Their mission was to ensure that Ms. Xi didn't disappear, which meant they had to stick close to Tang Ze. The plan was simple: deliver Ms. Xi right into his hands. Tang Ze wouldn't even need to lift a finger; the three of them would help him win her over effortlessly.
"Xiao Bai, what kind of challenge did you come up with?"
But was Xiao Bai really as naive and sweet as she seemed? Clearly not. While it appeared she had set a difficult task for Tang Ze, in reality, all they needed to do was achieve their objective, and everything else would fall into place naturally. Tang Ze wouldn't lose face—in fact, he'd likely end up praising them.
Xiao Bai had her own methods for making Tang Ze happy.
At the entrance of the parking garage in Shanhu Community, several cars blocked both the entry and exit points. Around them sat seven or eight men, each holding knives.
However, these men were impeccably dressed, appearing more like social elites than thugs. Their eyes held no trace of menace, and the knives seemed more for show than actual use. The blocked vehicles served only to prevent anyone from crashing through.
After all, the rain had eased over the past few days, and people were beginning to venture out again. As one of the wealthiest communities, they couldn't afford to relax their vigilance.
"Sigh, when will this end?" A man in his forties wearing a wool sweater sighed deeply.
"Ms. Xi said it won't be long now. Just hold on for another month, and life will return to normal," another replied, his voice filled with hope.
The leader of the group had shaved his head—not out of choice but necessity. With water scarce, a bald head was practical and intimidating.
His name was Luo Jun, the head of security for Shanhu Community. He was a capable man, fiercely loyal to Ms. Xi.
"Ms. Xi has given us ten times our usual salary. Once this disaster is over, we'll also receive shares in Shanhu Group—worth millions."
At the mention of such wealth, everyone's eyes lit up. In their hearts, the disaster was temporary. There would be brighter days ahead.
It wasn't just Ms. Xi; other wealthy residents had also promised hefty rewards in exchange for safety.
The elite members of the community joined willingly, firmly believing that prosperity would soon return.
Just as they were lost in thoughts of the future, a loud horn blared, followed by an urgent voice crackling through the walkie-talkies: "A car has broken into the garage!"
Upon hearing this, the men immediately grabbed their knives and stood up, their eyes fixed on the entrance. Ten seconds later, a BYD sedan screeched in, its bare rims unable to stop.
With a deafening crash, the two blocking cars were smashed, their airbags deploying instantly.
The men cautiously watched the intruding vehicle, none daring to approach. Only Luo Jun slowly stepped forward to investigate. When he saw that the car contained one man and three women, he exhaled in relief—it wasn't Chairman Huo's people.
Most likely, they were refugees fleeing the chaos outside. But what caught his attention were the three stunningly beautiful women seated alongside a single man—a peculiar combination indeed.
"Brother Luo, reinforcements are on the way. Hold them off," came the tense voice over the walkie-talkie.
Luo Jun pressed the device and responded calmly: "They're just refugees. No need to panic."
"Damn, you scared me. I thought it was them."
Inside the car, Tang Ze kicked open the door and laughed, "Sorry about that. This thing wouldn't stop. Here, have a smoke."
Seeing Tang Ze offer premium cigarettes, the men's anger quickly dissipated, replaced by awkward smiles. For them, cigarettes had become a rare luxury, and the Hua Zi brand he handed out felt like gold.
When men interact, nothing breaks the ice faster than sharing a cigarette.
As the three women stepped out of the car, the men's jaws dropped. They stared in awe, their cigarettes nearly falling from their lips.
They thought Ms. Xi was beautiful—but now three more stunning women had arrived!
Luo Jun quickly regained his composure. Though he didn't smoke, his lighter was always handy. He lit one up and offered Tang Ze a light.
"Brother, what brings you here?"
Tang Ze's acting skills kicked in immediately: "If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have risked coming out here."
Looking at the women's beauty, the men understood—if he hadn't brought them along, things might have ended badly.
Tang Ze pulled An Bai to his side: "This is my girlfriend, Xiao Bai."
"And this is her best friend, Sun Ting, and her neighbor, Ye Qingyi."
"Hello, big brother," An Bai called out timidly, her voice soft and innocent. Who would have guessed she had just brutally attacked someone moments ago?
Ye Qingyi remained aloof, merely nodding in greeting. The men smirked inwardly—what was with the act?
Sun Ting, however, switched into full charm mode: "Hello, big brothers. Sorry to disturb you."
Luo Jun took a deep drag of his cigarette, savoring the sensation before exhaling: "Brother, you've got guts bringing three women out like this. That takes real courage."
One of the men asked curiously, "Why did you choose our community?"
"Everyone in Hua'an City knows about Shanhu Community. I figured it'd be safer here."
The men chuckled. Wasn't that why they lived here in the first place?
But these three women were undeniably gorgeous—their figures, delicate faces, and elegant poise left a lasting impression.
The leading woman immediately caught Tang Ze's attention. Without needing to guess, he knew it was Ms. Xi.
As Ye Qingyi had mentioned, Ms. Xi had a striking presence. Her long hair was tied back neatly, framing her exquisite features: a straight nose, fiery red lips, and jewelry that exuded authority. Her red dress clung to her figure, hinting at her confidence.
Ye Qingyi hadn't lied—Ms. Xi was fair-skinned and radiant, looking far younger than her years. She was breathtaking, almost too much for him to handle.
Behind her stood two other attractive women. Wealthy communities truly had no shortage of beauties.
Ms. Xi was always cautious of outsiders, wary of potential troublemakers. But once they were vetted, she allowed them to stay.
Though some opposed her decisions, no one could challenge her authority. She controlled the community's supply warehouse—food was abundant, but water was scarce. Still, she paid salaries, so no one dared complain.
Ms. Xi's gaze fell on the three women. She seemed surprised—their complexions were rosy, even healthier than hers. They didn't look malnourished at all.
Why does that girl look familiar? I can't quite place her.
"Ms. Xi, they're the ones who just broke in," Luo Jun said with a smile.
Ms. Xi stood there with an imposing aura, far stronger than Ye Qingyi's. Ye Qingyi was merely a vice president, while Ms. Xi was the youngest—and most powerful—chairman of the group.
Ye Qingyi suddenly exclaimed, "You're Ms. Xi?"
"And you are?" Ms. Xi asked, noticing that Ye Qingyi seemed to recognize her.