After Turning Into a Girl, I Kept My Girlfriend in the Apocalypse - Chapter 19

Facing the dark, gaping barrel of the gun, Zheng Tu almost laughed.

The Federation banned firearms. The gunshot he’d heard yesterday must have been from That Great One.

But there was no way he’d entrust such a crucial weapon to a lover.

“Come on, it’s just a toy…”

Bang!

A searing pain tore through his body.

A bullet pierced his shoulder and slammed into the wall behind him.

A face-to-face miss would be rude.

It’s a real gun!

Zheng Tu was horrified. He never imagined That Great One would arm her!

Is this the Big Shot’s audacity?

Forgetting all about pride and loyalty to his brothers, he stumbled backward, fleeing for his life. Fortunately, the other patrons had already cleared a path.

“Not so fast! A friend from afar, though distant, must be punished! Stop right there!”

Magic-infused words drilled into his ears, and Zheng Tu felt his legs rooted to the ground, utterly immobile.

“Tsk tsk, don’t move now. It’ll be a very painful way to die.”

He Ning then fired over a dozen shots, ricocheting bullets narrowly missing the onlookers, before finally sending him on his way.

He Ning: This isn’t my fault! It’s a built-in occupational hazard from my Talent!

“You all saw it! He committed suicide! Don’t blame me!”

The crowd nodded in agreement. Zero Yuan Shopping deserved this fate, but… well, never mind!

Thud!

Zheng Kuo instantly dropped to his knees.

“Big Sister, please spare me! I was forced into this! I didn’t do anything!”

With his beady eyes and cowering posture, he certainly looked like someone with the heart of a thief but none of the courage. But mistakes have consequences.

In the End Times, guilt is presumed, and the penalty is immediate death.

“Spare your life? You two look quite alike. Are you brothers?”

“Yes, yes, yes! He’s my cousin! But our fathers were also cousins, so we’re not that close!”

“Thank you for your honesty.”

He Ning ejected the magazine to check her ammunition. Still plenty of bullets left.

“But won’t you seek revenge? Won’t you tell his family? Why should I keep you around to cause trouble?”

“No…”

Bang!

A bullet grazed his ear. He felt a hot, sweet sensation on his cheek and a wetness in his pants.

I’m still alive?

Did she just want to warn me?

Bang!

He saw a bullet pierce his forehead, taking his soul with it.

He Ning chuckled awkwardly. “Oops, I missed.”

After the two brothers learned their lesson the hard way, all the customers behaved themselves impeccably.

By noon, despite a long queue, only a dozen bottles of water and instant noodles had been sold. Some people merely came to browse, subtly hinting for discounts.

My prices have always been fixed. Why don’t you reflect on whether you’ve saved enough money?

With business so slow, He Ning decided to have lunch. The System’s bento box contained one meat dish, two vegetable sides, and an egg—a decent quick meal by ordinary standards. But at that moment, it made everyone’s mouths water.

“W-wait, takeout? Where did you get takeout?”

Hearing someone speak up, she deliberately smacked her lips. “This? Yum yum~ That Great One gave it to me. Yum yum~ He probably has plenty more.”

“H-how much does it cost?”

It was obvious this wouldn’t be cheap.

“Hmm… He said this bento costs 2,000 yuan.”

Seeing the crowd’s shocked and skeptical expressions, He Ning suppressed a laugh. If you won’t open the window, I’ll tear off the roof.

“But I think that’s too expensive. So I took the liberty of selling it for just 800 yuan today! I’m willing to face any punishment tonight, just so everyone can have a decent meal!”

Some faces showed gratitude, while others were filled with disdain. This sales tactic didn’t work on everyone.

“Can we meet this Big Shot?”

Many believed the Big Shot was kind-hearted, and this despicable woman was simply profiting in the middle. If they explained their situation, they could get a discount or even a free meal. After all, protecting the weak was the responsibility of the strong.

“Want to see him?” He Ning pointed to the building across the street. “He’s over there. Go find him yourselves.”

The building across the street? That place was surrounded by hundreds of zombies! The Big Shot might be playing around, but going there would be a death sentence.

