Zhang Su’s words instantly left Tang Xiaoxiao and Tang Xiu cold with fear.

“Big brother, big sister, we didn’t do anything wrong; we’re too busy trying to survive, and we were always good to Uncle Tan and Lanlan before!”

“Captain Jia, say something, you know the truth. I even gave Lanlan a pack of tampons, tell that to the big sister.”

Jia Shiqin saw their pleading eyes, but he had no idea what was going on. He couldn’t bring himself to lie and just stammered, avoiding eye contact.

“If either of you say one more word, I’ll cut off a finger!”

Zhang Su, having dealt with all kinds of people, could tell from how they easily betrayed Xiang Wei that these two women were definitely not good.

“I…”

“Alright, one word!”

The moment she opened her mouth, Tang Xiaoxiao regretted it. She saw the tall figure walking towards her, waved her hands repeatedly, and desperately sent pleading looks to several rescue team members nearby.

“Brother Zhang… sigh, forget it.”

Jia Shiqin, unable to stand up for them, wanted to say something, but in the end, said nothing, just turned away with a furrowed brow.

Thud.

Zhang Su kicked Tang Xiaoxiao from behind, stepping on her back, grabbed her tied hands, and swiftly moved the knife between her fingers.

A cold glint flashed, and a little finger fell to the ground.

“Mmm… mmm…”

Tang Xiaoxiao cried in pain but dared not make a sound, shaking her head repeatedly to suppress her sobs.

“Ah…”

A hairstylist nearby gasped softly, staring at Zhang Su in fear, and when Zhang Su looked over, he immediately backed away, taking several steps.

Tan Huajun, seeing Zhang Su’s ruthless action, thought there was definitely more to the story, and turned to her daughter, “Lanlan, did those two do anything to you?”

“They were usually quite fierce, took my canned food, and… and took my clothes and two packs of sanitary pads. After what happened yesterday, they sided with Xiang Wei, helped him do bad things, tried to persuade me to agree to Xiang Wei’s demands, and secretly plotted to kill grandpa, then tie me up… and give me to Xiang Wei to warm his bed.”

Mo Qianlan detailed their evil deeds, not the masterminds, but definitely accomplices.

Hearing this, Tan Huajun was so angry her eyes turned red; someone unaware might think she had turned into a zombie!

She turned her head to look at the two women, who were crying and pleading incessantly, her chest heaving violently.

“All three of you deserve to die, deserve to die!”

“Brother, spare me, brother, I used to be a top technician at Jinxi Foot Bath, I’m really good, I promise I’ll only serve you from now on, making you feel comfortable, brother, save me.”

Tang Xiu crawled to Zhang Su on her knees, not caring about the threat of losing a finger now that her life was at stake. She knew that if anyone could save her life here, it would be this man, and she was willing to do anything for him at this moment.

“Get lost, why would Brother Su want a trash bin like you, bah!” Zheng Xinyu kicked Tang Xiu, sending her rolling across the ground.

She knew well what kind of woman Zhang Su wanted; it would never be a useless burden like this.

The sharp pain from her severed finger left Tang Xiaoxiao’s face pale, but she managed a rare smile: “Heh, why beg him? You think he’ll save you just because he’s the leader? He won’t dare; he has to protect the team members’ interests and his own position. So, he’ll definitely let that fat lady kill us!”

Her words sent a shockwave through everyone present. Some truths are better left unsaid, as revealing them can leave one without friends.

Yuwen adjusted his glasses and said, “Miss, your words are somewhat biased. Mr. Zhang has shouldered a lot of moral burdens alone, prioritizing the team’s safety, putting teammates’ lives first, focusing on future development, and enacting punishment for wrongs and rewards for achievements. And naturally, repaying any grudges!”

“Hehe… Teacher Yu, you’re saying things even I can’t handle with my thick skin, haha.” Zhang Su waved his hand dismissively.

“My big brother always puts the team’s interests first, and you dare try to sow discord, you slut? I’ll, heh, spit at you!”

