“Open up! Is anyone inside? Someone said they saw strangers enter your house today. Security team—routine inspection.”

The heavy knocks on the villa’s front gate were accompanied by the sounds of guns being cocked and footsteps moving about.

Soon, someone came to report to Li Xiannian, “Master, it’s Bason’s men. They’re knocking on the door, trying to come in.”

Li Xiannian frowned. “At this time? What are they here for?”

The outside was still in chaos. He thought Bason’s gang wouldn’t pay attention here, but it seemed they had noticed the helicopter heading this way.

That meant—they came with ill intentions.

Li Xiannian gave his orders: “Raise the defenses. Before the helicopter lands, stall them at all costs. Until everyone is safely on board.”

Then he hesitated, thought of something, and added, “Forget it. I’ll go see him myself.”

At the entrance, Bason and his men stood with guns in hand, staring at the helicopter hovering in midair.

One of them asked, “Boss, is the information you got real?”

Bason took a long drag of his cigarette, his ruthless eyes flashing with a trace of fear, then crushed the butt underfoot.

“Of course it’s real. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be safer for us to stay in that bunker built by those doomsday fanatics?”

He had just received word: the authorities were only giving three days. In those three days, special forces would enter the city to search for survivors and evacuate them.

But the risk of casualties was extremely high.

So, after three days, they planned to deploy drones carrying high-yield nuclear warheads to flatten the entire city.

Once the bombs fell, the explosion would bring down buildings, obliterate both zombies and infected, as well as any survivors hiding in the shadows.

And even if someone miraculously survived, the radioactive fallout would linger, contaminating the city’s water and food. By then, Snowar City would be nothing more than a dead city, shrouded in a cloud of death.

Bason had to get out.

His men had intercepted radio signals from this villa—apparently, a helicopter was coming to pick up this household. That gave him the idea to use the helicopter to escape this damned place.

As for whether they’d be allowed on board? He wasn’t worried.

From what Bason knew, this family might be the wealthiest in the community, but the house was usually just an old man and his granddaughter. The son lived year-round in his company lab. Aside from a few bodyguards and servants, they had no real fighting power.

Against his dozen or so strong, armed men—was there really anything to be afraid of?

As for those outsiders who came this morning, they weren’t even worth considering.

Bason was feeling very pleased with his plan.

“Boss, there’s no response inside. Should we blast the door open with explosives?”

They had been knocking for half a minute, and still no movement from inside. One of Bason’s men grew impatient.

Bason was just about to nod when suddenly—the villa’s front doors opened from within.

The old master walked out.

He was neatly dressed, leaning on a cane. Though well into his later years, his demeanor was sharp and spirited.

As soon as Li Xiannian stepped out, his eyes locked on Bason.

The man was tall, with a shotgun slung across his chest. He wore only a vest, exposing his chiseled arms and chest, decorated with black tattoos.

He looked every bit the violent thug, the spitting image of a gangster.

Li Xiannian narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t expect a visit from Mr. Bason. To what do I owe the honor?”

Bason smiled. “Old man, I heard you’ve got outsiders in your house. We’re here for a routine inspection. After all, someone broke the rules earlier and caused some of my men to get infected. It took me a lot of effort to put those zombies down.”

“If you’re hiding outsiders and one of them is infected, it could spread through the community. Then there’d be another outbreak, and it’ll be my people who end up dead.”
“So, are you going to hand them over, or should I go in and search according to the list?”

Li Xiannian’s face turned grim. Bason was clearly trying to force him to give up the outsiders.

But right now, the helicopter was still on its way—at least three more minutes before landing.

If Bason went in, it would be inviting a wolf into the house.

And with all his years of experience, Li Xiannian didn’t believe Bason was here just for this reason.

Just then, the low rumble of rotors filled the air. Bason’s men perked up, their eyes shining as one of them pointed. “Boss, look—the helicopter!”

Bason raised his head. The helicopter was already visible, flying above the island. As the rainclouds parted, a bright moon rose, its light illuminating the chopper’s body clearly.

“Move, let’s go!”

Bason’s greed was now unmasked. He rushed into the villa, intent on reaching the helipad.

Seeing this, Li Xiannian immediately understood Bason’s real intentions.

His face darkened, and he waved his hand—bodyguards and servants in ambush opened fire.

Gunfire erupted violently, catching Bason’s men off guard.

Several were killed instantly.

But since the ambushers were not all professional—some were just servants with basic shooting experience—they soon lost the advantage. Bason’s men quickly recovered, found cover, and fired back.

Two maids, unprepared, were shot down and fell to the ground.

The old butler shielded Li Xiannian. “Sir, you must go. I’ll hold them here. Take the young miss and leave. And whatever you do—don’t let them succeed.”

He held a carbine rifle, eyes firm, clearly ready to sacrifice himself.

Li Xiannian was moved but refused. “You take Selina and go. With me still here, Bason’s men won’t be too rash—they’ll think they still have a chance. Use that time to get the young miss and Miss Su out.”

In this situation, the butler had no choice but to obey. Tears welled in his eyes as he left.

He knew in his heart—this farewell was forever.

Just then, Su You suddenly emerged from the shadows.

She had overheard the conversation between the butler and Li Xiannian, and she realized—this old man was righteous, a man worthy of respect.

And, truth be told, she owed him some ties of fate.

Since that was the case, she didn’t mind lending him a hand.

But more importantly—she had set up overlapping spatial layers and portals inside this villa. And Bason, that bastard, had just smashed a whole display wall of luxury wine bottles.

Those were treasures.

She had been planning to return later, after leaving with Li Xiannian, to collect the supplies.

By her calculation, it was practically her money.

Now Bason had the nerve to come wrecking things, destroying her property. How could she not hate him?

She was going to kill this man.

In the darkness, listening to the roar of gunfire ahead and the arrogant laughter of Bason’s men, Su You slowly let out a long breath.

She steadied her mind, patted Li Xiannian’s shoulder, and said, “Mr. Li, you head to the helicopter. Leave this bunch of scum to me.”