The next morning, Lin Wei left his apartment right at nine. The weather outside was fresh, sunny, and pleasantly spring-like. He quickly made his way to the agreed meeting spot near the gym. The guys were already waiting for him — all five of them standing together near the entrance. Zhang Hu noticed him first and raised his hand.
"Hey, Wei! We're all here. You're right on time as always."
Lin Wei smiled and walked over. Everyone looked a little sleepy, but no one was late.
"Morning, guys. Thanks for coming so early. I was worried some of you might change your minds after yesterday's talk."
Zhang Hu grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Change our minds? After you sounded so serious yesterday? We're not random acquaintances. If you say it's important, we show up. But come on, tell us more. What exactly is this food crisis about? You were pretty mysterious yesterday."
Lin Wei nodded and gestured for everyone to step aside so they wouldn't block the sidewalk.
"I'll explain on the way. Let's head to the hypermarket first. Just remember — don't talk too loudly inside the store. We just do the shopping and ignore what people around us say."
They started walking toward the large supermarket, which was about a ten-minute walk away. Zhang Hu walked beside Lin Wei while the others followed slightly behind.
"So, what's really going on with this crisis?" Zhang Hu asked, lowering his voice. "You said yesterday that your friend from logistics gave you the information. How serious is it?"
Lin Wei kept walking at a steady pace and answered calmly but confidently.
"According to him, there are going to be major supply problems in the next few days. Several large overseas contracts fell through, and warehouses are already half-empty. Long-shelf-life products will be hit hardest: rice, buckwheat, pasta, canned goods, cooking oil, sugar, and salt. Prices will skyrocket, and then many items will simply disappear from the shelves. He advised everyone he trusts to stock up immediately — at least two to three months' worth."
Xiao Min, walking behind them, snorted.
"Two to three months? Bro, are you serious? Are we preparing for a blockade or World War Three?"
Lin Wei smiled slightly without turning around.
"Not war — a crisis. My friend isn't the type to panic. He works for a big logistics company that handles supplies across the entire region. He has access to internal reports. He saw that several major suppliers are already canceling contracts. He says that in a week or two, real panic buying will start. Better to prepare now than to run around the city later fighting over the last bag of rice."
Li Wei, usually the calmest of the group, shook his head.
"Even if this is true… why right now? We've never had warnings like this before. You suddenly skip training, start buying half the store, and call all of us. It seems a bit… sudden."
"I had doubts myself at first," Lin Wei replied honestly. "But when my friend showed me screenshots from their internal messages… I decided not to take the risk. Even if the crisis doesn't happen, the food won't spoil. It's non-perishable. We lose nothing. And if he's right, we'll be in a much better position than everyone else."
Chen Yu, walking next to Wang Lei, couldn't help but smile.
"Listen, Wei, aren't you worried that when we walk into the store with six carts, everyone will think we're preparing for the zombie apocalypse?"
Everyone laughed. Even Lin Wei smiled.
"Let them think whatever they want," he said. "The important thing is that we'll be ready. I already bought quite a lot yesterday. Today we want to finish building up the supplies. Each of you takes a cart. I'll show you what to get. We move fast and efficiently."
Wang Lei, the quietest one in the group, finally spoke up.
"Where are we going to store all this? Your apartment must already be pretty full."
"For now, at my place," Lin Wei answered. "Later we'll find a small warehouse or garage on the outskirts. We can rent one cheaply. The main thing is to start."
They were already approaching the entrance to the hypermarket. Zhang Hu gave Lin Wei one last pat on the shoulder.
"Alright, bro. We trust you. But if this turns out to be just regular panic, you owe us beer for the whole next month."
"Deal," Lin Wei chuckled. "Beer's on me."
They grabbed six large shopping carts at the entrance and immediately headed toward the long-shelf-life products section. As soon as the group started moving through the aisles, Lin Wei noticed people beginning to stare.
They filled the carts quickly and methodically: huge bags of rice and buckwheat, crates of canned meat, fish, and vegetables, large packages of pasta, five-liter cans of cooking oil, and big bags of sugar and salt. The carts grew heavier and taller by the minute.
A quiet buzz started forming around them. People in the neighboring aisles were whispering and nodding in their direction.
"Look at that whole gang…" Lin Wei heard a woman's voice. "Are they preparing for war or the end of the world?"
A man nearby let out a suppressed chuckle.
"Maybe they're in some cult? Or is this a new TikTok trend — 'stocking up for the apocalypse'?"
Xiao Min blushed noticeably and lowered his head. Chen Yu also looked uncomfortable, constantly glancing around.
Lin Wei noticed their embarrassment and said quietly but firmly while continuing to push his cart:
"Don't pay attention to them, guys. Let them talk. We need to build up supplies. This is necessary. If my friend is right and the crisis really hits, we'll be glad we didn't slack off."
Zhang Hu nodded and pushed his cart more confidently.
"Wei is right. Let them gossip. We're doing what needs to be done."
Xiao Min still looked unsure.
"It's easy for you to say… I feel really awkward. People are staring at us like we're crazy."
"Let them stare," Lin Wei replied calmly. "In a couple of weeks, when prices shoot up, they'll be the ones running around the stores regretting they didn't prepare. We'll already be set."
The guys exchanged glances. Remembering yesterday's conversation and Lin Wei's words that this might actually happen, they stopped looking around and continued shopping without hesitation. The group now moved almost like a single well-coordinated unit: Lin Wei pointed out what to take, and the others silently and quickly loaded the items.
When they finally reached the checkout, the sight was impressive. Six completely overloaded carts lined up in one long line. People around them were openly staring. Some were filming with their phones, others simply shook their heads and whispered.
Behind the register stood a skinny young guy, about eighteen or nineteen years old. His face was already pale with exhaustion. The last two days had been a real ordeal for him. Every day the same guy — the one now leading this entire group — had been buying two full carts of groceries. The cashier couldn't complain openly, but every time he saw that familiar figure turning the corner, his stomach tightened.
Again… the young cashier thought with a silent groan as he saw Lin Wei leading the whole group. And not alone this time… Now there are six of them. This isn't a crisis anymore — this is an apocalypse for my shift.
He took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and prepared himself for a long and difficult checkout. His arms were already aching in anticipation. Out of all the cashiers, he always seemed to get this "lucky ticket."
"Good morning…" he managed to say, trying to maintain a professional smile even though his voice trembled slightly. "Will you be paying for everything together?"
Lin Wei nodded calmly.
"Yes, all together. Thank you."
The cashier could only sigh heavily to himself and began scanning the first item.
Beep… Beep… Beep…
The sound of the scanner rang out again and again while the line behind their group continued to grow. People were whispering even louder now, but Lin Wei and his friends stood calmly, as if nothing unusual was happening.