Xiao San had never been a bad person.
That truth was something Tang Guo had only understood after death.
In his previous life, Xiao San had been a gang leader—but not the kind that trafficked drugs or blood. His gang had been formed during their student years, a group of hot-blooded young men who had learned very early that the world was not kind to the weak. By the time they realized the consequences of walking the gray edge of society, it was already too late to turn back completely.
So they chose a compromise.
They ran a bar.
They played music.
They kept their hands clean.
They never crossed the line into true crime, but the shadow of the word gang never left them. And because of that shadow, Tang Guo—spoiled, willful, and blind—had looked down on them.
He had looked down on him.
In his last life, Tang Guo had been rich, powerful, and foolish. He threw tantrums like a child even when the world had already turned into hell. He never listened. Never compromised. Never protected what mattered.
And when his recklessness finally got Xiao San killed, it took Tang Guo eight full years of apocalypse hell to understand what he had lost.
By the time he learned how to survive, how to fight, how to protect himself, it was already too late.
Four more years passed.
Then the capital fell.
Zombies flooded the city like a tide summoned by the heavens themselves, swallowing the last human strongholds whole. Tang Guo died among the last survivors, buried under corpses and regret.
His final wish was simple.
If there is another life… let me protect him.
And perhaps the heavens listened.
When Tang Guo opened his eyes again, he was back—before the apocalypse, before the mistakes, before Xiao San's death.
His space ability came with him.
Unmutated, but intact.
The same size as when he died.
He didn't hesitate.
Tang Guo sold his properties. Liquidated businesses. Bought supplies, movable houses, food, water, medicine. He prepared like a man who knew exactly how ugly the future would be.
And then, carefully, deliberately, he arranged a chance encounter.
When he saw Xiao San again—alive, irritated, and very much himself—Tang Guo nearly lost control.
They were only friends this time.
That was fine.
He would wait.
This time, he would never let Xiao San walk into danger alone.
This time, he would protect not only his lover—but the entire gang.
---
The second reborn that night was Gu Ruisheng.
Gu Yunchen's adopted son.
When Gu Ruisheng woke up past midnight, his entire body was drenched in cold sweat. His chest heaved violently as memories crashed into him like broken glass.
The capital.
The institute.
Gu Mian's corpse.
His foster father's madness.
His own death.
He sat upright, shaking, staring into the darkness.
And then he noticed the inconsistencies.
Gu Mian.
Gu Yunchen.
They were already moving.
Already preparing.
Already changing fate.
Gu Ruisheng had been seventeen when he was adopted—old enough to remember hunger, violence, and abandonment. He had learned very early that attachments were dangerous.
Except two.
Gu Yunchen, who had saved him.
And Gu Mian.
Who had unknowingly stolen his heart.
In his previous life, Gu Ruisheng had let her go because she loved someone else. He swallowed his feelings because he believed love should not cage her.
And that man—that man—was the reason she died.
This time?
He would not let go.
Gu Ruisheng possessed two abilities.
One was space.
The other was the Eternal Flame—a fire that could burn anything and would never extinguish unless he willed it so.
Standing by the window, watching the sleeping city, his gaze hardened.
He was not a man who acted without preparation.
Not in life.
Not in death.
And certainly not in an apocalypse.
This time, he would come out on top.
And Gu Mian would be his wife.
Not someday.
Not maybe.
Eternity.
---
The next morning, Gu Yunchen gathered everyone.
The meeting room was large, sunlight filtering through tall windows, illuminating faces that were still half-asleep and entirely confused.
Gu Yunchen stood at the head of the table.
"This meeting," he said calmly, "is not for discussion."
The room went quiet.
"I will give instructions. You will follow them for the next eight months."
Immediate unrest.
"What?"
"Dad, are you serious?"
"I still have school!"
"I just opened my company!"
Voices overlapped.
Gu Yunchen raised one hand.
Silence fell instantly.
"First question," he said. "Are any of you in relationships?"
A few shook their heads. A few hesitated, then shook their heads too.
"Good," Gu Yunchen nodded. "End your businesses. Drop out of school if necessary. All of you will remain in the Gu Mansion for the next eight months."
The explosion was immediate.
"Impossible!"
"That's insane!"
"You can't decide our lives like this!"
Gu Yunchen's gaze was sharp, unwavering.
"Listen carefully," he said. "In eight months, the world will change."
Laughter broke out.
"Dad, are you watching too many movies?"
Gu Mian spoke then, her voice calm but firm.
"If you don't trust him," she said softly, "then trust me."
The room froze.
Gu Yunchen continued, voice steady.
"You don't need to understand. You need to survive."
No one noticed Gu Ruisheng watching silently, his fists clenched.
After the meeting, angry siblings stormed out.
Only Gu Ruisheng stayed.
He waited.
Then spoke.
"Dad," he said quietly. "You know the apocalypse is coming."
Gu Yunchen froze.
"…What did you say?"
Gu Ruisheng met his eyes.
"The apocalypse."
A heartbeat.
Then Gu Yunchen laughed—hoarsely, disbelievingly.
"XiaoMian," he turned abruptly, "your brother… he's reborn too."
Gu Mian stared.
Then smiled through tears.
"Brother Ruisheng," she said softly. "I'm sorry. I made you worry in my past life."
Gu Ruisheng stepped forward.
"And this time," he said, voice low, "I will protect you."
Gu Mian's nose burned.
She was strong now.
But being protected still felt warm.
---
Training began.
And it was hell.
Gu Ruisheng smiled while torturing them.
"Again."
Someone collapsed.
"Again."
Gu Yunchen groaned.
"Dad," Gu Mian said sweetly, "your stance is wrong."
"I'm fifty—!"
"Again."
They cried.
They laughed.
They cursed.
They ate together.
Trained together.
Bled together.
For the first time, the Gu family felt like a family.
In March, Gu Mian laid off her team.
Paid them 100 million yuan each.
Not one left.
When she asked who wanted to go—
They laughed.
"Leave?"
"We die together."
And Gu Mian smiled.
Because this time—
No one would be left behind.
--