In a frigid apocalypse, I went on a shopping spree with the reborn.

They took all the accumulated soil out and dumped it, then recycled the bags.

Seeing that it was still early, Jiang Qingyue took protective measures and went to cut down trees with her tools.

With a snap, a tree the size of a bowl fell down.

"Cool!"

The difference is indeed noticeable after my physique improved.

In the past, it would have taken her half a day to saw such a big tree. It wasn't that she was incompetent; as an adult, she actually had the strength that an adult should have. It's just that after the temperature dropped, the tree became even harder to cut down.

Some trees that are not cold-resistant will wither, lose their leaves, and freeze to death.

Trees like pine, which are cold-resistant, have their moisture and resin frozen solid, somewhat like diamonds—hard and brittle, making them very difficult to cut.

If you don't have enough strength, you'll easily be bounced away; if you use a saw, the difficulty increases dramatically.

Today was different; one swing of the axe and it was done.

I found a thicker one and took it down in two swings of the axe.

With a snap, a white object popped out, and Jiang Qingyue caught it in a fluster.

"Good luck."

It is a trading coin.

He happily stuffed it into his pocket, then chopped down a few more trees before carrying it back.

This time I carried more than five times the weight of what I usually carry, and it still felt light and easy.

Based on today's efficiency, she can stockpile plenty of firewood before the third cold wave arrives, so there's nothing to fear.

Jiang Qingyue's good mood didn't last long.

Perhaps my eyesight improved after my physical condition improved, because I saw a person lying on the snow about ten meters away from the shelter.

The other person was wearing a white winter coat, which was extremely easy to miss if you didn't look closely.

Jiang Qingyue quickly lay down on the spot and gently placed the firewood beside her. Before she could figure out how someone would come to her in this godforsaken place, she heard the other person shout at her, "Don't hide, I see you."

"Trying to fool me?" Jiang Qingyue lowered her head even further.

"Even if you're hiding, I can still see you. You're wearing a pink bunny ear hat." The other person pointed out Jiang Qingyue's outfit at a glance.

However, judging from his tone of voice, Jiang Qingyue felt that he must be injured. Even when he shouted at the top of his lungs, he seemed to lack strength.

"I am Yu You, ranked second on the combat power list. You should know me."

It was Yu You!

Jiang Qingyue was surprised at how small the world was and secretly lamented her misfortune.

The two big shots on the power ranking are Long Jiuxing, an 18-year-old girl, and Yu You, a middle-aged man, with a power value of 888.

Jiang Qingyue didn't know her individual combat power, but she hadn't even made it into the top 100 on the leaderboard, so she was obviously a noob.

What's the difference between this and encountering a max-level player in the beginner's village?

"Hiding won't help. There are signs of activity around here. There's an abandoned tricycle by the roadside; it should be yours, right? If I'm not mistaken, there should be a shelter around here. I'm a little injured; take me back to the shelter, and I'll protect you afterwards."

Jiang Qingyue was stunned. What did that mean? What did he mean by "there should be a shelter here"? So he hadn't found the entrance to her shelter.

Jiang Qingyue calculated the distance; this big shot was only a few meters from the entrance of the shelter, and there was even a tent set up at the entrance.

Even if the white tent isn't very conspicuous, who is the other party?

It's impossible that someone ranked second with a combat power of 888 wouldn't have noticed them.

unless……

Considering that the other person had been lying there shouting for a long time but hadn't come over to pull her out, and the weak voice from earlier, Jiang Qingyue had a bold idea: the other person was seriously injured.

So heavy that I no longer had the mind to look around at my surroundings.

Otherwise, there would have been numerous traces of her coming and going at the entrance to the shelter, which the other party could not have ignored.

After thinking it through, Jiang Qingyue's fear subsided somewhat.

"Wearing a pink hat, you're a woman, right?" Yu You's voice came again. "Don't be afraid, I don't hit women."

"Judging from your cowardly appearance, you don't seem to have any treasures, so I won't kill you. Come and take me to your shelter to rest. After I recover, I'll allow you to be my woman."

Jiang Qingyue thought to herself, her voice growing weaker and weaker.

Yu You: "You don't actually want to be my wife, do you? Humph, this isn't the kind of greedy way you try to take advantage of someone's kindness."

"Now that it's the end of the world, I'm the second strongest person in the world. Allowing you to be my lover is already giving you face. Don't be greedy."

"Otherwise, when my brothers find us, you will be the reward I give them."

These words made Jiang Qingyue mentally sentence him to death.

Don't forget, Jiang Qingyue is an assassin. Although she has only killed fish, shrimp, and crabs, she doesn't mind killing other things to protect herself.

He placed his hand on the axe, gripped it tightly, and then released it.

Having received both the Lucky Star and the Constitution Potion, no one understood the effects of these special items better than her. As for the top player ranked second on the individual combat power list, Jiang Qingyue couldn't guarantee that she would have a chance.