Zhao Dezhu rudely spat a glob of phlegm onto Tang Xiaoxiao.

“Brother Su led us through life and death with real weapons. You filthy trash dared to slander him; believe me, I’ll tear your mouth apart!” Zhong Xiaoshan raised her brow, showing a rare fierceness.

Though the others said nothing, their expressions revealed everything. The companionship forged through shared life and death can’t be disrupted by a few words; you might sway others, but not Zhang Su!

Zhang Su looked at Tang Xiu, who lay on the ground sobbing. “There’s indeed no need for you to beg me, because you’re utterly worthless in my eyes! Old Tan…”

“Brother Su… you make the decision; whatever you think is best for these three, I’ll follow your arrangement!”

Tan Huajun thought Tang Xiaoxiao’s words were venomous but had some truth. She couldn’t let personal vendettas undermine the team’s unity or put Zhang Su in a difficult position, as he was her lifesaver.

“My thoughts?” Zhang Su rubbed his chin and said, “I think we should wake Xiang Wei up and send the three of them off together, so they can keep each other company on the Path to the Underworld.”

Saying this, Zhang Su ignored Tang Xiu’s desperate pleas and Tang Xiaoxiao’s curses, leading his team out, leaving it to Tan Huajun to handle the rest. No need to waste words on those about to die.

“Brother Su!”

Tan Huajun called Zhang Su, “Hey, could you guys take my daughter out first…”

“No, mom, I’m not leaving.”

Mo Qianlan stood stubbornly to the side. She wasn’t stupid and knew what was about to happen, wanting to stay but indeed a bit afraid. Still, a voice inside her insisted she must stay and face everything bravely.

Zhang Su said, “Old Tan, even if your daughter were only five, she ought to see the world’s harshness!”

After speaking, he turned to Mo Qianlan and said with a smile, “Little beauty, learn well from your mom. Your mom is amazing, so be obedient in the future!”

Mo Qianlan heard the team leader talking to her and nodded slightly, responding with a soft “Oh.”

The ground floor was damp, so Zhang Su led the group to the second floor. Standing in the corridor, he said to Jia Shiqin, “Master Jia, what are your plans for the future?”

“Brother, I want to join you. I can run, I can fight, I’m diligent, and obedient. Can you take me in?”

Before Jia Shiqin could speak, the delivery guy Qi Xiaoshuai excitedly jumped in, bouncing around and even doing a backflip, eagerly showing off his capabilities.

“Your captain hasn’t spoken yet, and you’re in a hurry to switch teams?” Zhang Su looked at Qi Xiaoshuai playfully.

“Brother Zhang, don’t call me captain anymore. I’m a captain as useless as dog shit. If possible, I hope you can take Qi Xiaoshuai and Lü Leiyang with you. One is capable of fighting, and the other meticulous in doing tasks. I noticed they were promising talents before, but unfortunately, I didn’t know how to develop them. Under your leadership, they will definitely improve!”

Jia Shiqin said sincerely.

“Ugh…”

Just then, everyone heard a miserable howl from downstairs at Tianliang Redwood, along with pleas and curses. Everyone knew Tan Huajun had made a move.

“Ahem…” Zhang Su wasn’t surprised by this outcome. He looked at Jia Shiqin and said, “Master Jia, you’re recommending the two of them, but what about yourself?”

“Me?” Jia Shiqin suddenly showed a relieved smile, looked up at the dark furniture city, and said, “I’m tired of running. This place is not bad, so I plan to settle here and take a break.”

“Captain Jia, don’t. There’s nothing to eat or drink here. How can you manage?”

The delivery guy Qi Xiaoshuai seemed anxious.

“Living on the run has no end. I’m really tired.” Jia Shiqin looked sadly at the surrounding dark shops, apparently already planning where to start gathering supplies next.

Zhang Su rubbed his nose. While a capable delivery guy and a meticulous hairstylist could benefit the team, he was more interested in Jia Shiqin’s electrician skills, which would be crucial for future base-building.

“Old Jia, if you take a break, it might pass your whole life. Are you sure about this?” Zhang Su asked calmly.

