Chapter 40: The Women's Counterattack!  

At this moment, Aunt Li finally scanned the QR code to join the new group. Seeing Gao Weiwei's question, she felt awkward - she hadn't spoken in the group for a long time after her previous actions had angered everyone. 

To survive, she had to rely on the male students' charity for food. Gritting her teeth, she typed out a message: 

"Students, I was wrong before. I hope you can forgive me! From now on, whatever help you need, I'll do my best. Let's help each other survive together!" 

The group members sneered at her words, especially the female students who thought this old hag should just die already - every extra day she lived meant one more mouth to feed. 

While the male students chatted idly in the group, Zhou Ting sent Huang Ming a private message: 

"Ming, I was added to a new group chat with 12 other girls. They keep asking if I'm alive and responding." 

"Interesting. Stay quiet and just observe for now," Huang Ming replied. 

"Understood!" 

Ten minutes later, Zhou Ting reported back: 

"Ming! The twelve girls plan to use one of them as bait. After...you know...with a guy, the girl will quickly open the door to let the other eleven in. They want to kill all the remaining male students!" 

Huang Ming smirked. "No wonder they invited you - they wanted you to be the bait. After all, you're..." 

"Stop it, you're so mean!" Zhou Ting's face flushed as she scolded him playfully. 

"Is your friend Wang Xue in the group?" 

"No, and Gao Weiwei isn't either. Basically none of the girls who've gotten food from the boys are in this group." 

"Who's their first target?" 

"They plan to start with the less noticeable ones - like Fei Changkuai. Guys like Wang Gang and Ma Tao who are more active in the group chats are harder targets. They'll deal with them last." 

Before Huang Ming could reply, Zhou Ting added: 

"Fei Changkuai is first because he's the creepiest and easiest target. Plus he looks weak!" 

This proved an important lesson: never underestimate women, and men shouldn't be too lustful. When beauty is used as a weapon, there's no defense against it. 

At this thought, Huang Ming subconsciously glanced at Liu Shuang'er leaning on his shoulder, gulping as a terrifying possibility crossed his mind: 

*Would she...cut it off while I'm sleeping?* 

Shuang'er's lips curled into a smirk. One look at his face and she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Good, you should be scared," she teased. "But this is the apocalypse - we're not stupid. Only by keeping you alive can we survive. So consider yourself lucky..." 

Huang Ming mentally retorted: *Thank god I have my spatial ability. Even with ten thousand chances, you wouldn't dare!* 

Peeking at his phone, Shuang'er analyzed: "The girls must be starving, pushed to desperation by the boys. With 12 guys dead today, it's their perfect opportunity. Normally they wouldn't dare rebel - failure would mean certain death. But now with only 12 men left, they can pick them off slowly without being noticed." 

Huang Ming nodded, then posed a question: "Who do you think will win? Will the girls wipe out the boys, or will the guys catch on and turn the tables?" 

"Fifty-fifty chance. The girls could take out at least six before the remaining guys fight back." 

Huang Ming disagreed. "I don't think the girls will succeed." 

"Why not?" 

"Because people fear death," he explained. "Once they succeed a few times and get the dead men's supplies, they'll revert to being self-preserving rather than desperate. They won't maintain that life-or-death determination." 

Shuang'er considered this. "True. Once they have food again, they won't risk their lives fighting the men. Without unity and determination, they can't win." 

Huang Ming snapped his fingers in agreement. 

Just then, Zhou Ting messaged again: "Ming! Three girls have already arranged meetings with targets today. Unless something goes wrong, three guys will be dead by tonight." 

"Good work. Keep me updated," Huang Ming replied. 

Zhou Ting felt an unexpected warmth at his acknowledgment, as if her efforts were truly valued. She quickly responded: "It was nothing. I'll keep learning useful skills to really help you in the future." 

She even added a shy emoji, which made Huang Ming's imagination wander briefly. 

"Ugh, that flirt!" Shuang'er spat at the phone screen before Huang Ming could react. 

He patted her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. Shuang'er pretended to struggle, but curiously, the more she "resisted," the closer she pressed against him. 

*What a drama queen,* Huang Ming thought with exasperation. 

By noon, as the three ate lunch together, Zhou Ting updated them: 

"They took out Fei Changkuai and two others smoothly. The guys didn't even have time to react after...you know...before it was over." 

She continued: "They plan to take initiative now - actively contacting guys while pretending to be starving. Three have already taken the bait. They'll make their moves after lunch." 

Huang Ming advised Zhou Ting between bites: "Don't waste your free time. Train your stamina and learn practical skills - they'll be useful later." 

He then shared the news with Shuang'er and Gu Anqing, who simply shrugged and nodded respectively, completely unfazed. The lives and deaths outside no longer concerned them. 

Huang Ming approved of this attitude. In the apocalypse, there was no room for naive kindness. 

Other people's survival wasn't his problem. The only thing that mattered was ensuring his own continued existence.