Chapter Seventeen: The Huang Father and Son

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Chapter Seventeen

The next day at noon, the rewards for those who participated in the mission were distributed in the base’s trading hall. Although it was only two cans of food and 150 contribution points, it was enough to excite most people.

When it was Mei's turn, the person in charge suddenly spoke up, “Are you Mei?”

Mei nodded, puzzled.

“In recognition of your slaying of a level-three mutant zombie during the mission, the base is giving you an extra reward of 100 points and another can of food. You may choose whichever type you like!”

So that’s how it is!

“Thank you!” Mei replied with a polite smile, casually picking up the can closest to her, and turned to look for Mo Chen. She saw him speaking with a man in his twenties.

“Ah Chen!” Mei walked over and called out, curiosity sparking as she glanced at the man beside Mo Chen. The other appeared refined, the look of an elite on his face.

“Mei, this is Huang Shiqi, heir to the ruling Huang family of the base. This is Mei!” Mo Chen introduced them.

“Hello, Mei! A pleasure to meet you. I heard you made a significant contribution in this mission. Pretty impressive for someone so young!” Huang Shiqi greeted her first.

“You flatter me, Brother Huang!” Mei smiled shyly, then turned to Mo Chen, “Ah Chen, look, I got another can and a hundred extra contribution points!”

“Is that so? Little Mei is amazing!” Mo Chen praised her, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Mei looked at him in confusion, quickly masking her feelings. Wasn’t his reaction a bit much? Why did he seem so odd? He’d never acted like this before.

“When someone contributes to the base, of course the base should reward them! It encourages more people to do their part. The stronger the base, the safer we all are, don’t you think?” Huang Shiqi’s words were dignified and righteous.

He hadn’t lowered his voice, so most people in the hall heard every word clearly.

Though no one knew what they truly thought, on the surface everyone showed agreement.

Huang Shiqi paused and continued, “If it hadn’t been for Mei this time, we might have lost more people. The base is right to reward her! Mei, do you like fruit cans? Would you like to swap your other one for fruit too?”

Noticing the two cans of fruit in her hand, he guessed most girls liked fruit, so he made the suggestion.

“No need, Brother Huang. Ah Chen likes fish, so I’ll give him this one!” Mei shook her head with a smile, clearly uninterested in his offer.

Canned food wasn’t something she lacked in her space, so she wasn’t the least bit tempted.

“Very well, then. But if Mo Chen likes fish, why not come have dinner at my place tonight? We have fish! Not fresh, but well-prepared, it’s still enjoyable. Please, do come!” Taking her words in stride, Huang Shiqi extended his invitation.

Since he’d put it that way, it would be awkward to refuse, so both agreed.

After a few more words, the three parted ways.

“What do you think of him?” Mo Chen asked quietly after Huang Shiqi left.

“He’s quite the talker,” Mei replied. His words had indeed been smooth and impressive.

The Huang family had made the first move as expected. The extra reward was merely a gesture of goodwill; the real test would come that evening.

“Pretty words are all very well, but let’s see if they’ll offer something real rather than try to buy us off with a fish. By the way, little Mei, when did I ever say I liked fish?” Mo Chen cast her a sidelong glance.

She’d used him as an excuse quite deftly!

“You don’t? But you never told me,” Mei replied, all innocence.

“Hmph, you sly little thing!” Mo Chen stared at her for a moment, then flicked her forehead.

“Hey, that hurts!” Mei winced, rubbing her forehead and glaring at him in protest.

“That’s the point! Maybe you’ll think twice before talking your way out next time,” Mo Chen said lightly as he walked out.

“You’re too much! How unreasonable!” Mei caught up, arguing all the way as they left the trading hall, bickering playfully.

That evening, the two arrived at the Huang residence as promised.

Their host was once again Huang Shiqi, but his father, the head of the Huang family, did not appear until dinner was about to be served.

The patriarch was a man in his fifties, with a large belly that had not diminished despite the apocalypse. In fact, his glossy, plump appearance made one wonder if he’d gained weight.

A broad smile hung on his chubby face, and his small eyes sparkled with cunning. But that look of shrewdness was instantly replaced by delight when he saw Mei.

“This must be Mei! What a lovely little girl—come, sit beside your uncle!” Huang Jue waved her over kindly as he took his seat.

Mei simply lowered her head, one hand clutching Mo Chen’s sleeve tightly, appearing quite nervous.

“Sorry, Mei is a bit shy,” Mo Chen stepped forward, speaking on her behalf.

“No matter, no matter. She’s just a little girl, after all! And this must be Mo Chen. I’ve heard Shiqi mention you often. In just over a month since the apocalypse began, you’ve become a level-four ability user—truly remarkable! Sit, don’t be so formal, make yourselves at home!”

