Chapter 5: The New Teammate

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as Wang Zhi was deep in thought, a sudden knock on the door interrupted him!

Wang Zhi got up and opened the door.

Standing outside was a chubby young man.

“Excuse me, is this the room for the Sunset Afterglow team?” the chubby man at the door asked Wang Zhi.

“Yes, it is. I’m the team leader, Wang Zhi.”

As he spoke, Wang Zhi examined the man outside. He was slightly shorter than Wang Zhi, and judging by his build, he had to weigh at least 160 pounds.

“So, you’re the team leader! My name is Li Feihong. I just arrived here yesterday. I noticed your team is short one member, so I wanted to ask if I could join?” Li Feihong explained his purpose.

After hearing this, Wang Zhi realized that he was here to request to join the team.

As Wang Zhi was contemplating, his gaze shifted behind the chubby man… to five suitcases?! That was even more than he himself had brought! Wang Zhi had dragged two suitcases here, and his arms were still sore from it. But this guy? He had dragged five? How had he not collapsed on the way?

For Wang Zhi, who had nothing at the moment, these supplies were extremely important. If going out was an option, it wouldn’t matter as much, but in this sealed-off environment, once inside, there was no leaving.

Just based on these supplies alone, it didn’t matter who Li Feihong was or what his abilities were—none of it was important anymore.

Thinking this, Wang Zhi fully opened the door and stepped aside.

“Welcome. Come in.”

Wang Zhi smiled and bent down to help bring the luggage inside.

“Great! Thanks, Captain Wang!” Li Feihong responded cheerfully.

Watching the completely unguarded, humming chubby man, Wang Zhi shook his head. This guy clearly hadn’t experienced the harshness of the real world. Wang Zhi even considered whether he should wait until Li Feihong fell asleep and then take all his supplies—let him experience a taste of reality.

But Wang Zhi only entertained the thought. He would never actually do it, because this Dawn Tower was only so big. No one could leave, and everyone would run into each other eventually.

At that moment, Wang Zhi understood—true strength was what mattered!

Just like Lao He and Sakura, they could do whatever they wanted. Even if he met them again later, he would have no choice but to accept it… maybe even call her “Sister Sakura.”

“Li Feihong, give me your ID card. I’ll go handle your team registration.” Wang Zhi said.

Joining the team required the captain’s approval. If the captain agreed, they had to take the recruit’s ID card to the service center to complete the process.

Li Feihong handed his ID card over without hesitation.

Wang Zhi took the card and noticed the ID number—9999! His mouth twitched. This guy had some serious luck, taking one of the last membership spots. If he had arrived any later, Wang Zhi would never have met this five-suitcase-carrying chubby man!

Sure enough, this guy had absolutely no sense of caution. Here, an ID card was equivalent to an identity document and a wallet, yet he had just handed it over so easily?

Wang Zhi glanced at Li Feihong, who was busy unpacking, and thought—thankfully, he had met someone trustworthy like himself. Others? Who knew what they would do? At least Wang Zhi knew he could treat his teammates with a clear conscience.

Leaving the room, Wang Zhi saw many people hurrying through the hallway. There were men and women, some dragging all sorts of luggage, others empty-handed. Some, like Li Feihong, stood at doorways requesting to join teams. Others, small and weak, had no team willing to take them in.

Wang Zhi felt no sympathy for them because he knew that, right now, he had no right to pity anyone.

Walking through the corridor, Wang Zhi arrived at the lobby. Just as he was about to take the elevator to the first floor to register Li Feihong, he suddenly saw Sakura sitting in the lounge area. Next to her was an unfamiliar man, smiling as he chatted with her, his eyes filled with a greedy desire.

Seeing this, Wang Zhi felt an uncomfortable stir in his heart. He wanted to pretend he hadn’t noticed and turn toward the elevator, but at that moment, Sakura noticed him. Their eyes met, and she waved him over.

Wang Zhi hesitated for a moment but still walked over obediently. He had no reason to turn against her now, though deep down, he wanted to question her.

As he reached Sakura’s side, she leaned closer to him and said to the unfamiliar man across from her, “This is my team’s leader, Wang Zhi. If you want me to join your team, you’ll have to get through him first.”

After speaking, she even winked playfully at Wang Zhi.

Oh great, Wang Zhi thought. So now he was the shield?

He looked at the man across from him—wearing gold-rimmed glasses, muscular but shorter than Sakura. The man was already looking at Wang Zhi with a gaze full of hostility and menace.

Sure enough, beautiful women were trouble. He hadn’t even won her over yet, and he was already making enemies because of her.

At this moment, Wang Zhi had two choices: give in and agree, or stand firm and refuse.

Since Sakura was using him as a shield, it meant she didn’t want to go with the other guy. Even if Wang Zhi backed down, she might still refuse, which would mean not only had he gained an enemy, but he’d also lost his dignity as a man.

So why bother? Might as well stand firm and earn some respect.

Thinking this, Wang Zhi said, “Yes, I’m the captain of Sunset Afterglow. She’s already one of my team members. I suggest you look for someone else.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the hostility in the man’s eyes deepened. He spoke, “I am Zhao Yang, captain of the Red Flame team. Captain Wang, I suggest you reconsider. Some things are beyond your control.”

Wang Zhi scoffed. This guy was naive. A globally ranked seventh mercenary, and he thought he could intimidate him?

“Thanks for your concern, Captain Zhao, but I’ve thought it through. And for the record, she’s a person, not an object.”

With that, Wang Zhi turned and left, unconcerned about being attacked—Dawn Tower had strict rules against harming others maliciously.

Sakura quickly followed behind. Zhao Yang stood there, clenching his fists as he watched Wang Zhi walk away.

“Where’s my little brother off to?” Sakura asked as she caught up, draping an arm around Wang Zhi’s shoulders.

Seeing this, Wang Zhi felt confused. Her attitude was as if nothing had happened. Had he misunderstood something?

“Just heading to the first floor for some business. By the way, where’s the food on the table?” Wang Zhi finally asked. Asking meant he was bringing things to light, and he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“The food? Oh, the old man put it in the cabinet.”

Sakura’s eyes flickered playfully. “Huh? You were acting a little strange just now. Did you think I took your food and ran off with him? Aww, were you worried?” She laughed, ruffling Wang Zhi’s hair.

Wang Zhi was stunned.

“Cabinet?” He recalled there was indeed a cabinet in the corner.

“Yep, it has a temperature-controlled storage function. Food stays fresh in there.”

“I see.”

Realizing nothing had happened, Wang Zhi relaxed. Deep inside, he was relieved, but he had to pretend it was all expected.

Sakura saw through him and burst into laughter.

Pinching his cheek, she teased, “Why do you always look so serious? Smile for me.”

Wang Zhi, annoyed, said, “Come on, Sakura, there are people around. Let’s take care of business first.”

Sakura finally let go. “Alright, alright. So, what are you going to handle?”