Tang Li felt a little speechless.
She glanced down at her current attire: a form-fitting tank top and a pair of athletic shorts, accentuating her curves.
It was indeed quite revealing.
No wonder the young man across the way had looked away after a single glance.
But there was nothing she could do about it.
The temperature was so high right now that everyone was dressed lightly.
Besides, the light outside was dim. As long as no one shone a flashlight directly at them, no one could see anyone else clearly.
The auntie herself wasn't wearing much either.
Many elderly men and middle-aged men were out wearing only their briefs.
She was wearing what she usually wore when exercising at home. Thinking this trip out was just a formality, she hadn't bothered to change and had come out directly.
She hadn't expected to be singled out.
Having lived in the apocalypse for so long, Tang Li hadn't encountered someone so meddlesome in a long time.
Shaking her head helplessly, she thought to herself, "Looks like I need to be more careful when I go out. It's still the early days of the apocalypse, and people like this haven't all died off yet."
But Tang Li didn't pay any attention to the auntie.
After all, it was still uncertain whether this auntie would survive the night.
A moment later, the auntie seemed to have finally found the person she was looking for and called out, "Mr. Chen!"
After calling out, she quickly came out of the elevator lobby holding a blanket and walked over to a man queuing behind Tang Li, thrusting the blanket into his arms.
She said, "Mr. Chen, thank you so much for lending us food and blankets."
The man, referred to as "Mr. Chen," was already sweating profusely from the heat. Suddenly being handed a blanket, his expression turned grim.
However, he managed a forced smile and said, "You're welcome, we should help each other. Keep the blanket for now; there's no rush to return it."
Saying this, he tried to push the blanket back.
But the auntie held the blanket firmly in his embrace and said,
"No need, no need. The official rescue team has already given us extra clean sleeping mats, blankets, and pillows. We don't need this blanket anymore."
"My first thought was to return it to you, and I've been looking for you. As soon as I saw you, I immediately brought the blanket to you. It's easier to take it up with the rescue supplies than to run back and forth."
Seeing this, many people started whispering amongst themselves.
A young man couldn't help but scoff and laugh.
"Auntie, do you have a grudge against this uncle? It's so hot, and you're stuffing a blanket into his arms. Are you trying to roast him to death?"
The auntie, upon hearing this, retorted, "What are you talking about? I'm afraid he'll get tired from climbing the stairs back and forth!"
Hearing the auntie's words, people in the queue started to chatter:
"Afraid he'll get tired from running back and forth? Then why didn't you send it up for him?"
"Why else? Afraid he'll get tired from climbing the stairs back and forth!"
"Heh, you ran all the way to his place when you needed it, and now that you don't need it, you're eagerly shoving it back at him. You didn't even bother to wash it before returning it."
"Good thing I didn't lend her my blankets back then..."
The auntie was rendered speechless by their words and became flustered, exclaiming, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"I just wanted to publicly thank Mr. Chen! All of you, when others are in trouble, not only do you not extend a helping hand, but you also find excuses for your selfishness?"
Hearing her say this, the people who had just argued with her became indignant.
The hallway immediately erupted into a cacophony of arguments, with the auntie seemingly holding her ground against many.
"What's all the shouting about? If you don't want to collect supplies, go back. Don't disturb others here!"
The auntie from the rescue team, who was explaining things to those behind, heard the commotion from downstairs and hurried out to intervene.
The auntie cast a triumphant glance at those she had been arguing with and said, "Exactly, if you don't want to collect supplies, go back, don't be here..."
"And you!"
But before she could finish, she was interrupted by the auntie from the rescue team.
"Collect your supplies and go back. Don't disturb others who are collecting supplies!"
"I..." The auntie wanted to say more, but the rescue team auntie was already ignoring her.
The others also urged her to leave.
Seeing this, the auntie dared not say any more and quickly turned to "Mr. Chen" and said:
"Mr. Chen, don't worry. Although my home was flooded, once the floodwaters recede, I will definitely wash the blanket clean and personally deliver it back to you!"
Saying this, she tried to take the blanket back from Mr. Chen's arms.
Mr. Chen quickly waved his hands and said, "Forget it, forget it. It's too much trouble."
The auntie insisted a few more times, and seeing that Mr. Chen remained firm, she then glanced at the people who had spoken earlier and returned to the elevator lobby.