248: Chapter 248 This guy is cunning

The day after the victory banquet.

A peaceful atmosphere filled the Shelter, and the Female Survivors were all immersed in the joy of victory.

But Lin Yuan knew that the real battle was not yet over.

"Although Hades has been eliminated by me, his remnant forces still exist."

Lin Yuan stood in the command room, looking at the map on the large screen.

Xia Muqing's data analysis showed that fifty kilometers outside the Shelter, a remnant army of zombies was still gathering.

The number wasn't large, only about twenty thousand.

But among them was a special existence—Hades' lieutenant, an SS-rank Evolved Zombie.

"This guy is very cunning."

Xia Muqing pushed up her glasses and analyzed:

"When Hades attacked, it had been hiding in the rear."

"Now that Hades is dead, it has gathered the remnants and seems to be brewing something."

"Brewing?"

A playful smile curled at the corners of Lin Yuan's mouth:

"Let it brew."

"In any case, no matter what it brews, the result will be the same."

"You're right."

Xia Muqing nodded, her eyes full of admiration:

"With your strength, those zombies are nothing more than lambs to the slaughter."

Lin Yuan smiled and didn't say much more.

He turned and walked out of the command room, preparing to inspect the Shelter's defensive fortifications.

Just as he stepped out, he saw a group of goddesses waiting for him at the door.

"Brother Lin Yuan, you're finally out!"

Ye Qingyue was the first to rush up, grabbing Lin Yuan's arm:

"We've been waiting for you for a long time!"

"Waiting for me? Is something the matter?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course there is!"

Su Yuyan stepped forward, her peerless face carrying a hint of coquettishness:

"At yesterday's victory banquet, you were talking to others the whole time and hardly paid any attention to us."

"Today, we're going to make up for it!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The other goddesses chimed in one after another.

Lin Yuan smiled helplessly, allowing the goddesses to surround him as they walked forward.

The group arrived at the Shelter's garden.

This was a leisure area Lin Yuan had specially created for the goddesses, planted with all kinds of rare flowers.

Even in the Apocalypse, this place was still filled with the fragrance of flowers and the singing of birds, like a paradise away from the world.

"Brother Lin Yuan, sit here!"

Ye Qingyue pulled Lin Yuan to sit on a stone bench, while she leaned tightly against his side.

"I'll pour tea for you!"

Ye Qingxue brought over a cup of hot tea and gently handed it to Lin Yuan.

"I'll massage your shoulders!"

Tang Shiyun walked behind Lin Yuan, her slender jade hands pressing gently on his shoulders.

"I'll fan you!"

Lin Ruoxue held a round fan and gently fanned Lin Yuan.

The goddesses vied to serve him, and their various thoughtful services made Lin Yuan enjoy himself immensely.

"What are you all doing?"

Lin Yuan asked with a smile:

"Why are you suddenly so attentive?"

"Isn't it because you've worked too hard!"

Su Yuyan said reproachfully:

"In yesterday's battle, you carried the greatest pressure alone."

"Although we couldn't help much, we can at least let you relax a bit."

"Exactly, exactly!"

Ye Qingyue nodded vigorously:

"Brother Lin Yuan has given so much for us, of course we have to repay you well!"

Lin Yuan looked at the goddesses' sincere eyes, and a wave of warmth welled up in his heart.

These women were truly good to him.

Not because of his strength, not because of his resources.

But because of who he was.

"Thank you."

Lin Yuan said softly, a flash of tenderness in his eyes.

"What are you thanking us for!"

Ye Qingyue pouted:

"We are your women; it's only right that we take care of you!"

" right, We are your women."

Ye Qingxue also said softly, a faint blush appearing on her face.

The other goddesses also nodded, their eyes full of adoration.

This scene was witnessed by Murong Xueer not far away.

She stood in a corner of the garden, like a statue carved from ice and jade, quietly observing everything.

In those cold, beautiful eyes, there was no emotional fluctuation.

Only scrutiny.

As the successor of the Murong Family, she had seen too many men.

