Seeing the nucleus that had almost been in their hands disappear from Zheng Chaohe’s hands, the greed on Bao Long’s and Kang Zhengyuan’s faded slightly. They coughed twice and pretended to lean back on their chairs.

  Zheng Chaohe smiled. "Now that the goods have been inspected, as long as the two of you give me the 15000 kilograms of grain you promised then these four crystal nuclei are yours."

  "Fifteen thousand kilograms?" Someone gasped.

  After a moment, Tan Mingyuan spoke up darkly. "Our own rations aren’t enough. Why do you want to go and take half of it? What are we going to eat in the future?"

  Bao Long and Kang Zhengyuan didn’t speak. They allowed him to confront Zheng Chaohe. They obviously also felt that 15000 kilograms was too much.

  "I can come up with more crystal nuclei in exchange, although there wouldn’t be any third-level mid-grade, but third-level low-grade instead and second-level high-grade for everyone present. Moreover, elite scientists at our base are studying an anti-zombie serum and the methods for purifying the soil and water have made progress. We can share these results with you. If we find new, edible mutant plants, we would also give you the seeds. What do you think?" Zheng Chaohe threw out the bait slowly.

  More crystal nuclei, anti-zombie serum, purified soil and water, new food; each item sounded better than the other and made it impossible to refuse him. At this time, not only Bao Long and Kang Zhengyuan, but the others also showed greedy looks.

  In their current world, there was nothing more important than another’s interest. Zheng Chaohe secretly observed everyone’s expression as he sat leisurely in his seat and awaited their decision.

  Father Gong remained impassive and silent, not participating in the decision of these people, lest he wanted to butt heads with them. However, since Bao Long called him out, he naturally wanted to make a dig at him. Right then, Bao Long looked at him with no visible intention as he opened his mouth, "I don’t have much food on my side. I have so many mouths to feed, it’s hard to get 15000 kilograms at once. Chief Gong has fewer people, so he should have more food than me. It’s better to let him, Kang Zhengyuan and I give 5000 kilograms each. How’s that?" Although the tone was inquiring, it was obvious that he wasn’t asking for their opinions.

  Father Gong’s brows furrowed as his face sank like water, he coldly said, "No way. Although the benefits from Mr. Zheng are quite pleasant, they are too vain. I don’t know when or how long would it take for them to be realized."

  "How can it be nothing? At least he can immediately take out any nuclei between second-level high-grade to third-level low-grade that Chief Gong needs. No matter which system it is, as long as Chief Gong speaks it, it will be given to you as long as it is within my abilities." Zheng Chaohe interposed this time. He never thought that he could get food this easily and naturally had room to bargain.

  "I’m sorry, I’m an ordinary person. I don’t need crystal nuclei, just rations." Father Gong refused expressionlessly.

  Zheng Chaohe sent a pointed glance towards Gong Lixin and played the family card, "What about your precious son? Your precious son’s walk is firm and steady and his eyes are bright like stars. He must be an ability user, no? Is Chief Gong not thinking about his precious son?"

  "I don’t need crystal nuclei, you don’t need to say anything more." Gong Lixin despised Zheng Chaohe and the handsome face showing hints of his arrogance. He faintly opened, "Just by using nuclei to increase your power, one will be like a castle made out of air. Just one push is all that’s needed to take it out. Without going through real battles, you won’t know how to use your power." Then he looked at Bao Long and Kang Zhengyuan with contempt. "Believe it or not, even if you’re promoted to third-level mid-grade, in front of those who are less powerful, but have experienced hundreds of battles, you will be killed within seconds. And don’t even mention high-level zombies that can use their abilities to the limit through pure instinct. The two of you can live your days on Long Snake Island, but sooner or later, when you go out, the only word you’ll know is ’death’! Hah~ Ignorant and short-sighted! I have nothing more to say, goodbye!" After saying his fill, he exposed an impatient look and Father Gong saw it.

  Both father and son got up, nodded slightly towards Bao Long and Kang Zhengyuan, who looked as if they swallowed a rat, and strode away. He Jin shook his head with a smile and led Lu Yun and Meng Yuanji, who both showed worship in their eyes, to quickly follow them.

  ’F**king amazing! After two years, Young Master Gong can talk so smoothly!’ Lu Yun thought proudly.

  ’It turned out that Young Master Gong was such a tenacious and open-minded person. No wonder Brother He missed him so much these past two years! The people by his sides weren’t up to par at all! No wonder!’ Meng Yuanji thought.

  Lin Wenbo, who was the last to leave, stopped by the door and turned his head with a smile. "Oh, yes. I’ll do a bit of arithmetic for you. An adult man consumes six hundred kilograms of food per year, even if all the ordinary people are killed, the 10000 kilograms of food is enough for about 300 of you to eat for six months. The meat of more than 3000 people needs to be marinated with 15000 kilograms of salt. The amount of salt in the sea is insufficient. In the end, it will rot in less than four days at an average warm temperature. Calculate how long you’ll have food in hand and calculate how long it will take for Xiangcui Bay Base to come back with all the benefits. That’s all, goodbye."

