After a while, Zhang Yi heard a knock on the door.
This was followed by Uncle You's voice.
"Zhang Yi, it's me, You Jiguang. Are you home?"
Out of habit, Zhang Yi glanced at the surveillance monitor.
However, he quickly frowned.
Standing outside was not just Uncle You but also a woman holding a child.
Though she was wrapped tightly in a thick down jacket, Zhang Yi knew she had to be the mother, Xie Limei.
"What is she doing here?"
Zhang Yi had a good impression of Uncle You, but he had no such connection with Xie Limei.
Based on his experience from the previous life, he instinctively felt this woman was not simple.
Zhang Yi stood up from his chair and walked to the door.
Zhou Ke'er glanced at him but did nothing—Zhang Yi was the true master of this house.
Standing by the door, Zhang Yi did not open it. "Uncle You?"
He asked knowingly.
Uncle You responded, "Yes, it's me."
At that moment, Xie Limei interjected, speaking first. "Zhang Yi, my daughter Tangbao has a high fever that won't go down. Please help her!"
Her voice carried a sobbing tone.
Zhang Yi had already prepared a box of acetaminophen suspension drops and a box of Xiao Kuihua cold medicine. He tossed them out through the shooting hole in the door.
"Take the medicine and give it to the child quickly! In times like these, getting sick is no small matter."
Uncle You hurriedly picked up the medicine, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"Zhang Yi, thank you! Thank you so much!"
Xie Limei took the medicine.
Uncle You was about to lead her away, but a strange glint flashed in her eyes.
She spoke up, "Zhang Yi, I have a favor to ask. Could you let the baby stay at your place for a while?"
"I know you have a heater, and it's much warmer in your home. Our place is freezing!"
"The baby is sick now, and I'm worried she'll suffer from the cold. Please do us this favor."
Uncle You was taken aback.
On the way here, Xie Limei had not mentioned this request at all.
Now that she suddenly brought it up, he felt awkward.
He hadn't discussed this with Zhang Yi beforehand, and now he was caught in the middle.
But when he saw Xie Limei's pleading eyes, he didn't know what to say.
Inside the house, Zhang Yi smirked.
Getting greedy, are we?
"Sister Xie, I'm really sorry, but in these desperate times, I can't let anyone in. Besides, our coal is running low, and to be honest, it's not much warmer in here than outside."
Zhang Yi had no intention of being swayed.
Xie Limei's words sounded noble, as if she was doing this for her child.
But neither he nor Zhou Ke'er had experience taking care of children, and even if they did, he wouldn't want the hassle.
If he let the baby in, Xie Limei could use it as an excuse to come in herself.
Getting rid of an unwanted guest is harder than inviting one in. If she had ulterior motives, Zhang Yi would have to be on guard 24/7.
Not worth the trouble.
Hearing Zhang Yi's response, Uncle You whispered to Xie Limei, "Zhang Yi has already done enough for us by giving medicine. Let's go home and bundle up more. The baby won't freeze."
Xie Limei wiped her tears, crying pitifully, "What do you know? You're a man! Babies are extremely fragile."
She turned back to Zhang Yi inside the house.
"Zhang Yi, I know this request is a bit much. But I have no other choice!"
"I know you have a kind heart, which is why I shamelessly asked."
"Please, for the baby's sake—and for Uncle You's sake—let her stay in your home for a while."
Now she had roped Uncle You into the request as well.
Most people, if they weren't completely cold-hearted, would soften at this point.
When you ask someone for a favor, it's best to start with a small request.
Once they agree to the small request, it becomes harder for them to refuse a bigger one.
This woman is no fool.
She had deliberately waited until Zhang Yi had already given them the medicine before asking for shelter.
But she underestimated how cold-hearted Zhang Yi could be.
Leaning against the door with his arms crossed, Zhang Yi said, "Sister Xie, if this were before the apocalypse, I'd definitely say yes."
"But now, as you know, everyone in this building wants to take my home and my life."
"I've been scared out of my mind. I can't let strangers in."
"I'm sure you understand, right? Uncle You, you get it, don't you?"
Uncle You nodded repeatedly.
At this moment, he was incredibly embarrassed, but his gratitude toward Zhang Yi stopped him from pressing further.
"You're right. Zhang Yi has been more than generous! Who else would even give us medicine? Do you know how hard it is to get medicine now?"
Xie Limei bit her lip but didn't argue with Uncle You. Instead, she looked at Zhang Yi with teary eyes, appearing pitiful.
"But… didn't he let Zhou Ke'er stay in his house?"
Zhang Yi smirked coldly.
"Zhou Ke'er is my girlfriend. Is there a problem with that?"
Hearing this, Zhou Ke'er knew Zhang Yi was only saying it to brush them off.
Still, the corners of her lips curled up.
For women, sweet words matter more than the truth.
Even if she knew it was just an excuse, she would still convince herself that it was real.
Xie Limei frowned slightly, as if thinking of a new excuse.
But Uncle You's patience was wearing thin.
Unlike her, he wasn't shameless enough to keep pushing.
Zhang Yi had already helped him multiple times—he couldn't just keep taking advantage.
So, he grabbed Xie Limei's arm, his expression serious.
"Let's go. Stop troubling him. Zhang Yi has done more than enough for us. Don't be too greedy!"
Seeing that Uncle You was truly upset, Xie Limei immediately changed her expression to one of helplessness.
"I know, I know… I didn't want to do this either. It's all for the child…"
Uncle You turned back toward the house and said, "Sorry about this, Zhang Yi. Don't take it to heart. Thank you again for everything!"
Zhang Yi replied, "It's fine. I understand the situation. Let's all support each other."
Through the surveillance camera, Zhang Yi watched as Uncle You led Xie Limei and the baby downstairs.
He returned to the table and said to Zhou Ke'er, "This woman is trouble."
Zhou Ke'er shrugged. "Aren't there plenty of people like her?"
Zhang Yi sighed. "True. But I have a good relationship with Uncle You. I don't want her messing that up."
Uncle You was Zhang Yi's ideal worker.
He didn't want a woman whispering nonsense in his ear, leading him astray.
Zhang Yi now saw Xie Limei as a potential threat.
At the very least, she had her eyes on his home and supplies.