Chapter 23: Cheng Yali’s Fury
1408 Words
Outside the door stood a man with a somewhat unusual identity.
“I’m the property manager of this neighborhood, Shao Hang.”
“Oh, what’s the matter?”
This was the first time Zhou Lin had seen Shao Hang. His first impression wasn’t particularly good. Even though Shao Hang appeared practical and steady in both his clothing and demeanor, there was an odd feeling that something wasn’t quite right—perhaps it was that instinct honed from surviving in an apocalypse.
Zhou Lin stood in the doorway, using his height to block Shao Hang’s gaze from wandering into the hallway.
“Some residents have complained about an unauthorized construction,” Shao Hang pointed to the newly installed blast door. “This area is a common zone, and we’ve had other residents voice complaints, so I’m here to discuss it with you.”
“I see,” Zhou Lin didn’t immediately deny it. He was a reasonable person.
“Since there’s been a complaint from other residents, we’ll arrange for a renovation company to come dismantle it. It’ll only take three to five days at most.”
Shao Hang was slightly taken aback. This was too easy. It didn’t feel quite right.
“Then, thank you for your cooperation. If you need any assistance from the property management, please feel free to let us know. We will certainly help as much as we can.”
“Alright, once my parents return, I’ll have them contact the renovation company. Don’t worry, we’ll have it taken down as soon as we find one,” Zhou Lin replied casually, though his words held an underlying trap.
Shao Hang didn’t notice the trap, and he took out his phone, asking Zhou Lin to scan a QR code to join the Lan Mountain Neighborhood owners’ group.
“Your parents are a bit older, and the last few times I saw them, they didn’t bring this up. It’s fine as long as one of you is in the group,” Shao Hang said as he fiddled with his phone.
“Recently, the weather’s been pretty bad, and we’re unsure when it’ll return to normal. Some residents here are quite capable. Just a few days ago, a resident from Building 3 managed to contact a farm and brought in five truckloads of fresh vegetables for the community. And in Building 5, another resident is in the grain and oil business. If anyone needs food, they can reach out to him, though the quantities are limited—about three to five days’ worth per household.”
He glanced at Zhou Lin, “I’ve heard that you’re a major livestock producer in the city. I was wondering if you have any pork or other meats available...”
If Zhou Lin’s father and Cheng Yali hadn’t shared this information, how did the property management know about it? Something wasn’t right.
“My farm was sold off a while ago, that’s why we moved here. If I’d known this situation was going to happen, maybe we should have stayed in the countryside. At least we wouldn’t have to worry about food,” Zhou Lin responded with an almost nonchalant shrug.
Shao Hang was visibly surprised and a bit disappointed. “Oh, do you still have stock in the countryside?”
“None left.” Zhou Lin spread his hands. “We were in livestock, not processing.”
“I see... Well, if you ever need anything, feel free to communicate with us through the group. We won’t take up more of your time.”
After Shao Hang and the two security guards left, Zhou Lin shut the door.
Zhou Li and Wu Xue, who had been listening from behind the half-open blast door, exchanged looks.
“I refused to add Shao Hang to my contacts a few days ago when he tried,” Wu Xue remarked.
“Shady guy, not trustworthy,” Zhou Li nodded. “Don’t pay him any attention, Snow Sister!”
Zhou Lin agreed with Zhou Li’s assessment. He quickly called Cheng Yali to update her about the blast door issue. Zhou Taijun confirmed that neither he nor Cheng Yali had mentioned to anyone in the neighborhood what their family did for a living.
“Could it be the developers? The property management is a subsidiary of the developers,” Cheng Yali suggested.
“Doesn’t matter. Let’s just stay out of it. When are you coming back?” Zhou Taijun asked.
“We’re on our way back... but there’s something blocking the road. Brake...!” Cheng Yali’s shout instantly made Zhou Lin’s heart tighten, and the sound of a crash followed!
“Brother?” Zhou Li looked up in concern.
“Hold on!” Zhou Lin ordered, his expression turning grim.
Something had happened. This wasn’t a car accident. His father, Zhou Taijun, wasn’t the type to make such a mistake.
Cheng Yali’s shout about an obstacle on the road immediately triggered a horrible thought: roadblocks. It was a simple and effective tactic for robbing passing vehicles, especially when the driver wasn’t prepared.
Zhou Lin had grown complacent, thinking that the situation in Bashu was relatively stable. This was his fault. He couldn’t afford to delay any longer.
“Here, take this. You know how to use it, right?” Zhou Lin handed Zhou Li a handgun and two magazines, avoiding Wu Xue’s gaze.
Zhou Li’s hand trembled slightly as she hid the gun in her thick clothing, replying with remarkable calmness, “Brother, be careful.”
“You too,” Zhou Lin replied, ruffling Zhou Li’s hair. He then opened the blast door and rushed outside.
The cold wind outside was biting, and the sky had grown almost completely dark. The next time humanity would see sunlight wouldn’t be for another two months. The real cold was about to hit.
Zhou Lin needed to find his parents fast, or all three of them could be in danger. Without a second thought, he jumped into his car, fully armed.
The entire set of military-grade equipment from the beautiful country special forces was on him. The only thing missing was the infrared night-vision goggles, which Zhou Lin didn’t need for now.
Once on the road to the farm, Zhou Taijun and Cheng Yali’s pickup truck was tilted to the side of the road, with a group of people slowly encircling it.
Inside the truck, Zhou Taijun was holding his forehead, blood seeping through his fingers, and his eyes and eyebrows were smeared with it. He was still conscious, continuously telling Cheng Yali to lock the doors.
The roadblock had caught them off guard. Zhou Taijun had noticed it too late. To avoid crashing into it, he had slammed the brakes while turning the wheel slightly to use the truck’s robust clearance to get off the road, trying to drive through the farmland.
But his luck ran out. The truck’s chassis hit a large rock by the edge of the field, causing the engine to stall and throwing Zhou Taijun’s head into the steering wheel.
Yet, the roadblockers hadn’t expected the truck to stop so far away, and they had anticipated a crash that would allow them to rob the vehicle.
Cheng Yali wasn’t panicking. As she locked the doors, she checked Zhou Taijun’s injury, and after confirming that it was only his forehead that had been hurt, she looked out the window.
In the dark, a group of figures was closing in, some carrying weapons that gleamed in the headlights.
“Dare to rob me?” Cheng Yali’s eyes flashed with fury. She reached into her chest pocket, pulled out the handgun Zhou Lin had given her, and c****d it, preparing to step out of the truck.
“Zzi zzi~”
“Zzi zzi~”
The crackling sound from the walkie-talkie made her pause. Zhou Taijun stopped her, saying, “Son, it’s me!”
Hearing Cheng Yali’s voice, Zhou Lin, who had been calling frantically, finally let out a breath of relief.
“Mom, are you alright? Where are you?”
“We’ve been ambushed! We’re at Yangbakozi! I’m going to kill them all!” Cheng Yali snarled, her rage palpable.
“Mom, don’t rush! I’m coming, don’t go out yet!”
After confirming their location, Zhou Lin floored the gas pedal, knowing exactly how Cheng Yali’s temper would play out. If she said she was going to kill them, Zhou Taijun wouldn’t be able to stop her!
- Writer
