At the safety corridor.
Lan Jin had just finished pouring out some water and hadn't started cleaning yet when Ling Jiang and Grandma Ling pushed the door open and came in.
Seeing Lan Jin already busy, Sister Ling's grandmother smiled, "See, everyone knows this place needs cleaning. Only you didn't know and kept saying I was too hardworking."
Lan Jin looked at Ling Jiang in confusion, and Ling Jiang explained, "I was planning to ignore the stairs, but Grandma said it smells bad and is dirty. She insisted I clean it, and said I'm too messy and don't care about cleanliness. I didn't expect you to be quite hardworking."
Granma Ling chuckled, "If it's far away, then whatever, but your own place should be kept clean." Although she teased Ling Jiang's attitude, she wasn't really blaming her for being messy. It was all doting on her granddaughter.
Ling Jiang sighed, "It's because you care about these things that you think of it. I bet those two upstairs don't even think about it, probably like me."
But things were actually the opposite. Upstairs, Lao Gao's Huang Jinghe had already taken in some rainwater and was conscientiously going downstairs to clean, one after another. The only one without the awareness to do this was Ling Jiang herself.
Now even Grandma Ling was no longer sparing Ling Jiang, "Look at this, just you. A girl and so messy."
Lao Gao laughed, "She's always like that."
"That's true. This girl never liked cleaning since she was little. She always loved playing with rough and wild things."
As Grandma Ling rambled, the heavy mood lifted. The group started chatting casually. But Lan Jin was a little confused. Did the elderly really have such strong acceptance? They had so naturally taken on the 'aftercare' problem. Lan Jin really hadn't seen enough.
Maybe seeing her doubt, Ling Jiang explained, "This is nothing. More serious things have happened in our building before. Don't underestimate the old folks. As long as their family is safe, they won't think much of other things. The world is chaotic now, and thinking has to change fast, or else..."
Or else they wouldn't still be alive now.
...
Today's matter was originally no big deal for them. After cleaning the safety corridor, everyone went home. But because of the recent chaos, both Lan Jin and Ling Jiang assumed no one would dare cause trouble. So when they left, they didn't even lock their doors.
The 32nd floor had more than just their two households. When Lan Jin returned, she found an uninvited guest at home.
It was the woman from unit 3204.
Some people really don't learn.
Lan Jin stayed calm, even seeing the shadow of the visitor, she acted as if nothing was wrong and closed the door naturally.
The woman from 3204 stood by the second bedroom door, looking guilty, and said, "I... I just came to look around. Your doors are all locked tight."
"Of course. The master bedroom locks are for the child and dog. The second bedroom is full of food, so I have to lock it tight. Otherwise, how could you sneak in through the main door?" After speaking, Lan Jin added, "Shh, don't make noise. Be careful not to attract attention. My food isn't much. There might not be enough to share later."
Lan Jin walked toward the woman. Before the woman could figure out what Lan Jin meant, Lan Jin swung her hand down toward the woman's neck. The woman's vision went black and she staggered, about to fall.
Lan Jin reached out and caught her, slowly setting her down on the floor with a helpless tone, "Some people, why can't they just live well? They have to find trouble."
Of course, Lan Jin hadn't truly harmed her with that blow, but it made little difference.
Night fell.
With no light around, Lan Jin threw the woman from 3204, along with Ren Xing and Meng Ying, off the balcony into the floodwaters.
The heavy rain over the past two days made the flood fierce. When the three heavy bodies hit the water, no sound was made. After that, they disappeared from Lan Jin's life.
...
After five more days of continuous rain, the flood finally reached the 11th floor.
During these five days, many cursed the two floors for being heartless. Yet at the same time, they themselves also did many ruthless things.
Since no one dared come to attack them anymore, once the food was gone, they had no choice but to fight among themselves.
The first victims were the young woman on the 12th floor.
Since the woman from 701 moved into her home, she first took over the her room, then ate all the food the she had saved.
The woman shamelessly stayed inside, impossible to drive out. Like a locust, she drained the her vitality and then shamelessly handed her over to the men in the building in exchange for food.
The young woman truly never expected someone to be this evil. But the situation had reached this point. Regret came too late. She clutched her scant clothing and in her mind flashed the image of Lan Jin. Without thinking much, she quickly climbed upstairs and knocked on Lan Jin's door.
Lan Jin looked at the her, momentarily speechless. But to save her?
Sorry, she hadn't helped before. Helping now might only make the girl hate her more for what happened before. Wouldn't that be like inviting a wolf into the house? Plus, it really wasn't convenient.
Besides, things like this were very common in the apocalypse. The difference was between those who chose this fate and those who did not. But no matter what, everyone who wanted to live would end up in the same place.
In her previous life, Lan Jin had suffered hundreds of times more trying to avoid these dirty things. She really did not pity the young woman. After frowning at her once, she closed the door without saying a word.
The young woman was completely shocked. What did this mean? Didn't this woman have any sympathy? She was like this already.
The young woman pounded hard on Lan Jin's door, choking on tears, "Open the door, Sister, please open the door. I beg you. Only you can help me."
Inside, Lan Jin remained unmoved.
The young woman sobbed, "Sister, I beg you. Please save me."
Lan Jin still ignored her.
Lan Jin's coldness caused the young woman's expression to change immediately. She slammed on the door hard and shouted curses, "Open the door. Open the door for me. It's all your fault. If you hadn't refused me before, I wouldn't be in this mess. That woman from 701 is a demon. She ate all my food and traded me for food. She's not human. You're just like her. You're not human either. None of you are good people."
Just as Lan Jin was about to get up and kick her out, the child and the dog who had been quietly listening suddenly grew angry.