Chapter 145: Departure!

“There are still some houses sticking out above the water, and since we’re pretty familiar with this city, we should be able to recognize them with a bit of time and memory.

As long as we use them as landmarks and search one by one, we’ll be able to find those buildings even without navigation.

I remember I bought a compass before—let me go look for it!” Sun Jingtao turned and went into his study.

Everyone instantly perked up with excitement.

As the saying goes, three heads are better than one.

The four of them wasted no time, quickly working out a detailed plan. Sun Jingtao even hand-drew two reference maps and sealed them in ziplock bags.

After some thought, they decided to call up Zhao Pengfei, the martial arts coach.

Since they weren’t familiar with Ma Longbiao’s gang’s hideout, it was more important to have capable people than a large group.

Four people, armed, would be enough.

Tian Jiliang also gathered up a pile of axes, long knives, and other weapons, and had them delivered.

Zhao Pengfei, the only one without a gun, picked out two axes and three knives, then put the rest away.

In the end, it was decided that Su Dai would stay home to guard the place.

She actually wanted to go, but she knew she’d only hold them back and wouldn’t be much help.

Besides, people downstairs had already started moving up to the 32nd floor hallway.

If she left too, it wouldn’t be impossible for someone to take over their apartment, so she had no choice but to stay behind.

They agreed to set out at dawn the next day, as soon as the sky began to lighten.

As for tonight, they needed to rest well and save their energy.

Jiang Yan said goodbye and returned to 3201.

So much had happened today—more than in the entire previous week.

It was impossible not to feel exhausted.

But thinking about how victory was within reach, she felt a surge of adrenaline.

Earlier at Su Dai’s place, everyone had been busy discussing strategies. By the time they remembered to eat, the instant noodles had already gone cold.

They’d been soaking for so long they’d turned fat and mushy—just looking at them killed her appetite.

So Jiang Yan didn’t eat.

When she got home, the fire in the fireplace had long since gone out.

She didn’t bother relighting it.

Not knowing what tomorrow would bring, Jiang Yan simply packed away all her supplies—including the planters that were starting to sprout—into her storage space.

She went straight into her space, washed up, and took out a portion of spicy dry pot beef to eat quickly.

She’d originally planned to eat shrimp, but since she’d be fighting the next day, beef would give her more strength.

After eating, Jiang Yan, as usual, turned on her computer and redrew her own map, making Hua Bao memorize both the map and all the parameters.

Not only that, she assigned Hua Bao a new task: to use the computer to memorize the appearance of every building in the city with more than 22 floors.

While Hua Bao was “working overtime” at the computer, Jiang Yan was already yawning and getting into bed early.

The next morning, before dawn, everyone gathered at Sun Jingtao’s place.

Tian Jiliang had also organized a group buy of a few light-colored raincoats from the people downstairs.

Raincoats in those colors would make them less noticeable.

Jiang Yan was well-prepared today: bulletproof vest, sleeve darts, rain- and fog-proof night vision goggles, insulated waterproof clothing, and warm waterproof shoes—the full set.

For outerwear, she just threw on a set of comfortable sportswear for easy movement.

Her glasses used the latest technology—if there was internet or Bluetooth, they could even display coordinates and other data on the lenses.

Unfortunately, only the basic functions were left now, but that was still impressive.

Even though they were setting out early, the real action would be at night.

Those night vision glasses would be a huge help.

She still had a bunch of bulletproof vests in her storage, but no good reason to take them out.

She could only hope the other three would have good luck.

Su Dai used the last of their honey and dried ginger to make sweet ginger tea for everyone.

After each person drank a big bowl, she poured the rest into a few thermos flasks:

“It’s so cold out—take these with you and drink some to warm up when you need it.”

She also packed some chocolate and biscuits for them.

The chocolate had melted and deformed in the heat, and she wasn’t sure if it had gone bad, but it was still a decent supply item.

As for water, Ye Qing carried two bottles of mineral water, but those were for Jiang Yan.

The three rough men could just drink rainwater.

Jiang Yan also took out the glasses she had prepared from her backpack, with an excuse ready:

“These glasses were sponsored for my team back when I did a wilderness survival livestream. There are a few left—try them on and see if they fit.”

The three men took them in surprise and tried them on—they fit perfectly.

Zhao Pengfei exclaimed in delight, “Wow! These glasses have night vision? I can see every corner of the room so clearly!”

They were about to face bandits head-on—if he said he wasn’t scared or nervous, he’d be lying.

But seeing how well-prepared everyone was, and how they all worked together, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

Su Dai hugged Sun Jingtao and Jiang Yan, her voice choked with emotion:

“I’ll be waiting for you at home. You must come back safely!”

She didn’t say much, but her eyes were red and brimming with tears.

This trip was fraught with danger.

Sun Jingtao, Ye Qing, and Tian Jiliang were all determined to take down their enemies, even if it cost them their lives.

Only Jiang Yan felt relatively relaxed inside—she even had a bit of excited anticipation.

After all, they were about to find a stash of gold and jewels.

Her storage space was about to level up.

As for death, she wasn’t afraid—if things got bad, she could just hide in her space.

Plus, she still had Hua Bao, her trump card.

Not that any of this showed on her face.

After everyone finished their preparations and said their goodbyes, they headed out.

Ye Qing carried the inflatable boat at the rear.

By now, the 32nd floor hallway and elevator lobby were crowded with people.

Most were still fast asleep, but a few, bleary-eyed, saw the group fully armed and carrying a boat.

No one dared ask—they all pretended to be asleep.

Just as the five of them reached the fire exit, the door to 3203 creaked open and Zhou Wei stepped out.

He was holding a police battering ram, and asked cautiously,

“Do you guys need this?”

Sun Jingtao didn’t know what he was up to and shook his head warily.

“Don’t worry, I’ll watch your place for you,” Zhou Wei said quietly, pressing his lips together.

Everyone exchanged glances but said nothing.

Jiang Yan shot him a look—this guy, with his surveillance skills and sharp eyes, it’s a pity he’s not a spy!

“Um…” Zhou Wei swallowed, wanting to say more but hesitating.

“Wife, go back inside. Let’s go,” Sun Jingtao said gravely, not paying Zhou Wei any more attention.

With so many people around, all the goodbyes and words had already been said inside.

“Okay.”

Su Dai’s eyes filled with tears, but she pinched her fingers hard and didn’t let a single tear fall.

“My son’s name is Zhou Haotian. He’s eight years old.” Zhou Wei didn’t say much more. With a thud, he knelt down and bowed deeply to them.

The group glanced at him, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs.

They didn’t want to make any promises—because they couldn’t.

Outside, the sky was just starting to lighten.

They didn’t dare delay, and quickly went downstairs.

The water level had already risen just below the 23rd floor, so they went straight to the 23rd floor hallway.

They quickly removed the glass from the windows, put on their raincoats and glasses, and jumped out one after another.

Raindrops pelted them, and cold wind whipped around them.

Except for Jiang Yan, the others couldn’t help shivering.

Their roles had already been decided.

Jiang Yan and Ye Qing were in charge of using the compass to identify buildings and keeping watch with binoculars.

Sun Jingtao and Zhao Pengfei would row.

As the Shallow Water Bay complex faded into the distance behind them, Sun Jingtao felt a surge of tragic emotion.

The last time he’d felt this way was when he and his comrades were sent on a short-term peacekeeping mission in a war-torn country.

But this time, they weren’t just fighting for themselves—they were fighting to protect the last bit of home they had left."