Chapter 30: Have Some Decency!

"See, Qiqi, I told you she would come back! It's almost five-thirty, and those Blood Mosquitoes are about to swarm. If she dares to go out at this hour, it's practically a death sentence!"

He Chunmei tugged at Zhang Qiqi's hand as they walked back, speaking confidently.

The others were momentarily taken aback by her words, then they realized.

The authorities had issued a Blood Mosquito warning at noon, advising citizens to return home before five-thirty and to ensure their doors and windows were securely closed.

Among the group participating in the "siege," most were from Building A, but there were a few from other buildings as well.

If they returned late, they might encounter the Blood Mosquitoes.

However, only the residents of Building D had reported encounters with them previously; there hadn't been much news from the others.

With 3201 about to return, victory seemed within reach, and the few remaining didn't want to give up just yet.

They exchanged glances, ultimately deciding to stay.

At that moment, they coincidentally hit the peak time for others returning home, and the elevator was stopping repeatedly, taking forever to reach the 32nd floor.

Just as everyone began to doubt whether Jiang Yan had actually gone upstairs, the door to 3204 creaked open.

A young couple in their twenties stepped out.

The man had a sturdy build, a buzz cut, and stood about 178 centimeters tall.

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

They wore quick-dry, moisture-wicking short-sleeved shirts and sneakers, looking like they were about to hit the gym.

"Su Dai, Sun Jingtao, so you two are home?! Perfect, come join us!" He Chunmei waved enthusiastically upon seeing them.

Su Dai was a fitness coach, and Sun Jingtao was a former soldier now working in the security department of a public institution.

Previously, on weekends, they would go to the gym near the community every afternoon around this time.

But with the recent heat and the emergence of aggressive Blood Mosquitoes, they had opted to climb the stairs in their building instead.

After being cooped up at home all day, they couldn't take it anymore, but the high temperatures made climbing the stairs impractical.

They planned to take a stroll on each floor instead.

Hearing He Chunmei's words, Su Dai smiled slightly and said softly, "Sister Chunmei, we won't be joining you."

He Chunmei didn't expect her to refuse, feeling a bit embarrassed.

After all, residents from other floors and buildings had responded to the call to participate; shouldn't they, as neighbors, join in as well?

The key point was that the group she had brought along consisted of the elderly, sick, and pregnant.

If it came down to a competition, it would be a 70-30 split at best.

But she knew about Su Dai and her husband's backgrounds, especially Sun Jingtao, who was clearly capable.

If she could win their support, her chances of success would skyrocket.

Thinking this, He Chunmei raised her voice slightly:

"Why won't you participate?! You've been cooped up at home all day; isn't it hot? I checked the weather forecast, and it's going to be even hotter tomorrow! You don't know, that girl from 3201 has two big air conditioners at home! We're neighbors; we should be standing on the same front right now~"

Her words carried a hint of moral coercion, and the others quickly chimed in.

"Exactly, exactly! Join us, the more the merrier!"

"Come on, let's do this together!"

"…"

Sun Jingtao, a straightforward person, was displeased upon hearing this:

"Sister He, are you misunderstanding the term 'front line'? A front line implies there's a struggle and an enemy. Since we're all neighbors, why drag the term 'front line' into this?!"

He Chunmei's face darkened for a moment upon hearing this, and she retorted, trying to assert her seniority: "Cough, look at what little Sun is saying, getting all serious. I was just using it as a casual analogy!"

"What seriousness? You're just talking about using air conditioning, yet you're jumping around like a monkey all day! People have their dignity, and trees have their bark! If she doesn't want you inside, why are you being so shameless and making it difficult for her?!

Look at how you're making the 32nd floor a chaotic mess! And to think you're dragging kids into this too.

Is this how you adults set an example for children?! Have some decency!" Sun Jingtao shot back fiercely.

The weather was stifling, and people were even more irritable.

Everyone's emotions were like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.

He Chunmei felt her temper rising as well and argued back:

"Why are you speaking like that, little Sun?! Her place is so big; whether the air conditioning is cooling one person or a group, it's still cooling! It's so hot right now that people are getting heatstroke! Isn't it only natural for her to help out?! And besides, we're not asking for it for free!!"

"Sister Chunmei, she's not related to you. Choosing to help you is a kindness; not helping is her right. Where does the 'only natural' come from? Why make things difficult for that young girl?" Su Dai interjected, linking her arm with Sun Jingtao's and speaking calmly.

She and Sun Jingtao had acted early, realizing the weather was unusually hot and had ordered an air conditioner from a certain online store.

It was scheduled to be delivered and installed the next morning.

Their home and Jiang Yan's were at opposite ends of the same corridor, and they had clearly witnessed everything that happened outside Jiang Yan's door today.

At this rate, it wouldn't be long before He Chunmei and her group would target them in the same way.

So, in a sense, they were on the same side as Jiang Yan.

Making their stance clear now was much better than dealing with this troublesome situation tomorrow or the day after.

Moreover, the couple generally held relatively sound values.

Seeing the couple supporting each other, He Chunmei sneered sarcastically:

"Su Dai, you two are just standing there without a care! If your stillborn child had been born, they'd be three or four years old by now, right?! If you had a child who might suffer from heatstroke, would you still be speaking so lightly?!!"

"You—" Su Dai's expression changed abruptly upon hearing this.

She bit her lip, her eyes reddening as she clenched her fists, ready to step forward and confront He Chunmei, but her husband Sun Jingtao pulled her back.

"Baby, don't stoop to her level; she's just an unreasonable lunatic today!" Sun Jingtao was even angrier than she was, but he held back, his fists clenched, veins bulging on his arms.

If they were to confront He Chunmei now, it would only divert the trouble onto themselves.

He wasn't foolish.

Moreover, he worked in a public institution.

Though he was in a relatively insignificant security department, he still held a position of responsibility.

He had to be mindful of external influences and his image.

Just as the others were about to step in to mediate, they heard Song Xiaofei, who had been staring at the elevator floor indicator, shout:

"Mom! Mom! The elevator is almost at the 32nd floor!"