- 10.
In the afternoon, when I checked the surveillance again, I saw quite a show.
Ethan had managed to get supplies from a notorious rogue, Logan, in our building.
But the 1,000 dollars Ethan offered wasn’t nearly enough for Logan.
“1,000? You trying to shoo away a beggar? Give me a couple of thousand, and I’ll give you the water!”
“Several bottles of water and a few pieces of bread for a thousand? You must be out of your mind!” Before Ethan could finish, Logan punched him to the ground.
Ethan screamed in terror, threatening to call the police. Logan grinned and slapped him: “In this heat, the cops won’t make it to you in time! Either pay up, or I’ll kill your whole family and eat you!”
Ethan didn’t dare go against Logan, who was much bigger and stronger. Trembling, he pulled out his phone and transferred a thousand dollars.
As Logan left, he leered at Chloe: “So pretty, such a waste with this weakling. I’ve got water and food; if you’re starving, remember to come to 702. I’ll be sure to fill you up…”
Once Logan was out, Ethan turned on Chloe, lashing out in anger.
“Flirting with anyone you see! I knew you were a flirt!”
“If I catch you eyeing another man, I’ll cut you off financially!”
Chloe was beaten to her knees, pleading for mercy before Ethan finally stopped.
Turning around, he saw my son already devouring the water and bread, crumbs everywhere, without leaving any for the others.
Ethan was furious and locked my son in the basement, only letting him out at night.
After that incident, the three of them were in a cold war.
I happily hummed a tune, preparing to cook braised pork with savory sauce. Paired with some Northeast rice, I could easily eat three bowls.
Just as I was about to eat, the alarm from my home security system went off.
The village chief was at my door with some younger uncles, armed with hoes and axes.
A chill ran up my spine.
Ding dong…
The doorbell rang again.
“Alex, let your uncle in.”
The village chief’s voice came over the intercom like a death sentence. It used to sound kind and friendly, but now it felt terrifying.
10:47 AM D
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I picked up a stun gun before heading to the gate to ask what they needed.
Hearing my voice, the chief spoke urgently:
“I’m worried the trees in the back mountain might catch fire, so we need to cut a firebreak while it’s cooler today.”
“A few people are suffering from heatstroke and can’t hold on. Do you have any medicine at home?”
I looked through binoculars and saw that a row of dead trees behind the mountain was gone.
Relieved, I brought out some medicine.
The chief took a few bottles of herbal medicine from the box and shoved the rest back into my hands:
“This should be enough for us. Times are unstable; keep it for yourself.”
With that, he left with his men.
Watching Uncle Leo’s hunched figure leave, I felt a pang of sadness.
It’s uncertain how long this heat will last, and how long we can maintain this mutual assistance.
I placed the stun gun by the door and went back inside to sleep.
I’m not sure if my kindness during the apocalypse was right, and I felt a bit unfamiliar with this cautious version of myself.
The apocalypse changes people too much…
- 11.
Another ten days passed, and the situation in the village worsened.
Despite the village chiefs daily broadcasts to uplift everyone, many still succumbed to food shortages.
Each day, my drone flew out loaded with food, and returned with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other items from the elders.
The village chief even wrote a note advising me to not flaunt my resources and to focus on myself.
While the village’s news was grim, the surveillance of the Graham family was full of surprising developments.
Ethan looked bloated and pale, as if he didn’t have long to live. Yet, Chloe and their son seemed unchanged.
After reviewing the surveillance footage, I saw that after Zhang Qi’s visit, Chloe sneaked out the next day and returned disheveled with a bag of pastries, caught by her son. Chloe used the pastries to bribe her son into helping her stand guard, and they both ate happily.
How could only Ethan be starving in the family?
I carefully selected several angles and took numerous photos of my seafood feast with icy watermelon, then posted them on Snapchat, visible only to Ethan.
It wasn’t long before Ethan called.
As soon as I answered, a deafening roar erupted:
“Xue Ailin, where are you? How can you still eat watermelon?”
Feigning confusion, I replied, “Eating watermelon… haven’t you had any?”
Ethan kept pressing me on my whereabouts, but I ignored him, intentionally eating the watermelon loudly.
He fell silent, then softened his tone and pleaded:
“Wife, I was wrong. I was bewitched by that b*tch Chloe.”
<
“I realize now that you’re the most important woman to me. My son and I miss you dearly.”
“Could you bring us some food?”
I couldn’t help but sneer:
“Now you remember my worth after cursing me once you put the bowl down?”
“I stocked up so much food at home, and you three still expect me to rescue you?”
“You can go eat sh*t!”
“Food? What food?” Ethan started to say, but I hung up and deleted the post.
Let them suffer together.
In my past life, none of them were blameless in my tragic death.
In this life, I won’t let them thrive.
Seeing me hang up, Ethan furiously threw his phone on the sofa and searched the house for food.
