Chapter 140: Three Conditions
Xu Hao's revelation gave Zhang Yi a glimpse into the lives of the elite. But that wasn't important now.
After listening to Xu Hao’s story, Zhang Yi looked at him calmly and asked, "So, tell me your plan. If I agree to cooperate, how exactly will you help me?"
Xu Hao, sensing that he had piqued Zhang Yi’s interest, became more animated.
"I still have contact with Wang Siming. When I told him about you, he became very interested in your supplies and your snowmobile," Xu Hao explained.
"So, we can stage a play. Pretend that I've lured you there, and once Wang Siming opens the door, you can use your skills to take him down in no time."
Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then looked at Xu Hao and asked, "If Wang Siming’s shelter is worth $1 billion, would he really need my supplies?"
Having watched sci-fi movies, Zhang Yi knew that such large-scale shelters usually had enough supplies to last for years. It seemed unlikely that Wang Siming would be in need of more after just one month.
Xu Hao scratched his head, showing a wry smile. "Well... the shelter was built over ten years ago."
"The supplies stored there were eventually discarded as trash, and the space was converted into entertainment rooms and sports areas."
Listening silently, Zhang Yi’s mind began constructing a mental blueprint of the super shelter.
"What about weapons and defenses? A shelter of that caliber must have some serious security measures, right?" Zhang Yi asked, his concern evident.
Xu Hao suddenly fell silent.
He then said, "Unless you agree to work with me and ensure my survival, I can't tell you that information."
Xu Hao was not foolish. If he disclosed everything, he would lose all his leverage.
Zhang Yi sneered, shaking his handgun. "If you won’t tell me, why should I keep you alive?"
Xu Hao swallowed hard. "Even if you kill me, I won’t tell you. This information is my only hope for survival!"
"I know you plan to kill us all eventually, right?"
Zhang Yi’s eyes flashed with a peculiar light. Xu Hao was spot-on. Zhang Yi did intend to eliminate most of his neighbors once the other building threats were neutralized. Keeping the residents of his building around was a temporary measure to deal with external threats.
"You seem quite smart. How did you figure it out?" Zhang Yi asked with a chilling smile.
Xu Hao, biting his lip, said, "Because you’re not a kind person. You’ve kept us around only to deal with the other buildings' threats. Now that most of those threats are gone, you have no reason to keep us."
Zhang Yi lowered his gun. Xu Hao was right; he was indeed clever.
"So, instead of waiting to die, I'm gambling on a chance to live by trading my information," Xu Hao added.
Zhang Yi squinted, weighing the pros and cons. According to Xu Hao, the $1 billion super shelter was far superior to his current safe house. If Zhang Yi could take it over, his quality of life would significantly improve.
But there were risks:
Zhang Yi didn’t trust Xu Hao. Regardless of his convincing story, Zhang Yi couldn’t fully believe someone with whom he had a poor relationship. Establishing mutual trust was crucial.
Even if everything Xu Hao said was true, the operation’s risks were unknown. Zhang Yi’s current safe house was secure and had helped him fend off numerous attackers. Wang Siming's shelter, which could withstand H-bombs, was hundreds of times more secure. Zhang Yi’s existing weapons might not be enough to breach it.
After a long silence, Zhang Yi made his decision.
He looked at Xu Hao coldly and said, "I’ll let you work with me, but there are conditions you must follow."
Xu Hao, tense and anxious, suddenly relaxed, his face lighting up with joy. He had gambled and won.
"Of course! Whatever you say!" Xu Hao responded eagerly.
Zhang Yi began, "First, you must give me a detailed explanation of the shelter’s layout, especially its security systems and firepower."
Xu Hao nodded quickly. "That’s no problem. After the shelter was built, Wang Siming showed it off to many people. I was one of the visitors."
Zhang Yi continued, "Second, I need you to kill someone for me."
Xu Hao was puzzled. "Who do you want dead that you can’t kill yourself?"
Zhang Yi smiled. "Someone inconvenient for me to deal with directly. Just wait for my instructions."
Xu Hao didn’t hesitate. Killing one person was a small price to pay for his survival.
"Alright, what's the third condition?" Xu Hao asked, swallowing nervously as he noticed Zhang Yi’s smile turning sinister.
Zhang Yi said, "Come with me. I need to get something for you."
Not knowing what to expect, Xu Hao obediently followed Zhang Yi to the 24th floor. Zhang Yi left him at the stairwell. "Wait here. I’ll be right back."
With that, Zhang Yi entered his apartment, leaving Xu Hao standing anxiously by the stairs.