Chapter 9: Extreme Heat

If it were in the past, Jiang Linhai would definitely reach out to help his good brother and let them stay at their house.

But now, it’s the apocalypse.

If they moved in, it would definitely cause trouble. Jiang Si’s space and their home’s setup would likely be exposed.

Even if they tried to hide it well, two different families living under one roof would inevitably lead to conflict. If the others saw how well they were living, jealousy would fester and turn them into the greatest threat to their safety.

Jiang Linhai’s expression darkened. He was just about to speak when Zhao Fang knelt down a few steps in front of him, her head thudding against the ground as she blocked his refusal. “Linhai, you and Dingtian have been good friends for so many years. Please help us just this once. We don’t need a room—just let us stay in your garage. Just give us a place to stay. Once the heatwave passes and we repair our house, we’ll leave immediately!”

Zhao Yun was so humble it made Zhang Dingtian’s eyes turn red. He bent his knees, about to kneel.

Jiang Linhai grabbed him, but couldn’t stop Zhang Dingtian’s elderly parents from dropping to their knees, tearfully pleading, “We’re old already. We’ve lived long enough. If we die, so be it. Linhai, please help us! Good deeds will bring good karma. We’re begging you!”

Jiang Si’s sharp gaze swept toward Zhao Yun, who looked away guiltily—she had clearly already made up her mind to stay with them no matter what.

Jiang Linhai felt awful, but he truly couldn’t agree.

“I can give you some daily supplies. The frame of your house is still standing. If you clean it up a bit, you can still live there.”

This was a clear refusal.

Zhang Dingtian’s eyes showed his disappointment, but he understood. At least Jiang Linhai was still willing to offer some help.

But Zhao Yun and Zhang Jing panicked. Their house already felt like an oven before—it was completely uninhabitable now. Without basic protection, indoor temperatures could easily reach over 50°C. There was no way they could survive there.

Going into the city for refuge was even more unrealistic. Without government aid, it was every man for himself.

Their few hundred pounds of food couldn’t be transported, either. If they stayed at Jiang Linhai’s home and ran out of food, surely he wouldn’t let them starve. He also had medicine—if anyone got sick, they could get treated.

If Jiang Linhai wouldn’t take them in, no one else would either.

Worse, Zhao Yun feared that once Jiang Linhai gave them some supplies, he’d avoid them like the plague afterward.

Zhao Yun wept miserably and begged loudly, “Linhai, we’ll give you all our remaining food. Our house is ruined—anyone could rob us. If we live with you, our whole family can contribute and help defend your home, so you can go fetch water and gather firewood without worry. Just give us a place to stay. It’s so hot—if you don’t take us in, I’ll have no choice but to die!”

She then picked up a stone from the ground and tried to smash her own head. Zhang Jing stopped her just in time, crying out in despair, “Mom, don’t! Uncle Jiang will definitely take us in!”

Zhang Dingtian, ashamed to push further but desperate for his family, finally said, “Linhai, let us stay just one month, okay? Just one month, then we’ll move back once I’ve fixed up the house a bit!”

Inviting a guest is easy—getting them to leave is hard. Zhao Yun was already scheming. Once she was inside their home, who knew what else she’d pull?

Jiang Linhai didn’t have the heart to say no outright—but Jiang Si did.

She stepped forward and said firmly, “We’re willing to help however we can, but Uncle Zhang, you shouldn’t keep putting my dad in a difficult position. Yes, your house was damaged, but if you clean up a bit, it’s still livable. Insisting on staying with us—what are your real intentions? We both know. Don’t make me say it out loud.”

Zhao Yun had thought Jiang Linhai, with his pride, would cave under such pressure. She hadn’t expected Jiang Si to jump in like a cold sword.

Forcing herself to stay calm, Zhao Yun said pitifully, “Jiang Si, you’ve misunderstood. If we could stay in our own house, we’d never bother you. You and Jingjing grew up together. Your Uncle Zhang has always treated you well—he always thought of you when he had food or toys. We really mean no harm!”

In the apocalypse, promises are the most useless thing.

Jiang Si’s dark eyes glinted coldly. “Your whole family is healthy. Instead of guilt-tripping others, why not just fix up your house properly?”

Jiang Linhai frowned. “Dingtian, you have your family. I have mine. Please understand.”

He stood firm. Zhao Yun suddenly stood up and snapped, “Jiang Linhai! You’re heartless! Having a friend like you is the worst luck!”

Jiang Si kicked over a bucket of water and stared Zhao Yun down. “Having a wife like you is the worst luck. Helping others only led us to grief last time. Good thing we didn’t let you in—who knows what disgusting things you’d do behind our backs.”

Zhao Yun clutched her chest, pretending to faint again, while her family cried and wailed in a mess. But when they looked up, Jiang Si and Jiang Linhai were already gone.

Zhao Yun instantly stopped performing and urged Zhang Jing and Zhang Dingtian, “Hurry and go after them to get those supplies!”

She deeply regretted tearing into Jiang Linhai—it might cost them even those basic necessities now.

Zhang Dingtian and Zhang Jing rushed to catch up.

But Jiang Si and Jiang Linhai had already moved like they were on fire. Zhang Jing barely shouted a few times before they had entered through the iron gate.

Furious, Zhang Jing cursed, but then his gaze landed on the house next to theirs—Qin Songming’s place.

Excited, he said, “Dad! Forget them—we can break into Qin Songming’s house. It’s a little beat up, but the basics should still be there!”

Zhang Dingtian brightened. “Good idea!”

Jiang Si had been watching them with suspicion. When she saw them preparing to scale Qin Shen’s wall, she hesitated—should she warn him?

A quick look through the binoculars showed Qin Shen wasn’t home.

Zhang Jing climbed over easily and opened the courtyard gate from the inside. “Dad, hurry in!”

Just as he said that, Jiang Si saw Qin Shen coming back from the back mountain—carrying a giant wild boar on each shoulder!

Each boar had to weigh over 100kg. He was carrying nearly 300kg—and walking steadily and quickly.

No strain. No sweat.

He reached the gate just as Zhang Dingtian and his son were still fiddling with the lock.

Boom—

He dropped the boars on the ground with a dull thud. The father and son turned around—just in time to catch a blur of motion.

Qin Shen flew at them like lightning.

Bam! One punch sent them flying. A sharp side-kick to the gut finished the job.

They curled up in pain, groaning at the foot of the wall like shrimp dropped in a pan.

Then Qin Shen slowly looked up. His dark, cold eyes—like a predator—locked directly onto Jiang Si.

Jiang Si’s heart jumped.

She slammed the window shut.

She had survived ten years of the apocalypse, but she’d never seen anyone as fast or deadly as Qin Shen.

He was too dangerous.