Snowstorm: I'm Super Rich in the Apocalypse-Chapter 55 - The Informant
Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Informant
Chapter 55 -55: The Informant
Two people hid behind the snowdrifts, cold as it was, so they simply stepped into the “Space”, knowing that one could still hear noises from outside. They planned to peek through a crack if there was any movement, then follow anyone who acted alone.
However, after staying there for three hours without observing anyone alone, and as night had already fallen for some time, they decided to head back for the day and return tomorrow at a different time, which should allow them to catch their shift change.
Unexpectedly, just as they were about to leave, the guards changed over. The person who had been on duty, holding today’s supplies, walked alone toward the building across the street.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng followed him, rounded a building, and just as the man was about to enter an apartment unit, Lu Ruisheng pressed a dagger to the man’s back: “Don’t make a sound, or I’ll kill you. Let’s change locations and talk.”
The man dared not shout and could only follow them forward.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng knew their own residential area very well. The door to the outdoor transformer hut ahead could be opened. Having been repaired just after the snow stopped, they knew the door was left unlocked, so they led the man inside.
Inside, Gu Pan closed the door. The electricity had been out for so long, the place was essentially abandoned.
Lu Ruisheng told the man, “Let’s talk.”
The man was in his early twenties, quite young, short, and skinny.
At this point, he was so scared that his legs trembled: “I wasn’t involved in killing anyone. I’m just a lookout, I don’t want to harm anyone. All I want is some food. My grandma is old, and can’t survive without grain. If you’re here for revenge, don’t come after me.”
Hearing this, Gu Pan could tell: this newbie was timid and very filial—a weakness that was glaringly apparent. Indeed, he was green.
But this made him easier to bribe: “We don’t want to kill anyone either. We didn’t come for revenge. We want to make a deal with you—a trade for good deeds that can earn you extra food, and you won’t lose out.”
The man looked at Gu Pan in horror: “Are you going to kill me for my organs? Why else would you give me food?”
Gu Pan was perplexed, her tiny head filled with huge question marks. Such twisted thinking.
Lu Ruisheng smiled at the sight of his puzzled wife.
He addressed the man: “You’re overthinking it. In these times, who would do such things? It’s hard enough to find a doctor for genuine sickness, let alone sell organs. All we want is for you to help us gather information. Your leader is ambitious, and if he plans to attack other groups in the community, we hope you would inform us so we can prepare and minimize casualties. Isn’t that a good deed?”
Listening to her husband’s earnest nonsense, Gu Pan nodded in agreement: “See? I told you it’s a good thing. Even in the apocalypse, staying alive is the most important. Constant fighting and killing aren’t good. How many of your group died or got injured today?”
Remembering today’s grim scene, the man felt sick to his stomach: “Today, I carried eight bodies. I don’t want to die.”
Gu Pan then said, “So, if your leader prepares to attack another group in the community, you draw a turtle on the transformer hut’s wall with chalk.”
“Okay, when you see the marking, just run. We have more people and guns. Keep yourselves safe by running far away,” the man advised with good intentions.
Gu Pan, seeing his sincerity, also gave him a piece of advice: “Your physique isn’t suited for combat, so don’t try to stand out in the group. It’s better just to be a lookout. Even if you get less supplies, it’s safer.”
The man nodded repeatedly: “You’re right, my grandma says the same thing. I plan to keep watch.”
Gu Pan handed over a small bag filled with a pound of millet: “Here’s a deposit. Make some porridge for your grandma to nourish her stomach.”
The man gratefully accepted: “Thank you. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ding Weiguo. Just call me Xiao Ding.” Then he hesitantly added, “Does this count as being unprincipled?”
That question stumped Gu Pan; with all his faults, no wonder he was suitable for being a lookout.
She thought for a moment and said, “No, because you’re doing the right thing. You’re helping to save good people’s lives. You are honorable.”
Ding Weiguo considered this and then nodded: “You’re right, I think so too.”
Listening to their conversation, Lu Ruisheng, with his head down, drew circles on the ground. His wife really was a major bluffer.
After a good talk, it was time to add a threat. Without something to hold him accountable, he might easily switch sides.
So Gu Pan warned Ding Weiguo again, “We know where you live, so you better not betray us. Otherwise, we are not pushovers.”
Ding Weiguo, who had just been happy, tensed up at Gu Pan’s seriousness: “I won’t, I really won’t. Those who flip sides are guaranteed to die horribly. I’ve seen my share of spy dramas.”
Gu Pan nodded: “Good, then I hope we have a pleasant cooperation. It’s getting late, you should head home.” Who would have thought that spy dramas could be so useful?
Ding Weiguo said his goodbyes and left with the millet.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng also verified that no one was around before heading home, telling their companions about the event.
As they had guessed, Li Dong’s group spent the next few days resting and adjusting, so the following week remained relatively calm.
This gave Gu Pan and her group some time to exchange gold. Previously, only 5 hours and 53 minutes remained before their time was up. This time, after exchanging, they returned with an additional 1 hour and 20 minutes, leaving them with 4 hours and 33 minutes.
Seeing their time accumulate, Gu Pan’s heart steadied. With acid rain looming in the future, she could no longer recall the exact timing—about a year or so prior, they had been lucky to be indoors as anyone outdoors was directly killed by the acid rain, a scene she dared not reminisce.
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Who knew what other strange and abnormal weather would follow? If they had to face airborne substances harmful to humans, being able to hide entirely in their “Space” for a month would be reassuring. Otherwise, even if they didn’t die immediately, their health would certainly be compromised over time.
However, Gu Pan and her group didn’t want to draw the attention of the upper echelons among the second-hand dealers. These individuals were likely to have significant influence and background. If they caught their attention, it could spell trouble. So for now, they were being careful, spacing out their visits, changing clothes, altering their voices, and keeping up excellent disguises.
In the meantime, Chen Shaonan upgraded the electric fence at the entrance. Now, any thieves trying to pry at the exterior gate at night would be instantly electrocuted, and the alarm system would alert them immediately from inside their homes.
Every day, as they went in and out, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng would stop by the transformer hut to check for any markings.
The time was about right, so they visited Shi Liang again to inquire about the current food market.
The price exchange ratio between food and gold hadn’t shifted much for some time because the availability of gold was diminishing. Consequently, more variety was being traded recently.
Watches, diamond rings, antiques—in this new world, anything valuable from the past could be traded for food, and the prices changed daily.
