Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 243: Approaching the Truth

After leaving Cloud Manor, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang hurried back to West Hill Base, eager to report their findings. Xie Huanhuan couldn’t hide her excitement, and not even the biting cold of the midnight snow could dampen her spirits. Liu Ziyang, observing her uncharacteristic enthusiasm, was intrigued.

Xie Huanhuan was his superior, who he directly reported to during missions assigned by their superiors. Although they had worked together for a long time, Liu Ziyang wasn’t always privy to the full details of their assignments. But today, seeing Xie Huanhuan so elated piqued his curiosity.

They had been partners for a while and had a good relationship, so Liu Ziyang asked, "Huanhuan, what did you find in Zhang Yi’s villa that’s got you so excited?"

By now, they were far from Cloud Manor. Feeling pleased with herself, Xie Huanhuan was eager to return and report her discoveries, knowing that a significant reward awaited her. She decided to share the information with Liu Ziyang.

"Liu, normally, as just a regular soldier in Team A, there are some things you wouldn’t be cleared to know," she began with a smile. "But since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll tell you anyway!"

Xie Huanhuan explained, "That Zhang Yi, there were rumors about him being involved in the theft of the Walmart South China warehouse. Have you heard about that case?"

Liu Ziyang furrowed his brow slightly. "I think I’ve heard of it."

At the time of the incident, Liu Ziyang was still in the military and unaware of the details.

"Yeah, I know about Walmart. It’s a big supermarket chain, globally famous," Liu Ziyang replied.

"Exactly. Not only is it famous worldwide, but it’s the largest chain supermarket in the world," Xie Huanhuan continued. "They had over 800 large chain stores in China alone, and the South China warehouse in Tianhai City stored more than a third of their supplies for the entire country. The value of those goods was said to be in the billions!"

Liu Ziyang was taken aback. "Billions in supplies? That’s insane!"

Even West Hill Base, with all its years of preparation and mobilization before the snow disaster, couldn’t match that level of stockpiled resources.

"You’re saying Zhang Yi knows where those supplies went?" Liu Ziyang asked, catching on quickly.

Xie Huanhuan smiled, "Initially, the base leaders thought Zhang Yi was just someone with knowledge of the situation, so they sent us to investigate. But after visiting Xu’s Town and personally inspecting his home, I realized things are far more complex than they seemed!"

Her tone became serious, tinged with the excitement of uncovering a significant secret.

Liu Ziyang still looked puzzled. "I… don’t get it."

Xie Huanhuan rolled her eyes at him. "If Zhang Yi were just a regular warehouse manager, the loss of billions in supplies would have little to do with him. Even if we questioned him, the information we’d get probably wouldn’t be useful. After all, even if we found the mastermind behind the theft, we might not have the power to recover the supplies."

"But what if Zhang Yi is more than he appears—someone with hidden power?" she suggested.

Xie Huanhuan thought back to what the villagers of Xu’s Town had told her and exhaled a puff of white breath. "Could an ordinary person survive for so long in the apocalypse and possess such formidable firepower?"

"Could an ordinary person single-handedly repel an attack by hundreds of villagers and kill more than a hundred of them?"

"From this, we can conclude that Zhang Yi is not ordinary!" she declared.

As they talked, the sled dogs grew restless, though they couldn’t bark due to their harnesses. Instead, they let out low whines and began to run faster. But the two, engrossed in their conversation, didn’t notice this odd behavior, chalking it up to the cold weather.

Xie Huanhuan continued, "I had my suspicions before, but after searching his home, I’m even more convinced."

"The living conditions in his home were better than our base leaders—far more luxurious."

"Who would dare live so extravagantly in these times without a vast supply of resources?"

Liu Ziyang slowly began to understand. "So you’re saying that Zhang Yi must have access to a massive stockpile of supplies!"

"Could he have part of the missing Walmart South China warehouse goods?"

Xie Huanhuan blinked, her tone serious. "It might not just be part of it—there’s a chance he has all of it!"

"What???" Liu Ziyang almost jumped out of his seat in shock. "Huanhuan, you’ve got to be kidding! How could he store so much?"

Xie Huanhuan explained, "The case itself was always shrouded in mystery. No one could explain how the world’s largest warehouse, the South China warehouse, was emptied in just a few hours."

"But now, with the appearance of Superhumans, many things that seemed impossible before are now within the realm of possibility."

Liu Ziyang furrowed his brow. "Are you saying he has some ability that allows him to hide the supplies?"

"I’m just speculating," Xie Huanhuan admitted, "but even the possibility is worth investigating!"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Once we return, we’ll report this immediately, and the leaders will send a large force to deal with it."

"Even if his house is heavily fortified, with my ability, it won’t stand a chance."

Although Xie Huanhuan’s ability was more suited to support roles, it was incredibly effective in assault operations. She couldn’t bring particularly large objects inside, but she could easily toss in bombs or gas. No matter how strong a fortress was, it could be easily breached from within.

Liu Ziyang watched Xie Huanhuan with admiration in his eyes. "You’re amazing! People like you, born with Superhuman abilities, can achieve anything."

Xie Huanhuan noticed the hint of melancholy in Liu Ziyang’s gaze. As an elite soldier, not having the same innate powers as her was his significant regret.

Suddenly, she patted her old partner’s shoulder firmly. "Liu, don’t be so down! When we get back, you’ll be well-rewarded too."

"When I become one of the base’s leaders, I won’t forget to take care of you!"

Liu Ziyang chuckled at her confidence. "Alright, I’ll be counting on you then!"

The two of them laughed as they headed back to West Hill Base, delighted by the success of their mission.

But just then, something unexpected happened. As Liu Ziyang glanced over, he saw Xie Huanhuan’s head suddenly jerk to the side. A spray of blood erupted from her temple, and though her smile remained on her face, her eyes quickly lost their light.

With a loud thud, Xie Huanhuan’s body fell lifelessly from the sled.

Author's Note