Chapter 30: Seeking a Partnership

The group moved with agility, their gazes toward Meng Ran and her companions tinged with apprehension. Chang Yan set down her bag, sat cross-legged on the carpet, and looked toward the tents. Her legs ached; she had struggled all the way through the deep snow only to end up with nothing to show for it.

The three of them sat down and opened some milk to quench their thirst. Meng Ran took off her gloves. Inside her spatial dimension, Niannian was watching a cartoon she had downloaded from the backend earlier—something Meng Ran had prepared in advance. Meng Ran had also prepared food for Niannian for the day, ensuring she wouldn't go hungry. Now, however, was not the time to return to the space.

"I wonder if you three would be interested in collaborating with us?" Xu Zhuoqun asked, eyeing them. He was primarily interested in their supernatural abilities, which was the reason for his courtesy.

Chang Yan shook her head. "I'm sorry, we have no intention of collaborating. If this makes you unhappy, we can leave right now."

Outside, the sky was already turning dark. Seeing that Chang Yan and her group were actually starting to pack up, Xu Zhuoqun’s tone became even more accommodating. "That’s not what I meant. It’s cold and dark out now, and there are other things roaming about. You should stay here."

Meng Ran’s eyes flickered; it seemed Xu Zhuoqun and his men were also aware of the zombies. Among these people, only Xu Zhuoqun possessed an ability, which explained why he was so keen to recruit them. Chang Xingwen curled his lip and sat back down alongside Chang Yan.

"Then many thanks," Chang Yan said, pulling at the corners of her mouth.

Xu Zhuoqun smiled. "Even if the deal doesn't go through, there’s no need to lose civility, wouldn't you agree?"

Peng Zicong frowned; he felt that Xu Zhuoqun was being far too polite to these people. Meng Ran’s gaze drifted toward the women. Compared to the rosy-cheeked men, these women looked much worse—gaunt, thin, and huddled together.

"What’s going on with them?" Meng Ran asked, gesturing with her chin toward the group.

Xu Zhuoqun’s expression remained unchanged. "They were all original employees of the supermarket. They are under our protection now."

Meng Ran saw one of the younger women open her mouth as if to say something, but she ultimately lowered her head in silence. Meng Ran didn't need Xu Zhuoqun’s excuses to guess the truth. Chang Yan had clearly seen it too. When they had first encountered Peng Zicong’s group, they hadn't yet revealed their abilities, and the way Peng Zicong looked at them then had been entirely different. Meng Ran and Chang Yan exchanged a glance.

***

The sky was dim. Meng Ran took a light from her backpack to illuminate their area, and they ate some bread and milk to stave off their hunger. Xu Zhuoqun’s group also used items from the supermarket to light their own space.

A man walked over to the women and tossed something down. "Here, your dinner for tonight."

Xu Zhuoqun glanced over. "Zhang Zhi, be a bit more polite."

Zhang Zhi rubbed his nose. Before Meng Ran’s group had arrived, Xu Zhuoqun had never said anything of the sort.

"Could you give us some water?" the women pleaded, looking at Zhang Zhi. They had only dry crackers in front of them; there was no milk, not even bottled water. Zhang Zhi was about to lash out when he heard Xu Zhuoqun cough.

"Consider yourselves lucky," Zhang Zhi muttered, pulling a bottle of water from a box and tossing it to them.

In the flickering light, Xu Zhuoqun spoke again. "All the supplies in the supermarket are under my control now. Are the three of you interested in doing me a favor? I can hire you with these supplies."

A place to stay wasn't enough, so Xu Zhuoqun desperately dangled his resources.

Peng Zicong ran over. "Brother Xu, have you lost your mind?"

Xu Zhuoqun glared at him, signaling him to stay back. Chang Yan, chewing on a piece of chocolate to replenish her energy, listened with interest as she questioned Xu Zhuoqun about his plans. The man was persistent; he had asked three times, clearly plotting something that required their abilities. Chang Yan nudged Meng Ran. Meng Ran had no interest in such matters and only wanted to stay the night and leave, but she still wanted to hear what Xu Zhuoqun was truly after.

"We are very close to the central business district. The shopping mall there has even more supplies than we do here. I want to ask for your help to go there and retrieve them."

Meng Ran and Chang Yan both looked at him; Xu Zhuoqun had quite an appetite. Peng Zicong sat down. He had known about this plan for a long time but had never moved because of the zombies outside.

"The zombies and other factors on the road would have a huge impact on us. Since it’s rare to encounter three ability users like yourselves, why not consider it? After all, the supplies at the mall are quite abundant."

With the heavy snow blocking the roads, there couldn't be many people at the mall. The only thing they would have to deal with was an unknown number of zombies. Xu Zhuoqun stared at Meng Ran and Chang Yan’s expressions; they were obviously out looking for supplies, so he didn't believe they wouldn't be tempted.

Chang Xingwen drank his milk. "Sister, what are you planning to do?"

Chang Yan’s eyes darted around as she exchanged a look with Meng Ran. Meng Ran already knew what Chang Yan was thinking.

"Alright," Chang Yan suddenly agreed.

***

Xu Zhuoqun was stunned for a moment, then his smile widened.

"How will the supplies be distributed?" Meng Ran asked.

Xu Zhuoqun had clearly prepared for this. "You three are talented individuals; I can let you have first pick."

The terms were truly tempting. Meng Ran glanced at the women who were only allowed to eat crackers; she feared Xu Zhuoqun treated them as mere tools and would turn on them once their abilities were exhausted. Despite her thoughts, she didn't show it and readily agreed.

Xu Zhuoqun, believing he had achieved his goal, stood up and stepped away.

Chang Xingwen ran between them. "Sister, Sister Meng, are you really going with him?" He couldn't wrap his head around the schemes; he just had a bad feeling about Xu Zhuoqun and didn't want them getting involved with him.

Chang Yan whispered, "How exactly does your brain work?"

Chang Xingwen scratched his hair, vaguely sensing that his sister and Meng Ran had other plans. Just as Meng Ran was about to speak, a hand reached out. In the darkness, the woman’s eyes were filled with tears.

"Please, save me..." she whispered, afraid to alert those keeping watch.

Meng Ran looked at her closely. "What’s wrong?"

"Please, take me away from here."

Feeling the gaze from the other side, Meng Ran shifted her flashlight, revealing the bruises on the woman.

"What are you doing?" Zhang Zhi asked, having returned from the restroom to see someone running up to Meng Ran.

Meng Ran held the woman’s hand. "She looked familiar. I think I saw her when I came to the supermarket before. Is it a crime to have a quick chat?"

Because of the special treatment Xu Zhuoqun was giving them, Zhang Zhi didn't want to force her away, as that would look suspicious.

"Finish your talk and get back!" Zhang Zhi signaled to the woman.

"What happened?" Meng Ran asked anyway. She didn't believe the nonsense about "protection." Xu Zhuoqun and his men didn't treat them like human beings at all.