-like eyes were downcast and reserved. Upon seeing the visitors, he slowly stood up and moved to the side, remaining silent and looking somewhat wooden.

Sister Zhang was already used to this. She smiled at Yu Dong and said:

"This is our surveillance operator. He’s an honest fellow and doesn’t gossip. If he sees any of the residents’ private affairs, he won’t say a word as long as it isn’t illegal. His professional integrity is top-notch!"

As expected of someone in real estate, Sister Zhang’s skill was evident the moment she opened her mouth.

Yu Dong smiled and pulled a freshly bought pack of Yuxi cigarettes from his pocket.

He tore open the pack and offered one over.

"What should I call you?"

Lin Xiaojun glanced at the cigarette, and the corner of his mouth pulled back into something between a smile and a sneer.

"Not my brand. Too weak."

His hoarse voice immediately gave him away as a heavy smoker.

Yu Dong’s hand was left hanging in the air, completely ignored.

Sister Zhang, standing nearby, quickly jumped in. "Our surveillance operator, Lin Xiaojun, is very professional. Without the proper authorization from our manager, no one can view the surveillance footage. So you can absolutely rest assured!"

A sweet fragrance wafted from behind them as Zhao Yun walked in, dressed in an office-lady-style, hip-hugging skirt and black stockings.

"Yes, our community’s regulations are very strict. We guarantee both security and privacy for all our residents. You see, the monitors on the wall cover our main gate, building entrances, underground garage, elevators... everything can be seen clearly. Even if the power goes out, we have a backup generator that can keep the surveillance running for 24 hours."

Zhao Yun’s perfume was a significant step up from Sister Zhang’s—it was fresh and natural. Paired with her friendly, professional smile, it was impossible not to feel a sense of goodwill toward her.

Even Zhao Youcai seemed a bit nervous.

"That’s... that’s really great."

Yu Dong glanced at Lin Xiaojun. The man paid him no mind, simply standing there and waiting for the introductions to finish so he could go back to lounging in his swivel chair.

He was completely lost in his own world, oblivious to everyone around him.

’Just like Zhao Yun said in my past life, Lin Xiaojun is usually quiet and withdrawn, and doesn’t like to talk to people. You can’t really read him...’

As it happened, the job of a surveillance operator didn’t require much talking, which actually worked in his favor.

Yu Dong had a rough idea of Lin Xiaojun’s life before the apocalypse, and why he had targeted him after it began.

Lin Xiaojun had seen everything from the surveillance room.

He knew I was hoarding supplies, so he’d targeted me.

With that thought, Yu Dong turned and left the surveillance room.

"Not bad. With a surveillance operator like him, we’ll feel much safer living here..."

"Come on, I’ll take you to see the apartments!"

Sister Zhang grabbed her large key ring and led the two men toward Building One.

Throughout the entire exchange, Zhao Youcai, who fancied himself a man of worldly genius, didn’t manage to get a single word in edgewise.

After they left, the professional smile on Zhao Yun’s face vanished. Frowning, she pointed a finger at Lin Xiaojun’s nose and said:

"Lin Xiaojun! How many times have I told you? No smoking in the surveillance room! That’s a 100-yuan fine. Next time I catch you, it’ll be 200."

Lin Xiaojun lowered his head and didn’t speak. Zhao Yun huffed and left the room.

Liangzi, who had been watching from the sidelines, waited for Zhao Yun to leave before walking over and patting Lin Xiaojun’s shoulder.

"Brother Jun, you can’t be so inflexible with this job. You’ve got to keep your eyes and ears open. I wouldn’t normally say anything, but you’re smoking while clients are here... of course you’re going to get fined. Our money doesn’t grow on trees, you know. You can’t just let them take it from you like that."

Lin Xiaojun shot Liangzi a look.

"Get lost."

"Hey, I’m just looking out for you, no need to get angry... Just be a little smarter!"

Liangzi waved a hand, closed the door for him, and went back to his guard post, whistling.

