Apocalypse Showdown: Carrier Conquest

Chapter 54: A Mutual Agreement

At the disaster response command center in Jiacheng, Xu Zhiyuan was not in charge of security matters, but that did not mean he lacked knowledge about the situation.

It had only been half a month since the disaster struck, not a very long time, but human society was fragile. The social order had completely collapsed, and political order was barely holding on, limited to areas where the national power still existed.

Although Asharan had strict gun control laws, obtaining firearms in the post-apocalyptic world wasn’t that difficult. Police branch offices, banks, financial institutions' security companies, and even certain special enterprises had firearms and ammunition available, provided one knew the exact location and had the ability to break into the facilities.

How many firearms and ammunition had flowed into the civilian sector from these "official" institutions? It was impossible to calculate precisely, but it was certain there were quite a few.

It seemed reasonable for Zhou Lin to want to exchange pork for a gun to protect himself.

The problem was, that Xu Zhiyuan did not have the authority to make such a decision. Not even Zhu Guanghan had that kind of power. In Asharan, the military and political spheres were strictly separate, and this principle held even in the face of the apocalypse.

"I’ll wait for your news," Zhou Lin said, standing up to see him off.

"I can't guarantee anything. Also, about the amount of meat..." Xu Zhiyuan trailed off.

"Once my father wakes up, we’ll know the exact amount."

There was nothing more to discuss. After all, no one could use a gun to force Zhou Lin to comply.

"Ungrateful fools! Do they really think they can stay here forever? In the end, they’ll have to go to the shelter. If they hand over the meat now, we can give them a good spot. Later on..."

Seeing Xu Zhiyuan’s grim expression as he exited, Wu Jianhai assumed the deal had fallen through and was furious.

Xu Zhiyuan waved his hand dismissively. "Let’s go back and discuss it."

"Just leave like this?" Wu Jianhai was anxious. In the current environment, going out wasn’t easy, and the gasoline costs were a painful consideration.

But Xu Zhiyuan had already left, and there was no use for Wu Jianhai to say anything further. The soldiers wouldn't be swayed by his orders to break through the blast-proof door.

"There’s still some left in the freezer, maybe about a thousand pounds. Good thing it's kept at a low temperature, or it would have spoiled by now."

After hearing Zhou Lin’s explanation, Zhou Caijun and Cheng Yali didn’t have much to say. The amount of meat didn’t matter as much as the fact that the official backing would make it legitimate to take the meat out openly.

"I can’t guarantee anything. They may try other methods. After all, it’s still a little early."

The apocalypse had only been half a month, and many people still held out hope, hoping the disaster would soon pass. But as time went on, those who had lost all hope would no longer hold back. Order would continue to collapse, and guns would no longer be as significant.

The news of the Zhou family's stockpiled frozen meat somehow spread throughout the community. Even Yang Kiki and her group, who were hiding, had heard of it.

"I knew it, I knew it!" Yang Kiki's face was still swollen, but the lack of two molars made her face asymmetrical and odd.

Tang Yili, lying on the floor, had become much thinner due to the pain and hunger. He looked like a completely different person. Recently, the thing he repeated most was going home. Among the three of them, the one in the best condition was actually Sun Chenghao, simply because every time he went out to ask Shao Hang for food, he would sneak a little snack on the way back.

"What's the use of knowing?" Sun Chenghao said. "What, are you going to rob them? Look at Old Tang, he’s useless now." He touched his sore bottom and thought of Black Dog.

"Useless," Yang Kiki sneered, thinking Tang Yili had fallen asleep and couldn’t hear her. In fact, Tang Yili wasn’t asleep at all. He turned his head, silently gritting his teeth.

"I’ll go out for a bit."

Yang Kiki took a flashlight and walked all the way to the property management office door, only to be blocked by Huang Xuefeng.

Normally, he would be here standing guard.

"I need to see Manager Shao."

"Wait, he’s busy."

What’s he busy with?

Yang Kiki had already heard it—there were certain sounds.

Soon, a heavily-dressed woman walked out, her head and face hidden under a thick hat. But just the sight of her long legs was enough to make Yang Kiki envious.

The woman hurried away, head down.

"Is there something?"

Yang Kiki unconsciously moved closer to the heater, stopping when she felt the most comfortable spot. "I have something to discuss with you."

Shao Hang frowned.

He had just eaten and was feeling a bit full, entering what was known as the "sage state." If Yang Kiki was hoping to use her charm, she was mistaken. Right now, he has high standards.

"I know where there’s a large stockpile of supplies, even live poultry."

"Really?" Shao Hang’s eyes brightened immediately.

"My request is simple. I want a third, a third of it! And you have to guarantee my safety here." Yang Kiki had originally planned to "join forces" with Shao Hang, but seeing that woman just now made her rethink.

"One-fifth," Shao Hang considered.

"One-quarter, at least."

"Just one-fifth. Otherwise, I’ll make you talk."

Seeing the murderous gleam in Shao Hang’s eyes, Yang Kiki swallowed nervously and relented.

"Zhou family..."

"So they’re that wealthy... Go ahead, I’ll notify you once the supplies are available."

"No, I’ll stay here and wait!" Yang Kiki didn’t want to leave. This place was warm and clean, and even if she had to stay with Shao Hang... she was willing.

But she was really overestimating herself.

Eventually, Shao Hang didn’t kick Yang Kiki out, but he wouldn’t let her stay for free either. Whether she would be useful was one thing; whether she would actually do anything was another.

"Xuefeng, Xuefeng, come in."

To avoid complications later, Shao Hang immediately called Huang Xuefeng in for a discussion. But acting immediately wasn’t an option because Xu Zhiyuan had said he would come again.

"The door at the Zhou family’s place is a bit tricky. See if you can find a locksmith or someone who can help."

As a property management company, they had plenty of contacts with locksmiths. Xuefeng knew a guy living nearby and could go contact him. Shao Hang also asked him to find a cutting machine.

Seeing Shao Hang pay so much attention to Yang Kiki made her happy.

She hadn’t wanted to cooperate with him at first, but since Tang Yili and Sun Chenghao were so useless, she had no choice. Yang Kiki had never believed that the previous failure was her fault—it was all because of the two men.

And why did Zhou Lin or his family have to be at fault? Of course, they did, especially since Zhou Lin didn’t take advantage of Ai Bing’s death. He was the biggest fool, letting opportunities slip away. In Yang Kiki’s mind, that was the greatest mistake.

This was her logic and the logic of many women like her.

Who said women lacked logic? When they turned cruel, they were no less ruthless than men.

Yang Kiki had a deep disdain for Zhou Lin. He was indecisive and couldn’t even kill when necessary. If she knew that the only reason she was alive today was because Zhou Lin had used her to contact Cao Bowen, she might think differently.

But right now, Zhou Lin has already decided to give up on her.

At this point, it seemed Cao Bowen never considered Yang Kiki important. Otherwise, he would have contacted her long ago. Zhou Lin didn’t have any deep grudge against her, but now he was preparing for the inevitable.

What mattered now was whether the command center would agree to his terms.