Chapter 35: Might Makes Right

These items, though unremarkable in the 21st century, were bestsellers in the apocalypse. But then it occurred to her: would opening a convenience store cut into the business of her lottery shop?

With this thought, Lu Li’s gaze toward Shen Bing turned unfriendly, but then she reconsidered. The prizes from the lottery shop were things that couldn’t be bought at a convenience store or anywhere else in the apocalypse. Take the fruit, hot pot, or barbecue vouchers, for instance—how could those possibly exist elsewhere?

Reassured, Lu Li stroked the fawn’s fur while watching Shen Bing arrange goods on the shelves. Perhaps finding it cumbersome to work in, Shen Bing took off his black cloak and tossed it onto the floor. He was clearly just a brat, yet he insisted on acting like an adult every single day. It was all the fault of this damned apocalypse!

Thinking this, Lu Li set the fawn down and stepped forward to help. To her surprise, he was quite meticulous in his work. He placed the bottles of mineral water in the most prominent spots and lined up the sausages one by one, categorizing them neatly.

Once all the items were stocked, Shen Bing clapped his hands in satisfaction and glanced down at his credit balance. Less than a hundred... Just like money, it vanished in the blink of an eye. He had no intention of adding any flashy decorations; he would focus on selling what he had first. Without money, everything else was moot.

"Let’s go," Shen Bing said, bending down to retrieve his cloak and donning it with practiced ease. Once the cloak was on, he seemed to age five years instantly. If he didn't speak, he truly looked like a mysterious man. Unfortunately, the illusion shattered the moment he opened his mouth; the age of his voice was hard to disguise, and one could tell immediately he was just a kid.

The two walked out one after the other. Lu Li confirmed that this was all he had planned for now; seeing his stingy nature, she had nothing to say. She pursed her lips and clicked her tongue, passing him with a dramatic flourish as she carried the fawn. Shen Bing watched her with a puzzled expression, his gaze following her until she climbed into the RV and her figure was obscured. He stood there for a while longer, pulled his hat lower, and silently left the base.

Inside the RV, Lu Li sprawled across the driver’s seat. After pondering the meaning of life for a moment, she opened her optical computer to check her credit balance. Nearly seventy thousand. She was still over thirty thousand short of reaching level four, and Lu Li found herself feeling impatient.

As evening approached, Lu Li ordered a clay pot rice. Just as she was about to eat, there was a soft knock on the door. She rose with great reluctance. Who on earth was it, constantly bothering her during mealtime?

With a face full of resentment, Lu Li threw open the door, one hand on her hip, radiating annoyance, her hair somewhat disheveled.

Outside stood Liu Hongtao, followed by a clearly unwilling Liu Wenchun.

The annoyance on Lu Li’s face faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of interest. She sized the two up; she had a history with Liu Wenchun. It wasn’t a major grudge, but she had humiliated her in front of everyone at the base and beaten her bodyguard. Liu Wenchun shouldn't like her, so why was she here?

Liu Hongtao spoke first. His tone was amicable, though the air of a superior remained. "Boss Lu, I’ve brought my daughter to apologize."

"Oh? Then go ahead," Lu Li said, raising an eyebrow. She didn't want to make things difficult for them—she still had her clay pot rice to think about.

Liu Hongtao hadn't expected her to be so accommodating. He was caught off guard for a second before hastily pulling Liu Wenchun forward. "Quick, apologize to Boss Lu. What happened the other day was unintentional; she’s just a child who doesn't know any better."

Lu Li switched from having one hand on her hip to crossing her arms, watching the scene with cool detachment. When Liu Wenchun looked up, she was met with that familiar, mocking expression—the look one might give a clown! She exploded instantly, and the speech she had prepared and the mental fortitude she had built up crumbled.

She stepped back, her expression defiant. "No! I refuse to apologize to her!"

Liu Hongtao quickly stepped between them to shield her from Lu Li, his face turning stern and harsh as he hissed at her, "Apologize to Boss Lu right now! She is a magnanimous person and will surely forgive you. Stop throwing a tantrum!"

Frightened by her father’s intense gaze, Liu Wenchun stammered, unable to get a word out.

He continued firmly, "Hurry up, don't dawdle. Boss Lu is broad-minded; as long as you apologize, these are all trifles."

Lu Li listened to these snide, passive-aggressive remarks without reacting. No matter how he hinted, the apology had to happen. She watched their performance quietly. Liu Hongtao rattled on, only to realize there was no response behind him... He wondered if Boss Lu was getting angry.

But then, he heard Liu Wenchun weakly protest, "I won't!"

Liu Hongtao felt blood rush to his head. This rebellious child—couldn't she understand the subtext?! Furious, he swung his hand, and the force of the slap was so great that Liu Wenchun stumbled a few steps and fell to the ground.

Lu Li stood on the steps, her mouth agape. How strange—it felt somewhat satisfying.

Coincidentally, Liu Wenchun shot her a look of pure hatred. Lu Li slowly closed her mouth; watching the show was one thing, but it was better not to let the parties involved notice.

Liu Wenchun saw it clearly: the playful glint in Lu Li’s eyes and the sneer at the corner of her mouth. She lowered her head, her fists clenching involuntarily as a tear slid down her cheek. Why? Why did her father have to take this person's side? Was it just because she had an RV and a lottery shop? But she was his own flesh and blood!

Liu Wenchun couldn't understand it. Ever since her father became the base leader, they had been catered to and pampered wherever they went. Whatever she wanted, as long as her father could get it, he would find it for her without exception. She was his only child—how could he! For the sake of an outsider, he had struck her!

Heartbroken, humiliated, and furious, Liu Wenchun pushed herself up from the floor and ran away. Liu Hongtao instinctively reached out to grab her, but then remembered Boss Lu was right there... He had no choice but to force a stiff smile, turn, and bow deeply. "My apologies, Boss Lu. I haven't disciplined her well."

He thought that since he had come this far and provided a way out, Boss Lu would surely take it. But he had underestimated Lu Li and overestimated himself. He heard Lu Li chuckle, "It’s fine. Let her come back another day to apologize. I’m in no rush."

After today, Liu Wenchun would likely truly despise her, so why bother keeping up appearances? She might as well let the mask slip.

Liu Hongtao was stunned. He hadn't expected someone to be so unreasonable. Yet, he had nothing to say; he was the one who had brought his daughter here to apologize, and he was the one pleading for forgiveness.

Liu Hongtao was caught in a dilemma, frozen on the spot. He even considered using his authority as the base leader to pressure her. But she possessed this miraculous ability—it was rumored she could summon her RV anytime, anywhere, and that she was invincible within its vicinity. He had always feared and respected the strong, and Liu Hongtao’s straight back involuntarily slumped.

Lu Li waved her hand dismissively. "That's enough. Come back tomorrow. I’m going to eat."

Liu Hongtao felt a surge of relief. He exhaled and turned to leave, his eyes drifting toward the interior of the RV as he turned. On the small table sat a clay pot, steaming hot. Only now, with his tension fading, did he catch the aroma wafting through the air.

Liu Hongtao became even more convinced of Boss Lu’s status as a powerhouse; even he, the base leader, didn't have the luxury of eating hot meals every day.