Chapter 201: The Phoenix Man Who Soared Before the Apocalypse (6)

Su Mingyue’s eyes lit up. “Looks like we don’t need to buy these things after all. Do you remember my family owns three chain supermarkets in B City? There should be tons of supplies piled up in their warehouses…”

Shen Xiuyan paused, then nodded. “Oh right, I think I remember that.”

Su Mingyue said excitedly, “We can stock up from there. The money we save can go toward other supplies.”

“But there are too many people around. If that much stuff suddenly disappears, how am I supposed to explain it?” Shen Xiuyan looked troubled. Unless the Apocalypse hit and he rushed in to grab everything, there was no easy solution.

Su Mingyue grinned smugly. “No worries, I’ve got a plan. Just say the supermarket needs to shut down for three days for electrical renovations. Once it’s closed and no one’s around, you can take whatever you want.”

“But I’ll need to tell Dad in advance.”

Shen Xiuyan gave a wry smile. “Other people might believe the renovation excuse, but Dad definitely won’t.”

Su Mingyue flashed a confident smile. “It’s fine, leave it to me. I’ll call him now.”

She hurriedly picked up her phone and dialed. But before the call connected, she hung up.

“Um… should I tell Dad that the Apocalypse is about to hit?”

Shen Xiuyan chuckled helplessly. “Do you think he’d believe you?”

Thinking back to her own foolish behavior before, Su Mingyue shook her head. “No…”

He’d probably think she’d lost her mind and rush back from S City to get her checked out.

“Exactly. Unless someone sees it with their own eyes, it’s hard to believe.”

“For now, the fewer people who know, the better. Otherwise, we could get into trouble.”

Su Mingyue nodded. Just as she was about to say something else, her phone rang.

They both looked down—it was Father Su calling.

Su Mingyue glanced at Shen Xiuyan, who said, “Answer it. Even if you can’t tell them directly, see if you can get them to come back soon.”

The Su couple had been staying in S City for the past month, working on a new project. With the Apocalypse approaching, Shen Xiuyan wouldn’t be able to take care of them, so it would be better if they returned now.

“Okay, I’ll try.”

She picked up the call.

“Hello~ Mingyue, you called me just now?”

That familiar voice made Shen Xiuyan freeze again. Why did it sound so familiar?

Something really didn’t feel right…

“Yeah, Dad. How have you been lately? How are you and Mom feeling?”

“We’re doing great. Just swamped with this project—barely have time to breathe. But other than that, everything’s fine.”

“That’s good. When will you two be coming back?”

“If things go well, maybe in a month. If not, it could be six months. Why, do you miss us?” Father Su chuckled. “Want to come visit?”

“I’ll pass.” Su Mingyue hesitated. “Dad, Mom, could you come back tomorrow?”

“Come back where?” Father Su asked, confused.

“B City.”

“Why the sudden rush?” he asked, puzzled. Then, as if something occurred to him, he suddenly roared, “Did that brat Shen Xiuyan bully you?!”

Su Mingyue jumped and quickly defended him. “No, nothing like that! Why would you think that?”

Father Su let out a sigh of relief. “Then why are you asking us to come back for no reason?”

Su Mingyue couldn’t think of a good excuse, so she resorted to whining. “Just come back, please? Pretty please?”

Hearing his daughter’s soft plea, Father Su’s heart melted.

She clearly just missed them. Maybe they should go back for a bit?

Just as he was wavering, Mother Su stepped in to save him.

“Mingyue, sweetie, if you miss us, you can come visit. Once we finish up this project, we’ll head back. If we go back now, we’ll just have to come right back again. That back-and-forth would wear your father and me out.”

With Mother Su putting her foot down, Su Mingyue knew there was no persuading them. She never let them act on impulse.

Frustrated, Su Mingyue started patting Shen Xiuyan’s thigh in agitation.

Shen Xiuyan quickly patted her shoulder to comfort her, mouthing, “It’s okay.” He gestured that they should at least have her parents stock up on food—enough for a month at minimum. If it came to it, they could go pick them up.

Su Mingyue sighed. That was the only option left.

She continued, “Okay, fine, don’t come back. But you have to make it up to me!”

“Alright, alright, we’ll make it up to you,” Mother Su said with a laugh. “What caught your eye this time?”

“I found a house I like. Great location, big square footage, but it’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.”

Father Su grabbed the phone. “Buy it, buy it! If my daughter wants it, she’s getting it. I’ll transfer you fifty million right now. Is that enough?”

Su Mingyue whispered, “Just barely…”

“Oh wow, pricey this time, huh? But if it’s in B City and we treat it as a fixed asset, then a little extra cost is fine. Alright, I’ll send you another thirty million. That should definitely be enough.”

“More than enough! You’re the best, Daddy!”

“You’re just spoiling her,” came Mother Su’s voice faintly through the phone. Though she said that, she didn’t object to Father Su transferring the money. Clearly, she doted on her daughter just as much.

Father Su muttered under his breath, “Always blaming me. We’re both the same, so don’t act like you’re any better.”

“Oh? You’re talking back now? She’s our only daughter—of course I’m going to spoil her!”

“Right, right, you’re always right. I can’t win with you.”

Su Mingyue covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Her parents’ relationship was as loving as ever.

But seeing the conversation veer further and further off track, she quickly steered it back. “By the way, Dad, I want to close the supermarkets in B City for a few days to do some renovations.”

“Why renovate those supermarkets?”

Su Mingyue cooed, “Just don’t worry about it, okay?”

Father Su figured he’d already turned down her request to come back. He might as well agree to this small thing.

It was only a few days of lost revenue—no big deal.

So he said casually, “Alright, it’s up to you.”

“You’re the best, Daddy!”

Shen Xiuyan, growing anxious that they still hadn’t gotten to the main point, gestured for Mingyue to hand him the phone.

Su Mingyue obediently passed it over.

Shen Xiuyan took a deep breath. “Dad!”

“Oh, it’s Xiuyan. How have you been?”

“Everything’s good.”

“Thanks for taking care of Mingyue while we’re not home.”

“It’s nothing. It’s what I should do.” Then, as if offhandedly, he added, “By the way, Dad, Mom, you should start stocking up on food, water, and medicine at the villa. Enough for at least a month. The more, the better. These things don’t go bad easily, and even if they’re close to expiring, you can always donate them later.”

Hearing that, Father Su’s expression turned thoughtful.

“Did you hear something recently?”

Shen Xiuyan answered firmly, “Yes. A friend told me there might be an outbreak—a serious one. It could get bad fast. They’re saying lockdowns might start any day now.”

“Seriously? That extreme?”

— Translator’s Notes —

• S City: Another fictional city designation, likely representing a different major economic center like Shanghai or Shenzhen.