Natural Disasters Arrive: Hoarding Supplies, Crushing Scumbags, and Eating Hotpot CH5
Chapter 5: Hoarding 02
The 7.6 million was only the payout from her bags. She still had mountains of shoes and clothes, not to mention her high-end jewelry, which could be traded for another massive sum.
However, the capacity of her business van was limited. Dumping everything out at once would look a little too suspicious.
After arranging a follow-up drop-off with the shop, Nan Xi headed straight to a car dealership—those luxury cars of hers had to go, too.
The employees at the second-hand shop were professional enough not to pry. The items belonged to her, so they didn't ask why she was liquidating everything. She handed over the keys to five of her cars and told them to go to the villa to appraise them. She had only one condition: the price was negotiable, but the payment had to be a lump sum.
If all went well, she’d have the cash by this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
By noon, she realized she’d spent too much time at the second-hand shop. She’d planned to hit a real estate agency to handle the house and some warehouse space, but at exactly 11:58 AM, her scum father, Jiang Mingrui, finally called.
Nan Xi’s eyes curved into crescent moons. Time to make the scum father "drop his loot"!
Her phone hadn't stopped buzzing with calls and messages all morning. If she didn't have a power bank and her car charger, the battery never would have survived the onslaught. She’d ignored all of it, though, using her second phone to chat with Han Yingxi and the others.
Tang Chu Xiao’s messages were the most entertaining. He completely ignored her demand to break the engagement, instead asking in roundabout ways where she was and demanding a face-to-face meeting—transparently desperate for the Tang family to get a piece of the pie.
Later, seeing no response from her, he’d likely coordinated with her father. He started sending texts advising her "not to be impulsive" and saying the shares were "better kept in the family."
What a pile of bullsh*t.
So, when she arrived at the designated restaurant and saw a full house in the private room—not just Jiang Mingrui and his secretary, but the whole family and the Tangs—she wasn't surprised at all.
"Sister..." Jiang Yiran was the first to scurry over.
What Nan Xi despised most was Jiang Yiran’s "green tea" look, as if she were a strategist who had everything figured out. It was obvious she still thought she could manipulate Nan Xi.
"Shut up." Nan Xi didn't waste an ounce of politeness or time. "Dad, if she says one more word, I’m going back."
Nan Xi had already turned halfway, her hand lingering on the doorknob. It was a clear signal: if Jiang Yiran so much as breathed, any deals are off and she's leaving.
Jiang Mingrui knew he couldn't let her leave. He was painfully aware that his troublesome eldest daughter really would sell those shares to an outsider.
"Yiran, sit down."
With Jiang Mingrui’s command, Jiang Yiran had no choice but to sit, looking humiliated as she shot a tearful, wronged glance at Tang Chu Xiao.
Tang Chu Xiao opened his mouth to speak, but Nan Xi cut him off instantly: "You shut up, too."
Tang Chu Xiao: "..."
The Tang Patriarch sat at the head of the table. Seeing Nan Xi’s unruly and unreasonable behavior, he only smiled. "You’re as full of life as ever."
Nan Xi’s feelings toward the old man were complicated, but she suppressed them and smiled back. "After all, today is a conversation for adults. As the 'children' here, they shouldn't be interrupting, right, Grandpa Tang? ...Oh! And Dad?"
Jiang Mingrui bristled. What do you mean "Oh! And Dad"?! Where was the respect for her own father?
Nan Xi looked at Secretary Liu, who was standing by Jiang Mingrui, and smiled. "You've worked hard, Secretary Liu."
And it really was hard work. After she’d dropped the bomb on her dad in the middle of the night, he’d definitely dragged Secretary Liu out of bed for overtime. The dark circles under the secretary’s eyes told the story of an all-nighter. But that was the reality of working for her father—he might look generous, but his money was never easy to earn.
"Is everything ready? Let’s skip the small talk. Where’s the contract? I want to see if the price is right. Dad, what assets did you prepare? If it looks good and I pick the assets I liked, we can sign right away." Nan Xi was all smiles, acting as if she were selling a 45-yuan boxed lunch instead of 4 or 5 billion in shares.
Only a short time had passed since they last saw her, and while the smile was the same, she seemed like an entirely different person.
Jiang Mingrui was fuming. He’d had zero rest. Just as he’d drifted off near dawn, the Tang Patriarch’s call had jolted him awake, and he’d been running ever since. Seeing Nan Xi now, his heart was pounding so hard he felt like it might go on strike.
"Sit down and talk."
