Chapter 31、Shall We Keep It Simple?

"Huh?"

Yi Bai froze for a moment, about to speak, but held his words back. He maintained his serious expression.

Jiang Xiaoci, ever perceptive, stepped forward, breaking the silence. With utmost respect, she addressed him.

"Sir, we've gathered a significant amount of supplies tonight. Here's the list. I've recorded everything in detail."

She handed him a piece of paper, filled with itemized details. The women in the room were bewildered—none of them had seen her write this down, and the sudden appearance of the list felt almost magical.

"Mm."

Yi Bai nodded seriously, studying the list for a moment before lowering his voice to ask, "How long will this last us?"

"Considering food spoilage, it should last us about half a month with this many people."

Jiang Xiaoci also lowered her voice. "But if we take into account the efficiency of future explorations and resupply missions, you need not worry. I can handle it."

"Good."

Yi Bai nodded, clearly satisfied. Since Jiang Xiaoci had joined the shelter, he'd been completely relieved from many of his burdens. It was true what they said: "When there's something to do, leave it to the experts. When there's nothing to do, just relax..." Cough.

In any case, Jiang Xiaoci was incredibly capable!

"You've done well. Everyone has."

Yi Bai glanced around the room, and for some reason, he suddenly found himself speaking.

"Comrades, you've all worked hard."

Oops! He didn't mean to say that.

The women froze in surprise, but behind them, Lin Yue immediately snapped to attention and saluted with a sharp "For the people!"

The others quickly caught on, and in unison, they echoed, "For the people!"

Their voices were clear and harmonious, and for a moment, the atmosphere took on the energy of a disciplined military unit.

Yi Bai looked at them, noticing the spark of excitement in their eyes. It was different from the confusion they had shown earlier in the day. These women, who had once been on the brink of despair after the shelter was destroyed at the start of the apocalypse, seemed to have found new courage and determination to survive.

"Good. Very good. That's the spirit!"

Yi Bai praised them, his voice warm with approval.

Jiang Xiaoci smiled softly, watching the scene. Once the excitement subsided, she spoke in a low voice, "Sir, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Come up and talk."

Yi Bai nodded, signaling her to follow him upstairs. As soon as they left, the women in the hall started chattering excitedly.

"Do you think the commander is handsome?"

"Yeah, and so young... Wait, why is Miss Jiang going upstairs with him?"

"Come on, we all know what's going on. They've definitely—shh, you know."

"They really are a perfect match... I don't even know who to envy more."

"Who do you think is more dominant? The commander?"

"No, I think Miss Jiang is the stronger one. She probably gives the commander face in front of others, but behind closed doors, she's probably fierce!"

"Sir."

As soon as Jiang Xiaoci entered the room, she knelt before him, her movements graceful.

"What are you doing?"

Yi Bai looked at her, puzzled. Jiang Xiaoci gently removed his shoes, her voice soft. "You are the master, I am the servant. Outside, you treat me with respect, and inside, I follow the rules."

"I don't care about all that," Yi Bai waved his hand, a little uncomfortable. "Get up. By the way, I never really asked... where are you from?"

"Lin Yue is from the modern military, Li Ya is an engineer, and you... are you from an even earlier time?"

Jiang Xiaoci didn't seem to fit the profile of someone from the modern world. She placed great importance on etiquette, as if holding onto some traditional values.

"Sir, if we're talking about time, I am from the modern era."

Jiang Xiaoci appeared to understand the current world well. She lowered her head, slowly removing his socks. "In fact, I should say I'm from the Republic of the era."

Yi Bai blinked in surprise, then thought for a moment. "So you know why you're here?"

Yi Bai had always been curious about the origins of the people recruited to the shelter. Were they clones? Or perhaps humans from a different timeline?

"I suppose you could say that," Jiang Xiaoci smiled faintly. "My world is different from yours, but there are also many similarities."

"Regardless, now that I'm here, I'll serve you well."

"I can't go back," she added softly.

Jiang Xiaoci was so devoted that it made Yi Bai feel a bit uneasy. "What were you going to say earlier?"

"Tonight, we did encounter some thugs at the mall."

Jiang Xiaoci lowered her voice, "They admitted they were from the Little White Bear Shelter, maybe residents or their subordinates."

"Little White Bear Shelter!"

Yi Bai's eyes widened in alarm. That was the shelter known for its psychotic killers—ranked number one on the murder leaderboard!

"What did you do?"

Yi Bai stared at her intently. Jiang Xiaoci met his gaze and smiled softly.

"I had Lin Yue kill them."

"All of them?"

"At least everyone I saw," Jiang Xiaoci replied calmly. "I used the women as bait, lured them out, and only after most of them showed up did I let Lin Yue take action."

