On the following day, within the corridor, the resonant echoes of gunfire reached Zhang Yi's ears.
"Bang!" "Bang!"
The two gunshots resembled the explosive release of oversized firecrackers, undoubtedly orchestrated by Chen Zhenghao.
Evidently, the words uttered by Zhang Yi the previous day had taken effect. In the face of impending desperation, the fear of death gradually dissipated among the people.
The allure of Zhang Yi's promise to provide a week's worth of satiating noodles was irresistibly tempting.
Zhang Yi accessed the surveillance system, witnessing the outbreak of the conflict. Two men lay on the ground, wielding wrenches and kitchen knives, with blood staining the hallway red.
However, Chen Zhenghao didn't emerge unscathed; leaning against the wall, he clutched a gun, wearing an appearance tinged with lingering trepidation.
They aimed to intercept those fetching water, and others could seize this opportunity to counterattack. Chen Zhenghao instructed his men to drag away the two corpses, swiftly returning to his residence, holding the last bastion—the handgun.
As the corpses were brought home, Chen Zhenghao exchanged a glance with his underlings, directing them to move the bodies to the rear of the kitchen.
Seated on the chilly sofa, Chen Zhenghao's ominous gaze didn't provide much warmth. After returning home yesterday, he read the messages in the group, learning about Zhang Yi's bounty on him. This incited his uncontrollable rage.
In his view, he was the hunter, and Zhang Yi merely the prey! Why should the prey retaliate against the hunter?
Yet, he underestimated the madness within individuals in the face of desperation.
Early that morning, two desperate young individuals came seeking his life, further intensifying Chen Zhenghao's sense of danger. Simultaneously, his insanity escalated.
"Die! I'll kill all of you! Want me dead? Die first!"
Chen Zhenghao roared.
After relaxing, he suddenly felt a pain in his back. Summoning a subordinate, he asked for an examination. The subordinate, upon inspection, exclaimed, "Boss Hao, you've been stabbed in the back!"
A thirty-centimeter gash adorned Chen Zhenghao's down jacket. Blood, inconspicuous on the dark down jacket, became discernible upon closer inspection. The adrenaline rush from the cold and Chen Zhenghao's heightened excitement had initially dulled the pain.
Now, as his subordinate disclosed the truth, he cried out in pain, "These bastards dared to ambush me!"
Tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he quickly dialed Zhou Ke'er's number.
"Dr. Zhou, I've been injured; hurry over to dress my wound!"
Shortly after, Zhou Ke'er arrived at Chen Zhenghao's home, carrying a medical kit on her back. Gazing at this bloodthirsty villain, Zhou Ke'er's eyes were filled with disdain. However, to stay alive, she had no choice but to tend to his injuries.
Previously, she had healed an arrow wound on Chen Zhenghao's leg. Although reluctant, she had no options when faced with the barrel of a villain's gun.
"I won't help you for free," Zhou Ke'er coldly remarked.
Chen Zhenghao chuckled, pointing towards the kitchen, "I'll share some of the food with you later!"
With a forceful sniff, Zhou Ke'er caught a whiff of the nauseating stench of blood. Suppressing her urge to vomit, she said, "No need."
Chen Zhenghao sneered, "At a time like this, Dr. Zhou, you're still so aloof? Sooner or later, you'll eat. If you don't, you'll die!"
"I'd rather die," Zhou Ke'er said, frowning.
"But I can't bear to let you go! In the current world, having a doctor by one's side is crucial."
Chen Zhenghao sighed. If not for Zhou Ke'er treating the wound on his leg earlier, he wouldn't have just lost a leg but his life. "Rest assured, if the day comes when I have to eat you, I'll save you for last."
Chen Zhenghao stared at Zhou Ke'er, a flicker of intense desire in his eyes. He had coveted this beauty for a long time. If she weren't currently useful, he would have taken action long ago.
Zhou Ke'er, silent with a furrowed brow, continued to attend to his wound without uttering a word. Soon, the wound was crudely bandaged.
Picking up her medical kit, Zhou Ke'er intended to leave. Unexpectedly, Chen Zhenghao signaled to his henchman, who promptly blocked the door.
Perplexed, Zhou Ke'er asked, "What do you want?"
Chen Zhenghao replied, "Nothing. You can't leave until my injury heals."
Feeling a sense of impending danger, Chen Zhenghao was afraid. Many people coveted his life, and there was a shortage of medication. With a doctor around, he felt secure.
Regardless of Zhou Ke'er's resistance, he forcefully detained her. Before long, his henchman brought a pot of freshly cooked food.
The thought of what it might contain made Zhou Ke'er almost retch. Fortunately, her frequent exposure to corpses in the hospital prevented her from being scared to death.
Chen Zhenghao insisted she eat some, but Zhou Ke'er naturally refused. Chuckling coldly, Chen Zhenghao paid no heed to her.
He believed Zhou Ke'er was merely putting on a facade, and sooner or later, when hunger overcame her, she would eat.
"This can't go on. These cattle and horses dare to rebel now, which is very unfavorable for us. We must kill Zhang Yi, take over his house, and secure our future. His house is like a fortress with abundant supplies, enough to sustain us for months. Perhaps, by that time, the snow disaster will have passed."
"Therefore, we need to consider how to deal with Zhang Yi."
Chen Zhenghao addressed his subordinates.
Several of them exchanged glances, one saying, "Boss Hao, we've attacked Zhang Yi's house several times, but each time has failed. Their house is like a turtle shell, impervious to our assaults!"
Chen Zhenghao retorted, "I don't believe there are no weaknesses in their house, and I don't believe he won't leave!"
"Here's the plan: let's move to the apartment next door to him, take turns keeping an eye on him. As soon as an opportunity arises, we'll directly take him down!"
"Moreover, living on a higher floor is safer."
The group, currently at a loss, nodded in agreement with Chen Zhenghao's words.
Listening to their conversation, Zhou Ke'er absorbed the information. Under the pretext of going to the restroom, she messaged Zhang Yi, informing him of the situation.
Upon understanding, Zhang Yi nonchalantly chuckled. Getting him to leave his home was absolutely impossible!
"Got it. Continue to stay there and observe the situation."
As a doctor, Zhou Ke'er's life was temporarily secure; Chen Zhenghao wouldn't kill her. Zhang Yi wasn't in a hurry to make a move; with the bounty set, someone would undoubtedly risk their life