35: Chapter 35 Teacher Bai, I'm a little short-tempered (5000-word bonus chapter)

The next morning.

Lin Yuan gathered the three women in the spacious living room.

The living room of this villa was a full eighty square meters, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, leather sofas, and a crystal chandelier...

Before the Apocalypse, this was a place for the wealthy to enjoy a luxurious life.

But now, these luxuries had lost their meaning.

The only things that had meaning were the villa's sturdy walls and complete defensive facilities.

Bai Xingli's weak body had recovered quite a bit after a night's rest.

But she still remained on guard.

She sat on the very edge of the sofa, hands on her knees, posture upright, her eyes vigilant.

This man was too dangerous.

She would never forget the scene from yesterday where he killed ten people with a single punch.

That cold-bloodedness, that decisiveness, that terrifying power...

It simply wasn't human.

Ye Qingxue and Ye Qingyue sat on the other side. The sisters were wearing thick cotton clothes and looked to be in good spirits.

Lin Yuan stood in the center of the living room, his back to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Against the light, his figure appeared exceptionally tall.

"From today on, this will be our new Shelter."

Lin Yuan said calmly, his voice not loud, but filled with unquestionable authority.

"The rules are simple: the first floor is a public area, the master bedroom on the second floor belongs to me, the sisters will stay in the secondary bedroom, and Bai Xingli will stay in the small bedroom on the third floor."

He paused and his gaze swept over the three women.

"Food and water will be distributed by me—the basic daily ration for each person is one bottle of E-grade water plus a small amount of food; those who perform well can receive rewards."

Hearing this obvious "reward system," a flash of realization crossed Bai Xingli's eyes.

She was a senior lecturer at Jiangcheng University, teaching psychology and sociology.

Although her professional knowledge was of little use in the Apocalypse, her rational thinking skills were still sharp.

She instantly understood Lin Yuan's method of control:

Through resource monopoly and differentiated rewards, he made everyone dependent on him.

This was a classic theory of domestication.

First, establish absolute control over resources, then use "rewards" and "punishments" to shape behavior.

Over time.

The controlled will subconsciously curry favor with the controller to obtain more resources.

A very clever tactic.

And... very effective.

Bai Xingli glanced at Ye Qingyue and Ye Qingxue.

Both girls nodded silently, without any intention of resisting.

Obviously, they were already accustomed to these rules.

"I understand. A reasonable distribution system."

Bai Xingli nodded expressionlessly.

She knew very well that in this Apocalypse, resistance was meaningless.

Lin Yuan had food, water, the antidote, and terrifying strength.

And she had nothing.

Resistance would only make her die faster.

"Very good."

Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Teacher Bai, you are very smart, which makes things a lot simpler."

He took three bottles of E-grade mineral water from his system space and handed them to the three women respectively.

"This is today's basic supplies."

The three women took the water, and Bai Xingli carefully observed the transparent bottle in her hand.

It contained a pale blue liquid that emitted a faint fluorescence.

She had drunk a bottle yesterday, and its magical effect had stunned her.

Not only did it remove the snow poison, but it also instantly eliminated hunger and fatigue.

It was simply a miracle.

"Additionally."

Lin Yuan continued.

"I will go out from time to time to scavenge for supplies. At least one of you three must accompany me. It's both to help and to learn how to survive in the Apocalypse."

He looked at Bai Xingli.

"Teacher Bai, your observation skills are also very sharp. I will prioritize taking you out."

Bai Xingli's heart tightened.

Go out?

It was so dangerous outside, with evolved creatures everywhere...

But she quickly calmed down.

Lin Yuan doing this was both to test her abilities and to let her see reality clearly.

To make her understand that without him, she simply couldn't survive.

This was also a method of control.

"I understand."

Bai Xingli said calmly.

"I will cooperate with you."

Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

He liked smart people.

Smart people knew what should be done and what shouldn't.

...

For the next half day, Bai Xingli kept observing.

She sat on the living room sofa, ostensibly resting, but in reality, her eyes were tracking every move the sisters made.

She saw Ye Qingyue's intimacy with Lin Yuan.

Taking the initiative to help Lin Yuan organize the supplies scavenged from the supermarket.

Occasionally acting spoiled: "Brother Lin Yuan, where should this go?"

Her eyes were full of dependence and adoration.

Just like... just like a tamed kitten.

