Part 2Reborn back to the apocalypse, I built a safe house with handsome security guards

In my last life, without any preparation, Kyle and I were trapped in this apartment. By the third day, we ran out of food and were forced to risk going out to find supplies. We ended up encountering a zombie horde, and Kyle pushed me out as bait to save himself.

So, for the next three weeks, my main task was to acquire living essentials. To avoid drawing attention, I didn't plan to buy in bulk from a single place. Instead, I targeted several large wholesale supermarkets, purchasing items in smaller quantities from various locations.

This was a massive undertaking, and I needed a helper.

“I live here, and I need to buy a lot of things from the supermarket. Could you come with me?”

As a resident, such a request was a bit out of line, and Mark visibly hesitated.

I lowered my eyes and slowly said, “I just moved to the city alone not long ago, and I don’t have many friends…”

Mark used his walkie-talkie to hand over his duties to a colleague and eventually agreed to accompany me to the supermarket.

I bought a seven-seater SUV, removed all the seats, and used it for hauling goods. Mark paused when he saw the vehicle but didn't ask any questions.

He was just as I expected: silent, unflappable. This made my impression of him soar.

We visited three large chain supermarkets, and by the time we returned, the car was packed with rice, flour, and cooking oil.

Mark helped me carry everything upstairs, not asking a single question the entire time.

The temperature wasn’t low today. He’d taken off his security uniform jacket while moving things, wearing only a white shirt.

The shirt was damp with sweat, vaguely showing the outline of his muscular physique.

I offered him a towel to wipe his sweat, but he didn’t take it, politely excusing himself to leave.

“Mark.”

I called out to him.

Perhaps it was rare for a resident to call a security guard by his first name. The man’s expression subtly shifted, and he finally looked at me directly.

In that moment, I saw his eyes were deep and bright.

“I might need your help with shopping again tomorrow…”

“Ms. Reed, if you have a lot of things to move, I suggest hiring professional movers,” Mark subtly declined.

I leaned against the door, smiling at him, and pulled out my pre-planned excuse.

“I’m a streamer, preparing for a three-year ‘no-going-out’ challenge. It’s still under wraps, so I can’t let too many people know I’m buying a lot of supplies. Since you kindly helped me today, I’m afraid I’ll have to keep bothering you.”

Mark’s usually expressionless face finally showed a hint of disbelief. I wasn't sure if he was surprised by my brazenness and unreasonableness, or if this so-called three-year ‘no-going-out’ challenge sounded utterly ridiculous and utterly pointless.

“Don’t worry, I’ll clear it with property management, and I’ll pay you an extra service fee.” Seeing he still wasn’t speaking, I added, even resorting to a playful threat, “Of course, if you don’t agree, I’ll complain about you.”

Mark pondered for a moment, seemingly suppressing something.

“Alright, Ms. Reed. As long as property management approves, it’s no problem. The service fee isn’t necessary.”

I knew he was a veteran, and finding this security job wasn’t easy, so he could only compromise in the face of my ‘coercion and temptation’.

Over the next few days, I continued to purchase essential condiments like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, as well as long-lasting foods like instant noodles and canned goods. After bringing all these items home, we were about to head to the pharmacy when we ran into Kyle at the complex entrance.

Finding me here meant he already knew about the inheritance.

“Alice, who is he?”

Mark wasn’t wearing his security uniform jacket, so Kyle naturally couldn’t tell his identity.

I turned to Mark and said without batting an eye, “I don’t know this man.”

“Alice!” Kyle stepped forward and grabbed my wrist.

“What are you doing! Let go of me!” I struggled fiercely.

Mark pushed Kyle away, shielding me behind him. “Sir, please show some respect.”

“Who the hell do you think you are…”

Kyle tried to push back, but his scrawny frame was like a twig next to Mark's. He was no match.

Mark protected me as we got into the car. On the way to the pharmacy, he finally couldn’t help but ask, “Is that man your boyfriend?”

“He’s a scumbag. He cheated on me and broke up with me. Now that he sees me making money as a streamer, he wants to get back together.”

I spoke concisely, slandering him without any psychological burden.

Mark was silent.

We practically emptied the pharmacy.

Watching me panting as I loaded the last box of medicine into the car, Mark said with a complex expression, “It seems your line of work is pretty tough.”

I wiped away some sweat, smiling at him. “It is, which is why I need to guard my wallet tightly and not let any jerks get their hands on it.”

Back at the apartment complex, Kyle was still standing at the main gate. As soon as he saw my car, he immediately ran up and knocked on the window.

“Alice, Alice, what did I do wrong to make you deliberately find a security guard to spite me? Alice, get out, let’s talk properly.”

I couldn’t be bothered to deal with Kyle anymore, so I rolled down the window.

“Kyle, I already know what you did.”

Kyle froze, a hint of guilt appearing on his face.

I scoffed inwardly. I was just bluffing, but judging by his reaction, he must have done something awful to me a long time ago.

“Let’s break up. Let’s both keep some dignity.”

I told Mark to drive into the complex.

But Kyle wouldn’t give up, clinging to the car window, trying to stop us.

“Alice, I don’t believe it! You must still love me! How could you break up with me?!”

“Really? How can I make you believe it?”

I pulled Mark, who was in the driver’s seat, toward me and kissed him deeply for over ten seconds.

Kyle’s face turned ghastly.

I released Mark and looked at Kyle provocatively. “Do you believe it now?”