Chapter 10: White Qiao Durian Mochi

“This is our town’s livestock farm, where we raise pigs, cattle, chickens, ducks, geese, and other meat poultry.”

Lin Weiran stood outside the farm’s fence and, at a glance, was surprised. “The scale seems… rather small?”

There were about two or three cows, a dozen or so pigs, and scattered chickens, ducks, and geese numbering only a few dozen each. Even considering the drastic population decline after the apocalypse, this scale and quantity could not adequately supply four or five thousand people comfortably.

Her confusion was soon resolved.

The mayor smiled slightly. “After all, this is the end times, and resources are limited. The livestock here in town is prioritized for the use of ability users, so they can conserve their strength and power, thereby ensuring the safety of the entire town. Once these ability users grow stronger, perhaps we can expand the town’s territory and acquire more resources. Then, the farm’s meat supply will be richer and could even be used to incentivize more people to contribute to the town.”

On the surface, everyone present except Su Su was an ability user, and they accepted this explanation without hesitation.

The mayor continued, “To better preserve the meat, some of the livestock is made into cured meat.”

A capable female subordinate had just arrived and was communicating with the farm staff. Soon, she led the visiting guests to the door of the curing room.

“This is my deputy, Sun Wan, a second-tier water attribute ability user, the same attribute as Zhao, the ability user.”

Zhao Zhenyu gave Sun Wan a probing look, a flicker of caution in his eyes.

The mayor ignored it and motioned for Sun Wan to unlock the curing room’s door.

Click.

The door opened, revealing the curing room filled with smoked meats—walls hung with cured meats, smoked rabbits, smoked chickens, ducks, and geese… Two or three people quietly swallowed their saliva.

“Everyone, as honored guests, once you leave the town, I will authorize sending a dozen or so cured meats and several chickens, ducks, and rabbits with you on your journey.”

“In addition, rice, flour, coarse grains, seasonings, and so on will be fully loaded onto your vehicles, ensuring you never have to worry about supplies on the road!”

The mayor’s words instantly stirred excitement throughout the ability user squad.

Only Si Zhe remained calm. He looked at the mayor and cut to the chase, “Mayor, you are so generous to us. Is there something we can assist with?”

“Si, you’re perceptive,” the mayor patted his shoulder. “Indeed, there is a matter I need your squad’s help with, but I assure you, it will be mutually beneficial.”

“What matter?”

The mayor gave Sun Wan a glance, and she dispersed the lingering onlookers before producing a city-level map and handing it over.

“As you know, our small town often organizes ability user squads to retrieve unclaimed supplies from outside. Recently, Zhao Wan risked a trip near City C and discovered something…”

Zhao Zhenyu, impatient, asked eagerly, “Is it supplies?”

“There aren’t many supplies. On the contrary, zombies are unusually dense.”

“Then what is it?”

Despite his urgency, the mayor remained composed and continued smoothly: “City C is the provincial capital, densely populated, and quickly fell during the outbreak’s first month. Our town is tens of kilometers from City C. We’ve tried multiple times to enter to obtain supplies but were always stopped by hordes of millions of zombies, forced to cautiously probe the outskirts.”

“The news Zhao Wan brought back was that three third-tier zombies have appeared in the outskirts of City C!”

At this, the mayor’s eyes brightened, his gaze continually flickering between Si Zhe and Lin Weiran.

“Si, Lin, the apocalypse has only lasted half a year. Supplies are easy to find, but power increases are difficult. If you can successfully kill those three third-tier zombies and obtain their third-tier crystals, you’d be ahead of most ability users. Even if surrounded by zombies later, you could break through!”

“You have three second-tier ability users, I have two here, and there are over a dozen first-tier ability users in town. Together, we can easily clear the zombies around the outskirts!”

The mayor’s words were so persuasive that Si Zhe and Lin Weiran exchanged a glance. Lin Weiran then asked the most pressing question, “How will the spoils be divided?”

“Three third-tier crystals. You get two, I get one. As for the remaining second-tier crystals, I want seventy percent, you get thirty.”

Lin Weiran found it hard to resist the temptation; her breathing quickened. “Wait, we need to discuss this!”

“No problem.”

Lin Weiran and the others moved to a secluded spot to confer quietly. “What do you all think of the mayor’s proposal?”

“I agree!” Zhao Zhenyu was the first to speak, greed plainly evident in his eyes. “Two third-tier crystals could add two third-tier ability users to our team. What obstacles would remain on the road south?”

“I think it’s feasible too,” Lin Weiran was somewhat excited but mostly worried. “But… what if after killing those third-tier zombies, the mayor breaks his promise and tries to take advantage?”

Zhao Zhenyu scoffed, unimpressed. “He only needs one crystal, right? Without us, how could the two second-tier and a dozen or so first-tier ability users in town manage to kill three third-tier zombies?”

