January 2019 arrived with heavy snow blanketing the compound.
Li Wei's stock positions continued their relentless climb. Paper gains now exceeded fifteen billion RMB. Cashback on every adjustment and dividend reinvestment pushed liquid assets past one hundred billion.
He finalized the purchase of two small islands off Fujian — perfect for fallback locations. Survey drones had already mapped potential bunker sites.
Recruitment continued quietly. Dr. Xu now ran daily medical drills. Zhao Wei optimized supply chains. Chen Hao and Tang Ning (the ex-police sniper recruited last week) led combat training sessions.
The core team ate together for the first time in the newly finished mess hall. Conversation was sparse but comfortable.
Tang Ning broke the silence. "Never thought I'd end up working for someone younger than me."
Chen Hao shrugged. "He pays on time. He doesn't lie. That's more than most bosses ever did."
Old Huang circled the table begging for scraps. Li Wei slipped him a piece of beef.
PI update flashed on his phone:
"Li Na broke up with Wang Hao after he demanded half her remaining cash. Moved back with parents. Posted crying selfie with caption: 'I miss my big brother. Gege, where are you?' Received over four hundred likes and comments from relatives tagging your old account — all blocked."
Li Wei deleted the notification without saving the photo.
Outside, snow fell thicker. The compound lights glowed softly against the white.
Apocalypse clock: 1,460 days remaining.
Li Wei stood on the roof, Old Huang at his side.
"Soon," he whispered into the wind.
"Soon they'll understand exactly what kind of monster they created."