This 19-year-old girl had completely fallen.

Bai Xingli sighed inwardly.

She saw Ye Qingxue again—

Although she remained outwardly aloof and spoke very little.

But her body language betrayed her.

She was no longer tense or resistant, even taking the water Lin Yuan handed her, and her eyes had become submissive.

When Lin Yuan touched her head, she would subconsciously close her eyes, revealing a hint of enjoyment.

Although it was only for a split second, Bai Xingli still caught it.

Bai Xingli concluded in her heart:

Both of them had been "domesticated."

Under the pressure of survival and Lin Yuan's absolute protection, their psychological defenses had collapsed.

Their current obedience was both a rational choice and a psychological dependency.

Perhaps... they might have already fallen in love with this man.

Stockholm syndrome.

In extreme environments, the controlled develop an emotional dependency on the controller.

This is a weakness of human psychology.

Bai Xingli looked at her own hands and thought:

Will I become like that too?

No... I must stay clear-headed.

I can compromise, I can trade, but I cannot lose my reason.

I must always remember—this is just a transaction.

Using my body and obedience to exchange for a chance at survival.

Nothing more.

...

Noon.

Lin Yuan took some food out from his system space.

It was all sealed canned goods and vacuum-packed food scavenged from the supermarket.

Although not much, it was enough for the four of them to have a meal.

"Eat."

Lin Yuan said calmly.

The three women took the food, and Bai Xingli opened a can of luncheon meat.

The meat inside had already spoiled a bit and was emitting a strange smell.

But at least it was still edible.

She ate in small bites while calculating in her mind.

The current supplies were still sufficient, but they definitely wouldn't last too long.

Lin Yuan would continue to go out and scavenge, and she had to prove her value.

Otherwise...

She dared not think further.

After the meal, Lin Yuan suddenly said:

"Teacher Bai, come with me."

Bai Xingli was stunned and put down the empty can in her hand: "Where to?"

"The second floor."

Lin Yuan said calmly.

"I have something to discuss with you."

Bai Xingli's heart tightened.

The second floor... the master bedroom...

She took a deep breath, stood up, and followed Lin Yuan upstairs.

Ye Qingyue and Ye Qingxue exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking.

...

The master bedroom was large, at least fifty square meters.

Floor-to-ceiling windows, a large bed, a walk-in closet, an en-suite bathroom...

Everything was there.

Lin Yuan closed the door and looked at Bai Xingli.

"Sit."

He pointed to the side of the bed.

Bai Xingli hesitated for a moment, then sat on the edge of the bed, her body tense.

Lin Yuan did not sit down but walked directly in front of Bai Xingli.

Looking down at her from above.

"Teacher Bai, I'll be direct."

His voice was cold but carried an unquestionable dominance.

"In this Apocalypse, the rules are simple—the strong control everything, and the weak can only obey."

Bai Xingli raised her head and looked at Lin Yuan.

A sense of unease welled up in her heart.

"You are very smart, so you should understand."

Lin Yuan continued.

"You have two choices now: either leave here and fend for yourself, or stay and become my possession."

Bai Xingli's pupils contracted slightly.

Possession.

This word was naked and undisguised.

"I..."

She wanted to say something, but Lin Yuan interrupted her.

"I don't need your opinion; I only need your answer."

Lin Yuan said coldly.

"Your body, your intelligence, everything about you, will belong to me. In exchange, I will give you food, water, and the antidote, letting you survive and letting you grow stronger. This is not a transaction; this is my charity."

He leaned down, used his finger to lift Bai Xingli's chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes.

"Understand? Teacher Bai. In this house, I have the final say. You have no qualifications to bargain."

Bai Xingli bit her lip, a flash of humiliation and unwillingness in her eyes.

But she quickly calmed down.

She took a deep breath.

Reason told her—Lin Yuan was right.

She had no choice.

"I... I understand."

She said softly.

"I am willing... to become your... possession."

Lin Yuan smiled with satisfaction.

"Very good. At least you are smart enough to know what the right choice is."

He let go and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"From tonight on, you are my woman. Remember, I don't like disobedient women. Qingxue and Qingyue are both very well-behaved, and I hope you will be too."

Bai Xingli kept her head down, a complex mix of emotions in her heart.

Humiliation, unwillingness, anger...

But in the end, it all turned into a sigh.

"I will... be obedient."

