The sun was reluctant to linger longer in the winter sky of Qin City, and night fell unusually early.

When Guo Dachao and his group returned to the camp, it was just five o’clock, and the sky had darkened. The excavator was parked next to the farmyard cleared out in Madian Village. Given the current environment, it’s impossible for anyone to find it; it’s quite safe.

In the garden of Little Lucky Inn, almost all the people from United Village and Celestial Horse Island gathered. The somewhat socially anxious Wang Xin and Zhang Ya stayed in the monitoring room on duty, happy to be there, while Duan Wuhu was also present at the site.

Zhang Su invited Fu Weijun once, but Fu Weijun politely declined. Zhang Su didn’t insist, as the networking event was meant to make everyone happy. Since Fu Weijun was more interested in zombies, respecting his choice was better than having him ignore people, sit there awkwardly, which wouldn’t be good.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. On this rare night, fate allows us to walk together..."

Yuwen, as the host, performed steadily despite being off-script. Though the titles sounded slightly awkward, nobody cared. After a speech, the networking event officially began.

With relevant experience, Zhong Xiaoshan and others arranged a concise yet substantial schedule. The initial program was naturally the leadership’s address, unlike those empty meetings. Zhang Su’s speech was directly related to everyone’s interests, with part of a grand vision for future development, giving everyone a clear direction. In this apocalypse, the role of a reassuring presence is incredibly important.

Following that, under the host’s guidance, Celestial Horse Island and United Village participants introduced themselves and got acquainted. This segment was relatively lengthy, but everyone treated it seriously, perhaps realizing in the apocalypse how vital human connections are, valuing their companions more than before.

After the two programs, a series of group mini-games appeared, offering emotional and mental relaxation to the worried crowd. Laughter, long absent, floated through the courtyard, and the lighthearted atmosphere seeped into everyone’s heart, further enhancing relationships.

Zhang Su generously provided various snacks and drinks as prizes, ensuring everyone’s spiritual and material fulfillment.

Interspersed between games were performances predominantly of song and dance, effectively energizing the atmosphere.

Of course, the event concluded with a communal meal. Due to the large number of people, they opted for a widely popular northern staple—dumplings!

Pork with scallions and chive with egg—two kinds, satisfying the taste preferences of most people.

"Today’s chefs made two thousand dumplings. Everyone, eat freely. If you love chives, pick the green ones. If not, avoid them. Start now! Here, the first bowl goes to Teacher Yu, who’s devoted to our camp’s security!"

Zhang Su, with a bowl in one hand and a ladle in the other, scooped a dozen steaming, plump dumplings into the bowl, handing it to Yuwen sitting beside him.

"Oh, I’m not worthy, really, Mr. Zhang please."

Yuwen was cheerfully watching the fun, unexpectedly receiving the first bowl of dumplings from Zhang Su, and stood up immediately.

"Quick, quick, Teacher Yu, don’t delay everyone’s meal!"

Zhang Su, uninterested in Yuwen’s modesty, often ran errands outside, leaving camp affairs mostly to Yuwen, who must establish authority.

Yuwen quickly realized, stepping forward to solemnly accept the big bowl with an unobtrusive compliment.

"Alright, next I’ll distribute according to the joining order, Xinyu!"

Zhang Su kept his hands busy, continuing to scoop from the large pot. As he called out names, the pot quickly emptied. Fortunately, there wasn’t just one pot in the camp; three pots boiled together, ensuring there’s no pressure with over a thousand dumplings!

Soon, everyone held fragrant, steaming dumplings, their hearts warmed, surprised to receive dumplings served by the camp leader, especially a few women from United Village who had struggled to find decent bowls for meals for the first couple months. By comparison, it’s worlds apart now.

Good food brings happiness; in the apocalypse, gourmet isn’t needed, as long as it tastes decent and satisfies hunger, it evokes happiness from the heart, evident on everyone’s face.

Meal ended, dishes were put away.

The networking event took nearly two hours without realizing.

