Сhарter 23: Thе 15th Flооr Gеts Rоbbed
Si Beiсhеn didn’t even lоok up, fiddling with thе rаdiо аs hе сasuаllу аsked, “Нow did thеy desсribе me?”
“Тheу sаid уou’rе а gangstеr, hаhа.”
Si Jiаnhuа сhimеd in, curiоus, “Somеоne said Beiсhen is miхed uр with thе undеrwоrld?”
Jiang Ci nоdded firmly. “Yеаh.”
Si Веichеn loоked up hеlрlеsslу, glаncing аt Si Jianhua and Jiаng Сi, whо wеrе doubled ovеr with lаughtеr.
“Thеy rеally hаvе nо tаste. Hоw dо I look likе a gangstеr? I’m сlеаrly а sоldier protecting our homе and соuntrу.”
“Whо knоws? Anуway, thosе pеoрle аlso think everyone on our 11th floor is bad news.”
“Isn’t that great? We’re all bad people, so they’d better not mess with us.”
Wen Qianyue actually thought being seen as bad was a good thing. Some people only pick on the weak and fear the strong. As bad people, no one would dare bully them.
Si Jianhua nodded in agreement. “Your mom’s right.”
Seeing her mom knitting a sweater, Jiang Ci couldn’t help but say, “Mom, it’s almost unbearably hot now. Why are you knitting a sweater?”
Wen Qianyue shot Jiang Ci a look. “What do you know, kid? Don’t you understand ‘things turn into their opposites when they reach the extreme’? Just watch—it’s extreme heat now, but who knows, it might turn into extreme cold later. I’m just preparing ahead of time!”
Jiang Ci suddenly understood, looking at her mom with admiration and giving her a thumbs-up.
The older ginger is spicier indeed. Her mom was no simple woman—she actually guessed right.
But when the extreme cold really came, her mom’s knitted sweater wouldn’t be enough to keep out the chill.
Oh well, it was good for her mom to have something to do, so she wouldn’t get bored and develop mental issues.
While watching the TV show Jiang Ci had tuned in for him, Si Jianhua asked, “Are those people planning to make a move?”
The mayor was sharp as ever.
Jiang Ci didn’t hide it. “They plan to rob the Tian family on the 15th floor in the middle of the night.”
Si Beichen’s expression turned cold. “As long as they don’t mess with us, we shouldn’t get involved.”
Si Jianhua sighed softly. “The world is really about to descend into chaos. We can’t control everything—as long as our family stays safe, that’s what matters.”
Jiang Ci tentatively asked, “What if they do come after us?”
“Of course we can’t let them off easy! Being merciful to enemies is being cruel to ourselves.”
Wen Qianyue stopped knitting, worried that Jiang Ci might be too soft-hearted and get bullied, so she sternly taught her daughter.
“The world has changed now, and social order is in chaos. Don’t blame me for not teaching you—if anyone dares to mess with or bully our family, beat them to death! Did you get your Taekwondo black belt ninth dan for nothing?”
Jiang Ci quickly put on a look of having learned her lesson.
Meanwhile, Si Jianhua and Si Beichen looked at Jiang Ci in surprise. “We had no idea our girl is a Taekwondo black belt ninth dan?”
Although the girl was tall at 1.7 meters, she had a small frame, was thin and pale, and looked delicate and pretty. Usually, she was obedient and gentle—truly, no one could tell she knew how to fight.
Wen Qianyue shrugged it off. “Don’t be fooled by her appearance. This brat is fierce when she fights!”
Si Beichen raised an eyebrow, as if seeing Jiang Ci for the first time, and gave her a thorough once-over.
Jiang Ci, meanwhile, sat there awkwardly, forcing a dry laugh.
That’s her real mom for you—why expose her weaknesses? Doesn’t she care about her dignity?Si Jianhua laughed heartily, “It’s good that our girl knows how to fight! No need to worry about her being bullied—the fiercer, the better! Listen to your mom, dear. She’s right. If anyone dares to bully you, beat them to death. Never hold back.”
Jiang Ci pouted, “Got it.”
She had thought her mom and Si Dad would teach her to be kind, to show mercy when possible, but instead, they were egging her on to beat others to death, one more enthusiastic than the other.
Well, it just goes to show they’re truly her family.
Then she wouldn’t hold back in the future.
Honestly, when she gets fierce, even she herself is scared. Rawr!
…
Late into the night, Jiang Ci indeed heard faint noises outside the door.
Si Beichen stood by the door for a while, listening carefully.
The faint sounds soon disappeared, and the hallway fell silent again.
Early the next morning.
Jiang Ci heard a cacophony of wailing and howling outside.
It turned out to be Tian Jiakai’s wife, Yuan Jiaojiao, sitting on the staircase landing and crying.
She cried and cursed at the same time.
“A bunch of damn robbers! Not only did they steal our food, but they also beat up my husband!”
“May you all die horribly! You scum!”
…
Si Beichen covered Jiang Ci’s ears and pulled her away from the door, where she had been eavesdropping and enjoying the drama, into the living room.
He then took out his phone, played a song, plugged in the earphones, and put them into Jiang Ci’s ears.
Jiang Ci was forced to listen to music, ending her drama session…
After listening to about three songs, Yuan Jiaojiao’s throat was hoarse from crying, and she was drenched in sweat, feeling dizzy from the heat. She finally had no choice but to go home to rest and rehydrate.
That evening, the broadcast sounded again, announcing that the government’s water truck had arrived to distribute water. Residents were asked to bring their own buckets and ID cards downstairs to collect water.
Si Jianhua and Wen Qianyue stayed at home, while Jiang Ci and Si Beichen took four ID cards and four buckets downstairs to collect water.
The buckets were the ones Jiang Ci used for large water containers. She had taken them out from her space and placed them in the kitchen cabinet.
Although Wen Qianyue and Si Beichen found it strange where the buckets came from, neither of them asked any questions.
After all, Wen Qianyue cooked in the kitchen every day and had never seen these buckets before.
But it didn’tt matter. She thought it was normal for Jiang Ci to have her own secrets, especially since she was grown up and an adult now.
For a mother, as long as her child is healthy, happy, well-fed, and warmly dressed, nothing else matters.
As for Si Beichen, it was his professional habit to observe every detail and person in a place.
He didn’t remember there being buckets in the kitchen cabinet. It was as if they had appeared out of thin air.
But he didn’t ask, inquire, or show any curiosity.
After all, Jiang Ci was his sister, and she certainly wouldn’t harm him. Besides, having extra things appear out of nowhere was a good thing for their family. Not only would he not ask, but he would also protect Jiang Ci to ensure no one outside their family discovered it.
Jiang Ci hadn’t deliberately tried to hide anything, partly to see how her family would react and partly to make it easier for her to take out more things in the future.
She didn’t want to explain too much or admit anything outright.
It was fine if her having a space remained an unspoken secret within their family.
She would definitely not let anyone else know.
As long as Si Dad, Wen Mom, and Si Beichen didn’t say anything, no one else would ever know her secret.As long as everyone maintains an unspoken understanding, she will naturally bring out more good things, ensuring the entire family lives well in the post-apocalyptic world.
If anyone harbors ill intentions, she certainly won’t admit to anything herself. Moreover, whoever plots against her will be the first to meet their end.
She won’t give anyone the chance to harm her.