She said softly.

Lin Yuan stood up and walked to the door.

"Tonight, dress a bit sexier. Actually, I quite like mature women; perhaps this is your advantage."

He said without looking back.

"Don't let me down, Teacher Bai."

After saying this, he pushed the door open and left.

Leaving only Bai Xingli alone, sitting by the bed, her body trembling slightly.

...

On the afternoon of the third day.

Bai Xingli took the initiative to offer to help Lin Yuan organize the supplies.

She sorted and neatly arranged the medicine they had scavenged from the supermarket.

"These anti-inflammatory drugs are still usable, and these painkillers should be kept for emergencies... Lin Yuan, in the Apocalypse, knowing how to use medicine is very important."

She said while organizing.

Her voice was gentle, and her attitude was respectful.

It was completely unlike the wariness and coldness when they first met yesterday.

Lin Yuan hadn't been idle these past two days either; he had to drink a fixed amount of 100 bottles of d-grade mineral water every day.

Every day, as long as one of the three women put him in a good mood, Lin Yuan would give them a few bottles of mineral water.

Among them, Bai Xingli was considered satisfactory by Lin Yuan.

This woman was much more sensible than the sisters had been initially.

Of course, the biggest factor back then was actually that Lin Yuan possessed terrifying strength.

Otherwise, he would never have spent so long with the sisters.

Lin Yuan watched her every move—mature, attentive, and sensible.

This was exactly the type of supportive woman he needed.

He walked over and patted her head.

Bai Xingli blushed, but she didn't dodge; instead, she looked up at him.

"This is part of the deal. I will prove that I am useful."

Lin Yuan looked at her expression, and his heart stirred.

A mature woman is indeed different.

He leaned over, getting close to her, and whispered in her ear:

"Teacher Bai, I'm feeling a bit heated."

Bai Xingli's body trembled, and her face turned even redder.

But she quickly adjusted her mindset and said softly:

"I understand."

Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

...

Just as Lin Yuan was comfortably enjoying Bai Xingli's focused treatment.

"Rumble—"

The ground suddenly shook, interrupting Lin Yuan!

Exclamations from Ye Qingyue and Ye Qingxue came from downstairs.

"What's going on?!"

Lin Yuan frowned; from his position, he could just see outside the window.

Through the window, he saw a huge evolved bear that had broken into the villa's courtyard.

The bear was nearly three meters tall, weighed at least a ton, and was covered in knotted muscles, with sharp fangs and blood-red eyes.

It roared and charged towards the villa, each step making the ground shake.

"What a mood killer."

Lin Yuan snorted impatiently.

He glanced at the shy Bai Xingli behind him and shook his head:

"Forget it, I happen to have some pent-up heat inside; I'll use this beast to vent."

Hearing this, Bai Xingli's face turned even redder, and she couldn't help but swallow hard.

She knew what "heat" Lin Yuan was referring to.

Lin Yuan pushed the door open and walked downstairs lazily.

His movements were unhurried, as if he were going for a walk.

Ye Qingyue and Ye Qingxue were hiding in the living room, their faces pale.

"Big Brother Lin Yuan, there's a monster outside!"

Ye Qingyue shouted in terror.

"I know."

Lin Yuan said calmly.

"Stay hidden, don't come out."

After saying this, he pushed the door open and walked toward the courtyard.

Bai Xingli also came down from upstairs, hiding behind the window to observe.

She wanted to see just how strong Lin Yuan really was.

In the courtyard.

The evolved bear roared and lunged!

Its massive bear paw swiped toward Lin Yuan's head—

Extremely fast! Terrifying power!

Ye Qingyue exclaimed: "Watch out!"

But Lin Yuan couldn't even be bothered to dodge.

He simply raised his right hand and caught the bear paw casually.

"Bang!"

The immense force caused cracks to appear on the ground.

Gravel flew everywhere.

But Lin Yuan didn't budge an inch.

He even yawned.

"Is that it?"

Lin Yuan sneered.

The pent-up anger inside him exploded instantly!

"Get lost!"

With a low shout, he backhanded a punch!

"Boom!!!"

The terrifying power was like a cannonball firing!

The evolved bear's entire body was blasted away, crashing through the courtyard wall and flying over twenty meters away.

Bricks and stones fell like rain.

It struggled to stand up, but Lin Yuan had already leisurely walked in front of it.

