The sky was shrouded in a deep, unwavering darkness. Not a single star was visible, and the moon hung in the heavens like a faint, pale shadow. An unsettling chill crept through the air, as if the night itself were holding its breath, waiting for something unknown to unfold.

Ye Yin lifted her face and smiled at Jiang Wen. “Did you happen to meet my uncle and those security-like men outside just now?”

“You mean Yi Gang? He was arrested before he could leave the company, and should still be in detention.”

To Zhou Xueqin, these words were like thunder on a clear day. “Why was my husband arrested? Impossible… You’re bluffing, I don’t believe it!”

“Mr. Yi is suspected of colluding with others to falsify accounts and embezzle company funds. The board has confirmed this and formally submitted an investigation request. His accomplices have already confessed. It’s only a matter of time before he’s convicted,” Jiang Wen said to Zhou Xueqin, her voice devoid of emotion. “With the additional charge of misappropriating someone else’s inheritance, I doubt he’ll be out of prison in less than forty or fifty years.”

Yi Lei shouted, “Even if my dad is a suspect, what gives you the right to tie us up? This is trespassing, you know! I’ll sue you! Ye Yin, you’re actually colluding with criminals, how despicable!”

A rather unremarkable middle-aged man among the bodyguards suddenly stepped forward, smiling as he addressed Yi Lei. “Mr. Yi, do you still recognize me?”

Yi Lei’s eyes widened. “You… you’re Liu Hao from Hongda Group!”

Liu Hao nodded. “It seems Mr. Yi hasn’t forgotten me after all. Under your and Mr. Yi’s management, your company has declined steadily these past years—market share and overall strength are a far cry from before, which pains our boss greatly. Recently, our boss sent me to express his intention to acquire your company. Unfortunately, you failed to appreciate his goodwill. Lacking ability but holding important positions, you let your company’s brilliance fade, alas.”

Yi Lei roared, “Shut up! The company belongs to my family! You think you can just buy it?”

A trace of scorn crossed Liu Hao’s face. “We only recently discovered that neither you nor your father actually hold any shares in the company. The true chairman is Miss Ye here. So we bypassed you and negotiated directly with Miss Ye, and both sides reached a satisfactory agreement.”

Ye Yin smiled and picked up the conversation. “Mr. Li is a respected elder. Upon hearing my situation, he was deeply sympathetic—not only did he refrain from lowering the price, he purchased all the inheritance left to my sister and me at a very fair value.”

Mr. Liu Hao gave a slight bow. “Mr. Li greatly admires Miss Ye’s decisiveness and courage. Without a doubt, it was a wise decision.”

Yi Yun was stunned. “All… all of it…”

Ye Yin said, “Of course, I don’t mean what’s left after you ruined everything, but the entirety of what my parents originally left to my sister and me. Aside from normal company profits and losses, every other asset was transferred to Mr. Li this morning—including this house. So now, you’re the ones trespassing.”

Yi Lei’s vision went dark, almost fainting.

“As far as I know, Uncle developed a gambling addiction over these years, didn’t he? Not only did he misuse company funds, he also secretly dipped into the trust my father left for my sister and me. Even as guardian, he had no right to touch that money. So unless you make up for all the money he lost, Mr. Li will charge you with financial fraud, and you may well be reunited with your uncle’s family in prison.” Ye Yin flashed a devilish smile. “But how will you raise the money so quickly? Sell yourselves? Sell your kidneys?”

A deathly silence fell.

Zhou Xueqin broke down, screaming in panic and madness, “You’re talking nonsense! The company is ours, the money is ours, get out, out!” She struggled to rise but was firmly pressed down by a bodyguard.

Ye Yin cast her a cool glance and asked Liu Hao, “This house is Mr. Li’s property now, and they have quite a bit on them too. Why not strip them of their belongings and toss them out?”

Yi Yun followed suit, hurling insults at Ye Yin, even trying to rush at her in rage. But bound by rope, as she tried to stand, a quick-eyed bodyguard yanked her, causing her to topple onto Zhou Xueqin, nearly crushing her.

“I think it’s best to clear out their valuables and send them straight to the police station. In their current state, they won’t leave willingly, and all charges are solidly evidenced, aren’t they?” Liu Hao gave Ye Yin a knowing smile; Ye Yin returned one in kind, and the two shook hands.

“Sorry, could you ask Mr. Li if we might stay here a bit longer before moving out of City A?” Ye Yin lowered her gaze, a little sad.

