Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 151: Cloud Manor

Zhang Yi instructed Xu Hao to contact Wang Siming and prepare for departure.

Xu Hao said, "That's easy. I told him to give me some time to lure you into a trap. So he's just waiting for my message!"

"It’s clear that he covets your supplies, especially the snowmobiles and food. If you agree, we can go tomorrow!"

Zhang Yi nodded, "Alright, then contact him right now in front of me."

Zhang Yi confiscated Xu Hao's phone to prevent him from doing anything behind his back.

Xu Hao obediently communicated with Wang Siming in Zhang Yi's presence, and they arranged to meet the next day without any issues.

"Wait for my signal," Zhang Yi said, taking the phone and heading home to prepare his weapons and gear.

When Zhou Ke'er saw him busy again, she asked, "Haven't you solved all the problems in the community? Where are you going now?"

Zhou Ke'er wisely kept silent, knowing better than to pry.

Before leaving, Zhang Yi thoughtfully left half a month's worth of food for Zhou Ke'er and Uncle You. In case something happened to him, the food would keep them alive for two weeks.

Zhou Ke'er looked worried. Zhang Yi had never done anything like this before. She suddenly felt scared and hugged him tightly.

"Zhang Yi, you're not going to do something dangerous, are you? I'm a bit scared."

Her tall, slender figure combined with her soft curves made her embrace particularly enticing, a natural advantage she might not have intended to use as temptation.

Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "What, you want one last time before I go?"

Zhou Ke'er's face turned red, "It's up to you. This time, I'll go along with whatever you want. I can just wear a white shirt or an apron."

Zhang Yi chuckled, pinching her delicate chin. "Don't worry, I never do anything I'm not sure of. I’m more afraid of dying than anyone else and won't put myself in danger."

"But I always prepare for everything in advance; it's a personal habit."

He pulled her head closer and kissed her deeply, not letting go until she was almost out of breath. A thin thread of saliva broke and hung from her lips as he pulled away.

"I have important things to do this afternoon. I'll deal with you properly when I get back!"

Zhou Ke'er lay weakly on the couch, blushing, and nodded shyly, "Okay."

Zhang Yi left the house and knocked on Xu Hao's door.

"Xu Hao, open up!"

Xu Hao opened the door and was surprised to see Zhang Yi. "Brother Zhang, what do you need?"

Zhang Yi, wearing cut-resistant gloves, gestured with his thumb, "Let's go. We're leaving now!"

Xu Hao's eyes widened. "Didn't we agree to go tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" Zhang Yi scoffed. "The best strategy is deception. If we told him tomorrow, surprising him today will catch him off guard!"

Xu Hao thought, You’re too cautious! But he had to admit, "Smart, very smart!"

Zhang Yi had another reason for this strategy. People are naturally suspicious, and while Wang Siming might seem carefree as a wealthy heir, he wasn't a fool. If things went too smoothly, he might grow suspicious. Zhang Yi's sudden decision would make Wang Siming believe he had truly fallen into the trap.

Zhang Yi led Xu Hao downstairs, pretending to fetch the snowmobiles. Xu Hao was about to get on but was stopped by Zhang Yi, who took out a white tie.

"Put your hands out," Zhang Yi ordered.

These plastic ties were used on construction sites to bind steel pipes, incredibly strong and tightening with any struggle, almost as good as handcuffs.

Xu Hao pleaded, "Brother, don’t you trust me by now? I'm on your side, and I'm still poisoned!"

Zhang Yi said calmly, "No special reason, I just feel more secure this way. And when we get to Wang Siming, he'll only believe you if you're bound."

Xu Hao was reluctant but knew resisting was pointless, so he obediently stretched out his hands to be tied.

After that, Zhang Yi had him sit at the front of the snowmobile while he drove from behind.

"Vroom!" The snowmobile roared to life, heading out of the community.

The wind and snow whipped Xu Hao's face like tiny knives, making it painful and hard to keep his eyes open. If not for his thick turtleneck sweater, his face might have frozen.

"Brother, this wind hurts! Do you have an extra helmet?" Xu Hao called out.

Zhang Yi, wearing a bulletproof helmet, replied coldly, "No. Just bear with it. Besides, looking more miserable makes it more convincing."

Xu Hao felt like crying inside.

...

An hour later, they arrived near Cloud Manor, the most exclusive villa district in Tianhai City.

Seeing the surroundings, Zhang Yi was momentarily stunned by the beauty.

The place was exceptionally good, beyond words.

While Zhang Yi had seen luxurious villas and skyscrapers, this villa district stood out for its geographical location.

Cloud Manor backed onto two mountains and faced the Lu River in Tianhai City. From a distance, it resembled a grand armchair, with Cloud Manor sitting in the middle.

The mountains provided a natural barrier, with wind funneled between them towards the river. This perfect feng shui was clearly chosen by an expert.

Southern businessmen were particularly obsessed with feng shui, so it was natural for a luxurious villa district to have excellent feng shui.

What struck Zhang Yi most was that Cloud Manor's location created a natural wind shelter. The snow was blown from the mountains to the river, so while other places had snow piled up to over ten meters, here it was only two or three meters.

"I used to think the apocalypse was fair to everyone," Zhang Yi mused. "But it seems even the wealthy get extra favor from heaven."

Xu Hao flattered, "What good does it do? Compared to you, Brother Zhang, they’re not living the life!"

Zhang Yi smiled, "Stop flattering and lead the way!"

Xu Hao asked curiously, "Aren’t we riding in? It’s quite a walk otherwise."

Zhang Yi said lightly, "I said walk, so walk. No more questions!"