Chapter 48: Assigning Tasks to Zhou Ting  

Zhou Ting's honeyed voice came through the phone, instantly giving Huang Ming goosebumps. 

Liu Shuang'er rolled her eyes so hard they nearly got stuck. Since the call was on speaker, Huang Ming quickly got to the point. 

"I want to ask you something. Aside from those twelve girls, who among the remaining female students do you think is reliable? Someone we can trust?" 

Zhou Ting seemed confused. "Ming, that's a tough one. I don't know what you want them for, so I can't guarantee they wouldn't betray you." 

In this apocalyptic world, absolute loyalty didn't exist—only exchanges of interest. Ignoring her hesitation, Huang Ming pressed on. 

"Just give me your opinion. Among the remaining girls, excluding those twelve who've already killed, who seems most trustworthy?" 

After a brief silence, Zhou Ting replied thoughtfully, "Wang Xue might be one. She only traded her body to survive, but she's kind-hearted. Then there's Xu Shanshan and Cai Lili from our department. I've interacted with them often—they have good character." 

Huang Ming decided to have Zhou Ting test them out. If they proved untrustworthy, Li Chang'an could handle them without him lifting a finger. 

"Good. Now I have a task for you—tame them. Can you do it? I'll provide food supplies to help you control them." 

The mention of food resources immediately boosted Zhou Ting's confidence. 

"No problem! With food supplies, I can definitely tame them!" 

Huang Ming warned, "I want loyalty, not ungrateful snakes. And don't overfeed them—understand?" 

Zhou Ting's eyes gleamed with understanding. She realized Huang Ming wanted a workforce, and if she could lead them, her own position would be secured. 

Excited, she said, "I get it! I know exactly what to do! Should I contact them now?" 

Hearing her eagerness, Huang Ming stopped her. "No, it's too late. Contact them tomorrow morning. And remember—don't reveal too much about me. Know what to say and what not to say." 

"Of course! I'll only let them know you exist. Everything else stays secret." 

Zhou Ting wasn't stupid—she knew her place. 

"For now, use the bread and milk we left at your place. I'll have Fatty bring more supplies tomorrow. It's late—get some rest." 

"Got it. Goodnight!" 

After hanging up, Lu Yisi spoke first. "Zhou Ting seems useful. Since she's socially adept, let her train subordinates for us." 

Gu Anqing nodded in agreement. "Right. Given her reputation at school, plus food as leverage, some girls will follow her lead." 

Liu Shuang'er, however, leaned against Huang Ming's shoulder in silent disapproval. 

"It's getting late. Senior, go take a shower." 

As he spoke, Huang Ming pulled out a lace nightgown and underwear from his dimensional space and handed them to Lu Yisi. 

"You...you can still shower here? You have water reserves? This is..." 

"Senior, you'll get used to it. In our home, hot showers are a daily thing." 

Turning to Gu Anqing, he added, "Senior Lu can share your room tonight. It shouldn't be too crowded, right?" 

Gu Anqing frowned at the awkward phrasing. "Just call me Anqing from now on. No more 'senior'—it's giving me a headache." 

Lu Yisi, taking the clothes, agreed. "Yes, just call me Yisi." 

"Alright, Yisi, go shower first. You'll share a room with Anqing tonight." 

Huang Ming still added "senior" out of habit. His relationship with them wasn't as intimate as with Liu Shuang'er—being too familiar felt strange. 

(Though if opportunities arose in the future, he wouldn't mind changing that.) 

Lu Yisi nodded and headed to the bathroom, only to freeze at the sight of the vanity covered in skincare products. 

*We're in the apocalypse...and they're still doing skincare routines?* 

Stepping under the shower, hot water cascaded over her body—blissful, utterly blissful. 

She couldn't remember her last proper bath. Nights were often spent waking to the stench of her own greasy hair. 

Now, she felt overwhelming gratitude—for knowing Gu Anqing, for receiving that life-saving invitation, for making the right choice. 

She finally believed everything Gu Anqing had said about Huang Ming's spatial ability and stockpiled supplies. 

*If I ended up in that handsome man's arms...would that be so bad?* 

Her thoughts spiraled deeper, cheeks flushing red (from the hot water, surely). 

But then she recalled Liu Shuang'er's territorial claims and Gu Anqing's admission of willing submission. 

*Would I really join that dynamic?* 

Uncertain, she decided to take things step by step. 

As she meticulously cleansed every inch of skin, she finally understood Gu Anqing's words: 

*If not for the apocalypse, I'd want to marry him too.* 

Meanwhile, the other three continued chatting in the living room. 

Thirty minutes later, Lu Yisi emerged in her lace nightgown, towel-drying her damp hair. 

With each motion, glimpses of cleavage swayed—capturing Huang Ming's wandering gaze. 

Liu Shuang'er, sharp-eyed as ever, noticed immediately. 

"It's late! Shouldn't we sleep? Doctors say staying up ruins your health—ever heard of that?" 

Huang Ming grumbled inwardly: 

*Could you not weaponize medical advice just because you're jealous?* 

Outwardly, he rubbed his nose sheepishly. "I was going to discuss tonight's mutated zombie encounter, but we can talk tomorrow. It is late—let's all rest." 

Checking the time—1:15 AM—he headed to the master bedroom. 

Before he could even lie down, Liu Shuang'er slipped in after him, locking the door with a mischievous grin. 

No explanation needed—Huang Ming knew exactly what she wanted tonight. 

True to expectations, their "activities" grew so vigorous that Lu Yisi couldn't possibly miss the noise.