The remaining nine people then systematically searched the entire villa inside and out. When it was completely dark, they all returned to the living room on the first floor.
Only the living room on the first floor was lit in the entire villa. The dining room, which had been lit earlier, returned to how Jing Minghe first saw it soon after the answer was revealed. However, the remaining six dishes of food were still there.
As everyone sat in silence, contemplating how to spend the next few days, You Mi suddenly spoke, "Um, everyone, let's get to know each other. No matter how we survive, unity is better than going it alone."
As You Mi spoke, she scanned each person's face. "I'll go first. My name is You Mi, and I'm an intern doctor."
Jing Minghe smiled at You Mi and gave a brief self-introduction, "Jing Minghe, owner of an arcade."
The elder of the two sisters bit her lip and held her younger sister tighter. "My name is Lian Xin, and my sister's name is Lian Rui. We are ordinary office workers."
The male student habitually raised his right hand as if answering a teacher's question. "My name is Wei Zichen, a university student, nineteen years old this year."
The man in the security uniform simply said his name, "Zhang Wu."
Next, the man in the grey work clothes also briefly stated his name, "My name is Tian Yong."
The middle-aged woman moved towards You Mi intentionally or unintentionally and said in a voice like a mosquito's hum, "I, I'm Ma Chunjun, a worker."
After everyone had spoken, their gazes involuntarily fell on the last person. However, due to his imposing presence, everyone except Jing Minghe quietly withdrew their gazes, daring only to glance at him from the corner of their eyes.
The man in the suit curled the corner of his mouth dismissively. He picked up a flower branch that lay on the armrest of the sofa and wrote two characters on the dusty coffee table: Chi Hao.
After writing, he leaned back and closed his eyes as if meditating, exuding an aura of absolute confidence and composure. Jing Minghe couldn't help but silently praise him. Truly, this guy was...
Just as Zhang Wu finished cursing, Chi Hao let out a cold laugh and glanced at him indifferently. The look was so chilling that Zhang Wu looked at Jing Minghe, then back at Chi Hao, feeling that neither of them was someone to be trifled with. He had no choice but to suppress his anger for the time being.
"Sister," Lian Rui tightly clutched Lian Xin's arm and said tremblingly, "I'm so hungry, and I feel dizzy and sick to my stomach."
Lian Xin patted Lian Rui's hand with concern, looking distressed. "But, there doesn't seem to be anything to eat here."
"Why not?" You Mi stood up and said, "Aren't those dishes in the dining room still there? Since today's answer was red wine, it proves that other things are edible. I'll get them for you."
Before You Mi could finish speaking, Tian Yong immediately rushed to the dining room.
Jing Minghe, with quick reflexes, also hurried to follow. The others reacted belatedly, and except for Chi Hao, they all got up and ran to the dining room.
When Jing Minghe reached the kitchen, Tian Yong had already claimed the seven dishes for himself. "They're all mine, don't even think about touching them!"
As he spoke, Tian Yong took a bite of a corn cob and looked at Jing Minghe with a warning gaze.
Jing Minghe walked closer and said coldly, "Take them out. We'll share them equally."
Tian Yong firmly protected the food, protesting Jing Minghe's proposal with his actions.
You Mi and the others followed into the dining room and, seeing Tian Yong hoarding the food, became furious. Zhang Wu directly rushed forward, trying to snatch the food from Tian Yong.
Unexpectedly, the seemingly tall and burly security guard was kicked over by Tian Yong.
As Tian Yong kicked Zhang Wu down, he stuffed the half-eaten corn cob into his pocket and yelled at the others, "Whoever dares to come near me, I'll make sure they never return!"
Having been kicked, Zhang Wu was not to be outdone. He got up and lunged at Tian Yong again. "Damn it, I'll fight you!"
"Stop!"
Jing Minghe roared, but it had no effect. Seeing that the meager amount of food was about to be ruined by the two of them, Jing Minghe clicked his tongue and charged forward, subduing both Tian Yong and Zhang Wu in a few swift moves.
Before the two could start shouting curses, Jing Minghe grabbed their arms and applied a slight force. Both immediately cried out in pain. Jing Minghe said coldly, "Listen, either I break your arms right now, or you cooperate obediently, and everyone gets a share!"
After speaking, Jing Minghe gave You Mi a look. You Mi called Wei Zichen over, and they retrieved all the food Tian Yong had hidden in his pockets.
Once You Mi had collected all the food, Jing Minghe released them, warning the two, "Behave, or don't blame me for being ruthless."
Seeing that Tian Yong still seemed to want to cause trouble, You Mi kindly added, "I advise you to listen. Minghe is a boxing champion from the underground arena. Breaking your necks would be easy for him."
Upon hearing You Mi's words, Wei Zichen looked at Jing Minghe with shock. He had always thought boxers were hulking, muscular men. But Jing Minghe was tall, slender, and well-proportioned, with a handsome appearance, not at all resembling a boxer.
Jing Minghe noticed Wei Zichen's gaze and smiled at him. "What? Is there a problem?"
"No, no, no," Wei Zichen shook his head repeatedly. "No."
Although he said no, after Jing Minghe turned away, he couldn't help but murmur softly, "Wasn't he an arcade owner? How did he become a boxer?"
"That's a side hustle."
Jing Minghe's voice came from behind, startling Wei Zichen so much that he quickly hid behind You Mi.
Although Tian Yong and Zhang Wu were indignant, the moves Jing Minghe used to subdue them were deeply etched in their memories. They could only swallow their anger for the time being.
"It's too dark here," You Mi said. "Let's go to the living room to divide it."
Everyone nodded and left the dining room. Tian Yong and Zhang Wu also obediently followed to the living room.
You Mi placed the food on the cleaned table. She seemed hesitant, as the food was meager, but there were nine people present. After a pause, You Mi suggested, "I see that Sister Lian Rui has low blood sugar. This fish can be for Lian Rui and Lian Xin. Tian Yong bit the corn, so it's for him. The noodles were ruined by Tian Yong and Zhang Wu fighting, so they're for Zhang Wu."
You Mi handed the clump of mashed noodles to Zhang Wu. Zhang Wu glared at You Mi, just about to curse, when he heard Jing Minghe cough. Reluctantly, he took them.
You Mi nodded at Jing Minghe and then continued to divide the food. "The eggs are for Zichen, the potato is for Aunt Ma. Mr. Chi Hao, would you like bamboo shoots or white porridge? The remaining one is for Minghe. I'm not hungry."
Chi Hao glanced at the two food items. "Give them to the sisters. I'm not hungry either."
Jing Minghe smiled and said, "Sister You Mi, I'm strong and healthy. I can go a day without eating. You have it."
"This..." You Mi sighed. She knew that at this moment, no one would force themselves. "How about this, the white porridge goes to Lian Xin, and the three of us can each have a small piece of this bamboo shoot. At least eat something."
Since You Mi had made this decision, Jing Minghe and Chi Hao said nothing more.
After eating and having been through a day of fright and exhaustion, everyone soon found a place to sleep.