Chapter 12: Moral Coercion

Chapter 12: Moral Coercion

At this moment, no household wanted to take in outsiders. Those not named naturally pretended to be absent.

Resident 101 @ Floor Leader 401: Floor Leader, you are the most authoritative person in our building. You can’t just ignore us, can you?

Floor Leader 401: My mother-in-law is partially paralyzed and needs adult diapers, so she must have her own room. My daughter-in-law is pregnant, and my son needs to take care of her. We can’t separate the young couple. My husband and I both sleep in the study; honestly, we have no space to spare. We’re powerless.

This was true. The floor leader was known for her filial piety, which was also why she was chosen. She took great care of her paralyzed mother-in-law with utmost dedication.

Although this floor leader often used moral pressure and acted self-righteous, her devotion to family was undeniably commendable. No one is perfect; under normal circumstances, her flaws might be tolerable, but in this apocalypse, some things couldn’t be judged by old standards.

No one else spoke up. The first floor couldn’t go house to house asking. If people remained silent, it meant they didn’t want to help.

But the first-floor residents were not foolish; they thought of forming alliances.

Resident 101 @ Resident 201: The snow doesn’t seem to be stopping. If our building gets sealed off, next will be yours. We need to think of a solution together.

Resident 201: We’re discussing this. Let’s not talk now.

They simply dropped out. Residents 101 and 102 had no choice but to accept this. The chat ended abruptly, and the group fell silent. No one even complained about food or water, probably afraid that speaking up would lead to being asked to take in outsiders.

People kept their distance these days. Who would want strangers living under the same roof, especially when food was scarce and the bathrooms unusable?

Gu Pan took her phone and left the bedroom.

Lu Ruisheng had already prepared sandwiches and boiled milk. “Time to eat.”

Gu Pan replied, “I’m going to wash my face. Be right there.”

After freshening up, she returned to the dining table. They sat facing each other, chatting as they ate.

Lu Ruisheng asked, “Will the first floor move into the hallway today?”

Gu Pan shook her head. “I think it’s after two or three days. After all, no place outside feels as secure as home. But the snow has sealed the windows, no light at all. It’s not suitable for survival.”

“That makes sense. Which floor’s hallway are they moving into? Not ours, right?”

“I remember it’s around the third or fourth floor, closer to home.”

“Then let’s delay installing the iron door so we don’t draw attention.”

“Okay.” After breakfast, they entered the space. Today, Lu Ruisheng finished assembling the shelves and placed the ordered meals on them. It felt uncomfortable having food on the floor.

They also stocked some daily necessities, like a supermarket shelf, so it would be easier to find things. When Lu Ruisheng came in or Gu Pan used her powers to retrieve items, it was more convenient.

Around noon, Floor Leader 401 messaged the group: “Is there a doctor or nurse in our building? Someone fainted in the neighboring unit.”

Soon, Resident 601, who hadn’t spoken before, replied: “I’m a doctor, emergency medicine. What’s the patient’s condition?”

Floor Leader 401: “Uremia. He used to have dialysis every three days. It was due yesterday, but with this weather, he can’t get out. Ambulances can’t come. He’s just holding on.”

Resident 601: “There’s nothing I can do. Patients on dialysis every three days are in serious condition. Without a dialysis machine or peritoneal dialysis equipment, and lacking emergency meds and tools, I can’t help even if I go.”

Floor Leader 401: “You’re the only doctor in these two buildings. If you go, there’s hope. If you don’t, he’s doomed.”

Resident 501: “Saving a life is greater than building a seven-story pagoda. How can you not go?”

Resident 601 fell silent.

Gu Pan frowned, recalling something. She said to Lu Ruisheng, “In the last life, this doctor went out and never came back. He’s a doctor; even with our space, people will still get sick. Having a doctor here would make life more comfortable.”

Lu Ruisheng agreed, “Indeed. Such fearless sacrifice is unnecessary. I’ll add him on WeChat and talk privately.”

Gu Pan nodded, “Okay. Try adding him. If he doesn’t accept, we’ll approach him at the door.”

Lu Ruisheng added him on WeChat: “I’m the resident upstairs, #701. I have something important to discuss.”

The other party quickly accepted, likely hesitating over the phone given the danger of going out.

Lu Ruisheng called him on WeChat, put it on speaker on the table so both could hear.

The doctor answered, “Hello, you’re #701 upstairs?”

Lu Ruisheng said, “Yes. I’ll be brief. The underground parking water pipes burst from freezing, blocking the basement exit. If you go out from above and the wind catches you, survival is impossible. The neighbor’s patient can’t be saved even if you go. Risking your life for an impossible rescue isn’t worth it.”

Resident 601 sighed, “But I’m a doctor. Saving lives is my duty.”

Gu Pan replied, “Have you thought that staying safe here ensures the safety of our building’s residents? That’s responsibility to more people.”

Resident 601 hesitated but worried, “What would the neighbors think if I don’t go? How will we live here afterward?”

Gu Pan spoke honestly, “If I tell everyone what I think, I believe they’ll agree with me. When it comes to themselves, everyone leans toward what benefits them.”

Resident 601 agreed but asked, “Why are you helping me?”

Lu Ruisheng was candid, “As we said, you staying makes the building safer. We’re all mortal flesh. If the disaster continues, having a doctor here gives us peace of mind.”

Resident 601 chuckled, “You’ve thought this through. You’re right. Going out truly has no meaning. Even with a slim chance of saving a life, it’s not worth the risk. Although you suspect we have motives, I still thank you for making me more at ease not taking the risk. If I went out today, I might never return.”

Lu Ruisheng said, “It’s settled then.”

Resident 601: “Okay, thank you.”

Lu Ruisheng ended the call.

Meanwhile, Gu Pan sent a message to the resident group chat: “I don’t want the doctor on the sixth floor to go to the neighboring unit. Everyone knows how dangerous the blizzard outside is. If the doctor is swept away, he may never come back. We’re lucky to have a doctor here. No one can guarantee we won’t get sick. Now ambulances can’t come. Without a hospital, if we have emergencies and lose the doctor, it’s death. The sixth-floor doctor said he can’t help the neighbor’s condition. Why risk losing our doctor too?”

Her message silenced the previously busy chat.

Soon, Resident 501 spoke up: “I agree with #701. If there’s no hope, no need to risk it. Having a doctor here comforts everyone.”

Resident 402: “Yes, unnecessary sacrifice has no value. Better to save the light and warmth for those who need it more.”

Floor Leader 401: “True, there’s nothing to be done. Going is pointless and dangerous at the door. Maybe #601 doctor can add the patient’s WeChat and guide them to self-rescue?”

Resident 601 agreed: “Sure, have the patient’s family add me on WeChat.”

(End of chapter)