That night, the operation was still split into two routes.

Zhou Yichen led ten bodyguards, divided into three teams moving together.

Tang Xiaoman went alone.

She let Zhou Yichen’s group set off first while she stayed behind to pack a few more things.

Once everyone had left the villa, she turned to Lu Jingming and gave him a few instructions.

“You and Shanshan will be staying home, so practice your shooting. Get familiar with the feel of the gun—don’t worry about wasting bullets.”

She pulled out a pistol suppressor and handed it to him.

“If the noise bothers you, attach this.”

Shanshan bounced over curiously. “What’s that?”

Lu Jingming gently stopped her. “Kids don’t ask too many questions.”

Shanshan obediently shut her mouth.

But Tang Xiaoman had already pulled out another item—a compact mobile phone she had also taken from that unlucky assassin.

“This small pistol is perfect for Shanshan.”

She was too young. Even though she had been training in fists, kicks, and blade work under Zhou Yichen and 01, her lethality was still limited.

If she learned to shoot, her ability to protect herself would increase dramatically.

Lu Jingming hesitated. “Such a valuable weapon… for a child?”

Isn’t that a waste?

“Precisely because she’s a child,” Tang Xiaoman said firmly, meeting his eyes, “she needs it even more.”

Then she added, “Look up shooting basics online and teach her properly. Be patient.”

She trusted Lu Jingming’s intelligence—he could learn anything quickly. Even if he had never touched a firearm before, he would master it fast.

Lu Jingming’s eyes reddened slightly.

After a long pause, he said softly, “Thank you, Tang Xiaoman.”

Genuine gratitude. For her trust—and her generosity.

Tang Xiaoman smiled faintly.

“Keep it quiet. Don’t let anyone else know.”

Then she paused.

A chill ran down her spine.

Like someone was watching her.

She lifted her head and scanned the surroundings—then froze.

A surveillance camera.

Right. There were cameras installed around the courtyard. Zhou Yichen had set them up to monitor training and prevent anyone from slacking off. His phone app was linked directly to the feed.

Meaning—

Everything she had just done… had been seen in real time.

Her phone pinged.

One message from Zhou Yichen:

“I saw it.”

*

Tang Xiaoman ignored him.

He saw it or didn’t see it—she didn’t care.

Her things. Her decisions. She could give them to whoever she wanted, however she wanted. No one had a say.

If he had opinions, he could keep them to himself.

She needed him to understand one thing: her indulgence had limits.

Leaving Fubao behind with Lu Jingming and his daughter to guard the house, Tang Xiaoman drove the pickup out alone.

*

Zhou Yichen’s large-scale stockpiling operation had already drawn the attention of Tianlai Manor.

Rumors spread quickly—people speculated he must have received inside information to be acting so aggressively.

In the owner group chat, Gu Heng posted an explanation:

“Due to flooding at my company, I’ve had no choice but to relocate my office back home. Apologies for any disturbance.”

He followed it with dozens of red envelopes—each worth several thousand yuan per person.

For the wealthy residents of Tianlai Manor, the money wasn’t much—but the gesture was impeccable.

“Too polite, Young Master Gu!”

“We’re neighbors, of course we should understand each other.”

“This damn weather… when is it ever going to stop raining?”

“My company’s flooded too. Thinking of moving operations home as well.”

“My warehouse is gone… tens of millions in losses!”

“God, please let the rain stop already!”

Soon the conversation shifted entirely to the weather.

Gu Heng quietly let out a breath of relief.

No one was paying attention to his helicopter operations anymore.

He then reported the situation about Tang Xiaoman’s capture to Su Rou and asked for her opinion.

“Kill her… or keep her alive for now? Once the flood recedes, I can marry her. As long as your father completes all the inheritance conditions, he’ll secure full control. I’ve always believed you’re the only one worthy of the Tang Group shares.”

Su Rou blinked softly.

“You decide,” she said lightly, then called out, “Su Ke.”

Su Ke stepped out from the side, eyes bright with excitement.

“I heard she’s been captured!”

His bandages had been removed, but he was still limping slightly.

Even so, the hatred in his eyes burned hot.

“That woman ruined me. I want her dead.”

Su Rou sighed. “Brother, are you sure you can handle this? What if you hurt her by accident? Ah Heng would be upset.”

Gu Heng quickly clarified, “Su Ke can handle her however he wants—as long as she’s left alive.”

That single sentence was all Su Ke needed.

His confidence surged.

He could do whatever he wanted—as long as she didn’t die.

Su Rou added gently, almost sweetly:

“After all, she’s still our sister. Don’t damage her face. Don’t blind her. Don’t break her fingers or legs. No private punishment. Bring her back intact for Ah Heng to deal with. Understood?”

Su Ke’s eyes lit up even brighter.

He rubbed his hands together eagerly.

“Heh… don’t worry. I’ll take very good care of her.”

*

Tang Xiaoman sneezed several times in a row, rubbing her nose.

She didn’t even need to guess who was cursing her.

Let them talk.

She had more important things to do.

Stockpiling.

Once she finished business, she’d be happy to play with them.

The typhoon was finally weakening, and the rain had begun to ease.

By tomorrow, she expected a large wave of survivors to head out in search of supplies.

She already had enough food stored, and the bodyguard team had dozens of freezers and cold-storage units packed full.

No need to compete with ordinary survivors.

What she needed now… were higher-value resources.

Tang Xiaoman piloted the boat to the coordinates Zhou Yichen had given her, visiting each site in turn.

The first stop was a highway entrance, located via GPS navigation.

Due to sudden torrential rain, the expressway had been shut down, leaving a long line of vehicles stranded at the entrance.

The drivers had originally planned to wait out the storm—but never got the chance to restart their cars.

The rain had come too violently. They abandoned their vehicles and fled for survival, leaving the entire convoy to be swallowed by floodwaters.

Tang Xiaoman docked the boat, put on diving gear, and descended into the water with an oxygen tank.

She first secured the boat with a rope so it wouldn’t drift away, then continued her descent.

The submerged convoy stretched endlessly.

Her attention was immediately drawn to the largest targets—fuel tankers and container trucks.

One refrigerated container truck caught her eye first.

“Cold Chain Transport” was printed clearly on its side.

These vehicles usually had backup batteries to maintain refrigeration even when parked without power.

But after four days submerged in floodwater…

No one knew if the battery had already drained completely.