Jia Shiqin sighed and didn’t speak, leaving everything unspoken.

“Old Jia, to be honest, we have people from all walks of life in our team, but we still don’t have an electrician. We really need your skills. How about it, join us? Don’t let your skills go to waste.”

Jia Shiqin was taken aback, scratched his head awkwardly, and said, “Brother Zhang, in a power-less world, what’s the use of an electrician? You’re not fooling me, are you…?”

“Just because there’s no power now doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future. We have two RVs equipped with solar panels and a fuel generator. Once we find a place to settle down, won’t these count as power-providing equipment?”

Zhang Su truly believed Jia Shiqin wasn’t suited to being a captain. How could the team go well with such a negative leader?

“Hmm? Brother Zhang, you plan to find a place to build a safe base?”

Jia Shiqin seemed interested after hearing Zhang Su’s words.

Zhang Su shrugged and said, “Did you think we planned to drive around aimlessly in three vehicles? There’s a bridge leading to Qing County past where you met us at the Nonghua Glass Factory. The bridge was blown up, or else we’d have settled in some mountain long ago, and you wouldn’t have encountered us…”

“Then Sister Tan couldn’t have gotten her revenge!” Zheng Xinyu said with a peculiar expression.

“They say the world is unpredictable. I believe everything is meant to be. Brother Zhang, thanks for the recognition, I’ll join your team as a little electrician, how about that?”

The feeling of being acknowledged fulfilled Jia Shiqin’s high emotional need at that moment.

“That’s great. No further introductions needed. Let’s all welcome the three new members to the team.”

Zhang Su led the applause with a light clap.

The others were mostly accepting of Jia Shiqin and the other two. Previously fleeing at Jinyuan Mall was understandable; it was more due to Captain Jia Shiqin’s lack of meticulousness. Otherwise, the trio was quite good, at least admitting their mistakes openly, which was more than many survivors had done.

“Alright, since you’ve become part of the team, I’ll ask things I ought to ask. Old Jia, how did you, with your rotten luck, become a rescue team captain? It’s a wonder the team didn’t fall apart!”

Zhang Su took out a pack of cigarettes, shared them around, and took a drag from the one he lit.

“I… sigh.” Jia Shiqin let out a bitter chuckle and said, “Brother Zhang, when the disaster first broke out, I wasn’t like this. I was very proactive. Even the death of my child and wife didn’t make me give up.”

“But as time went by, hope dimmed, and I suddenly became despondent. My decreased willpower caused the accident. I really should be dead.”

Jia Shiqin began to blame himself again towards the end of his words.

Zhang Su flicked his cigarette and said to those around him, “Did you hear that? If you ever see me getting despondent, cheer me up quickly or find someone else to take charge, got it?”

“Brother Su, don’t joke! With your cold heart… oh no, your mental toughness, you won’t get despondent.”

Lu Yubo laughed heartily.

“He’s indeed cold-hearted, no point in denying it. He’s even darker than this furniture city!” Zheng Xinyu said bluntly, then switched tone, “But it’s only someone as cold-hearted as him who spotted the problem with Xiang Wei’s group instantly. If it were us, we might have suffered greatly!”

“The sis-in-law is right. Earlier, I was confused, thinking, what’s this big brother up to, capturing everyone he meets? So brutal. Only later did I learn how rotten that dog was. Damn it!”

Zhao Dezhu spat angrily.

“Su, Brother Su… work injury, I’ve got a work injury.”

Wang Xin, with his arm wrapped in a bandage, looked disgruntled.

Zhang Su looked at Wang Xin, exasperated, “Your so-called work injury, letting him escape when there were so many people, and you still have the nerve? Alright, next time, ask Xiaoshan for an extra pack of jerky to supplement yourself.”

As he was talking, Zhang Su saw Tan Huajun downstairs walking out of Tianliang Redwood with her daughter. No one else could see, but he could see the dagger in Mo Qianlan’s hand. This made his heart skip. Was Tan Huajun training her daughter so soon?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep