"Let’s go, little sis, see if there’s anything you need to take. I’ll set up a comfy place for you later!"
Zhang Xin raised his hand with flair. He was doing quite well now, having gone from a small team leader to a favorite by the leader’s side. However, he didn’t lord it over Ma Huihui, and their relationship was still decent.
Despite her reluctance, Ma Huihui had no choice but to leave the place where she’d lived for more than two months. Zhang Su overestimated her: she held no grudges, nor did she have such thoughts. As she was about to leave, she gave a longing look at Zhang Su, hoping for a miracle at the last moment.
Unfortunately, no miracle happened...
With Ma Huihui gone, only the trusted ones were left. Zhang Su looked at Ouyang Qiao and Li Zongkai.
"Old Li, how did your capable subordinate find out? Tell me."
Li Zongkai shook his head with a wry smile, nodded to Ouyang Qiao, and said, "You tell the leader yourself."
Ouyang Qiao smiled slightly and said, "There’s no dramatic story between Chairman Li and me. He saved my life, and I originally intended to repay him with mine. Chairman Li kept his integrity, and then I heard they needed a spy in the Survivor Alliance, so I volunteered."
A woman’s asset in surviving the apocalypse is her body. As harsh as it may sound, once you accept this fact and use it wisely, living a decent life isn’t too hard.
Zhang Su clapped his hands softly and praised, "Old Li, that’s impressive. Those who can keep it in their pants live better in the apocalypse! By the way, I wanted to ask, with forces from all directions coming here for trade, Liao Youzhi should have a lot of useful intel, right? Did he write it down? Do you know?"
"Yes, we know."
Ouyang Qiao continued, pointing to a door in the corner: "Every time Liao Youzhi worked, he would go into that room. Only he was allowed in, and he ordered us not to go near it. There must be secrets inside."
"Exactly. Occasionally, when Liao Youzhi was in and out of the room, I got a glimpse of some walkie-talkies and a desk with some basic office supplies on it."
Pan Ru followed up, sighing inwardly. From Zhang Su’s eyes, she saw no desire for women. He was probably someone who could keep it in his pants too.
Zhang Su stood up and walked to the thick, heavy door, knocking twice. It was a very sturdy security door. He touched the keypad lock and looked back at Ouyang Qiao and Pan Ru with a questioning glance. Unfortunately, both shook their heads.
"Or... try that password?"
Ouyang Qiao suggested.
Zhang Su knew what she meant and entered the number they used to control the Fire-breathing Zombie, "5137855," into the lock.
Beep beep.
Two beeps indicated the password was incorrect.
"No, that’s not it..."
Zhang Su pushed hard, even shaking the soundproof firewall, but the door didn’t budge. It was apparent this was sturdier than the walls next to it. He tried adjusting the numbers twice more, but all attempts were wrong.
He didn’t dare continue. From experience, after five failed attempts, it would automatically lock, making it very difficult to open.
"Liao Youzhi was so cautious; there must be something in there, big brother. I’ll go get tools and tear this place down!"
Zhao Dezhu threw his cigarette butt to the ground, ready to get a chainsaw.
"You might as well just break the lock!"
Zhang Su scoffed. Most keypad locks could be opened if physically damaged, which was much easier than tearing down walls. However, a sudden flash of inspiration hit him, and he turned to Ouyang Qiao and Pan Ru: "This lock isn’t connected to any mechanism that could cause problems if destroyed, right?"
"It is. Not to mention destroying it, even a hard knock could trigger an alarm. But... alarms don’t seem to matter much now."
Ouyang Qiao shrugged.
The Imperial Palace had changed hands, what treasury from the previous regime couldn’t be opened?
"Haha, then what are we waiting for? Let me at it. Damn, a useless lock giving itself airs!"
Zhao Dezhu tightened his gloves, ready for some venting.
"Did you all forget something?"
Zheng Xinyu scoffed, watching the guys enthusiastically discussing, looking quite puzzled.
