After the virus attack, except for the few families who had access to medicine and suffered a little loss, every other household had deaths, even if they hadn’t been wiped out completely. Even those who managed to get the antiviral medicine in time faced severe aftereffects. 

The Rong family had well-informed sources. Due to the smog or other disasters, several groups were escaping to the south. 

Survivors making long journeys inevitably reached a dead end and would surely compete for survival resources in the south. But Fengcheng didn’t have extra food supplies, and there was a fear that conflicts would arise. 

A notorious corrupt official once said, “Refugees are not human.” 

Previously, this seemed absurd, but in the face of a true natural disaster, one realized that refugees indeed acted inhumanely. 

No one could forget the savagery of the mobs during the endless night. If they returned, could the villa area still be defended? 

Old Master Rong didn’t step forward but threw the problem to his son. “You’re not three and a half years old anymore. Since you’ve taken on the role of chairman of the homeowners association, you should bear the responsibility and think about how to solve the problems.” 

He had lived to this age, who knew how many more years he had left. When the moment of death came, would he be able to close his eyes peacefully, or would he be too worried about his son to even close them? 

The herbal packets given by Jiang Ning were good, but most of the Rong family had been infected by the virus. Old Master Rong survived, but he lost one grandson and two granddaughters. 

Although he had many descendants, the pain of a white-haired person sending off black-haired ones was unbearable. 

Physically and mentally exhausted, he aged significantly and began to fear death. 

At his age, he wasn’t worried about his own death but feared the Rong family might follow the fate of other homeowners. 

If the head of the family was gone, the entire family would collapse. 

Old Master Rong had lost his father in childhood, took on family responsibilities early, and led his siblings to build the Rong family from nothing into a commercial empire… 

He had supported the Rong family for decades, hoping to enjoy his later years in peace, but hadn’t expected to encounter the natural disaster. 

After years of turmoil, Old Master Rong was tired and barely holding on. 

But he didn’t dare to die, fearing that once he closed his eyes, the authorities would no longer respect the Rong family, and criminal elements would run rampant. 

Though he had sons, who among them could take on the mantle alone? 

The eldest was honest but talentless, the second was all show and no substance, and the third was somewhat clever but superficial.  

“You brat, grow up quickly and stop messing around.” 

Third Master Rong already considered, “Dad, I think the community needs to bring in fresh blood, but only the reliable people.” 

“If you think it’s right, then do it.” Old Master Rong stood up and patted his shoulder. “Show some results, let everyone see.” 

Looking at his father’s increasingly aged face, Third Master Rong suddenly felt a heavy heart and a deep discomfort. 

After much thought, he drove out. 

When he returned, he didn’t even enter the Rong family gate but took Ah Ben to Building 50, still with that cheeky smile. “Sister, you promised to treat me to a meal, remember?” 

With an attitude that if he wasn’t treated, he’d throw Ah Ben back. 

The debt of a meal had to be repaid, so Jiang Ning opened the door. “Come in.” 

Inviting guests required sincerity, so she thought of calling Qin Chuan over to chat. Unexpectedly, Third Young Master Rong said, “Sister, I don’t want hotpot anymore, I want homemade food.” 

Whether it was hotpot or homemade food, Huo Yishen would be the one in charge of cooking, so, Jiang Ning had no objections. “What do you want to eat?” 

“Anything.” 

Anything was fine. Jiang Ning asked Huo Yishen to prepare a flaming drunken goose. “This is a famous dish from Fengcheng, eat more of it.” 

Third Young Master Rong was not shy and kept stuffing his mouth, “Mmm, brother-in-law’s cooking is really good.” 

Huo Yishen rarely spoke, but he kept serving food to Jiang Ning and Doudou. 

Young Master Rong was envious, “Sister, you’re really lucky.” 

His ex-girlfriend used to serve him food too. If the disaster hadn’t struck, he might have been married by now, maybe even with children. 

But she was gone, and even if he found her, things might not be the same. 

The villa area alone was already full of various life stories. 

Second-generation heirs who used to drive sports cars and yachts, spending nights with multiple young models, but now they had to serve rich widows for hours just to get a few pounds of grain. 

This world was suffocating. 

Seeing that he was a little depressed, Jiang Ning teased him, “My last name is not Hu, but Jiang.” 

Third Young Master Rong chuckled and took a swig of the strong liquor, “Sister, a lot of people in the community have died. I heard several groups of refugees are migrating south, and some might settle in Fengcheng. To defend the community, we need new blood. What do you think?” 

Jiang Ning agreed, “Mm, that’s a good idea.” 

“Building 42 is pretty capable. Do you have any other recommendations?” 

Jiang Ning thought for a moment, “No.” 

Third Young Master Rong said meaningfully, “I went to see Secretary He today. He suggested considering people from Aoyuan. I remember you and brother-in-law used to live in Aoyuan. Some of the security guards we hired in the past were from there, and brother-in-law was their instructor.” 

“That’s true.” 

Third Young Master Rong pondered, “Do you think they are suitable?” 

“They were good at Aoyuan, but we haven’t lived together for years. People change. I trust your judgment, so you decide.” 

In these end of times, human nature was unpredictable. 

She had considered people from Aoyuan, but after years of separation and different living environments, recommending them was risky. 

Besides, Building 42 was close to Building 50, and the group led by Sharp mouthed monkey was Qin Chuan’s people. Rumors of them forming a group were already circulating. 

If people from Aoyuan joined, even if she had no ulterior motives, what would the Rong family think? 

She has no desire for the villa area; she just wants to survive the natural disaster with the people she cares about. But when there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and when there are rivers and lakes, there are right and wrong grudges. 

Regardless of who came in the future, she and Huo Yishen could survive on their own, so there was no need to make many recommendations. 

Third Young Master Rong understood that Building 50 genuinely didn’t want to meddle. 

After thanking them, he left. 

A few days later, Third Young Master Rong held a homeowner’s meeting. 

With the fog everywhere, he didn’t bother with pretense and held the meeting over the intercom. First, to attract new blood, and second, to discuss the potential acid rain caused by the smog. 

After careful consideration, they decided to absorb people from Aoyuan. 

They had lost some people in the disaster and now had about seventy people. Recommended by He Tianming, they had been checked and found reliable.  

The homeowners had no objections, and even if they did, they didn’t voice them. Life was too hard, and most were too exhausted to care. 

They also hoped the Rong family would establish a private base, ideally taking care of all their needs. 

What about the coming acid rain? They couldn’t even afford glass.