Chapter 41: How Ruthless!
The entire Repulse Bay had formed a perfectly enclosed and secure dimension.
Now, Jiang Yan was about to leave this safe zone alone.
On her way downstairs, she occasionally encountered a few people carrying basins and thin blankets.
Dressed as she was, Jiang Yan looked like a walking, oversized eyesore.
But everyone was already exhausted from the heat, their faces flushed and necks swollen, panting heavily.
Though surprised, no one could muster the energy to speak—they simply propped their hands on their hips and silently gave her a thumbs-up.
Perhaps because she had spent so much time in her dimension over the past two days, Jiang Yan felt her physical condition had improved significantly.
Despite wearing the somewhat heavy heat-resistant suit and a hood, and despite the stifling, oppressive air around her, she didn't feel particularly uncomfortable as she descended.
Still, whenever she encountered someone entering the building, she deliberately slowed her pace.
Half an hour later, Jiang Yan finally reached the first floor.
It was only around five o'clock, but outside in the garden, Blood Mosquitoes could already be seen flitting about.
After the Blood Mosquitoes appeared, Jiang Yan had researched them extensively.
Under normal circumstances, male mosquitoes lived only one to three weeks, while females could survive for one to two months.
After mutation, their lifespans had generally increased.
But one thing remained unchanged:
Female mosquitoes still needed to feed on blood for their ovaries to develop and reproduce.
The so-called "experts" claimed that Blood Mosquitoes might only die off naturally once temperatures exceeded 70 degrees Celsius.
What they likely meant was that, at 70 degrees, all living creatures—humans and animals alike—that female mosquitoes could feed on would already be dead.
The few surviving humans and animals would have gone into deep hiding.
Gradually, the mosquitoes would lose their food source and means of reproduction, eventually starving to death.
But that process seemed like it would take a painfully long time.
Jiang Yan didn't dwell on it. She opened the door and quickly headed toward the residential complex's entrance.
The air was thick with visible waves of scorching heat.
The plastic pathways in the garden had warped under the extreme temperatures, and the ground was much hotter than the air.
Even through her eight-centimeter-thick insulated shoes, Jiang Yan could feel the burning, soft surface beneath her feet.
In some spots, the ground had even begun sticking to her soles, creating a sticky, thread-pulling effect.
At least it wasn't asphalt.
She guessed the official supply delivery vehicles must be specialized—otherwise, at these temperatures, the water in their radiators would have boiled away.
The entire garden was a chaotic mess.
A few more grotesque, desiccated corpses had appeared in the flowerbeds—likely tossed out by their families during the day, their blood already drained by the mosquitoes.
The lawn had long since withered, the ground littered with countless dried-up earthworms and insects.
Most of the shrubs and flowers had also shriveled.
The central pond had completely dried up, its cracked mud bottom exposed.
The once-dense water lilies and aquatic plants had withered, along with small fish and shrimp that had perished in the heat.
Everywhere she looked, there were piles of multicolored trash bags, crushed cans, and liquor bottles.
Some of the bags likely contained human waste, now emitting a foul stench under the relentless heat.
But the property management no longer had the energy to clean any of it up.
No one in the group was pointing fingers anymore.
After all, from morning till now, the temperature had continued to rise slowly.
When survival was at stake, who had the energy to play morality police?
The group's transition from righteous indignation to complete silence had taken barely half a day.
Jiang Yan also noticed numerous dead birds and stray cats along the way.
She even spotted two desiccated squirrels.
Without exception, all bore gaping wounds the size of wrists.
Humans and animals alike—not only did they succumb to the scorching heat, but they also suffered the secondary devastation of Blood Mosquitoes.
The short walk left Jiang Yan deeply shaken.
Moreover, the garden reeked unbearably.
The stench of corpses, excrement, and rotting kitchen waste.
Despite being covered in herbal sachets and wearing a heat-resistant hood.
The foul odors relentlessly assaulted her nostrils.
