Chapter 42: Extreme Heat, Sandstorm

Fortunately, Jiang Si had the foresight to include a condition with Kuang Jiaying that guaranteed their right to keep the house.

Otherwise, if they had to live with that crowd, who knows how much trouble would’ve already started.

The noise outside grew more intense. If the village weren’t under current supervision, that mob would’ve long since broken in and driven Jiang Si’s family out.

“You people won’t even dig ditches, yet you get to enjoy the water and shelter we worked so hard to secure. We’re crammed into dog kennels while you live in comfort—why should we put up with this?!”

“Exactly! Your family’s taking advantage. You should at least contribute something. You give nothing, just take and take. Be decent! Be humane! The whole country is suffering—don’t be so selfish! If we all had housing, we wouldn’t be bothering you!”

The water was hauled up from the mountain by Kuang Jiaying’s team through great effort and provided free. Food was only distributed to those who contributed labor and earned points.

As for Jiang Si’s family, they had never once taken water from the shared supply. Everything they used was bartered from Mo Hua.

And though Kuang Jiaying had promised them a year’s worth of rations, so far he had only delivered a single sack of flour.

In truth, they hadn’t taken advantage of anyone.

Jiang Linhai looked anxious and angry.

“Do you think Kuang Jiaying is deliberately stirring up trouble so those people can move into our house?”

Jiang Si shook her head.

“I doubt he’s that bored. Even if they squeeze dozens more people in, this house won’t save the world. If he had that much free time, it’d be better spent getting more homes built.”

Zhang Qingfang frowned.

“Maybe it’s because we’re not joining the labor teams? We’re definitely drawing attention. They probably assume we’ve got loads of supplies stored and now they’re jealous. That’s why they’re stirring up trouble.”

Jiang Si said calmly,

“Even if we were working, they’d still resent that we live in a private house. This kind of trouble is inevitable.”

“So, what now?” Jiang Linhai asked.

Jiang Si glanced out the window at the angry crowd.

“Kuang Jiaying agreed to our terms. Now he has to uphold them. We won’t open the door, and I don’t believe he can’t hear this ruckus.”

“If he gives in to public pressure and demands we give up the house, then this place isn’t worth staying in anyway. Living packed together with dozens of others, under constant scrutiny? We might as well go somewhere else and settle down on our own.”

“Besides, the giant mushrooms in my storage space are already grown. We’ve always had a backup plan.”

Shen Baoying still looked worried.

“If Kuang Jiaying won’t let them move in… should we start participating in labor to earn points? Won’t it look suspicious if we keep getting by without doing anything?”

Even if Kuang Jiaying gave them the rest of the promised food, others would still wonder—how could they live worry-free without ever working?

Jiang Si glanced at the thermometer hanging on the wall.

“The temperature’s already dropped several degrees in the last couple days. I think it’s going to rain soon.”

“They won’t have time to worry about us.”

Her calm assurance reassured everyone.

Outside, Lin Zu was furious, pounding on their iron door.

“You think hiding inside means you’re safe? Get out here now!”

He had asked around—Jiang Si’s family had their guns confiscated. They wouldn’t dare fight back.

The crowd echoed him, yelling:

“Come out! Reallocate the house!”

Compared to the makeshift shelters, Jiang Si’s house was like a luxury villa. Word had spread that they even had several thousand pounds of food. People who hadn’t originally joined the mob now surrounded the house, shouting louder than anyone.

Kuang Jiaying was reporting on Longquan Village’s situation to the southern city. Song Hui was out helping dig irrigation channels. That left Jiao Weisong as the highest-ranking authority in the refugee camp for the moment. He came with a few people to investigate, only to be surrounded and pressured to “do something.”

His explanation was infuriating:

“They earned the commander’s respect through their capabilities. That’s why they qualify to live in a private house.”

Everyone listening got even angrier. Jiao’s tone made it sound like Jiang Si had used connections to get preferential treatment.

The mob grew even more rabid, slamming and kicking the doors.

Jiao Weisong had only brought a few men, and they were quickly pushed aside. Still, he tried to shout,

“Hey! What are you doing?! They’ve earned their place!”

But he said it too late—and too quietly. Hardly anyone heard.

The banging on the doors and windows grew louder. Some even started trying to pry the door open or smash the windows.

Shen Baoying, terrified by the escalating violence, asked Jiang Si:

“What if they break in?”

Their guns had been confiscated. Though they still had crossbows and nail guns, if they injured someone, would they be punished?

Jiang Si’s expression darkened.

“Give it five more minutes. If no one stops them, we’re leaving.”

Shen Baoying frowned.

“But where will we go?”

As soon as she spoke, the torches outside all went out at once. The once-chaotic crowd fell silent.

And Jiang Si immediately felt the sharp drop in temperature.

A howling wind roared past their ears like a rampaging beast.

Cries of excitement echoed:

“Is it going to rain?!”

WHOOOOSH!

Windows on the second floor shook and banged violently from the gusts. The crowd outside grew even more excited.

“It’s going to rain! It’s finally going to rain!”

But Jiang Si knew better.

She remembered from her past life: before the rain came, a massive sandstorm always hit first.

Back then, the sandstorm had torn the roof off their home, forcing them to flee. This time, she had reinforced the house—it shouldn’t happen again.

But just as that thought crossed her mind, the excited shouts turned to panicked screams.

After months of extreme heat and cracked, dry ground, the incoming sandstorm whipped up dirt and pebbles like a furious beast, slamming into everything in its path.

People of lighter weight couldn’t even stay on their feet—some were nearly blown away.

The air became so thin, every breath felt like inhaling fire and sand. Eyes, mouths, and throats burned painfully with each gasp.

“AHHH!”

Someone was blown through the air and slammed hard against the few remaining courtyard walls of Jiang Si’s home.

CRASH!

Part of the wall collapsed. In the dim, dusty moonlight, a silhouette tumbled like a rag doll, slamming into a tree stump, followed by cries for help all around.

Lin Zu and Lin Yonghua realized they were in real danger. They clung desperately to the iron gate, shouting:

“Open the door! Please, let us in! Save us!”

Jiang Si looked out from a peephole. It wasn’t just Lin Zu and Lin Yonghua clutching at their door—many others were scrambling to get inside.

But if she let them in, with the wind howling like that, the door would never close again.

Jiang Si ignored them and told her family to quickly check all doors and windows to make sure they were sealed.

Lin Zu was nearly airborne from the storm. In a panic, he pounded the door again:

“You heartless monsters! Watching people die—you’ll pay for this! You’ll go to hell! Open the door! You’re worse than pigs and dogs—inhuman scum!”