Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang were so desperate for nicotine that they were ready to accept Zhang Yi's terms on the spot—just for a single pack of cigarettes a day.
Chen Lingyu, meanwhile, was completely distracted by her soaked pants. Her mind was in chaos, her focus long gone.
Li Jian had no choice but to speak up."These conditions are too harsh. We can't decide this on our own—otherwise, the other buildings won't accept it."
Zhang Yunian stood with his arms crossed, looking serious but utterly clueless. In his mind, as long as Zhang Yi provided food—no matter how little—he, as the leader of Building 5, would never starve. Still, he echoed Li Jian:
"Right. We can't decide this lightly. We need to discuss it further!"
Zhang Yi's expression darkened instantly, his voice turning ice-cold.
"Discuss it further? Are you mocking me?""If the five of you can't make decisions for the entire complex, then why call yourselves representatives?"
Outside the door, Uncle You and the others tightened their grip on their weapons and stepped closer, their faces grim.
Wang Qiang and the rest felt their hearts sink.
Killing them would be effortless for Zhang Yi. He had a gun. They had nothing.
"Wait!" Wang Qiang raised a hand hurriedly. "We can decide!"
He shot Li Jian and Zhang Yunian a fierce glare."We agreed the five of us would make the call. The others won't dare object!"
"I say we accept Zhang Yi's terms."
In his early twenties, Wang Qiang lacked experience. He'd made a fatal mistake in negotiation—showing his hand too early. But in truth, he was nothing more than a street thug who loved fighting.
Li Jian and Chen Lingyu wanted to strangle him on the spot—but it was too late.
Huang Tianfang quickly backed him up. His group was small—ten rations were more than enough. Add daily cigarettes, and life would be almost luxurious.
"We should be more understanding," Huang Tianfang said. "Zhang Yi has his own difficulties. No need to push him too far."
Eager to please, he thumped his chest."I'll go first—I agree!"
"Me too!" Wang Qiang added immediately.
Zhang Yunian frowned deeply, pretending to think, though he had no idea what to say.
Only Li Jian and Chen Lingyu still had any clarity—but Chen Lingyu was in no state to think. Li Jian was left fighting alone.
The alliance was already falling apart.
Zhang Yi sat by the window, watching them with faint amusement. At the same time, his gaze drifted outside—
—and suddenly sharpened.
Something was wrong.
The crowd that had scattered after the grenade was regrouping, forming small clusters as they crept toward Building 25.
A cold smile curled on Zhang Yi's lips.
Just as I thought.
They were using the negotiation as a distraction—planning a sneak attack.
But Zhang Yi had never let his guard down.
He turned back to the five leaders.
"Did you arrange for an attack during negotiations?"
Wang Qiang and the others were stunned.
"Are you kidding?" Wang Qiang blurted. "We're all here! Why would we risk our own lives?"
Zhang Yi smiled faintly."I didn't think so. But you'd better investigate this when you get back."
He already knew the truth.
Either the other leaders had abandoned them—using them as bait…Or their own subordinates had staged a coup.
Li Jian's face went pale as he shot to his feet."They're attacking!"
The others turned ashen.
"Those bastards—who gave the order?!"
Zhang Yi's smile never faded.
He reached down—and picked up his black sniper rifle.
"Sit. Down."
His roar shook the room as he leveled the gun at them.
The door burst open. Uncle You and his men rushed in, sealing every exit.
The five leaders froze, terror-stricken.
"Zhang Yi, it wasn't us! Don't shoot!" Wang Qiang's forehead was drenched in sweat.
Chen Lingyu collapsed outright, completely losing control.
Zhang Yi ignored them.
He set up the sniper rifle by the window.
Below, the attackers were gathering at the makeshift gate.
The assault was about to begin.
Zhang Yi took aim at a tall figure—
Bang!
The shot echoed across the complex.
The leader of Building 11's head exploded, red and white splattering across the snow.
The crowd froze.
Bang!
Another shot. Another head burst apart.
Only then did panic erupt.
People screamed, fled, or threw themselves onto the ground.
Zhang Yi's eyes were cold—like death itself.
He ignored those running.
Instead, he targeted those hiding.
"Trying to play dead in the snow?" he sneered. "Let's see how long that works."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each shot claimed another life.
Bodies jerked. Skulls shattered.
Inside the room, the five leaders trembled in silence.
Only now did they truly understand—
just how terrifying Zhang Yi was.