Ch7 - Oh, and Transportation
After three days of relying on takeout, Meng Ci suddenly realized a critical problem.
Transportation.
Earlier, during the natural disaster, it wasn't necessary, but later on, with the speed and aggression of the zombies, human legs alone wouldn't be enough to escape.
So Meng Ci shut himself in for a day and headed to the local 45 dealership most favored by rich kids.
Its popularity stemmed not only from its extensive vehicle selection but also from its top-tier customization skills.
Meng Ci knew little about cars, but he understood leveraging connections.
In the book, Meng Ci had never raced due to Meng Wan's strict supervision.
Yet the Meng family's reputation in M City remained formidable. Thus, Meng Ci simply stated he wanted to purchase several vehicles, intending to invite other wealthy heirs to join him for fun.
He prioritized motorcycles, off-roaders, and SUVs, while also requesting other vehicles suited for mountainous or harsh terrain.
Upon hearing Meng Ci's name, the store manager personally received him, naturally pushing their finest models.
Meng Ci ordered five of each model, plus two motorhomes.
For modifications, he specified bulletproof and shatterproof glass, with top-tier engines, bumpers, and every other component.
The twenty-three vehicles, including customizations, cost nearly four hundred million yuan.
Meng Ci didn't bat an eye-these were tools for survival.
He paid three hundred million upfront and declared that if the modifications were done well, he'd buy all his future vehicles from them.
The manager beamed with delight, promising to deliver perfection, then respectfully escorted Meng Ci out.
Back at the shop, the manager instructed the vehicle modifiers: "Whatever's expensive, replace it with the most expensive option!"
Returning to the warehouse, Meng Ci continued his shopping spree.
Grilled Items: sausages, grilled gluten, eggplant, enoki mushrooms, grilled buns-ten portions of each.
Meng Ci placed orders at ten consecutive shops.
Braised delicacies: braised chicken feet, braised duck feet, braised peanuts-five pounds of each available item.
He moved to the next shop.
While waiting for deliveries, Meng Ci kept busy shopping online.
Alcohol-fueled hotpot stoves-he bought a hundred outright, plus a thousand solid alcohol fuel blocks. Perfect for cooking hotpot during torrential rain or heavy snow.
Copper pots, too-if the power goes out later, he'd need coal to cook.
Copper pots for shabu-shabu... just thinking about it made his mouth water. Twenty it is.
He'd only bought winter-appropriate cotton shoes before, so Meng Ci placed another order for five hundred pairs of sneakers.
He'd also get a hundred pairs each of sandals and slippers.
Extreme heat was coming later, so he'd need cooler options.
He could also stock up on short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and similar clothing.
Oh, and insect repellent, mosquito spray, and body lotion -five hundred boxes of each would do.
Heat patches are essential too-ten thousand sheets it is.
One hundred boxes of mosquito coils.
Sleeping bags, tents-these wilderness necessities must be stocked as well.
One hundred sleeping bags.
As for tents, twenty of each size and specification.
Fourteen days before the apocalypse. Meng Ci skipped the warehouse and headed to the hotel he'd booked earlier.
First venue: Sorry, the bride and groom got into a fight. Wedding canceled.
The prepared banquet was packed up and loaded into the truck outside. The host family asked that it be delivered to a nursing home as a gesture of warmth.
Second venue: Sorry, the birthday child caught a cold. Birthday party canceled.
The prepared banquet was packed up and loaded into the truck outside. They asked it to be delivered to an orphanage.
The third one? Sorry, the 60th birthday celebration was canceled because the old man insisted on traveling instead...
Meng Ci drove to a secluded spot, stowed the items in his spatial pocket, then drove to the next house. By the time dusk fell, he was finally done. After returning, Meng Ci didn't rest.
Instead, he contacted all the dessert shops in the city, instructing them to turn every ingredient they had into two-inch mini cakes to be delivered to his home the next day.
Of course, the address he provided was where Li Shanyang and the others were currently staying.
The property was registered under Li Shanyang's name. Without the deed, Meng Ci couldn't legally handle it.
So he'll let them enjoy these last few days of good life.
Meng Ci woke up just after five the next morning. He drove the van to a breakfast spot.
He picked the cleanest-looking place, asked the owner to pack everything up, and loaded it into the van. The owner was skeptical at first, so Meng Ci paid a thousand yuan deposit upfront.
The owner, his wife, and an assistant hurriedly packed the orders, even rushing to prepare items that weren't yet ready.
After finishing at one shop, Meng Ci drove off and headed to the next.
By eight in the morning, Meng Ci finished buying breakfast and arrived at Li Xiaoya's house.
"Ding."
"Ding."
Meng Ci pressed the doorbell relentlessly.
"Damn it, that bastard, is he still sleeping this late in the morning?"
"What's with all the ringing? You've never seen a doorbell before, huh? Just keep ringing."
As the door swung open, a woman's grumbling voice echoed from inside.
The moment she spotted Meng Ci, her face instantly broke into a smile.
"Oh, it's Xiao Ci! How come you have time to come back today? Come on in, sit down."
The woman was none other than Li Shanyang's childhood sweetheart-Zhang Lu.
Meng Ci sneered inwardly. No wonder Li Shanyang had no interest in the gentle and beautiful Meng Wan. So that was it.
But Meng Ci felt nothing.
"Xiao Ci, come in quickly. What are you standing there for?"
"Alright." Meng Ci replied, walking ahead.
Zhang Lu trailed behind, puzzled by Meng Ci's unusual coldness today. Could it be he knew their true nature?
But that shouldn't be possible. Hadn't Yaya mentioned just days ago that Meng Ci had bought her a house?
"Auntie?"
Hearing Meng Ci's voice, Zhang Lu snapped back to reality and smiled at Meng Ci, who was seated on the sofa.
"What is it?"
Meng Ci said, "I was wondering if I could borrow the place for a bit. I'm having a gathering for classmates and friends at home today."
"So can you, Dad, and sis go out?"
"But I spent all this month's allowance on buying a house for Yaya. Can I give you money next month instead?"
"Of course." Zhang Lu agreed immediately.
She had been inwardly cursing Meng Ci for insisting they leave while he invited classmates over, but upon hearing about the money, Zhang Lu readily agreed.
She then went upstairs to call Li Shanyang and the others.
The three came down, beaming with joy.
Li Shanyang asked again, "Son, what about the company..."
Meng Ci answered smoothly, "I've discussed it with Uncle Liang. We'll start the gradual transfer next month. Don't worry."
"Good, good, good." Li Shanyang happily repeated "good" several times.
Over the years, Li Shanyang hadn't been exposed to the Meng family's true business interests. He even believed the wealthy people he'd encountered recently were exceptionally powerful.
Little did he know, those individuals were completely unaware of the recent shifts within the Meng family.
Let him bask in his happiness for a few more days.
Li Xiaoya slid closer, taking Meng Ci's arm affectionately. "Brother, can I go see the house you bought for me?"
"Of course!" Meng Ci suppressed his disgust, using the motion of retrieving his keys to gently pull his arm free from her grasp.
"Here. Since you're out shopping today, you can look at furniture. Start with essentials like a bed. I'll buy the more expensive pieces next month."
"Wow, big brother, you're so kind!" Li Xiaoya bounced up excitedly.
Meng Ci watched the backs of the family of three, a cold smile curling his lips.
That house stood empty now. At first, when the heavy rain came, they might have tried every means to leave.
But now, by having them buy some furniture and later sending them food, he had a reason to keep them there.
Until the very end, they wouldn't be able to leave, trapped inside that building.