Chapter 72
Messages in the group chat began popping up one after another.
The group had always been quiet before, but the explosion had suddenly brought it to life.
Suzy bit down on her popsicle and continued scrolling through the messages. At the same time, she casually added Leonard to the group chat as well.
Many residents were complaining that they hadn’t stored water in advance.
Most of the people living here were well-off and valued appearances. Their homes were beautifully decorated and spotless, so naturally few of them kept things like large water buckets around.
Of course, there were also a few clever ones who had prepared ahead of time—buying buckets and filling every bottle and container they could find.
Now that the water had been cut off, those households weren’t nearly as panicked.
[3-301]: What were you all thinking? With weather this hot, you didn’t think to store water? Look—this is what our place prepared. [Image][Image]
The resident from apartment 301 posted photos showing their water reserves.
The bathtub was filled to the brim, and the tone of the message practically dripped with pride.
Leonard had just joined the group when he saw the message. The corner of his mouth twitched.
Quite the character, he thought.
Showing off like that now—wasn’t he afraid that desperate, thirsty people might break into his home to steal water?
Soon enough, Leonard realized his assumption had been wrong.
The man in 301 wasn’t foolish—he was practically a saint.
People in the chat began tagging him.
[3-402]: Bro, since you’ve stored so much water, could you share a little with my family? We’ve got none at all.
[3-301]: Sure. No problem. Just bring your own container and come pick some up.
Leonard raised an eyebrow. "Looks like 301 is a pretty kind guy."
The group chat became even livelier as more people began tagging him.
[3-402]: Dude, we’re out of water too. Could you spare some for us? I’d really appreciate it!
[3-702]: Same here—no water stored. I only need a little. I can pay!
[3-301]: Don’t worry about money. If you need water, just come over! We’re neighbors—why talk about money? Just come get it. Don’t be shy!
One after another, residents began heading toward apartment 301 carrying containers to hold water.
The owner of 301 was a middle-aged man named Brian Dahn.
At that moment, Brian was sitting comfortably on his sofa under the air conditioner, scrolling through the group chat and basking in everyone’s praise.
The feeling was immensely satisfying.
Before long, his doorbell rang.
"Honey! Go open the door!" He shouted toward the bedroom.
A tired-looking woman walked out.
"Who is it?" she asked in confusion.
When she opened the door, she saw several people standing outside.
Each of them held some kind of container—large water jugs, washbasins, even foot-soaking buckets.
The visitors all smiled politely.
"Hello, Madam," one of them said. "We’re here to collect some water."
The woman froze. Collect water?
An uneasy feeling crept into her chest.
Yes, she had stored quite a bit of water at home. The weather had been getting hotter and hotter, and she had worried that one day the supply might be cut off, so she had prepared in advance.
But how did these people know her house had water?
"Oh, you’re here already? Come in, come in!" Brian’s voice called from behind her.
The woman turned around and saw her husband already greeting the visitors enthusiastically, urging them to come inside.
At that moment, the source of her uneasy feeling became painfully clear.
Him again.
In front of the guests, the woman forced a strained smile and held back her anger.
She watched as her husband led the visitors into the bathroom. One by one, they filled their containers with water and left. Only after the door closed behind them did the expression on her face finally change.
"Brian, are you out of your mind?" she snapped. "Why are you letting outsiders come into our house to take water? Do you realize the water supply has been cut off? Do you know how important water is right now?!"
Pamela Dahn was furious.
The bathtub that had once been filled to the brim was now only half full.
If they rationed it carefully, that water could have lasted them a long time.
"What does a woman like you know?" Brian scoffed. "I’m building good relationships with the neighbors! Besides, it’s just a little water. The supply will be restored soon anyway. Do you really have to be so stingy about it? Honestly, you women are so shortsighted. How did I end up marrying someone like you?"
Pamela’s chest heaved with anger.
"Have you even looked at the situation lately?" she shot back. "It’s scorching hot every single day! The news is already saying that many places have lost their water supply completely! No one knows how long this will last! Not only are you wasting the water we stored—you’re giving it away to other people. Are you insane?!"
"What kind of attitude is that?" Brian snapped. "If I were insane, could I have given you and our daughter such a good life in this apartment? What I can’t stand most about you is this miserly mindset!"
"Miserly?" Pamela’s voice trembled. "I’m doing this for the family!"
Mentioning it ignited all her pent-up anger.
"If you hadn’t been so obsessed with showing off and lending money everywhere, would our family be struggling like this now? Do you think I want to live like a miser?"
As she spoke, tears began streaming down her face.
Brian had a habit—he loved to show off in front of others.
Years ago, he had made some money running a small business and bought an apartment in Starlight Towers, enjoying a period of prosperity and admiration.
But he was poor at judging people. After being sweet-talked and deceived by others, he lent out large sums of money and even guaranteed loans on behalf of others.
The once comfortable life his family enjoyed had vanished because of his reckless generosity. Now they had to tighten their belts just to get by.
Yet despite the hard lesson, Brian hadn’t changed a bit.
The couple was still arguing when another knock sounded at the door.
More neighbors from the same building had arrived to collect water.
"You tell them to go home right now," Pamela said coldly. "Tell them we don’t have any water left."
Brian shoved her aside. "What nonsense are you talking? Move."
Putting on a wide smile, he opened the door.
This time, three people had come—but their containers were huge.
In no time, the bathtub that had once been filled with clean water was reduced to barely one-third full.
"Mr. Dahn, you’re truly a kind man," the visitors said gratefully as they carried their water away.
Brian beamed with satisfaction.
"If you run out of water again, just come by anytime," he said generously. "We still have plenty!"
The group exchanged bright glances.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Dahn!"
Completely flattered by their praise, Brian hummed cheerfully as he walked back into the bedroom.
"You have no idea how grateful they were," he said smugly.
Pamela let out a cold laugh.
"Grateful? Hmph. Can gratitude fill your stomach? Just wait—you’ll regret this."
Her expression blank, she began packing her belongings.
Seeing this, Brian frowned. "Where are you going?"
"I can’t live with you anymore," Pamela said coldly. "I’m taking Annie back to my parents’ house."
"Have you lost your mind? Do you even know what time it is?"
"I’ve already spoken to my mother," Pamela replied firmly. "Annie and I are leaving tonight."
Her words struck Brian like a slap in the face.
His expression darkened immediately.
"Fine. If you want to leave, then leave. I’m not stopping you!" he snapped. "Talking to you is pointless. Narrow-minded woman!"