Chapter 5

Outside a hillside mansion in Haishi’s wealthy district—

Jiang Henian looked at the black dog leash being handed to her, the corners of her mouth twitching.

She subtly stepped back and tilted her face up to the dripping-wet, striking man before her, trying to plaster on a respectful and innocent smile.

“Mr. He, didn’t you say that if I came, you’d lend me the money?”

He Jinshan grabbed a towel and casually wiped his hair, then gave the overexcited, bouncing dog a light kick forward.

“Take it for a walk. You’ll get the money when you’re back.”

No way!

Jiang Henian immediately took two big steps back. If that dog jumped, it could kick her straight into the lake!

“Three percent interest.”

“Deal!”

Jiang Henian snatched the leash with both hands and gritted her teeth as she broke into a sprint.

You had to know—loan sharks usually charged over 36% interest. Three percent? That was a saintly bank rate!

“Whoa whoa whoa—Big Bro Dog! Slow down, please!”

Her voice trembled as it echoed into the distance.

He Jinshan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the petite figure being dragged away by the Doberman. He chuckled.

Brave little girl—daring to come ask him for a high-interest loan while carrying eight million in debt.

As if he was a real loan shark.

But her fear of dogs hadn’t changed.

Three years ago, when He Jinshan had just returned to China, he hadn’t even driven his newly bought car yet before it got doused in beef jerky.

A pretty little girl in a princess dress, chased by a wild dog, had slammed into him in a panic—spilling cumin-flavored jerky all over his car hood. While crying, she bowed and apologized, all while clutching an empty snack bag and hiding behind him to dodge the dog.

That scene had somehow amused him—even though he’d just come from something bloody and had been in a foul mood.

Yes, our little broke Jiang Henian had, in desperation, plucked up the courage to message her terrifying loan shark daddy and ask if she could borrow some money.

If she had to get cash in a single day, he was her only option.

She didn’t even ask for much—just 100,000 yuan.

Compared to Jiang Wenbin’s debt, that was a drop in the bucket.

She’d made up her mind—if she really ended up time-traveling, she’d just silently keep the money and pray for forgiveness.

If this was all just in her head…

She’d kowtow twice in apology, then flee with the supplies.

If Jiang Wenbin didn’t come back to patch up the mess, she’d be done for in a month anyway.

Maybe borrowing a smaller amount would lower her chances of being hunted down by this man.

Jiang Henian was dragged for nearly five kilometers around the lake by the Doberman. She couldn’t run anymore near the end, so the dog simply chased her forward.

Its teeth were literally grazing her ankle.

Its warm, wet tongue left her sock damp and made her scalp tingle.

By the time she got back to the mansion, red-eyed and hanging by a thread, she finally received the 100,000 yuan transfer.

The girl left with forced dignity—teary-eyed, lips trembling, not looking back, just spitting out a stiff “Thank you.”

She wobbled off on the shared bike she came on, her thin legs shaking.

He Jinshan watched her petite figure ride off, lingering for a second longer.

Then he glanced down at the satisfied Doberman sprawled out on the lawn, tongue out, panting happily.

He gave the dog a light kick.

“Useless mutt. Go guard the house now that you’re done having fun.”

The Doberman’s long ears perked up, and it let out a howl-like bark.

He Jinshan turned off the encrypted call in his earpiece, tucked his freshly cleaned gun into his waistband, and headed toward the garage.

The dog leapt up and followed loyally.

With 100,000 yuan in hand, Jiang Henian transformed from a pauper to a proud landowner.

She headed straight for the biggest supermarket nearby.

She picked out a sales associate to follow her and began shopping with the help of her meticulously made list.

Toiletries like towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste—buy a dozen of each. Shampoo, body wash, and skincare—two whole boxes. Pads were critical, so she grabbed five huge boxes.

Two 6kg thick comforters! Thermal clothing, shoes, socks—low-key and practical, grab multiple sets!

Food? Absolutely essential.

Purified water and yogurt—five boxes each. No milk; she didn’t like it.

Apples and fragrant pears—four boxes each. Plus, two boxes of seedless grapes.

Instant rice, canned fruits, canned meats, and all kinds of instant food—ten boxes each!

Jiang Henian didn’t even ask about prices. She fired off orders like a war general, grabbing even vegetable seeds.

Cookware like pots, bowls, and knives? All added to the cart.