Sure enough, he found a stash under thick quilts.
Ethan viciously stuffed bread into his mouth, gulping down bottled water:
“You b*tches! Eating behind my back!”
“This is what my wife left for me!”
He ate and drank, quickly finishing the pastries.
Chloe’s voice trembled, “What do you mean, your wife… I earned that! Leave me some!”
Ethan glared at her, “You earned it? Where?”
“Did you sell yourself?”
Chloe’s eyes darted, “I… I didn’t mean to. There wasn’t any food, and I was so dizzy from hunger. Little Yu said something, and I… I just…”
Her son screamed, “It wasn’t me! She’s the one who went willingly!”
“If it weren’t for you egging me on, why wouldn’t I share with my brother? He’s my future child’s father!”
Her son tried to explain more but was knocked unconscious by Ethan’s punches.
“I don’t care whose idea it was…” He stared sinisterly at Chloe, “You’re my woman, carrying my child. You care about me… after the apocalypse, we can live well.”
“Right?”
Chloe nodded shakily, helping lift the son and toss him into the basement.
From that day, Chloe frequently went alone to the 7th floor, always bringing back some food.
Ethan had food now, but he couldn’t be bothered to touch Chloe, focusing on eating the bulk and throwing scraps for her.
His mental state worsened. One day he would beat Chloe harshly, and the next, he would kneel, claiming he had money and would give her all good things, begging her to endure.
Chloe’s belly grew, but she rapidly lost weight.
In the footage, she huddled in a corner, gnawing on bread, eyes full of malice towards Ethan.
10:47 AM D
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Seems like their days of mutual destruction are coming.
- 12.
August 1st, something happened at the Graham family.
Chloe finished a dry piece of bread and reached for water, only to be slapped hard by Ethan.
“B*tch! There’s only a bit of water, how much more do you want?”
With disheveled hair, Chloe angrily threw things at him:
“Bastard! This is water I earned! I can drink as much as I want!”
“Earned? Is selling yourself something to be proud of? SI*t ridden by thousands!”
Ethan gulped from a bottle, and Chloe rushed to snatch it but only got a lick from the bottom.
She broke down completely: “Useless! I worked hard for this water! And you won’t leave a drop for me!”
“Only thinking of yourself! Have you thought about me and the child in my belly?”
“Always saying you’ve got money, what good is it now!”
Ethan stared blankly, mumbling:
“I have money! With money, I can buy anything! What’s the big deal if I drink your water?”
Chloe clawed at his face, half crying, “What’s the big deal? This is the water I traded for! Spit it back out now!”
Panicked, Ethan pinned her down, choking her:
“B*tch, I should be grateful I don’t find your water dirty!”
“What you bring back isn’t even enough for a snack!”
“It’s all your fault! If my wife were here, this wouldn’t happen!”
Chloe, struggling to breathe, kicked him hard in his groin. The pain made him tremble, releasing her.
She dashed to the kitchen, grabbed the cleaver from the counter, and slashed at him, blood spraying instantly.
“Your wife? With a fool like you, would she even consider you?”
“To tell you the truth, the child isn’t even yours!”
“If not for your money, who’d want to be with you? I’m going to Brother Zhang’s, don’t bother me!”
She yelled while backing toward the door, hands trembling with the knife.
As she turned, Ethan lunged, snatching the cleaver.
Raising it high, he plunged it into her neck.
Chloe stared in disbelief, collapsing.
He went mad, pulling the cleaver out repeatedly, stabbing again and again.
Only when she was completely still did he stop, as if waking from a dream.
In shock, he dragged his half–conscious son from the basement.
The son awoke groggily, ready to scream, but Ethan pressed him against Chloe’s wound, blood pouring into his mouth.
10:47 AM
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Ethan laughed maniacally: “Drink up, son! Blood has water!”
“She’s over 100 pounds, enough for us both!”
The son couldn’t bear it, but he was too dehydrated…
I could hear the gurgling water sounds from the living room.
I felt nauseated but incredibly satisfied!
My revenge is finally paying off!
These bloodthirsty demons won’t escape!
- 13.
For four or five days, I didn’t check the surveillance. Instead, many state drones visited, painted with familiar star flags, asking us to collect
soil samples.
The village chief, with a few young people, dug up the soil, then called me to borrow a small bag of native eggs to hang on the drone.
Just after sending off the drone, my phone rang.
It was Ethan.
“Wife, our son says he misses his mom.” On the other end, the son cried for his mom.
In the past, I’d feel sorry, eager to give him everything good.
But now, I wouldn’t.
I guessed Chloe was running out of time.
It’s finally time to close the net!
I hung up and quickly went back inside to video call them.
The video connected almost instantly; they had somehow cleaned themselves up. My son, teary–eyed, said, “Mom, you finally agreed to talk to
me… Dad and I are starving.”