"At first, I didn't want to kill them all, but when they mentioned the Little White Bear Shelter, I knew we couldn't afford to be soft. It had to be done."

"Xiaoci, you did the right thing."

Yi Bai sighed, his tone complicated but filled with understanding. He fully agreed with Jiang Xiaoci's decision. For the safety of the shelter, dealing with that group decisively was the best course of action.

After all, he had no intention of dealing with the Little White Bear Shelter—not now, at least.

Jiang Xiaoci had severed the potential threat. Now, the shelter wouldn't face unnecessary trouble.

"Still, we can't go back to that mall."

Jiang Xiaoci sighed lightly. "It was the only place we could consistently get supplies in large quantities. Looks like Lin Yue will have to work harder to find more."

"It's fine, we'll manage," Yi Bai wasn't worried about survival. His shelter's natural talent would resolve any immediate issues.

Yi Bai was more concerned about Jiang Xiaoci's actions tonight. Though she spoke so calmly, he could sense the faint hint of bloodshed in her tone.

He had thought of her as a smart, gentle woman—someone who handled internal matters well, who wasn't inclined to violence but instead preferred strategy and management... but now, it seemed his judgment had been wrong.

"Of course," Yi Bai mused. "A clever woman from the Republic of the era... her methods couldn't have been soft."

His thoughts trailed off as he considered the chaos of that time.

"Sir."

"Mm?"

"Will you hate me?"

"Why would you say that?"

Yi Bai looked at Jiang Xiaoci, who was gently massaging his leg. She spoke softly, almost hesitantly, "I had Lin Yue kill all those people. Men... probably don't like women like that."

"You did it to protect yourself—and me. I don't think less of you for it," Yi Bai replied sincerely. He gently ran his hand through her hair. "Don't worry, I won't judge you. You're my most important partner."

Jiang Xiaoci's body seemed to tremble slightly, and then she nodded, a soft "Mm" escaping her lips.

"Sir."

"It's getting late. Are you going to rest?"

"Yeah... I didn't sleep well last night. I could use a nap."

Yi Bai smiled faintly. He hadn't slept well, worrying about Lin Yue and Jiang Xiaoci's safety. Now, with the three women handling things so efficiently, he felt free to relax.

"Xiaoci, I'll sleep for a bit. Wake me around noon. I have something important to do."

"I will, sir."

"Alright, but... wait, Xiaoci, why are you taking off your clothes? Wait—what are you doing on the bed?"

Yi Bai recoiled in surprise, backing away from the bed. "Are you tired? Do you want me to give up the bed?"

"Sir."

Jiang Xiaoci, wearing a red undergarment resembling a short dress, kept her head lowered, her face flushing as she spoke softly, yet firmly.

"Sir, I think we should sleep together. It might be better that way."

"Xiaoci, you've misunderstood! I'm not like that!" Yi Bai quickly waved his hands, trying to explain. "I understand your loyalty, but we've just met. I won't take advantage of you like that. You don't have to do this."

"Sir, no," Jiang Xiaoci's eyes met his, a bewildered look on her flushed face. "It's you who should sleep with me."

"Huh? Me sleep with you?"

Yi Bai blinked, momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond.

In the silence, he saw Jiang Xiaoci lower her head again, her voice barely a whisper.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

She bent down to pick up her clothes, unconcerned by how her body was revealed to Yi Bai. Her emotions seemed more forlorn than embarrassed, like a lost child in the dark night.

"Maybe... talent is just human. It's not so different from being a person."

Yi Bai looked at her silently and finally called out, "Wait, come back to bed."

"Sir, you'll sleep with me?"

Jiang Xiaoci's face lit up with joy as she turned, slipping her clothes neatly into the wardrobe.

She trusted him fully, showing no hesitation, and it made Yi Bai feel a little more serious about the whole situation.

"Yeah, I'll sleep with you," Yi Bai scratched his head. "But... let's keep it simple?"

"Sir, you don't want me?"

"I think you might not want me either."

"I can want you."

"Let's wait until you can drop that 'can' from your words."

Yi Bai shrugged. "Maybe, right now, you just need a peaceful bed to rest in, not a man like me."

"Maybe you just need a place to call home."

Jiang Xiaoci had come from a world full of chaos, only to find herself in yet another chaotic world. A drifter, seeking solace in a warm place... even if it meant giving up something she didn't want to.

"Sir."

Jiang Xiaoci smiled as she lay next to Yi Bai, gently covering him with the blanket.

"Has anyone told you? You're a good man."

"Xiaoci, in my world, 'good man' isn't a compliment."

"Sir, you're a good man."