The four of them ate their meal with great satisfaction, completely unaware that black pots were being dumped onto their heads one after another.
Each of the four also had their own hidden schemes.
Jiang Li was thinking about how to get closer to Wang Che, reveal her team’s “foreknowledge information,” and make him join her group while kicking Gu Cheng out. In the apocalypse, she needed more powerful protectors—and these people all looked extraordinary.
Ye Wen, on the other hand, remained cautious. She did not mention that she would die in the early extreme cold period. She selectively revealed only part of her “foreknowledge,” carefully withholding key details so that others would rely on her ability. Once they reached a safe base, they would not abandon her.
Chu Xiuyuan wanted to use Ye Wen’s “prophecy ability” to connect with higher-level authorities. He and Zhou Tong were both capable of awakening abilities, and they would definitely be valued. He had long been tired of being looked down upon—he wanted to prove to everyone that he was someone they could never reach.
In the apocalypse, disaster and opportunity coexisted, breaking down the old order and freeing people from constraints.
Zhou Tong simply wanted revenge after eating his fill—and to help Chu Xiuyuan achieve everything he wanted.
That night, when everything was silent, a group of people secretly approached Chu Xiuyuan’s villa and forced open the anti-theft gate with a chainsaw.
The villa’s four occupants woke up the moment the gate was being cut.
Zhou Tong went to Chu Xiuyuan’s room and brought out a fire axe prepared earlier, along with a pistol taken from a policeman who had died of heatstroke.
Jiang Li and Ye Wen, terrified, also hid in Chu Xiuyuan’s room. The four of them stayed inside, fully alert and on guard.
A gangster smashed a window, reached inside to unlock it, climbed in, and then brazenly opened the main door. The group stormed inside.
They acted boldly, even turning on the lights without hesitation, completely ignoring the four people inside—two young men and two delicate-looking girls.
They immediately looted all food stored in the kitchen and living room. There was plenty of food; their bags were quickly filled.
After clearing the first floor, they went upstairs, shouting arrogantly:
“Stop hiding! Get out here!”
The door opened. Zhou Tong and Chu Xiuyuan stepped forward.
Seeing the gun in their hands, the gang hesitated and did not dare act rashly.
“You’re only two people. We’ve got twelve. Hand over those two girls and we’ll spare your lives.”
Chu Xiuyuan was not foolish. Showing weakness now would only invite further bullying. He had a gun, Zhou Tong was skilled, and Ye Wen was his bargaining chip. Although Jiang Li was useless now, Ye Wen had said she would awaken a rare healing ability.
“You can take the food downstairs. Take it and leave. But the people are not going anywhere. Yes, you outnumber us—but I have a gun, and my brother here is skilled. If we fight, you won’t necessarily win. At the very least, you’ll lose half your people. That won’t be worth it.”
The gang leader hesitated.
The other side had a gun, and no one wanted to be the first to rush in.
In that moment of hesitation, Jiang Li suddenly spoke.
She peeked her head out from behind Chu Xiuyuan.
“I know them! You want women, right? There are two women across the way—fair, pretty, very delicate. Their villa has more supplies too. We even got food and electric hot plates from them.”
Chu Xiuyuan’s expression darkened immediately, but it was too late to stop her.
His brows furrowed tightly.
He did not want to make enemies with that group. Their strength was likely above his. This stupid woman was dragging them into unnecessary conflict from both sides.
“Shut up. There are six of them, and every one of them is skilled. Don’t drag these big brothers into trouble. Stop seeking death for me.”
The gang leader’s expression shifted from interest to caution.
“They have guns too?”
Chu Xiuyuan shook his head.
“They’re students. But even without guns, they’re not easy to deal with.”
Hearing they had no guns, the gang regained confidence.
They pointed at Jiang Li.
“You. Come out and lead the way.”
Only then did Jiang Li realize she had caused herself trouble in her eagerness for revenge.
“No, no—I can’t go! If they recognize me, they won’t let me go!”
The gang sneered.
“So you’re afraid of them but not us? Are you playing us?”
“You’re coming with us today. No one else has to die—but you must come.”
Now Jiang Li was truly terrified and hid behind Chu Xiuyuan.
“Xiuyuan-ge, save me! I won’t go with them!”
Chu Xiuyuan was furious.
“Everyone, I said it already. Take the food and leave the people alone.”
The gang exploded in anger.
“You think you can still negotiate? That woman just played us. Do you think we can still stand in front of our brothers after this? Today, she’s coming with us whether you like it or not!”
Chu Xiuyuan’s expression turned cold.
“You’re biting the hand that feeds you. Try it if you dare.”
He cocked the gun and aimed at the leader.
The gang leader took a step forward.
A gunshot rang out.
The bullet struck his chest.
Zhou Tong immediately raised his axe, shielding Chu Xiuyuan.
The others panicked.
Before the apocalypse, they were just construction workers and electricians—strong but untrained. In real combat, they had no discipline.
And now the other side had guns and an axe.
They quickly dragged their wounded leader and retreated in chaos.
One bold man tried to grab food—but was shot in the arm.
“Didn’t want it when I offered,” Chu Xiuyuan said coldly. “Now get lost.”
They fled in panic.
Jiang Li and Ye Wen stood trembling against the wall.
Zhou Tong went downstairs with the axe, checked the surroundings, and locked the door again.
“The outer anti-theft gate was damaged by the chainsaw. One window downstairs is broken. Everything else is intact.”
He then reorganized the scattered food and stored it away, locking the storage room.
Chu Xiuyuan still stood on the second-floor railing, looking down. No one noticed his right hand holding the gun was slightly trembling—part fear, part excitement.
For the first time, others feared him instead of looking down on him.
The feeling of absolute control—issuing commands and being obeyed—was intoxicating.
So this was power.
It felt amazing.
Meanwhile, Wang Che and Fu Zhe woke immediately upon hearing gunfire. They stood by the window, hidden in the darkness, observing outside.
They saw a group dragging someone out of Chu Xiuyuan’s villa, walking in chaos under flashlights. The details were unclear—but it was obvious something had happened there.
The gunshots had definitely come from that villa.
And Chu Xiuyuan had a gun?
Where did he get it?
Gu Cheng came downstairs with dark circles under her eyes.
“Did you guys hear gunshots last night?”
Wang Xin looked confused.
“You’re dreaming, right? What gunshots?”
Wei Jiawen rolled his eyes.
“You slept like a pig. There were gunshots. That Chu Xiuyuan has a gun.”
Gu Cheng’s eyes widened.
She rushed to the table.
“How does he have a gun? What happened last night?”
Shi Qiao calmly explained everything he had gathered through intelligence.
Then he analyzed:
“Originally, this was over—but that Jiang Li insisted the food came from us and mentioned two women. She got stopped by Chu Xiuyuan. It seems he doesn’t want to be our enemy for now. As for Jiang Li—she’s basically a venomous snake.”