Zhang Yi dismissed Mrs. Lin's words as mere flatulence. Nevertheless, finding himself with time on his hands, he decided to playfully tease the elderly woman.
"Oh, Mrs. Lin, quite imposing, aren't we? With your capabilities, why not summon Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao to clear the snow downstairs?"
He directly addressed individuals in the group, disregarding anyone's dignity. Chen Zhenghao, nicknamed "Brother Hao," was a notorious figure in the social circles. He once barged into their home, wielding a mountain axe as his emblem. As for Xu Hao, an arrogant rich second-generation, he was the first to threaten Zhang Yi with violence.
Most of the neighbors, except for a few good-hearted souls, had participated in attacking or robbing Zhang Yi. He could even surmise that after his death in his previous life, each of them had profited in some way.
Hence, Zhang Yi showed no regard for anyone's face, blatantly tearing off their fig leaf, exposing their unsavory intentions. Mrs. Lin, upon reading the messages on her phone, saw her complexion change.
Zhang Yi's specific mention put her in a difficult position. If she backed down now, she would become a laughingstock, and her future commands would fall on deaf ears. Reluctantly, she tagged Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao in the group.
"Fellow residents, the neighborhood is our home, and snow removal depends on everyone. I hope those with time can bring tools and join us in clearing the snow."
Shortly after, Chen Zhenghao, ID 25#602, responded with a series of question marks, followed by a voice message in the group.
"Clear the snow? Clear your X-head! Are you blind? Can't you see it's heavily snowing outside?"
"X's sake, are you crazy? If your brain is sick, go to the hospital; don't bark here. Tag me again, and I'll make you regret it."
Chen Zhenghao vehemently cursed Mrs. Lin for tagging him, and the residents, amused, burst into laughter. This incident exposed Mrs. Lin, an insignificant neighborhood committee member, who held some influence only over ordinary homeowners. Individuals of Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao's caliber would never pay her any attention.
Xu Hao, another rich second-generation, also sent a voice message, declaring, "Snow removal has nothing to do with me! I don't need to work, sleeping peacefully at home every day."
After his statement, he shared an image of himself lying in thick blankets, cradling a woman in his arms. This house was merely a place for Xu Hao to keep his woman; he coincidentally got stuck there.
Mrs. Lin, asking Xu Hao to clear the snow, earned his disdain. Unable to retort against Chen Zhenghao's curses, she dared not provoke real troublemakers.
However, when Xu Hao provocatively said, "Regardless, you are a homeowner! Clearing snow is your duty," Mrs. Lin responded, "Hmph! I pay property fees every month for nothing? Without my money, you neighborhood committee people would starve."
These rich second-generation individuals, while idle, were not simple-minded. Though Xu Hao lazed around, he had seen the world, and they wouldn't bother with the small neighborhood committee leader. After his remarks, he added insult to injury:
"I have what I have today, thanks to my parents and family's influence. Can I be compared to you, poor folks? Hurry up and clear the snow; you still need to earn a living! After clearing the snow, I'll be ready to leave this ghostly place."
Though the residents found Xu Hao's words infuriating, they had no power to refute him. After all, who wouldn't want a better life if given the opportunity?
Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao's antics chilled everyone's hearts, and Mrs. Lin's words became irrelevant; nobody paid her any mind.
Mrs. Lin was utterly exasperated, not with Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao but with Zhang Yi. She believed that her mobilization of the homeowners had succeeded, and it was Zhang Yi, the troublemaker, who had spoiled her plans.
In a private message, she angrily questioned Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, are you intentionally causing trouble for me? What exactly do you want to achieve? I gathered everyone to clear the snow, does everyone not need to leave their homes?"
Seeing this, Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. Oh, another one coming for a scolding?
"Stop pretending! Bullying the weak and fearing the strong isn't commendable. Why bark here if you can't even let out a fart when insulted? Are you here for attention?"
Zhang Yi had Mrs. Lin's character figured out—a waste that bullied the weak. Sure enough, his stern words frightened Mrs. Lin, a grandmother living with her grandson, relying on her neighborhood committee status for respect. If others disregarded her committee role and played hardball, she would not stand a chance.
Now silent, seemingly afraid of provoking Zhang Yi further, Mrs. Lin promptly blocked him, fearing another verbal attack.
"This jerk! Just a loser, a lunatic!"
"Don't provoke him now; wait, I have ways to make you regret it in the future!"
Mrs. Lin envisioned tormenting Zhang Yi in the future, using her committee status to hinder him during the distribution of supplies or neglecting to inform him about community events. In her imagination, Zhang Yi would come pleading for mercy, and she would coldly say, "Aren't you arrogant? Keep being arrogant!"
Satisfied with her victorious spirit, Mrs. Lin rejoined the group to mobilize others for snow removal. Though most residents scorned Mrs. Lin, some honest individuals, considering their future travel needs, ventured out with tools despite the severe cold.
Unbeknownst to Zhang Yi, as he had just driven away Mrs. Lin, trouble arrived in a different form. This time, someone dialed his WeChat phone.
Glancing at the profile picture, Zhang Yi recognized the caller as Chen Zhenghao from the group. It seemed that Zhang Yi's comments in the group had left him displeased, prompting him to make a threatening call. Holding a grudge against this scoundrel, Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes. At this moment, he actually hoped this fool would