Chapter 40: Queuing for Paychecks, Instant Noodles Win Hearts!

The three pairs of eyes behind the door gap all trembled in unison the moment they met Su Ze's gaze.

Jiang Yuwan was the first to react. She composed her expression, pushed open the Dormitory door, and stepped out.

Yao Qingya and Liu Qiaofei followed closely behind.

When these three women stood side by side with Su Meier, who was beside Su Ze,

the group of girls in the hallway who had just survived a life-or-death struggle and were slumped on the floor felt their eyes sting deeply once more.

It was a visual impact impossible to describe with words.

Jiang Yuwan wore a beige trench coat; although her hair was slightly disheveled,

the aura of a cool, mature beauty emanating from her very bones remained undiminished.

Yao Qingya, dressed in an elegant floral-print dress, still carried a trace of lingering worry on her classically oval face.

Her scholarly air, born of extensive reading, made her seem like a woman who had stepped out of an ancient painting—gentle and delicate, evoking pity.

Liu Qiaofei, who peeked out last, was a completely different style.

A simple T-shirt and jeans complemented her pure, adorable, youthful face; her large eyes were filled with innocence and admiration.

The appearance of these three girls made the breath of all the girls slumped in the hallway hitch in unison.

Li Jiaxin and Lin Shiyu stiffened even more.

When Su Ze had previously rejected them for "not being pretty enough," they had only seen Jiang Yuwan who opened the door.

At that time, though resentful, they had accepted it,

after all, Jiang Yuwan was the widely acknowledged intellectual beauty Counselor, with top-tier looks and temperament.

But they never imagined that this Dormitory hid two other women!

Yao Qingya! Liu Qiaofei!

Two of Jinghai University's four great campus belles were right here!

Add to that the bewitchingly seductive supermarket owner Su Meier, who had just been cozying up to that man in his arms...

An indescribable sense of defeat surged in their hearts.

So... they really weren't pretty enough to catch his eye.

The other girls also recognized them and were stunned one by one.

Then, feeling ashamed of their own inferiority, they lowered their heads.

They had previously thought they might be able to exchange "labor" for the qualification to rent weapons.

But now it seemed they had been overthinking.

He, possessing four peerless beauties, truly looked down on them.

Jiang Yuwan paid no mind to the complex gazes around her; she simply explained calmly to Su Ze.

"We woke up from the first loud noise."

"We just saw they were dealing with the zombies and were afraid coming out would distract them, so we didn't rashly emerge."

"Senior! You're really amazing!" Liu Qiaofei, however, wasn't as composed as Jiang Yuwan.

She rushed to Su Ze's side in a few quick steps, her sparkling eyes full of little stars.

"So... you were hiding your strength before!"

Yao Qingya didn't speak, just hurried forward.

Her gaze carefully examined Su Ze from head to toe, as if checking for even the tiniest wound.

The worry in her gentle eyes was almost overflowing.

Su Ze shook his head to indicate he was fine,

then turned slightly and pointed to Su Meier beside him.

"Su Meier is also my tenant. Get along well."

Upon hearing this, the three women reacted differently.

"Boss Su, I've long heard of your reputation." Jiang Yuwan spoke coolly, giving Su Meier a slight nod.

Her tone betrayed neither joy nor anger, but she silently complained in her heart.

This dog man has ruined another one.

"Hello..." Yao Qingya also forced a slightly strained smile and nodded.

A pang of bitterness welled up in her heart. There were more and more women around Su Ze,

and such a... clearly skilled, seductive siren at that.

In the future, would there still be a place for her in his heart?

Only Liu Qiaofei, guileless,

had long heard of Su Meier's name. Now, curious, she stepped forward, chattering a greeting.

"Hello, big sister Boss! I'm Liu Qiaofei. You're so beautiful!"

Su Meier was perceptive; she immediately discerned the different attitudes of the three women.

Uncertain if Su Ze disliked rivalry among women, she chose the safest approach.

