“This is our town’s breeding farm, where we raise pigs, cattle, chickens, ducks, geese, and other livestock.”
Standing outside the farm’s fence, Lin Weiran took a rough glance and exclaimed in surprise, “The scale seems… not too big?”
There were about two or three cattle, a dozen or so pigs, and only a scattered few dozen chickens, ducks, and geese. Given this scale and quantity, even though the town’s population had sharply decreased after the apocalypse, it still didn’t seem sufficient to adequately supply the four to five thousand remaining residents.
Her confusion was soon resolved.
The town mayor smiled slightly. “After all, this is the apocalypse. Resources are limited. The livestock raised in the town must be prioritized for the Awakened, ensuring they maintain their strength and abilities to safeguard the entire town. Once these Awakened grow stronger, they may be able to expand the town’s territory and acquire more resources. By then, the farm’s livestock supply will be more abundant, and we may even use it to incentivize more people to contribute to the town.”
On the surface, among those present, aside from Su Su, everyone was an Awakened, so they accepted this explanation without issue.
The mayor continued, “To preserve them better, the farm also processes some of the livestock into cured meat.”
Just then, a capable-looking female subordinate arrived, communicating with the farm workers. Before long, she led the esteemed guests to the entrance of the smokehouse.
“This is my deputy, Sun Wan, a Tier 2 Water Element Awakened, the same attribute as Awakened Zhao.”
Zhao Zhenyu scrutinized Sun Wan, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.
The mayor pretended not to notice and signaled for Sun Wan to unlock the smokehouse door.
Click.
As the door swung open, the sight of the stored smoked meat came into full view—cured pork hanging from the walls, along with smoked rabbits, chickens, ducks, and geese… A few people discreetly swallowed their saliva.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you are guests in our town. When you leave, I will personally arrange for you to take a dozen pieces of smoked meat and some chickens, ducks, and rabbits with you.”
“In addition, we will load your vehicles with rice, flour, coarse grains, seasonings, and other supplies, ensuring that you won’t have to worry about provisions on your journey!”
The mayor’s words instantly excited the entire Awakened team.
The only one who remained composed was Si Zhe. He looked at the mayor and got straight to the point: “The mayor is being so generous with us—is there something we can help you with?”
“As expected of Awakened Si, sharp as always.” The mayor patted his shoulder. “Indeed, I have something I need your team’s help with. But I can guarantee that this mission will be mutually beneficial.”
“What is it?”
The mayor exchanged a glance with Sun Wan. She immediately dismissed the surrounding onlookers and pulled out a city-level map.
“You all know that our town frequently organizes Awakened teams to retrieve unclaimed resources from outside. A while ago, Zhao Wan took a risk and scouted near City C, discovering something…”
Zhao Zhenyu was impatient and couldn’t wait to ask, “Is it supplies?”
“There aren’t many supplies. On the contrary, the zombie concentration is extremely high.”
“Then what exactly is it?”
Despite his urging, the mayor remained unshaken, continuing at his own pace: “City C is the provincial capital, densely populated. The month the apocalypse broke out, it was quickly overrun. Our town is about dozens of kilometers from City C, and we have repeatedly attempted to enter to retrieve supplies, only to be stopped by millions of zombies. We could only cautiously probe the outskirts.”
“The news Zhao Wan brought back is that in the outskirts of City C, three Tier 3 zombies have appeared!”
As he spoke, the mayor’s eyes gleamed, his gaze repeatedly shifting between Si Zhe and Lin Weiran.
“Awakened Si, Awakened Lin, the apocalypse has only lasted half a year. Supplies are easy to find, but strength is hard to improve. If we can successfully kill those three Tier 3 zombies and obtain their Tier 3 crystal cores, wouldn’t that allow us to get ahead of most Awakened? Even in a zombie siege, we could break through!”
“You have three Tier 2 Awakened, and I have two here. There are also over a dozen Tier 1 Awakened in the town. If we work together, clearing out the zombies in the outskirts will be a breeze!”
The mayor’s words were highly persuasive. Si Zhe and Lin Weiran exchanged a glance before the latter voiced the most crucial question: “How will the spoils be distributed?”
“Three Tier 3 crystal cores—you get two, I take one. As for the remaining Tier 2 crystal cores, I’ll take seventy percent, and you get thirty percent.”
Lin Weiran found it hard to resist such temptation, her breathing already turning rapid. “Wait a moment, we need to discuss this!”
“No problem.”
Lin Weiran led her team to a more secluded spot and spoke in a hushed tone. “What do you all think about the mayor’s proposal?”
“I agree!” Zhao Zhenyu was the first to respond, a flash of unhidden greed in his eyes. “Two Tier 3 crystal cores—that’s enough to elevate two of our members to the Tier 3. What obstacles would there be on our way south after that?”
“I also think it’s feasible.” Lin Weiran was somewhat excited, but her concerns outweighed her enthusiasm. “But… what if we actually manage to kill those Tier 3 zombies and the mayor doesn’t keep his word? What if he plans to take advantage of the situation?”
Zhao Zhenyu scoffed, unconcerned. “Isn’t one core enough for him? Without us, do you think his two Tier 2 Awakened and a dozen Tier 1 ones have the ability to take down three Tier 3 zombies?”
“That’s true, but still…”
Lin Weiran glanced back, unable to shake her unease.
“What if…”
Zhao Zhenyu cut her off. “Weiran, worst case, there’s always your cousin.”
“What do you mean?” Lin Weiran was taken aback. “What does Su Su have to do with this?”
