"Oh, no need."

Three burly middle-aged men with fierce scowls, a sharp-tongued middle-aged auntie, and two young students—a boy and a girl.

Duan Heng gazed at the six before him. Unmoved by the auntie’s invitation, he replied coldly:

"If you want to kill Zombies, go ahead. I’m busy and won’t join."

With that, Duan Heng silently rose, turning as if to leave. He showed zero interest in the "mutual aid team."

But the tallest burly man suddenly strode into the yard. Glaring at Duan Heng, he snapped:

"Young man, why refuse? Can’t you see all the Zombies in the compound? It’s dangerous if not cleared!"

"Exactly!"

The tall man yelled furiously. The man behind him chimed in:

"In this Apocalypse, we must help each other! If you’re selfish, the neighborhood committee won’t give you supplies! You two won’t last long!"

Under Bai Ling and Duan Heng’s puzzled stares, the pair lectured Duan Heng like moral guardians.

Other team members nodded silently. All fixed contemptuous glares on Duan Heng—as if saying, ‘Refuse, and you’re a selfish bastard.’

Duan Heng stayed unmoved. He almost smiled.

He silently grabbed Bai Ling’s arm, pulling her close. Curling his lips into a mocking smirk, he retorted:

"No. I just think it’s pointless to join an overambitious group. Kill Zombies if you like. Don’t bother us."

"You...!"

Duan Heng turned to leave, dragging Bai Ling. He ignored the tall man’s throbbing temples. Bai Ling stuck out her tongue at the auntie—making her eye twitch violently.

But as Duan Heng reached the villa gate, another middle-aged man pointed and shouted:

"Wait! Isn’t this Duan Heng? The guy who moved in last month!"

"Huh?"

Duan Heng and Bai Ling turned back, surprised.

The man, oblivious to Duan Heng’s hostility, pointed and explained to Auntie Li:

"Sister Li, I know him! He moved in days ago! Made a huge fuss hauling tons of goods home! His stock might beat a supermarket’s!"

"Hah? Really?!"

Auntie Li gasped.

The man nodded firmly:

"Absolutely! I saw it clearly! Dozens of trucks came and went for days—carrying everything! It spread through the neighborhood because he was so loud. Everyone knows!"

"I see!"

Auntie Li grinned slyly. The others stared at Duan Heng, eyes gleaming with greed.

Duan Heng stroked his chin thoughtfully:

*So that’s why the neighbor recognized me yesterday... Did I cause too big a stir before the Apocalypse?*

*A slip-up... but no matter.*

He knew tall trees attract wind. But these small fries weren’t worth his worry.

As he pondered, the tall man and Auntie Li crossed the yard. They stepped closer with sinister grins. Bai Ling swallowed nervously. Before Duan Heng spoke, Auntie Li laughed:

"Duan Heng, right? Resources are scarce. Hand over your supplies."

She spoke with a crooked mouth and squinting eyes, radiating arrogance. The burly man beside her glared menacingly at them.

Duan Heng stayed calm:

"On what grounds?"

"On grounds you’re part of this neighborhood!"

Auntie Li scolded fiercely, gesturing wildly:

"The country’s in disaster! Help each other! How dare you stay out? I order you—as vice-chair of the committee—to hand them over! Now!"

They stepped forward, terrifying. An ordinary college student would’ve frozen.

But Bai Ling wasn’t ordinary! Before Duan Heng spoke, she snapped:

"Hey! Unreasonable auntie! I’ve had enough! Who begs so arrogantly?—Committee? Duan Heng! We won’t give her anything! Let’s see what she does!"

Bai Ling lifted her chin defiantly, glaring with disdain—like a pouting little white cat. Fierce yet adorable.

Duan Heng raised an eyebrow. *She looks good like this.*

Auntie Li’s eye twitched again. She snarled:

"Hah! Brat, who you calling auntie? Get lost if you know nothing!"

She rolled up her sleeves and advanced. The burly man followed, grabbing for Bai Ling’s arm!

"Sister Li, stop talking! Just go in and take them! We’re many—afraid of these two kids...?"

THUD————

His words cut off.

Duan Heng’s devastating kick sent him flying!

The 1.8m-tall man—built like a laborer—crumpled like a weak monkey. He soared meters from the gate, crashed down, and rolled wildly before stopping.

He struggled to turn over. Stomach churned. He vomited, clutching his belly:

"Ugh... can’t... dying..."

His voice was weak, utterly exhausted.

Everyone froze. Even Bai Ling gaped, stunned by Duan Heng’s decisiveness.

"Whoa... really?"

The male student whispered in disbelief. This burly man was a local tough guy—yet kicked into vomiting.

Cold sweat beaded on Auntie Li’s forehead. She finally met Duan Heng’s icy stare—a gaze as cold as death.

"You! You dare hit people! Bastard!"

She screamed, but her body retreated. In seconds, she’d fled the yard:

"You’re done! I’ll tell the committee! Wait to be eliminated!"

Auntie Li vanished. The other two burly men crept in, helped the vomiting man up, and slunk away.

The students hadn’t threatened anyone. The girl winked at Duan Heng—hinting at something.

But they soon followed the others, fearing to be left behind. Duan Heng snorted coldly:

"Trash. Bad luck... Huh?"

He turned. Bai Ling stood frozen, staring dazedly at his face.

Duan Heng scratched his cheek, flustered:

"What’s wrong? Something on my face?"

Bai Ling narrowed her eyes into slits. A meaningful smile spread. She patted his shoulder:

"Great kick. Handsome."

"Heh. Of course."