Chapter 54: Rent Only, No Lending

“What’s wrong? The so-called ‘gold-medal lawyer’ couldn’t get food from property management for everyone?
Your professional skills aren’t that great, huh? Tsk tsk tsk…”

At the mention of this, Sun Yian grew angry. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Yuan’s loose tongue and inciting words, he wouldn’t have been treated the way he was just now.

The worst part was, he did have the property manager’s WeChat. They’d chatted quite a bit. Now, he had no way to explain himself.

“The property manager’s phone probably ran out of battery. You guys have some supplies now—why not share a bit with everyone? Wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

Jiang Yuan was so confident in the property manager connection because in her previous life, Sun Yian had always acted as a leader in the building’s group chat.
He had claimed that he was entrusted by the property manager.
At that time, the residents, much like now, clung to any organizational authority, like property management or the government, for security.

“Is it really out of battery, or is he just ignoring you?” she snapped.

Sun Yian had been prepared for this and immediately found an angle.

“We already tried calling him—his phone’s off. Maybe something bad happened.
Jiang Yuan, we’re all neighbors. I’ve said so many reasonable things—can’t you listen to any of it?
And Ye Mianmian, I remember that young guy from the 10th floor even invited you over for dinner when it was hot.”

He was clearly targeting weaker individuals, hoping to get them to surrender without a fight.
But he miscalculated—Jiang Yuan wasn’t someone to back down easily. Her resolve was harder than stone.

“We don’t have much supplies either, and what we have, we risked our lives to gather.
You say you want them, and that’s supposed to be reasonable?
I don’t know who incited you to try breaking in, but you all should know what kind of behavior that is.
Right now, the government hasn’t abandoned us. Order still exists.
If you don’t follow it, don’t blame us for kicking down doors ourselves.”

“I just hope your little alliance is strong enough—otherwise…”
As she spoke, Jiang Yuan flicked the blade of her sword.

The bloody video of her fighting earlier was still fresh in everyone’s minds. No one dared to make a move.

These people had only banded together temporarily for supplies. If real danger broke out, who could you count on?

Seeing the group hesitate, Jiang Yuan pressed on.

“Sun Yian, you live on the sixth floor, right? Why don’t we start with your place?”

No one around defended him. He started to panic.

“Jiang Yuan, do you even hear yourself? We’re just asking for supplies. We can pay. After the typhoon passes, we’ll return what we take.”

“Heh. So, you want to pay or borrow? Make up your mind, Lawyer Sun. You’re contradicting yourself.”

Exposed, Sun Yian started to lose his composure.

“Don’t change the subject. I’m telling you, Jiang Yuan, this has to be resolved today.
Even if you won’t sell us supplies, at least lend us your boat!”

“Yeah! Just lend it—we’ll go find our own supplies!”

“Right, we’re not stealing—just borrowing the boat!”

At last, they’d come up with a seemingly ‘reasonable’ idea, and the crowd started to echo it.

Jiang Yuan saw their retreat and quickly assessed the situation.
If they really fought, it would turn everyone against them.
Even if they won, the four of them would likely suffer injuries.
Better to retreat now and take them down one by one later.

“That boat is a survival tool. You think I’ll just lend it out because you ask?”

Seeing things sway his way, Sun Yian returned to his gentlemanly demeanor.

“Jiang Yuan, we’ll take good care of the boat, don’t worry.
We just want to look for food. I remember there’s a lake about six kilometers away—Qingshui Lake. There are boats there.
Once we find another, we won’t need to borrow from you again.

If that doesn’t work, we can check outdoor supply stores—there might be inflatable kayaks.”

“Yeah, miss, just lend it to us—we’ll return it in perfect condition.”

“Exactly…”

Once their own interests were involved, everyone started to speak up.

Jiang Yuan crossed her arms, pretending to think, then nodded.

“Fine. You can use the boat—but it’s not a loan. You’ll have to rent it.”

“What? Rent it?”

“Yeah. You’re not expecting a freebie, right? Just words aren’t enough—I don’t trust anyone.”

Without hesitation, Sun Yian agreed.

“Fine. We agree.”

“Okay. One day—20,000 yuan. Cash only.”

Just as Sun Yian was about to argue, Jiang Yuan raised her hand to stop him.

“No bargaining. Come find me when you’re ready. If you can’t gather the money, don’t bother asking.
I’ve already compromised—don’t sweet talk me.”

And just like that, every argument died in their throats.

Sun Yian turned to the others with a face full of false righteousness.

“Everyone, the situation is tough, but we have no other options.
If we all chip in, we should be able to cover it.”

…

Jiang Yuan didn’t want to hear any more. None of these people were the self-sacrificing type.

They could argue all they wanted—it would get them nowhere.

“Excuse me!”

She raised her tangdao (Tang sword) and cleared a path, walking straight to Zhang Kaiyang, followed closely by Song Yi and Ye Mianmian.

“Open the door!”

“Oh, right, right…”

Zhang Kaiyang was flustered as he fumbled with the lock.
Noticing he was trembling, Jiang Yuan gently took the keys from him.

“Let me do it…”

If others noticed, it would show weakness—something she couldn’t allow.

The four of them entered apartment 0902.
Outside, people were still craning their necks, trying to see what was going on.

Song Yi firmly shut the already barely-hanging door, knocking loose a cloud of dust.

“Whoa, that scared me to death!”

Zhang Kaiyang collapsed to the ground, completely unbothered by appearances.

“Thank you for coming to save me. I really thought I was going to die out there…”

Jiang Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony and flopped onto the sofa, followed by Ye Mianmian.

Song Yi sat on a small stool. But the near-death experience hadn’t left much of an impression.

“Will those people come back?”

“Mhm. It’s just a matter of time. Stay alert.”

“Shh!”

Song Yi gestured for silence. Zhang Kaiyang’s apartment had thin walls.

Everyone understood—walls had ears. And there were plenty of ears out there.

Zhang Kaiyang raised his phone, signaling that they should communicate in the group chat.

He sent a message first, but it just spun endlessly—
the network was down.