It's the apocalypse again

April 2nd,3019

The very next day,The brothers agreed to meet Qianqian at their home again.

Qianqian arrived punctually, carrying herself with her usual composed demeanor. Though she had prepared for this meeting, the air of formality between her and the brothers made the stakes feel higher.

Seated across from the three men, Qianqian spoke carefully, repeating what she had said the previous day. "Thank you for meeting with me. I'll be upfront—I need help obtaining weapons and equipment. You have the skills and connections I lack."

Wei Jian leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze assessing her. "That's not a small request. Why are you asking us?"

"Because I trust Rui Feng, and by extension, I trust you," she replied. "And I'm willing to pay for your assistance."

Long Hao glanced at Wei Jian but remained silent. Lei Ming, ever direct, asked, "What exactly are you preparing for?"

Qianqian hesitated. She couldn't tell them the full truth—not yet. "Let's just say I have reason to believe things will get dangerous soon. I want to be ready."

The brothers exchanged glances. Wei Jian finally spoke. "You're asking for a lot of trust. If we do this, it won't come cheap or without precautions."

"I understand," Qianqian said firmly. "And I'm willing to follow your terms."

Wei Jian studied her for a long moment before nodding. "We'll start with small steps. But if you give us any reason to doubt you, the deal's off."

April 8th,3019

By April 8th, Wei Jian had tapped into his network and secured a modest stockpile of weapons. The handoff took place in a neutral location, a nondescript warehouse on the edge of the city.

"This is what we could manage on short notice," Wei Jian said, opening a crate to reveal an assortment of firearms and knives.

"It's more than enough," Qianqian replied, inspecting the contents. "Thank you."

As they loaded the weapons into her vehicle, Lei Ming observed, "You seem awfully calm for someone gearing up like this. Most people would be nervous."

"I don't have the luxury of being nervous," Qianqian replied evenly. "This is about survival."

April 15th,3019

Qianqian knew she needed to earn their trust. Over the next few days, she involved them in logistical plans, presenting her ideas in a way that seemed pragmatic rather than apocalyptic.

"Why stockpile so much food and medicine?" Long Hao asked during one discussion.

"Inflation. Supply chain issues," Qianqian answered smoothly. "Prices are going up, and shortages are becoming more common. It's better to be over-prepared than caught off guard."

Her answers were logical enough to quell their suspicions, and her willingness to learn from them further solidified their growing partnership.

30th April, 3019

By the end of April, Qianqian had proven herself capable and resourceful. The brothers, while still in the dark about the apocalypse, found themselves respecting her dedication and intelligence.

"She's got a plan," Lei Ming remarked after one meeting. "I don't know what she's not telling us, but she's serious about this."

Wei Jian nodded. "And she's not reckless. For now, we'll keep helping her. But let's keep an eye on things. If something doesn't add up, we pull back."

With their help, Qianqian's preparations advanced rapidly. As the bond between them strengthened, so did their efficiency.

As the weeks progressed, Qianqian began diversifying her preparations.Its been a while since Jinhai had delivered the vehicles to her and she was yet to find a trustworthy mechanic.

Also,she had been delivering all the goods to the base herself and it was becoming very stressful for her,so she wanted to finally bring the brothers to the base.

She already had the discussion with Echo, they had both decided that they would be important in the future.

On this particular day,she was hanging out with the brothers. She couldn't wait to show them the base so she could finally ask for more bigger and dangerous weapons.

"Do you know of any mechanics?",she said, leaning back in her chair."I need a mechanic I can trust. Someone skilled enough to handle upgrades without asking too many questions."

Wei Jian exchanged a glance with Long Hao. "We might know someone. His name's He Jun—he's one of the best mechanics we've worked with. If anyone can do what you're asking, it's him."

Qianqian's curiosity piqued. "What's he like?"

"Reliable," Long Hao replied succinctly."good at what he does. But he'll probably grill you about what you want first."

Lei Ming chuckled. "He doesn't take kindly to vague instructions. You'll have to be specific."

----

The meeting took place at a garage on the outskirts of the city. The space was packed with cars in various states of repair—some stripped down to their frames, others gleaming with fresh paint. He Jun, a man in his early thirties with grease-streaked overalls and an air of quiet competence, was working on a classic Land Rover Defender when they arrived.

"Jun," Wei Jian called out, and the mechanic looked up, wiping his hands on a rag.

"You're early," He Jun remarked, his sharp eyes landing on Qianqian. "This the client?"

"This is Xu Qianqian," Wei Jian confirmed. "She needs your expertise."

He Jun approached, extending a hand. "He Jun. What's the job?"

Qianqian returned the handshake firmly. "I'm looking to upgrade a few vehicles. Reliable engines, reinforced bodywork, storage space, and off-road capability are the priorities. I have three cars in mind to start with."

"Go on."

-------

Qianqian brought the first batch of vehicles to He Jun's garage:

Toyota Hilux – Known for its durability, this pickup truck would be modified with reinforced bumpers, upgraded suspension, and an enclosed bed for storage.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – Already a solid off-road performer, He Jun suggested installing a winch, undercarriage armor, and a snorkel for water crossings.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G-Wagon) – A luxury SUV turned rugged machine, it was to be fitted with bulletproof glass, tire upgrades, and additional fuel tanks for long-distance travel.

As He Jun inspected the vehicles, he asked, "What's all this for? Are you planning a cross-country expedition?"

Qianqian smiled faintly. "Something like that. Let's just say I like being prepared."

He Jun shrugged. "Fair enough. These upgrades will take a few weeks, depending on how extensive you want them."

"I trust your judgment," Qianqian said. "Let's prioritize functionality over aesthetics. Time is of the essence."

15th May,3019.

By mid-May, the vehicles began to take shape. The Toyota Hilux now resembled an armored tank on wheels, its reinforced exterior gleaming under the garage lights. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon had become a survivalist's dream, equipped with a roof rack and external toolboxes. Meanwhile, the G-Wagon had undergone subtle but effective modifications, balancing luxury and practicality.

He Jun grew to respect Qianqian's decisiveness and knowledge. Though she revealed little about her plans, her focus and resourcefulness made her stand out.

"I've worked with all kinds of clients," He Jun told Wei Jian one day. "But she's different. Not just because she's rich—she's actually smart about what she's doing."

Wei Jian smirked. "That's Qianqian for you."

------

Meanwhile,by late May, Qianqian decided it was time to shift her focus to the base's development. With resources steadily coming in and connections like He Jun and the brothers in place, she began outlining the next phase of her plan: transforming the system-provided small house into a fully functional base capable of weathering any disaster.