Tang Xiaoman’s storage space contained diesel generators and chainsaws that required large amounts of diesel to operate.
She drove to a gas station. After asking, she learned that private individuals were only allowed to purchase a maximum of one ton of diesel per transaction.
After some negotiation, Tang Xiaoman agreed with the station manager on a price increase of 15,000 yuan per ton.
The gas station provided special explosion-proof iron barrels with dedicated outlets and fuel nozzles, making them very convenient to use.
With the extra 15,000 yuan per ton, the gas station felt they were making a huge profit, so their service was extremely attentive. They even provided their own barrels, full refueling equipment, and delivered everything to her door.
After the staff left, Tang Xiaoman began to worry.
Her space had less than twenty cubic meters left. The two-bedroom apartment was already packed to the brim. With a one-ton oil barrel added, there was truly no space left at all.
The ten small motorboats delivered from the specialty store could only be temporarily stored in the garage.
Tang Xiaoman reorganized her space and barely managed to clear a spot large enough for the oil barrel.
After storing it away, she drove back to the club.
Zhou Yichen, along with five bodyguards and the German shepherd, were undergoing intense training in the open field. Tang Xiaoman didn’t disturb them.
“Woof!”
Fubao was the first to notice her and wagged its tail wildly.
Tang Xiaoman gestured for it to be quiet and slipped away.
She went to a large storage room on the first floor and took the oil barrel out of her space, placing it on the ground.
Then she began unloading more bulky items: inflatable boats, kayaks, air pumps, solar generators, diesel generators, snowmobiles, crates of white liquor, and pet canned food.
Immediately, a large amount of space was freed up in both her storage space and apartment.
After leaving the storage room, she took out a lock and secured the door.
Just as she turned to leave, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her. She couldn’t dodge in time and almost crashed into him.
“Ah!” she exclaimed, instinctively reaching for the three-edged dagger on her waist.
“It’s me.”
The man’s voice was low and pleasant.
Tang Xiaoman looked closely—it was Zhou Yichen.
After four years in the apocalypse, she had developed a constant state of alertness and nearly reacted instinctively.
Fubao rushed over, rubbing against her legs and wagging its tail excitedly.
It seemed the dog had followed her scent and brought Zhou Yichen here.
Tang Xiaoman shot a glare at the “stupid dog,” then turned to Zhou Yichen.
“You walk like a ghost. No sound at all!”
Zhou Yichen glanced at the locked door.
“Need help moving things?”
She originally wanted to refuse, but then changed her mind.
“I need to stock up on diesel, gasoline, and gas cylinders. Pick two reliable men and split the work. Buy five tons of diesel, one ton of gasoline, and 200 gas cylinders. Store them separately and keep it discreet.”
“Woof!” Fubao eagerly signaled it could help too.
Zhou Yichen was startled.
“…Five tons of diesel? One ton of gasoline? Two hundred gas cylinders?”
These were all highly flammable and explosive materials.
And she was buying that much?
“Buy in bulk and store everything on the first floor so there’s no risk of collapsing the structure. As for the storage rooms, you can divide them into compartments with composite boards. Just make sure the doors are secure.”
Tang Xiaoman transferred one million yuan to his card.
She patted his shoulder.
“Do a good job. I won’t treat you badly.”
“Woof!”
Fubao also leaned in for attention.
She patted its head casually.
“Be good and listen to Captain Zhou. I won’t treat you badly either.”
Zhou Yichen: “……”
Tang Xiaoman originally planned to go to a department store to continue stockpiling.
But when she checked her phone, it was July 8th.
Her pupils contracted.
She immediately changed direction and drove toward Tainai Villa.
She hoped she wasn’t too late.
Sunshine Castle Kindergarten was an internal kindergarten within Tainai Villa, only for villa residents.
Although expensive, it was safe and conveniently located inside the community, making it the top choice for families.
Over time, not only residents’ children attended, but also the children of housekeepers, doctors, and bodyguards.
No one expected that on July 8th, armed criminals would storm the kindergarten, taking children hostage and causing a bloody incident.
Xiaoshan (Shanshan) would die on this day.
Shanshan was Lu Jingming’s daughter. Lu Jingming was Gu Heng’s personal doctor.
In her previous life, Tang Xiaoman owed Lu Jingming a favor. In this life, she intended to repay it.
Tang Xiaoman drove her pickup truck at high speed, racing up into Tainai Villa.
Without slowing down, she honked sharply as she headed straight for the kindergarten.
Masked criminals were holding children hostage, preparing to escape.
A female teacher lay on the ground, blood spreading beneath her body.
“Anyone who dares come forward gets stabbed!” one of the criminals shouted wildly, waving his knife.
The kindergarten was in chaos—children screaming, teachers pale with fear, security guards hiding in the booth, too afraid to move.
One little girl suddenly bit down hard on the hand gripping her.
“Ah!!” the criminal screamed in pain and shook her off.
The girl fell hard but didn’t cry. She quickly got up and tried to run.
“You little brat! I’ll kill you!” the enraged criminal chased after her with a knife.
This was exactly how Shanshan had died in her previous life.
“Stop!”
Tang Xiaoman slammed the brakes, rolled down the window, and pulled a nail gun from her space.
The criminal looked up—and suddenly screamed, clutching his eye and collapsing.
She kicked open the door and rushed toward the fallen girl.
“Xiaoman姐姐!”
Before she could reach her, two more criminals charged at her, knives raised.
Tang Xiaoman fired the nail gun repeatedly.
Her aim—honed through four years in the apocalypse—was flawless.
Both men screamed, clutching their bleeding eyes, becoming even more vicious.
They intended to kill indiscriminately now—taking as many lives as they could before dying.
Seeing the children in danger, Tang Xiaoman threw away the nail gun and drew her military dagger.
She charged into a three-on-one fight, determined to keep them away from the children.
“Run! Shanshan, take your friends and get out of here!” she shouted while fighting.
Shanshan got up and called out to the other children:
“Everyone, run with me!”