Chapter 33: Division

In the room, almost everyone except Chen Yao, Ji Qingwu, Lu Wen, Wang Shuang, Chi Yang, Zhang Xuan, Wang Fang, and Cai Xiao raised their hands. Few were willing to stay here.

Seeing so many people raise their hands in support of her proposal, Li Manni looked at Yue Zhong with some satisfaction and said, "More than half agree to leave immediately. The motion is passed."

"Alright," Yue Zhong nodded.

Seeing Yue Zhong nod, those who had raised their hands felt relieved, but Yue Zhong's next words sent their hearts plummeting from heaven to hell.

Yue Zhong glanced at the others and said indifferently, "You can leave. I won't stop you. You can take five days' worth of supplies and go on your own."

The reason Yue Zhong had saved these people was that he had promised to do so. But human greed knows no bounds. Even in peaceful times, saving someone could lead to being bitten back, let alone in this apocalyptic world. He didn't want to drag around a group of disloyal burdens while struggling to survive.

Hearing Yue Zhong's words, the others turned pale.

The outside world was filled with zombies, and these unenhanced ordinary people couldn't take a single step without difficulty, let alone search for supplies.

Zhao Zhen stepped forward to defend Li Manni, "Yue Zhong, you're joking. Manni meant no harm. She just wanted you to hear everyone's opinion."

"I'm not joking. This is a good opportunity to make things clear to you," Yue Zhong looked at everyone, his expression serious. "Those who want to leave can take five days' worth of supplies and go. If you choose to stay, the men must obey my orders and fight zombies, while the women must handle logistics—moving supplies, cooking, cleaning, etc. When necessary, even the women must fight. Our team doesn't need people who don't contribute."

Yue Zhong said indifferently, "I've already cleared the zombies in this building. If you choose to leave, you can pick a room to stay in. But let me be clear: I've done my part. If you run out of supplies in the future, don't come asking me for more."

Zhang Xin, a petite and pretty girl, frowned and said to Yue Zhong, "Isn't it a man's duty to protect women? You're being so stingy, not manly at all. Haven't you heard the saying, 'With great power comes great responsibility'?"

Zhang Xin, an only child who had been spoiled since childhood and was quite pretty, felt emboldened now that she was in a safe place.

Yue Zhong glanced at Zhang Xin and said indifferently, "Let me ask you, many African refugees can't even get enough to eat. Is that pitiful?"

Zhang Xin was taken aback, "Yes, it's pitiful!"

Yue Zhong fired off a series of questions at Zhang Xin, "Since they're so pitiful, why don't you donate all your family's assets to them? In the past, donating your family's assets could have saved hundreds, even thousands of African refugees. You have the ability to save them, yet you don't. What does that make you? A single bottle of your cosmetics costs hundreds of dollars. How much rice could that buy? How many African refugees could that save? Why don't you save them?"

"Not to mention far away, even in our own country's rural areas, many people can't afford to go to school due to poverty. Since you're so noble, why don't you donate half of your living expenses to help them? Maybe the cost of one of your dinners could send a student to school."

Zhang Xin, unprepared for this line of questioning, was stunned.

Yue Zhong said indifferently, "In the end, you're just a hypocrite. You can't even do it yourself, so what right do you have to demand others to do it? I admit I can't do that. I'm just an ordinary person, not great enough to dedicate everything to others. You and I were strangers before. Why should I protect you for free after saving you? You can go find someone who's willing to dedicate everything to others to protect you. Sorry, but that person isn't me."

Zhang Xin fell silent. Yue Zhong's attitude was clear, leaving no room for negotiation. For a moment, she couldn't refute Yue Zhong's twisted logic.

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment, then looked up at Yue Zhong, "Yue Zhong, can you give us some guns and ammunition? If you give us some, we can make our own way."

Lu Wen looked at Zhao Zhen with disdain, "You really have some nerve. Those guns and ammunition were obtained through our hard work. Why should we share them with you?"

Zhao Zhen didn't say anything, just stared at Yue Zhong.

Yue Zhong firmly refused, "No! I can't give you any guns or ammunition."

"Without guns and ammunition, how can we survive out there? Are you trying to get us killed?" Yun Yi, the bespectacled man who followed Zhao Zhen, couldn't help but shout.

Yue Zhong said gravely, "Killing zombies can enhance your strength. I've already told you that. If you muster the courage to fight zombies, you can also gain strength. That's all I have to say. Please make your choice now: stay or leave."

Yun Yi, Li Manni, and the other two student council members all looked at Zhao Zhen. Compared to Yue Zhong, who had saved them, they trusted their companion Zhao Zhen more.

Zhao Zhen's expression changed rapidly. Soon, he stood up, looked around, and said passionately, "Yue Zhong, thank you for saving me. But I can't agree with your philosophy. Men are born to protect women. Ladies, I will leave here soon and head to Longhai City. If any of you wish to come with me, I promise to protect your safety with my life and ensure you all reach Longhai City safely. I will never abandon any of you."

Zhao Zhen's words were extremely persuasive, and coupled with his good looks and status as student council president, he had been a prominent figure at Yunhai University. Many of the girls looked at him with admiration.

The twelve girls from the dormitory quickly split into two groups. Six immediately decided to follow Zhao Zhen, while the other six chose to stay with Yue Zhong. They didn't want to stay here any longer. Moreover, Yue Zhong seemed far less approachable and gentlemanly compared to Zhao Zhen. The world had just changed, and their naivety hadn't yet been worn away by its cruelty.

After collecting five days' worth of supplies, Zhao Zhen and his team left.

"Why did you stay?" Yue Zhong asked Zhang Xin curiously. She was the girl who had questioned him, and he had expected her to leave with Zhao Zhen.

Zhang Xin rolled her eyes at Yue Zhong and analyzed, "If Zhao Zhen dared to fight zombies one-on-one, he wouldn't be here now. They have no weapons, no strength. Following them is just asking for death. Only those girls who are infatuated with Zhao Zhen would believe his empty promises."