Gu Heng was so furious it looked like smoke might pour out of his nose. “Where the hell am I supposed to find him a speedboat?”

The entire city was underwater. Across the country, news of the torrential rains and typhoon disaster dominated every broadcast.

Right now, the scarcest resource was water transport—and even money couldn’t buy it.

Lin City was an inland, hilly region. For generations, no one had ever worried about floods, let alone prepared boats.

“Then there’s nothing we can do,” the bounty hunter said reluctantly. “We’ll have to wait until the storm passes. Once the floodwaters recede, he can go kill Tang Xiaoman.”

Gu Heng was obsessed with killing her. As long as she lived, he couldn’t eat or sleep in peace.

“I can’t get a speedboat—but I can get a helicopter.” He was going all in.

“Tell him to stay where he is. Someone will fly out and pick him up. This mission must succeed—failure is not an option!”

—

While eating, Tang Xiaoman casually glanced at the Tianlai Villa owners’ group chat on her phone.

It was already in chaos, everyone talking at once about the sudden storm and flooding.

“…Thank god Tianlai Villa is on high ground. I heard the city center is flooded up to the second floor!”

“The entire slum district is gone. So many people drowned!”

“Lin City sits on higher elevation compared to other cities, but I heard the neighboring city is flooded up to the fourth floor! Our water levels are rising so fast partly because they’re releasing floodwater into our area!”

“Why won’t this rain stop? How long is it going to last?”

“They say the southern cities have had nonstop rain for three days. The typhoon even shattered building windows! We thought inland cities would be spared—but we fell just as fast!”

After venting about the disaster, the discussion shifted to what lay ahead:

—What if Lin City gets hit with three straight days of rain like the south?

—What if the storm and typhoon never stop?

The rain had spread from the south to the north, and even as the north fell into widespread flooding, the south was still drowning.

These wealthy homeowners understood the importance of preparing for danger in times of peace.

For now, Tianlai Villa’s elevation kept it safe. But if the disaster continued—or worsened—there was no guarantee they’d remain untouched.

Panic began to spread.

What they needed was someone authoritative to steady the situation.

Then, the owner of Villa No. 6 spoke up:

“If you’re willing to trust me, I promise to do everything in my power to lead everyone through this crisis.”

Tang Xiaoman’s pupils shrank.

Gu Heng.

In her previous life, he had done exactly the same—stepping forward first, presenting himself as a leader. By promising to guide everyone through the disaster, he had secured both authority and control within the villa community.

Under the banner of selflessness, he had lined his own pockets, hoarding massive amounts of supplies.

Later, when the floods worsened and typhoons struck, government rescue efforts collapsed. People were left to fend for themselves.

Starving survivors swarmed in from all directions, looting the wealthy homes of Tianlai Villa.

Everyone suffered losses—

Except Gu Heng, who had stockpiled the most.

Back then, Tang Xiaoman had stood at the front lines to help him protect his supplies, confronting desperate, violent mobs. She had been injured, her blood dripping onto her jade bracelet—accidentally activating her space.

Using that space, she had helped him store resources, saving him from being targeted as a “fat sheep.”

He survived four years of disaster on those supplies.

And when they were gone—when she was no longer useful—

He discarded her without hesitation.

The hunter discarded the dog once the prey was gone.

This time, Gu Heng had been arrested and thrown into detention. So how was he still the first to jump out and take charge?

Tang Xiaoman quickly figured it out.

Heatstroke had landed him in the hospital—and he still hadn’t fully recovered.

Ironically, the heatwave had saved his life.

She realized that certain events and people were still following the same trajectory as before.

But this time—

She would never let Gu Heng seize control of Tianlai Villa again.

She wouldn’t let him exploit the situation to hoard supplies. Without her space, he wouldn’t even be able to store or protect them.

And when the desperate mobs came again—

She wouldn’t be there, foolishly standing in front of him.

She wanted to see if he could still live as comfortably as before.

If he could still keep Su Rou pampered and safe.

Tang Xiaoman stood and headed upstairs to make a call.

—

The call connected, and Huo Kai’s lazy voice came through.

“Miss Tang, interrupting someone’s good time isn’t very polite.”

In the background, a woman’s soft, coquettish voice could be heard—complaining about the interruption, asking who was calling.

Tang Xiaoman fell silent.

So he was busy indulging himself.

No wonder in her previous life, Gu Heng had been so active in the group chat while Huo Kai remained completely absent.

This playboy relied on his wealth and power—sometimes too carefree for his own good.

“You need something? I can’t keep a beauty waiting. Make it quick,” Huo Kai said bluntly. He was a practical man—he knew Tang Xiaoman wasn’t someone he could win over, so he didn’t waste time chasing her.

Business was business. Otherwise, he had no interest in small talk.

Tang Xiaoman didn’t bother with pleasantries. “You’re not at Tianlai Villa right now.”

A statement, not a question.

“Is that your business?” His tone remained lazy, but there was a sharp edge beneath it—a velvet blade.

A warning.

Tang Xiaoman ignored it and went straight for the jugular.

“I’ve got a deal for you. Guaranteed profit, zero risk. Interested?”

A businessman chased profit above all else. His tone immediately shifted, more engaged now.

“What kind of deal?”

Clearly, he had already learned about Gu Heng’s second arrest—and didn’t mind seeing Tang Xiaoman deal him another blow.

“I remember that Golden Reverie Mall and Greenfield Organic Farm both have shares under the Huo Group. You’re the largest shareholder, aren’t you?” She paused, then continued, “Transfer distribution control to me temporarily. In one month, I’ll increase their value at least a thousandfold.”

“What?!” Huo Kai was momentarily stunned.

“Young Master Huo, the world outside has already changed. If you don’t wake up soon, your little paradise is going to turn into your grave,” Tang Xiaoman said coldly. “Someone’s already setting their sights on those two assets. You’d better move fast and stop them.”