The Crowd 07

Zhao Hu still couldn't bring along the small refrigerator he had been longing for, as the kayak simply couldn't hold that much stuff. Fang Zhiyi had four people take the items back first, planning to make a couple more trips to pick up the rest.

Watching the kayak disappear into the dark night, a middle-aged man looked a bit worried. Will they just leave directly?

Seeing Fang Zhiyi looking at him, the middle-aged man chuckled awkwardly. I see it in disaster movies all the time. Once they have supplies, those people will abandon their companions...

You do realize those are just movies, right? Fang Zhiyi shook his head. Take advantage of the time we have now and hurry up to move the rest of the things we haven't brought down yet.

They made a total of four round trips. On the final trip, they had to cover some cardboard boxes with plastic bags and tie them behind the kayak to drag them back.

When Fang Zhiyi and the others arrived, many people were standing at the stairwell leading from the eleventh floor to the tenth floor to welcome them.

I never thought in my life that I'd be able to paddle a kayak into someone's living room, Zhao Hu chuckled.

They had gone out through the apartment on the tenth floor directly facing the stairwell.

People hurriedly passed the supplies along, and then pulled the people who had gone out up the stairs one by one. The entire building was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Fang Zhiyi didn't do any more manual labor himself, but instead handed the task of distributing the supplies over to a few others.

A portion of the supplies was kept in reserve, and a portion was distributed out. Even the families who hadn't gone out received some, and it was precisely these supplies that completely changed the people's moods.

The arguments and conflicts in the building dissipated, replaced by a harmonious scene. After eating, some people started dragging their neighbors to play poker, while a few children ran up and down the hallway.

Fang Zhiyi continued to study the map he had drawn, his gaze eventually resting on a small hillside outside the city.

At the same time, in another city, Bai Haomin was enjoying himself, licking the steak juice off his fork. Hearing the noise outside, Bai Haomin was overjoyed. Now you know to beg me? Too late!

In his past life, when he was starving, these people never cared about him. Even when he swallowed his pride to ask for food, they had shoved him away.

It's not completely out of the question. Hey, beauty, do you want some steak? he asked a haggard-looking girl with long hair outside through the reinforced security bars.

The girl nodded repeatedly and added, I just need a little bread! They had all seen the supplies casually piled up in Bai Haomin's room; he even had a generator!

Even if you want it, I won't give it! Bah! When I confessed my feelings to you before, what did you call me? A toad lusting after swan meat? Go hug your rich kid boyfriend and cry! Bai Haomin laughed heartily.

At this moment, he felt incredibly satisfied.

Damn it, this little bastard. A burly man slammed against the security bars, but it was useless. Bai Haomin had already reinforced them in advance.

Should we go out and look for supplies? someone suggested.

You, you'd better never come out for the rest of your life! the burly man pointed at Bai Haomin inside the door and cursed.

Bai Haomin sneered. Look for supplies? Bullshit! He had already taken advantage of the first few days to pack everything from the nearby supermarkets, convenience stores, and even grain and oil shops into his spatial dimension!

He stroked the bracelet on his wrist, his heart full of smugness.

This time, I will settle the score with everyone who wronged me! Every single one! A face appeared before his eyes—it was that guy surnamed Fang. If it wasn't for him, he wouldn't have died such a miserable death!

The rain lessened, which allowed the people in the building to see hope again. Although the residents of Building 17 couldn't be said to be eating very well recently, under Fang Zhiyi's command, they had begun to divide the labor and cooperate. Relying on Zhao Hu's kayak, they found some edible items in buildings that hadn't been submerged. Although it was little, it was enough to barely fill their stomachs.

Besides food, they sometimes brought back wood that could be used as fuel. Those usually expensive pieces of furniture were now worthless; their greatest value was providing warmth.

Zhao Hu and his group had begun to silently obey Fang Zhiyi's decisions. Although he had killed someone, every time they went out, he was always at the front. This alone was enough to earn their respect. Most importantly, when someone saw a floating corpse tossed into the water, they realized that apart from Building 17, all the other residential buildings had descended into chaos.

Someone had witnessed several men in the neighboring building chasing a woman. The woman fought back with a knife, but she was beaten to death and thrown out of the building. Furthermore, Building 9 in the distance had actually caught fire. Even in the heavy rain, the fire burned for a long time before going out. No one wanted to think about what exactly had happened there.

In comparison, Building 17 had actually become the safest place. Here, let alone killing, even fighting was prohibited. The moment a dispute arose over a game of cards on one side, the patrol team would arrive from the other.

Under Fang Zhiyi's arrangement, a group led by Zhao Hu organized a dozen or so young and strong men to form a patrol team, aiming to ensure everyone's safety.

As they saw more and more corpses, the people became increasingly numb. Eventually, the one or two people Fang Zhiyi had killed in the very beginning were no longer considered a big deal.

They discussed more about whose cooking tasted better, and which neighbor's impromptu yoga class was quite interesting.

However, once the environment stabilized, some people started looking for trouble.

He definitely hid a lot of good stuff for himself. My grandson said there's even beef, Old Hag Sun gossiped with others, her eyes full of dissatisfaction toward Fang Zhiyi. He keeps talking about everyone uniting, so why does he get special meals? Don't you agree?

Her son and grandson also seemed to have forgotten Fang Zhiyi's ruthlessness, demanding extra food when getting their meals.

Everyone gets the same amount, Brother Sun. Please move along quickly, the people behind you are still waiting, the woman holding the ladle frowned.

Sun Daqiang was displeased. Why? They are eating and drinking the best stuff, so what's wrong with me getting a little extra food?

Sun Jiahao stuck out his belly too. Exactly! I want to eat beef too!

The older sister serving the food said patiently, He is the leader, what's wrong with him eating a bit more? If it weren't for Fang Zhiyi, we would all still be going hungry right now!

The people lining up behind also chimed in, That's right, you guy surnamed Sun, I remember you haven't gone out even once, right? Smashing furniture for firewood, cooking, cleaning—your wife is the only one from your family who ever pitches in. How do you have the nerve to demand this and that?

Sun Daqiang's face immediately fell as he felt embarrassed. What are you talking about? No, he's the leader? Leader my ass! Isn't he just relying on us to feed him? Have you people been kneeling for so long that you can't stand up anymore?

I don't care, I want to eat beef too! Why do only they get to eat it! If there's good stuff, everyone should share it together! Sun Jiahao shouted, throwing a tantrum exactly like his grandmother.

However, as the patrol team suddenly barged in, Sun Daqiang panicked. What are you doing? Are you bandits? Let me tell you, this is illegal! Everyone, come and judge this...