Chapter 75: Ye Mianmian’s Bleeding Heart Emerges

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Song Yi didn’t dampen her enthusiasm and continued along with her line of thought.

“Mm, once the rain and wind ease up a bit more, we’ll head out.”

“Great! Let’s take some time to really study the routes later.”

“Alright, I’ll go find the other two now. You can just come over in a bit.”

“Okay, I’ll also grab the map.”

As Jiang Yuan spoke, she left with Jiang Xingzhi.

“Sweetie, we have so much stuff at home. Do we really need to go out? Doesn’t seem necessary.”

“Dad, don’t you understand the situation now? What happened yesterday when we went to Ye Mianmian’s place really shook me.”

That’s right—she told him about what happened downstairs, though she left out the more disturbing parts.

She had no hidden agenda, just wanted everyone to stay vigilant. Just having food and water at home doesn’t mean they can safely make it through each day.

Human nature is often the scariest thing.

“Sigh, people like that aren’t common though.”

Her dad still tried to convince her, but Jiang Yuan didn’t want to risk future trouble, so she shattered his illusion directly.

“Dad, right now, no one can afford wishful thinking.

Back in ancient times during disasters, people resorted to cannibalism.

Modern people are even less equipped to endure hardship.

If Ye Mianmian hadn’t moved, who’s to say she wouldn’t have been the one lying in that room, abused?”

Ye Mianmian was someone her dad knew, so this made the warning hit harder than if it had been a stranger.

“And they didn’t even spare the boy.

What if there are even more twisted people out there? We can’t just sit around waiting to be victims.

There are elderly and children at home, and I’m a woman.

If I go out with Song Yi’s group, at least we’ll get some supplies. With others? We might not even make it back.”

She wasn’t saying women were weak—just that, in this kind of survival setting, the gap in physical strength between men and women is undeniable.

“Sigh… how did the world end up like this?”

Jiang Xingzhi couldn’t understand it. Just two months ago, everything was fine. This shift was too hard to accept.

“Dad, don’t dwell on it. We can only face reality.

Always prepare for the worst. You can’t assume anyone’s a good person.

This time, I’m going out with a purpose. Every time we’ve faced danger, our weapons haven’t been very effective.

I’ve seen security guards with electric batons. If we can get a few of those, that would be amazing.

Even Mom or Xiao Nuan could use one in an emergency.”

Jiang Xingzhi nodded—electric batons really were powerful and practical.

“And medicine—we stocked up before, but I’m worried about what new problems might arise once it gets colder.

Last night gave me some insight. If we can find a hospital, we should prepare a basic surgical kit.

If someone gets injured, we won’t be helpless.”

“You’re right. And once more people start scavenging, resources will get scarcer, and some people might resort to dirty tactics.

Injuries are something we have to plan for.”

By now, her dad was fully convinced. Jiang Yuan felt quite proud of her persuasive skills.

“Then when you head out, I’ll go with you.”

“Absolutely not. Right now, our whole building is a prime target—people are watching us.

If both you and I leave, what will Mom and Xiao Nuan do if something happens?

Don’t forget about that scummy couple on the 20th floor.”

Her reminder scared Jiang Xingzhi. Those two hadn’t held back at all when they came banging on the door.

“Alright, sweetie, don’t worry. I’ll hold down the fort. Whatever you decide to do, I support you.

Just make sure you take care of yourself—your safety comes first.”

“I know, Dad. Don’t worry so much, we’re just discussing things, not heading out right this second.”

Jiang Yuan patted his back, helping calm him down, and felt a warm wave of affection. In this life, she wasn’t fighting alone anymore.

After grabbing her supplies, she headed to apartment 2102. She knocked several times—no answer.

She could faintly hear the child’s voice inside, though. Strange, she’d been talking to her dad for quite a while—why hadn’t Song Yi come out yet?

Could something have happened?

Jiang Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. She rushed downstairs.

Just as she opened the stairwell door, she saw Song Yi leading the way back up from the 20th floor.

Zhang Kaiyang and Ye Mianmian were right behind him. Thank goodness.

“I thought something happened. Took you guys long enough.”

Once they got to Song Yi’s apartment, Ye Mianmian spoke up hesitantly.

“Yuan-jie… I just went to my old place.”

“You mean on the 11th floor?”

“Mm.”

No wonder Song Yi’s expression was off, and even the usually talkative Zhang Kaiyang looked like he had something to say but didn’t.

“What did you do?”

Jiang Yuan had a bad feeling—had this girl really kicked those three people out?

No way, not Ye Mianmian. She’s a sweet, kind-hearted princess type—not someone who’d do something like that.

“I… I felt sorry for them. I brought over a few warm clothes and some food. Also some leftover medicine from my home.”

As she spoke, her voice got quieter and quieter, and she could barely lift her head.

In this world, helping others had practically become something you were ashamed to admit—what a cruel irony.

“Mianmian, I know you’re kind. What’s done is done.

But you need to stay alert.

Even if they’re victims, people are unpredictable. If they finish what you gave them and come back for more, will you give it? Or not?

A little kindness turns into expectation. And when you can’t meet it, resentment follows.

That’s how the saying goes—‘Give a man a fish, and he expects a feast.’

And in times like this, food equals survival.

We were lucky last time and got a lot. But who knows if we’ll stay lucky?”

“I understand, Yuan-jie. I won’t act so soft-hearted again.”

Ye Mianmian was actually happy Jiang Yuan was willing to explain this to her. It was way better than Song Yi’s cold face—he was just plain scary.

“I was wrong too,” Zhang Kaiyang added, head bowed. “I didn’t stop her—in fact, I helped and even gave extra.”

“Alright, what’s done is done. Just be more careful next time.

We don’t hurt others, but we can’t make ourselves targets either.

Take it as a lesson learned.”

“Mm. Yuan-jie, we won’t do that again. But those three really were pitiful.”

Jiang Yuan sighed. There were too many pitiful people. They couldn’t save everyone.

“There’s nothing we can do.

Whether they survive or not—it’s fate now.

Don’t think I’m being heartless. It’s just reality. We all have to be realistic.

Besides, those two men left behind supplies. They can last a few days.

The wind has died down too. Once the rain stops, they’ll have to start fending for themselves.

Everyone has to survive somehow.”