Until someone moved to smash the surveillance camera, Yu Xifeng opened the door.

A crossbow bolt shot out from the railing of the alloy door and pierced the person’s shoulder.

Blood dripped onto the ground, and the crowd scattered in an uproar.

After that, it became much quieter.

Another incident happened in the residential compound.

Someone rushed in, killed the people inside, and brazenly looted all the food supplies.

Their targets were mostly the old, weak, and children.

The family that ran the boxed meal business—husband and wife running it together—the man who cooked and was physically strong, wasn’t spared either.

Blood seeped out from the door cracks, and the smell cut through the stench of the garbage, instilling a soul-deep terror.

It was said that when found, the man’s body was stabbed many times, with intestines spilled all over the floor.

It wasn’t surprising.

After all, they prepared food—no matter how you looked at it, their rice and dishes were always more plentiful than others’.

It was only natural people coveted it.

Chenchen’s father’s household was also robbed.

Probably because they didn’t resist much, they were left alive.

But the refrigerator and kitchen were completely emptied.

Chenchen’s mother dragged her child around the compound, knocking on doors from house to house, begging—not ashamed, only numb.

Her husband hid behind her, afraid to lift his head.

Yu Xifeng had plenty of food.

But she could only guard her own supplies without showing any hint of it.

Hungry people were no different from beasts.

It was the 45th day of the heavy rain.

The door was knocked.

It was Sister Yun, here to remind Yu Xifeng that the community was distributing supplies.

Everyone paid 30 yuan and received 500g compressed biscuits and two cans of cold vegetable dishes.

The price didn’t really matter.

At this point, it was basically free.

Privately, a less-than-300g bottle of juice sold for 120 yuan a bottle, but there was no market for it.

Sellers holding juice preferred to trade for two jin (approx. 1 kg) of sweet potatoes instead.

Yu Xifeng took her ID and went downstairs with Sister Yun.

“Line up properly, one by one, everyone will get their share,” the property management was helping maintain order.

Yu Xifeng saw Tan Wanwan; four girls were together and immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Tan Wanwan looked pale and thin, her large eyes full of viciousness.

Behind her was Chen Caifeng; her cheeks were hollowed, and her pregnant belly looked shockingly large.

Ma Tian wasn’t there.

Yu Xifeng looked away.

Everyone’s spirits were very low, eyes eagerly fixed on the supplies.

“Teacher Yu,” Tan Wanwan called out, seeming to want to say something.

Yu Xifeng tilted her head. Though she wore a hat, zipped her jacket up to her chin, and wrapped a scarf tightly as if afraid of the wind, Tan Wanwan had known Yu Xifeng for years and still noticed that Yu Xifeng’s cheeks were flushed with health, and her gaze steady, showing no fatigue or superficiality.

She was managing well on her own.

Tan Wanwan suddenly felt wronged.

Why was this unfair?

She kindly brought her roommates home and gave the master bedroom to Chen Caifeng.

But what did she get in return?

Qian Ying resented her for bringing Ma Tian home; Chen Caifeng bossed her around like a servant!

“Teacher Yu, can I come to your place to talk?” Tan Wanwan bit her lip.

Yu Xifeng shook her head. “Say whatever you need to say here.”

Tan Wanwan looked like she was about to cry.

Yu Xifeng remained unmoved.

When it was finally her turn, Yu Xifeng registered her information as required, paid 30 yuan in cash, and received 500g compressed biscuits, two cans of cold dishes, and two jin of rice.

If rationed carefully, it could last four or five days.

Many people tried to barter their random scraps for compressed biscuits.

Someone wanted to trade tea cakes for Yu Xifeng’s biscuits, boasting they were premium Dahongpao tea worth over 2,000 yuan.

Yu Xifeng declined.

With so many eyes watching, giving away the biscuits now would only attract unwanted attention.

Sister Yun, who was just ahead of her in line, returned visibly shaken.

“I heard the supermarket has rationing now. Even with money, you can’t buy much. There were bodies pulled out of the water. Going out to buy things is risking your life.”

Her tone held no surprise, only relief.

Just in this community alone, several fatal disputes had occurred.

Sister Yun was just glad she had successfully brought back the supplies from the supermarket, with no rationing or deaths.

“Someone’s stealing!”

Aunt Liu tried to grab a handful of rice while others were busy registering their info, but was caught immediately.

“You young lady, what nonsense are you talking? I’m paying for this,” Aunt Liu said, pulling out ten yuan.

“Everyone’s rice quota is only half a jin. That’s been made very clear.”

Aunt Liu wailed loudly, “My grandson isn’t getting enough to eat! Are you going to watch him starve to death? You have no conscience!”

“Children have their own quota; bring the child to register.”

With Aunt Liu dragging on, the line stalled, and the crowd became restless.

“After purchasing your quota, please leave promptly to avoid congestion,” the property management shouted through a loudspeaker.

Aunt Liu’s eyes darted around. “My son’s coming back this afternoon. I need to buy another quota. Here’s his household registration book.”

“The person must be present.”

Someone jeered at Aunt Liu: “You say your son’s coming back, but it’s been over a month. Is he ever coming back or not?”

Aunt Liu glared fiercely. “You better die if you dare curse my son!”

If disorderly complaints could get favors, how could order be maintained in such a crowd?

Captain Wang strode over. “What’s all the noise? If you don’t want to buy, go home. Don’t affect others.”

It was the same Captain Wang who had brought Yu Xifeng home last time.

Aunt Liu was cowed, stepping back two paces.

Captain Wang stared as she put back the extra rice, then fined her 200 yuan.

He clearly noticed Yu Xifeng and nodded slightly at her.

Yu Xifeng smiled back.

Captain Wang seemed about to say something more to Yu Xifeng, but someone started causing a scene in another direction.

He gave Yu Xifeng a look and hurried off to restore order.

After this disruption, the distribution of supplies went much smoother.

Sister Yun whispered, “Do you know Captain Wang?”

Yu Xifeng thought for a moment and shook her head. “Not really.”

“Do you think, with my surveillance footage, we could report it to the police?”

When Ma Tian brought people to cause trouble, Sister Yun had tried to call the police, but the signal didn’t go through, and the call never connected.

Now that order was maintained right here, Sister Yun naturally wanted to try again.

Yu Xifeng considered it carefully.

Whether professionally or personally, Captain Wang didn’t seem like someone who would stand by idly.

So she agreed with Sister Yun’s idea.

Sister Yun went after it.

Yu Xifeng was roughly considered a witness but wasn’t sure if she needed to give a statement, so she stayed where she was.

With Sister Yun’s surveillance footage, the evidence was airtight.

Ma Tian was soon taken away.

Captain Wang came to find Yu Xifeng again.

This time, his look was different—measuring and assessing her.