Chapter 117: Chapter 117: The Stolen House

The sky outside the window had not yet completely darkened.

The torrential rain continued to “whoosh” down.

Beneath the fine curtain of rain, several colorful rubber boats filled with people could vaguely be seen, docking in an orderly fashion by Building A.

However, they seemed to have been blocked by people at the entrance of the building and did not manage to enter the hallway.

From the current situation, it appeared as if the two sides were negotiating something.

Some people even wielded sticks and kitchen knives.

“People coming isn’t a problem, the key issue is that this group is too organized,” Sun Jingtao picked up his telescope again to take another look, frowning slightly.

Surviving in a natural disaster was already difficult enough.

If conflicts between buildings or gangs were added into the mix, it would only compound the hardships of current life.

“Could it be that Ma Longbiao has gotten others from different buildings to join as well? If that’s the case, it’s going to be chaos for us!” Tian Jiliang’s face suddenly changed.

This clearly disrupted his plans.

After all, the more people the other side controlled, the worse it was for the remaining ones.

In the end, they were left with only three choices: either rise up and fight desperately, submit to the oppression or be expelled from Building A, or choose to leave.

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But under the current circumstances, where could they go…

Su Dai placed the alcohol lamp she was holding on the dressing table, and after taking the telescope from Sun Jingtao to have a look, she said, “Making so many people come over, isn’t he afraid of losing control?”

“Maybe, he has everything under his control,” Jiang Yan said indifferently.

If the other party got their hands on powerful weapons, no matter how numerous their people were, they would not show the slightest fear.

However, this was only her own speculation.

“It could also be that people from several other buildings have organized themselves and have nothing to do with Ma Longbiao,” Sun Jingtao said. His gaze suddenly turned serious as he looked at Jiang Yan and Ye Qing, adding,

“It seems like a fight has broken out downstairs, should we all go down to take a look?”

Ye Qing did not express an opinion and looked towards Jiang Yan.

“You all go ahead, I’m feeling a bit unwell and will head back to my room,” Jiang Yan said. Her stomach had been hurting slightly, and right now, she didn’t feel like moving at all; she just wanted to lie down.

She really didn’t want to get involved in these matters.

Let the affairs of the underworld settle themselves.

“Jiang Yan, why don’t you come down with us, after all, it concerns Building A,” Tian Jiliang thought her excuse of feeling unwell was just that, an excuse, and so he also persuaded her.

Having her there would make him feel more at ease.

Jiang Yan gave him a sidelong glance and said, “What can I do if I go? Stand by idly, abet the tyrant, or turn against each other?”

During her menstrual cycle, it was normal for her mood to be irritable.

And she was.

She especially despised when others tried to morally bind her, not even a tiny bit allowed.

Her tone was noticeably heavier now.

Tian Jiliang choked on his words.

He had only intended to go downstairs and scout out the “enemy,” he hadn’t thought about it as deeply as Jiang Yan had.

Ye Qing and Su Dai, who were beside her, gave Jiang Yan a look of concern after hearing her remarks.

“Jiang Yan, what’s wrong, where do you feel uncomfortable?”

“Yeah, you’ve seemed off for a bit, if you’re feeling unwell you have to speak up, don’t just bear it.”

Jiang Yan gave Su Dai an embarrassed smile: “It’s nothing, just that time of the month.”

Su Dai immediately understood and said, “Then hurry back and rest, have some hot water to drink.”

On a normal day, she would certainly advise her to drink some brown sugar water or something.

But now, even a cup of hot water was precious.

And scientifically proven, drinking hot water during menstruation indeed helps; advising someone to drink hot water is not a “jerky man” cliche.

Ye Qing’s face suddenly reddened beside her.

“Let’s go then,” Sun Jingtao didn’t press Jiang Yan any further and gave Tian Jiliang a nod.

Jiang Yan returned to room 3201 alone.

Sun Jingtao and Tian Jiliang went downstairs together.

Although Jiang Yan didn’t go down, when they parted, she still took a hand-crank flashlight out of her backpack and handed it to Su Dai.

This flashlight was something she had previously intended to give to Su Dai, but had not found an appropriate opportunity.

Now that it was so dark downstairs, it was impossible for them to walk down while holding an alcohol lamp.

Once back home, Jiang Yan didn’t enter the Space, but instead added some firewood to the fireplace, boiled some brown sugar water, and then sat down next to the fireplace.

She took out a tablet and casually started watching an animated film.

Less than a minute later, the door of room 3203 creaked open.

Wang Jin tiptoed out.

He glanced at the door of 3201 and then slowly walked towards the fire exit, peeking down the stairs before moving near room 3203 and signaling with his hand.

Soon after, Zhou Wei and Wang Jiamei also stepped out one after the other.

Wang Jiamei, looking anxious, tiptoed lightly down the stairs.

While Zhou Wei and Wang Jin sneaked towards room 3204 at a brisk pace.

The rain outside and the dim lighting of the hallway inadvertently provided cover for their actions.

“Click!” Wang Jin pulled out a windproof lighter, covered the flame with his hand, and shone it towards the door lock of room 3204.

Zhou Wei bent over to examine it closely and then, from his pocket, took out a thin and straight piece of wire, inserting it gently into the keyhole, followed by another specially shaped piece of wire that he slowly pushed into the lock.

“With each careful twist of his clumsy fingers, faint sounds came from the lock.

“You can put out the fire now,” Zhou Wei whispered, though his movements didn’t pause.

Wang Jin extinguished the lighter and, through the dimly lit hallway, cast a wary glance at room 3201 across from him, saying,

“Fat brother, are you sure this is going to work?”

“Shh! Keep it down! For heavens sake, whether it works or not, we have to make it work!” Zhou Wei murmured resentfully, fully focused on picking the lock, and then said, “We’re in luck today; I thought they’d stay home and we wouldn’t find an opportunity.”

His bulky figure hunched over as he performed the delicate task of lock-picking in the cold weather, his hands numb.

Sweat beads soon formed on his forehead.

However, it was evident that he was not skilled at lock-picking.

After trying for a while without the lock budging, Wang Jin grew anxious, “Fat brother, why don’t we just use that door ram? It’s straightforward and fast!”

“That would make enough noise to wake the dead! What use is that? Don’t forget, Jiang Yan is upstairs! If she had gone down, would you need me to tell you this?” Zhou Wei snapped at him.

Wang Jin, chastened by his rebuke, clamped his lips shut and said nothing further.

Zhou Wei continued to frown as he twisted the wires in his hand.

Gradually, his frown relaxed, “Almost there, just the last pin left…”

Wang Jin let out a slight sigh of relief but then froze, “Hey, why hasn’t sister-in-law come back up yet?”

“Go check!” Zhou Wei, frustrated as if wanting to kick him, urged him on.

“Oh, okay!” Wang Jin said, crouching and tiptoeing towards the fire door.

Halfway there, he heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairwell.

“Someone’s coming!”

Wang Jin’s face lit up with excitement, his thoughts to himself.