The Crowd 05

But just as the two were talking, Fang Zhiyi walked out from behind them, still looking as leisurely as ever. He lifted his foot and walked toward the stairwell. Some people saw him, their eyes darting around, unsure of what they were thinking. Others let their gazes sweep back and forth over the tightly shut doors of the apartments on this floor, as if making some kind of resolution.

Chen Rui didn't know what Fang Zhiyi was going to do. He hesitated for a moment, instructed Li Duo to close the door, and quickly followed him.

Their interactions over the past few days made him feel that Fang Zhiyi wasn't a bad person. He just had slightly higher standards for food; otherwise, he was a very casual and easygoing guy.

"Don't go looking for trouble, young man. Be careful not to bring disaster upon yourself," an old man kindly reminded him.

Fang Zhiyi smiled. "Thanks a lot, sir. Have you eaten yet?"

The old man was taken aback. "I've eaten. I'm old and can't eat much, just a few bites will do."

Fang Zhiyi nodded, his feet still not stopping.

Downstairs, people were constantly running upstairs with their families in tow. Only Fang Zhiyi was walking down with a relaxed look on his face. Chen Rui followed behind him, feeling like his heart was about to pound out of his chest.

Many people looked at Fang Zhiyi, wondering what this young man was up to. Did he really have to go see what the commotion was about?

Soon, Fang Zhiyi disappeared from their sight.

"Hubby, we don't have much food left either, and the relief grain hasn't been distributed lately..." a woman muttered.

The man glanced at the daughter in her arms, his eyes turning fierce. "If worse comes to worst, we'll just do what they do..."

Several people around them looked over, clearly harboring the same thoughts.

"We're just doing it for a bite to eat, not to murder anyone for their money. Even if they look into it later, it won't be a big deal."

He seemed to be saying this to the people around him, but also to himself.

However, a sudden scream from the stairwell startled everyone.

"Who told you that you could just rob people in my territory?" Fang Zhiyi was currently stepping on a man's chest. Beside him, three other men were rolling on the ground in pain.

Chen Rui was dumbfounded. He had wanted to persuade Fang Zhiyi to mind his own business, but who knew Fang Zhiyi would just walk in and start fighting without a word? Those agitated robbers were easily taken down by him, and the crisp sound of breaking bones gave Chen Rui goosebumps all over his body.

A woman with disheveled hair was currently hugging her husband and cowering in the corner. She thought everything was over, but unexpectedly, a young man had suddenly appeared to save them.

"We really couldn't hold on anymore... If we could survive, who would want to be a robber!" a man cried and begged for mercy.

Fang Zhiyi glanced at him. "Do you have a wife and kids?"

"Yes, yes," the man replied.

"Hmm..." Fang Zhiyi pondered for a moment. "That's good then. Otherwise, I'd be worried no one would burn joss paper for you in the future."

"Wh-what did you say?"

By now, some people had gathered at the door. The commotion just now had made many people curious, and emboldened by their numbers, they had flocked over. Seeing the scene before them, everyone was a bit shocked.

"F**k you, you little brat, just you wait! I'll remember you!" The bald man being stepped on by Fang Zhiyi was still cursing. As soon as he spoke, the smell of cheap liquor wafted out.

Fang Zhiyi looked at him. "Why should I wait?" The next moment, he simply bent down, grabbed the man's hair, and dragged him toward the balcony. The man struggled continuously, and the tough words in his mouth gradually turned into pleas for mercy.

But Fang Zhiyi didn't stop. Right in front of everyone, he threw the bald man over the edge. The scene was dead silent, and many people covered their mouths.

The man who had been thrown down was a Laizi. It was said that he had kicked his own parents out. He usually drank and gambled, and had a terrible relationship with his neighbors.

Little did they know, this Laizi would have been the first person to commit murder in the future. In the apocalyptic environment, he would have found his sense of purpose.

But it was fine now; he wouldn't need to keep searching.

Fang Zhiyi clapped his hands, as if he hadn't done anything just now. "I'm announcing something. From now on, this building is under my control."

He looked around at everyone. "Of course, anyone who objects can step forward now."

"How... how could you kill someone!" a woman stepped forward and accused him.

Little Hei crossed his arms. "Impressive."

Before Fang Zhiyi could speak, Chen Rui opened his mouth. "Lady, why didn't we see you when they were breaking in and robbing people just now? Now you're jumping out?"

"We can leave it to the police to handle their robbery! What right do you have to kill someone?" The woman directly counted Chen Rui as one of the murderers. "We don't need people like you in our building! You can't stay here!"

Chen Rui was infuriated. Although Fang Zhiyi's actions were a bit extreme, he was still saving people!

"Tell me, everyone, am I right? We won't live with murderers!" The woman felt she was completely justified, her face even flushing red. "Kick them out!"

Just as her voice fell, Fang Zhiyi grabbed her by the neck. His movements were extremely fast. Just like before, he dragged her straight to the edge of the balcony and casually tossed her down. A splash was heard. Fang Zhiyi nodded in satisfaction and turned his head back around. "Does anyone else think she was right?"

The crowd was horrified. The Fang Zhiyi before them had suddenly become an extremely dangerous existence. No one was willing to step forward and speak up.

Fang Zhiyi glanced at the other three men lying on the ground. "I'll give you a chance. Within an hour, I want to see all the residents of this building on the eighteenth floor. I don't care if you have to beg or invite them. If you fail to do so, you can go down and keep those two company." He paused. "You can also tell them what I did. I believe anyone who hasn't lost their mind will make the right choice."

He walked toward the door, and the crowd blocking the doorway parted on their own to make a path.

Chen Rui was somewhat terrified, just keeping his head down and quickly following behind him.

Not everyone showed up, but that was within Fang Zhiyi's expectations. Perhaps some people were afraid of him now, and others, like the original owner of his body, didn't dare to trust outsiders. It was all very normal. He opened the door to his own apartment and ushered the representatives of each household inside.

Everyone looked at the young man before them with some suspicion. Did they say he killed two people? Was it? No, it was one; it seemed that woman had been fished out of the water.

That was until Fang Zhiyi took out a hand-drawn map.

"Everyone knows the situation outside right now. Just waiting for rescue probably isn't realistic. There are so many victims, so we need to save ourselves," Fang Zhiyi said matter-of-factly. "Over the past few days, I've carefully observed the water levels outside and some of the surrounding landmarks, and I've roughly figured out a few places that might have supplies."