Chapter One: Rebirth and a Cheat Start

“I’m not dead?”

Fang Xia jolted awake on the bed.

Everything before his eyes was both achingly familiar and impossibly distant—he had seen it countless times in his dreams.

He pinched his thigh, hard. It hurt—truly hurt.

This was real. Had he been reborn?

He hurriedly grabbed his phone. November 10th, 2040, 9:00 a.m.

He couldn’t recall much about this date, but the next day—Singles’ Day—he could never forget. That was when disaster struck.

November 11th, an otherwise unremarkable day, had become a shopping frenzy under the machinations of capitalists. That night, countless people lost sleep, never imagining that just a dozen hours later, at 11:11 p.m. on November 11th, the world would be irrevocably changed.

The apocalypse arrived.

It was as if the sky had been torn open by an unseen hand—a torrential rain, the likes of which had never been seen, crashed down. Within an hour, Baicheng, the provincial capital, was transformed into a vast ocean.

And the rain did not stop.

It lasted for three days and three nights. By the time the city was almost entirely submerged, only those who had taken refuge above the twentieth floor survived.

But that was just the beginning. After the deluge came a rain of fire.

Red droplets fell from the sky, rapidly evaporating the floodwaters and bringing with them a scorching heat—sixty degrees Celsius.

In such extreme conditions, it was impossible for anyone to venture out for food. Countless people starved or perished in the heat.

Again, three days passed.

Then the temperature subsided, and the floodwaters vanished as if the city had returned to normal.

Those who had survived ventured out, hoping for rescue, only to be met by legions of zombies.

In his previous life, Fang Xia was among the survivors. Careful by nature, he hadn’t left immediately after the fire rain ended and thus managed to stay alive.

He eked out an existence in the apocalypse for six years, but was finally infected by the zombie virus during a mission. Unwilling to become one of the undead, he chose to end his life.

No, I can’t get lost in these memories. There are just over thirty hours before the apocalypse arrives. I have to act.

Fang Xia forced himself to stop reminiscing. At a time like this, every second was precious—there was no room for distraction.

He grabbed a few sets of clothes, took his phone, and dashed out of the apartment. The key was useless now.

His apartment was only on the third floor. In his previous life, had he not been quick-witted, he would have drowned in the first hour.

It was mid-November—deep winter—yet today was unusually warm.

The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze stirred. Everything seemed to promise a good day.

And so it was. Because after tomorrow, there would be no more days like this.

Soon, Fang Xia hailed a cab to a luxury hotel.

After tomorrow, money would be worthless. If he was to choose a place to stay, it ought to be the best.

“I’d like a deluxe suite,” he said.

Heads turned.

“Certainly, sir. A deluxe suite is 38,888 per night,” the receptionist replied smoothly, her professionalism unwavering regardless of his age or attire.

Damn, that’s expensive.

It was his first time asking. He’d thought it would be ten or twenty thousand at most, not nearly forty.

His hesitation did not go unnoticed by the receptionist.

[Another country bumpkin, pretending to be rich without even knowing the price. Embarrassed now, aren’t you?]

A voice suddenly echoed in Fang Xia’s mind.

Who’s there?

He looked around, but no one had spoken.

[Oh, are we putting on a show now? Startled for nothing. If you can’t afford it, just leave. Don’t waste my time.]

The voice came again, and this time Fang Xia realized it sounded just like the receptionist.

He fixed his gaze on her, and a subtle murderous aura escaped him.

“S-sir, is there a problem?” the receptionist stammered, unnerved by his stare.

Fang Xia said nothing, continuing to look at her. In seconds, the voice echoed in his mind once more.

[What are you staring at? This is a lawful society—you can’t pay, so what, are you going to get violent?]

A smile crept across Fang Xia’s lips. He understood now.

He could hear the receptionist’s thoughts.

“Hahaha, then I’ll take the deluxe suite,” he announced.

His mood lightened; a few tens of thousands for a room was nothing now.

Before the apocalypse, Fang Xia had been a retired soldier. He’d joined the army at sixteen, served six years, and had just come back recently. He had over two hundred thousand saved, including his severance. A few nights in a luxury suite was well within his means.

“What?” The receptionist was stunned. He really was taking the room?

“For two nights. Don’t get it wrong.”

He knew the check-out was at one in the afternoon the next day—before the apocalypse struck.

“Card or cash, sir?”

“Card.”

It was only when the transaction was complete that the receptionist realized he wasn’t joking.

She quickly processed the check-in. Despite her insistence, Fang Xia refused any escort to his room.

Waiting for the elevator on the first floor, Fang Xia felt even better.

Reborn, with a cheat—he felt like the protagonist of a story.

The deluxe suite was on the top floor, the twenty-first. His personal butler awaited him at the door.

“I need nothing. My only requirement is that no one disturbs me for the next two days. Understood?”

He dismissed the butler and stepped into what would be his home for a long time.

The suite was splendid—spacious enough to store vast quantities of supplies.

As for the decor, Fang Xia had no interest. Now, all he wanted was to survive the coming apocalypse in comfort.