After dinner, the restaurant delivery staff returned to collect the dishes and carts, even tidying up the dining hall before leaving.

The bodyguards had already grown used to this kind of life—lavish meals arriving right on time, endless portions of delicious food, eating until they were stuffed, and not having to lift a finger afterward.

Tang Xiaoman knew very well—those good days were about to end.

Once the delivery carts were gone, she gathered everyone and began asking about the afternoon’s progress.

Lu Jingming spoke first. He said he’d brought over everything from home that could be packed.

He had a vague sense that Tang Xiaoman intended to recruit him as her private doctor. Though she hadn’t said it outright, he had already accepted the role in his heart.

It wasn’t just that Shanshan liked Tang Xiaoman—or the villa. He himself was willing to work for her.

As for salary, he didn’t care. She could pay him whatever she thought was fair.

Seeing his calm, open expression, Tang Xiaoman realized she wouldn’t even need the prepared pitch—he’d already agreed.

She smiled and nodded. “We’ll go over the details when we have time.”

“Salary isn’t an issue. I can treat this as part-time,” Lu Jingming added, glancing at the bodyguards and feeling the weight of her financial burden.

Keeping this many people on payroll had to cost a fortune.

He continued, “I’m familiar with many of the residents here in Tianlai Estate. I can serve as their family physician. I can also take on regular health checkups at Sunshine Castle Kindergarten.”

In other words, he could support himself. He didn’t need her salary—just room and board for himself and his daughter.

Tang Xiaoman felt a warmth in her chest.

In both her past life and this one, Lu Jingming had always stood by her.

“Don’t worry. I won’t treat you unfairly,” she said softly before turning her attention to Zhou Yichen.

Zhou Yichen reported the refunded deposits from the returned vehicles and terminated lease, as well as the purchase of three Wuling Hongguang vans.

The bodyguards were baffled.

Why would their extravagant boss return high-end business vans… and replace them with Wulings?

Her thinking was impossible to guess.

Zhou Yichen then sent her the amount of cash he’d withdrawn. “It’s all stored in the safe.”

The location, of course, would be shared privately.

Tang Xiaoman glanced at the figure—tens of thousands. Not bad, considering the circumstances.

“I withdrew one hundred thousand at the counter. The rest came from ATMs,” Zhou Yichen explained.

She nodded for him to continue.

“I’ve scheduled another withdrawal of one million for tomorrow. The rest will have to wait until the day after.”

Tang Xiaoman thought for a moment, then made a decision.

“Transfer twenty thousand to each person. Tonight, everyone goes out to stock up on one month’s worth of supplies. Only shop at legitimate stores, and keep all receipts for accounting.”

Zhou Yichen carried out the order immediately.

Each bodyguard saw twenty thousand appear in their account—and broke into delighted grins.

Their boss was incredibly generous.

“Split into teams of three per vehicle,” Tang Xiaoman added. “You must spend all twenty thousand tonight. Only essentials—food, winter clothing, and daily necessities. Especially the women—you need to stock up on enough sanitary products.”

“If anyone buys anything else, it won’t be reimbursed—and I’ll deduct it from your salary.”

The group exchanged confused glances, still struggling to understand.

“Zhou Yichen and No. 01 are with me. Doctor Lu and Shanshan stay behind. Fubao guards the house.”

She checked the time. Seven in the evening.

“Move out.”

—

Three Wuling vans and her pickup rolled out of the villa one after another.

On a normal day, that would have drawn attention—but with the extreme heat, everyone was hiding indoors under air conditioning.

Even after sunset, the heat lingered like a suffocating furnace. No one was out to notice anything.

Otherwise, those four coal trucks earlier would have caused quite a stir.

Tianlai Estate sat on higher ground, about a fifteen-minute drive from the nearest major shopping center.

That area, however, was level with the city. If flooding came, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

Tang Xiaoman was racing against time.

Money in the bank had to be spent—otherwise, it would soon become worthless paper.

She sent Zhou Yichen and No. 01 off to shop separately, while she headed straight to the appliance section.

There, she bought twenty large freezers, twenty large refrigeration units, and twenty car refrigerators.

Thankfully, the villa was spacious enough to accommodate them all.

Fresh food needed freezing. Fruits, vegetables, and grains needed refrigeration. And her favorites—ice-cold cola and chilled watermelon—needed space too.

These appliances were consumables. Once disaster hit, production would likely stop.

She needed backups.

—

By the end of the night, the team returned victorious.

Before the mall closed, every single member had spent their full twenty thousand—on food, winter gear, and daily necessities.

The appliances Tang Xiaoman purchased would only be delivered the next morning.

Fortunately, the twenty freezers and twenty refrigeration units she’d stockpiled earlier at the club were already in use.

All supplies were sorted, stored, labeled, and logged.

In a post-apocalyptic world, food was everything.

Inventory had to be tracked at all times.

By the time they finished, it was nearly midnight.

Only then did everyone finally rest.

—

The next morning, breakfast arrived right on schedule.

After eating, Tang Xiaoman instructed Lu Jingming and Shanshan to stay behind and contacted the store to urge delivery.

After offering an extra thousand per unit, the store finally promised delivery before noon.

Zhou Yichen once again transferred twenty thousand to each bodyguard and sent them out to continue purchasing supplies.

No training today—just shopping.

And oddly enough, they found it refreshing.

Spending twenty thousand a day felt incredible.

Their young faces were bright with excitement, as if life couldn’t be better.

But the moment they stepped outside the villa gates, the scorching heat nearly knocked them back.

Was it getting even hotter?

At this rate… would people be roasted alive?

From inside her pickup, Tang Xiaoman spoke over the radio:

“Stay sharp. Max out the AC, don’t turn off the engines. There’s enough bottled water in every vehicle, and cold drinks in the car fridges. Hydrate constantly to prevent heatstroke.”

“Do not park in open areas—use underground garages only. Stick together. Move fast and finish fast.”

Each vehicle carried a radio.

“Copy that!” came the unified reply.

The heat was brutal—but they were all young and fit. They could handle it.

The drive wasn’t long, and they wouldn’t be exposed outdoors for extended periods.

Inside her truck, Tang Xiaoman received the final inspection reports.

Air quality—passed.

Well water—passed.

She finally relaxed.

Zhou Yichen withdrew another million in cash and scheduled the next million for the following day.

Just then, Lu Jingming called—Yu Jingyuan had delivered another batch of jade.

Tang Xiaoman paid the remaining balance and checked her account.

Less than a million remained.

Without hesitation, she converted it all into gold bars at the bank—and casually stored them in her space.

“How much do you have left?” she asked Zhou Yichen.

He checked his phone. “Two hundred thirty-seven thousand…”

“I mean your personal savings,” she clarified, looking at him seriously.

“Whatever you’ve saved—spend it all today.”