Lin Xiaojun switched the computer on the main console from the surveillance feed to a web page.

It was playing a movie: *Dawn of the Dead*.

CLICK.

A Hongtashan cigarette was lit.

...

This time, Yu Dong rented three apartments on the fourth floor and two on the third, completely surrounding Liu Ye’ye’s place.

He used the same old method, giving Sister Zhang an 11,000-yuan deposit to get the keys.

Zhao Youcai’s eyes went wide as he watched Yu Dong operate as if on fast-forward, skipping through the conversation with Sister Zhang like dialogue in a video game to quickly secure five apartments.

"Dongzi, what do we need so many apartments for? This 160-square-meter one is more than enough for the three of us, isn’t it?"

"What about the supplies?"

"How much can we eat? Can’t we just use one room for them? Storing some in the living room would be fine, too."

Yu Dong facepalmed.

Zhao Youcai had absolutely no concept of how immense the volume of supplies for three people to survive for three years would be. He was like one of those armchair experts online, using some half-baked idea to question people who had reached their conclusions through in-depth analysis and research. It was laughable.

But Yu Dong didn’t have time to educate him.

"I’ve been reborn. Just listen to me. Forget one apartment. Even these five apartments will be a tight squeeze for enough supplies for the six of us."

Using these five apartments to hoard three years of supplies for six people didn’t leave much room to spare, but with the experience from his past life, he knew it would all fit if he optimized his storage methods.

Most importantly, Yu Dong knew from his past life that taking control of Building One wouldn’t be too difficult. Eventually, the entire building would be for his team’s use. Therefore, he didn’t need to leave living space for himself in every apartment like he’d planned before.

He only needed to keep 401 as a place to eat, sleep, shit, and shower. The rest of the space could be filled to the brim with supplies.

Later, his team could convert the fifth floor into a living area, but that was a matter for after the apocalypse.

"Huh? Why are there six people all of a sudden? Are other people involved in this ’clown project’? Who?"

"You’ll meet them soon enough..."

"?"

Yu Dong looked out the window. Down below, a slightly paunchy, middle-aged man and a curvy woman in a trench coat and yoga pants were getting a set of keys from Sister Zhang.

"See him? That’s our first teammate, Zhou Jian Country. He’s a chemistry teacher."

"You know him?"

"We’re about to. First, we’re going to get some money out of him."

"Dongzi, be honest with me. It’s one thing to joke with your bro about this ’rebirth’ stuff, but don’t start believing it yourself. I really don’t care if you’re messing with me; we can just laugh it off. But don’t do anything illegal and get yourself locked up. You doing a few years in prison is a small matter, but what happens if you can’t pay me back my money?"

Yu Dong: "..."

"Youcai, take these keys, go clean up the apartments, and clear out space for the supplies. Huang will be back soon."

"Five apartments? By myself???"

But Yu Dong had already dashed downstairs.

At the entrance to the elevators in Building One, he ran right into Zhou Jian Country carrying some luggage, with the yoga-pants-clad student beside him.

"Mei, no one knows us here. I can finally spend some proper time with you."

"Teacher Zhou, life isn’t a performance for an audience. You’re being too cautious. What we have is true love, so what if people find out? I’m going to marry you no matter what!"

After hearing her words, Zhou felt his posture straighten, and he seemed to shed ten years.

"Don’t worry. As soon as I finish the research for my current project, I’ll resign from the school and we’ll get married."

"Okay!"

Having gotten his promise, the girl in the yoga pants threw her arms around Zhou and kissed him passionately.

"There’s... someone here."

"They don’t know you, so who cares?"

The girl was fiery and passionate. Zhou was embarrassed but enjoying it nonetheless.

"Teacher Zhou, look over here. Yes, yes, that’s it."

Yu Dong recorded the entire scene, making sure to get a clear shot of both their faces.

Zhou Jian Country: "!!!"

The girl in yoga pants: "???"

"Teacher Zhou, shall we have a little chat?"

Yu Dong flashed the pair a completely innocent smile.