"What a coincidence. I don't have the key either," Huang Jinghe said awkwardly.
The two of them not having a key was one issue, but their strange floor layout was another matter entirely.
It seemed like the building had originally only been designed to have thirty floors. There was no elevator beyond the 30th, and on top of that, the 31st floor had a fire door installed.
Anyone who's ever lived in an apartment complex knows: the stairwell in the fire escape is supposed to be the one and only escape route. From the parking garage all the way to the top, that passage is always open, with no doors getting in the way. But in this bizarre building layout, they had actually installed a fire door on the 31st floor, cutting them off from the lower levels.
Back when they used to go downstairs, the door was just a hassle. But now, that fire door had become a literal lifesaver. Fire doors were never made with flimsy materials, and if they locked the one on the 31st floor, people below really wouldn't be able to get up.
Huang Jinghe said, "But I don't think we need a key. The handles on that fire door face each other. We can just tie them together with rope. Then we tie our floor's door as well. That way, not only can we keep the freeloaders away, we can still go up and down ourselves."
Truth was, only two households were living up here anyway. The rooftop was covered in poisonous fog, so there was nowhere else to go. It might sound harsh not to let people pass, but really, if you didn't have bad intentions, why would you even want to come up? Trying to build relationships at a time like this? Not likely.
Lan Jin nodded. "Alright, I've got rope at home. Climbing-grade stuff, it's sturdy. Oh, and are you still going down every day to get food?"
Huang Jinghe thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Nah. I'll hold off for now. Maybe later, if I get tired of the taste, I'll go down and get a few meals to switch it up."
Lan Jin wasn't satisfied with that. "If that's your plan, you might as well stock up for the next few days. This is just the beginning. Things are only going to get worse. The longer it goes on, the more likely people will start targeting others. Going down later could be even riskier."
Once she explained, Huang Jinghe got it. "Alright. I've got a fridge. I'll get a few meals now, rotate them out. Also, I have a feeling the man from earlier is going to stir up some trouble once his family finds out. If we tie up the doors right now, it'll just look more suspicious. Better to order extra food today, and after we've picked it up tomorrow, we can tie the doors."
"Sounds good."
With that plan made, the two went back to their own homes. But Lan Jin wasn't about to leave behind any loose ends for someone to grab onto. That man from earlier might still be alive. Now that they were apart, she wasn't going to let him keep breathing.
Of course, going down to finish him off herself wasn't an option. Too risky. If the man had any companions, she'd walk right into their trap.
Then again... if he did have someone with him, they would've noticed he was missing by now. Why hadn't they come looking?
Even so, it wasn't wise for her to go down in person. Instead, Lan Jin turned her eyes to Nana.
Nana might look like a small pup, but he had incredible strength. The fire door was heavy, but with Nana's power, he could pass through it easily.
"Nana, I need your help with something," Lan Jin said seriously. "Can you do it for me?"
The moment Lan Jin's tone shifted, Nana stood up straight. His tail stiffened, ears perked. He planted himself firmly in front of Lan Jin, full of focus and determination, waiting for her instructions. But when no command came, he let out a small bark. Woof.
"Don't rush," Lan Jin said. "I'm still figuring it out."
Nana stayed at attention, ready and waiting.
After a moment of thought, Lan Jin spoke again. "You threw that man down to the 28th floor, right? I want you to go check on him. Move him next to the window. Then unlock it and open it. Remember how I taught you before? Push the lock diagonally upward with your head. Once it clicks, use your paws to push the window all the way open. Then come back immediately. Got it?"
Nana gave a soft woof and padded over to the door. Lan Jin opened it right away and let him out.
Nana trotted through the hallway, pushed open the heavy fire door with his head, and made his way down the stairs.
Once he reached the man, he dragged him over to the window. Then, just as Lan Jin had taught, he pushed the angled lock with his head. Click. The window was unlocked. He used his small paw to shove the window fully open.
A rush of poisonous fog swept inside.
The alarm was installed right next to that stairwell window. Almost as soon as it opened, the siren blared.
Nana didn't wait. Before the fog could reach him, he turned and bolted back up the stairs.
Lan Jin heard the alarm echoing through the stairwell. That man was as good as dead now.
As for whether opening the window would affect any innocent people... well...
Let's be real. It wasn't the middle of the night anymore, but it was late. What kind of person wasn't home by now and happened to be wandering the stairwell?
You really think someone like that is innocent?
Besides, the alarm was deafening. The poisonous fog moved with the wind. Once it started, the whole building's alarms would be going off. Even if people were asleep, they'd be jolted awake. And once they were up, they'd block their doors and seal the cracks, wouldn't they?
No innocents were getting hurt by this. Not a chance.
And for the ones who were still wandering around late at night instead of going home—if they got caught in it, well, that was on them. Lan Jin didn't feel even a shred of guilt.
When Nana returned, she immediately gave him praise.
"Nana, you were amazing. No need to wait until tomorrow. I'll give you a chicken leg and a duck leg tonight, how about that?"
Nana wagged his tail wildly, full of pride. His expression was practically shouting, "I did something great for my human. I'm awesome!" He strutted around the room, looking as noble as ever.
In his excitement, Nana barked louder than usual, not even trying to hold back.
But a few barks weren't a problem right now. Most of the neighbors had already been startled awake by the alarm. Compared to the noise blaring from the stairwell, a dog barking hardly stood out.
Just then, Huang Jinghe sent a message: Sister Lan, why is the stairwell alarm going off?
Lan Jin replied: No idea. Someone will probably come check it soon. Just wait and see. And don't go outside. Seal your door.
[Huang Jinghe]:Sister Lan, I feel like something's wrong. Should we get our stories straight, just in case?
Lan Jin paused.
This kid's instincts were sharper than she expected. But the fact that he asked her first? That was actually a good sign.
Sure, in normal times he might seem indecisive. But right now? A little caution could be the difference between life and death.