“That may be so,” Lin Weiran glanced back, her worry unabated.

“What if…” she began.

Zhao Zhenyu cut her off, “We still have your cousin.”

“What do you mean?” Lin Weiran was stunned. “What does Su Su have to do with this?”

“Isn’t the mayor interested in Su Su? He’s after more than just one third-tier core. Once the outskirts are cleared, most of the supplies belong to the town. And Su Su… heh.” Zhao Zhenyu sneered. “If you hand her over to the mayor, do you think he’ll care about arguing over that extra third-tier crystal?”

Seeing Lin Weiran’s disapproving look, Zhao Zhenyu curled his lips. “Fine, you’re kind-hearted and care for her. But look at her—she accepted the bread, wore the clothes the mayor gave her, and dressed like that. Isn’t she trying to cozy up to him?”

“I’ve asked around. The mayor is thirty-five, divorced. He’s about to become a third-tier ability user and is the town’s core figure. Someone like Su Su, who’s so calculating, wouldn’t look down on the mayor after looking down on Wu Zhi, would she?”

Lin Weiran fell silent.

Zhao Zhenyu looked triumphantly at Si Zhe. “Si Zhe, do you think I’m right?”

Si Zhe didn’t answer directly but said calmly, “We can accept this, but we must remain vigilant. Don’t go all in; watch out for the mayor betraying us at a critical moment.”

That way, even if the mayor turned hostile, they would still have room to resist.

They lowered their voices and spoke at a distance, making it difficult for others to hear.

Su Su stood silently, finally understanding what Lin Weiran and the others had done in their previous lives. They had likely accompanied the mayor to the outskirts of City C, eliminated those three third-tier zombies, successfully claimed two third-tier crystals, and received a large amount of supplies from the mayor.

“Miss Su, are you bored?” The mayor had quietly come beside her, his smile warm as ever. “If the plan succeeds, I will become a third-tier ability user, greatly enhancing the town’s safety. Then we can expand westward and gradually develop a mature base…”

To outsiders, these words sounded like a devoted vision for the town’s future.

Su Su looked up at him. Just as the mayor expected a response, she parted her crimson lips and simply said three words—

“I’m hungry.”

The mayor was genuinely stunned for two seconds before responding awkwardly, “Ah… Miss Su, you’re hungry? I’ll have someone get you something to eat?”

Su Su nodded without hesitation. “Good.”

The mayor was speechless.

He signaled Sun Wan, who fetched a smoked rabbit from the curing room and generously handed it to Su Su.

“Miss Su, as you can see, the town is developing well. Would you consider staying here?”

The smoked rabbit was in a plastic bag. Su Su unceremoniously stuffed it into her backpack, absentmindedly licking her fingertip heavily once.

She forced herself calm and shoved the rabbit inside, silently adding to herself:

—Eat quickly.

After this, Su Su finally responded to the mayor’s “invitation.”

“I don’t know.” She blinked her beautiful eyes, slightly hesitant and confused. “I just follow my cousin’s lead.”

The mayor looked at her deeply.

His years and experience allowed him to see through this girl easily. She accepted everything, wanting it all while feigning innocence. Maybe Zhao was right this morning—she had indeed toyed with a second-tier ability user named Wu Zhi.

But he was different. He had been through a marriage and wasn’t a naïve youth easily swayed by beauty.

“It’s fine, Miss Su. You can take your time getting used to life here. The townsfolk are simple and honest. You’ll surely come to like it if you stay.”

As he spoke, Lin Weiran and the others had finished their discussion.

“Mayor, we agree to cooperate. When do we depart?”

“You all can rest a bit. We leave at noon and should reach City C’s outskirts around two o’clock. The sun will be blazing then, and the zombies will be less active than at night—perfect for a surprise attack.”

“Alright.”

The mayor raised his hand again. “Sun Wan has prepared lunch. Why not join us? Miss Su, you too?”

This remark instantly focused everyone’s attention on Su Su.

Because of the earlier “plan,” Zhao Zhenyu merely sneered and, unusually, did not object.

Lin Weiran hesitated. “Su Su, do you want to eat with us? If not…”

“I’m going,” Su Su interrupted, paying no mind to the varied gazes, and followed the group to the mayor’s guest dining hall.

Lunch was still lavish—spicy diced chicken, spicy rabbit, braised pork, fresh vegetables… dozens of dishes were set on the table and quickly devoured.

Amidst the many chopsticks, Su Su managed to grab several pieces of chicken and braised pork. Her usually small appetite had her eating two bowls of rice this time.

Zhao Zhenyu had just aimed for a piece of rabbit meat, but in a blink, Su Su skillfully snatched it away, making him furious with fiery eyes.

Who the hell did he think he was inviting? Did she have any sense at all?

Su Su didn’t care.

Having lived through a lifetime and endured the disgusting events on the highway again, she knew having a thick skin made one an easier target. Better to shed it early.