Chapter 21: Phony with Angelic Bit**
In the homeowners' group, Auntie Lin's messages still streamed in with relentless optimism. "Has everyone seen the news? Our country is well-equipped to handle this snowstorm. Stay calm; all issues will be resolved," she assured her neighbors.
But her reassurances fell on deaf ears. After two days with no end to the snowstorm in sight, anxiety was beginning to set in amongst the residents.
It was then that Mira reached out to Phoenix again.
"Phoenix, are you alright?" she messaged, perhaps thinking he'd suffered at the hands of Alexander.
Phoenix raised an eyebrow, sensing that Mira's concern was not entirely genuine.
"I'm fine," he replied briefly.
"Oh, that's good," Mira responded, a tinge of disappointment hidden behind her words.
Shortly after, she tried a different tactic. "We're running out of food at home, and I remember you stocked up a lot. Could you share some? I'll take you out for dinner later, promise ღ(´・ᴗ・`)"
A sardonic smile crept across Phoenix's face as he read her message. He knew her too well—Mira and her friend Iris had shopped just as he had. They couldn't have run out so quickly.
"Afraid not, all gone. There's hardly anything left at my place," he lied smoothly, playing her game.
But Mira was persistent. "Some instant noodles, maybe? You manage the warehouse, right? Surely there's food at your place?"
Phoenix was unyielding. "Nope, no instant noodles. This is my usual fare," he lied again, snapping a photo of his lavish meal and sending it to Mira.
The image of sumptuous food made Mira seethe with envy and anger. Beside her, Iris peeked out from the quilt, her eyes widening with desire at the sight of Phoenix's meal.
The two women, accustomed to the ease of takeouts and dinners out, were now reduced to eating what they had always disdained. The sight of Phoenix's indulgence was a bitter pill to swallow.
Iris, ever the provocateur, suggested, "Why not play along? Agree to dinner with him, but let him supply the food!"
Reluctantly, Mira contemplated the idea. Phoenix was merely a backup plan to her, not the rich suitor she envisioned. But she was tired of instant meals.
"Fine, let's give him a chance to dine with me," Mira conceded, messaging Phoenix. "How about you come over for dinner tonight?"
Phoenix's reply was prompt and facetious. "You're inviting me over? Thanks, I'll be waiting!"
Fuming, Mira tossed her phone aside as Iris contributed her own jabs. After a while, Mira checked for an apologetic message, but there was none, which only deepened her annoyance.
Iris then covertly sent her own message to Phoenix. "Phoenix, you're clueless! Mira is upset; do you understand the gravity of this?"
Phoenix, reading Iris's message, smirked. "Playing the good cop, bad cop, eh? You two never cease to entertain me."
He had long seen through their act. Iris played the sidekick to Mira's supposed innocence, a role that ensured Mira could keep her goddess image intact. It was all a performance, and Phoenix wasn't in the audience.
As the day progressed, Phoenix glanced outside to see a few neighbors attempting to clear the snow. Among them was Uncle You, the security guard, always eager to help, while the neighborhood committee members were nowhere in sight.
He knew their effort was in vain. The snow was relentless, and soon, those who had toiled would retreat, defeated by the cold and the endless white.
Phoenix, wrapped in the warmth of his apartment, turned his attention back to the TV. Messages of hope and determination filled the screen, but he knew better. The snowstorm was a force beyond human control, a reminder of nature's supremacy.