"Beat them up and throw them out!" Ning Yanlan said resentfully, but this was the only option she could make.

Jiang Yuan asked, "Why didn't you kill them?"

“Killing is prohibited in residential areas, or you will be evicted!” Ning Yanlan said helplessly.

Jiang Yuan nodded, followed by the howling of two burly men.

With two thuds, Jiang Yuan threw the two men, who were beaten beyond recognition, out.

"Young ladies, who are you?" The woman smoothed her hair and focused her attention on Jiang Yuan and Ning Yanlan.

"Mom, this is cigarette..."

Xiao Xin was about to say "Sister Yanlan" when Ning Yanlan interrupted, "Let's go inside and talk!"

The woman looked enlightened, but didn't say anything and led the way into the house.

After they entered, the woman closed the door tightly and then brewed tea for the two of them.

"Sister-in-law, what's going on with those people just now? No one came looking for trouble last time!" Ning Yanlan asked the woman while holding the little girl.

"Alas, a few days ago, the Heaven and Earth Society started charging protection money to the people here. My daughter and I have no source of income, how can we afford such a high protection fee!" The woman wiped the blood from her forehead with a towel.

When Jiang Yuan first entered, he only saw the woman's disheveled state. But now, after she wiped the dust and blood from her face, he realized that she was quite attractive, and her age of around thirty made her even more charming.

"And who is this?" The woman asked Ning Yanlan, seemingly noticing Jiang Yuan's gaze.

Oh, I forgot to introduce you!

Ning Yanlan then remembered that Jiang Yuan didn't recognize these people. She pointed to Jiang Yuan and said, "This is Jiang Yuan. I was able to return to Nancheng alive these past few days thanks to his help!"

"Thank you, Brother Jiang!" the woman said quickly. She still remembered Jiang Yuan's help before, and the kindness he showed to fight against the Heaven and Earth Society for her sake was truly immense.

"You're welcome, it was nothing!" Jiang Yuan said.

Ning Yanlan glanced at Jiang Yuan, then pointed to the woman and introduced her, "This is my sister-in-law, Li Xiang. You can call her sister-in-law too!"

"Hello, sister-in-law!" Jiang Yuan greeted her.

“And there’s also the adorable Xiao Xin!” Ning Yanlan patted the head of the little girl in her arms.

"Hello, Uncle!" Xiao Xin greeted Jiang Yuan warmly.

Jiang Yuan: "..."

What the hell?! Why are they treating me differently?! Why does she call Ning Yanlan "sister," but I'm treated like an uncle?

"Actually, I'm not that old!" Jiang Yuan subtly reminded him.

Ning Yanlan couldn't help but laugh when she heard this conversation. "Xiao Xin, you can just call him brother. He's not that old!"

“Yes, Brother Jiang!” Xiao Xin repeated it again.

"Then, Brother Jiang, shouldn't you prepare a gift for our Xiao Xin?" Ning Yanlan looked at Jiang Yuan with a smile and affection. "Xiao Xin is so cute, it's not too much to ask for a gift!"

Jiang Yuan was taken aback, then winked at Ning Yanlan, "I didn't prepare anything, where am I supposed to conjure up a gift?"

"How about we give Xiao Xin a Holy Spirit Stone?" Ning Yanlan suggested.

Jiang Yuan then realized that the world was no longer what it used to be. Gifts for children didn't necessarily have to be food or toys. Holy Spirit Stones were far more meaningful than those things.

"Yanlan, the Holy Spirit Stones are all with you!" Jiang Yuan said helplessly. To reduce his load, he hadn't even carried a bag along the way; everything was in Ning Yanlan's storage ring.

Ning Yanlan smiled mischievously, then took out two Tier 1 Holy Spirit Stones. "Xiao Xin, this is a gift from your brother. Hurry up and thank your brother!"

One Holy Spirit Stone was placed in Xiao Xin's palm, while the other was given to Li Xiang. "Sister-in-law, this one is a gift for you!"

"How can this be allowed!" Li Xiang is not a child. Over the past few days, she has learned some things about the apocalypse. The most precious thing in this world is the Holy Spirit Stone.

"Keep it; it's a token of our affection from Jiang Yuan and me!" Ning Yanlan said.

"Xiao Xin! Give it back to your brother, this is too valuable!" Li Xiang urged Xiao Xin, but she didn't dare to take Ning Yanlan's Holy Spirit Stone. "Yanlan, you've been so good to us! How can we accept your things again!"

"Sister-in-law, although this is nominally a gift for meeting you, it's actually for our accommodation!" Ning Yanlan immediately changed her tune, then said, "Jiang Yuan and I would like to stay here for a while! I wonder if it's convenient for you, sister-in-law?"

"Mom, I heard from Xiaohu and the others that a Holy Spirit Stone can awaken a spirit! Why don't we accept it?" Xiaoxin said, shrinking her neck as if she was very embarrassed.

“Yes, the world has changed! If you take the first step too late, you'll be at the mercy of others in the future!” Ning Yanlan said solemnly. “Sister-in-law, Jiang Yuan and I will leave sooner or later. If you don't have the power to protect Xiao Xin then…”

Ning Yanlan didn't say what the consequences would be, because Li Xiang understood without her saying it. Just like today, she could only kneel down and beg for mercy, instead of killing people every ten steps.