“Please, after you, Mr. Huang,” Mo Chen waited until Huang Jue was seated before taking the seat at his right, with Mei next to him, while Huang Shiqi sat opposite. Besides them, three more people sat further down, all ability users they knew from the base. One of them, also a level-four like Mo Chen, was in his thirties with an arrogant air and a barely concealed hostility toward Mo Chen.

“It’s nothing fancy, just a meal among family. Please, everyone, help yourselves!” When the dishes were served, Huang Jue lifted his chopsticks and invited everyone to eat.

Mei paid no heed to his words, glancing at the spread on the table: stir-fried cabbage in vinegar, sautéed greens, sweet-and-sour fish, braised beef with potatoes, a platter of luncheon meat and fish cans, a platter of assorted fruit cans, and a small bowl of soup of indeterminate origin.

Six dishes and a soup, each with a small bowl of rice. It looked plentiful, but wasn’t the quantity a bit meager? The plates were barely the size of her two palms. Except for her, all were grown men—would this be enough?

Seeing Mei staring at the food, the others assumed she was craving it since, in the apocalypse, such fare was a luxury. Despite the reality, the others looked at her with some contempt. Huang Jue placed a piece of meat in her bowl, smiling kindly. Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly hinted that if she stayed with them, she could eat like this often.

He boasted endlessly about their fine meals and how the future would be even better, but Mei ate with little enjoyment.

No matter the taste, with portions so small, after everyone took a piece, there was nothing left but plain rice—and not enough to be filling!

How infuriating!

Was this really what they called a good meal?

Looking at the others’ faces, all with lingering yearning, it was clear they didn’t get to eat such things often themselves. Yet they had the nerve to show off in front of her?

Expressionless, Mei set down her chopsticks, wishing for the meal to end quickly so she could go home for a proper supper.

But, of course, their hosts had no intention of letting them leave so soon.

After dinner, everyone moved to the sitting room to chat, discussing everything from life before the apocalypse to the current situation, trying to elicit statements from Mo Chen and Mei in every possible way. But Mo Chen deftly deflected every attempt.

Mei, for her part, acted as if she heard nothing, sitting quietly beside Mo Chen, playing the part of a well-behaved child.

Seeing that they refused to commit, Huang Jue had no choice but to let them leave.

After Mei hurried home for a late-night snack, the Huang father and son waited until their guests had gone before retreating to the study.

“That Mo Chen is slippery as an eel. No matter what we said, he dodged it. Dad, do you think they want to join the military? I heard that Mei has some connection to Yang Hao, that roughneck soldier,” Huang Shiqi asked, obvious dissatisfaction on his face.

To him, for both father and son to personally extend an invitation was a great honor. Yet those two hadn’t jumped at the chance, even acting aloof! How ungrateful!

“So what if they do? Sooner or later, this base will be ours. Eventually, they’ll come begging to us!” A flash of malice appeared in Huang Jue’s eyes.

“Dad, when are we going to deal with those soldiers?” He could hardly wait to take the base into his own hands.

For now, everything he did had to be carefully considered, fearing any misstep might sway the ability users and mutants toward the military. The thought of the celebrity he had his eye on, whom he dared not seize openly but only in secret, made him all the more impatient.

“What’s the rush? We have to wait for the right moment. In the meantime, let them do more for our family!” Huang Jue glanced at his impatient son, clearly exasperated by his lack of composure.

“Don’t think I don’t know what’s got you so worked up. What’s so special about that celebrity called An-something to make you so eager?”

Huang Shiqi wasn’t embarrassed to have his thoughts laid bare. Instead, he cast an ambiguous look at his father and said, “Dad, aren’t you impatient too? That little girl Mei is exactly your type, isn’t she? And she’s an ability user—you could enjoy her for quite some time!”

At the mention of Mei, a predatory gleam appeared on Huang Jue’s face. He had a taste for little girls, especially the innocent, naive ones. He took particular delight in making them cry and beg, watching their tender bodies stained with blood. Unfortunately, such delicate playthings never lasted long.

But they said ability users had much greater stamina and resilience. That Mei would surely last him longer, allow him to indulge more times.

Imagining her sobbing and writhing in his hands, Huang Jue felt a surge of desire, unable to sit still.

“In any case, we must wait. When we act, we’ll wipe out all those who oppose us! Enough, it’s late—go get some rest!” With a few words, Huang Jue ended the conversation and left in a hurry.

Watching his father’s hasty retreat, a triumphant smile appeared on Huang Shiqi’s face.

As long as his father set his sights on Mei, it wouldn’t be long. Once his father made his move, his own wishes would be fulfilled as well!