I ignored his act, turning the camera to show the 26–degree air conditioning blowing cold air, fresh fruits on the living room table. Not satisfied with the impact, I took a popsicle from the freezer, savoring it in front of them.
Their eyes almost popped out: “Wife, how do you still have ice cream?”
I sneered, “I’ve got plenty at home, none of your business.”
I paid no mind to my son’s attempts to gain sympathy and simply turned the camera away. The air conditioning, set to a cool 26 degrees, was working hard to keep the room chilled, and fresh fruits adorned the living room table. To make my point even clearer, I grabbed an old popsicle from the refrigerator and ate it with relish right in front of them.
Ethan and my son looked like their eyes were about to bulge out. “Honey, how come you still have ice cream over there?”
I smirked, “I have plenty of things at home. What’s it to you?”
Ethan brightened up a bit and nudged our son, who offered a half–hearted apology, “Mom, please drive over and pick up Dad and me. I promise I won’t say anything bad about you ever again.”
I tossed the popsicle stick aside and took a sip of cola. “Didn’t you say Chloe was your real mom? Why should I come and save you just because you think you’re special?”
My son froze, and Ethan was at a loss for words as well.
In the next moment Ethan punched our son “It’s all your fault you ungrateful brat! You run off with anyone who sweet–talks you! Raising you is
10:47 AM
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ם
In the next moment, Ethan punched our son. “It’s all your fault, you ungrateful brat! You run off with anyone who sweet–talks you! Raising you is worse than raising a piece of roast pork!”
My son, pampered from a young age, couldn’t handle it and started hitting back at Ethan, kicking and punching.
“You were the one who told me to call Chloe mom! It’s your fault I don’t have ice cream!”
“If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll eat you both alive!”
Ethan pulled our son away and made him apologize to me. “Honey, I realize I was wrong. I was momentarily confused, fooled by Chloe and this heartless kid.”
“The child Chloe is carrying isn’t mine. I’ve already kicked her out.”
“You’ve always been the one I love most. Just come to pick us up, and I promise we’ll have a good life together from now on.”
My son’s little face was all scrunched up as he tried to look cute for the camera. “Mom, I know I was wrong. You’re the best in the world. Please come save your baby.”
I let out a cold laugh, growing impatient.
“Do you really think you’re something special, worth my rescue?”
“One of you is a selfish brat who switches sides for milk.”
“The other is an idiot whose brain is clouded by lust.”‘”
“With that attitude, you expect me to save you? Kneel and slap yourselves until I’m satisfied!”
Ethan glared at me venomously, gritting his teeth as he slapped himself, his face immediately turning red.
My son was quick to follow suit, flailing his hands.
I watched for a bit, feeling bored.
“Stop it.”
As soon as I spoke, their bruised faces looked up at me hopefully.
“I’m not quite satisfied. Maybe you should both drop dead and come find me afterward.”
They both exploded in anger. Ethan leaned into the camera with a venomous look. “You b*tch, how dare you mess with me!”
“If I catch you, I’ll eat you alive!”
My son shouted beside him, “You worthless woman, you’re not fit for me to take care of you in old age!”
“Better wait for me to bury you.” I took a sip of ice–cold cola and let out a loud burp. “Oh, and catching me isn’t hard. Just a three–hour drive.”
I didn’t bother listening to more of their curses and hung up.
With the heatwave outside, I wondered if they dared to come.
- 14.
I waited at home for about half a month.
Ethan and my son never showed up.
The government airdropped fast–growing, heat–resistant crops.
The day I planted the seeds in a flower pot, my son called, crying and begging me to save him. Dad was going to eat him.
Lignored it…
I opened a bottle of red wine for myself, celebrating my revenge and newfound freedom!
When the crops were harvested, the temperature began to drop. The government quickly sent troops to repair the electricity grid and distributed supplies in large quantities. Our village, thanks to unity and mutual support, had zero casualties. Led by the village chief, we began to aid surrounding villages and towns.
Though I didn’t know when this disaster would end, like every time before, united, we eventually saw the light.
By October 1st, the heatwave finally ended, and society slowly returned to normal.
I drove back to that former home as soon as I could.
Opening the door, I found two skeletons on the living room floor, covered in bite marks.
I called the police and submitted two surveillance videos.
They were the ones showing Ethan murdering Chloe and our son.
If Ethan was dead, all the better. If not, he deserved legal punishment. Justice might be delayed, but it never fails to come.
Three days later, police found Ethan’s sun–dried corpse on the road to my house.
I took the death certificate to the City Hall and revoked the divorce application.
Legally, I inherited the 16 million left in Ethan’s account.
After handling everything, I drove back to the village.
Following the village chief’s advice, I collaborated with the village committee on a new greenhouse project, providing jobs for young people who had gone to work in the city.
Amidst the scattered red papers, I stepped into my brand–new future.
