Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 345: Welcome to Zhang Yi’s Team

Zhang Yi pushed Yang Xinxin into the living room, where they found a slightly nervous Liang Yue.

Yang Xinxin winked at Liang Yue as if to say, “Don’t worry, Ms. Liang. I’ll speak up for you!”

Liang Yue felt a bit more at ease.

Lu Keran chimed in, “Boss, welcome home! Want something to drink? Beer, milk, or maybe a nice warm milk tea?”

“Milk tea, less sugar,” Zhang Yi replied.

Lu Keran cheerfully went off to make the tea but kept sneaking glances at Zhang Yi and Liang Yue. As Liang Yue’s student, she truly admired her teacher and hoped someone as kind as Liang Yue could join them in the shelter and thrive together in the apocalypse.

Zhang Yi changed into his regular clothes and then took his time, settling onto the sofa without rushing the conversation. In situations like this, staying patient gave him the upper hand—whoever spoke first would be at a disadvantage.

Liang Yue sat on the sofa, nervous and hesitant, unsure how to start.

Zhang Yi turned to her, smiling. “Oh? What is it, Xinxin? You know you don’t need to hesitate with me.”

She glanced at Liang Yue and said, “Can Ms. Liang move in with us?”

Relieved, Liang Yue was grateful her student had voiced her hopes and looked anxiously at Zhang Yi, afraid he’d refuse.

“Oh? Ms. Liang wants to move in?” Zhang Yi chuckled, looking intrigued.

He pointed at Liang Yue. “You’ve got to be kidding! Wasn’t it you who insisted on staying with your students?”

Then, he changed his tone. “Of course, I never said you weren’t welcome. Ms. Liang, beautiful and skilled with the sword, strong in battle—adding you to the shelter would definitely be valuable.”

“But, I don’t like forcing anyone.”

Liang Yue’s expression grew a bit embarrassed.

It was true that Zhang Yi had once hinted at his interest in her joining, but after seeing her commitment to her students, he had never brought it up again.

Yet, hearing his recognition of her skills made her feel reassured.

Lu Keran returned with the steaming milk tea and handed it to Zhang Yi. “Big Bro, you don’t know how things have been for Ms. Liang lately!”

“Those students of hers don’t appreciate her at all. They refuse to do even a little work, just draining her energy!”

“Hmph! Only Ms. Liang’s patience keeps her with them; anyone else would have left them ages ago! And yet, they still have the nerve to complain!”

Her words struck a chord with Liang Yue.

She had sacrificed so much for her students. While she didn’t expect anything in return, a little gratitude didn’t seem too much to ask, did it?

Instead, they’d taken her for granted.

Even someone as mild-tempered as Liang Yue had finally reached her limit.

She turned to Zhang Yi and said, “Zhang Yi, I want to move here to give them a space to grow on their own.”

“Children need to be weaned off dependency, especially since most of them are already adults. Staying with them wouldn’t be helping them; it would only harm them.”

“Rest assured, I’ll follow your rules here at the shelter. If you need anything from me, just say the word!”

Seeing her so forthright, Zhang Yi decided not to play hard-to-get any further.

Taking it too far could harm their relationship, and valuable Superhumans were essential in the apocalypse. He couldn’t afford to let her slip away.

So, holding his warm milk tea, he smiled. “If Ms. Liang wants to join, I welcome you. But I still have some concerns.”

Liang Yue’s brow furrowed slightly. “You don’t trust me?”

Zhang Yi smiled faintly. “Not exactly. I’m just not sure you’d truly follow my orders.”

Under his intense gaze, Liang Yue felt her heart race and instinctively crossed her legs.

“If your demands are too excessive, I might not agree. After all, I do have my principles!”

Zhang Yi, unaware of her thoughts, replied calmly, “Your kindness and openness are strengths, Ms. Liang. But they’re also weaknesses.”

“If I bring you in, it’s for your combat ability!”

“Teaching me martial arts is one thing, but the main point is your strength in battle.”

He smiled, his gaze deepening as he looked at her.

“But what if one day, to protect our people, you’re asked to kill someone you think is innocent. Could you do it?”

Zhang Yi didn’t need a kind-hearted martial artist; he needed someone willing to execute orders without hesitation.

Ideally, someone like Ling Feng, willing to go to any lengths to achieve a goal and fiercely loyal.

If their roles were reversed, Zhang Yi would have eliminated Chen Xinian and taken the top spot himself.

Liang Yue’s power was undeniable, but without the necessary ruthlessness, he couldn’t accept her.

But, as if she anticipated this, Liang Yue took a deep breath and replied with unwavering resolve, “If it’s for our safety, I could do it. But I won’t accept orders that serve only selfish desires.”

Suddenly, her gaze softened, and she offered Zhang Yi a bright smile.

“And from what I’ve observed, Mr. Zhang, although you appear cold and unfeeling, you’re a peace-loving person. You wouldn’t kill indiscriminately without provocation.”

Yang Xinxin gave her a subtle wink, signaling her approval—she’d nailed it!

It was clear the two of them had discussed Zhang Yi’s potential demands beforehand.

Zhang Yi noticed their small exchange but didn’t mind. What he needed was Liang Yue’s commitment.

As long as she could wield her sword for him when necessary, he was satisfied.

To put it plainly, he was just looking for a useful “tool.” So long as that tool performed well, he was content.

Confirming with Liang Yue, he asked, “So, as long as it’s for our safety, you’d kill anyone I asked, correct?”

After a moment’s thought, Liang Yue carefully replied, “I won’t harm my own people.”

She feared he might ask her to kill her students.

“Of course!” Zhang Yi assured her. “I’m not some monster who’d target his own.”

If it ever came to that, he’d handle it personally.

Zhang Yi sipped his coffee, feeling her tension from across the room.

Truthfully, he didn’t like her self-sacrificing personality, nor her habit of bringing along those “hangers-on.”

Letting her move in also meant he’d be expected to support her students.

Ridiculous. What did he owe them?

If anyone else had asked, he’d have kicked them out already.

But since it was Liang Yue, he weighed the pros and cons.

Ten servings of food a day would secure a powerful, martial arts expert and Superhuman who could even teach him. All in all, a good trade.

In the apocalypse, powerful fighters were essential. And Liang Yue, although somewhat naive, was far easier to manage than someone overly shrewd.

After a long pause, Zhang Yi thought, “I’d love to bring Liang Yue here and take care of those students once and for all.”

“After all, they bullied Xinxin and Keran before. Taking them out would gain me their support.”

“It’s worth it. Bring Liang Yue in, and her students’ fate will be mine to decide.”

“Dying by ‘accident’ in this dangerous world isn’t unusual. Handling them would only cost me a little food.”

After considering his options, Zhang Yi realized he’d be making a profitable move, so he made up his mind.

Lowering his coffee cup, he extended his right hand to Liang Yue with a smile.

“In that case, welcome to the team! I’m happy to have you join our family!”

Author's Note