Building 8, Unit 401.
Watching Qin Ziwu depart into the distance, Zhao Shuheng turned to Zhao Pu. "Dad, it won't be dangerous, will it?"
Zhao Pu patted his son's head. "It's just moving some things, what danger could there be? This is an opportunity."
A flicker of worry passed through Zhao Shuheng's eyes. "Dad, this is moving corpses! Didn't you hear the noises outside earlier?"
Zhao Pu chuckled wryly. "Your dad is a doctor. I've seen more dead people than you all combined, so what's this? The fact that they're asking us to move corpses now precisely shows they're short on people."
Zhao Shuheng looked at his father's white hair, pursed his lips, and nodded.
......
Building 8, Unit 601.
The man's voice trembled. "Wife, should... should we go? If we go move the corpses, won't we become accomplices?"
Although the woman was also somewhat afraid, she gritted her teeth. "We're going. We have to go."
The man asked his wife with some hesitation, "Why must we go? There are so many households in the building. If we don't go, how would they even know?"
......
"I might not remember exactly who came, but I'll remember perfectly clearly who didn't show up." Qin Ziwen handed Deng Guang a small notebook. "Brother Guang, could I trouble you to register the neighbors who came to help? We can't let everyone help for nothing."
Footsteps sounded from downstairs. Xiao Meixue walked in front, with Guo Xiaochun following closely behind.
Seeing Qin Ziwen, the smile on Guo Xiaochun's face grew even more enthusiastic. He quickly stepped forward, entered Unit 602, leaned his body forward, and extended both hands.
"Brother Qin! Whatever you need, just give the order."
"Come, have a seat. I remember you sell information, right?" Qin Ziwen brought him a stool.
Only after Qin Ziwen sat down did Guo Xiaochun take his seat, speaking modestly, "Ah, I wouldn't dare call it selling information. It's more like sharing information resources."
Qin Ziwen interlocked his fingers. "What happened here today will definitely interest some people. I'm prepared to give you some frontline, authentic information."
Guo Xiaochun laughed. "Haha, that would be absolutely wonderful."
Then, Qin Ziwen recounted the day's events in detail.
Guo Xiaochun listened, repeatedly slapping his thigh, filled with righteous indignation. "This is too much! How can such people exist! Not thinking about engaging in proper work, insisting on being thieving parasites. Then trying to silence witnesses after getting caught stealing! Fortunately, Brother Qin was more skilled. Such villains get what they deserve!"
Guo Xiaochun stood up and thumped his chest. "Brother Qin, rest assured, I will definitely spread the truth about this incident."
"That sounds troublesome." Qin Ziwen handed him a black plastic bag.
Guo Xiaochun took the bag, his fingers sinking slightly, feeling the substantial weight of sincerity. He couldn't help but sigh emotionally. "I don't have many virtues, but my sense of justice is overflowing. I simply can't stand seeing good people suffer injustice."
The two men exchanged a smile, understanding passing wordlessly between them.
"Brother Guo, I'd like to ask—are there any large groups or organizations in the residential complex right now?"
Guo Xiaochun understood Qin Ziwen's meaning. He thought carefully. "I'm not sure what standard you consider a 'large group' to be."
"But from what I know, a Mutual Aid Society was established over in Building 2. Basically, many families from both units of Building 2 have joined, totaling over a hundred people. That group recently selling soil in the complex is from the Mutual Aid Society."
Hearing this, Qin Ziwen suddenly understood. So the highly publicized soil-selling operation these past couple of days was their doing.
Guo Xiaochun continued, "Besides the Mutual Aid Society, there are quite a few teams formed by several families or a dozen families. It really comes down to a trust issue."
"It's not like the old days anymore. Before, if an elderly person fell, plenty of warm-hearted people would rush to help them up. Now, if an elderly person falls, everyone quickly records video to avoid liability."
"When I was in school, if I saw someone begging, I'd even take money from my living expenses to donate. Now when I see a beggar, my first thought is that it's a scammer trying to cheat people out of money."
Speaking to this point, Guo Xiaochun sounded somewhat wistful. "This trust between people... I don't know when it started, but it seems like it just suddenly vanished. Brother Qin, I can tell you're someone meant for great things. I'm not one for flattery, but I genuinely feel that someone like you—ruthlessly efficient, with a kind face but a shrewd mind—is the type who can truly achieve things."
Qin Ziwen's face darkened. What did he mean by 'ruthlessly efficient'? What did he mean by 'kind face but shrewd mind'? He needed to explain himself clearly.
Noticing Qin Ziwen's expression, Guo Xiaochun gave a sheepish grin. "Brother, that's absolutely a compliment, praising you! I've met some big bosses. Very few of those who succeed are simple or naive. Those 'innocent sweethearts' got devoured down to the bone fragments by others during their ventures long ago."
"Brother Qin, don't worry. From now on, I'll definitely pay extra attention to any information related to you. I also hope to earn your friendship, to gain a bit of shelter at critical times."
Qin Ziwen extended his right hand. Guo Xiaochun quickly put down the bag and grasped it.
After Guo Xiaochun left, Qin Ziwu came over. "Big brother, it's all handled."
"Where did you dump it?"
"In the river."
Deng Guang remarked gloomily, "If you keep this up, I won't dare fish in the river anymore."
Qin Ziwen felt a pang of nostalgia. "It has been a while since we went fishing."
Actually, what he missed most was net fishing. Fishing with a rod was too slow. If they could get a wire mesh fishing net, that would be much more convenient.
Deng Guang handed the small booklet in his hand to Qin Ziwen. "I registered everyone who came. Basically all the neighbors from our building showed up. Only Granny Li from 202 is too old and has difficulty moving, so Xiao Wu didn't let her come."
Qin Ziwen was somewhat surprised. "Really? No one actually refused to come?"
Deng Guang said, "At first, some people were watching and waiting. But as more people came out, they gradually followed suit."
Qin Ziwen understood. "Let's go. Time to meet my neighbors."
In Unit 801, quite a few residents were moving in and out.
Some people carried a cotton quilt, others had their eyes on pots, pans, and dishes, while some were focused on electrical appliances.
The bloodstains in the room had been cleaned up, but traces still lingered in the corners and crevices.
Seeing Qin Ziwen arrive, some people greeted him, while others averted their eyes.
Zhao Pu walked over. "Hello."
Qin Ziwu whispered in his big brother's ear, "He was the first one to come out and help move the bodies. Pretty brave, seemed completely unafraid."
Qin Ziwen extended his hand. "Doctor Zhao, hello. Thank you for your help this time."
Zhao Pu shook his hand, speaking politely. "It was my duty. Leaving bodies outside untreated for too long can easily breed bacteria and viruses, even lead to plague. It's also a responsibility to everyone else."
After a moment's consideration, Zhao Pu looked steadily at Qin Ziwen and recommended himself. "Mr. Qin, might your team still need a doctor? I was formerly an attending physician in general surgery."
Qin Ziwen caught the key word. "Formerly?"
Zhao Pu lowered his eyes bitterly. "I resigned because of a medical accident."
Qin Ziwen smiled slightly. "It's fine. To err is human. I believe Doctor Zhao certainly didn't wish for that accident to happen either. Welcome to the team."
......