Seated languidly on the sofa, Zhang Yi emitted a bored yawn. While others endured hunger and frost, he reveled in a life more comfortable than heaven itself. His home boasted a flawless insulation system and an abundance of fuel, ensuring his secure haven maintained a constant, comfortable temperature throughout the year.
With nothing else to occupy his time, he indulged in joyous days. Television offered little entertainment with the extreme cold leading to the suspension of various broadcasts, including those featuring his favorite female anchors, who understandably hesitated to brave temperatures ranging from sixty to a hundred degrees below freezing.
Opening his personal space, Zhang Yi surveyed the area filled with gaming consoles and unopened copies of AAA titles like PS5, Switch, and Xbox, numbering in the hundreds. Among the numerous game cartridges were tens of thousands of sets.
Choosing the latest PS5, he connected it to the colossal 100-inch Sony television and immersed himself in gaming. His choice was the newest AAA action game of the year, "Devil Hunter 3." He also had games like "Elden Ring," "The Witcher 3," and "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" on standby, excellent choices to while away the time.
In a future free from work and worldly concerns, such a life surpassed even the pre-apocalyptic era. Casually attired in his pajamas, Zhang Yi savored snacks while gaming, relishing every moment.
After a while, his phone interrupted the solitude. Glancing at it, he discovered an annoying message from Mrs. Lin of the neighborhood committee.
"Zhang Yi, the roads outside are blocked by heavy snow. Prepare tools and come out to help clear it!"
Her words carried an authoritative tone, a command. Zhang Yi noticed her futile attempt to rally everyone to clear the snow together, with minimal response from the residents. Unexpectedly, she had singled him out.
Observing the snow-covered surroundings, Zhang Yi recognized the futility of manually clearing the three meters of accumulated snow. Moreover, he knew the snowfall would persist for at least another three months. Going out now was impractical, and he promptly declined, stating, "In this frigid weather, I'd turn into an icicle after a short while. Let's wait until the snow stops before considering snow removal."
Others chimed in with agreement, emphasizing the sub-zero temperatures and the lack of suitable cold-resistant equipment in their community.
Mrs. Lin grew agitated, questioning their attitudes. Asserting that clearing snow was not for her but for the greater good, she condemned the young men for avoiding their duty during a crisis.
Her criticism was directed at Zhang Yi, who retorted, "Mrs. Lin is correct; since it's for the common good, members of the neighborhood committee should lead the snow-clearing efforts. Regarding the claim of youthful vigor, we have many residents in our community. Why single out only a few of us? Do you find us easy targets? What about those socialites and the wealthy second generation? Why not mention them?"
Other residents, pleased with Zhang Yi's remarks, expressed agreement. "Zhang Yi is our internet voice!"
"That's right, she picked on the obedient ones. Why not ask Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao, the troublemakers?"
The identities of Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao were known to everyone in the community, and they were considered influential figures.
By directly exposing Mrs. Lin's reluctance to confront the challenging figures, Zhang Yi dismantled her façade of bullying the vulnerable. She found herself in a predicament, having overlooked the formidable individuals who held actual power. The residents nodded in approval, appreciating Zhang Yi's bold stance.
Mrs. Lin, feeling she had lost face, retaliated with several lengthy voice messages in the group. "Clearing snow is a public service, considering everyone's well-being. Some individuals nitpick over trivial matters, lacking a spirit of dedication!"
"These people are the troublemakers in our owners' group!"
"If you don't want to contribute, fine, but many are willing! Their awareness far surpasses yours."
"Furthermore, I'm not favoring certain individuals. There's no need to single anyone out. I hope you all understand and don't mislead yourselves!"
"If these defamatory remarks persist, I'll involve the police!"
Mrs. Lin's attempt at an explanation only exacerbated the situation, especially her threat to involve the police. This evoked hearty laughter from Zhang Yi. Though some timid residents were swayed and went out with tools to clear snow, Zhang Yi remained unfazed.
He knew Mrs. Lin's unreasonable behavior wouldn't garner police support. Moreover, her belief that social mechanisms functioned normally in times of crisis was laughable.