Chapter 56: Learning to Bow
"Alright, everyone quiet down and let Su Chen finish speaking!"He Wang, who had been standing silently nearby, immediately stepped forward and signaled for the crowd to calm down.Once the group had settled down and their excitement began to wane, Su Chen continued,"Right now, there's only a handful of us left. If we want to survive this apocalypse, we have to stick together.""And to be united, we need a leader!""So here's the second thing—I'm the leader from now on. Everyone here will follow my orders!"
The crowd exchanged glances, but no one immediately objected.After experiencing leadership under someone like A Biao, they couldn't help but harbor doubts about Su Chen.After all, hadn't he used pepper spray and acid against them before?
"What? You don't agree?"Sun Yuan sneered and said coldly,"Don't forget, the food you've been eating every day is all thanks to Su Chen! Without him, you'd all be starving!"
"So what?" Wang Ye responded shamelessly. "He's got so many supplies—shouldn't he be sharing them with everyone?"His words won some murmurs of agreement."Dr. Wang is right!""Just because he gives us food doesn't mean we have to listen to everything he says! What are we, slaves?""I say we keep things democratic!"
Watching Wang Ye and the others shamelessly stir up dissent, Su Chen let out a cold smile.He had only himself to blame—he let these people eat their fill, and now they were turning on him.
Sensing support from the others, Wang Ye was secretly pleased, though he kept a serious face and said,"Su Chen, if you want us to follow you, fine. But you'll have to agree to one condition."
Su Chen raised an eyebrow and smiled indifferently."Let's hear it."
"Hand over the supplies from the RV. We want centralized storage and distribution!"
As soon as Wang Ye voiced his demand, everyone's eyes lit up and they quickly chimed in:"Yes, that's right!""If the supplies are shared fairly, we'll do as you say!"
Although they'd been getting food from He Wang lately, it had been barely enough to stave off hunger.They were tired of depending on Su Chen and being led around by the nose.
Wang Ye looked at Su Chen expectantly.He was already planning: once Su Chen handed over the supplies, he'd rally the others and just take them.Why should a kid like Su Chen hoard all the resources and get a girl like Liu Ling'er?
But Su Chen burst out laughing."Seriously, Dr. Wang? Are you dreaming?""You think you're getting supplies from me?""Maybe I've been too nice lately, letting you eat too well.""Feeding you is a waste—I'd be better off feeding a dog.At least a dog knows to wag its tail at me."
Su Chen's verbal assault left Wang Ye's face flushed with anger.He glared at Su Chen and tried to incite the others:"Brothers, Su Chen must be running out of supplies!""He's planning to treat us like A Biao did—turn us into his emergency rations!"
The others began to look at Su Chen differently.It was true—the RV was big, but how many supplies could it possibly hold?Su Chen had been living in it for over a month—surely his stash had run dry!
Seeing their doubtful stares, Su Chen didn't bother to explain. He turned to He Wang and said,"Brother He, starting today, stop giving them food."
He Wang shot a disappointed look at the crowd and nodded reluctantly."Alright. I'll do as you say, Brother Su."
Su Chen gave a nod to both He Wang and Sun Yuan, raised the RV's steel panel, and drove away.
"Ungrateful bastards," Sun Yuan muttered. "If not for Ah Chen saving them, A Biao would've killed them already!""Don't let it get to you, Ah Chen."Liu Ling'er gently massaged Su Chen's shoulders, trying to comfort him.
"Get to me? I'm thrilled, actually."Su Chen shrugged nonchalantly.From Wang Ye's attitude today, it was clear—many of these survivors were nothing but backstabbers.If he took them in directly, they'd probably stab him in the back one day.Let them suffer for a few more days.
"By the way, wasn't Wang Ye chasing after you a while back?"Su Chen asked suddenly.
Liu Ling'er's heart skipped a beat and she quickly explained,"I was never interested in him! He was just being a creep—kept pestering me! Nothing ever happened, I swear!"
"I believe you," Su Chen said with a smile, gently holding her soft hand.But a cold glint flashed in his eyes.It was time to make an example out of Wang Ye.
"Alright, Ah Chen, don't overthink it," Liu Ling'er whispered, snuggling into his lap."Maybe tonight I can… make it up to you? Anything you want."
"To make it up to me, huh? Or just what you want?"Su Chen teased with a grin.
Liu Ling'er blushed and buried her face in his chest, too shy to look at him.
——Meanwhile, back at the hotel—Following Su Chen's orders, He Wang immediately stopped handing out food.By midday, everyone's stomachs were growling.Led by Wang Ye, the survivors went to plead with He Wang.
"Brother He, please—just give us a little food!""Yeah, we're starving here!"
They looked pitiful, playing the sympathy card.But He Wang gave them a firm glance and shook his head."No can do. Without Su Chen's orders, I'm not giving out anything."
After being ambushed by A Biao, none of these people had tried to avenge him.Instead, they split into factions and turned on each other.He Wang was bitterly disappointed in them.And if he broke Su Chen's orders now, he'd lose Su Chen's trust for good.
Seeing that He Wang's stance was unwavering, Wang Ye and the others were furious.But glancing at He Wang's crossbow and the brawny men beside him, they gave up the idea of forcing it.They shuffled back to their rooms, dejected.
Someone muttered quietly,"Maybe… maybe we should just give in to Su Chen. At least then we can eat.""Yeah. Look at Brother He and the others—they're doing just fine."
Wang Ye couldn't sit still."Come on, people! Why should we bow to that bastard Su Chen?""Don't forget—he's killed people too!"