Li Chengbin's Words Couldn't Silence the Complaints
However, a bespectacled, chubby man sneered. "Li Chengbin, you're about the same age as Zhang Yi. Have you already accepted him as your father?"
"Didn't you see how he treats us like cannon fodder?"
The phrase cannon fodder carried a heavy impact.
Upon hearing it, the expressions of the surrounding neighbors darkened.
After all, in the past few days, due to their ongoing assaults on the Tianhe Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang, more than a dozen of them had already died!
Thinking that this might soon be their fate as well sent chills down their spines.
Li Chengbin pointed at the man and shouted angrily, "Stop talking nonsense! At the very least, we still have food to eat, and that's all thanks to Zhang Yi!"
The chubby man, whose name was Luan Qiang, let out a disdainful chuckle.
"I won't deny that he's given us food. At first, I was even a little touched."
Then, gritting his teeth, he snapped, "But what about later? He's been forcing us into fights! He's pushing us straight into the fire pit!"
"We could've just stayed in our building and held our ground—why did we have to go out and attack others?"
"If we just ensured our own safety and let Zhang Yi go out every day to find food for us, wouldn't that be the best arrangement?"
"It's him—he's the one causing trouble and making enemies out of the other buildings! If he pisses off too many people, what if they all band together and attack us one day?"
Then, Luan Qiang dropped another bombshell.
"Besides, from what I've observed, Zhang Yi never eats the food he brings back for us."
"That means he's definitely keeping the good stuff for himself while feeding us garbage!"
"There are so many supermarkets and stores outside, yet he always says how hard it is to find food. Do you really believe that?"
"He's just taking us for fools!"
These words struck a chord with many people.
At first, they had believed they only needed to quietly defend Building 25.
Zhang Yi would go out and bring back food for them so they could eat their fill.
But then, Zhang Yi had actually made them go out and fight others—wasn't that just cruel?
They didn't want to die. Why should they be sent to their deaths?
Among the crowd, a woman lowered her head and murmured, "Zhang Yi is being a bit unreasonable. There's no need for us to risk our lives like this."
Emotions were contagious, especially among people who shared the same grievances.
One by one, others started voicing their discontent.
"We're out here fighting for our lives every day, while all he has to do is go out and scavenge a little food."
"He only has an advantage because of that snowmobile—what has he really contributed compared to us?"
"Exactly! If I had that snowmobile, I could go out and find food too. What's so hard about that?"
"I think Luan Qiang is right—he just wants us to be his cannon fodder, following his orders and fighting to the death for him!"
Li Chengbin's grip on his shovel loosened slightly.
Then, suddenly, he roared, "Enough! Stop talking like this! If Zhang Yi finds out, he might just kill you all!"
Everyone shuddered and fell silent.
But Luan Qiang, with a sinister smile, stepped up to Li Chengbin and lowered his voice.
"We've all said these things now. Are you going to tattle on us and get us all killed by Zhang Yi?"
The crowd's eyes immediately locked onto Li Chengbin.
If he dared to say anything they didn't like, they would kill him right then and there.
A cold sweat broke out on Li Chengbin's back. He swallowed hard.
"I… I didn't mean that. We're all neighbors, aren't we?"
"And even if you all die, do you think I'd be able to survive? Don't worry—I won't say a word."
Only then did Luan Qiang grin. "That's more like it!"
"We're just venting a little, that's all. No harm done."
Others chuckled as well.
"Yeah, why take it so seriously?"
"Back when we had jobs, we'd complain about our bosses all the time, but we still went to work every day, didn't we?"
Laughter spread through the crowd.
But in their eyes, something dark flickered.
After all, too many of them had died in recent days. Each person had thoughts brewing in their hearts.
Not long after, Zhang Yi and Uncle You returned, bringing two bags of low-quality food.
After learning about the battle, Zhang Yi made a show of comforting the group. He even took out two servings of braised pork rice and rewarded Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin.
The other neighbors received food as well—at least enough for two meals per person.
But Zhang Yi noticed something strange this time.
Although no one said anything outright, there was a certain hostility in their gazes.
Zhang Yi sneered inwardly. He knew they were starting to doubt him.
But so what?
He knew these people too well. They were all cowards.
Back when Chen Zhenghao had a single handgun, he had them all trembling, letting him do whatever he pleased.
Now, no matter how much they resented Zhang Yi for using them as cannon fodder, all he needed was a gun and a moldy piece of bread to have them groveling at his feet.
A bunch of worthless fools. They weren't even worth treating as human.
Meanwhile, Uncle You was happily handing over some clothes he had scavenged to Xie Limei.
Xie Limei's eyes lit up as she accepted them eagerly.
Uncle You had unknowingly picked out name-brand clothing—he didn't know much about fashion, so he had asked Zhang Yi to help him choose.
Xie Limei had never worn such expensive clothes before. Seeing that both she and her child now had new outfits, she clung to Uncle You's arm and said sweetly, "Brother You, you're the best!"
The other neighbors looked at the warm, high-quality clothes and couldn't help but feel jealous.
Gathering his courage, Luan Qiang spoke up.
"Zhang Yi, next time you go out, could you bring back some clothes for us too?"
"Preferably down jackets, or…" His eyes lingered greedily on Zhang Yi's professional-grade cold-weather gear, and he swallowed. "Something like what you're wearing. You should be able to find some, right?"
It was easy to tell who had the best clothing—just look at who wasn't shivering outside.
Every time they saw Zhang Yi standing there, unbothered by the cold, they knew his clothes were top-tier.
Eyes filled with longing turned toward Zhang Yi.
"Zhang Yi, since Uncle You could find some, maybe you could help us too?"
Zhang Yi's brows furrowed slightly, but he laughed coldly in his heart.
They're really pushing their luck. Do they have any idea how many people would kill just to have full bellies?
And now they want warm clothes too?
He put on a friendly smile and nodded. "If I get the chance, I'll definitely help you all find some."
"But my snowmobile is small—I can't carry too much. Maybe I should stop bringing back food and focus on finding clothes instead?"
The crowd immediately protested.
"No way! We still have clothes, even if they're not as warm. But going without food? That's unbearable!"
Zhang Yi nodded slowly. "Then I'll keep prioritizing food. But when I get the chance, I'll definitely find you all some warm clothes."
"So that you'll never feel cold again."
He smiled radiantly.