[edited]

In her previous life, there was indeed a collection of ‘protection grain,’ three pounds of grain per person per week, and the consequences for not being able to provide it were severe. 

Young men and women were taken out for others entertainment, while the middle aged and elderly tried to find supplies outside. 

Of course, if you didn’t agree, you could leave, but the outcome would either be freezing or starving to death. 

Such despicable acts were rampant, not just in Jinrong Community, but everywhere. Even when the government sent the police to clear them out, but they were well informed and played a cat and mouse game, either hiding in survivors’ homes or returning after the police left. 

They couldn’t be completely eradicated; like weeds after a rain, they’d sprout up again. The survivors suffered the most. 

Two households on the 17th floor didn’t make it. They want to move up to 1701, and another family wants to move up too, aiming for 1702, so they came to ask.’ 

Jiang Ning understood. The Zhong family wanted to be closer for mutual support. 

The house wasn’t hers, so whether they stayed or not had nothing to do with her, but she still needed to say what needed to be said. 

‘Actually, you can live wherever you want, but before moving, you should think carefully. It’s not just the people in this building; those from other units are eyeing us as well. If they rush in, the people on the 17th floor will be the first targets. 

In this day and age, everyone’s struggling. They can only look out for themselves; She can’t take care of others.’ 

Indeed, the Zhong family wanted to seek refuge, feeling that it would be relatively safer to be closer to the 18th floor, especially given the chaos outside. 

Jiang Ning spoke straightforwardly, and Grandma Zhong chuckled awkwardly, ‘Life and death are fated. Grandma wouldn’t dare to ask you young people for protection. Moving to the 17th floor is just for peace of mind and we won’t trouble you.’ 

After exchanging greetings, Grandma Zhong got up to leave. 

Opening the door to see her off, she found a letter on the steps, and it was addressed to her. 

Ah, it finally arrived! 

Jiang Ning remained composed and picked up the letter, tucking it into her pocket without even looking at it. She then headed to 1803 to discuss the concerns Grandma Zhong had. 

Hearing about He Zhian’s atrocities, Zheng Weili was furious, ‘That beast, I’ll kill him!’ 

Zhang Weili doesn’t like to say many ruthless words 

But in this cannibalistic apocalypse, killing one He Zhian would only lead to countless others. They couldn’t kill them all. 

Moreover, he didn’t force those with better looks into anything; it was consensual. Everyone got what they wanted. 

The most important thing now was, what if the outside criminal groups really stormed in? 

Unlike the untidy group downstairs, they had guns. Even if they managed to beat one group, another would come. 

Lu Yu and Zhang Chao’s faces changed. They hadn’t expected the outside situation to be so chaotic. ‘Should we move out?’ 

Jiang Ning asked, ‘Where would we go?’ 

Zhang Chao thought for a moment. ‘How about the villas on the hillside?’ 

Ignoring the fact that the tallest villa there was already flooded up to the second floor, did they have blast-proof glass and multiple stainless steel doors there? 

Even if they did, would others not try to break in? 

Zheng Weili was determined. ‘No moving. Whoever comes, I’ll fight to the death.  

If you move out, you will just die faster. 

That was Jiang Ning’s choice too. She couldn’t possibly move. 

No need to rush to express it; her gaze fell on Huo Yishen. 

Huo Yishen remained expressionless. ‘Living on the 17th floor doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safer. If they insist on moving, that’s fine. We’ll just install more doors on the stairs. It won’t be so easy for outsiders to rush up.’ 

Zhang Chao looked enlightened. 

Indeed, it was like a fortress war. To get to the 18th floor, one had to breach the 17th floor first. Having more barriers made it easier to counterattack.” 

Jiang Ning deeply agreed. “I’m afraid it’s useless. If they dare to come, we will beat them until they dare not come!” 

Her words were filled with killing intent. 

This startled Zhang Chao and Lu Yu. Was this still the same Jiang Ning they knew? 

She was icy cold, like she’s crawling out of a pile of corpses. Just one glance sent shivers down their spines. 

“Woof!” 

Coke stood beside Jiang Ning, baring his teeth, showing a fierce demeanor: Whoever dares to intimidate them will face it! 

With a unanimous understanding, they each made preparations. 

Jiang Ning closed the door before taking out the envelope. 

[ I know your secret. ] 

[ If you want to keep it, meet at Xinyi City at 3 PM. ] 

[ You must come alone, otherwise, your secret will be exposed. ] 

The handwriting is sloppy, and it looks like a fake at first glance. 
 

Ha, not even daring to sign their name, yet they had the guts to threaten her? 

Even guessing with her toes, Jiang Ning knew who it was. 

Xinyi City was less than two kilometers from Jinrong Community, a shopping mall that offered food, drinks, and entertainment. Now… most of it was buried in ice. 

It was now noon, and there was plenty of time for the appointment. 

It was too cold outside; one needed enough energy to withstand the extreme cold. Jiang Ning had two bowls of fragrant rice, a steamed pork rib, and some home style stir fried meat. 

Coke didn’t want to eat dog food; it stared at the pork rib while drooling. Its eyes were weak and helpless, as if protesting the treatment: discrimination! 

Jiang Ning admitted her mistake and immediately prepared a meal for it, replacing the stir fried meat with crispy fried fish. That made the dog very happy. 

The flood had frozen, and it was extremely cold outside, but more people came out to search for supplies. 

They needed more than just food; they also needed firewood for warmth. 

As survivors ventured out, various crimes became more rampant, with some being robbed even before leaving the community. 

Some managed to find supplies but never had the chance to return home. 

Jiang Ning didn’t want Coke to take risks outside, but the dog grabbed onto her pants and wouldn’t let go. 

It seemed to be saying that if she didn’t agree, it wouldn’t let her leave. 

Oh, so it was threatening her? 

Jiang Ning had no choice but to put a thermoregulating coat on it, followed by stab proof clothing. Any more than that, and it would start causing trouble. 

The trainer was right; mastiffs could adapt quickly to any harsh environment. However, it had only been a few days, and its adaptability was many times stronger than hers. 

She wore a thermoregulating coat under a bulletproof vest, topped with an Arctic cold proof suit. 

She wasn’t sure if it was the thermoregulating coat or the Arctic cold proof suit, but apart from her hands and feet, she wasn’t cold at all. 

Thinking of the threatening letter, Jiang Ning found a backpack and stuffed Coke inside. 

But Coke loved freedom; it insists on not getting into the backpack. 

Jiang Ning had to coax it, “We’re going out to catch bad guys, but only I can go to meet them. Otherwise, our rations will be exposed, so you can only sneak into the village. 

Messing with its food? That was simply intolerable! 

The dog instantly stands up, but obediently crawled into the backpack. 

Come on, pooper scooper, zip it up. If no one dies today, this won’t be resolved! 

The dog seemed heavier now that it was on her back. 

Going down the stairs, the whole building was eerily silent, as if it was devoid of any life. 

When she reached 1202, she deliberately slowed down, casting a meaningful glance around.