Rebirth: Leading Families to Survive in the Apocalypse-Chapter 727 Squatting in the Corner

The aroma of stewed meat and rice permeated the empty bungalow, filling the once desolate space with an unexpectedly warm and lively atmosphere.

Mosley glanced at the jerky he had taken out, so tough it was almost impossible to bite, and decided to put it back into his Space.

He had originally intended to share it with the Heart Talk Team, as jerky—a food that could replenish one’s energy—was still in high demand in Country Y, although being Special Ability Users, they often had to soak it in water to barely manage a bite.

"We’ll pay,"

Qiao said as he squatted beside the rice pot, Lin Xiuyuan could practically see the drool about to drip down...

Seeing that the members of the Heart Talk Team didn’t refuse their offer to pay, Avril and Abby no longer felt restrained.

"They say Huaxia has been a country rich in resources since ancient times, and now it seems that’s really true!"

Jerome exclaimed, astonished not just by the sumptuous meal but also the variety of seasonings used.

So particular indeed!

"Ah, it’s just a shame that I’ve sworn to God to be forever loyal to the Nickle Family, otherwise I would mix into Huaxia,"

Paul said dramatically.

Though it was clear they were praising their own nation with intent, Su Jin and the others couldn’t help feeling pleased by the commentary.

Thus, Su Jin took out a box of homemade fruit canned in her Space, containing yellow peaches, pears, and apples, which had accumulated quite a bit since she hadn’t sold materials for a long time.

"We got these while we were on the road before, let’s share and eat,"

Su Jin said as she instructed Lin Xiuyuan to distribute a jar to each person.

In Country Y where resources were scarce and cultivation was limited mainly to imports before the Apocalypse, they treasured the sight of fruits they hadn’t tasted in a year like priceless gems.

"Dear Su Jin, you must be sent by God to save us,"

Abby said, moved to tears. Even though they would pay the Heart Talk Team for the meal, they would never exchange these rare fruit cans for any amount of Crystal Cores, and the glass jars were filled to the brim with fruit, looking very substantial.

"We are a bounty team and also in business, so nobody should be too polite,"

Su Jin added.

"So as long as we have Crystal Cores, we can buy supplies from your Space?"

Paul inquired.

"Mm-hm, we still have some supplies left from our last expedition that we haven’t brought back to our base, so there’s still some surplus,"

Su Jin replied, as they weren’t Dragon Ruler and so didn’t dare brag too much.

However, this statement already caused quite the surprise among them.

Being loyal to the Nickle Family wasn’t a matter of faith but because none of them had the means to support themselves.

They only managed to eat some biscuits and jerky when performing missions, otherwise normally they could only afford one meal a day.

"Qiao... we..."

Avril knew Qiao was one of the heirs to the Nickle Family and wondered if he would mind such private transactions.

"Why are you looking at me? If you have Crystal Cores, feel free to buy. I won’t say a word, I’m not Xius,"

Qiao shrugged nonchalantly.

Only Mosley and a few others knew the reason, because... when they were at the S City base, they had also bought a lot of supplies from the Heart Talk Store!

"Qiao, I really think you’re way better than Xius!"

Abby excitedly hugged Qiao’s neck. They had often gone out on tasks with Qiao and had become very familiar with him. Not only did Qiao lack the airs of the Nickle Family, but he was also extremely smart, and now he was fully on their side, so they had already come to consider Qiao a friend.

The lights in the bungalow were still on, and the few people who had booked supplies with Su Jin were extremely excited. Right after a satisfying meal, everyone was far from sleepy, instead chatting with each other.

"Qiao, can you come out for a moment?"

Taking advantage of the moment no one was paying attention to them, Reese whispered in Qiao’s ear.

Thinking of how odd Reese had been acting all day, Qiao nodded his head. Reese was always blunt — what did he want to discuss now?

"Qiao, I was thinking of telling you after we got back to base, but I’m in too much pain now,"

Reese showed a kind of expression that Qiao had never seen before.

"What’s happened to you? You’ve been off since last night,"

Qiao asked.

So Reese told Qiao everything he had overheard outside the council hall, from beginning to end.

"You are a member of the Nickle Family, and I’m also loyal to the Nickle Family, but I really don’t know what to do about this. They saved me three times, three times, Qiao. I don’t know whose side I should be on. Do you understand me?"

Reese tried his best to control his emotions, fearing he might accidentally burst out shouting.

"Reese, don’t mention this to anyone but myself. I’ll take care of it,"

Qiao said, holding Reese’s shoulders and speaking face to face.

"Why?"

Reese didn’t understand. Was Qiao planning to ignore the matter as if he hadn’t heard anything?

"Because... if they find out before their plan succeeds, you’ll lose your life,"

Qiao said, looking sternly at Reese.

Qiao knew all too well Xius’s methods. He was anxious for Reese, who had been eavesdropping outside the night before, and at the same time felt even more fortunate that if it had been Mosley going back, with Mosley’s nature, they probably would never see him again.

"So... will you choose the Nickle Family?"

Reese asked, wondering if Qiao would protect the Heart Talk Team.

"Reese, some choices can’t be made immediately. Before we choose, we have to weigh the pros and cons. But I think... you know me,"

After saying that, Qiao walked away, leaving Reese standing alone in the darkness.

"..."

What did Qiao’s last sentence mean? So was he going to weigh the pros and cons or not?

Reese scratched his head, confused.

In the dark corner of the wall, Lin Xiuyuan was squatting with Local Tyrant Gold until his legs nearly went numb—this was the first time in his life he had squatted in the corner. The pitiable part was, he couldn’t understand a word of what they were saying.

The importance of learning a foreign language!

Fortunately, Su Jin was smart enough to throw him a voice recorder. Just now, fearing detection, he had covered Local Tyrant Gold’s mouth with one hand and held the recorder so tightly in his other hand that it started to sweat.

Seeing Reese finally leave, Lin Xiuyuan dared to take a deep breath, and Local Tyrant Gold imitated Lin Xiuyuan, taking a large breath as well.

"Alright, thank you, Local Tyrant Gold,"

Lin Xiuyuan said softly, then stuffed the little monkey into his jacket pocket. Thankfully, Local Tyrant Gold was small enough that he could bring him back, otherwise without its own access to Space, he really wouldn’t know where to put Local Tyrant Gold.