Chapter 331: I Can Cooperate 360 Degrees

This batch of supplies from the Barbarian Base, even if used with extreme frugality, would last three months at most.

Six months is impossible.

"Three months should be about right, then."

Gu Chen pulled her close and whispered, "That Zuo Dazhu from Golden City Base is quite the guy. The moment the zombie outbreak began, he immediately confiscated all the supplies from supermarkets and hotels, claiming them for the base. So don’t you underestimate the inventory in Golden City Base’s main warehouse."

’That’s right.’ After all this time, she had almost forgotten Zuo Dazhu’s bold move.

He had forcibly confiscated all supplies from supermarkets, hotels, department stores, and food markets within the base’s jurisdiction, though he did offer corresponding compensation.

Apparently, the initial compensation the base offered these stores and supermarkets was in Contribution Points.

The kind of Contribution Points that could guarantee the families of those whose goods were confiscated would be able to live like kings for the rest of their lives, never worrying about food or drink.

’It made sense when you thought about it.’ If you stubbornly refused, you’d probably get beaten half to death and earn the base’s resentment.

In contrast, handing over the supplies guaranteed your family’s future prosperity and safety within the base. Anyone with a brain knew which to choose.

Xie Ning mused to herself, ’A man as shrewd as Zuo Dazhu would never make a deal at a loss.’

’It’s impossible that he’d distribute supplies to the refugees unconditionally. To get life-saving resources from the base, people would surely have to sign what amounted to an indenture agreement.’

Xie Ning thought for a moment, trying to remember. She wasn’t sure if she had signed such an agreement in her past life.

"Let’s just expand the original cellar in the courtyard. What do you think about digging out a few underground rooms?" ’The thought of hundreds of thousands of people crammed into the underground shelter was enough to make her skin crawl.’

She couldn’t bear the thought of her elderly grandparents suffering in a place like that.

But once the temperature plummeted to a ridiculous fifty degrees below zero, living on the surface would clearly be impractical.

It was doubtful whether the outdoor air conditioning units could even function then. They would probably have to rely on Song Kexin’s fire ability in the end. Primitive heating would be more reliable.

Gu Chen smiled and nodded. "I knew you’d think of that. I already had Uncle Yong start digging before we left."

"The only problem is, the base will definitely send people to every household for a brief registration. It’ll be a bit conspicuous if you don’t go to the underground shelter."

"It’s fine." Xie Ning nodded, her expression indifferent. "I will definitely break through to Level 5 within the next six months. The strong don’t need to care what others think."

The higher the level, the harder the breakthrough. In her past life, she had heard of someone breaking through to a Fifth-level Superpower, but it had taken them a good six months.

The confident young woman was positively radiant. Gu Chen’s eyes crinkled slightly, his smile deepening.

He asked out of the blue, "Why did you send me that ’Scram!’ with an angry face? Did I do something to offend you, Ningning?"

He’d been bottling that question up for days. Now that it came to mind, Gu Chen couldn’t help but ask.

Xie Ning’s mind was still on digging the cellar, so she replied without thinking, "Kexin said you were just trying to flirt with me and weren’t serious about pursuing me."

It was like a bolt from the blue, nearly knocking Gu Chen out on the spot.

"Who? Who said that?" He suddenly reached out, pulled her to his side, and shook her in exasperation. "Song Kexin?"

’So that’s how it is! That Song Kexin, she looks so carefree and simple-minded, yet she dared to sabotage me!’

’I’ll remember this. I’ll remember this. I’ll remember this.’

’Just wait till I find out who Song Kexin’s boyfriend is. I’ll beat him to death.’

Xie Ning had no idea that Mr. Gu had, for some inexplicable reason, taken a disliking to Song Kexin’s future partner.

Song Kexin’s future partner had no idea how he had managed to offend Gu Chen before they even met.

What a tragedy.

Xie Ning snapped back to reality and realized what she had just said.

She gave an uncomfortable cough. "You don’t have to get so worked up. Actually..."

"Actually what? Don’t listen to Song Kexin’s nonsense. What would a little girl like her know?"

Xie Ning stared at him, her face impassive.

"I’m only a year older than Song Kexin." ’To be precise, just two months older!’

’If Song Kexin is a little girl, then what does that make me?’

’Pah!’

Gu Chen: "..."

"Ningning, that’s not what I meant." Gu Chen quickly turned her back to face him again. "Don’t listen to Song Kexin’s ramblings."

’How am I not serious about pursuing her? How did it become just casual flirting?’

Gu Chen felt as if a storm cloud was rumbling over his head. He was not feeling okay at all.

"Ningning." Gu Chen grasped her shoulders, his expression serious as he stared at her. "Don’t listen to what other people say. You have to use your own heart, your own eyes, to see for yourself. Do you think I’m that kind of person?"

Xie Ning felt herself almost get sucked into his eyes, which were as deep as an abyss.

Her large, round eyes darted about before she uncomfortably glanced away.

’Can’t deny it... with a face that gorgeous right in front of her, it really was... criminally tempting.’

"Song Kexin said that sending messages for no reason was just a way to flirt and mess with me for fun."

In his heart, Gu Chen silently added another black mark next to the name of Song Kexin’s future boyfriend.

’Excellent!’

’He wouldn’t cause trouble for Song Kexin herself. From now on, he’d specifically cause trouble for her boyfriend!’

’However much Song Kexin was screwing him over now, that’s how much he’d screw over her future boyfriend!’

’After all, it’s rude not to return a favor.’

"Ningning, I didn’t say anything before because I wanted to wait a bit." ’But now it seems waiting longer will only lead to trouble.’

"So, you’re really serious about pursuing me?" Xie Ning stared at him, her face a blank mask.

"Of course I’m serious."

"So what exactly goes through the minds of people like you who want a relationship?" Xie Ning asked, completely bewildered. "In this apocalyptic world, why would anyone want to date?"

Gu Chen found himself wanting to laugh at her words.

"It’s about following your heart, of course. There isn’t always a ’because’ or ’therefore.’"

Xie Ning silently averted her gaze.

’So annoying. The way he smiles while looking at me... it’s like he’s flirting with just his eyes, and it makes me feel all tingly and weak.’

"Ningning, don’t feel any pressure. I can cooperate with you. I’m talking 360-degree, full cooperation with zero blind spots."

Xie Ning pursed her lips. She had the strange feeling that she was a little fish, slowly swimming into a large, waiting net.

"My main goal right now is to train and constantly improve myself. The goal is Fifth Rank!"

Gu Chen nodded repeatedly. "I will definitely cooperate with you, Ningning."

"Dating will only waste my precious time."

"Right, no dating," Gu Chen said, taking her hand and slowly lifting it. "We won’t date."

Xie Ning was very satisfied. She nodded. "That’s the right way to think about it. Dating is completely superfluous in the apocalypse, right?"

"Right." Gu Chen’s expression was serious. "We won’t date. We’ll just be boyfriend and girlfriend."

Huh?

Xie Ning felt like something wasn’t quite right.

"Look, we were friends before, right?"

"Right!" Xie Ning nodded in agreement.

’He was a good guy. He’d given her weapons and food, and he took great care of her. Of course they were good friends.’

"So now we can be boyfriend and girlfriend," Gu Chen said, smiling at her. "From now on, I’ll train with you. I’ll be with you at your stall through wind and rain, and we’ll slay monsters together through hell and high water."