Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 344: Skillful Persuasion

Lu Keran poured a hot cup of coffee for Liang Yue, who thanked her and held it in her hands, feeling a warmth that reached both her stomach and her heart.

Liang Yue sincerely asked Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, “When Zhang Yi returns, could you please talk to him about this for me?”

“Of course!” Lu Keran said cheerfully. “Don’t worry, Ms. Liang. With your impressive skills, Zhang Yi won’t turn down your joining us!”

Having spent time around Zhang Yi, Lu Keran understood his approach well. He always treated capable people generously—she and Yang Xinxin were perfect examples. She had once been just an add-on, but since working for Zhang Yi, he treated her as if she were his own sister.

Yang Xinxin, listening to Lu Keran’s blunt response, couldn’t help but sigh.

While Lu Keran’s thoughts were straightforward, hers were not.

Yang Xinxin felt a deeper connection with Zhang Yi and respected his survival principles in the apocalypse.

She smiled at Lu Keran. “Don’t jump to conclusions! If you make promises now, and Zhang Yi ends up thinking differently, you might just disappoint Ms. Liang.”

Turning to Liang Yue, Yang Xinxin said earnestly, “Ms. Liang, while Zhang Yi is indeed a good person, he’s also principled. Anyone joining the shelter has to meet strict requirements.”

“If you want to join us, you need to be prepared. At the very least, you must be willing to follow his commands!”

Unlike Lu Keran, who tried to reassure Liang Yue, Yang Xinxin chose to prepare her for Zhang Yi’s demands. By lowering her expectations, it would be easier for Zhang Yi to negotiate directly with her.

Sure enough, Liang Yue’s smile faded, and she tightened her grip on her coffee.

“What… sort of requirements does he usually have?”

Liang Yue instinctively squeezed her legs together, biting her lip, her face flushing with a hint of embarrassment.

Although she didn’t know Zhang Yi well, she wasn’t blind to his relationships with Zhou Ke’er and Yang Siyah. Apart from him, everyone in the shelter was female.

So, if she moved in… wouldn’t that mean…

Ah, she couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought!

Yang Xinxin rolled her eyes subtly, then reassured her, “That’s not an issue at all. Since coming here, Zhang Yi has never crossed any lines with us. He’s truly a respectable man!”

“Respectable…”

Liang Yue’s mouth twitched slightly. Hearing others describe Zhang Yi that way left her speechless.

Yang Xinxin winked at her. “So, don’t worry about that sort of thing. Zhang Yi isn’t the type to act on such impulses. Otherwise, how would he have survived this long in the apocalypse?”

“What he values is your strength. So, if I had to guess, the condition for joining would likely be that you obey his orders in battle!”

Yang Xinxin had made an accurate prediction.

Indeed, Zhang Yi’s expectations for those around him always revolved around “value.”

In terms of everyday life, he actually placed very few restrictions on them.

Liang Yue nodded, feeling both nervous and excited as she waited for Zhang Yi’s return.

…

Several hours later, the sound of an engine echoed from outside.

Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin looked out the window and smiled, “Zhang Yi’s back!”

Liang Yue unconsciously clenched her fists, her heart beginning to race.

Yang Xinxin wheeled herself toward the door.

Zhang Yi and his group got out of the vehicle and headed toward the shelter, planning to discuss setting up a defensive line.

When Zhang Yi opened the door, he saw Yang Xinxin waiting with a smile.

“Xinxin?”

This was the first time she’d come to greet him at the door; she usually preferred to stay indoors, researching the materials they’d recovered from West Hill Base. Ȑ

Seeing her there now, he immediately sensed that something was up.

“What’s going on? Do you have something to tell me?” he asked with a smile.

Yang Xinxin nodded, glancing toward the living room and quietly told him, “Ms. Liang came over. She’s hoping to join us.”

A spark flickered in Zhang Yi’s eyes.

Liang Yue was a powerful Superhuman whose abilities he had long desired. Previously, he hadn’t invited her to join because she was burdened with those hangers-on.

Now she’d come to him. Could it be she had finally made up her mind?

“What’s the situation?”

Yang Xinxin grinned, looking like a mischievous little devil, and said, “Your intermittent fasting strategy and my advice worked wonders. Ms. Liang’s relationship with her students deteriorated, and in a fit of frustration, she came here.”

The “intermittent fasting” strategy referred to Zhang Yi’s tactic of supplying only ten portions of food for Liang Yue.

He had used this method before in Yuelu District, and it was effective once again with Liang Yue’s students.

By rationing out part of the food, he could ensure Liang Yue didn’t hold any grudge against him, while also keeping her students hungry.

One or two days was manageable, but over time, conflicts would inevitably arise over limited food.

Liang Yue was a dedicated teacher but not a saint; she couldn’t endlessly tolerate the students’ immaturity.

Today’s visit had always been part of Zhang Yi’s calculations—sooner or later, she would end up here.

With an even bigger smile, he nodded. “Got it.”

“Brother, I’ve already prepared everything for you. When you talk with her, feel free to raise some difficult conditions!”

Yang Xinxin winked at Zhang Yi. “I’ll help you convince her!”

Zhang Yi chuckled, pinching her cold, adorable cheek.

“You really are my little helper!”

Liang Yue’s weakness was her students.

The softer the heart, the easier it was to persuade.

With both Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran working on her, winning her over would be a piece of cake.

Standing up, Zhang Yi turned to Fatty Xu and Uncle You, saying, “Liang Yue’s here. I’m going to talk to her. Wait for me next door.”

Fatty Xu gave Zhang Yi a thumbs up, his grin mischievous, as if hinting at something unsaid.

Uncle You also shot him a knowing smile, then went to the next room with Fatty Xu.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yi composed his expression, feigning nonchalance as he pushed Yang Xinxin into the living room.

His eyes met Liang Yue’s, and he noticed a flicker of nervousness there.

Zhang Yi smiled calmly. “Ms. Liang, you’re here!”

Author's Note