Chapter 104: Getting Greedy

Chapter 104: Getting Greedy

Li Chengbin’s words didn’t silence the complainers. Instead, a chubby man with glasses sneered, "Li Chengbin, you’re about the same age as Zhang Yi, and yet you’ve made him your father already?"

"Can’t you see he’s just using us as cannon fodder?"

The term "cannon fodder" had a powerful impact, changing the expressions of many neighbors. Given their losses in recent days, attacking both the Tianhe Gang and the Wolf Gang, they had lost over a dozen people. Realizing this could be their fate sent chills down their spines.

Li Chengbin pointed at the man and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! At the very least, we’re eating because of Zhang Yi."

The chubby man, named Luan Qiang, scoffed, "Sure, he gives us food. I was touched at first."

"But then he started forcing us into fights, pushing us into the fire pit!"

"We could just stay in our own building. Why do we have to fight others?"

"We should ensure our own safety and let Zhang Yi find food for us. That’s the best outcome."

"But no, he has to cause trouble, making enemies with everyone. What happens if they all come to attack us?"

Then Luan Qiang dropped a bombshell.

"And from what I’ve seen, he never eats the food he brings us."

"So he must be keeping the good stuff for himself and giving us the trash!"

"There are so many supermarkets and malls out there. Do you really believe it’s hard for him to find food?"

"He’s just fooling us!"

His words resonated with many. Initially, they thought they only needed to guard Building 25 and Zhang Yi would bring them plenty of food. But now, Zhang Yi was making them fight others—this was too cruel!

They didn’t want to die. Why should they be sent to their deaths?

A woman in the crowd muttered, "Zhang Yi is going too far, making us risk our lives unnecessarily."

Emotions are contagious, especially among people in the same situation. Gradually, others began expressing their dissatisfaction.

"We risk our lives every day while he just goes out and finds some food."

"He’s just lucky to have a snowmobile. His contributions aren’t greater than ours."

"Right, if I had his snowmobile, I could find food too. What’s so hard about that?"

"I think Luan Qiang is right. Zhang Yi just wants us as cannon fodder, risking our lives for him!"

Li Chengbin’s grip on his shovel loosened. He suddenly shouted, "Enough! Stop saying such things. If Zhang Yi finds out, he’ll kill you all!"

Everyone fell silent, realizing the truth of his words. Luan Qiang, with a sinister smile, approached Li Chengbin and whispered, "We’ve all said it. Are you going to report us and have Zhang Yi kill us all?"

All eyes turned to Li Chengbin. If he said anything unsatisfactory, they would kill him to keep him quiet.

Li Chengbin felt a chill down his spine, swallowing hard. "I have no such intentions. We’re all neighbors."

"And if you die, do you think I’ll survive? Don’t worry, I won’t report anything."

Luan Qiang finally smiled. "Good!"

"We’re just venting. Nothing more."

Others echoed, "Right, we’re just complaining."

"Just like when we used to complain about our bosses at work. But we still went to work, right?"

Everyone smiled, but their eyes held something else. They had lost too many people in recent days, and everyone had their own thoughts.

Soon, Zhang Yi and Uncle You returned with two bags of junk food. After hearing about the battle, Zhang Yi pretended to comfort everyone and publicly rewarded Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin with two servings of braised pork rice each. The other neighbors also received more than two servings of food each.

However, Zhang Yi noticed something off about their attitudes. While they didn’t say anything, their eyes held a trace of rejection towards him.

He sneered inwardly, knowing they had begun to doubt him. But so what? He knew these neighbors well—they had the intention but not the courage. When Chen Zhenghao first appeared with a gun, they were terrified and submissive.

Now, no matter how much they disliked being cannon fodder, Zhang Yi only needed a gun and a piece of moldy bread to make them obedient.

These contemptible people didn’t deserve to be treated like humans.

Meanwhile, Uncle You happily handed the clothes he had collected to Xie Limei. Her eyes lit up as she gratefully accepted the clothes. Uncle You had picked out branded clothes, even asking Zhang Yi for guidance. Xie Limei, never having worn such expensive clothes, was overjoyed to have new clothes for herself and her child. She hugged Uncle You’s arm affectionately. "You’re so kind, Uncle You!"

Seeing the new clothes, the neighbors were envious. Empowered, Luan Qiang asked Zhang Yi, "Next time you go out, can you bring us some clothes, too?"

"Preferably down jackets, or..." He eyed Zhang Yi’s professional-grade cold-weather gear greedily. "Like the ones you’re wearing. You should be able to find some, right?"

Everyone’s eyes filled with longing as they looked at Zhang Yi. Luan Qiang continued, "Since Uncle You can find clothes, why not help us, too, next time?"

Zhang Yi frowned, sneering inwardly. They were already lucky to have food, yet they now wanted better clothes.

Smiling, Zhang Yi nodded. "I’ll see what I can do."

"But my snowmobile is small and can’t carry much. Should I stop bringing food and look for clothes instead?"

Everyone immediately objected.

"No, we still have clothes. They’re not as warm, but we won’t freeze to death. Without food, it’s unbearable!"

Zhang Yi nodded slowly. "Alright, I’ll keep finding food first. If there’s a chance, I’ll look for warmer clothes too."

"To ensure you never feel cold again!"

He smiled brightly.