Not daring to linger, she quickened her pace toward the main gate.
At the guard post, she discovered the power outage had disabled the electronic gate—the community entrance was secured with a U-lock.
The guard booth stood open, equally deserted.
This situation didn't surprise Jiang Yan.
In broad daylight, she couldn't exactly whip out a chainsaw to break through.
Retreating into the guard booth, she took out her phone and posted in the homeowners group.
Her message was really meant for everyone's eyes.
A-3201: [@Property Manager #1: I'm heading to the nearby Official Shelter. Please unlock the main gate. Thanks.]
Property Manager #1: [@A-3201, dear homeowner, we haven't received your registration. Applications submitted now won't be processed until tomorrow. Your chances of being turned away are high if you go now.]
A-3201: [No need for registration. I have my own solution. Just open the gate.]
Property Manager #1: [Very well then, standby. Sending someone immediately.]
A fully geared-up security guard soon emerged from the underground parking entrance.
"Miss, how are you getting there?" he asked, clanking the lock open.
Jiang Yan gave him a calm glance. "On foot."
"...?" The young guard stared in disbelief before recovering.
"Miss, the official supply delivery should arrive soon. Maybe wait and see if you can hitch a ride back? Their vehicles are specially modified for extreme heat. Others registered for the Official Shelter are planning to take that transport."
"Thanks, but no need." Jiang Yan smiled politely before stepping through the gate.
The guard watched her retreating figure—and her bizarre outfit—with silent admiration.
He'd just relocked the gate when Homeowners' Committee Director Zhang Qiming and Property Manager Liu Dahong approached with their entourage.
They too were thoroughly covered, wearing electric bike helmets.
A petite young woman trailed behind them.
"Manager Liu, Director Zhang." The guard greeted them respectfully.
Liu Dahong peered outside the compound, frowning.
"Huh? The official transport isn't here yet? They promised 5 PM sharp. If they don't come before the Blood Mosquito swarm arrives, we're screwed."
"Let's wait inside the guard booth. This sunlight's brutal," Zhang Qiming suggested.
No one objected as they filed in.
Only after sealing the door did they remove their helmets.
"Brother Liu, you're truly impressive. The authorities have entrusted you with such a heavy responsibility," Zhang Qiming said, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He took one out and handed it to Liu Dahong.
The temperature was too high for them to actually smoke.
But that didn't stop them from holding it near their noses, temporarily relieving their "longing pangs."
"Cough, Brother Zhang, you flatter me too much. Just talking about it gives me a headache—imagine relocating over fifteen hundred people into the underground parking garage within a single day.
Tight deadline, enormous task.
Not only is the working environment terrible, but several of my men have already quit in the last couple of days.
Not enough people, no funding either!
Damn authorities just keep dumping tasks on us and painting rosy pictures!
The worst part is, no one can confirm whether this is really the Apocalypse like the rumors online, so you can't even outright refuse!
And then? These homeowners keep nitpicking about this and that. Just wait—tonight, with so many people crammed together, who knows what kind of mess will break out!"
After his rant, Liu Dahong suddenly shifted his tone and lightly patted Zhang Qiming's shoulder, saying:
"So, Brother Zhang, for tonight and the next few days, we'll have to rely on the most authoritative Homeowners' Committee in our neighborhood!"
The two exchanged flattery while their subordinates remained silent.
Zhang Qiming furrowed his brow and sighed, deflecting the responsibility back:
"Ah, with so many people, it's really tough. The Homeowners' Committee has little influence—we'll have to count on the property management team to keep things under control."
The two fell into a shared sigh of resignation.
"Heh, big brothers, isn't the solution obvious?" Zhang Qiqi, who had been silently standing beside Zhang Qiming, suddenly spoke up in a chilling tone.
All eyes instantly snapped toward her.
With acold smirk, Zhang Qiqi said calmly, "If there are too many people, just borrow a knife to reduce the numbers!"
Everyone: "..."