Chapter 11: Knocking at the Door Downstairs

The neighborhood WeChat group was buzzing non-stop. Jiang Yuan felt that it was still good to stay connected with the people—she read every single message.

0802: “Is it still possible to buy a generator now? Anyone want to team up…”

0302: “Raising my hand, I want one.”

0902: “Everything outside is under lockdown now. Who can even go out to buy one? We probably can’t even get past the community gate.”

1201: “What if we catch that rash? Then we’re all done for.”

0802: “What do we do? It’s so hot. Kind-hearted neighbors, please take us in 🥺🥺🥺”

0902: “Those of you who bought generators earlier, share a little fuel, please. It’s too hot, save the babies!”

0802: “Good people will have peaceful lives.”

0601: “Good people will have peaceful lives +1”

Most of the following messages were urging those who owned generators to donate some of their fuel so the property management could use it to power the community’s backup systems.

Of course, anyone who bought a generator would’ve also stocked up on fuel—but they all bought it privately. How much could each household really store?

Some users started tagging those who had previously purchased generators. No one replied for a long time. The group chat gradually shifted from suggestions to accusations.

0302: “Just give a little for everyone to use. We’re all neighbors. Don’t be like this, okay?”

0201: “Yeah, yeah. It’s almost unbearable. We can pitch in some money, we’re not asking for it for free…”

0802: “Why is no one saying anything? Come on, it’s not that serious…”

1801: “We have a generator at home, but we don’t have much fuel either. Please, just let us be.”

1402: “Exactly. Everyone’s fuel stock is limited. Please stop with the moral coercion…”

0802: “Who’s morally coercing? We’re all neighbors—do you really have to be so stingy? We even said we’d pay!”

0202: “Even if you don’t give us fuel, at least let us come sit in your AC for a bit. One more person won’t use that much more fuel.”

0302: “Yeah, yeah, please take us in…”

…

0802: “Anyone else want to try organizing a bulk purchase? Let’s do another group order—someone is bound to make it out.”

Surprisingly, that call did get a response. Quite a few people joined in and tagged the same person who organized the last bulk buy…

The rest of the chat became hard to read.

See? Once personal interests get involved, everyone becomes selfish. That’s human nature.

Just as Jiang Yuan was secretly glad she hadn’t joined the group order, the doorbell rang.

“Who could it be?” her mom asked nervously.

“I’ll go check.”

Obviously she wasn’t going to open it right away—the door was equipped with a surveillance monitor. Jiang Yuan turned on the leftmost display, which showed the main entrance.

Three people: two men and one woman. She vaguely recognized one of the men and the woman from downstairs on the 20th floor—they had visited during renovations.

Lushan Yayuan’s first-phase buildings were all mid-rises. The 21st floor was the top.

She had originally installed a security door at the emergency stairwell, but after 2102 got occupied, she left it unlocked. Who would’ve thought that would benefit these uninvited guests.

Jiang Yuan pressed the intercom button to activate the audio.

“Hello, how can I help you?”

The three were apparently startled by her voice from the door. It took them three seconds to react.

The woman quickly spoke: “Hi, beautiful, we’re your neighbors from downstairs. We noticed your AC is running—you must have a generator!”

Jiang Yuan stayed silent. After a pause, the woman continued.

“It’s like this—my baby is really young. Could we come up and stay for a bit? It’s too hot, and the kid can’t take it.”

“Please? Is that okay?” she added, urging again.

“Sorry, it’s not convenient,” Jiang Yuan replied coldly and hung up.

Hell no. Let them in, and all her supplies would be exposed.

“Hello? Hello?” The woman called out again, knocked on the door, then muttered something foul-mouthed under her breath.

To Jiang Yuan’s surprise, the three didn’t leave. Instead, they turned and headed toward 2102.

She quickly switched to another monitor. As she expected, they were likely saying the same lines. But after knocking for a while, no one opened the door.

Nice. Next time, she’d just play dead too. Who doesn’t know how to ghost?

Eventually, the three left, swearing as they went. With AC units running upstairs, their hum was easily audible with the windows open. For safety’s sake, maybe they’d better switch to just using fans.

Jiang Yuan had a strong feeling that now that the power was out, it wouldn’t be back for a long time. Better to be cautious.

“Yuan Yuan, there really is a little kid downstairs, probably just three or four. Shouldn’t we let the child come up, at least?”

Her dad glanced at her mom and gave her a “you’re naive” look.

“If we let them come up today, what about tomorrow? And the next day?”

“My dad’s right. Mom, in situations like this, we absolutely can’t get soft-hearted. If you let them in once, they won’t be grateful. Next time you say no, they’ll curse you for it.”

Her dad nodded approvingly: “Exactly. That’s what they mean by ‘a gift of rice brings grace, a sack of rice brings hatred.’”

“Also, once they come inside, they’ll see all the supplies we have. If they run out of food and water later, they’ll definitely come to us. Once or twice, and it’ll become a habit.”

As soon as supplies were mentioned, her mom got serious: “No way. Who knows how long this situation will last. I’m already worried we don’t have enough—no way we’re sharing it with them.”

“Right. And if it were us begging someone else, do you think they’d take in Little Nuan just because she’s a kid?”

After all, even her biological father didn’t care whether she lived or died.

“Enough talk. What do you two want to eat today? I’ll cook.”

Seeing her mom cheer up, Jiang Yuan felt reassured.

“Sweet and sour ribs, please! And spicy shredded potatoes. Those are both great for the appetite.”

“Sure, anything my daughter wants to eat, I’ll make it for her.”

Her mom happily started cooking. Jiang Yuan wasn’t worried about food smells leaking—after all, they had the best high-end exhaust hood installed. Not a whiff would get out. The system worked like a charm!

Just as they were leisurely gnawing on ribs, the doorbell rang again.

Damn it. Will it never end?

Jiang Yuan stormed to the foyer and checked the monitor.

Huh? It was 2102?

Should she open it? After a three-second hesitation, she decided not to.

She hit the intercom: “Hello, what’s up?”

“I’m your neighbor from 2102. Hi, I just added you on WeChat—check your messages when you get a chance. This watermelon is for you guys.”

What now?

He came to give a watermelon?

Click! Jiang Yuan opened the door, curious what this guy was up to.

“What’s going on?”

Clearly surprised that she actually opened the door, he looked for a moment, then regained his usual calm.

“Those people from downstairs knocked on your door earlier. I figured they came to mine too.”

Ah, so that’s what this is about!

“That’s right.”