Another punch!

"Crack—"

The evolved bear's sternum shattered completely, and its internal organs were pulverized.

Its massive body collapsed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then went completely still.

Throughout the entire process, Lin Yuan didn't even pant.

His expression didn't even change.

It was just like casually swatting a fly.

Bai Xingli's pupils constricted violently, and her heart raced!

She covered her mouth with both hands, unable to believe everything she was seeing.

That was a three-meter-tall giant bear!

A monster that could smash a wall with one slap!

But in front of Lin Yuan, it was like paper, killed in just two punches!

And Lin Yuan's expression...

That ease, that casualness...

It was just like he had casually swatted a fly just now.

"This... how is this possible... how can a human be so strong..."

She muttered to herself, her body trembling slightly.

Although Ye Qingyue and Ye Qingxue were also frightened, their eyes were filled more with admiration and excitement.

"Big Brother Lin Yuan is so amazing!"

Ye Qingyue said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.

"A monster of this level is nothing to Lin Yuan."

Ye Qingxue also said calmly.

Bai Xingli looked at the sisters in shock.

They had completely gotten used to Lin Yuan's terrifying strength.

Even... taking this kind of crushing battle for granted.

Lin Yuan clapped his hands and walked back into the house lazily.

"So dirty."

He said casually, walking toward the bathroom.

"Teacher Bai, wait for me to take a shower."

He looked back at Bai Xingli and said meaningfully:

"Then, we'll continue what we were doing earlier."

Bai Xingli blushed, her heart rate accelerating.

She understood what Lin Yuan meant.

"I... I understand."

She said in a low voice.

Lin Yuan smiled in satisfaction and walked into the bathroom.

Bai Xingli watched his back, a complex emotion welling up in her heart.

Fear, awe, and also... a hint of unspeakable excitement?

That scene just now was too shocking.

That absolute power, that overwhelming strength...

Made her, a rational woman, develop an instinctive admiration for strength.

Women admire strength.

This is an instinct deep in the genes.

Especially someone like her.

Especially in this kind of Apocalypse environment.

Following such a powerful man...

Not only can one survive, but... one can even live very well.

Bai Xingli took a deep breath and adjusted her mindset.

...

Night fell.

Bai Xingli returned to her room, and just as she was ready to go out and fulfill her promise to Lin Yuan, she heard a light knock on the door.

"Teacher Bai... are you asleep?"

It was Ye Qingxue's voice.

"Come in."

Bai Xingli sat up, wearing tempting pajamas at the moment.

Ye Qingxue pushed the door open and entered, seeing Bai Xingli's appearance.

She understood something in her heart and said with a bitter smile:

"Teacher Bai... have you also... accepted reality?"

Bai Xingli was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Qingxue, I'm six years older than you, and I've seen more things."

"In the Apocalypse, surviving is the most important thing!"

She paused, then continued softly:

"This afternoon, I saw with my own eyes how he killed that giant bear with one punch... That kind of power is simply not something a human can possess. Following him is our only way to survive."

Ye Qingxue was silent, then asked softly:

"Teacher Bai... do you think we can still escape?"

Bai Xingli shook her head:

"Escape? Where to? Outside is full of monsters and snow poison; the three of us women wouldn't last three days without Lin Yuan. Since that's the case... we might as well adapt to this new world."

Ye Qingxue's eyes turned red: "But... I'm not reconciled..."

Bai Xingli sighed: "I'm not reconciled either."

She paused, then said again:

"But Qingxue, I've observed him for a whole day. Although Lin Yuan is overbearing and cold, he has principles."

"As long as we are obedient, he will protect us and give us resources to become stronger. A man like this... in the Apocalypse, is already the best choice."

She paused for a moment, her face blushing slightly:

"And... he just promised me that he would give me d-grade water tomorrow, so I can become stronger too."

Bai Xingli felt helpless; although Lin Yuan had been giving her mineral water to drink for these three days.

It was only e-grade mineral water. Bai Xingli understood that Lin Yuan meant that only after she became his woman.

could she drink d-grade mineral water to improve her strength...

Ye Qingxue looked up at Teacher Bai.

"You're right."

She said softly.

"At least... he saved us and is slowly making us stronger. It's much better than those men who only know how to take and don't give anything in return."

The two women looked at each other, both seeing compromise and helplessness in the other's eyes.