[edited]

Jiang Ning glanced quietly at Huo Yishen and noticed that his expression was calm, while Doudou was looking around curiously in his arms.

Sensing her gaze, Huo Yishen immediately looked back.

Jiang Ning quickly turned away, pretending she hadn’t been looking. She told herself it was just her imagination.

However, when she glanced again, she saw a hint of a smile in his eyes.

“Are you happy about the outcome of the Dragon Slaying Society or are you just saying hello to me?” she wondered.

Before she could think more, the jealous dog nuzzled into her arms, begging for a hug like Doudou was getting.

Jiang Ning hugged the jealous dog, feeling its warmth like a little stove.

Next to her, Lu Yu was shivering from the cold. Ignoring the looks of others, he said, “Honey, I’m cold.”

The two hugged each other tightly.

Beside them, Zhang Chao could only hug the air, “…”

He didn’t deserve this, he really didn’t!!! Ahhh!

Meanwhile, powerful voices from the loudspeaker continued to denounce the evil forces, listing their crimes one by one, each supported by evidence.

Time passed quietly, and before they knew it, an hour had gone by. The tired survivors kept shifting their positions, sitting or standing. They were uninterested in the details of the crimes and just wanted to see the end result.

After a thorough investigation by the police, 386 people were finally sentenced. Several representatives took the stage to speak, describing their descent into crime. They cried bitterly, expressing deep regret, and urged the survivors to be kind.

“If God gave us another chance, we would never make this mistake again,” they claimed.

Jiang Ning wanted to laugh when she heard this. She believed that if given a chance, they would still choose to do evil.

In the end, officials reported that 160,000 kilograms of grain had been seized, along with illegal workshops, over 20,000 bullets, more than 200 firearms, and countless pieces of control equipment. Over 500 survivors were rescued, including more than 50 kidnapped women and over 20 children exploited for money.

The list of crimes was extensive.

The government decided to return the 160,000 kilograms of grain to the people, distributing it through neighborhood committees.

There were too many victims, and the criminal group’s extravagant spending made it impossible to return all the stolen money. So, the grain was distributed evenly.

Though sad, most survivors were grateful, understanding the difficulty of obtaining evidence. However, a few were unhappy. They didn’t dare confront the criminals, but they were aggressive towards the government. Some even rushed the stage, shouting, “Why should we all get the same amount? They stole so much from me!”

There were police on-site to maintain stability, and they dragged the people back.

The scene was chaotic, with some people treating the government like their worst enemy.

This was a typical case when distributing resources. They thought that the louder they complained, the more they would get.

As people followed the troublemakers’ lead, the police struggled to maintain control.

The farce ended abruptly when a soldier raised his weapon.

Different situations require different approaches.

If they had followed pre-apocalyptic procedures, counting and verifying every victim’s loss, it would have taken years.

It’s not an exaggeration—just ask the victims of online loan scams, who still haven’t recovered their money after many years.

Without broad distribution, the 160,000 kilograms of grain would sit unused, and many survivors might starve.

Chief Ling faced the troublemaker with sharp eyes. “Comrade, may I ask what was robbed from you?”

The troublemaker listed his losses, including rice, flour, grains, oil, and an 82-year-old Lafite, Collector’s Edition Maotai. Anyone listening would think a comedian was reciting a menu.

“Lafite from 1982?” Ling Ju tried to stay calm. “Are you saying it was produced in 1982?”

“Of course, it was.”

Most of the survivors watching found this amusing, but those who knew better burst out laughing. “Idiot, don’t show off if you don’t know. Who said Lafite was produced in 1982?”

Ling Ju took a deep breath and asked, “How much does a bottle cost?”

“I bought it for over 80,000 yuan. It’s 500ml.”

Ling Ju’s expression hardened. “Take this troublemaker away and examine him carefully. He must not encourage evil spirits!”

The troublemaker was promptly escorted off in handcuffs, putting an end to the disturbances for now.

Zhang Chao watched through binoculars and grinned. “Even in the apocalypse, there are idiots like this. Not only are they in rags, but their blackmail skills are amateurish.”

After the farce, the final phase began. Criminals in orange vests were loaded onto trucks and sent to Xishan Coal Mine.

It’s time for “eating peanuts”—a euphemism for facing severe punishment. These criminals, who had shown no mercy to the weak and had disregarded human life, now faced their own reckoning. Some were so frightened they fainted on the spot.

In the past, those punished were tied to wooden stakes. The military and police cleared the way, and onlookers stepped back. A large space was cleared in the square for the final verdict.

The crowd stood, some on tiptoes to see better, while others covered their eyes in fear. Doudou buried his head in his brother’s neck, not daring to look.

Coke, standing on Jiang Ning’s shoulders, surveyed the scene like a king. The sound of gunfire, like firecrackers, filled the air, and the criminals fell.

After the public trial ended, the survivors dispersed, worrying about their future. On a rare trip, Lu Yu suggested they visit a department store to find useful supplies.

As the crowd thinned, the square became empty, and the dog, now an internet celebrity, attracted countless gazes. People wondered what kind of family could afford to keep such a majestic dog in the apocalypse.

With the dog’s presence, no one dared challenge them. Coke handed the leash to Jiang Ning, wagging his tail excitedly. “Come on, poop scooper walk the dog.”

Despite the many people in the square, Jiang Ning remained vigilant. He couldn’t focus solely on the dog while preparing for the trip to the department store. He packed his bag and prepared to leave.

“Niu Niu.”

A clear and surprising voice called out.

Coke stiffened for a moment, its head slowly turning toward the source…