Edge of the Apocalypse
Chapter 13: The Apocalypse Arrives

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: The Apocalypse Arrives

「Sunday. 7:00 AM.」

Yu Dong sprang from his bed, full of energy.

’In twelve hours, the S-virus will break out and the entire world will fall into chaos. This is the last of my time to get everything ready!’

There were some jobs that could only be done today.

’Four perimeters!’

Yu Dong’s lifelines.

’The first perimeter is the double doors leading from the underground garage into Building One, cutting off the zombies’ path from the garage into the building’s interior.’

He glanced at his phone. The welder had sent a WeChat message saying he was already on his way.

Yu Dong bolted downstairs for a bowl of soft tofu and fried dough sticks to load up on carbs. As his blood sugar spiked, his brain released a flood of dopamine, and his heart started to pound wildly in his chest!

He was bursting with vitality!

Yu Dong met the two welders at the main gate of Xiangti Bay. Using a fake property management ID, he tricked them into thinking he worked there and led them to the underground garage.

Together, they heaved the 12mm steel plate into position behind the doors and began to weld.

Sparks flew.

The strength of a proper weld was incomparable to any ordinary hardware fixture.

Once this massive steel plate was welded in place, you’d need a front loader at the very least to even have a chance of breaking through.

The underground garage, an exceedingly dark and dangerous space, would be completely sealed off.

Yu Dong took out two traffic cones he had prepared earlier and placed them in front of the elevator doors on the first basement level, then set up a warning sign:

"Building One’s underground entrance is damaged and under construction. Please use the entrances for Buildings Two or Three."

Yu Dong had just finished setting everything up when someone arrived on the basement level via the elevator.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a somewhat surprised middle-aged man. He read the warning sign, then skeptically took a few steps forward and saw that the welders were indeed at work.

"Fuck, I have to work overtime on a weekend, and now I’m going to be late. Why is everyone out to get me?!"

He then angrily returned upstairs.

After the man left, Yu Dong nodded in satisfaction. His ploy had worked. Now, no one would disturb their work.

’The middle-aged salaryman from the nineteenth floor...’

Yu Dong didn’t know his name, but he recognized the man. In his notebook, the man’s codename was ’Workhorse’.

Yu Dong supervised the entire welding process, making sure no one would spot them and report it to property management.

If the property management company found out he had unilaterally sealed the exit of Building One’s underground garage with a massive steel plate, they would probably call the police.

Fortunately, the job was simple. The welders finished in two hours, leaving the underground level securely sealed.

’Excellent. The first perimeter is complete.’

The second perimeter was the complex’s main gate at ground level.

Yu Dong couldn’t act on that just yet. It was a Sunday morning, and there were too many people coming and going to make a move.

He would have to wait until later in the afternoon, when the time drew closer...

With time to kill, Yu Dong went to the complex’s residents’ lounge and had some of the free tea and coffee.

He spent the time observing the other residents.

Xiangti Bay consisted of three buildings. Each building had two units, each unit was thirty-two stories tall, and each floor contained three apartments.

The entire complex had a total of 576 apartments.

Over the past few nights, Yu Dong had been counting. The complex had only about 100 permanently occupied households.

In other words, nearly five-sixths of the apartments in the complex were empty.

The place was huge, but it felt desolate.

It was no wonder people called it a ghost building.

The exact number of residents was unknown. There were families, couples, and quite a few students living alone while preparing for their postgraduate entrance exams.

Based on his own observations over the past few days, Yu Dong roughly estimated there were just over 200 people living here.

’Most of these people will turn into zombies and be trapped in their apartments. As long as I can seal off the complex’s entrances, the whole place will become a relatively safe and controllable shelter.’

「Noon.」

Yu Dong dialed the number for his senior from Factory 4003.

"Senior, you’re single, right?"

Senior: "?"

"Dongzi, you’re really going to hit me where it hurts right off the bat? Fine, fine! Don’t even think about asking me for help again if you’re not going to treat me to a round of drinks."

"That’s actually what I was calling about, Senior. I have a few questions for you about canned goods. Are you free tonight? I can bring some food and drinks over to your place..."

"Oh? Of course, I’m free! I live alone, so come on over, come on over!"

"I should get there before 7:00 PM. Just wait for me at home, Senior. Don’t worry about buying anything; I’ve already ordered it all."

"Alright, got it! My address is..."

After hanging up, Yu Dong immediately dialed Huang Zhiqiang’s number.

"Are we brothers, or what?"

"You know it!"

"Be at Villa 9 in the Golden Bay villa community at 6:30 PM. I’ve rented the place. I need your help moving some things. Come alone, and don’t tell anyone else."

"Whoa, you’re finally making your move, Dongzi? Alright, I’ll come see what you’re up to."

Next, he called Zhao Youcai.

"Youcai, be at Villa 10 in Golden Bay at 6:30 PM..."

Yu Dong had booked a one-day rental for these two seaside villas back on his first day of scouting for shelters.

This was all Yu Dong could do for his roommates.

If either of them was lucky enough to not turn into a zombie, they at least wouldn’t die in the massive zombie horde at the university.

As for Xufeng... his fate was already sealed.

’Hang in there, bro. I just hope the country can develop a vaccine.’

There was no time for sentiment. Yu Dong then called his friends from the orphanage one by one, telling them all to find a safe place to be alone before 7:00 PM.

After handling all these matters, the time arrived at 6:00 PM.

It was time for the security guards to change shifts. The younger, more presentable guard, Liang Mian, clocked out, and the old man guard clocked in.

Yu Dong had observed him over the last few days. The old man reliably went to the bathroom to take a crap as soon as he arrived.

This gave him the perfect window of opportunity to act.

Watching the old man slowly make his way to the restroom, Yu Dong put on a hat and mask, slung a large bag over his back, and approached the main gate.

There were two electric barrier gates here.