Ding Qi looked at Zhang Chao and sincerely said, “I really envy you. Despite so many disasters over the years, you can still hold onto this friendship so firmly, and the partners you encounter are so reliable.” 

In fact, Zhang Chao, who has been in sales for many years, has seen numerous deceitful people as colleagues and clients, but he always had Lu Yu and Jiang Ning as friends. 

Looking back on his more than twenty years, apart from being deceived countless times emotionally, he really hasn’t made many mistakes. 

Ding Qi occasionally says that Zhang Chao is naive. He dared to save people with medicine without knowing whether she was human or ghost. 

Every time, he simply smiles without arguing. 

Ding Qi was just deeply hurt, which is why she completely closed her heart. 

In fact, after several years of twists and turns, many people wanted to team up with him and Lu Yu, but without exception, they were all rejected. 

They’ve witnessed enough at the orphanage, whether about human nature, goodness, or evil, and these memories will stay with them. That’s why they would never agree to team up with someone who doesn’t truly understand them. 

But Ding Qi is different. She was born into a warm family and has her own abilities. Originally, the principle of survival in groups was to team up, which led to repeated betrayals. 

But Zhang Chao’s upbringing has shaped him differently. He understands when to show strength and when to be vulnerable. He’s not just emotionally sensitive; he’s also sharp enough to be cunning when needed. 

Everyone has their own secrets. Lu Yu has them, Zheng Weili has them, Brother Shen has them, and Jiang Ning has even more, but they don’t harm themselves. They even act with goodwill. Why not do the same? 

After hiding their respective supplies, the four of them discussed and took tea, cigarettes, alcohol, and bacon, and went to the official trading hall to exchange for a simple generator, then returned. 

Zhang Chao and Lu Yu were on duty, while Ding Qi and Zheng Weili stayed home to operate the generator. 

There were patrols outside, so the safety of the community could still be guaranteed. 

This was the most peaceful sleep the four of them had had since leaving the official base. 

But it didn’t take long for the truth to come out. Qin Chuan complained while on duty, “Sister, you’re not being honest in your dealings.” 

Jiang Ning was puzzled, “What’s wrong?” 

“Building 42 is brightly lit, and you still want to hide and conceal?” 

Jiang Ning laughed, “Brother Qin, are you thinking of renting one for Sharp-mouthed monkey and the others?” 

Qin Chuan pondered, “If I were to rent one for the them, do you think it would work?” 

Jiang Ning, who had previously had conflicts with the community security, didn’t dare to express her opinion recklessly, “This matter is up to the Homeowners Committee to decide.” 

Who was Qin Chuan? His mind was full of ideas. He immediately went to find Rong Sanshao. 

I don’t know how he negotiated, but Rong Sanshao actually agreed and rented out two more villas, which were much larger than Building 42, and the monthly rent was only 20 kilograms of grain. 

Jiang Ning was surprised and discussed it with Huo Yishen during dinner, “Qin Chuan people have wives and children to support. Even if several families share the rent, they can’t come up with so much grain.” 

Huo Yishen was not surprised, “I guess Qin Chuan paid for them.” 

It’s one thing to treat subordinates well, but it’s another thing for family members to keep accounts. Rent and grain are deducted from future profits. On one hand, it can ensure the safety of subordinates and make them grateful, thus more loyal; on the other hand, with dozens more people in the community, all under his control, who among the wealthy will dare to give him a hard time in the future? 

His speculation was correct. Qin Chuan did exactly that. 

Other wealthy people may not agree in their hearts, but they are forced by the reality and have to nod along. 

Before, they didn’t lack supplies. Even in the apocalypse, life was quite comfortable compared to the surviving lower classes. 

But with the arrival of the Eternal Night, after their supplies were looted by the mobs, they truly experienced the cruelty of the disaster. 

It’s too hard; they can’t eat enough or stay warm, and they have to go out on duty every day. They haven’t seen sunlight for a long time, and their health is getting worse. 

They urgently need others to share the burden so they can survive the eternal night. 

Qin Chuan understood their mentality. He rented two more villas on the condition that each family provides male personnel for duty, and he provided the grain upfront, deducting it from the future profits of his subordinates after the eternal night passed. 

Across from the police station was quite safe, but it was uncomfortable for the whole family to squeeze into small rooms. 

Although the rent here was a bit higher, it was much more spacious. Not only that, it was also suitable for breeding and for growing crops. 

The second-hand dealers were savvy; how could they not agree? 

Besides, if the day really came when they couldn’t make ends meet, the boss wouldn’t watch them starve to death. 

With the addition of the second-hand dealers and other forces to Building 42, the community officially switched to three shifts for duty, reducing each shift by four hours, which relieved everyone. 

Rong Sanshao kept pestering Jiang Ning every day, “Sis, when are you treating me to a meal?” 

Thinking of his strong support, Jiang Ning readily agreed, “Tonight, OK?” 

When treating someone to a meal, one must behave accordingly; they couldn’t be too petty. 

But Jiang Ning really couldn’t stand his cheap appearance, and Huo Yishen wasn’t good at conversation, so she invited Qin Chuan as well. 

Creating an atmosphere was his specialty. 

The father and son weren’t good at cooking, but they wouldn’t pass up a feast. 

Qin Chuan brought over two big fish. “Sister, we’re counting on your cooking skills tonight.” 

Jiang Ning happily asked, “Do you want spicy fish or boiled fish?” 

They had stocked up on a lot of seasonings and ingredients, and Huo Yishen was proficient in cutting fish. 

Fully trusting her cooking, Qin Chuan didn’t bother to choose. “Both are fine.” 

Jiang Ning weighed the several pounds of fish in her hand. “These fish were raised from fry, right?” 

The fish raised in the darkness didn’t differ much from those before the disaster, except that they were slimmer and slightly paler. 

“That’s right.” Qin Chuan felt a bit embarrassed. “We just brought the fry back not long before the eternal night came. It’s been quite troublesome raising them, taking care of them every day. I’ve never even had to take care of a son so diligently.” 

Qin Mu followed behind him and politely addressed Jiang Ning, “Sister.” 

Qin Chuan corrected his son, “Don’t be rude; it’s Aunt Jiang.” 

But Qin Mu went to find Doudou. He took out a thermos from his backpack. “Doudou, I just squeezed some sheep’s milk. It’s still hot. Taste it quickly.” 

“Brother Xiao Mu, sheep’s milk is too precious; I can’t accept it.” 

Qin Mu stubbornly stuffed it into her hand. “It’s okay. I feed it every day. There’s some every day.” 

Dogs follow their owners; Rong Sanshao giving it himself was one thing, but who knew Ah Ben had thicker skin than him? 

It brought a gift, a bone with meat still on it. He gives it to Big Brother as a filial gesture. 

This made Coke, who was used to eating big fish and meat every day, very disdainful. Without hesitation, it pushed the bone back, but it still accepted the sentiment. 

After gnawing on the bone, Ah Ben acted as a sandbag for Big Brother to practice with, and the two dogs played in the yard. 

Rong Sanshao stole some Maotai from the old man. “Sis, it’s an ’82 Maotai. It’s older than my own mom. Haven’t you seen it before?” 

Jiang Ning smiled. “Indeed, I haven’t.” 

Five-star brand, yellow-glazed porcelain bottle, worth up to 150,000 before the apocalypse, and now even more valuable. 

She had stocked up 10 bottles in her space, all from her cousin, President Ba, but she would never admit it.