Yu Xifeng glanced around at the people nearby, keeping a pace slightly above average.

They worked like this for about half an hour.

Gradually, everyone returned to the building to shelter from the wind.

Some people were freezing and pulled out small bottles of baijiu (strong liquor) from their pockets, taking a sip amid envious looks.

Yu Xifeng’s thermos was filled with milk tea, containing coconut jelly and pearls.

She thought the milk tea she made tasted too bland, so she added two extra spoonfuls of sugar.

Standing off to the side, she took a couple of sips.

Milk tea, unlike alcohol, didn’t have much smell.

After resting for about ten minutes, Yu Xifeng picked up the shovel again.

After working for a while longer, she felt it was about done, finished up, and stood up.

Someone from the community center came over to replace the previous workers.

Squinting, Yu Xifeng recognized the person as Yi Jiancong, a resident from the 13th floor who lived with Yang Rong.

“Yu Xifeng, come here,” Yi Jiancong called.

Before Yu Xifeng could move, Yi Jiancong said, “We still need people over on the rooftop. Go there and sweep.”

The rooftop was quite large, more than three hundred square meters. Yu Xifeng confirmed, “Just me?”

Yi Jiancong looked impatient: “Yes, just you. What are you dawdling for? Hurry up.”

Yu Xifeng turned and walked away, putting the shovel back in its place before leaving.

“Yu Xifeng, didn’t you hear me? I told you to clear the snow off the rooftop of Building 1. Why are you putting away the shovel?”

“Under whose authority are you ordering me around here?” Yu Xifeng replied.

Her tone wasn’t angry, but it put pressure on him.

“You can’t leave until the work is done,” Yi Jiancong said. He hadn’t come to reason with Yu Xifeng today.

Yu Xifeng looked at Yi Jiancong and, after just one glance, lost interest in confronting him. His flaws were as obvious as a sieve.

The community was falling apart; it was only a matter of time.

Yu Xifeng cooperated with the community’s arrangements out of respect for collective power, but that didn’t mean she was a pushover to be exploited for personal gain.

“Stop right there. Do you still want to live in Cocoya County?”

Yu Xifeng turned and asked, puzzled, “What do you mean?”

“You’re living in Rong Ge’s house. If you’re smart, you’ll go clear the snow. Since you contributed to the community, I’ll let you stay a few more days.”

Yi Jiancong had been signaled by Xu Qingrou and Yang Rong, and deliberately came today to take over the shift, just to show Yu Xifeng who was boss.

“Rong Ge’s house,” Yu Xifeng smiled, “If he stood in front of me, let’s see if he dares say that.”

If he dared speak, Yu Xifeng would send Yang Rong to meet her biological mother.

Yi Jiancong never expected such a reaction.

He thought Yu Xifeng would be scared and say something meek to beg for mercy, so he could report back to Yang Rong.

Who knew this tiger skin was so easily pierced? Yi Jiancong stood there, face turning red.

He was about to say something more to save face when a tall figure strode in from outside the community.

He looked imposing and cold.

Captain Wang said, “What are you doing?”

Yi Jiancong jumped in place, stammering, “Captain Wang, Captain Wang.”

Captain Wang was newly assigned to oversee security in this area.

Though he wasn’t from the same system as Yi Jiancong or Yang Rong, Captain Wang held much more authority.

If anything serious happened, in extreme cases, Yi Jiancong might be taken down here with no one to argue on his behalf.

Yi Jiancong hurriedly said, “Nothing much. Just organizing snow clearing here.”

Yu Xifeng stood quietly on the side.

“Is that you?” Captain Wang took measured steps toward Yu Xifeng, each step precise, as if measured with a ruler.

It was impressive that he recognized her even though only her eyeballs were visible.

Yu Xifeng smiled slightly, acknowledging him.

Yi Jiancong regretted deeply, wishing he could slap himself.

If he hadn’t known Yu Xifeng was all alone, he wouldn’t have bothered her.

He had never heard before that she knew Captain Wang.

Captain Wang asked Yu Xifeng, “What’s going on?”

Yu Xifeng glanced at Yi Jiancong and shook her head, choosing not to use Captain Wang’s authority to deal with Yi Jiancong.

As long as Yang Rong gained power, not only would he seek recognition himself, but his underlings would compete to curry favor.

Yu Xifeng was a ready-made scapegoat.

If not Yi Jiancong, there was Li Jiancong or Wang Jiancong.

It was so annoying.

She still had to pin down the Yang surname faction.

Yu Xifeng thought for a moment and recalled Han Lei.

She had a good impression of him, and he was Yang Rong’s superior.

After two encounters, it was clear he was somewhat smooth but could settle down and get things done.

The community center was full of factions, each taking turns in power — very chaotic.

Rather than let some unknown person organize the community, it was better to back Han Lei.

At least with Han Lei in control, Yang Rong couldn’t continue rising.

All these thoughts circled in Yu Xifeng’s mind.

She looked at Captain Wang and said, “We meet again.”

“Did you clear this snow?” Captain Wang asked.

Yu Xifeng nodded.

“Then you’re done for today. Let me take you back.”

Yu Xifeng said, “I feel bad troubling you every time we meet.”

“No problem.”

“Why are you here?” Yu Xifeng was genuinely curious. In her previous life, the community center had official staff stationed, but she was sure Captain Wang was not among them.

Why was Captain Wang now at Cocoya County?

Was it because of her rebirth?

The butterfly effect — how much would it change? Would the future develop as in her previous life?

Her experience from the past life was her greatest reliance, and many of her preparations were based on that.

What if those later events never happened? Would her choices still be right?

Yu Xifeng felt uncertain.

But since she came back from her previous life to change her path, why fear change?

She quickly came to terms with it, then heard Captain Wang say, “I was transferred here after leaving the military. How have you been recently?”

She was doing well, eating well and sleeping soundly.

But she couldn’t just say that.

“I don’t know your name yet,” Yu Xifeng said.

A faint smile appeared on Captain Wang’s cold face: “My name’s Wang Anmin. I’m the security chief here. If you have any problems, you can come to me.”

Yu Xifeng thought about what she might have to do to help Han Lei rise in the community.

She was reluctant to give up resources; the only thing she could provide was information.

This time, Wang Anmin only escorted Yu Xifeng downstairs. He was still on duty and couldn’t leave his post.

Yu Xifeng thanked him and, looking down, saw the holster on Wang Anmin’s waist.

Compared to Han Lei, Wang Anmin was undoubtedly the better choice.

He had a reliable background, a strong sense of justice, and wouldn’t hide things.