27: Foolish approach

Sure enough, that afternoon, Fang Zhongguan led the Dragon Tiger Cooperative up the mountain in a grand procession.

In the entire Green Water Villa District, everyone except Ai Yue's family of three stood inside the main gate with their prepared supplies, waiting for the arrival of the Dragon Tiger Cooperative.

The owners who had disagreed during the previous meeting, under the persuasion and threats of others, could only agree to hand over food and supplies. Some well-connected individuals had already taken their families elsewhere to avoid this disaster after the meeting adjourned.

Only Ai Yue's family was peacefully eating hotpot at home.

An hour later, the members of the Dragon Tiger Cooperative arrived at the entrance of the villa district, panting heavily, drenched in sweat, and doubled over as they gasped for air.

After being in the Apocalypse for so long, the lack of nutrition had led to vitamin deficiencies, and combined with the food shortage since the heavy rains began, most people's bodies were very weak.

Furthermore, because of the heavy rain, cars were basically useless, so they had to walk up the mountain step by step.

Only the leader, Fang Zhongguan, and a few minor bosses looked healthy and energetic, showing no signs of fatigue.

Fang Zhongguan tapped the community gate with a machete and said with a menacing look, "Why are you standing so far away? Open the gate for this President immediately! Otherwise, once we get in, none of you should expect to keep standing."

The balding man's fat trembled in fear of Fang Zhongguan. He licked his lips and spoke with a shaky voice, "Pres—President Fang, hello. I am Fang Guofeng, a director of Blue Epoch Real Estate. Hehe, we share the same surname..."

"Stop your rambling. I don't care who you are, just open the gate." A minor boss beside Fang Zhongguan interrupted impatiently, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the pampered ladies and young misses in the crowd, swallowing his saliva.

"Hey, Sun Ergou, don't be in such a hurry. We have plenty of time. It's not too late to hear what our Director Fang has to say." Fang Zhongguan stopped Sun Ergou and looked at Fang Guofeng with interest.

"Yes, yes, President Fang is absolutely right. *Cough, cough*." Fang Guofeng cleared his throat and continued, "Although our community has reached the end of its resources after two natural disasters, we have all agreed that to celebrate the establishment of the Dragon Tiger Cooperative and President Fang's prestigious appointment as President, we've decided to offer our only remaining food as a congratulatory gift. We hope President Fang will show mercy and spare our community."

Fang Guofeng spoke in both a fawning and sincere manner.

"Hahaha, you—listen to this! What's going on? What did I just hear?" Fang Zhongguan suddenly burst into laughter, doubling over, while the others also roared with laughter.

After a while, Fang Zhongguan finished laughing and straightened up, wiping away non-existent tears. "You idiot, do you think you're giving a speech? Big brother, get it straight—it's the Apocalypse! The government is gone. What kind of dream are you still living in? Stop talking nonsense. Look... the young ladies and wives behind you are so fair-skinned. It would be such a waste if we didn't get to enjoy them."

Hearing Fang Zhongguan's words, all the owners panicked. Those with beautiful wives or daughters were especially terrified.

Fang Guofeng's face turned pale as he stammered, "Pres... President, we, we..."

"Haha, look at them, look how scared they are." Fang Zhongguan turned back to his subordinates and spoke in a mocking tone. He thoroughly enjoyed this moment, relishing the feeling of having other people's lives in the palm of his hand.

"Don't be afraid, I was just joking. Look at your little faces, so pale. You really can't take a joke."

Fang Guofeng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and gave a forced laugh. "Yes, yes, we are easily frightened. We've made fools of ourselves."

Fang Zhongguan frowned and thought for a moment. "How about this: as long as you hand over three times the amount of food you have there, I'll let you off today. How does that sound?"

"Boss, why are you wasting your breath on them? Can't we just take it by force?" Sun Ergou said dissatisfiedly.

Fang Zhongguan felt his authority was being questioned. His face turned cold instantly, and he said in an icy tone, "Are you teaching me how to do things? Do you want to be the President instead?"

Sun Ergou shuddered, suddenly remembering that Fang Zhongguan had changed. He had become ruthless and cruel, disregarding all family ties, and would kill without hesitation. With fear in his heart, he laughed it off, repeatedly saying he wouldn't dare, and retreated behind Fang Zhongguan, not daring to speak again.

Seeing this, the others said in unison that they would follow the President's orders.

Fang Zhongguan's expression finally softened as he continued, "Director Fang, have you made up your mind?"

"Fine, fine, fine, I agree."

"If we provide three times the food, will you really let us go?"

The other owners were quite frightened and hurriedly asked.

"Of course, a gentleman's word is his bond! But I'm only giving you twenty minutes. Once the time is up, hmph, you know what happens."

"Okay, okay, quickly, let's go back and get the food." The terrified people scattered. Only a few owners hesitated, but seeing the fierce men outside the gate, they gritted their teeth and ran home as well.

Soon, the owners all returned with food. They tremblingly handed it over. The members of the Dragon Tiger Cooperative, having received the food, all looked at Fang Zhongguan with expectant eyes, eager to act.

Fang Zhongguan looked at the food all over the ground, thought of something, and chuckled. "Let's go, head back!"

One of the minor bosses was startled by his words and blurted out, "President?"

"President, we worked so hard to climb up here, and just like that... we're leaving? If we leave now, the guys won't be satisfied, right?" he continued.

"Yeah, President, this mountain is so high. We worked so hard to climb up, we can't just let them off so easily. They're clearly fat sheep."

"That's right, that's right."

...Fang Zhongguan looked at the dissenters with a disdainful smile. He pulled a handgun from his chest and toyed with it, saying slowly, "What did you say? Speak up, I didn't hear you!"

Seeing Fang Zhongguan pull out a handgun, everyone shrunk back, not daring to make a sound.

Sun Ergou narrowed his eyes slightly. Ever since Fang Zhongguan got the handgun, he had become arrogant. The Dragon Tiger Cooperative had become his dictatorship. Those who had initially followed him as partners were now gradually becoming his lackeys with no say in anything.

Looking at the submissive crowd, Fang Zhongguan tucked away the gun with satisfaction and comforted them, "Don't worry, I have my own plan. I won't treat you unfairly. Let's go, down the mountain!"

The crowd was furious but didn't dare speak out. They could only drag their tired bodies back down the mountain.

Seeing the people from the Dragon Tiger Cooperative leave, Fang Guofeng wiped the sweat from his face. Like a dying man suddenly coming back to life, he said excitedly, "See? I told you following my lead was the right choice. It's settled. You all owe your lives to me today."

The others weren't as excited as he was. They gave Fang Guofeng forced smiles. Taking advantage of the momentum, Fang Guofeng nominated himself to be the district head of the entire community. No one had any objections, so they nodded and agreed.

Fang Guofeng felt very proud. Seeing these former business tycoons now having to listen to him made him feel like he was walking on air.

Ai Yue saw this whole drama unfold. At this moment, she stood in the sunroom on the third floor and put down her binoculars, her brow furrowed. She felt that things wouldn't end so easily. She hesitated about whether to step in and help defend the community.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Ai Yue looked down and saw Fang Guofeng with a haughty expression, leading eight or nine people as they frantically pressed the doorbell outside.