Those men either showed off their strength in front of her, tried to please her with resources, or pestered her with sweet words.

But Lin Yuan...

Murong Xueer's gaze narrowed slightly.

This man seemed different.

But it was only "seemed."

She wouldn't jump to conclusions easily.

At that moment, Lin Yuan seemed to sense something and suddenly turned his head to look in her direction.

Their eyes met.

Murong Xueer didn't hide, nor did she have any reaction.

She just looked at Lin Yuan calmly, as if looking at an antique waiting to be appraised.

"Xueer, come over and sit."

Lin Yuan waved at her, a faint smile on his lips.

Murong Xueer didn't move immediately.

She just raised an eyebrow slightly, as if considering whether the invitation was worth accepting.

After a moment, she finally took a step and walked over elegantly.

That posture was not one of accepting an invitation, but of granting a favor.

"Sit."

Lin Yuan pointed to the seat next to him.

Murong Xueer sat down beside him, maintaining a proper distance.

Neither too far nor too close, she neither appeared to be throwing herself at him nor did she seem to be keeping him at a distance of thousands of miles.

"Sister Xueer, why were you standing over there alone?"

Ye Qingyue asked curiously:

"Come and play with us!"

Murong Xueer just gave her a faint glance and didn't answer.

That beautiful but difficult-to-approach aura made Ye Qingyue instinctively shrink her neck.

"Sister Xueer is so cold and aloof..."

Ye Qingyue muttered softly and was soon drawn back to Lin Yuan, saying no more.

Murong Xueer sat quietly to the side, like an exquisite porcelain doll.

Her gaze calmly swept over everyone present, finally landing on Lin Yuan.

Observing.

Analyzing.

Evaluating.

This was the instinct of the Murong Family successor.

She noticed that Lin Yuan was very good to every woman.

Not the perfunctory kind of good, but genuine care and pampering.

He would remember each woman's preferences, appear when they needed him, and use various ways to make them happy.

Interesting.

Murong Xueer made a silent evaluation in her heart.

She had seen too many men in the Apocalypse.

Those men either treated women as tools or as objects for venting.

Those who truly respected and cared for women were very few.

But Lin Yuan...

A hint of interest flashed in her eyes.

Just then, Lin Yuan suddenly spoke.

His voice was flat, but it carried a power that couldn't be ignored:

"You've been observing me for a long time."

As soon as these words came out, the surrounding goddesses showed a hint of offense.

Murong Xueer, however, didn't show any expression of embarrassment.

She just nodded slightly and admitted frankly:

"Yes."

One word, concise to the extreme.

"See anything?"

A smile curled at the corners of Lin Yuan's mouth; he seemed very interested in her frankness.

Murong Xueer didn't answer immediately.

Her gaze lingered on Lin Yuan for a moment before she spoke faintly:

"You are very good to them."

"And then?"

"I'm wondering if this is sincerity or a tactic."

Ye Qingyue furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction:

"Brother Lin Yuan is sincere toward us! What right do you have to say that?"

Murong Xueer didn't even look at Ye Qingyue.

Her gaze remained fixed on Lin Yuan, waiting for his answer.

"Qingyue, don't get excited."

Lin Yuan He waved his hand, signaled Ye Qingyue to calm down.

Then, he turned to look at Murong Xueer, a playful smile appearing on his face:

"You want to know the answer?"

Murong Xueer didn't speak, just nodded slightly.

That posture didn't look like she was asking for advice, but more like she was giving Lin Yuan a chance to perform.

Lin Yuan didn't answer immediately.

He picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and looked into the distance with a far-off gaze.

That calm and unhurried posture made it seem as if Murong Xueer's questioning wasn't even worth mentioning.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice flat but carrying a power that couldn't be ignored:

"You're asking the wrong question."

"What?"

Murong Xueer was slightly stunned.

"You asked me why I'm good to them."

Lin Yuan put down his teacup, a faint smile curling at his mouth:

"But have you ever considered—"

"I'm good to them because they are worth it."

"Not because of their Superpower, although their beauty is also one of the reasons."

"But more so because they chose me."

