"You're really something, streamer," Tang Ze said as he lit a cigarette, while Sun Ting sat beside him holding an ashtray.
Sun Ting pouted in defiance. "Who are you calling a small-time streamer? I'm one of the top three on the platform. My monthly earnings start at six figures."
"No wonder you called me a douchebag," Tang Ze replied with a smirk.
Sun Ting: "…."
At Dong Fei's apartment, six men were drinking beer, their brows furrowed. The deaths of Baldie and Blondie had shaken their confidence. They thought they could dominate this building, only to discover there was someone dangerous lurking in the shadows.
Standing on the balcony, Dong Fei gazed down at the bodies below. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. Judging by where the two had fallen, they must have been thrown from the floor above his.
"Hey, Dog, look into the residents living above me. See if anyone hasn't checked in yet."
The man known as Dog was about thirty years old, with a sharp face and deep-set eyes, clearly worn out from overindulgence these past few days.
Soon, Dog returned with the results. "Boss Dong, only two households haven't shown up yet. On the sixth floor, there's a flight attendant named An Bai. On the seventh, a delivery guy named Tang Ze."
The fat man sitting nearby slapped his thigh. "I've seen that flight attendant in the elevator before. She's absolutely gorgeous—fair skin, elegant features. Always with some rich, handsome boyfriend."
"Could her boyfriend be the one with the gun?" someone asked.
Dong Fei had also seen An Bai's boyfriend. He didn't strike him as the type to carry a weapon.
Could it be the delivery guy? What would a delivery guy be doing with a gun?
But if not them, then who? Had he guessed wrong?
Suddenly, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Dong Fei's frown deepened. It was Ding Feng, the boss of Building Four.
Adjusting his glasses, Dong Fei put on a professional smile and answered. "Boss Ding, still awake at this hour?"
"Boss Dong isn't sleeping either, I see. Guess we're both kept up by the sound of gunfire," Ding Feng teased, clearly not too worried since the incident hadn't occurred in his own building.
Dong Fei chuckled softly. "No need for your concern, Boss Ding. I can handle this myself."
"Well, suit yourself. I was planning to offer my help. If you run into trouble, feel free to call me. I'd be happy to step in."
"Thanks for the offer, Boss Ding. I've got things to take care of, so I'll hang up now." With that, Dong Fei ended the call, muttering curses under his breath. As if the gun would fall into Ding Feng's hands.
On the other end, Ding Feng scoffed and set his phone down.
Beside him sat a woman in her thirties, his girlfriend, with a hint of allure.
"Feng, we need to find a way to get that gun. Once you have it, you'll rule this place—and maybe even expand your control to the surrounding neighborhoods."
Her words ignited Ding Feng's ambition. Dominating one building wasn't enough; he wanted more power.
"Also, I heard from some girls in the group chat that there's a flight attendant and a streamer in Building Three who are drop-dead gorgeous. I've got their photos right here." She opened her phone and showed Ding Feng pictures of An Bai and Sun Ting.
Ding Feng's eyes gleamed with greed, solidifying his resolve. He sneered. "We'll hold a meeting tomorrow. Prepare the men. We're taking down Building Three!"
The woman smiled, pleased with her ability to manipulate. "Feng, I've also prepared a midnight snack for you."
"Oh?"
"Bring her in," she called out.
A young girl, her hair gripped tightly by a henchman, was dragged into the room.
This kind of thing had become commonplace in the neighborhood. Those who controlled the resources held life and death in their hands, and everyone else had to bow to survive.
Building 3, Room 603.
An Bai, dressed in a black silk nightgown, was cutting open a water bottle. Her once rosy tongue now pale, she licked the cap.
Ning Gu emerged from the bedroom and glanced at An Bai sitting on the couch. "I'm heading out for a bit."
"Where are you going?" An Bai quickly asked, afraid he might leave her alone.
"Just stepping out."
Seeing that Ning Gu wasn't forthcoming, An Bai grabbed his sleeve. "Are you going to see them?"
"Will you stop nagging? Who else would I go to? I traded my Porsche for a bottle of water and two pieces of bread, and here you are, enjoying the food I brought back without lifting a finger!" With a flick of his wrist, the weakened An Bai collapsed to the ground, her face ashen.
Ning Gu looked at An Bai, no longer seeing her former beauty. His tone shifted completely. "Let me be honest with you. I've already struck a deal with Boss Dong. You entertain them once a day, and we'll survive."
"You want me to… go to those beasts?!" An Bai stared at Ning Gu in disbelief. Was this something a boyfriend should say?
"Do you want us to starve to death? Could you bear to watch me die? Didn't you once say you'd die for me? I'm not asking you to die—just make a small sacrifice!"
A wave of helplessness washed over An Bai.
"You should remember how I treated you before. Designer handbags, diamond jewelry, Michelin-starred dinners—none of that came cheap. I paid for all of it. Now it's your turn!" With that, Ning Gu left to negotiate with Dong Fei. After all, his girlfriend was the most beautiful woman in the building. Though she was weak from hunger, a few days of rest would bring her back.
Hearing the door close, An Bai's eyes filled with despair. Dong Fei and his gang were monsters. For a girl to fall into their hands was a fate worse than death.
Looking around the apartment, An Bai felt nothing but disgust. She couldn't stand to stay another moment.
Opening the door, the fresh air outside cleared her mind. A bitter smile crossed her face as she glanced at the window in the stairwell. An Bai made her decision.
Even if it meant death, she wouldn't let those animals defile her.
Entering the stairwell, An Bai heard voices coming from the floor above.
Curious, she quietly climbed the stairs and immediately saw Tang Ze.
Tang Ze and Sun Ting had also come out for some fresh air.
Noticing the frail An Bai, Tang Ze smiled. "Good afternoon, miss."