July 12th, 14:00.
There were only three days left until the apocalypse.
The plane landed at the city’s international airport.
The moment she stepped out of the cabin, a suffocating wave of heat hit her head-on.
It wasn’t yet the kind of temperature that could “kill,” but the ground temperature was already approaching 40°C—far above seasonal norms. The airport air conditioners were running at full power, yet still couldn’t fully dispel the oppressive heat.
“Is it already starting?”
Lin Chu put on her sunglasses, hiding the coldness in her eyes.
This stifling heat—was the earth running a fever. It was the prelude to hell opening its doors.
She didn’t go home to rest. Instead, she took a taxi straight to Banshan Yujing.
The car wound its way up the mountain road.
From afar, Lin Chu already saw the completely transformed villa halfway up the mountain.
It was no longer a luxurious residence meant for comfort and enjoyment.
It had become a steel behemoth lying in wait among the mountains.
The original elegant European-style fence had been raised to three and a half meters, fully cast in reinforced concrete. At the top, three layers of electrified barbed wire coils gleamed with a cold, lethal shine under the sunlight.
At the main gate, the original ornate iron door had been replaced with a half-meter-thick, bank-vault-grade blast door.
“Miss Lin, we’ve arrived.”
The taxi driver glanced at the strange-looking house and couldn’t help muttering, “Such a nice villa… why does it look like a prison now?”
Lin Chu didn’t explain. She paid and got out.
Just as she reached the gate, a black Hummer drove out from inside the courtyard and stopped in front of her.
Qin Xiao stepped out.
He was still wearing his signature black tactical T-shirt. Though drenched in sweat, his oppressive aura remained unchanged.
“Inspection?”
Qin Xiao tossed over a tablet. On it was the villa’s entire smart control system interface.
“Even though the schedule was tight, everything you asked for was completed—none missing,” he said with a hint of professional pride. “This is no longer a house. It’s a fortress.”
Lin Chu took the tablet and began inspecting item by item.
First: Defense System
She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and tapped the glass.
A dull “thud, thud” sound echoed—no resonance at all.
“Double-layer bulletproof glass, with a polycarbonate fiber interlayer,” Qin Xiao explained. “Not even a sniper rifle can break it in one shot, and even an RPG won’t breach it on the first hit. It’s also one-way transparent—you can drink tea inside while no one outside can see you.”
Second: Energy System
Lin Chu looked up.
The original red glazed roof tiles had been completely replaced by black monocrystalline solar panels.
“We also installed two sets of Tesla industrial energy storage walls in the basement,” Qin Xiao added. “As long as there is sunlight, this house will never lose power.”
Lin Chu nodded in satisfaction.
The twenty industrial generators and thousands of tons of diesel she had acquired overseas would serve as backup support for this system.
Third: Source of Life
They walked to the backyard.
The original swimming pool had been filled in, replaced by a massive stainless-steel water storage tank buried underground.
“50-ton capacity, connected to the rooftop rainwater collection system and a German-imported RO reverse osmosis purifier,” Qin Xiao said, kicking the cover plate beneath his foot. “As long as it rains, you’ll have endless clean water. And even if it doesn’t, this stored water is enough for one person to last three years.”
After a full inspection, Lin Chu couldn’t find a single flaw.
Qin Xiao had not only fulfilled her requirements, but in many details—such as ventilation anti-toxin filters and anti-rat reverse barbs in the sewage system—he had even exceeded her expectations.
“As expected of a professional,” she said calmly.
She closed the tablet and looked at him. “How much is the remaining payment?”
“Two hundred million was already paid. Adjustments based on materials…” Qin Xiao paused. “Just give me an extra five hundred thousand.”
Lin Chu took out her phone and made a transfer.
Ding.
Qin Xiao checked it—and immediately frowned.
[Account ending in 9527 received: 1,500,000.00 RMB]
“Miss Lin, did you misclick?” he asked. “That’s one million extra.”
“No mistake.”
Lin Chu stood in front of the blast door and removed her sunglasses, meeting his sharp gaze directly.
“That extra million is a bonus. And… a sealing fee.”
Qin Xiao raised a brow but said nothing.
“Captain Qin, whether you believe it or not, I have one thing to tell you.”
Her tone turned serious, carrying a faint but undeniable gravity.
“The weather these days isn’t normal.”
She pointed at the blazing sun overhead.
“Take this money and stock up on water, compressed food, even rice if you can. The more the better.”
“And one more thing.”
She paused, looking at him deeply.
“For the next month, no matter what happens… it’s best not to go outside.”
Qin Xiao’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.
As someone who had crawled through battlefields, his instinct for danger was razor sharp.
The abnormal heat. Lin Chu’s frantic stockpiling. This bizarre fortress.
All the clues pointed toward something absurd—but his instincts told him otherwise.
“…Got it,” he said finally.
He didn’t ask further, only stored the phone away and looked at her once more.
“If something really happens,” he said, nodding toward his vehicle, “Black Shield Security is always open for business. Though by then, the price won’t be this cheap.”
Lin Chu smiled faintly.
The seed had been planted.
“Good. Hopefully by then, I’ll still be able to afford you.”
After watching Qin Xiao drive away, Lin Chu turned and walked into her “Noah’s Ark.”
Click.
The heavy blast door slowly closed behind her, sealing with a reassuring lock sound.
The world was shut out.
Standing in the empty living room—still completely unfurnished—Lin Chu took a deep breath.
“The fortress is ready.”
“Now… it’s time for my performance to begin.”
She picked up her phone and dialed a long-prepared number—Lawyer Wang.
“Hello, Lawyer Wang. Has the rumor been spread?”
“Good.”
A teasing curve appeared on her lips.
“Then let the entire city know… the Lin family heiress gambled abroad and lost everything. She’s now drowning in debt—a complete bankrupt.”
“Gu Yan… your turn.”