Nan Xi didn't just sit, she called the waiter over to order.
"I don't know if you guys are hungry, but I am. I’ll just order a few things for myself first."
She’d eaten plenty at the morning market, but after a morning of running errands, she’d already digested it all. She was hungry enough to eat a cow.
She didn't even bother with the menu. "Bring one of every signature dish, seasonal specialty, and recommended item."
She’d do a taste test first. If it was good, she’d order more to hoard!
Sun Kexin couldn't help but interject. "Nan Xi, ordering that much is such a waste. You haven't eaten here before, so you don't know—their signature and recommended lists easily have nearly twenty dishes..."
"Why don't you just mind your own business?" Nan Xi rolled her eyes, leaning into the unpredictable spoiled heiress persona. "If I can't finish them, I’ll pack them up. Who says I’m wasting anything? Everyone knows wasting food is shameful."
After five years in the apocalypse, if anyone dared to waste food in front of her, she’d lose it.
"Besides, who said this was for everyone? I’m ordering this for myself. If you want something, order it yourselves."
The veins in Sun Kexin’s forehead were throbbing. "How could one person eat all that? Nan Xi, there are guests here. Stop joking."
"I’m not joking. If I can't finish, I can take it to go. Why, does this place not allow take out boxes?"
"You—"
"Enough!" Jiang Mingrui rubbed his temples and cut Sun Kexin off. He wasn't here for this bickering. "If she wants to eat, let her eat. Why do you care?"
Sun Kexin sat back down, seething.
Nan Xi knew what her stepmother was doing, she wanted to play the "concerned" card in front of outsiders to make Nan Xi look wasteful.
Whatever. She was going to pack the leftovers anyway. Food didn't spoil in her space, so she’d pack everything! If it was delicious, she’d order extra portions to stow away for later enjoyment.
"Dad, get your business sorted before the food arrives. Once I start eating, I won't have time for you. I’m busy, I have plans after lunch."
The Tang Patriarch smiled dotingly. "What has Xiao Xi been so busy with? You haven't come over to visit in a while!"
"Oh just busy playing here and there," Nan Xi said vaguely. "Grandpa Tang, just give me a moment. Let me finish the business with my dad, then we can chat."
Under Jiang Mingrui’s nod, Secretary Liu opened a tablet with the prepared documents for Nan Xi to review.
"Miss, regarding your 20% stake: as per your request, Chairman Jiang has prepared 1.5 billion in cash. The remaining 2 billion will be covered by an asset swap. You can browse the options, the appraisal for each asset is listed at the end. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Nan Xi curled her lip. "Only 1.5 billion?" She shot a look at Jiang Mingrui. "How are you this poor? For the other 2 billion, how long is it going to take me to pick enough stuff? That villa is only worth 100 million; do you even have twenty villas for me to choose from?"
Jiang Mingrui was holding back his rage. The Nan villa’s construction cost was massive; the market value was only "low" because of the location.
"Take a look first. Everything is negotiable." As he spoke, Jiang Mingrui glanced at the Tang Patriarch.
The old man remained jovial, as if he were just a bystander. But his presence proved that he and Jiang Mingrui had already made a backroom deal. If Jiang Mingrui couldn't swallow the whole stake himself, he’d rather give some to the Tangs than let Tan Jiancheng win.
Furthermore, according to Jiang Yiran, Nan Xi was making a scene about breaking the engagement. Jiang Mingrui could see clearly that Tang Chu Xiao preferred Yiran anyway. If the engagement with Nan Xi broke, the alliance between the Tangs and Jiangs could still continue through her.
The Tang Patriarch had expressed the same sentiment, provided the Tang family got a piece of the Nan Corporation.
Jiang Mingrui wasn't thrilled about it though. He didn't trust the shares in anyone else’s hands but if Nan Xi went off the rails, failed to get her 3.5 billion, and turned to Tan Jiancheng, he was in trouble. He couldn't exactly kill her in the house to inherit the estate.
Thus, this "Hongmen Banquet" required the presence of the Tangs.
Nan Xi smirked as she scrolled. The assets Jiang Mingrui offered were mostly high-priced, ornamental collectibles or overseas estates—manors that looked good on paper but were physically out of reach.
He didn't want to part with anything that would actually hurt his bottom line.
"Dad, you aren't being sincere. These collectibles and these overpriced overseas manors... I’m not even in those countries. What am I supposed to do with them?"
"Then what do you want? I have several smaller companies under my name, but I know you hate managing things. I thought you’d like these. They appreciate over time and don't require any management."
