Zhang Yi ignored Li Jian's request and turned to leave, heading back to his place.
Li Jian was a typical idealist, someone who talked about dreams without the strength to make them a reality.
But achieving those ideals required power, not just slogans.
As Zhang Yi returned to Building 25, he happened to pass by Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang, who were holding cigarettes, puffing away as if they could inhale the whole cigarette.
The moment they saw Zhang Yi, both of them immediately put on a flattering smile and walked over to him.
"Brother Zhang, you're not going out today? Or did you already gather all the food yesterday?" Wang Qiang smiled widely, full of enthusiasm.
If you didn't know better, you'd think he was Zhang Yi's cousin.
"I'll go out later," Zhang Yi replied with a smile.
Huang Tianfang also came over, grinning as he said, "Zhang Yi is the biggest contributor in our community! Unlike these useless people," he pointed at the residents shoveling snow, "they can't even do a simple job, always begging for food! Hmph!"
Zhang Yi smiled and said, "If they don't know how to work, you can teach them."
Wang Qiang glanced at the well-behaved residents he had tamed, sneering as he said, "They're just two arms and legs—what's there they can't do? A good beating, and they'll listen!"
Then, with a cheeky grin, he turned to Zhang Yi. "Brother Zhang, this Jinwan cigarette is a bit too strong. Next time, can you get me some Yuxi?"
Huang Tianfang snorted, "Yuxi? Why not ask for Zhonghua too? As long as you have something to smoke, it's good enough. Don't burden Zhang Yi with this stuff!"
Zhang Yi chuckled, "It's not a big deal. I'll help you find some next time. If I can get it, I'll bring it over. Shouldn't be too hard."
"Besides," he continued, "right now, cigarettes are precious, but there's no need to worry about what's valuable or not."
"If you want me to find Yuxi or Zhonghua, I can do that. But if you ask for Dujiang or Hong Sanhuan, I can't guarantee I'll find it!"
The three of them burst into laughter, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.
"By the way, I'll see if I can find some good liquor for you guys. It's freezing, a little alcohol to warm up wouldn't hurt!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Tianfang and Wang Qiang were both excited.
Huang Tianfang loved drinking, and Wang Qiang had a good tolerance for alcohol as well.
Liking alcohol was one thing, but the real appeal was that in this cold weather, liquor could help them keep warm—it was truly a good thing!
"Brother Zhang, you're so righteous! I was wrong to doubt you before. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to call on us!" Wang Qiang gave Zhang Yi a thumbs-up, genuinely moved.
Huang Tianfang glanced at him, also eager to show his gratitude. "Zhang Yi, you're our benefactor! I can never repay you for saving my life, but from now on, my one hundred and forty pounds is all yours!"
Zhang Yi smiled warmly, patting them on the arm.
"Don't say that. From now on, we're the best partners!"
"We're all just trying to survive better in this apocalypse. Only cooperation can lead to a win-win."
"Feel free to ask me for anything you need! If I can do it, I'll make it happen."
After finishing his speech, Zhang Yi pointed outside. "I'll head out now."
Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang quickly responded, "You're busy, go ahead!"
Zhang Yi nodded with a smile, then went to fetch his snowmobile and left Yue Lu Community.
Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang watched Zhang Yi's retreating figure, their expressions becoming a bit more complicated.
They exchanged a glance, not exactly on the best terms, and then turned to leave.
On the way back, Wang Qiang lowered his head, deep in thought. "Why has Zhang Yi suddenly become so nice? He gave me cigarettes, and now he's even offering to bring me liquor."
"Did I misjudge him before?"
He frowned and carefully pondered the situation.
He had never had any direct conflict with Zhang Yi before the apocalypse. However, after the disaster began, he had tried to steal Zhang Yi's snowmobile and even set up an ambush in the snow, only to be countered by Zhang Yi's retaliation.
Wang Qiang slapped his forehead. "Wait a minute! If you put it that way, it's not that he wasn't righteous, but that I was the one who acted wrongly. Zhang Yi's a good guy, someone you can work with!"
A cruel smile slowly spread across his face.
"I like people who are straightforward!"
...
On the other side, Huang Tianfang was also contemplating Zhang Yi's change in attitude.
"Why is he suddenly being nice to me? Honestly, with his strength, he shouldn't be afraid of me."
"That means he probably really wants peace, doesn't want to keep fighting. After all, he's just one person, and his subordinates aren't all on the same page."
"If he keeps pushing forward, he might even end up dead one day. So he's probably scared!"
After pondering for a while, Huang Tianfang believed he had figured out Zhang Yi's shift in attitude.
A smug smile spread across his face.
"This is good news!"
...
After Zhang Yi left, he went back to the library.
Norwegian Wood was an interesting book. Haruki Murakami's subtle melancholy was a representative of post-war Japanese culture—a kind of melancholic reflection that lingered on, like cherry blossoms in the aftermath of war.
Zhang Yi slowly read the entire book, gently closing it and placing it back on the shelf.
It wasn't that he was being sentimental, but it was rare for him to get in the mood to read. He doubted he'd have the time or inclination for such things in the future.
There was no need to haul the library back to his space to collect dust.
Zhang Yi was the kind of person who, when in a bookstore, would want to buy every book he saw, but once he brought them home, he'd lose interest.
He checked his Rolex, which was now four in the afternoon. As usual, it was time to go collect some food and bring it back to the community.
He murmured to himself, "I wonder when those guys will fall into the trap? I need to slowly lower their guard and wait for the right moment to strike."
Zhang Yi left the library, gathered the necessary supplies at the supermarket, then hopped on his snowmobile and returned to the community.
Today, there were more building managers picking up supplies.
Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang were among the crowd, eagerly eyeing the snake-skin bag at Zhang Yi's feet.
Their goal, of course, was the cigarettes and liquor Zhang Yi had promised to bring them.
The reason they came in person was to take it all for themselves.
Otherwise, these rare items could easily cause friction between them and their subordinates.
Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang knew this all too well. Yesterday, when they received the cigarettes, their subordinates had almost fought over them.
When they saw the two of them personally picking up the food, Zhang Yi couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Alright, everyone, please line up in order to receive your food!"
As the manager of Building 1 walked over, he suddenly whispered to Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, if you're bringing cigarettes for Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang, could you bring some for us too?"