The gunshot startled the entire neighborhood, and a wave of unease rippled through everyone present.
Perhaps Tang Ze didn't realize that the single shot he fired had triggered an early eruption of chaos within the community—but even if he had known, it wouldn't have mattered to him.
In this apocalyptic world, Tang Ze cared only about himself. Everyone else was nothing more than fleeting shadows in his mind.
Glancing at the car left in the alleyway, Tang Ze let out a faint smirk. "Surprisingly, they hadn't even tried to drive off."
With calculated precision, Tang Ze moved down his list, eliminating each person one by one. By four o'clock in the afternoon, he'd wiped every name clean from the roster—a final reckoning with his past self.
But there was still one left.
"I've already made arrangements," Ye Qingyi said as she handed the phone back to Tang Ze. "They'll arrive this afternoon."
Tang Ze nodded in satisfaction.
"I've heard Shanhu Community is where the wealthy reside—no shortage of beautiful women there, I presume?"
The three women shook their heads, unsure. It all depended on luck.
Shanhu Community was a coveted gem in Hua'an City: homes with breathtaking river views, access to top-tier schools, and a nearby park. Known as the city's golden real estate, many affluent businessmen owned properties here. Some had even taken loans just to flaunt their status by living there.
To Tang Ze, these houses were once astronomically priced.
But that was then; now, perhaps a bottle of water might suffice for a deal.
Meanwhile, Bi Jian and Cao Yu were huddled together, plotting how to seize Tang Ze and force him to hand over his supplies.
"Do we really have to leave this place?" Cao Yu asked hesitantly. Despite her reluctance, their food and water supplies were nearly depleted.
Over the days, though Bi Jian's towering frame showed signs of slight weight loss, he remained largely unchanged.
"What, can't bear to part with this luxurious life?" Bi Jian sneered. If not for her usefulness, he would have abandoned her long ago.
Cao Yu stayed silent.
Bi Jian scrolled through the photos shared in his colleagues' group chat, his face darkening. Their community might still be fortunate compared to others, but the grim reality was clear—it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out. Staying any longer risked meeting the same fate as those useless subordinates scattered across the city.
And yet, Tang Ze claimed he had a way to reach them. The news delighted Bi Jian. What a fool—coming here just to show off for some woman. Laughable.
Once he got his hands on Tang Ze's supplies and those women, he'd be far better off than before.
"When he arrives, I'll slip this into his drink," Bi Jian said, pulling out a small pill. Cao Yu recognized it immediately. Sometimes, Bi Jian forced her to take it, leaving her weak and vulnerable to his whims.
She nodded silently, too afraid to resist.
Bi Jian wrapped his flabby arms around her, painting an illusion of hope. "Once we secure those supplies, we'll last for months. Maybe this crisis will blow over by then."
Hearing this, a flicker of determination lit up in Cao Yu's eyes.
Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen.
"He's almost here."
A sly grin spread across Bi Jian's face. If Tang Ze brought a woman with him, Bi Jian intended to enjoy himself thoroughly.
But Tang Ze wasn't bringing just one—he was bringing three.
"There's someone at the gas station ahead," Ye Qingyi, who was driving, remarked, pointing to the left. Sure enough, there was a Sinopec station, two cars parked under its roof, with several figures standing nearby.
"Let's stop for gas," Tang Ze said, tapping Sun Ting lightly on the head. "Enough snacking. Time to get to work."
"It's almost my turn," An Bai pouted pitifully.
Tang Ze sighed, shaking his head as he adjusted his pants. Sun Ting pulled out her pistol, checked the ammunition, and loaded the chamber.
An Bai popped a piece of gum into her mouth to curb her cravings, then expertly inspected her own weapon. The rhythmic clicking sounds seemed to captivate her completely.
"Crazy Bro, there's a car coming!" shouted a young man with green hair, gripping a baseball bat tightly. To Tang Ze, the bat looked no different from a primitive tool.
Inside the car, a man with a crew cut smoked lazily, a silver chain glinting against his neck. Despite the chilly weather, he wore only a black tank top, revealing a skull tattoo on his shoulder. His cold, menacing gaze made it clear he wasn't someone to mess with. In his hand, a blood-stained Nepalese kukri gleamed ominously.
"Holy shit, Crazy Bro, we've hit the jackpot! A modified Tank 300—with tracks!" exclaimed the man in the passenger seat, jumping out of the car with excitement.
Crazy Bro exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Tracks? Smart move. Very clever."
"Crazy Bro, should we kill them all, or…?"
Flicking away his cigarette butt without a care—even though they were at a gas station—Crazy Bro replied, "If they've got skills, we'll keep them. They could be useful to Boss Huo."
Still, he issued a warning: "Anyone who sees us and dares to approach isn't someone to underestimate. Stay sharp, observe first, then act. Don't screw up the plan."
"Yes, Crazy Bro!"
When they saw that the driver was a woman, they froze momentarily, moving closer to get a better look.
And she was stunning.
"Crazy Bro, she's gorgeous."
Even Crazy Bro was momentarily taken aback. After nearly a month of crisis, women like her were rare. Even Boss Huo's entourage couldn't compare.
"Let's see. If she's suitable, we'll grab her and send her back first," Crazy Bro muttered, a cruel smile forming on his lips. Someone so beautiful wandering around outside was practically begging for trouble.
Ye Qingyi parked the car and slowly stepped out, revealing her slender ankle adorned in red high heels.
The men nearby stared hungrily at her legs, their mouths watering as if they hadn't seen a woman in ages. When they caught sight of her face, their eyes turned predatory, as if they wanted to devour her whole. The only downside was her long down coat, which concealed her figure. But even if she were flat-chested, she'd still be irresistible.
Stretching lazily after exiting the car, Ye Qingyi twisted her stiff neck and muttered, "I'm exhausted."
Crazy Bro and his men exchanged confused glances. Could she not see them? Were they invisible?
Then the rear doors opened, and when An Bai and Sun Ting stepped out, Crazy Bro and his men were utterly dumbfounded. It had been so long since they'd seen women like this. The sound of their high heels hitting the ground felt like music to the men's ears, filling them with uncontrollable excitement.
They couldn't wait to get their hands on those legs.
Today was their lucky day—they'd stumbled upon three stunners. Boss Huo would surely reward them handsomely. Crazy Bro even entertained thoughts of keeping them for himself.
Indeed, for beautiful women, men were capable of anything.
Beauty truly was a curse.
Finally, Tang Ze jumped out of the car, catching Crazy Bro's attention. One man—and three women?
Who could this man possibly be to command the company of three such stunning women?
"What do we do now, Crazy Bro?" one of the lackeys asked anxiously.
Crazy Bro wasn't entirely foolish. "Let's test the waters first. Anyone confident enough to bring three beauties out must have some tricks up their sleeve."