Chapter 78: Neighbors Seek Protection
Chapter 78: Neighbors Seek Protection
Huang Tianfang thought he was clever, killing many people in Building 25 to force Zhang Yi out. If this were a movie with a saintly protagonist, Zhang Yi would surely come out to negotiate with Huang Tianfang. Unfortunately for Huang, Zhang Yi felt no guilt and was instead delighted.
Zhang Yi’s goal was to incite fear among the neighbors by letting Huang Tianfang kill a few more, making them turn to him for help. Just two days later, the neighbors couldn't take it anymore. They saw the bloodstained messages Huang Tianfang left behind and unanimously believed that only Zhang Yi could resolve the situation by confronting Huang Tianfang.
The group chat was flooded with messages, private messages, and voice calls directed at Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi glanced at the neighbors' reactions in the group chat.
"Zhang Yi, this is your mess to clean up! The Tianhe Gang came because of you and got killed by you. This has nothing to do with us!"
"Yeah, you caused this, so you should deal with it. You can't make us bear the consequences!"
"They said they won't stop killing until you come out. Zhang Yi, if you have any conscience, you'll go solve this!"
Reading these messages, Zhang Yi laughed. He wasn't angry because he knew his neighbors' nature very well. He casually sent a few messages to the group.
"I didn’t invite them here. They came to kill me, and I fought back. Now it’s my fault?"
"You can't defend yourselves, and that's my problem? How?"
"You said they’re too dangerous. That’s exactly why I’m staying inside. My house is safe! "
He even added a smiling emoji at the end.
The neighbors were furious.
"Zhang Yi, you’re safe, but what about us?"
"You're leaving us to die! How could you be so heartless?"
"You brought them here. Why should we face the consequences? Do you have no conscience?"
Zhang Yi laughed out loud at their indignation. He knew his neighbors were shameless.
He coldly retorted, "Why should I care about you? Your lives or deaths mean nothing to me."
"Don't talk to me about conscience. When you attacked my home, didn't each of you take part?"
"I'm generous enough not to shoot each of you dead. Now you want to talk about conscience?"
He added menacingly, "Do you really think I won't kill you?"
His last message silenced many. They remembered Zhang Yi wasn't someone to mess with. How did Chen Zhenghao die? He was frozen into an ice block and shattered by Zhang Yi!
Zhang Yi stopped responding and sent a message to Uncle You.
"Uncle You, it’s your turn to step up!"
Uncle You replied, "Don't worry, I’ve got this!"
The group chat fell into confusion after Zhang Yi's harsh words. Their moral blackmail had failed, and negotiations had broken down, meaning they still had to face the murderous Tianhe Gang.
With most of the men in Building 25 dead or injured, only Zhang Yi and Uncle You had any real combat ability left.
"What should we do? We thought killing Chen Zhenghao would let us live, but the Tianhe Gang is even worse!"
"Chen Zhenghao killed to assert dominance and get food. Huang Tianfang kills for revenge. They kill anyone without hesitation!"
"Are we really going to die here?"
"Damn it, why has the world come to this? Are we headed for a future of barbarism?"
"The snow disaster isn’t ending soon. We’re all going to die in this snow."
Many fell into deep despair, believing they wouldn’t survive much longer.
At that moment, Uncle You, usually silent, spoke up in the group chat.
"Everyone, don't panic. The Tianhe Gang has only about twenty members. If we unite, we can fight them!"
His words brought a glimmer of hope to many. As a retired soldier and security guard, Uncle You was known for his reliability.
"Uncle You, thank goodness you’re here!"
"We thought you were dead because you were so quiet lately."
"With you here, we’re safe!"
"Uncle You, tell us what to do. We’ll support you!"
Reading the neighbors' messages, Uncle You felt a twinge of frustration. They wanted him to lead while they watched from the sidelines.
He sighed, "I can’t do it alone."
"My supplies are exhausted. I haven't eaten for days and have no strength left."
"You’re likely in the same situation. How can we fight in this state?"
Some neighbors stayed silent, while others, who had been eating well on roasted meat, said nothing.
"Uncle You, we’re all short on food. We can’t help you either."
"What should we do? We’ll follow your lead."
Once again, they said flattering words.
Uncle You suggested, "To confront the other buildings, we need Zhang Yi."
"His house has plenty of weapons, and he’s well-fed and strong."
"He’s the best choice to lead us!"
The neighbors exchanged uneasy glances. They had just angered Zhang Yi, and now they needed his leadership.
"But Zhang Yi just told us to fend for ourselves."
"He won’t leave his house, and we can’t get him to come out."
"But if he leads us, that would be the best."
Though they found Zhang Yi detestable, they acknowledged his strength. He had killed many people and defeated the formidable Chen Zhenghao.
Uncle You offered, "Let me talk to Zhang Yi. Maybe I can convince him to come out."
The neighbors quickly responded, "Uncle You, it’s all up to you!"