Zhao Ming charged forward like a warrior, finally completing phase one of his survival plan through sheer determination.
The small villa appeared unchanged from the outside, but stepping inside revealed an entirely different scene. Every room and corridor overflowed with assorted supplies, piled in such chaotic disarray that only narrow single-person pathways remained. Though this haphazard arrangement seemed utterly unprofessional, Zhao Ming wore a satisfied smile. Professionalism be damned - at least his mind remained clear, unclouded by the world's raging viral fever.
This virus was a true demonic amalgamation. Through prolonged observation, Zhao Ming had deduced it combined the terrifying infectivity of Nuo Ru Virus, the unpredictable incubation period of Mad Dog Virus, and Crown Virus's ability to trigger immune storms. Merely breathing the deceptively "sweet" outdoor air would turn anyone into a human furnace within five minutes.
Working without technical support, assistants, or proper tools, Zhao Ming had miraculously built his makeshift quarantine shelter through three key discoveries: the infection-suppressing properties of Coke, the treasure trove of materials at a suburban hardware market, and the online shopping apps Wa Bao and Tuan Duo Duo. This crude sanctuary extended his survival time in the parallel world, enabling deeper exploration.
Yet like many half-baked projects, Zhao Ming soon hit a wall. Phase two construction stalled for the most absurd reason - he'd embezzled his own funds to repay online loan installments. His carefree bachelor lifestyle made debt repayment an afterthought.
Scratching his itchy scalp in frustration, Zhao Ming returned home to find an angry note on his door: "Your dogs barked until 3 AM! If this continues after midnight, I'll block your door and call police before you go to work!" Simultaneously, his landlord's WeeChat message chimed: "Neighbors complained about the noise at 4 AM. Fix this immediately."
His two dogs were lifelong companions. Snow White, a 9kg short-haired male found shivering in a trash room ten winters ago, and Black Rose, a 19kg long-haired female adopted five years back to combat loneliness. Their presence even helped regulate his sleep apnea through nighttime interventions. Now his absence triggered separation anxiety in the aging dogs. "Old dogs with separation anxiety, huh?" Zhao Ming muttered. He knew moving them to the parallel world required completing phase two's sealed underground kennel and thorough safety testing with caffeine-free cola.
Desperate for funds, Zhao Ming recalled online posts about "treasure hunting" through abandoned properties. The neighboring district - former home to celebrities and tech tycoons, now his exclusive looting ground after years of "zero-dollar shopping sprees" - became his target.
The next evening, Zhao Ming transformed into a post-apocalyptic scavenger: six hemp sacks dangling from his e-bike's handlebars, hands in industrial gloves gripping the handlebars, triple-layer mask covering his mouth and nose under a plastic helmet. His belt held the universal problem-solver - a crowbar - while rubber boots protected against contaminated debris. A crate of small blue-labeled Cola bottles rattled in the cargo box.
His 'shopping' list collected from popular products on online second hand commodity trading App included: heavyweight cotton T-shirts, embroidered raw denim jeans, mechanic shirts, and orange workwear - all "authentic vintage pieces" that could be sold as "genuine West Coast relics" after sun-disinfection.
He even rebranded his account as "Governor of West Coast, Old Mexican's Convenience Store", offering custom orders at 500 yuan deposits. Yet reality proved harsh. After hours rummaging through burnt-out mansions and looted stores, his sacks contained only damaged graphics cards, empty printer cartridges, moldy sport clothes rejects, and single headphones. Not a single "hardcore item" from his list. Zhao Ming finally understood the harsh truth: treasure hunting required at least two critical things: experience and insider knowledge. Between the two things, he remained an amateur in this new world order.