Even if the opponent is currently at low health.

Clearing her throat, Jiang Qingyue asked in a weak, terrified voice, "How can you prove you're Yu You? He's the second strongest on the combat power ranking. How could someone so strong and powerful be injured and come to this desolate wilderness?"

Yu You: "Open my personal computer and you'll know my name. Come here, I'll show it to you."

Jiang Qingyue was silent for a while, then asked, "Are you sure you really won't kill me? I don't have any treasures. I haven't even raised enough for the entry fee to the trading area. I only have one trading coin on me."

"Who cares about your one trading coin? Come here, I'm just hypothermic and have a minor leg injury. You don't need to do anything, just take me to the shelter to recover."

"When my brothers find you, you'll enjoy endless riches and glory. I promise, no matter how many women I have in the future, you'll always have a place."

Jiang Qingyue gripped the axe, pondering whether he could wear down his opponent.

She wasn't wearing professional cold-weather gear, after all, she still had to deal with the third wave of cold air, and besides, wearing that kind of thing would make it inconvenient to work.

She was wearing fur boots, a cotton-padded jacket and trousers, and a mink coat today, so she could stay outside for two hours without any problem.

It's been an hour and a half since she came out. She can only hold on for another half hour at most, otherwise she'll start to suffer from hypothermia.

This put Jiang Qingyue in a dilemma: would the other party die in half an hour?

And when will his brothers arrive?

After thinking for a short while, Jiang Qingyue gritted her teeth: No, we have to send this guy to his grave first, then clean up all the traces. The shelter must not be exposed.

After thinking for a moment, she feigned fear and said, "Then I need a special item. You're so strong, you should be able to get special items easily, right? If you promise to give it to me first when you get it, I'll save you."

The other party was very arrogant. Jiang Qingyue knew that such people looked down on the weak, especially those who were greedy and thought they could take advantage of others' kindness.

She had to lower the other party's guard as much as possible.

Not far from the shelter.

Yu You, pale as a ghost, hugged his leg, trying to tuck the injured leg as close to his body as possible, and placed it on his stomach to warm it with his body heat.

Upon hearing the woman's insatiable demands, his gaze turned sinister and terrifying.

But he gritted his teeth and tried to make his voice sound authoritative: "It's just a special item, no big deal. I've already given several of these to my men."

"If you help me just once and become my woman, you can choose any special items you want."

"Really? I'm coming over then."

Jiang Qingyue picked up the axe and looked at the firewood beside her. It was impossible for a small girl like her to carry so much firewood.

She picked up about ten sticks, roughly a small bundle, then took the axe and walked with difficulty toward Yu You, each step a stagger.

While pretending to move forward with difficulty, Jiang Qingyue observed the other party's situation without making a sound.

Their faces were obscured, and they were wrapped up tightly.

The other person was lying on the ground in an extremely awkward position, with their left leg wrapped around their lower abdomen in a strange way.

As Jiang Qingyue drew closer, she noticed a striking red stain on the ground not far from Yu You—it was blood.

Judging from the area, there was quite a bit of bleeding.

Without having time to think further, why this powerful figure with a combat strength of 888 would suffer such severe injuries in this desolate place.

Jiang Qingyue calculated that with this kind of weather and this amount of blood loss, even with a combat power of 888, he should only have one breath left.

"Throw away the firewood!" Yu You was so angry when he saw her holding onto the firewood tightly that he almost lost his temper on the spot.

"I...I've been chopping wood all day," Jiang Qingyue said pitifully, clutching the firewood even tighter as if it were a precious treasure.

Yu Youping hated stupid and clumsy people the most in his life, but there was nothing he could do, as he was unable to move.

This fool is likely the only person around, and a timid and weak woman who can be easily manipulated by him.

The other party admired his strength, which ranked second on the combat power list, and was the only person who could save his life.

Yu You feared that if he killed someone, he would never encounter another living person, or if a burly man who was 1.9 meters tall came along, he would become someone's meal.

Thinking of this, Yu You suppressed the murderous intent in his heart and tried his best to coax her in a gentle voice: "Be good, follow me, and I won't let you do hard and tiring work like chopping wood in the future."

"Where is your refuge? Take me back first, I can't move for now."

"Damn it!" Jiang Qingyue cursed inwardly.

Reluctantly, she put down the firewood, and to avoid arousing Yu You's suspicion, she also put down the axe, asking helplessly, "How much...how many pounds do you weigh?"

Yu You was very unhappy: "Why ask that?"

"I... I can only lift a maximum of 60 kilograms."

Seeing her gentle and unassuming appearance, and noticing that she could only carry a dozen or so pieces of firewood at a time, Yu You realized that such a frail girl couldn't possibly move a grown man like him.

Besides, the cold-weather gear he was wearing was quite heavy.

"Where is your refuge?" Yu You asked urgently.

