The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind

When the water level completely receded, everyone stood downstairs with expressions as if a lifetime had passed. Unlike the bustling crowd at Building 17, the other buildings only had a few dozen or even just a dozen people downstairs. They looked at Building 17 in disbelief, which made the residents of Building 17 puff out their chests.

Such a strange desire to compare.

"Fang Zhiyi, thank you, really. Our whole family is very grateful to you. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened." Someone came forward to thank him, while others excitedly ran outside.

However, a foul stench permeated the air.

As the floodwaters retreated, the swollen, bloated corpses were exposed to the air.

Many people's faces paled.

"Well then, let's part ways here," Fang Zhiyi said. He waved to the crowd and walked away.

"We won't betray you!" someone shouted.

Fang Zhiyi turned back and gave an OK gesture. Chen Rui jogged a couple of steps; still carrying his hiking backpack, he held his girlfriend's hand and followed behind Fang Zhiyi. Zhao Hu also caught up, followed by some guard members and two other families. Some people who originally agreed with Fang Zhiyi hesitated at this moment. The disaster had passed, and they felt no need to follow a dangerous person like Fang Zhiyi anymore.

However, this situation was also within Fang Zhiyi's expectations.

"Look, the corpse of that man from the Sun family." Li Duo pointed to a corner not far away, her face a bit pale.

Chen Rui reached out and covered her eyes. "Don't look."

Zhao Hu's girlfriend looked in disgust at the kayak strapped to his back. "Why do you insist on bringing this?"

"What if it rains again later?" Zhao Hu was resolute.

But a dozen or so residents who suddenly chased after them made Fang Zhiyi stop in his tracks. He had expected this, but he still sighed inwardly.

"Wait, we won't stop you if you want to run away, but... you don't need this much stuff, do you? You should at least leave more supplies for us." A man wearing glasses pushed them up his nose, his face clearly showing some smugness.

Chen Rui looked at this man. He remembered this guy used to be a petty official in some department. When they were trapped by the flood, this person often made sarcastic remarks, but because Fang Zhiyi had said everyone needed to unite, they hadn't bothered to argue with him.

"Oh?"

"You killed people, we all saw it," the man became even more smug. "But considering that you did some things for everyone, we can let you go. However, I don't think you need to take so much stuff with you." He pointed at the bags Zhao Hu and the others were carrying.

Before leaving, Fang Zhiyi had already distributed the supplies: a portion was left for the neighbors staying behind to await resettlement, and the rest was to be taken by those who wanted to follow him.

Obviously, Glasses now thought the disaster was over, and his posture had straightened up.

"I'll XXX your XXX!" Zhao Hu opened his mouth and cursed. His girlfriend swatted him. "How come I didn't realize you were such a poser back in the building?"

"Hey? You better think this through. Now that the water has receded, we all saw what you did!" Glasses simply laid it out in the open, his face full of threat.

Fang Zhiyi looked at the people behind him. Although they dodged his gaze slightly, they clearly agreed with Glasses' words.

"Isn't this going too far? Killing? Who would want to kill if it wasn't to protect everyone? Open your eyes and look at the situation in the other buildings!" Li Duo's eyes widened in anger.

"No matter what, what you did was illegal in itself!" Glasses said. "Leave the supplies and hurry up and leave, otherwise..."

Fang Zhiyi suddenly struck, smashing a punch into his stomach. Glasses immediately doubled over.

"Have you forgotten? I don't like to reason." Fang Zhiyi followed up with a kick, sending Glasses flying.

"And the rest of you, since you don't want the supplies, just give them all to us."

"You... Everyone, don't be afraid! They don't have that many people! Let's attack together!" someone shouted.

The next moment, Zhao Hu threw down the kayak on his back, grabbed the stick tucked at his waist, and charged forward. The others hesitated briefly before following closely behind.

This was the first time they treated the neighbors in their own building like robbers.

A ragtag mob had no combat power, let alone when facing Fang Zhiyi's inner guard.

But considering they were all neighbors, Zhao Hu and the others didn't strike to kill; they merely snatched away these people's supplies. Fang Zhiyi waved from afar at the other residents watching in the distance: "Watch out for infectious diseases! Leave here as soon as possible!"

His words carried far, and those watching them also raised their hands in response: "You guys be careful too!"

"Fewer than I thought..." Little Hei said, "I originally thought quite a few people would turn against you."

Fang Zhiyi replied, "After all, there are still quite a few people who care about their dignity."

"Just you wait! I will definitely report you to the authorities and have you arrested! You robbers! Robbers!" Glasses' voice came from afar.

"Ah, my fiery temper..." Zhao Hu wanted to turn back again, but Fang Zhiyi stopped him with a word: "Heaven will deal with the wretched. Does he really think it's over?"

"Boss, is it really not over yet?" Zhao Hu asked, looking back with lingering indignation.

Fang Zhiyi didn't say anything.

The group walked silently toward the outside of the city. On the streets, they occasionally encountered other people. Some were laughing loudly, some were crying, and some were even running on the muddy roads. There were also people snatching others' belongings; Zhao Hu would step forward and kick them. Fang Zhiyi highly praised him for his courageous acts.

Only Chen Rui said briefly, "Brute."

Zhao Hu was very unhappy.

Because they had planned their route in advance, Fang Zhiyi and the others did not encounter any trouble. Moreover, since their group looked like they were not to be trifled with, some people with ulterior motives didn't dare to approach.

Chen Rui kept his broken radio on. He had traded a can of food with an old man for it. Usually, he was reluctant to turn it on to save battery, but now he needed to listen to the situation outside.

The radio intermittently broadcasted the rescue situation, but it sounded as though the rescue progress was slow due to the massive number of disaster victims.

They temporarily settled down in this mountain villa. Everyone felt a sense of relief. Most of the people who were here were willing to believe Fang Zhiyi's predictions. Fang Zhiyi divided them into two groups to take turns going out. The purpose of going out was to take advantage of the present moment to collect some medicine and edible food.

He knew the future would be even more difficult.

Zhao Hu actually found a huge wine cellar in the villa, which made him overjoyed. Fang Zhiyi did not interfere too much with them drinking to celebrate; after all, they had been repressed for far too long.

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