"Tsk, tsk. Dad, listen to yourself. This Rose Manor you appraised at 100 million—I remember you only paid 70 million for it, right?"
"The price went up over the last few years!"
"That's only because you say it went up! Shouldn't you be giving these to me at the original purchase price? I already gave you a massive discount on the shares, and this is how you treat me? I'm already losing more than 500 million on this deal, yet you’re trying to mark up your prices? You really aren't sincere!"
Seeing Jiang Mingrui’s massive headache, Secretary Liu stepped in. "Miss, those were just the assets Chairman Jiang suggested I highlight as priority options. That was my oversight. We have a full list of Chairman Jiang’s other assets here for you to look at."
The Tang Patriarch chimed in perfectly. "That’s right, Xiao Xi, don’t rush. Take your time. I have a list here, too. Pick whatever you like!"
Nan Xi smiled sweetly. "Grandpa Tang’s things aren't so easy to take. What does Grandpa Tang want in exchange?"
The old man glanced at Jiang Mingrui and laughed. "Your father was worried you wouldn't like the things he scraped together, and since he didn't want the shares falling into the hands of an outsider, he turned to the Tang family. Since our families are so close, I’m naturally happy to help."
No one asked how the families were "close."
"Grandpa Tang, that’s hard to say. If the Tang family is stepping in, the price for the shares won't be 3.5 billion anymore. You have to remember, that was a 'family discount' for my dad!"
"I know, I know. You told Chu Xiao—4 billion. No problem."
The Tang Patriarch’s intent was clear: however much value Nan Xi took from the Tang family, the Tangs would take an equivalent value in shares.
The old man’s plan was to pay in straight cash, but Jiang Mingrui had refused. Jiang Mingrui’s bottom line was that the Tangs could take a maximum of 5% of the shares. Otherwise, there was nothing to talk about.
5% was small, but it was a start.
"Since Grandpa Tang is being so straightforward, I’ll give you my price. I don't want the Tang family's assets. Grandpa Tang, you pay 1 billion in cash, and I'll give you a 5% stake. Dad, you don't have an issue with that, right?"
Jiang Mingrui’s face was pitch black. She’d already finished naming the price before asking for his opinion!? She’d priced it right at his absolute limit—what else could he say?
Chapter Notes:
The 7.6 million was only the payout from her bags. She still had mountains of shoes and clothes, not to mention her high-end jewelry, which could be traded for another massive sum.
However, the capacity of her business van was limited. Dumping everything out at once would look a little too suspicious.
After arranging a follow-up drop-off with the shop, Nan Xi headed straight to a car dealership—those luxury cars of hers had to go, too.
The employees at the second-hand shop were professional enough not to pry. The items belonged to her, so they didn't ask why she was liquidating everything. She handed over the keys to five of her cars and told them to go to the villa to appraise them. She had only one condition: the price was negotiable, but the payment had to be a lump sum.
If all went well, she’d have the cash by this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
By noon, she realized she’d spent too much time at the second-hand shop. She’d planned to hit a real estate agency to handle the house and some warehouse space, but at exactly 11:58 AM, her scum father, Jiang Mingrui, finally called.
Nan Xi’s eyes curved into crescent moons. Time to make the scum father "drop his loot"!
Her phone hadn't stopped buzzing with calls and messages all morning. If she didn't have a power bank and her car charger, the battery never would have survived the onslaught. She’d ignored all of it, though, using her second phone to chat with Han Yingxi and the others.
Tang Chu Xiao’s messages were the most entertaining. He completely ignored her demand to break the engagement, instead asking in roundabout ways where she was and demanding a face-to-face meeting—transparently desperate for the Tang family to get a piece of the pie.
Later, seeing no response from her, he’d likely coordinated with her father. He started sending texts advising her "not to be impulsive" and saying the shares were "better kept in the family."
What a pile of bullsh*t.
So, when she arrived at the designated restaurant and saw a full house in the private room—not just Jiang Mingrui and his secretary, but the whole family and the Tangs—she wasn't surprised at all.
"Sister..." Jiang Yiran was the first to scurry over.
What Nan Xi despised most was Jiang Yiran’s "green tea" look, as if she were a strategist who had everything figured out. It was obvious she still thought she could manipulate Nan Xi.
"Shut up." Nan Xi didn't waste an ounce of politeness or time. "Dad, if she says one more word, I’m going back."
Nan Xi had already turned halfway, her hand lingering on the doorknob. It was a clear signal: if Jiang Yiran so much as breathed, any deals are off and she's leaving.