He was aware of his physical condition; he was severely hypothermic, especially his injured leg, which had lost all feeling.

If we delay any longer, even if we survive, we won't be able to save our legs.

The apocalypse has only just begun, and he has not yet realized his grand ambitions; he absolutely cannot accept losing his legs.

"It's not far, it's right next door."

"Then drag me over there."

"Oh." Jiang Qingyue stepped forward hesitantly, wondering if she could take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, but she found that Yu You's gaze remained fixed on her.

Unable to find an opportunity to strike, she could only cautiously reach out and grab his arm, pulling him back forcefully.

With a thud, he fell on his backside, but Yu You didn't budge an inch.

"You..." Yu You was about to curse.

Jiang Qingyue's sobbing voice came through: "I...I can't pull you, waaaah, it's over, does that mean I can't be your lover anymore?"

"No way! I finally met a powerful figure and managed to latch onto them. I haven't even seen any special items yet..."

His tearful outburst choked Yu You's angry curses, leaving them stuck in his throat as if he had swallowed a thousand dead flies.

I can't swallow it or spit it out.

He realized that this person was a useless piece of trash, and if he continued to curse, the other person would only cry louder, which would not solve any problems at all.

He desperately suppressed his anger and coaxed, "Sweetie, don't cry. It's normal for girls to be a little weak."

"Go back to the shelter and see if you can find anything, like a sled or a skateboard."

"No, no, but I have a wheelchair, is that alright?"

Yu You's face darkened: "Why didn't you say you had a wheelchair earlier!"

Although he has no feeling in his legs, he still has strength in his hands. If there were a wheelchair, the girl could easily help him climb into it. It would be so easy, why waste half a day here?

"I...I was so scared, I couldn't remember."

idiot.

Yu You held back and didn't curse. Instead, he patiently said, "Then go push the wheelchair. I'll wait for you here. Hurry up."

"Okay, okay."

Jiang Qingyue took two steps and then turned back: "You must wait for me."

Yu You rolled his eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. He couldn't move, he couldn't go anywhere, so how could he possibly fly?

All he could do was muster the greatest patience he could muster: "Don't worry, I'll wait for you. Seeing how obedient and pitiful you are, from now on, besides my wife, you'll have the highest status."

"When I achieve great things and become king, I will make you my imperial concubine."

Jiang Qingyue shuddered, not from the cold, but from feeling nauseous.

I remember when we were in school, she would curse the other person to be a mistress whenever she got into an argument.

Now, even mistresses can be used as rewards.

It was a reward for saving his life. I don't know if it's repaying kindness with enmity or if this guy's life is worthless.

As she pretended to stagger toward the shelter, she plotted how to kill him.

After testing her, she confirmed that the other person's legs were indeed immobile, but they still had strength in their hands.

An ordinary person wouldn't be afraid of being on the verge of death, but since the opponent was the second strongest on the combat power list, Jiang Qingyue dared not be careless.

Back at the shelter, she searched everywhere and found three usable items.

The first item is a stun gun, but the downside is that you have to get close to the other person.

Jiang Qingyue thought for a moment and put down the stun gun. She was afraid that before she could take the other person down, Yu You would twist his neck.

If they dare not get close, they can only attack objects from a distance.

A set of composite bows was the most legal and powerful weapon she could buy at the time.

But she hadn't practiced it; she could only use it barely, and her accuracy was questionable.

In addition, Yu You was wearing a full set of professional-grade cold-weather gear, which was of even better quality than hers. Even if she hit him, the impact would be limited after the layers of force were dissipated.

Putting down the composite bow, Jiang Qingyue looked at the last item: a high-pressure water gun.

These weren't specially prepared post-apocalyptic supplies; they were things from her old seafood shop, which she had bought to wash the floor.

"That's it."

Jiang Qingyue deftly carried a bucket of tap water. The bucket was close to the stove, so the water didn't freeze. She inserted one end of the high-pressure water hose into the bucket, took the water gun nozzle, and carried the bucket outside.

This time, she didn't need to pretend to stumble, because she had no intention of getting close at all.

From a distance, Yu You heard the noise and turned around. Before he could even see who it was, he was sprayed in the face by a huge jet of water.

Jiang Qingyue sprayed the entire bucket of water, making sure the other person was thoroughly drenched from head to toe, before carrying the empty bucket and running away to a distance.

An ordinary person, like her before she strengthened her physique, would die within two minutes if she were drenched in cold water while wearing professional cold-weather gear, given her injured leg and pre-existing hypothermia.

It's hard to say what Yu You said. Jiang Qingyue didn't know how strong the other party's physique was, but if the combat power was strong, the physique must be even stronger and more resistant to cold.

Fortunately, this place is a windy spot. If he gets soaked to the bone and then blown by the cold wind, even if he is the second strongest on the combat power list, he will only be destined to die.

It all depends on how long the other side can hold out.