She warmly took Liu Qiaofei's hand and flashed an intimate, seamless smile at Jiang Yuwan and Yao Qingya, as if they were old friends who had known each other for years.

"Hello, Professor Jiang. Hello, Qing Ya. I've often heard people mention you. From now on, we're family. Let's take care of each other."

Jiang Yuwan responded with detached politeness.

Yao Qingya also sensed the goodwill; the bitterness in her heart lessened slightly, but she still didn't know what to say, only managing to return a smile.

In contrast, the simple-minded Liu Qiaofei quickly started chatting animatedly with her.

"Enough." Su Ze cut short their pleasantries. "Everyone go help pick up all the copper coins on the floor."

The four women immediately scattered obediently, beginning to collect the shiny copper coins from the messy floor.

Su Ze's gaze returned to the group of girls led by Liu Yuanfang.

"You all did very well."

With that, he willed it,

and directly took out a large pile of compressed biscuits and bottled water from his backpack, piling them into a small hill on the floor.

"The promised reward: one bottle of water and three packs of compressed biscuits per person. Line up and come get it yourselves."

The girls, who had just felt inferior after seeing Su Ze's "harem,"

perked up upon hearing this. Struggling, they helped each other up and silently formed a line.

However, when they received the meager "salary" from Su Ze's hands,

a complex, hard-to-express emotion inevitably welled up in many of their hearts.

They had risked their lives, faced the danger of being torn apart, almost draining the last of their strength,

and in exchange, they got only these most basic, even crude, survival supplies.

An indescribable sense of grievance and disappointment spread through them.

But they dared not voice any complaint, not even show it,

afraid this cold-blooded, cruel man would take back even this meager means of survival.

No one spoke.

The atmosphere in the hallway became silent and oppressive for a moment.

Soon, everyone had received their share of rations,

and silently retreated to the side, heads bowed, lost in thought.

Yet, amidst this oppressive silence, Su Ze made a new move.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, Su Ze poured out a large pile of items from his player backpack with a clatter.

Braised Beef, Mushroom Chicken Stew, Old Altar Pickled Vegetable, Prickly Ash Pepper Sliced Pork...

The familiar packaging, printed with pictures of various tempting flavors, made all the girls' pupils instantly dilate!

It was instant noodles!

"Your reward."

Su Ze's voice, at this moment, seemed to carry magic.

"Hot water provided. One cup per person. Choose your own flavor."

Boom——!

These words were like a bomb dropped into a calm lake!

After a brief dead silence, an uncontrollable wave of ecstasy instantly overwhelmed all the girls!

"In... instant noodles?"

One girl muttered in disbelief, her voice trembling.

"Oh my god! Instant noodles! And... and he'll give us hot water to make them?!"

"Am I dreaming?"

All the grievance, disappointment, and resentment from only receiving biscuits and a bottle of water... were washed away cleanly in this instant!

In fact, a strong sense of guilt surged in their hearts!

So... so Boss Su Ze really would give us a reward!

He wasn't lying to us!

"Wah..."

One girl could no longer hold back, covering her mouth, and burst into tears.

Her crying acted like a switch, instantly igniting everyone's emotions.

"Wuwuwu... thank you... thank you, Boss Su Ze..."

"I... I thought... wuwuwu..."

The crying became a chorus.

They weren't just crying over getting a cup of instant noodles.

It was the happiness of being hit by a pleasant surprise after experiencing endless despair and fear,

and the hope of being able to keep following Su Ze to survive!

Liu Yuanfang, Li Jiaxin, Lin Shiyu, and the others also reddened their eyes.

Looking at that composed and calm man, besides awe, they felt an inexpressible emotion.

This man forced them to grow in the cruelest way,

then, with the simplest, most direct warmth, easily won over all their hearts.

He was like the most skilled hunter, precisely manipulating everyone's psychology.

First a blow, then a piece of candy sweet enough to melt the heart.

At this moment, no one felt wronged anymore.

All that remained in everyone's hearts was pure, overflowing gratitude.