Jiang Mingrui knew he couldn't let her leave. He was painfully aware that his troublesome eldest daughter really would sell those shares to an outsider.
"Yiran, sit down."
With Jiang Mingrui’s command, Jiang Yiran had no choice but to sit, looking humiliated as she shot a tearful, wronged glance at Tang Chu Xiao.
Tang Chu Xiao opened his mouth to speak, but Nan Xi cut him off instantly: "You shut up, too."
Tang Chu Xiao: "..."
The Tang Patriarch sat at the head of the table. Seeing Nan Xi’s unruly and unreasonable behavior, he only smiled. "You’re as full of life as ever."
Nan Xi’s feelings toward the old man were complicated, but she suppressed them and smiled back. "After all, today is a conversation for adults. As the 'children' here, they shouldn't be interrupting, right, Grandpa Tang? ...Oh! And Dad?"
Jiang Mingrui bristled. What do you mean "Oh! And Dad"?! Where was the respect for her own father?
Nan Xi looked at Secretary Liu, who was standing by Jiang Mingrui, and smiled. "You've worked hard, Secretary Liu."
And it really was hard work. After she’d dropped the bomb on her dad in the middle of the night, he’d definitely dragged Secretary Liu out of bed for overtime. The dark circles under the secretary’s eyes told the story of an all-nighter. But that was the reality of working for her father—he might look generous, but his money was never easy to earn.
"Is everything ready? Let’s skip the small talk. Where’s the contract? I want to see if the price is right. Dad, what assets did you prepare? If it looks good and I pick the assets I liked, we can sign right away." Nan Xi was all smiles, acting as if she were selling a 45-yuan boxed lunch instead of 4 or 5 billion in shares.
Only a short time had passed since they last saw her, and while the smile was the same, she seemed like an entirely different person.
Jiang Mingrui was fuming. He’d had zero rest. Just as he’d drifted off near dawn, the Tang Patriarch’s call had jolted him awake, and he’d been running ever since. Seeing Nan Xi now, his heart was pounding so hard he felt like it might go on strike.
"Sit down and talk."
Nan Xi didn't just sit, she called the waiter over to order.
"I don't know if you guys are hungry, but I am. I’ll just order a few things for myself first."
She’d eaten plenty at the morning market, but after a morning of running errands, she’d already digested it all. She was hungry enough to eat a cow.
She didn't even bother with the menu. "Bring one of every signature dish, seasonal specialty, and recommended item."
She’d do a taste test first. If it was good, she’d order more to hoard!
Sun Kexin couldn't help but interject. "Nan Xi, ordering that much is such a waste. You haven't eaten here before, so you don't know—their signature and recommended lists easily have nearly twenty dishes..."
"Why don't you just mind your own business?" Nan Xi rolled her eyes, leaning into the unpredictable spoiled heiress persona. "If I can't finish them, I’ll pack them up. Who says I’m wasting anything? Everyone knows wasting food is shameful."
After five years in the apocalypse, if anyone dared to waste food in front of her, she’d lose it.
"Besides, who said this was for everyone? I’m ordering this for myself. If you want something, order it yourselves."
The veins in Sun Kexin’s forehead were throbbing. "How could one person eat all that? Nan Xi, there are guests here. Stop joking."
"I’m not joking. If I can't finish, I can take it to go. Why, does this place not allow take out boxes?"
"You—"
"Enough!" Jiang Mingrui rubbed his temples and cut Sun Kexin off. He wasn't here for this bickering. "If she wants to eat, let her eat. Why do you care?"
Sun Kexin sat back down, seething.
Nan Xi knew what her stepmother was doing, she wanted to play the "concerned" card in front of outsiders to make Nan Xi look wasteful.
Whatever. She was going to pack the leftovers anyway. Food didn't spoil in her space, so she’d pack everything! If it was delicious, she’d order extra portions to stow away for later enjoyment.
"Dad, get your business sorted before the food arrives. Once I start eating, I won't have time for you. I’m busy, I have plans after lunch."
The Tang Patriarch smiled dotingly. "What has Xiao Xi been so busy with? You haven't come over to visit in a while!"
"Oh just busy playing here and there," Nan Xi said vaguely. "Grandpa Tang, just give me a moment. Let me finish the business with my dad, then we can chat."
Under Jiang Mingrui’s nod, Secretary Liu opened a tablet with the prepared documents for Nan Xi to review.
