Ding Feng cracked open the dwindling supply of beer, passing a small amount to each of the dozen men while cigarettes were exchanged among them, the scene bearing an eerie resemblance to a final farewell ritual.
"Brothers, once we seize Dong Fei's supplies, we'll have food to feast on, liquor to quench our thirst, and we can take the women from the nearby buildings!" Ding Feng scanned the room, his words painting a picture that fueled their motivation. Without such promises, who would put forth the effort?
"Alright! With Brother Feng leading us, endless food and women await! Cheers!"
With a burning swig of liquor sliding down his throat, the sensation transported him back to the lively atmosphere of street-side barbecues. Why did it feel like those days were long gone? Because normal life had already faded from memory. Though it was only last month, it seemed like years had passed.
"Brother Feng, a buddy of mine in Building One sent me a message today. He says things over there are about to get chaotic."
Ding Feng sneered, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "That Xie Yuhong thinks he can maintain control? Without enough food, chaos is inevitable. And that bleeding heart of his will regret his choices sooner rather than later."
"Exactly! The food we snatch from outside, he just gives it away to the old folks. What a waste."
"Brother Feng, we hit Building Three today. When do we move on the others?"
Ding Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, crossing one leg over the other as he turned to gaze at the heavy rain outside. "Feng Jin and Sun Youqing have a lot of men—and they're pretty united. Attacking them would cost us dearly. If we strike, it should be Building One. While they're leaderless, we kill the men and keep the women."
The group nodded; the plan sounded solid.
Just then, Ding Feng's phone buzzed. As he read the message, his brow furrowed deeply, and he took a long drag from his cigarette.
"Brother Feng, what's wrong?"
"Feng Jin and Sun Youqing are hitting Building One tonight." Ding Feng fumed; his carefully laid plans had been thrown into disarray.
The lackeys exchanged uneasy glances. One of them asked, "So, are we still hitting Building Three tonight?"
Ding Feng's eyes turned sharp, and the lackey instinctively shrank back.
If they called him and he didn't show up, but instead seized Building Three's supplies, Feng Jin and Sun Youqing would likely form an alliance to eliminate him and split the spoils. Afterward, they'd fight each other for dominance in the compound.
But he couldn't afford to let them gang up on him.
With that in mind, Ding Feng immediately declared, "We're not hitting Building Three tonight. We'll join them in taking Building One. Move out in half an hour!"
The boss had spoken. The lackeys nodded, some sighing in relief. After all, Building Three had guns. Even though ammunition was scarce, they'd still risk their lives. Medical supplies were critically low.
---
In apartment 2801 of Building One.
"Honey, what are you doing?" Ye Yuling emerged from the kitchen, grabbing Xie Yuhong as he was about to leave. Ye Qingyi, stepping out of the bedroom, looked on in confusion.
Xie Yuhong forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "I'm going to Gangzi's place to discuss something."
Ye Yuling yanked open her husband's shirt, revealing a bottle of water tucked under his arm.
"Do you need to bring water to discuss something?" Ye Yuling said in a low, raspy voice, her lips cracked and dry. Ye Qingyi at the bedroom door mirrored her sister's weary appearance. The family had been rationing water, barely wetting their lips each day.
Faced with his wife's reproach, Xie Yuhong forced a strained smile. "In the past, when we discussed matters, we'd bring money, cigarettes, or tea. Now, bringing water is just as normal."
"But this is the last bottle of water we have! What are we going to drink after this?!"
Xie Yuhong didn't respond, but his expression darkened.
"Gangzi's your childhood friend! You two are so close—do you really need to bring water?! Tell me!!" Ye Yuling seemed on the verge of a breakdown, shaking her husband violently.
Xie Yuhong suddenly snapped, shoving his wife to the ground. Ye Qingyi gasped and rushed over, looking up in confusion. "Brother-in-law, what are you doing? Sister was just asking you a question."
Xie Yuhong let out a bitter laugh, which soon dissolved into uncontrollable tears.
"For this family, I've worked myself to the bone at the company. I had to support the family, support you, support our daughter, pay the mortgage, the car loan—each one a mountain on my shoulders!"
"When this disaster hit, for a moment, I felt like the weight was lifted. But soon I realized, I still couldn't relax. I had to protect you all—I still had to fight tooth and nail out there!!"
"But what do I get in return? Before, it was this month's salary. Now, it's water. Do you know how much pressure I'm under? They've all gone mad!" Xie Yuhong roared, his voice cracking under the strain.
The sisters were stunned, unsure of what to say. Ye Yuling suddenly burst into tears, and Ye Qingyi could only comfort her.
Xie Yuhong said nothing more, taking the water and walking out the door. Before closing it, he warned, "Don't open the door for anyone but me." Then he shut the door behind him.
---
Soon, Xie Yuhong arrived at the floor below and rang the doorbell.
Footsteps echoed inside, and a muscular man opened the door, smiling at Xie Yuhong. "Brother Yu, have you come to your senses?"
Xie Yuhong stepped inside, placing the prepared bottle of water on the dining table. "Gangzi, as long as you stand with me, Building One won't fall into chaos. Once the storm passes, I'll lead us out to find food."
Mao Gang rubbed his forehead, pacing back and forth before slamming his hands down on the table. "Brother Yu! I know you're a good man, and you want everyone to be safe. But that's impossible. You've already done your best. After all these days, those people have turned into animals. Only we're still holding on."
"Then we need to hold on even tighter, search for food, and wait for rescue, Gangzi. We can't become animals like them." Xie Yuhong grabbed Mao Gang's shoulders, pleading loudly.
But Mao Gang just laughed. "Brother Yu, in times like these, being a good man doesn't pay. You've done enough. Let me be the bad guy."
Seeing that Mao Gang was unmoved, Xie Yuhong shouted, "Gangzi, wake up! If we fall into chaos, they'll take advantage of us!"
"Brother Yu, you know that too! So why are you opposing me? Why aren't you supporting me? Do you still consider me your brother?!"
"Of course I do! When you couldn't afford a house, didn't I lend you the money?!"
"That's because you wanted me to live downstairs from you! You did lend me the money, but the 3,000-yuan mortgage is killing me. I wanted to buy a cheaper place, but you convinced me to come here. I listened to you, brother!!"
"Because I wanted to take care of you!"
"Ha! You wanted to take care of those old men and women."
At this, Mao Gang grew even more agitated, shouting, "What use are those seventy- and eighty-year-olds? They're just wasting our resources! We get less, and they still lecture us. What's the point of keeping them around? Look at Building Two—they killed all the old people. They weren't going to live much longer anyway."
Hearing his childhood friend speak like this, Xie Yuhong was horrified. "Gangzi, don't let them brainwash you."