After the signing was done, it was already noon.

Renault felt satisfied with how smoothly the process had gone — efficient and without any hassle.

Lawyer Chen glanced at Renault and said solemnly, “Your father would have been proud of you. Even after his passing, you have carried out his wishes perfectly.”

The whole family dispute had finally come to an end, but Renault knew this was just the beginning of his real battle.

He smiled coldly, thinking that it wasn’t enough to just secure his inheritance — he still had unfinished business with those who had plotted against him.

As the sole heir to the company’s shares, Renault knew that his next step would be preparing for the coming apocalypse. He wouldn’t warn those who had treated him so badly; they would meet their fate soon enough.

... 

Renault drove his newly acquired luxury car — a black Bentley Bentayga — speeding toward his Purple Gold Mountain villa. 

The sleek vehicle glided across the road, its powerful engine roaring as the car zoomed down the highway. The plush leather interior, combined with its high-end tech, made it feel like driving a dream.

Stepping on the gas pedal, Renault enjoyed the powerful acceleration, feeling the adrenaline rush as he sped through the open road toward his new property.

Though it was a luxurious car, Renault knew that in the coming apocalypse, this vehicle would be worthless. He would have to switch to something more rugged when the time came. 

...

The Purple Gold Mountain villa area was an exclusive and luxurious neighborhood with sprawling mansions nestled among lush hills. 

Renault arrived at his villa just after noon. 

The villa was a grand two-story mansion, complete with a private swimming pool, large garden, and an expansive backyard. 

The master bedroom on the second floor had a floor-to-ceiling window that provided a panoramic view of the entire estate and even a glimpse of the nearby city skyline. 

In the basement, there was a private home theater with top-tier audiovisual equipment, perfect for enjoying a high-quality movie experience. 

While the villa was already luxurious, Renault knew he needed to make some serious modifications for the coming catastrophe.

The first order of business would be to upgrade the heating system.

Although it was currently summer, and Renault was dressed in a short-sleeve shirt, he knew that the apocalyptic super winter would soon arrive, plunging temperatures to a bone-chilling minus fifty degrees at night.

In such a situation, without proper heating, people would freeze to death within minutes.

Renault vividly recalled freezing to near death in his previous life, struggling to survive in the brutal cold. He didn’t want to relive that nightmare again.

A reliable heating system was essential. Renault planned to install a wood-burning furnace system, which would be more dependable than relying on the uncertain supply of electricity.

The walls would also need to be reinforced with thick insulation, and the windows would have to be replaced with double-glazed glass to provide extra protection against the cold.

The second modification would be to install a self-sufficient water supply system.

When the apocalypse struck, water supply systems would collapse, and it could take weeks or even months for them to recover.

Without water, the whole city would be plunged into darkness, with people scrambling for basic survival.

If you were lucky enough to still have fuel, you could power a generator for a while, but most people wouldn't last long. They'd be reduced to gathering scrap for firewood.

Renault planned to turn the villa’s swimming pool into a water storage tank, to ensure he’d have enough water to survive during the crisis.

The surrounding fence also needed reinforcement. He would have barbed wire installed and possibly add a second layer of fencing to deter intruders. With an impending apocalypse, security would become a major concern.

These renovations had to be completed as soon as possible. Renault quickly searched online for a reliable construction company to take care of the villa’s modifications. After a few calls, he arranged for the work to begin right away.

He couldn’t afford to waste any time. 

Once he had everything in place, he would be ready for the apocalypse — no more freezing nights in the wilderness for him. He still remembered how he had suffered in the cold and hunger, living in a makeshift shelter during the previous apocalypse.

Now, with the villa prepared and his stockpile of supplies, he would not only survive, but he would thrive.

...

After finishing the initial setup at the villa, Renault went outside to explore the garden. A massive old tree stood in the yard, its thick trunk requiring several people to encircle it.

At the base of the tree, Renault noticed a piece of red cloth tied around the trunk. Curious, he pulled at the cloth and discovered a small opening in the tree trunk — a hidden hollow.

Inside the hollow was a bird's nest made of straw, and within it lay a group of baby birds, weak and barely able to lift their heads.

Renault looked at the frail creatures and smiled softly. Despite everything, the sight of these fragile birds gave him a sense of calm.

He knew what it was like to be vulnerable and on the verge of death. In a way, these birds were like him — small, struggling, but full of potential.

He would make sure that in this new life, he wouldn’t be weak again.