“The mayor is clearly interested in Su Su, isn’t he? He’s after more than just a Tier 3 crystal core. Once the zombies in the outskirts are cleared, most of the supplies in that area will belong to the town… and Su Su, too.” Zhao Zhenyu sneered. “If you give her to the mayor, do you think he’ll still have the mind to haggle with us over an extra Tier 3 crystal core?”
Seeing Lin Weiran’s disapproving look, Zhao Zhenyu clicked his tongue. “Sure, you’re kind-hearted, you care about her. But look at her—she accepted the bread the mayor gave, she wears the clothes he sent over, and she’s dressing like that. Isn’t she trying to cozy up to him?”
“I’ve asked around. The mayor is thirty-five, divorced. But he’s about to become a Tier 3 Awakened and is the town’s core figure. A gold-digger like Su Su—if she doesn’t fancy Wu Zhi, do you think she wouldn’t set her sights on the mayor?”
Lin Weiran fell silent.
Zhao Zhenyu smugly turned to Si Zhe. “Si Zhe, don’t you think I’m right?”
Si Zhe didn’t answer the question. He only said indifferently, “We can agree to this, but we need to stay on guard. Don’t go all out—be wary of the mayor turning on us at the crucial moment.”
This way, even if the mayor betrayed them, they would still have room to fight back.
The group lowered their voices. At a distance, it was impossible to make out their discussion.
Su Su stood silently where she was. Finally, she understood what Lin Weiran and the others had done in her past life. They must have followed the mayor to the outskirts of City C, eliminated the three Tier 3 zombies, obtained two Tier 3 crystal cores, and received a large amount of supplies from the mayor.
“Miss Su, are you bored?”
At some point, the mayor had walked up beside her, his usual warm smile in place. “If the plan succeeds, I’ll become a Tier 3 Awakened, and the town’s safety will be greatly improved. By then, we can expand westward and gradually develop into a proper base…”
To others, these words sounded like a devoted leader working tirelessly for the town, painting a grand vision of the future.
Su Su lifted her head and looked at him. Just as the mayor expected her to respond, all that came from her delicate red lips were two words—
“I’m hungry.”
The mayor was genuinely stunned for two full seconds before responding in surprise, “…Ah, Miss Su is hungry? Then I’ll have someone bring you something to eat.”
Su Su nodded without hesitation. “Okay.”
The mayor: “…”
He gestured for Sun Wan to retrieve a smoked rabbit from the smokehouse and generously handed it to Su Su.
“Miss Su, as you can see, the town is developing quite well. Would you be interested in staying here?”
The smoked rabbit was wrapped in a plastic bag. Su Su unceremoniously stuffed it into her backpack, and in that instant, her fingertip was heavily licked once again.
She forced herself to remain calm and shoved the entire smoked rabbit inside, silently adding in her mind—
Hurry up and eat.
Once she had taken care of that, Su Su finally responded to the mayor’s “invitation.”
“I don’t know.” She blinked her beautiful eyes, appearing somewhat hesitant and lost. “I listen to my cousin.”
The mayor studied her deeply.
With more than ten years of life experience ahead of her, he saw through this girl with ease. She accepted everything without refusal—taking and taking while playing innocent. Perhaps Awakened Zhao was right this morning. She had indeed been toying with that Tier 2 Awakened named Wu Zhi.
But he wasn’t the same. He had been through a marriage. He wasn’t some young, hot-blooded fool who could be blinded by beauty.
“No rush, Miss Su. You can take your time experiencing life in this town. The people here are simple and honest. If you stay long enough, you’re sure to grow fond of it.”
As he spoke, Lin Weiran and the others had already finished their discussion.
“mayor, we agree to cooperate with you. When do we set off?”
“Take some time to rest. We’ll depart at noon. By around two in the afternoon, we should reach the outskirts of City C. The sun will be at its peak, and zombies are less active than at night, making it the perfect time for an ambush.”
“Alright.”
The mayor waved his hand again. “Sun Wan has already arranged lunch. Why don’t we all eat together? Miss Su, would you like to join us?”
As soon as he said that, all eyes once again turned to Su Su.
Because of the earlier “plan,” Zhao Zhenyu only let out a mocking snort and, for once, didn’t object.
Lin Weiran hesitated. “Su Su, do you want to eat with us? If you don’t want to—”
“I’ll go.”
Su Su directly cut her off. She paid no mind to the mixed reactions around her and simply followed the group to the mayor’s dining hall.
Lunch was lavish as always—spicy diced chicken, numbing and spicy rabbit, braised pork, fresh seasonal vegetables… Dish after dish was brought to the table, and in no time, they were completely “cleaned out.”
Amidst the flurry of chopsticks, Su Su managed to snatch several pieces of diced chicken and braised pork. Her appetite, usually small, allowed her to eat two whole bowls of rice this time.
Just as Zhao Zhenyu locked onto a piece of rabbit meat, Su Su’s chopsticks swiftly intercepted it, plucking it away in the blink of an eye. His eyes instantly burned with rage.
Who the hell was even invited here? Does she even have a shred of self-awareness?!
Su Su didn’t care in the slightest.
Having lived another life and experienced those horrific events on the highway again, she knew all too well—among these people, keeping her dignity only made her an easier target. It was better to just throw it away early.
The benefits that make it into your bowl are the only real benefits.
Right now, she was still a step away from reaching the Tier 1, and her ability had yet to be fully developed. She had to conserve her energy and do everything she could to improve her strength.
Take the upcoming “zombie extermination” for example—she had already made up her mind. She had to follow this team and fish in troubled waters to reap some benefits!
Her backpack twitched slightly behind her, so subtly that no one else noticed.
Su Su understood immediately—
She wasn’t alone. She still had a petty yet unexpectedly lethal Xiao Hei snake with her.