Since Bai Li had already handled things with the building manager, there were no obstacles when the first van entered the complex. The security guards only checked briefly before waving the vehicles inside. One after another, large white vans rolled in through the gate and stopped neatly near Building Nine.

Still, even if everything was approved, the scene itself was too eye catching to ignore.

Workers jumped down from the vans in groups, all wearing uniforms with the company logo on their backs. They began unloading heavy metal frames, thick glass panels wrapped in protective covers, toolboxes, large machines, and what looked like industrial generators.

The quiet residential complex suddenly felt like a construction site.

Naturally, it attracted attention.

People walking their dogs slowed down.

An old man who had just finished his morning exercise stopped near the fountain and squinted toward the vans.

Two middle aged women carrying grocery bags paused near the entrance, whispering to each other.

"What is going on?" one of them asked.

"I don’t know," the other replied, adjusting her glasses. "Did they finally start building the upper floors?"

"You mean the twenty first to twenty fifth floors?"

"Maybe. They’ve been empty for so long."

A young man standing nearby, holding a takeaway coffee, joined in casually, "But why are they unloading everything in front of Building Nine? I thought those floors weren’t accessible yet."

"Maybe they opened them," another passerby guessed.

An older lady shook her head. "No, no. My cousin’s friend lives here. She said those floors are still unfinished inside. Concrete only. No interior work."

They all looked at the heavy equipment being carried out.

One worker was directing others while pointing toward the elevator entrance.

"This doesn’t look like new construction," the young man muttered. "It looks like renovation."

"Renovation? Who renovates like this?" one of the women frowned. "Are they tearing down walls or something?"

"Maybe someone rich moved in," the old man finally spoke, his voice slow and thoughtful. "You know the twentieth floor has those big apartments. Maybe one of them is remodeling."

"Remodeling?" the woman scoffed lightly. "You need that many trucks for remodeling?"

Meanwhile, the security guard leaned casually against the gate, clearly aware of the curious eyes around him.

Someone approached him directly.

"Hey, what’s happening?" a resident asked. "Are they finally finishing the top floors?"

The guard shrugged. "No idea."

That answer only made things more mysterious.

But after a while, the initial excitement died down. People had jobs. Groceries to buy. Kids to pick up. Curiosity only lasted so long before daily life pulled them back.

"Probably just rich people doing rich things," someone muttered before walking away.

And just like that, the crowd slowly scattered.

Downstairs, the workers continued unloading like ants on a mission.

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Downstairs, the workers were still unloading equipment in a steady rhythm, carrying metal frames, sealed glass panels, and heavy tool cases into the building lobby. On the twentieth floor, the doorbell rang again, this time more firmly, and Bai Li walked over and opened the door. Shiao Kyan stood there with three professionals behind her, all dressed neatly, their expressions serious but composed. They looked like people who were used to handling large scale projects without wasting time.

"Miss Bai," Shiao Kyan greeted her with a polite smile. "We’re ready to begin."

Bai Li stepped aside and let them in. The moment they entered the duplex, their eyes began scanning the space. They did not speak much at first. Instead, they walked slowly through the living room, observing the walls, the balcony doors, the ceiling corners, and the structural beams. One of the men crouched near the main entrance, measuring the door frame carefully. Another walked toward the staircase leading upstairs, glancing at the railing and steps. The woman holding the tablet moved quietly behind them, recording notes and taking quick photos for reference.

Shiao Kyan turned to Bai Li after a brief round of inspection and said calmly, "The base structure is strong. That makes our work easier. We’ll reinforce the entry points first, then move to the internal modifications. The rooftop team will handle the solar installation and water systems separately so that both processes run at the same time."

Bai Li nodded but her gaze remained steady. "I need everything completed within five days."

Shen Kyao did not hesitate. "It will be done. We’ve already arranged extra manpower and material deliveries. There will be teams working in shifts to make sure we don’t fall behind."

They walked upstairs together while the other professionals continued taking measurements. Shiao Kyan pointed out areas where structural reinforcement would be added, speaking in simple, practical terms without going into too much detail. Bai Li listened quietly, occasionally asking brief questions about timing and installation order. The answers were clear and efficient, exactly what she wanted to hear.

Soon, more workers arrived on the twentieth floor carrying large crates and protective packaging. The once peaceful hallway became busy with movement. Heavy boots echoed against the floor as materials were transported inside. The living room slowly filled with stacked metal panels and covered equipment. Some workers headed directly toward the balcony area, preparing to replace the existing glass, while others focused on marking spots near the front door and hallway walls.

The calm atmosphere of the duplex shifted into organized activity. It was not chaotic, but it was constant. Bai Li watched for a while, ensuring that everything had begun smoothly. Shiao Kyan gave instructions to different teams with steady authority, her voice firm but not loud. The professionals responded quickly, clearly experienced in handling high pressure work.

After about half an hour, Bai Li approached Shiao Kyan again. "I’ll be out for a few hours. If there are any issues, contact me directly."