“Today’s bento supply is limited to ten portions only! Who knows when the next batch will be available?”

The already hesitant, starving people finally couldn’t hold back. Money was nothing compared to their lives.

“I’ll take two portions!”

“Me too!”

“One portion per person! Get in line properly!”

“Everyone, everyone! Little Deer Convenience Store is open long-term. If you like our products, please recommend us to your friends and family! Bring new customers, and you’ll get a small reward!”

Hearing this, hope flickered in their eyes again. They used to scorn pyramid schemes, but the past was the past, and now was now.

Those who managed to buy bento hurried away. Only two thick-skinned individuals remained, devouring their meals under the burning glares of the crowd.

Soon after, another round of cries and screams echoed from downstairs.

Ordinary people really had it rough.

In the afternoon, with hardly any customers, He Ning browsed the Mall. Today’s selection was particularly good.

Large Water Storage Tower: 4,000 Gold Coins. Used to collect and filter water, connect to the Safehouse’s water supply system, and store up to 500 liters.

Small Network Base Station: 10,000 Gold Coins. Creates a local network with a range of one kilometer.

Ankle-Safe High Heels: 500 Gold Coins. Red stilettos that feel like walking on flat ground, enhancing charisma and increasing others’ goodwill toward the wearer.

While these items were normally unavailable, their prices were truly exorbitant.

The Network Base Station was a godsend. Though the power grid hadn’t collapsed yet, the internet had completely shut down this morning.

On just the fourth day of the Apocalypse, how could she sell goods without internet access?

In addition to these items, the Martial Armaments Mall had unlocked skill scrolls, though they were all for mundane skills.

For example, a dry-cleaning combo skill that automatically cleans, irons, and folds clothes.

A kitchen skill that makes potatoes, tomatoes, and garlic peel themselves.

And a luck skill that ensures you’ll never have to eat ginger or scallions again.

At just 100 Gold Coins each, she bought them all.

“Miss… do you have… formula?”

Lost in her daydreams of normal life, He Ning heard an urgent call.

It was a young father.

“No, for a baby?”

“Hmm, we’re out of rice at home. How much for a bag?”

“Ten thousand.”

The crowd hadn’t expected it to be so expensive, but when they calculated the price per pound, two hundred didn’t seem so outrageous after all.

“Can I buy just two pounds?”

“Sorry, we don’t sell it in smaller quantities.”

“I don’t have that much cash. Could I trade this jewelry? Just two pounds is all I need!”

“Oh?”

He Ning watched as the man pulled out a gold bracelet from his pocket.

System, do you accept luxury goods like this for recycling?

Precious metals, artwork, antiques, furniture, appliances, and other items with practical value can be recycled.

“Don’t worry, sir. Jewelry is acceptable. Just give it to me.”

Seeing the man’s desperation to save his child, He Ning showed remarkable patience. Thinking about how she and Bai Lu would have children someday, she felt a pang of empathy.

She took the bracelet and hefted it, noting its substantial weight.

Gold bracelet, net weight 15 grams, recycling value 6000 Gold Coins.

“The quality is decent. Trading it for just two pounds of rice would be a terrible deal for you. Take the whole bag.”

He Ning gestured to the fifty-pound sack of rice.

The man’s eyes widened. My Luo Tianyi, fifty pounds!

He hadn’t expected such generosity from this beautiful and kind-hearted woman.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

The man knelt heavily on the ground, and He Ning didn’t stop him.

When you do someone a favor, you should accept their gratitude; otherwise, they’ll feel indebted.

“Brother, where do you live? I’ll walk you home, but I can’t carry fifty pounds.”

This was clearly meant for the onlookers—no one should dare steal what someone else had bought.

He Ning needed to set an example: for cooperative big clients, she would guarantee transaction security, fostering harmonious mutual trust and stable, long-term business relationships.

By the time she returned, the crowd of onlookers had dispersed, just in time for closing.

A breezy 13,400 Gold Coins earned—sweet! Maybe I’m a business genius after all.

But it was still early. He Ning threw on her cloak, ready to play for higher stakes.