  He bowed gracefully and left unhurriedly under Zheng Chaohe’s gaze.

  Everyone in their seats was silent and carefully savoured Gong Lixin’s satirical words and Lin Wenbo’s quick calculations. The greed on their faces disappeared completely. Subordinates who were only slightly inferior to Bao Long and Kang Zhengyuan looked at the two with bad intentions, thinking whether they could kill them as easily as Young Master Gong had said if they faced them. The more they thought about it, the more they couldn’t stop the ideas of rebellion in their hearts.

  Bao Long and Kang Zhengyuan’s anger raged in their chests, but behind the rising anger there was also uneasiness. They were used to prestige and praise coming from all sides every day. Almost all the nuclei that they got were given to them by their loyal subordinates. They rarely participated in battles. Right then, they realized that their level might look high, but in fact, they were just an empty flower vase used to frighten people but were useless. A deep crisis struck their hearts and the two became breathless from the mere thought. They no longer thought about discussing the food issue with Zheng Chaohe and left in a hurry.

  Zheng Chaohe put away his casual expression and followed behind them. He didn’t believe he couldn’t convince those two idiots with his glib tongue. It was all good to realize and have a sense of crisis, but advancing their level was also important.

  Tan Mingyuan pondered over Young Master Gong’s words repeatedly, thinking about his inhumane behaviour of always mercilessly throwing them at the zombies in the past. In order to make them really strong, Young Master Gong took care of them. Following such a person, it was really Tan Mingyuan’s fortune.

  Standing up, Tan Mingyuan curled up the corner of his lips and hummed a song as he walked away leisurely, making anyone who looked at him know that he was in a good mood. His subordinates’ expressions were the same, which attracted the others’ attention.

  **

  He Jin followed Father Gong and naturally had accommodation arrangements for the three of them. However, all the small suites provided by East District Prison were occupied by prison guards. He Jin and his party either slept in the prison guards’ office or in his office.

  The guests staying the night in the office, how could it get more awkward? Father Gong couldn’t help racking his brain. After thinking about it, he looked at the three of them and asked in a gentle voice, "I’ll clear out three rooms, you all first go to my office to rest for a while."

  "Hey~ Don’t deliberately inconvenience yourself for us, we’ll just room with others for a night, no need to be shy!" Lu Yun waved his hands and said so with a grin.

  Father Gong laughed and patted Lu Yun’s shoulder. "That’s fine too, seems you’re used to it."

  Although Lu Yun sometimes said uncomfortable things, his heart was still good. Living in the apocalypse was like living in a huge melting pot. One doesn’t know when this fragile life will be gone, so one’s feelings were more direct and more intense than before the apocalypse. Love became obsessive love; hate became extreme hate and enjoyment should be found anywhere one could. Lu Yun was an example of such a person. He enjoyed himself when he could during the apocalyptic days, making for a very interesting life. In Lu Yun, Father Gong saw a vigorous vitality and he liked it very much. As for his character, that little problem was nothing but trivial.

  He Jin’s eyes flickered slightly when he heard the conversation between them and he glanced at Lu Yun with a little bit of approval.

  In Meng Yuanji’s heart, he wanted to praise Lu Yun, but he grimaced when he heard, "Uncle Gong, shall I stay with Young Master Gong tonight? I haven’t seen him for so long and we have so much to talk about tonight."

  He Jin’s eyes were like a snowstorm as his eyes were fixed on Lu Yun’s body. If he was an ice ability user, Lu Yun would have been frozen into a popsicle by now.

  Meng Yuanji’s lips twitched. He rubbed his temples and quickly started to remedy the situation, "Hey, didn’t you say you had a lot of good brothers here? Don’t you want to go and see them?"

  "Oh! You’re right, I almost forgot!" Lu Yun thought about it and soon came to a decision. He immediately turned his attention to Father Gong and asked, "Uncle Gong, Wang Tao and the others, where do they live? I’ll go see them."

  "I’ll call someone over to take you." Father Gong called a soldier over to show them the way. When the two went away, he looked at his son and said, "You take He Jin back to your room. You must be tired after the long journey."

  "Uncle Gong, let He Jin stay with me." Song Haoran, who was following Father Gong’s group, couldn’t hold it in anymore and said so stiffly. Lin Wenbo pursed his lips without saying a word, but his smiling expression disappeared and was replaced by a slightly gloomy one.

  "No need." Without waiting for He Jin to speak, Gong Lixin waved his hand. "I want to stay with Brother He. I haven’t seen him for two years and I have a lot to say to Brother He." After saying so, he turned to look at He Jin and smiled, "Let’s go, I’ll take you back to my room."

  Looking at the back of the two leaving together, Song Haoran’s expression became dark. Lin Wenbo put his hands in his pockets and opened his mouth to leisurely add as he walked, "He Jin finally came back, so we must go and play with him. Xiaoxin just recently learned to play tractor. We should invite He Jin to play all night. What do you think?"

  "Alright, I’ll go with you." Song Haoran smiled. The enemy of your enemy was indeed your friend. This time, they’ll join forces to send He Jin away for the time being.