The pleas and cries for mercy from outside Phoenix's window were relentless, with the desperate neighbors kowtowing until their heads bled. Amidst their misery, Phoenix casually walked to the window, noodles in hand, and taunted them, "Don't look like this; it's hard for me to watch!" His actions, eating in front of them while they suffered, intensified their jealousy and desperation.
The neighbors' cries grew louder, their pleas more desperate. "Phoenix, we were wrong. Just give us some food, even if we live like dogs," they begged, offering to do anything for his help. Phoenix, however, remained indifferent, continuing to enjoy his meal, showcasing the joy of eating when hungry. The sight of the half-eaten noodles placed in front of the window, just out of reach, tormented the neighbors further.
In a twisted offer, Phoenix proposed that anyone who could bring him Alexander's head would be rewarded with a week's worth of noodles. This cruel suggestion was broadcasted throughout the building, causing a dilemma among the neighbors. Alexander, armed and dangerous, was not an easy target, but the desperation for food and Phoenix's formidable defense made the choice difficult.
Meanwhile, Alexander, unaware of Phoenix's proposition, contemplated his next move from the adjacent balcony. He sensed the odd, almost predatory looks from the neighbors, driven by hunger and Phoenix's manipulative suggestion. Feeling threatened, Alexander quickly retreated with his men, leaving the neighbors in a state of uncertainty and fear.
As time passed, the neighbors, unable to endure the cold and the hopelessness of their situation, gradually dispersed. Phoenix, comfortable in his warm house, waited to witness the unfolding drama. The loss of forty people in the failed invasion of his home, coupled with the scarcity of supplies, had escalated tensions and conflicts among the residents.
Private messages flooded Phoenix's inbox. The neighbors, now conceding to their failure, begged for mercy or offered exchanges for food. Xu Hao, a wealthy resident, even offered his girlfriend, a car model, in exchange for food. Phoenix, recognizing her, was disgusted by their willingness to trade dignity for survival. He contemptuously dismissed the offer and closed the chat.
Other women also reached out to Phoenix, including Mira, who expressed admiration for his strength, and Lydia, who sent a cool congratulation. As night fell, the temperature dropped further, making survival even more challenging.
The official news channels, broadcasting overly optimistic reports about the snowstorm situation, seemed disconnected from the grim reality outside. Phoenix found amusement in reading the chat logs, filled with curses, cries, and pleas from his neighbors.
Suddenly, Phoenix noticed movement on his balcony. People were stealthily carrying away the charred corpses. Confronted by Phoenix, they claimed they were just removing the bodies, not intending any harm. Phoenix, with a hint of sarcasm, questioned their motives, suggesting they simply throw the bodies down from the balcony rather than taking them inside their homes.
The people, clearly uncomfortable and avoiding Phoenix's gaze, struggled to justify their actions. They insisted they were not there to cause trouble and were only there to remove the corpses. Phoenix, sensing their true intentions, smirked and nonchalantly waved them off, "Have fun eating!"
This dark exchange highlighted the grim reality of the situation. The neighbors, pushed to the brink of starvation and desperation, were now resorting to unthinkable measures for survival. The once civilized residents had been reduced to scavenging the remains of their fallen neighbors, a haunting testament to the severity of their plight.
Phoenix's actions throughout the ordeal revealed a complex character - a man who, despite his preparedness and resourcefulness, showed little empathy for the suffering outside his door. His fortress, a symbol of security and foresight, stood in stark contrast to the chaos and desperation that had engulfed the building and its residents.
As the snowstorm continued to rage outside, Phoenix's home remained a beacon of warmth and safety amidst a world that had descended into anarchy and despair. The events of the day had not only taken a physical toll on the residents but also a psychological one, stripping away the veneers of society and revealing the primal instincts of survival at their most raw and unfiltered.