Chapter 28: “Beautiful and Kind-Hearted”?

He Chunmei met her gaze and immediately understood. “Then we’ll just wait here. We’re off work today anyway, and there’s nothing much to do at home.”

Although her son and daughter were running fevers, there was nothing she could do but worry.

Besides, she was right at her doorstep—she could attend to anything immediately if needed.

Her husband, Zhou Guangfu, had gone out to buy medicine and supplies and hadn’t returned, but there were still two elderly people at home.

“Sister, do you have any disposable cups?” Zhang Qiqi asked, glancing sideways at her.

He Chunmei paused. “Yes, we do. Why?”

Zhang Qiqi brushed back her long hair and said with slightly parted red lips:
“I have a few packets of sour plum powder at home. I’ll bring one up, and you can mix it in a cup for everyone to cool down. My son is still downstairs with a slight fever, and I’m worried about leaving him alone. I’ll bring him up with me.”

Hearing this, the crowd couldn’t help but look at her with admiration and envy.

“Wow, sister, you’re so young and already have a child!” said the young girl who had earlier reminded everyone that blocking doors was illegal.

Another woman clicked her tongue. “Right! Look at her—slender waist, no belly, skin full of collagen. You wouldn’t even think she’s had a child!”

It was scorching hot, and Zhang Qiqi wore a fitted floral spaghetti-strap sheer dress, perfectly showing off her slender figure.

“You really are beautiful and kind-hearted. This sour plum drink is perfect for cooling off!” a woman in her fifties chimed in.

“Exactly! This is how neighbors should be—helping each other during hard times. Not like that selfish girl in 3201, hoarding for herself! Let’s see who’ll care when something happens to her!” He Chunmei, fuming, added and even spat toward Jiang Yan’s door.

Zhang Qiqi’s eyes gleamed with delight at the praise from the others.

Once gossip starts, it hardly stops.

“I’ll tell you, families with sons usually mean the wife is smarter than the husband; families with daughters usually mean the husband is smarter than the wife. There’s scientific evidence! So Qiqi, you must be intelligent and able to manage your husband easily!”

“Your husband in your past life must have saved the galaxy!!”

The topic quickly turned to Zhang Qiqi’s husband.

“Qiqi, what does your husband do? It’s so hot, how can he leave you alone at home? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him,” said the pregnant woman who had previously spotted Jiang Yan going out.

She liked to stand by the floor-to-ceiling window to watch people coming and going in the garden.

When Zhang Qiqi moved in, she saw her too. But the distance was far, and Qiqi wore a black dress at the time, so she hadn’t noticed the black mourning band on her arm.

The pregnant woman’s question drew curious glances from the others. After all, such a young and beautiful woman’s husband was always away—naturally intriguing.

“My husband is an ocean-going sailor. He’s abroad at sea and hasn’t returned yet,” Zhang Qiqi answered easily, frowning as she sighed:
“Ah, with this global heat and the blood-sucking mosquitoes, I don’t even know when he’ll be back.”

“Wow, an ocean sailor! High salary, and he’s stuck on the ship with nowhere to spend it. Perfect—you handle home looking gorgeous, he earns the money! Envy, envy!” Someone expressed admiration.

The others echoed her, making the atmosphere feel hotter than fifty-degree Celsius weather.

Zhang Qiqi smiled at the compliments, but inside, she felt a mix of emotions, wishing she could disappear immediately.

“All right, ladies, keep chatting. I’ll go downstairs to get the sour plum powder,” she said, leaving without waiting for a response.

As soon as she entered the elevator and the doors closed, her expression changed.

The others’ conversation continued, growing louder.

He Chunmei glanced at the tightly shut doors of 3202 and 3204 next door and suggested:

“Everyone, it’s still early. Standing here isn’t a solution, and we don’t know when that girl will return. Let’s do this: most of you come into my apartment and wait, we’ll take turns standing guard here. Once we see the elevator reach the 30th floor, we’ll alert the others. How about that?”

“Good!”

“Then thanks to you, Chunmei!”

The crowd, already dazed from the heat and now swept up in the mood and persuasion, agreed unanimously.

By the time Jiang Yan returned near Qianshui Bay, it was already past 5 p.m.

The temperature had climbed to fifty-five degrees Celsius.

She had parked her motorcycle in a secluded alley near the community, away from people and surveillance.

From her space, she took out a large backpack she had prepared earlier.

This backpack had been on her back since she left this morning.

She knew that in urban communities, neighbors rarely paid close attention.

Some neighbors barely exchanged greetings all year.

But there were always nosy people, especially in extreme heat and with blood-sucking mosquitoes around.

Qianshui Bay’s buildings had a strange layout.

Anyone leaving had to pass through the central garden, exposing their every move to the watchful eyes of others.

Her backpack was already stuffed with instant noodles, tissue boxes, and other lightweight but bulky supplies.

Side pockets held two bottles of water, bulging.

She also carried two non-woven shopping bags full of supplies.

Anyone could tell she was returning from buying necessities.

Earlier in the morning, the garden had been nearly empty. Fully armed from head to toe, she had gone unnoticed.

But now, many residents returned with packages in hand, and cars headed to the underground garage one after another.

She removed her conspicuous heat-insulating hat and swapped it for a baseball cap and sunglasses to block the glaring sun.

Ready, Jiang Yan stepped into the community, her small face bracing against the heat wave.

Just as she entered, “slap!” a black dead bird fell from the sky.

Jiang Yan frowned slightly.

She glanced at the ground—several dead birds lay scattered in the central garden.

There were some on the street outside, but far more in the garden.

Most likely, the extreme heat had dehydrated and killed them.

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Author’s Note: Some of the more eccentric plot elements, statements, or character traits serve only the story and are not meant as real-life suggestions or commentary.