Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 35: Not Too Weak, Not Too Strong

Take today, for example. It was brutally hot outside, the kind of heat that could kill you without warning. But inside the villa, it was cool and comfortable, almost unbelievably pleasant.

Anyone staying inside didn't want to leave.

While the inspection teams were busy at their respective stations, the renovation manager handed Mariella a long list.

"The mall delivered a large batch of appliances. They've all been stacked in the warehouse. This is the inventory list.

"There are also spare explosion-proof glass panels, backup waterproof electric fencing, spare solar panels, and corrosion-resistant latex paint. Everything's stored in the warehouse."

Mariella took the list and skimmed through it. It matched the large freezers and other appliances she'd bought earlier, along with a massive supply of replacement construction materials. All the costs had already been included in the renovation budget.

At that moment, the water quality technician had collected the samples, but they needed to be taken back to the lab for detailed analysis, with results expected tomorrow.

After sending off the water inspector, the indoor air quality test also produced preliminary results.

"The initial air quality test has passed, but the detailed data analysis will be available tomorrow," the technician reported.

Mariella saw that group out, and soon the explosion-proof glass test results came in as well. As expected, everything passed.

Next came the insulation, wall reinforcement, and blast resistance testing for the exterior structure, all of which held up under inspection.

The renovation manager couldn't help wiping the sweat from his brow. Good thing he hadn't cut corners.

This client wasn't someone you could fool.

...

Mariella personally accompanied several inspectors to check every part of the high-voltage waterproof electric fence, the solar panels, the surveillance system, the rooftop terrace, and the reinforced steel panels used for sealing the windows.

The inspectors clicked their tongues in amazement. "This is practically an apocalypse bunker."

Mariella gave a faint smile. That was exactly the effect she wanted.

At 3 p.m., after seeing off the last staff member, the villa finally fell quiet and empty.

Lucky ran around the spacious courtyard, tongue hanging out in excitement.

Mariella patted his head. "Take it easy, Lucky. This is our new home from now on."

Lucky's eyes lit up. He had a new territory now.

Mariella had Lucky guard the yard while she went into the warehouse and stored all the delivered appliances in her storage space.

The first floor of the club still held backup appliances anyway, more than enough for use.

She walked through the villa again, inspecting the interior. Everything had been set up exactly according to the contract blueprints. All furniture and appliances were in place. She had nothing to complain about.

The two townhouses had a total of three floors. The second and third floors together contained more than twenty rooms, while the entire first floor had been converted into storage.

On the west side of the courtyard, five large warehouses had also been built, providing ample storage space.

This was for storing heavy supplies like diesel, gasoline, and gas tanks, along with 20 large freezers that would be packed with food. Most bulky supplies would also be stored on the first floor to avoid structural load risks.

Mariella's storage space was limited, so it was reserved for her personal backup supplies. As for her teammates, they would need to stockpile and store their own resources.

She went up to the second floor and entered the central main bedroom, which would be her room.

The luxurious bedroom spanned around 1,300 square feet and came with a private bathroom, a full bath, and a large fireplace. All the furniture and appliances had been selected and arranged according to her specifications.

Although the entire villa had a built-in floor heating system, she had still added a separate large fireplace because she was sensitive to the cold.

During the long night, there would be no sunlight for half a year.

Just thinking about that bone-chilling, damp cold made her shiver instinctively.

She couldn't handle the cold. She needed that fireplace.

There were seven rooms on the second floor in total. She took the largest one. The slightly smaller room was assigned to Chandler as his private bedroom. The remaining five rooms were divided among the ten bodyguards, while the dog would sleep on the first floor.

Aside from Chandler, she planned to keep no more than ten people.

Resources would be scarce in the apocalypse, so the team size had to be controlled. Too many people meant she couldn't support them, and it would also draw unwanted attention.

To survive long-term in the apocalypse, you couldn't be too weak, but you also couldn't be too strong.

Too weak, and you'd be wiped out easily. Too strong, and you'd become a target for every major faction.

Unless you could stand at the very top, you'd eventually end up as cannon fodder.

She clearly remembered that in her previous life, the rule between bases was simple—the strong devoured the weak.

Overnight, smaller bases could vanish without a trace, swallowed whole without even leaving scraps behind.

If you wanted to stay alive, you had to conserve your strength and keep a low profile, avoiding the attention of large bases as much as possible.

Mariella saw herself and her team as a small mobile group. They could move between different bases, becoming valuable allies to be courted, rather than building a base of their own.

Establishing a personal base was too difficult and far too conspicuous. Without overwhelming strength, it would only make them an easy target to be devoured.