Chapter 77: Repaying Kindness

The gust stirred up by the descending helicopters was powerful enough to feel like it might sweep them all away.

Jiang Linhai sat in the co-pilot seat, looking at Jiang Si with concern. “There are still three helicopters hovering in mid-air. Do you think they’re trying to stop us from leaving?”

Most of the helicopters were military-grade. Jiang Linhai even saw someone standing outside one of them, holding a heavy weapon.

Jiang Si frowned. “Let’s wait and see. If they really try to stop us, we’ll play along for now and find another chance to escape later.”

Jiang Linhai glanced back at Da Bai (the white tiger) and asked again, “But what about Da Bai? He’s so big—it’s obvious he’s a mutated animal. Won’t they try to take him away for research?”

In her past life at the base, Jiang Si had seen many mutants and mutated animals taken away for dissection and experimentation.

Her heart jolted at the thought. She placed her hand on Da Bai’s tail and said firmly, “I won’t let them take him.”

The helicopters landed one after another. Soon, a group of tall men in special ops uniforms, all armed, descended from the aircraft. Their imposing presence and disciplined movements were intimidating.

But Zhuang Feiyue felt a rush of hope. She exclaimed to her family, “Dad, Mom—it’s the military! We’re saved!”

Zhuang Chenshen, her father, frowned and gestured for her to stay calm. “This is the apocalypse. The formal military order has long since collapsed. These men are the most dangerous now—stealing supplies and abducting people for forced labor is common.”

Zhuang Feiyue shuddered, praying they wouldn’t end up like prisoners of war.

They stayed hidden inside the helicopter, trembling, until a tall man appeared in Zhuang Chenshen’s field of vision.

Zhuang Chenshen’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Kuang Jiaying! That’s Kuang Jiaying!”

Zhuang Feiyue squinted and looked more carefully. It really was her blind date partner.

“He’s got a good character. We’ve been family friends since childhood. We’re saved—finally safe!”

Tears streamed down Zhuang Chenshen’s face, grateful for this flicker of hope in uncertain times.

The Zhuang family rushed down and called out Kuang Jiaying’s name.

Hearing his name, Kuang Jiaying looked over and saw the disheveled, injured Zhuang family looking at him tearfully.

He paused for a moment before recognizing them. “Uncle Zhuang?”

Zhuang Chenshen finally relaxed, holding Kuang Jiaying’s hand. “Jiaying, thank goodness it’s you! We were terrified. Are your parents with you?”

Kuang Jiaying shook his head. “They’ve been settled at the Northern Base. They’re safe for now.”

The Northern Base!

The Zhuang family’s eyes lit up—they desperately wanted a safe place to live.

Zhuang Chenshen quickly asked, “Can we go to the Northern Base too?”

Kuang Jiaying nodded. “I’m leading this mission to collect supplies and rescue survivors.”

Zhuang Chenshen let out a sigh of relief and pushed Zhuang Feiyue forward. “Quick, greet your Brother Jiaying!”

But Kuang Jiaying’s gaze had shifted—he was looking at a woman stepping down from another helicopter.

Zhuang Feiyue blushed and greeted him softly, “Brother Jiaying,” but got no response. She followed his gaze and saw the clean, sharp-looking Jiang Si walking toward him.

To her surprise, Kuang Jiaying greeted her warmly, “Miss Jiang! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Zhuang Feiyue lowered her eyes, fists clenched in discomfort.

Jiang Si, however, wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. “Captain Kuang, hope you’ve been well. Can we take off now?”

Kuang Jiaying looked surprised. “Where are you going?”

“North,” Jiang Si replied calmly, giving nothing away.

Assuming Jiang Si already knew about the Northern Base, Kuang Jiaying offered, “Miss Jiang, you can come with us to the base. I’ll make good on my promise of food supplies this time.”

“No need,” Jiang Si said flatly.

Zhuang Feiyue felt even more embarrassed. Their family had begged to go to the base, while Jiang Si was simply being invited—and yet didn’t care at all.

Kuang Jiaying was surprised that Jiang Si even refused the 900 jin (roughly 500 kg) of food still owed. He thought she no longer trusted him and was about to say more when a sudden shout rang out:

“A tiger! There’s a huge tiger!”

Kuang Jiaying instantly drew his pistol, aiming at the massive creature vaguely visible inside the helicopter.

Jiang Si’s face darkened. She rushed in front of them with her arms spread wide. “It’s my tiger. It won’t hurt anyone!”

Everyone was on edge. They’d just rescued a group of survivors and were short on food.

A mutated tiger this size could easily provide hundreds of kilograms of meat.

They hadn’t had meat in ages, and their hungry eyes sparkled with desire as they stared toward the chopper.

Even though it was a mutated animal, the fact it listened to Jiang Si made Kuang Jiaying squint, observing her more closely. “How can you prove it won’t hurt anyone?”

Jiang Si sneered. “It hasn’t jumped out and bitten you yet—what more proof do you need?”

Kuang Jiaying’s eyes lit up. “How did you tame it?”

In this post-apocalyptic world, if there really were ways to tame mutated animals, it would be a huge scientific breakthrough.

Jiang Si replied coolly, “I risked my life to save it from a giant anaconda. It’s repaying a debt of gratitude. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving now.”

Realizing she didn’t want to go to the Northern Base, Kuang Jiaying still tried to persuade her. “A mutated animal that obeys humans could be critical for our survival. Miss Jiang, it’s huge—it requires food and safety. Come with us. I promise no one will harm it.”

But Jiang Si was already furious. Her eyes were icy. “Its home is the wilderness. Even in the apocalypse, it’s not meant to survive for human benefit. Move.”

Kuang Jiaying hesitated. “I admit I’m selfish, but from a human survival standpoint, I’m not wrong. I’m trying to find a way to coexist with mutated life.”

“Then go find your way,” Jiang Si snapped. “But don’t lay a finger on him, Captain Kuang—or you will regret it.”

She could already feel Da Bai’s growing agitation beneath the surface.