The Girl Who Summoned Her Courage!

Just now, when Li Wangmiao was with An Xiaowei, she had already been told: Within this base, Xue Feng was everything—he was their god. Whatever Xue Feng wished to do, they had to obey without question.

Unable to hold back, Li Wangmiao had asked if Xue Feng ever forced women. She still remembered how An Xiaowei had answered: “That is not coercion! It is being graced with his favor, don’t you understand? It is an honor!”

His favor.

Would Xue Feng ever bestow his favor upon her as well? If he chose to do so, Li Wangmiao would never refuse. She would consider it a way to repay him. Of course, she knew deep down this was only wishful thinking. Would someone as important as Xue Feng even spare her a second glance?

“Train these dogs well, especially Black Panther,” Xue Feng reminded her, not forgetting his earlier instructions. Black Panther could become an important asset for him in the future.

“Alright,” Li Wangmiao nodded.

Xue Feng said nothing more, rising to leave.

“Um—!” Just then, a sweet, clear voice rang out. Everyone turned; it was Hao Yifei.

“What is it?” Xue Feng asked.

“Do I have any tasks?” Hao Yifei had only done some simple chores these past days. She felt this was unworthy of her status as an A-rank member. Now, everyone inside the base had a role: Wang Xinyu handled the medicines and ran the clinic, taking care of illnesses and emergencies. Gu Xiaoqian, as the housekeeper, was constantly busy. An Xiaowei, Xue Feng’s personal secretary, was essentially his representative within the base, relaying his orders and managing affairs tirelessly. The sisters Nie Xiaoyue and Nie Xiaoxing spent their days in the laboratory, shouldering the most important task: researching zombies and mutants, as well as energy devices. Xue Feng often visited the lab, though sometimes, blushing sounds could be heard from within.

Among the A-rank members, only Hao Yifei and You Haoyun had no specific duties. But You Haoyun was a veteran—reportedly the second woman Xue Feng had brought back.

This left Hao Yifei uneasy, prompting her to ask for work.

“For the next couple of days, work with You Haoyun and follow Gu Xiaoqian’s arrangements,” Xue Feng thought for a moment and replied. If she couldn’t keep still, she might as well find something to do.

“Alright,” Hao Yifei nodded, somewhat disappointed. After all, she had already been taking orders from Gu Xiaoqian these days—just menial chores. It wasn’t that the famous star Hao Yifei was above such work; she simply wanted to prove her worth.

You Haoyun, meanwhile, had a sly glint in her eyes, though her thoughts were unreadable. Her gaze drifted between Hao Yifei and Li Wangmiao.

After dinner, Xue Feng made his way to the kitchen. This was originally a villa, now specially remodeled with kitchen equipment moved in, though the second floor remained living quarters. Liu Qiqi and five other assistants were all housed here. Starting tomorrow, they would have to rise before dawn to prepare breakfast, since the base now had over sixty people, and meals had to be made in advance.

Fortunately, the expectations for food were not high—no need for culinary perfection; as long as it was cooked, it would do.

“My lord!” Upon seeing Xue Feng, the women in the kitchen all bowed their heads. Their mealtime was later, as they still had to clean up afterward.

Xue Feng nodded in greeting. “Come with me. Let the others finish up,” he said to Liu Qiqi, then turned to leave.

“Yes, my lord,” Liu Qiqi nodded quietly.

When the others saw her follow Xue Feng out, a look of envy appeared in their eyes. “Has the lord taken a liking to her?”

“How lucky! I wish he’d choose me too!”

“We’re already fortunate to be here at all—most of the others from school are probably dead by now.”

The women chattered on, grateful simply to be alive. Though they had been working hard, they’d heard stories of the world outside—supplies running low, zombies growing more dangerous.

Just having a safe place to stay filled them with happiness. In truth, they all wished Xue Feng would notice them, but they also understood their place and knew better than to harbor such unrealistic hopes.

Xue Feng led Liu Qiqi upstairs, where there was also a sitting room.

“When you saw your brother, did he say anything to you? Do you have any thoughts of your own?” Xue Feng asked. Last time, Zhao Weisuo and Liu Qiqi had gone to the food market to exchange intel and weapons. Xue Feng hadn’t asked about her brother Liu Jun in detail. Now, with a rare free moment, he took the time to inquire. What he truly wanted to know was Liu Jun’s real intentions.

He had not brought Liu Jun to the riverside villas for a reason. In essence, Liu Jun’s group was his outpost within the city—he provided them with weapons and equipment to protect his interests, though it was never as safe as being in the base itself. Today, he’d brought Tang Qiqiang and the others over, as their own hideout had become too dangerous, supplies in the vicinity nearly exhausted. Bringing them here would let them serve as laborers for the base’s production and maintenance.

Liu Qiqi might have her own thoughts about this arrangement.

At Xue Feng’s question, Liu Qiqi blushed and lowered her head. “My brother told me to cook well, and also…” her voice trailed off until it was barely a whisper.

“Speak up, I can’t hear you,” Xue Feng said with a sigh.

“He told me to serve you, my lord!” At last, Liu Qiqi summoned her courage and looked up at Xue Feng.

Young and beautiful, Liu Qiqi was radiant with youthful vigor. Her cheeks, flushed deep red, stirred a surge of tenderness in him.

“Your brother actually said that?” Xue Feng was both amused and exasperated—so direct! Yet Liu Jun was no fool; he knew his sister’s best chance for survival was by Xue Feng’s side. Becoming his woman meant safety.

“Yes, my lord, please allow me to serve you,” Liu Qiqi said resolutely, her gaze unwavering.

“Serve me? Do you know how to serve?” A faint smile played at Xue Feng’s lips. With such a fresh and lovely young apple offered up, he saw no reason to refuse.