012 Murder

Lu Sui looked directly into Shen Shiwei’s eyes. His gaze was deep, masking his emotions, and his tone was cold. "Stop making a scene."

Shen Shiwei was taken aback by his attitude. "I am not making a scene! She almost killed me. What right does this vicious woman have to stay in my home?!"

Shen Heng stepped up to shield his sister, his stance firm. "This is my sister's house. You have no say here."

Lu Sui merely replied, "My duty is to protect all survivors. Sending her out is no different than sending her to her death."

Gao Li, knowing she had found a reliable protector, gripped the corner of Lu Sui’s jacket tightly and hid behind him.

Shen Shiwei was so angry she wanted to strike him. "If you want to protect her, go protect her somewhere else! This is my house!"

Lu Sui did not budge an inch. "These are special times, which call for special measures. I have requisitioned this place."

Shen Shiwei breathed rapidly. She rarely encountered anyone who dared to defy her, and yet, she found herself helpless against this man.

"Lu Sui!" she shouted his name in fury.

Lu Sui’s expression remained unchanged as he looked calmly at Shen Shiwei, waiting for her to speak again. But instead of saying anything, Shen Shiwei was moved to tears by her own frustration. She turned and buried her face in Shen Heng’s chest, feeling a sense of powerlessness.

Wei Qing clenched his fists. His gaze drifted past Lu Sui and landed on Gao Li.

Gao Li suddenly felt a wave of unease. Her eyes darted around, scanning the room, but she saw no one watching her.

Shen Heng glared coldly at Lu Sui. "Lu Sui, is it? Just wait until we reach the base; you will be disciplined for this!"

Lu Sui replied, "Even if I am stripped of my rank, I will not let you cast her out like that."

Too angry to listen to another word, Shen Shiwei turned around and limped upstairs. Wei Qing followed her, gently supporting her arm. As they climbed the stairs, he said softly, "The noodles are ready. Shall I bring some up for you to eat?"

Shen Shiwei didn't speak, but she nodded.

Wei Qing looked at her sideways. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her naturally fair face was flushed with anger, making her look pitifully vulnerable. His heart softened.

Shen Shiwei had been raised in a pampered environment, which meant that while her temper could be fiery, she was not particularly skilled at arguing. Wei Qing knew that despite her aggressive exterior, she was not malicious; everything she thought was written clearly on her face.

When they reached the door, Wei Qing prepared to leave, but Shen Shiwei stopped him.

"Wei Qing."

"Is there something else?"

Shen Shiwei gritted her teeth and said fiercely, "Do not let Gao Li or her friends eat any of my food."

"Very well, I will keep an eye on her." Wei Qing paused for two seconds before hesitating, "Do you want me to kill her?"

Shen Shiwei froze. She tilted her head and looked into his eyes. "Are you addicted to killing people?"

"But didn't you say she almost caused your death?" Wei Qing didn't understand. "We killed those three men just like that."

"That’s different," Shen Shiwei said with a strong sense of principle. "I said I wanted her to experience exactly what I went through, so you just need to find a way to throw her out."

Wei Qing was silent for a few seconds. "Do you think I’m vicious?"

Shen Shiwei smiled. "How could I? We aren't harming people for no reason. Besides, you’ve always protected me; why would I think that of you?"

"Wei Qing, we have faced life and death together. You are very important to me."

Wei Qing didn't process much more than that; his ears felt hot. Regardless of what mindset prompted Shen Shiwei to say those words, he took them to heart. His lips curled into an uncontrollable smile.

"Yes, Miss Shen, you are very important to me as well."

Shen Shiwei said, "Don't be so formal. Just call me Weiwei."

With that, she entered her room and closed the door.

Sensing that Shen Shiwei’s emotions had settled, the System finally dared to speak. [Host, he is the male lead. Please, do not go against him. You cannot win.]

Shen Shiwei sneered, "What is he? I hate him to death!"

The System quickly added, [Just find the female lead and set them up together. Once the male lead has a weakness, you will be able to manipulate him easily.]

"Really?" Shen Shiwei felt something was off.

The System assured her, [Of course. I have completed many romance missions. As long as the male lead falls in love with the female lead, he becomes very easy to talk to.]

Shen Shiwei: "..." Is this really right?

Wei Qing served Shen Shiwei a large bowl of steaming noodles; the aroma wafted from the kitchen into the living room. Gao Li swallowed hard and touched her rumbling stomach. She looked at Lu Sui, who was sitting in the corner of the sofa silently eating compressed biscuits, walked over, and lowered her voice, "Captain Lu, what are we eating?"

Lu Sui didn't even look at her. His voice was icy, "It's in the bag."

"But I want to eat..." Gao Li’s eyes fixed on the bowl of noodles with egg ribbons sitting in front of Shen Heng. "...hot food."

Song Yingjun stood up and started toward the kitchen.

"Hey... where are you going?" Shen Heng stood up and blocked his path.

Song Yingjun blinked, confused. "To get noodles." His eyes brightened. "Wasn't it said there was a portion for me too?"

Shen Heng’s face was cold. "Not anymore."

"Huh? Why?"

Shen Heng glanced at Lu Sui and said, "You are with him."

Song Yingjun: "...No, are you rich people always this petty?"

"You made my sister angry, and you still expect to eat our food? There is no such thing as a free lunch."

Song Yingjun was indignant. "But she was the one we rescued too."

Shen Heng sneered, "Isn't it your duty to save survivors? Are you here to demand a reward now?"

"I..."

"Song Yingjun!"

Song Yingjun wanted to argue back, but Lu Sui shouted his name with a stern, authoritative tone. Song Yingjun had no choice but to shut his mouth and stand obediently by Lu Sui’s side.

Seeing this, Gao Li dared not say anything more and sat down next to Han Zhu. She slapped Han Zhu’s hand away as he reached for a packet of instant noodles. That wasn't enough; while no one was paying attention, she pinched the flesh of Han Zhu’s thigh hard.

"Hiss..."

Perhaps accustomed to such treatment, Han Zhu only gasped in pain without crying out. Gao Li wore a ferocious expression and whispered a reprimand, "Why didn't you speak up for me just now?"

Han Zhu lowered his head. "I... I was scared."

Gao Li narrowed her eyes and pinched Han Zhu’s arm again, as if venting her anger. She hissed, "It’s all because of Shen Shiwei! Why didn't the zombies kill her?!"