Chapter 62: The Ex-Husband Risks His Life to Show Up

“Jiang Yuan, you’re selling clothes. We’re cold. We’ll come by tomorrow,”

—This was the message.

How is that possible? Wasn’t the internet completely down? How did he manage to send a text?

Could it be… not all communications are cut off?

With enough persistence, maybe there’s still a signal to catch.

Xia Chaoyang was in Building 9. Getting over to Building 13 is a lot harder than from Building 12.

But just because he said it, does that mean she has to agree?

Why should she? Does he think she’s some kind of pushover?

Jiang Yuan ignored it and deleted the message without hesitation.

Was it already time for them to meet again?

The humiliation from her past life was still fresh in her memory. Who knows how much money Xia Chaoyang and Bai Xuejiao scammed from that old lady.

Surviving this long couldn’t have been easy for them.

But if they think they can mess with her again? Not a chance.

—

The next morning, Jiang Yuan told her parents about the message right after she woke up.

Right now, the family was a unit— even little Nuan needed to understand how serious things were.

“They want to come to our house to take stuff? What a joke,”

Qin Yue was furious. Xia Chaoyang divorced her precious daughter—she hadn’t even begun to settle that debt!

“Don’t worry, sweetie. If they show up tomorrow, your dad will deal with them,”

Looking at her parents, Jiang Yuan felt a pang of guilt.

She was already an adult, yet her parents still had to worry about her.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry. Just because he says he’s coming doesn’t mean I’ll let him in. Who does he think he is?”

Then she looked at little Nuan sitting on the chair, softening her voice.

“Sweetheart, Daddy’s coming tomorrow, but he’s not here to see you. He wants to take our things. What do you think Mommy should do?”

“I don’t want Daddy! Daddy’s bad!”

“Good girl. I believe when you grow up, you’ll understand Mommy’s intentions,”

Jiang Yuan gently patted her daughter’s head. Even a child could tell right from wrong.

Xia Chaoyang, you really are scum.

—

A lot of people came by again today to buy clothes. Jiang Yuan also brought out some daily necessities—hand soap, sanitary pads, toilet paper, etc.

She had stocked up plenty in her space—enough for several years at least.

If there’s one thing that always sells, it’s sanitary pads.

Even in the apocalypse, women still have to deal with their monthly cycle.

Jiang Xingmin followed her around all day, worried something might happen.

At 3 p.m., another group of people showed up at the door.

A knock came. Someone called out: “Anyone there? We came to buy things!”

Jiang Yuan checked the surveillance. Among the group was a familiar face—Xia Chaoyang.

“They’re here. Time for battle.”

She gave herself a pep talk and stepped out with Jiang Xingmin.

She wore a short, wine-red faux fur jacket, thick black leggings, and tall boots.

Her hair was in a neat bun. No makeup, but she looked clean and sharp.

Compared to most people’s at-home attire, she looked rather polished.

Click—

The door opened, revealing the group outside.

“Hi, we heard you were selling clothes. We want to buy some.”

“Where did you hear that from?”

She really wanted to know how Sun Yian was spreading the word to people in other buildings.

Caught off guard, the man hesitated before answering quickly, “Our building rep told us…”

So Building 9 had a building rep now too. That must mean the entire complex was starting to organize into factions.

And they were in contact with each other.

“There’s not much left. Take a look. I want cash, understand?”

“Yes, yes, we brought cash…”

The man glanced at the items behind Jiang Yuan, looking disappointed.

Clearly, he was hoping for food.

Then someone shuffled forward from the back of the group.

Hair a mess, wearing a tattered women’s cotton coat, pale and unsteady—obviously malnourished.

But his dark eye circles looked… overly dramatic.

“Jiang Yuan, it’s me. Let me in…”

“And who are you? Every random stray thinks I should open the door now?”

She sneered, looking at him with mockery.

Xia Chaoyang gripped the railing like a prisoner behind bars.

So he came along with the group from his building—no way he could’ve done it on his own.

“I’m Xia Chaoyang! I sent you a message yesterday. Did you see it?

Jiang Yuan, I was wrong! Don’t be mad. Let me in—this was our marital home.

Where’s Xiao Nuan? Bring her here. Tell her Daddy misses her.”

“Shut up, you shameless creep. Stop bothering our child. Say one more word and I’ll put a hole in your face.”

Jiang Xingmin raised his red-tasseled spear and aimed it at Xia Chaoyang’s face.

“Dad, I know I was wrong. I really was. Please don’t be angry…”

“I’m not your dad—I’m your ancestor. Now get lost!”

With Jiang Xingmin unmoved, Xia Chaoyang turned to Jiang Yuan, trying to look pitiful and sincere.

“Jiang Yuan, just let me in. A child needs a father—without one, her personality will twist…”

The crowd behind them, who had no idea what was going on, were stunned by the scene.

What started as a supply run had turned into a full-on family drama.

And… they kind of liked it.

Someone muttered, “See, I told you this woman’s no good. Not only is she making a profit off people’s misery, now she’s locking her own husband out.”

Better be careful around her, or you’ll get scammed too.

Even though the speaker stayed hidden, Jiang Yuan recognized the voice—it was the same old lady who got sprayed yesterday.

Probably saw the crowd and came to watch the show.

“Old hag, your clothes dry yet?

You can’t afford to buy anything, so you assume everyone else is broke too?

Did you forget what I said yesterday? Watch your tongue.”

That fired the old lady up immediately.

Seeing so many people gave her confidence.

She shoved her way forward, standing next to Xia Chaoyang.

“You little brat! You’re so young—how can you be this vicious?

What did I ever do to you that you’d threaten me like that?

I just couldn’t stand to watch. You’ve got a black heart, and you don’t deserve this poor boy!”

So she knew about the trouble Bai Mengmeng stirred up before.

Then she definitely knew they broke up because of a mistress.

“Shut up! My daughter doesn’t need your judgment.”

Jiang Xingmin held back from being too harsh, mostly because the lady was older than him.

“Xia Chaoyang, didn’t you say you were sorry?

Then how can you just stand there while someone slanders me and say nothing?”