The WeChat group for homeowners was continuously buzzing. Jhiang Yuan felt it was better not to detach herself from the community, she read every message.
0802: Is it still feasible to buy a generator now? Any takers?
0302: Raising my hand here, I'm interested.
0902: It's all quiet outside now, who would go out to buy this? We probably can't even leave our compound.
1201: If we catch that herpes infection again, we're all dead.
0802: What should I do, it's so hot, begging any kind-hearted neighbors to take me in (with three pitiful expressions)
0902: To the neighbor who bought a generator earlier, please contribute some fuel, it's too hot, please save my baby!
0802: May kind souls be blessed with peace for life.
0601: May kind souls be blessed with peace for life +1
She briefly scanned the rest of the content, which mostly involved requests for those with generators in their homes to contribute some fuel and take them to the property management to support the generator.
Those who bought generators would certainly have purchased fuel, but since everyone bought individually, who knows how much anyone could stockpile.
Someone tagged those who had bought generators, but no one responded for a long time. The group had shifted from suggestions to condemnation.
0302: Please share a bit with everyone, we're all neighbors, aren't we? Don't be like this, okay?
0201: Yes, yes, it's so hot, we could even chip in money, it won't be for free...
0802: Why isn't anyone responding, can it be...?
1801: My family bought a generator, but we don't have much fuel left either, please spare us!
1402: Yeah, none of us have much fuel left, let's not morally blackmail each other...
0802: Who are you saying is morally blackmailing? We are all neighbors, do we need to be this petty? Besides, we are not refusing to pay.
0202: Even if you don't share the fuel, just let us use your air conditioning, that should be fine, right? After all, it doesn't use up much more fuel having one more person.
0302: Yes, yes, please let us in...
…
0802: Any other neighbors thinking about buying? Let's organize another round-up, surely someone can make it out.
His call-out actually got quite a response, and even tagged the person who organized the previous purchase...
The subsequent messages were truly hard to read through.
See, when it comes to their own interests, everyone is selfish; that's human nature.
She was secretly relieved that she hadn't participated in the group's buy anymore when her doorbell rang.
"Who could it be?" Her mom was clearly anxious.
"I'll check!"
Of course, she didn't have to step out; there were security cameras at the door. Jhiang Yuan turned on the far-left monitor, which showcased their main entryway.
There were two men and a woman, one of each she vaguely remembered as residents from the 20th floor downstairs. She had seen them during renovations and they likely had visited their home too.
Lushan Garden, where they lived, was a complex of mid-rise buildings, with the 21st floor being the topmost.
Initially, she had installed a door in the stairway for security, but after 2102 was occupied, it was no longer locked, unknowingly benefiting this group of uninvited guests.
Jhiang Yuan pressed the intercom button to connect to the entryway for voice communication.
"Hello, what can I do for you?"
The trio probably got startled by her door for a moment as it took them three seconds to respond.
The woman spoke up first: "Hello, gorgeous, we are your neighbors from downstairs. We saw your air conditioner on; you must have a generator, right?"
Jhiang Yuan remained silent, and after a pause from the other side,
the woman continued: "Here's the thing, my baby is very small, and could we possibly stay at your place for a while? It's too hot and the child can't stand it."
"Could we?" seeing no response, she urged further.
"Sorry, it's not convenient," Jhiang Yuan said before she pressed the end call button.
These folks want in? Then all my stockpiles would be exposed.
"Hello, hello," the woman called out twice, realizing she had actually hung up, and then knocked on the door, muttering something under her breath.
What Jhiang Yuan hadn't expected was that the trio didn't head back, but turned toward room 2102 instead.
Jhiang Yuan quickly turned on another monitor. She guessed the conversation would be similar, but even after a long wait, no one answered the door.
Smart. Next time, she wouldn't make a sound either. Playing dead wasn't hard.
The three people cursed as they went downstairs. The AC unit made noise that could be heard once the windows were open. To be safe, she decided to use a fan in the future.
She had a strong premonition that after this power outage, it would be a long time before it returned, so it was better to be cautious.
"Yuanyuan, there really is a small child downstairs, probably only three or four years old. Maybe we should let the child come over, being so small?"
Her dad glanced at her mom and gave her a look that suggested she was being naive: "You let them up today, what about tomorrow, and the day after?"
"Dad's right, Mom. In this situation, we absolutely can't be soft-hearted. If you let them come over today and not tomorrow, they won't be grateful. They'll curse you instead."
Her dad agreed with me, "A favor for a scoop of rice, a grudge for a bucket; that's what this means."
"Besides, we have so much stuff in our house. Once they come in, they'll discover it.
When they run out of food and drink, they'll definitely try to take from us, and it'll soon become a habit."
At the mention of sharing, her mom looked like she was facing a great enemy: "Absolutely not. It's uncertain how long these times will last, and I'm worried we won't have enough to eat ourselves, let alone share with others."
"Right. If it were us asking others for help, they wouldn't take in Xiao Nuan just because she's a child."
After all, her own father doesn't care whether she lives or dies.
"Let's drop it. What do you both feel like eating today? I'll make it."
Seeing her mom cheer up, Jhiang Yuan felt reassured.
"How about sweet and sour ribs, and some spicy shredded potatoes? They're both appetizers."
"Okay, if my daughter wants it, I'll make it."
Her mom went off cheerfully to cook, not worried about smells leaking out.
Their range hood was top of the line; there wasn't even a hint of odor, and it worked fantastically!
Just as they were leisurely enjoying the ribs, the doorbell rang again.
Damn, when will this ever end!
Jhiang Yuan angrily ran to the entryway and turned on the surveillance.
Huh, it's 2102.
To open or not to open? After debating for three seconds, she decided not to.
She pressed the intercom button: "Hello, what is it?"
"I'm from next door, 2102. Hello, I just added you on WeChat. Could you check and accept it? I've brought this watermelon for you."
What the heck?
Coming over to bring a watermelon?
"Click—" Jhiang Yuan opened the door, curious what this guy was really up to.
"What do you need?"
Clearly, this guy hadn't expected her to actually open the door. He paused, then regain his usual composure.
"The people from downstairs came knocking today. I think they visited your place too."
So that was it!
"Exactly!"