She lingered in the knife section for quite a while and asked with a low voice:

“Which one is your biggest, sharpest knife?”

The supermarket assistant: …

She ended up picking three heavy-duty butcher knives.

Great for chopping meat—or, worst case, self-defense.

Jiang Henian marched into the dry goods section with the air of someone ready to conquer the apocalypse.

The assistant followed behind, dazed, holding a thick stack of order forms.

Next stop: the Haishi Apollo Pharmacy on the basement level.

Stocking up on medicine was a must—medicine would be priceless in the apocalypse.

She bought ten boxes each of cold meds, fever reducers, anti-diarrheal pills, painkillers like ibuprofen, plus iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and disinfectant swabs—ten bottles each.

Hearing that this delicate-looking girl was going on a wilderness adventure, the store clerks gave her all sorts of advice and helped her stock up on emergency supplies.

They grinned ear to ear and even asked if she wanted to use health insurance.

She waved it off generously. No need—she had the money!

Lastly, she spent 3,000 yuan on a full camping gear set and bought five industrial-grade metal shelving racks from the supermarket.

Her storage space was about 15 square meters, with a height of roughly three meters. With these shelves, she could maximize every inch and pack in more supplies—every corner had to count!

By 5 p.m., all the goods were delivered to her apartment.

Once organized and stored, three and a half shelves were full—two-thirds of the space now occupied.

Her confidence soared.

Just as she sat down to rest, exhausted, the doorbell rang again.

It was her meal delivery.

Jiang Henian had ordered 100 portions of boxed meals from a fast-food place she liked—one meat, two veg, plus rice, all with varying flavors.

If things went south, this stash of hot meals could last her half a year.

In total, she spent nearly 80,000 yuan.

The remaining 20,000? Gone by nightfall.

After scarfing down a bowl of instant noodles, she drove a rented Wuling van about 50 minutes to a rural suburb and came back with a van full of meat, eggs, and root veggies.

In the morning, she’d gotten a contact from a market vendor who sold farm eggs and chickens. That woman’s neighbor was a pork seller.

Now that she had money, she bought everything.

50 jin of farm eggs, 50 freshly slaughtered chickens—3,000 yuan.

100 jin of ribs, 200+ jin of lean and belly pork, plus some organ meats—roughly an entire pig’s worth—6,000 yuan.

They’d even helpfully chopped it into strips and chunks.

As she was about to leave, her eyes landed on the vendor’s veggie patch. She shelled out 200 yuan for two big bags of fresh, dirt-covered potatoes and radishes.

“Thanks a bunch~~~”

“Come back soon, girl! You look fancy but sure know how to shop!”

Jiang Henian shut the van door, and with a twist of the steering wheel, drove off under cover of darkness.

The car was thick with the smell of raw meat and earthy vegetables—but the once-prim young lady didn’t mind. She actually found the scent oddly comforting.

A phone notification pinged: the 50+ books she’d ordered had shipped.

Books like The Complete Chinese Cookbook, Hardcore Survival Guide, Wilderness Survival, Agricultural Knowledge Encyclopedia…

Her warehouse was now packed, and her sense of security skyrocketed.

“Bring it on! This lady can survive anywhere—AHH!”

She threw her hand up in excitement—and slammed it into the car roof.

Pain shot up her arm, making her yelp.

The steering wheel jerked.

And out of the shadows ahead… a black figure suddenly darted into her headlights!

Screeeeech—!!

Jiang Henian slammed the brakes.

Her heart shot into her throat.

Everything ahead was dead silent.

No way… Did she just… kill someone?

Her face went pale.

She shakily opened the car door and crept toward the front of the vehicle.

What she saw nearly sent her blood pressure to 180—

He. He. He… HE?!

—

Bad news: A lot of blood on the ground.

Some good news: The blood trail started from the roadside—it wasn’t all from the crash.

The really bad news: Jiang Henian’s ankle had been clamped by a freezing wet hand—ice-cold, but terrifyingly strong, as if ready to snap her bones.

“Try to run and I’ll kill you.”

The threatening words hissed through clenched teeth, rough and hoarse with labored breathing—enough to chill anyone’s blood.

Jiang Henian stiffly looked down.

And locked eyes with a pair of wild, wolf-like pupils.

A furious barking sound grew louder in the distance.

Suddenly, white fog clouded her vision.

And Jiang Henian lost consciousness.