"Today’s gathering nears its end, but happiness and joy don’t. At last, invite Mr. Zhang to speak and conclude today’s event."

Yuwen gestured to Zhang Su, without a microphone to pass, given the small venue and few people, just using his voice sufficed.

Yuwen spoke as everyone still smiled with lingering delight. When Zhang Su stood, people instinctively sat up straight, restraining their smiles.

"Whatever the past, tonight, we are gathered, becoming a unified team. Survival in the apocalypse isn’t easy, but united, we’ll lead towards light!"

Hoorah!

With his words, Zhang Su pulled out a firearm transfer case from behind, clicking open the latch, and took out a brand-new Type 95 automatic rifle.

"Wang Longzhong!"

"Yes!"

Wang Longzhong responded quickly, seeming as if his legs were spring-loaded, jumping upright.

"Take the gun!"

Zhang Su stretched his arms forward.

Wang Longzhong jogged forward to Zhang Su, accepting the automatic rifle with both hands.

"To bear a gun means carrying more responsibility, understand?"

"United Village as a whole will absolutely not betray Boss Zhang’s trust and expectations!"

Though Wang Longzhong’s posture with the gun seemed slightly awkward, his stance was upright, voice loud, filled with determination.

"We absolutely will not betray Boss Zhang’s trust and expectations!"

As if rehearsed, all from United Village stood simultaneously, reminiscent of a faith-driven era with light in each person’s eyes.

Zhang Su nodded to everyone, then bent again to pick up another gun.

People wondered, unsure who else deserved an automatic rifle, eyes lingering on certain individuals. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Zhang Su’s gaze swept around, finally settling on Duan Wuhu.

"Duan Wuhu!"

"Huh? Me?" Duan Wuhu seemed incredulous yet quickly stood, saying, "Present!"

"Take the gun!"

"Yes!"

Duan Wuhu was caught off guard, never expecting such high regard upon joining the camp, knowing that in the Survivor Alliance, only true core members held automatic rifles, even Vanguard Corps’ leaders had mere submachine guns, and he, in Search Team, merely had a small handgun.

"Duan Wuhu, though newly joined the camp, was my neighbor before, I lived on the eighth floor, he on the fourth. Circumstances kept us apart exiting the neighborhood; meeting again makes me very happy. Teacher Duan, willing to hold the gun and work with me?"

Zhang Su looked at Duan Wuhu clutching the gun, mouth curling harder than controlling an AK, asking.

Hearing Zhang Su’s words, Duan Wuhu’s smile gradually faded, expression growing serious.

He understood the gun’s significance—not a mere game.

"Brother Zhang, past choices can’t change, destiny’s gears are wondrous. Since fate brought me to your camp, I’ll follow you henceforth!"

"Good! We’re all brothers, any good ideas are welcome—if sensible, they’ll be adopted! But in crucial moments, no disobedience to orders!"

Zhang Su continued from Duan Wuhu’s words, conveying his stance: ideas could be proposed, but orders must be upheld!

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

"Received!"

Answers were varied without unity, yet none questioned the group’s fighting capability.

Yesterday evening, everyone was disheartened over West Camp Village’s allegiance to Cyan Dragon Corps. Now, seeing them all alert, full of vigor.

The networking event succeeded with remarkable impact.

In the ensuing days, everyone performed their roles, ensuring the camp operated smoothly. Zhang Su personally visited Madian Village, inspecting zombie cleaning results and testing the excavator.

Having not operated one before, through attempts and exploration, he somewhat grasped the basics, confident that with practice, simple trench digging wouldn’t be an issue.

The powerful scoop filled him with expectation, eagerly waiting to resolve Cyan Dragon Corps’ matter, then could commence new defensive constructions, save for difficulty with digging frozen soil layers!

Zhang Su also took a trip to West Camp Village, which seemed desolate with people gone, zombies barricading the bridge piled aside, leaving a path for vehicles.

As Ma Changshou mentioned, from the village Zhang Su found some untransportable food supplies left behind—quite plentiful, impossible to haul in one go!