Shiao Kyan gave her a reassuring look. "There won’t be problems. We’ll keep you updated. Everything will stay on schedule."

Satisfied with that, Bai Li left the apartment and took the elevator down. Outside the building, the construction vans were still parked, and a few curious residents lingered at a distance, though most had already lost interest. She booked a cab through her phone, and within minutes, a vehicle arrived at the entrance.

She gave the driver the address of a large wholesale market she had researched earlier. It was a well known national company with strong credibility and large scale supply capacity. The drive took some time, passing through the main city roads where life continued as usual. People crossed streets, shops remained open, and traffic moved steadily. No one seemed aware that within weeks, everything would change.

When she arrived, she found herself standing in front of an enormous warehouse complex. Trucks were lined up outside, and workers were transporting goods in bulk using forklifts. The place looked organized and efficient, the kind of business built on volume and reliability.

Inside, shelves stacked with bottled water, canned goods, instant noodles, and packaged food stretched across the wide space. Bai Li approached the reception desk and requested to speak with a manager regarding a bulk order. The receptionist made a quick call, and soon a woman in her forties came out from a nearby office. She wore a professional blazer and carried herself with confidence.

"Good afternoon," the woman said with a polite smile. "I’m the manager here. Please come with me so we can discuss your order."

They entered a private office room where they sat across from each other. Bai Li did not waste time. She clearly stated her request for a truck full of bottled water, standard packaging, sealed and ready for transport. She followed with a truck full of canned foods including meat, vegetables, and preserved items with long shelf lives. She added bulk quantities of instant noodles and ramen, emphasizing the need for products with the longest possible expiration dates. Finally, she requested any additional packaged dry goods suitable for long term storage.

The manager listened attentively while typing notes into her tablet. After hearing the full list, she gave a small understanding smile. "You must be preparing to open a store or supply chain branch."

Bai Li did not elaborate and simply replied, "You can think of it that way."

The manager nodded and informed her that all requested items were currently available in their warehouse. Since the quantities were large but manageable, they could begin loading within the hour and deliver to her address within a few hours after payment confirmation.

The total cost quickly reached several hundred thousand yuan. Bai Li reviewed the digital contract presented to her, then signed and transferred the payment without hesitation. The manager confirmed the transaction and assured her that the delivery trucks would depart shortly and contact her upon arrival.

With that settled, Bai Li stood up and thanked her briefly before leaving the office. Outside, warehouse workers had already begun assembling pallets of bottled water and stacking sealed cartons onto forklifts.

Since she still had some time before the supply trucks arrived at her apartment, Bai Li decided to head to the city center hospital for a full body checkup. Logically speaking, it was unnecessary. Ever since she arrived in this world, her body had been enhanced in ways that were almost unfair. Her strength, endurance, recovery speed, and immunity were far beyond normal human limits. Ordinary illnesses could not touch her, and even if she were injured, she would heal faster than most. Still, she preferred certainty over blind confidence. The apocalypse was not something she could afford to underestimate, and even if the chances were close to zero, she wanted to see a medical report with her own eyes confirming that there were no hidden issues. It was not about fear. It was about control.

She booked a cab and arrived at the city center hospital shortly after. The hospital building stood tall and spotless, white walls reflecting the midday sun. People moved in and out constantly. Some walked with anxious expressions, others looked relieved, and a few simply looked tired. To the right of the main building was a landscaped garden that softened the otherwise clinical atmosphere. It had winding stone pathways, neatly trimmed hedges, tall trees that provided generous shade, and a small pond with a gentle fountain in the center. The sound of flowing water blended with distant hospital noises in a strangely calming way.

Instead of heading inside immediately, Bai Li felt drawn toward the garden. The moment she stepped onto the path, her pace slowed. The sunlight filtered through layers of green leaves, casting moving shadows along the walkway. The air carried a faint scent of grass and damp earth. It was peaceful in a way that almost felt deceptive, like the world was pretending to be gentle before revealing its true face. For the first time since waking up in this book world, Bai Li allowed her mind to loosen slightly. Everything so far had gone according to plan. She had secured the duplex. Construction was underway. Supplies were being delivered. The vehicle modifications were scheduled. Step by step, she was preparing a safety net strong enough to survive the first stage of chaos. Looking at the quiet garden, it almost felt like she had time to breathe.

That illusion shattered when she heard a voice.

It was soft but firm, and it carried a tone she had heard before. Even without seeing the person, something in her memory reacted instantly. A few seconds later, she heard another voice, louder and laced with irritation. It belonged to a man. The contrast between the two tones made her body instinctively tense. Her relaxed expression faded, replaced by sharp focus. The voices came from deeper inside the garden, partially hidden behind a cluster of tall trees and bushes near a bench.

She walked toward the sound quietly, careful not to draw attention. As she approached, she saw two figures standing face to face behind the trees. The man was taller and broad shouldered, his stance aggressive. The woman stood opposite him in a white coat, her posture straight and steady. Her face was partially covered by a surgical mask, but the moment Bai Li saw her eyes, her entire body froze.

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To be continued.