The Xu family

Now, hours later, she had a semblance of a plan. Step one: rent a warehouse. She needed somewhere secure and isolated, just outside the city limits, to store supplies before things spiraled into chaos.

"That one's too expensive," Echo's voice echoed in her mind. "Try the one closer to Plain Isle."

She rubbed her temples. "I know, I know. But what if it's not big enough?" she muttered under her breath.

Echo chuckled softly. "It's a start. Focus on finding something affordable and expandable."

The rhythmic click of her keyboard filled the small dorm room. Xu Qianqian was so engrossed that she didn't hear the door creak open.

"Qianqian!" Lin Mei's voice broke her concentration like a clap of thunder.

Xu Qianqian snapped the laptop shut on instinct, her heart racing. Lin Mei stood in the doorway, an eyebrow raised, her bag slung over one shoulder. "Are you seriously still here? Everyone went to class! Don't tell me you're skipping again."

"I'm not going," Qianqian replied coolly, leaning back in her chair.

Lin Mei frowned, stepping into the room. "You? Miss D-Plus? Skipping class? Are you sick or something?"

Qianqian waved her off. "I'm just... tired. Needed a break." She glanced at the laptop, praying Lin Mei wouldn't push further.

"Uh-huh," Lin Mei said, crossing her arms. Her eyes narrowed at the laptop. "What were you watching? Don't tell me you've become a couch potato overnight. I thought you weren't feeling fine when I left."

"It's nothing," Qianqian said quickly, her hand reflexively sliding over the device.

But Lin Mei was too quick. She leaned over Qianqian's shoulder, her eyes scanning the frozen screen before Qianqian could react. "Warehouses? Why the heck are you looking at warehouses?"

Qianqian froze, her mind scrambling for an excuse. "Uh... it's for a project," she said, forcing a casual tone. "A... logistics class project. We're supposed to analyze storage solutions for supply chain management."

Lin Mei's brow furrowed. "Supply chain? Since when are you in logistics?"

"Since this semester," Qianqian replied smoothly, silently thanking her past self for having decent bluffing skills. "It's an elective."

Lin Mei straightened, giving her a long look. "Okay... but this is still weird. You're acting super strange today, you know that?"

Qianqian forced a laugh. "You're imagining things, Lin Mei."

Lin Mei gave her one last suspicious glance before shrugging. "Fine. But if you start hoarding food in here or something, I'm calling campus security."

The joke stung more than Lin Mei could have imagined. As her roommate left the room, Qianqian let out a slow breath, her shoulders slumping.

"That was close," Echo murmured. "You'll need to be more careful. She's sharp."

"No kidding," Qianqian muttered, opening her laptop again. The screen flickered to life, the rental listings staring back at her.

"Focus," Echo said gently. "The apocalypse won't wait."

The next day,Qianqian stood alone in the empty, cold warehouse, the silence stretching out before her. The sterile space felt vast and empty, echoing back her every movement as she paced the concrete floors. Her mind buzzed with uncertainty and excitement, both a result of the decision she had just made. It wasn't time for food yet—she was well aware of that—but there were so many other things to prepare for.

The voice in her mind—Echo—broke through her spiral of thoughts, offering clarity, as always. "You've made the right choice. Start with what will be useful in the long run. Food can wait for now."

Qianqian took a deep breath, nodding to herself as if acknowledging her own thoughts. She wasn't in a rush to stockpile food—it was still far too early for that. The apocalypse was still a year away, and in this strange, confusing moment of a second chance, there was plenty of time to prepare. She just had to use it wisely.

"Focus on the essentials," Echo advised. "Pads, clothes, tents, things that will keep you alive when the time comes. You don't want to be caught off guard."

Qianqian looked around the space again—at the bare walls, the empty shelves, and the sheer potential of what she could make of this place. There was time. Time to stockpile what really mattered for the future. Her mind drifted to what she would need. Clothing. Hygiene products. Equipment. The little things that would keep her grounded when everything else fell apart.

She pulled out her phone, tapping through the contacts. She had more than enough money now—thanks to her careful management of her family's finances before the apocalypse hit, she had more than just a safety net. She had millions of yuan in her bank account. That meant she had the resources to buy whatever she needed.

"Echo, I'll start by purchasing the essentials. Clothes, pads, hygiene products, air conditioners, fridges... I'll make sure I'm prepared," she said, her voice firm.

"Good. Those items will be useful when you start focusing on your shelter," Echo responded. "And don't forget the equipment. You'll need tools to build, maintain, and fortify. The essentials are more than just what you wear or consume—they're what keep you alive."

Qianqian nodded, typing in her shopping list as she went along. She added high-quality clothing, socks, boots—anything that would survive long-term use. She thought of the things she'd regretted not having in her first life: reliable batteries, solar-powered chargers, and sturdy blankets. She didn't want to make the same mistake again.

After finishing her initial list, she settled down on a chair and called in the first few orders. As the confirmation messages pinged on her phone, a sense of calm washed over her. It was a start—a small step, but one that made the future feel less daunting.

She leaned back in the chair, taking a deep breath. "What next?"

"Now you wait," Echo's voice responded, soothing and calm. "It's not time for food yet, but you're building a solid foundation. Once these supplies arrive, we'll assess what's next. You'll need to secure a proper shelter in the months to come."

Qianqian smiled slightly. It was strange to feel like she was already starting to build something—something that would protect her, something that would keep her safe in a world that she knew was going to crumble. Her thoughts briefly drifted to her family—her mother, father, and siblings—but she quickly pushed them aside. They didn't need to know. Not yet.

She had to do this alone.

Growing up, Qianqian's family had been the typical well-off household. Her father, Xu Wei, was a jovial, funny man who liked to joke around even in the most serious of situations. Her mother, Wang Lihua, was the exact opposite—serious, businesslike, and a stickler for perfection. Their contrasting personalities made their household feel like a never-ending mix of warmth and coldness.

Then there was Xiaoyu, her older sister. Xiaoyu had always been the most diligent and focused of the family. She was driven and self-assured, her eyes always set on the future, while Qianqian, the youngest, had often been the carefree, easygoing one—sometimes too carefree for her family's liking.

Jinhai, her older brother, was a good blend of both parents. He had their father's charm, but also their mother's precision. He was protective of Qianqian, always looking out for her. He had a way of making her feel safe, even in the toughest of times. But now, with the apocalypse looming, Qianqian knew that she could not rely on them. They were too caught up in their own lives, too busy for something as abstract as the end of the world.

For now, she would do this on her own. She had to—there was no room for failure.

As the hours passed, Qianqian worked tirelessly, ordering items one after another—survival gear, camping equipment, solar-powered tools, everything she could think of. When the first shipments began to confirm, she felt a strange sense of relief, knowing she was taking control of her future in a way she had never imagined.

Each box, each order, was another piece of the puzzle. And with Echo by her side, guiding her every step of the way, Qianqian felt more certain than ever that she could survive this.

The countdown had already begun.