On A Blizzard Day, I Will Send My Family To Die

Since I couldn't cook, I bought a lot of ready-made food, including canned goods and instant meals, and plenty of vegetables and pre-packaged ingredients.

...

I even got thick carpets because the underfloor heating might not work.

Since there was underfloor heating at home and work, I didn't wear down jackets or use thick blankets. So, I also bought some down jackets and comforters.

After buying everything, I had to think about the power supply. I remembered there had been sunlight in my previous life, so I immediately went to a store and got two large solar panels before dinner. They fit perfectly on the rack on the balcony.

After doing all this, I still feel a little uneasy. Everything I purchased was delivered to my apartment building's gate by the store owner and supermarket staff.

At a time like this, I needed to be cautious. Our neighborhood was new with a low occupancy rate, so buying so many things made me stand out.

I then ordered many power banks and small gas stoves online and bought several propane tanks.

This way, even if the water and electricity went out, I could still use propane.

Clean water was crucial. I remembered that the pipes had frozen and burst on the second day of the catastrophe.

I ordered 200 bottles of water from the water delivery company and bought a lot of snacks.

I also downloaded many TV shows and movies in case the internet went out.

It was late into the night by the time I finished all this, and just as I was about to rest, my sister sent me a message.

[Cassie, make sure not to damage my bag when you come tomorrow. It would be best if you could fly business class. I don't want my bag to smell like those poor people.]

When I didn't respond in two minutes, she started bombarding me with messages again.

[Cassie, did you get my message?]

[Okay,] I replied.

She finally stopped texting me.

The next morning, I got a new SIM card and a new phone, planning to use the old one for the show that was about to start.

Before noon, Julia's messages started flooding in again.

[Cassie Murphy! Why would you buy such things? Are you deliberately trying to embarrass me?!]

Before I could reply, my mother called and scolded, "Cassie Murphy, are you intentionally trying to embarrass us?"

Feigning innocence, I asked, "Mom, what are you talking about? What did I do wrong again?"

My mother said in a hushed but exasperated tone, "I told you to buy high-end gift sets, but you didn't get any! Instead, you bought all this junk!

"You're making us look bad. Your future brother-in-law's family will think our family is so poor that we're eager to get rid of your sister!

"Hurry up and go to a specialty store to buy the most expensive gifts. Then send them along with your sister's bag to us!"

I hurriedly said in a helpless tone, "Sorry, Mom, but I was unexpectedly assigned a business trip this morning. I've already sent the bag to Julia. Please make sure to pick it up. Besides, my future brother-in-law's family is not that materialistic. They won't look down on those gifts."

...

My mother, clearly not caring about her surroundings, snapped, "So you're not coming? What about us and your sister? This place is run-down and shabby. Are we supposed to clean it up ourselves?"

...

Her remarks made my future brother-in-law's family more upset, but she didn't realize at all what was wrong with her words.

She continued, more agitated than ever, "Didn't I tell you to cancel your business trip? Hurry up and come here. Otherwise, we won't even have a place to sleep tonight!"

Without waiting for my response, she hung up the phone again.

I muted my phone, and comfortably settled into a lounge chair on the balcony, enjoying the pleasant warmth.

I gradually dozed off, and when I woke up, it was almost evening.

The terrifying cold front had arrived, making the warmth of my home feel even more comforting.

Just then, my mother called again.