Zhang Su and Zhao Dezhu exchanged glances, and the two almost simultaneously slapped their thighs.
"We forgot our Thief God!"
With that, Zhang Su immediately took out a walkie-talkie and contacted Pang Dakun: "Dakun, quickly come to the fifth floor; there’s something good for you!"
"Something good? Good, good, good, on my way, owa!"
In less than two minutes, Pang Dakun rushed in, and seeing the group surrounding the security door, he knew he was needed. As he fumbled for tools from his pouch, he said, "When Master Kun steps in, three are not equal; none of you can match me, you’re all amateurs!"
"You little punk, are you asking for it, acting all superior? Want me to spike your meal with a laxative next time?"
Zhao Dezhu glared at Pang Dakun angrily.
"Not afraid, hehe. I’d secretly swap bowls with Aunt Yu before eating."
"You little..."
"Zhuzi, you’re arguing childishly. Dakun, stop the chatter and get on with it!"
Zhang Su was utterly speechless.
"Quick, let Master Kun see what’s what. A tiny lock like this, three to five minutes tops. You go have a smoke over there!"
Pang Dakun bounced and jumped to the front of the security door, starting to study the lock.
Next to him, Ouyang Qiao and Pan Ru exchanged glances, eyes full of shock and confusion. Was this really a leader? A leader so friendly, joking around with his subordinates?
You have to admit, this kind of atmosphere is quite nice...
While Pang Dakun fiddled with the lock, Zhang Su lit a cigarette and chatted with Pan Ru and Ouyang Qiao about the Survivor Alliance. They learned the next trading day was in three days when forces from the south of Qin City, as well as other districts, would gather for exchanges.
"The trade items vary widely. Interestingly, grain isn’t the main focus. Weapons, industrial products, and medical supplies are highly sought after, as well as human trafficking..."
Ouyang Qiao roughly introduced the trading situation.
"Interesting, might as well find some time to check it out." Zhang Su stroked his chin; such an occasion was a first for him.
"Mr. Zhang, you might find it’s not as easy as just checking it out..."
Yuwen pointedly mentioned.
"That’s right!"
Zhang Su just realized that he had now become the leader of North City, and Lego Mall was no longer the headquarters of the Survivor Alliance but a branch of Celestial Horse Island!
By then, people from other areas would know that the Survivor Alliance had undergone a regime change. As the leader of this vast area, if he didn’t show up, someone might seize the chance to cause trouble.
Even if none tried to take advantage, he would need to show up to exert some deterrence, lest other forces get any funny ideas.
"Mr. Yu is right, Younger Brother Zhang. Not only will you need to show up then, but I, Liu Yao, and Yang Xinqi will also need to explain things. They must know we are united and inviolable!"
"By the way, when will that ironclad unity be revealed..."
Finishing a cigarette, Zhao Dezhu noticed Pang Dakun crouched with his rump in the air, shining a flashlight into the lock and giving them a cross-eyed look, and said irritably, "Master Kun, you were boasting three to five minutes; it’s been seven to eight minutes, and you still can’t do it!"
Pang Dakun scratched his head in confusion, turned to Zhang Su and the others, and with no trace of his earlier arrogance, squeezed his eyes and said, "This thing was modified later; it’s not like the locks I’ve seen. But uncle, don’t worry, I will surely figure it out in fifteen minutes, or I won’t have lunch!"
"You said it, fifteen minutes, or not only will you starve, but I’ll smash your head!"
Zhao Dezhu glared at Pang Dakun with a menacing look.
"Stop teasing him..."
Zhang Su snuffed his cigarette butt in the ashtray on the coffee table, stood up, and said, "Let’s go to the laboratory and see, Dr. Fu is still thinking about those instruments and equipment!"
Liao Youzhi had gone through great efforts to find some equipment nearby to treat his son’s zombification, barely meeting the needs of the research personnel.