"In this Apocalypse, trust is more precious than gold."

"They've entrusted their lives to me, so naturally, I have to make them feel that this choice was worth it."

Lin Yuan's gaze swept over the goddesses present, a flash of tenderness in his eyes:

"As for exploitation?"

He gave a light laugh, his tone carrying a bit of dominance:

"Whatever I, Lin Yuan, want, I've always taken directly."

"There's no need to exploit anyone."

A strange look flashed in Murong Xueer's eyes.

She had seen too many men.

Those men either said some high-sounding words, like "for the future of humanity" or something similar.

Or they were eager to profess some empty words like "like" or "love."

But Lin Yuan's answer was completely different.

It wasn't pleasing her, nor was it an explanation, but a kind of matter-of-fact dominance.

They are worth it, so I am good to them.

It was that simple, yet so powerful.

Interesting.

Murong Xueer made a silent evaluation in her heart.

Her expression remained calm, showing no emotional fluctuation.

"Aren't you afraid I won't believe you?"

Her voice was still cold, but it carried a hint of subtle testing.

"Whether you believe it or not is your business."

Lin Yuan He shrugged., his tone relaxed:

"I'm just speaking my mind."

"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

"But there's one thing I can guarantee—"

His gaze became sharp, staring directly into Murong Xueer's eyes:

"I, Lin Yuan, never mistreat my own women."

"Whether it's now or in the future."

Murong Xueer's pupils constricted slightly.

From Lin Yuan's eyes, she saw an absolute confidence and sincerity.

That look wasn't acted.

As the successor of the Murong Family, she had insight beyond ordinary people.

She could tell if someone was lying.

And Lin Yuan...

Was not.

Murong Xueer didn't speak, just quietly looked at Lin Yuan.

In those cold, beautiful eyes, a ripple finally appeared for the first time.

Although it was very faint, it definitely existed.

"Alright."

Lin Yuan He stood up with a smile.

He reached out and gently patted the top of Murong Xueer's head.

This action was somewhat casual, yet carried a hint of doting.

Murong Xueer's body stiffened slightly.

As the eldest daughter of the Murong Family, no one had ever dared to treat her like this.

But she didn't dodge.

Nor did she lash out.

She just sat there quietly, letting Lin Yuan's hand rest on the top of her head.

"Since you've come to the Shelter, you're one of my people."

Lin Yuan's voice was flat, but it carried a power that brooked no question:

"Whether you believe it or not, I will be good to you."

"When you've figured it out, come find me."

After speaking, he turned and left.

The goddesses followed suit, leaving Murong Xueer sitting alone on the stone bench.

Murong Xueer sat there quietly, her gaze falling on Lin Yuan's retreating back.

Her hand instinctively rose to touch the top of her head.

There seemed to be a lingering trace of warmth there.

"Interesting..."

She muttered softly, a faint, almost imperceptible curve appearing at the corner of her mouth.

This was the first time she had smiled since coming to the Shelter.

Although it was very faint and almost unnoticeable.

But it definitely existed.

"Lin Yuan..."

She silently repeated the name in her heart, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes.

Not infatuation, but curiosity.

This man was different from all the men she had ever seen.

He was worth her spending more time to observe.

As night fell, Murong Xueer returned to her room.

She didn't rest immediately but sat by the window, quietly watching the moonlight outside.

The moonlight was like water, spilling onto her peerless profile and outlining a faint silver edge.

In her mind, the scenes from the day kept replaying.

Lin Yuan's words.

Lin Yuan's eyes.

And that casual yet natural movement when Lin Yuan patted the top of her head.

Her hand rose again, touching the top of her head.

"Interesting."

She said softly, a faint, almost imperceptible curve appearing at the corner of her mouth.

As the successor of the Murong Family, she had seen too many men.

Those men either showed off their strength in front of her, tried to please her with resources, or pestered her with sweet words.

Not a single person had ever dared to treat her like Lin Yuan did.

Casually patting her head.

Saying "you're one of my people" as if it were a matter of course.

This gave her a sense of novelty.