More than half a month had passed since the interview, and He Tianming thought the two wouldn’t come back. He felt a bit regretful. After all, he could tell that these two young people had some skills, and the community was in urgent need of such people. 

Unexpectedly, there was a ray of hope, and they actually came. 

As the car drove into the community, He Tianming personally took them to see the houses. 

“We have many vacant units here. The first phase handed over two fully furnished buildings, but the lower floors are already occupied. For safety and to avoid conflicts with others, each floor only houses one unit, with the fire doors closed off. The higher floors are unoccupied and very quiet, but they can be quite hot. 

Building 3 in the second phase is our own decoration, the environment is relatively rough, but there are still vacant rooms on the lower floors. Shall I show you around?” 

Jiang Ning wasn’t interested in the first three buildings, “Captain He, we have a dog, and it’s not convenient to live above or below others. An independent space would be better for everyone. Can we see Building 4 or 5?” 

Their dog weighed eighty to ninety pounds, and it would be too tempting for others if it wandered around them every day. 

If it weren’t for the devastating earthquake that caused massive destruction in Fengcheng, forcing most buildings to collapse, Jiang Ning wouldn’t consider moving into this surviving community. 

He Tianming was surprised, “Buildings 4 and 5 are only externally renovated; inside, they are still rough and not suitable for living.” 

Jiang Ning insisted, “It’s okay, we can decorate it ourselves.” 

Understanding their concern, He Tianming didn’t push, “Alright, you decide.” 

Just as he was about to take them to see the buildings, the intercom suddenly crackled with a tense voice, “Captain He, the villagers are coming to grab the water source again, and there are more people than last time.” 

Immediately, the sound of clanging gongs rang out. 

“Mr. Huo, Miss Jiang, the two buildings aren’t locked, you can go up and take a look yourselves,” He Tianming said urgently, “We have a situation in the community that I need to handle.” 

He quickly ran off. 

In extreme heat, water sources were the most precious resource. 

With water, people could survive and grow vital crops. 

Aoyuan had a lot of undeveloped land. They are gradually being cultivated by residents to grow sweet potatoes by using the saved precious water. The crops looked almost ready to harvest. 

In the meantime, many residents were surviving on sweet potato vines, plucking them as they grew. 

Jiang Ning even saw several types of drought-resistant pigweed that could survive with a bit of water. Previously, it was used to feed pigs or make pig feed, but now it is a precious food. 

It might scratch the throat, but it could be chopped finely. Then it’s much better than chewing on tree bark or eating clay. 

Watching He Tianming’s receding figure, Jiang Ning asked, “Should we check out the buildings or watch the commotion?” 

Huo Yishen thought for a moment, “He Tianming managed to form a rescue team and secure Aoyuan after the earthquake, so he should handle this. But since we’ll be living here, it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about the surrounding residents.” 

Jiang Ning’s eyes sparkled, and she agreed. 

Driving to the community entrance, they saw both sides in a standoff. With their livelihoods at stake over the water source, tensions were high enough to spark a fight at any moment. 

Compared to last time, the other side had clearly increased in number. 

The issue was not about having too little but about unequal distribution. Aoyuan’s well was the only nearby water source, and the defeated villagers had now rallied many local residents, all armed with hoes and sticks, their faces filled with ferocity and anger, determined to drive the people of Aoyuan away. 

“This land was originally taken away from our village, so the water source naturally belongs to us. You aren’t even residents here, stop hogging the water and get lost, or we won’t be polite.” 

“What do you mean your land? Without the developer’s payment, would you have given up the land? What a joke!” 

“You can spare us the bullshit! Land use rights have a deadline. Now that the developer is gone, the land naturally belongs to us. You haven’t even paid for the house, yet you still have the nerve?” 

Both sides argued fiercely, with the opposing group growing in number. Upon hearing the urgent alert, residents of Aoyuan rushed out with their weapons, men, women, children, and even toddlers. 

Iron rods, tree branches, hoes, bricks, kitchen knives… 

All primitive weapons and not a single firearm among them. 

Firearms are strictly controlled in China; it’s not easy for ordinary people to obtain guns. If Jiang Ning hadn’t had a stroke of luck and if she hadn’t been forced to confront criminal forces, she wouldn’t have had firearms for self-defense either. 

Having suffered losses in the previous fight, the opponents were prepared this time. They’re fully protected from head to toe. Aoyuan was outnumbered and outmatched both in numbers and momentum. 

After all, the opponents were pushed to the brink by the extreme heat, and not seizing the water source would mean death. 

This was a battle for survival, with pairs of bloodshot eyes filled with hatred and jealousy. They wish to devour the residents of Aoyuan alive. 

Amidst the pushing and shoving, one of the opponents suddenly drew a dagger hidden at his waist and fiercely stabbed towards He Tianming’s heart… 

As long as they took down this man, Aoyuan would be a scattered sand. 

Driving these people away meant that the water source and sweet potatoes would belong to them! 

Jiang Ning had no intention of getting involved in the conflict until she saw the dagger stabbing towards, He Tianming. Witnessing his sudden change of expression, she realized the danger and decided to act. 

Despite He Tianming’s mild appearance, he was after all a psychological counselor. Seeing the opponent’s sudden aggression, he quickly retreated two steps. 

As the dagger missed, the opponent wasted no time and thrust it again. 

Taking advantage of the distraction, Jiang Ning retrieved a crossbow from her space and aimed it at the man. 

Not aiming for the heart, but at his arm holding the knife. 

The man screamed in agony as the knife fell to the ground. 

Seeing this, other villagers picked up their hoes and clubs and rushed towards the residents of Aoyuan. Today, they were determined to seize the water source. 

“Bang!” 

A loud noise reverberated, deafening everyone. Both sides froze, looking around, but no one fell, only the bricks held high by the villagers shattered into pieces. 

They had guns! They had guns! 

The villagers were stunned, and for a moment, no one dared to charge forward. 

“Stop!” A stern voice rang out as Huo Yishen aimed his gun at the leading village chief. “If you continue causing trouble, don’t blame me for being impolite!” 

Facing the threat of the crossbow and the dark barrel of the gun. The village chief, no matter how angry they were, dared not make any rash moves. 

After all, they couldn’t outrun the bullets. 

One of the young troublemakers in the village goaded, “Don’t be afraid, Chief. There are so many of us, and they only have a few bullets. We can drown them in spit!” 

The village chief, a shrewd man concerned about his reputation, was instantly enraged by the young man’s words. “You! Come! Spit and see if it works.” 

This troublemaker always talked big but hid behind when things got real. 

Jiang Ning raised her crossbow and shot an arrow at the troublemaker. 

The arrow grazed his face, causing him to scream in pain. 

Jiang Ning warned him, “Dealing with you doesn’t even require wasting bullets.” 

Clutching his wound, the troublemaker’s legs trembled uncontrollably. He was too scared to utter a word. 

Jiang Ning could see that even the village chief didn’t want to die. “We don’t have many bullets, but we can kill a few troublemakers without a problem. If anyone wants to die, step forward, and we’ll accommodate you!” 

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