Night.
It's been many hours after the fight in the next alleyway took place.
The fight eventually resulted in a draw... With the gangsters and the staff dividing the supermarket in two equal territories, forming a stalemate ready to break at any moment.
In the hotel.
The receptionist gave the last bit of instruction to the staff then retired for the night.
She don't have a room of her own so she took one of the hotel rooms as her own, along with several other members choosing from the remaining ones.
As she reached the corridor, she saw a man leaning against the wall right next to her room, the same foreigner who came last night.
Even though he knew mandarin she didn't thought much back then, but now as he interpreted her way, it says otherwise.
"May I know of your purpose for seeking me out this late at night??"
"I mean no harm... but this ain't no place to talk, you know."
The foreigner intoned, indicating towards the room.
Half believing him, she lead him inside the room.
"Please."
With a nod, he stepped in along with her. She reached for the bed while he chose the chair beside it.
"Reed, was it? Please say in what matters I can help you."
"Good memory you have there. The reason I am here is that I want to co-operate with you."
Reed finally told the reason of seeking her out.
"Co-operate? How so?"
"You see... the situation isn't looking any good right now. And it's only going to get worse. So i propose we unite as a team and for you to be our leader."
"From what I see, the situation isn't so desperate as you say. I think the heat way will last only a few weeks at most, plus government will also stabilize the matter."
The receptionist countered, stopped to take a breathe then continued.
"And i don't think I'm capable enough to be the leader. Why don't you try it yourself?"
"The situation isn't going to recover but will only worsen... I can guarantee that. As for why i am not going for it myself... I'll let you guess."
"I know that you not believe me now. So, i'll give you some time to think things through."
Reed stood up, gave her a last glance, then left.
...
And just like that, eight days passed.
In this eight days, the heat increased tremendously... Now,