"Miss, regarding your 20% stake: as per your request, Chairman Jiang has prepared 1.5 billion in cash. The remaining 2 billion will be covered by an asset swap. You can browse the options, the appraisal for each asset is listed at the end. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Nan Xi curled her lip. "Only 1.5 billion?" She shot a look at Jiang Mingrui. "How are you this poor? For the other 2 billion, how long is it going to take me to pick enough stuff? That villa is only worth 100 million; do you even have twenty villas for me to choose from?"
Jiang Mingrui was holding back his rage. The Nan villa’s construction cost was massive; the market value was only "low" because of the location.
"Take a look first. Everything is negotiable." As he spoke, Jiang Mingrui glanced at the Tang Patriarch.
The old man remained jovial, as if he were just a bystander. But his presence proved that he and Jiang Mingrui had already made a backroom deal. If Jiang Mingrui couldn't swallow the whole stake himself, he’d rather give some to the Tangs than let Tan Jiancheng win.
Furthermore, according to Jiang Yiran, Nan Xi was making a scene about breaking the engagement. Jiang Mingrui could see clearly that Tang Chu Xiao preferred Yiran anyway. If the engagement with Nan Xi broke, the alliance between the Tangs and Jiangs could still continue through her.
The Tang Patriarch had expressed the same sentiment, provided the Tang family got a piece of the Nan Corporation.
Jiang Mingrui wasn't thrilled about it though. He didn't trust the shares in anyone else’s hands but if Nan Xi went off the rails, failed to get her 3.5 billion, and turned to Tan Jiancheng, he was in trouble. He couldn't exactly kill her in the house to inherit the estate.
Thus, this "Hongmen Banquet" required the presence of the Tangs.
Nan Xi smirked as she scrolled. The assets Jiang Mingrui offered were mostly high-priced, ornamental collectibles or overseas estates—manors that looked good on paper but were physically out of reach.
He didn't want to part with anything that would actually hurt his bottom line.
"Dad, you aren't being sincere. These collectibles and these overpriced overseas manors... I’m not even in those countries. What am I supposed to do with them?"
"Then what do you want? I have several smaller companies under my name, but I know you hate managing things. I thought you’d like these. They appreciate over time and don't require any management."
"Tsk, tsk. Dad, listen to yourself. This Rose Manor you appraised at 100 million—I remember you only paid 70 million for it, right?"
"The price went up over the last few years!"
"That's only because you say it went up! Shouldn't you be giving these to me at the original purchase price? I already gave you a massive discount on the shares, and this is how you treat me? I'm already losing more than 500 million on this deal, yet you’re trying to mark up your prices? You really aren't sincere!"
Seeing Jiang Mingrui’s massive headache, Secretary Liu stepped in. "Miss, those were just the assets Chairman Jiang suggested I highlight as priority options. That was my oversight. We have a full list of Chairman Jiang’s other assets here for you to look at."
The Tang Patriarch chimed in perfectly. "That’s right, Xiao Xi, don’t rush. Take your time. I have a list here, too. Pick whatever you like!"
Nan Xi smiled sweetly. "Grandpa Tang’s things aren't so easy to take. What does Grandpa Tang want in exchange?"
The old man glanced at Jiang Mingrui and laughed. "Your father was worried you wouldn't like the things he scraped together, and since he didn't want the shares falling into the hands of an outsider, he turned to the Tang family. Since our families are so close, I’m naturally happy to help."
No one asked how the families were "close."
"Grandpa Tang, that’s hard to say. If the Tang family is stepping in, the price for the shares won't be 3.5 billion anymore. You have to remember, that was a 'family discount' for my dad!"
"I know, I know. You told Chu Xiao—4 billion. No problem."
The Tang Patriarch’s intent was clear: however much value Nan Xi took from the Tang family, the Tangs would take an equivalent value in shares.
The old man’s plan was to pay in straight cash, but Jiang Mingrui had refused. Jiang Mingrui’s bottom line was that the Tangs could take a maximum of 5% of the shares. Otherwise, there was nothing to talk about.
5% was small, but it was a start.
"Since Grandpa Tang is being so straightforward, I’ll give you my price. I don't want the Tang family's assets. Grandpa Tang, you pay 1 billion in cash, and I'll give you a 5% stake. Dad, you don't have an issue with that, right?"
Jiang Mingrui’s face was pitch black. She’d already finished naming the price before asking for his opinion!? She’d priced it right at his absolute limit—what else could he say?
Chapter Notes:
- Hongmen Banquet (鸿门宴 - Hongmen Yan): A classic idiom referring to a feast that is actually a trap or a high-stakes negotiation where one side intends to harm or corner the other.
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