Liu Hao expressed his full understanding. “A home lost and regained—leaving without saying goodbye would be a pity. Rest assured, Miss Ye, Mr. Li instructed me before coming: any reasonable request you make, I can agree on his behalf. Please feel free to stay here, Mr. Li is in no rush to reclaim the house.” He thought for a moment, then added quietly, “If you wish to take some keepsakes, Mr. Li absolutely won’t mind.”

Ye Yin was grateful. “Thank you so much, both to Mr. Li and you.”

After Liu Hao left, Ye Yin leaned over the coffee table to write a check for Jiang Wen. Ye Hua, just emerging from the whirlwind of events, rubbed her eyes with her tiny hands. After a while, confirming she wasn’t dreaming, she pressed her tearful face against Ye Yin’s arm.

“Do you think I’m foolish?” Ye Yin handed over the check, scooping Ye Hua into her arms, smiling as she asked Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen took the check and placed it in her bag, her tone calm. “With proper management, the assets you sold today will be worth about five billion in five years. But now you’ve only received one and a half billion. Of course, compared to getting nothing, this result is more than satisfactory. The feeling of hurting your enemy ten thousand while suffering eight thousand yourself—I understand.”

Ye Yin gently shook her head. “Five billion in five years wouldn’t mean as much to me as fifty dollars now.”

Jiang Wen was silent for a moment before finally asking, “Are you in need of money?”

“Very much.” Ye Yin flashed white teeth. “You’re a good person. Good people are rewarded.”

Jiang Wen smiled lightly. “I’ll take your blessing. If you need anything in the future, come find me—I’ll give you the friends’ rate.”

“Definitely.” Ye Yin replied, “I think we’ll meet again soon.”

Jiang Wen had driven herself and needed no escort, perfectly fitting her strong, independent style. As her taillights faded from sight, the sisters instinctively took in their familiar yet strange surroundings.

Liu Hao had a hard time hauling away those three, who were left in their underwear. The living room looked as if it had been looted, with lamps, tables, and chairs knocked askew. The grand chandelier still glittered, casting its light over this chaotic, ornate little space, like an ancient stage. The servants had fled in fright during the bodyguards’ raid, and the house was quiet.

Ye Yin picked up a half-broken vase from the floor and, with a swift motion, flung it into the yard. Hearing the crisp sound of shattering, Ye Hua laughed as well.

“Sis, have we really come home?” Ye Hua hugged Ye Yin’s neck.

“Yes, but we’ll be leaving again soon.”

“Where to?”

Ye Yin grew serious. “Before that, let’s say goodbye to the past.”

Of the four Yi family members, only Yi Yun avoided prison due to her age; the other three were sentenced to decades for various crimes. The long prison terms left them utterly hopeless—even if they survived, they’d emerge old and wasted, not to mention the torment from other inmates.

Yi Yun, though spared, fared little better than her parents or brother. Used to years of pampered living, she fell from grace overnight, left with nowhere to eat or sleep, and no ability to find decent work. In the end, she could only take a temporary job at a Hongda Group factory—thanks to Mr. Li’s pity, allowing her to slowly repay her debts. From heiress to lifelong debtor and factory worker, subjected daily to ridicule and scorn, Yi Yun felt her life was worse than death.

“See that big fool? Heard her parents weren’t any good—tried to steal their niece’s inheritance, but ended up in prison instead.”

“Justice at last! Did you see how she used to act, playing the lady, when she was nothing but a fraud? As the saying goes, your life determines your worth!”

Factory women were notoriously tough, and these words were spoken openly in front of Yi Yun. At first, Yi Yun fumed, arguing and even fighting with them, but always ended up beaten so badly she could barely work the next day, crying all night in the dorm, disturbing her roommates and nearly getting thrashed again. When she was late for work, she’d be cursed and fined. She was the typical bully who feared the strong, and after a few lessons, she never dared act tough again, hiding in shame.

Ye Yin cared nothing for the Yi family’s fate. The moment they were expelled from Ye House, she knew Mr. Li would never give them a chance to retaliate in the future, so for now, their feud could finally come to an end.

Her immediate priority was to move somewhere safer, stockpile enough supplies, and hold out until the official third base was established.

Mr. Li was most interested in the company shares left by her parents. The house was secondary, and its contents mere perks he cared little about and might not even reclaim. Ye Yin understood this perfectly, so she took all valuables and her parents’ keepsakes for herself without hesitation.

She had her reasons for taking the jewelry and antiques. One and a half billion sounded like a lot, but it could be used up in a flash. Supplies in the apocalypse were exceedingly precious; Ye Yin had to ensure this money was spent wisely, avoiding mistakes or waste. With available funds before her, there was no reason not to take them.

Three days later, the sisters bid farewell to Ye House, carrying light luggage, and flew to W City—a sanctuary in the apocalypse.