Chapter 30: Have Some Shame!

“See, Qiqi? I told you she’d come back! It’s almost 5:30—those blood mosquitoes will be swarming soon. If she dares to go out now, she’s walking straight into a trap!”

He Chunmei grabbed Zhang Qiqi’s hand and started walking back, speaking confidently as they went.

The others were momentarily stunned by her words, then realized what she meant.

Earlier at noon, the authorities had issued a blood mosquito warning, advising residents to return home before 5:30 and to keep doors and windows securely closed.

Most of the people involved in the “siege” were from Building A, though a few came from other buildings.

If they returned home late, they might run into the blood mosquitoes.

However, previously only the residents of Building D had encountered them; others hadn’t heard much.

Now with 3201 about to return, victory seemed within reach, and no one wanted to give up so easily.

Everyone exchanged glances and ultimately decided to stay.

It just so happened that this was peak time for people returning home, and the elevator kept stopping, taking forever to reach the 32nd floor.

Just as the crowd began doubting whether Jiang Yan had even gone upstairs, the door of 3204 creaked open.

A young couple in their twenties stepped out.

The man was well-built, with a crew cut, about 1.78 meters tall.

The woman was of average height, well-proportioned, with long black hair tied in a high ponytail.

Both were wearing quick-dry, sweat-wicking athletic clothes and sneakers, with fitness watches on their wrists, looking like they were headed for a workout.

“He! Sudai, Sun Jingtao, you two are home?! Perfect, come join us!” He Chunmei greeted them enthusiastically.

Sudai was a fitness coach, and Sun Jingtao a former soldier now working in a government security department.

Previously, on weekends, the couple would go to the gym near Sudai’s workplace at this time each afternoon.

These past few days, with the extreme heat and the appearance of aggressive blood mosquitoes, they had been exercising inside the building, taking the stairs instead.

Having stayed home all day today, they were restless, but the heat made stair-climbing impractical.

So they planned to walk around each floor for a bit, just for exercise.

Hearing He Chunmei’s invitation, Sudai smiled softly and said,
“Chunmei, we’ll pass this time.”

He Chunmei hadn’t expected refusal and felt a little embarrassed.

After all, everyone from other floors and buildings was joining; as neighbors, shouldn’t they participate too?

Most importantly, the group she had brought were old, weak, sick, or pregnant.

If a confrontation broke out, the odds weren’t in her favor.

But she knew Sudai and Sun Jingtao’s backgrounds—especially Sun Jingtao—he was clearly capable.

If she could win their support, her victory would be guaranteed.

Thinking this, He Chunmei raised her voice slightly:
“No, why not join?! You’ve been stuck at home all day—aren’t you hot? I saw the forecast, it’s going to be even hotter the next few days! Don’t you know, 3201 has two big air conditioners! We’re neighbors—we should be on the same side, right?”

Her words carried a hint of moral coercion, and others quickly chimed in:
“Yes, join us! Strength in numbers!”
“Miss, come on, join us!”

Sun Jingtao was straightforward. Hearing this, he snapped:
“He Chunmei, I think you misunderstand ‘same side.’ A ‘side’ only exists when there’s conflict or an enemy. We’re neighbors—why drag in this whole battlefield idea?!”

He Chunmei’s face darkened, and she replied in a condescending tone:
“Cough, see what little Sun says, taking things too seriously. I was just speaking casually!”

“What seriously? It’s just letting someone use the AC! And you’ve been yammering and fussing all day like a monkey! Have some shame! People don’t want to let you in, why are you insisting and making it messy?! Look at the 32nd floor—what a mess! And a bunch of people bullying a young girl—how is that fair? Even kids are dragged into this.

As adults, this is the example you’re setting for children?! Have some shame!” Sun Jingtao fired back sharply.

The air was stifling, people’s tempers even more so. Everyone’s emotions were like a powder keg, ready to ignite.

He Chunmei, angered, countered:
“Who are you to talk?! Her apartment is huge—whether she lets one person or a group use the AC, it’s still the same! It’s so hot, people are suffering. If she helps, isn’t that natural? Besides, we’re not refusing to pay!!”

“Chunmei, they’re not related to you. Helping is a favor, not helping is their right. Why force the girl?” Sudai said, gently linking arms with Sun Jingtao.

They had acted early, buying an AC online after noticing the unusual heat. Installation would happen tomorrow morning.

Their apartment and Jiang Yan’s were at opposite ends of the same corridor. Everything that happened outside Jiang Yan’s door today had been clearly visible to the couple.

Soon, He Chunmei and her crew would likely target them too.

So, in a way, the couple and Jiang Yan were actually on the same side.

Making their stance clear now was far better than dealing with it later.

Also, the couple generally had a strong moral compass.

Seeing them united, He Chunmei sneered sarcastically:
“Sudai, you two are speaking so lightly! If your miscarried baby had survived, it would be three or four years old by now! If you had a child and heatstroke risked your life, would you still be speaking so easily?!”

“You—” Sudai’s face immediately darkened.

She pursed her lips, eyes red, fists clenched, ready to strike He Chunmei, but Sun Jingtao grabbed her arm.

“Baby, don’t stoop to her level. She’s just an unreasonable lunatic today!” Sun Jingtao, also furious, clenched his fists, veins bulging.

If they actually attacked He Chunmei, it would backfire, making them the focus of the conflict.

He wasn’t foolish.

Besides, he worked in a government unit.

Though his security department wasn’t prominent, he was still in charge. His public image mattered.

Others were about to step in to intervene when Song Xiaofei, still staring at the elevator floor indicator, shouted:
“Mom! Mom! The elevator is almost at the 32nd floor!”

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