Chapter 5

As the weather turned colder, heavy rains began, and my preparations were nearing completion.

I convinced my parents to move into the fallout shelter.

Seeing the completely transformed world inside, they were greatly surprised.

"Rowan, why is this section so steamy?" Mom asked, pointing to a partitioned room.

I explained to Mom that this was a hot spring vent I’d discovered while collecting the Ever-burning stones.

It wasn't finished construction yet.

I just hoped the spring water would still be this hot when the extreme cold arrived.

The opened secret passages were also partitioned into small rooms, with concealed doors that were usually undetectable.

I installed hidden cameras and some small traps at the entrances.

I also planned to fence off a plot of land for some small poultry and vegetables, trying to eat fresh ingredients whenever possible.

"Down jackets are all sold out now! The weather is so strange, and it's only [late summer/early fall]!" Dad sighed, sipping his tea.

"Right! Good thing Rowan bought them."

When my parents had questioned my actions before, I told them I'd had nightmares for a month straight.

I revealed the extreme cold conditions of my previous life to them.

They still didn't fully understand, but they stopped questioning me.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

I checked the hidden camera feed: it was Aunt Patricia, Tiffany, and Ryan.

The rain was so heavy that even with umbrellas, the three were drenched like drowned rats.

We went back up to the house through the newly opened staircase and opened the door.

"Rowan, dear! Do you have any extra down jackets?" Aunt Patricia's lips were stiff with cold.

Before I could even speak, Mom snapped, "No!"

"Liar! We heard that little sis went crazy and bought tons of down jackets!" Tiffany's tone was as entitled as ever.

"Rowan! I really misjudged you! We're family, what's wrong with giving us some clothes?" Ryan's face was contorted with fury.

I scoffed, "Sir, even if I *am* family with these two, what exactly are *you* to me?"

Tiffany stepped in front of Ryan.

"He's your future brother-in-law!"

"I won't say anything nasty, but I distinctly remember Mom cutting ties with you two."

"And as for this one, hmph, he's just a used-up piece of trash! He has absolutely nothing to do with us!" Dad sneered, not even bothering to look at them directly.

The three's faces turned crimson.

They flew into a rage out of shame and lunged at me.

Aunt Patricia took the opportunity to rush inside and rummage through the closet.