Hmm, so why did he hold back?

Of course—Duan Heng sensed Bai Ling’s resistance!

What Bai Ling had just thought was probably mostly: *My life was saved by Duan Heng. Now I’m living in his house. Since he wants it so badly… maybe I should just give in.*

*But that’s wrong! She must be willing!*

*Otherwise, what’s the point of my second chance? Just to live longer and avoid past mistakes? No! Absolutely not!*

*The real goal is to survive—and live happily ever after with Bai Ling!*

Thinking this, Duan Heng stepped outside the villa, fists clenched, utterly determined—he’d been restraining himself fiercely moments ago, nearly losing control.

Luckily, reason won out. He didn’t touch Bai Ling.

*Plenty of chances later. Right now, earning System Coins and leveling up matter most.*

*As for quickly stacking System Coins…*

At this, Duan Heng’s expression cooled, returning to his usual calm.

He pulled out his phone, opened the WeChat group, and typed a message—after posting that sweet breakfast photo with Bai Ling last time, Auntie Li had kicked him out for pettiness. Now he used an alt account.

*I saw it in the building.*

*Duan Heng ran over Zombies with his car. Even killed the mutated one.*

*He has a modified vehicle but refused to help. Just watched others die. Inhuman!*

Only Duan Heng knew why he sent this.

The group exploded instantly:

*What?!*

*Why didn’t he help? Selfish bastard!*

*What about the others? Is the mutual aid team alive? Who protects us now?*

A tidal wave of survivors flooded the chat, bombarding his alt account. Duan Heng watched silently, waiting.

Two minutes later, an ID named ‘Mingtian’ appeared:

*We’re alive—but only three left!*

*Brother Liu Ming? What’s happening?*

‘Mingtian’ was Liu Ming. Only he and two workers survived the Zombie horde.

*We’re surrounded. Others didn’t make it—Duan Heng drove past, mocked us. Said he wished everyone turned into Zombies so he could hoard supplies. Vicious!*

Liu Ming slandered Duan Heng from hiding, twisting facts to vent rage. He ignored Duan Heng’s earlier warning.

Duan Heng smiled. Perfect. He wanted this hatred.

Vicious replies poured in:

*How can he exist?!*

*What did we do to him?*

*Knew he had zero sacrifice spirit.*

*Total scumbag! His woman’s a slut too. That despicable pair!*

Curses flooded the screen. Even Auntie Li and Queen Guo joined.

At the peak of fury, Duan Heng typed calmly from his alt:

*Brother Liu Ming, let’s gather people and take down Duan Heng.*

*His supplies are insane. Kill him, share with those in need.*

*High-level Zombie killers—meet at the neighborhood committee! Join Liu Ming’s team! Crusade against Duan Heng!*

…

*Yes! Crusade!*

Responses surged:

*Kill him!*

*Reclaim our food!*

*Follow Liu Ming!*

*Rob the rich, help the poor!*

…

?????

Only the first three lines were Duan Heng’s. The rest? Survivors—starving but scared to hunt Zombies alone; power-seekers wanting team spots; jealous neighbors. All wanted Duan Heng dead. Unaware he watched every word.

Meanwhile, Liu Ming stared at his phone in a stairwell, head full of question marks. ‘Xiao Heng’s’ words echoed his own plan to strike tonight.

But unease crept in:

*Why’s everyone suddenly backing me?*

*Killing Duan Heng is right… but their reactions feel off.*

*Should I check back?*

*No—mutated Zombies might still lurk. Too risky alone!*

He’d grown cautious after last time. Yet Duan Heng crushing that crawler with a car… felt staged. Like someone manipulated them.

Before he could think further, his lackeys, fired up by the chat, urged him:

“Bro Liu! Do it! This is the people’s will!”

“Look! Everyone supports you! That kid ruined us today. Gather more men—finish him!”

…

“Uh… okay?”

Distracted, Liu Ming nodded vaguely.

*Why overthink? They want me to lead. Perfect.*

*With dozens of men, nothing can go wrong. Duan Heng—you little beast—I’ll kill you today!*

“Fine! Let’s go!”

Fierce-eyed, he nodded to his men and typed:

*You’re right. We rebuild the team!*

*This time, we hunt Zombies—and root out selfish hoarders! Duan Heng first!*

*Join at the committee office! Killers get extra supplies after we take him down!*

…

*Me!*

*Coming!*

*Committee office!*

Over forty replies flooded in.

Watching this, Duan Heng slightly curled his lips—a chilling smile.

*Who said earning System Coins requires killing Zombies?*