204: Is the young general planning to use us as bodyguards?

Ai Yue and the others glanced at each other, none of them intending to speak.

Ai Yue didn't want to; they were still on his territory, so it wouldn't be good to oppose him directly.

Although they all had the ability to not care about his feelings, a massive number of zombies were gathered outside their base. Previously, Gu Xiheng and his people were the ones asking for help, but now that crystal cores had been discovered, the situation had reversed.

They didn't want to leave. After killing the zombies, they needed a place to stay, didn't they?

Besides, adding one more person didn't matter, so they might as well take him along.

Thinking of this, Ai Yue said, "It's not impossible to include you, but only you! Since you've chosen to join our team, you must follow our rules. How about it?"

Hearing Ai Yue's agreement, he felt a faint sense of joy. His usually cold and hard voice softened significantly as he replied, "Alright, no problem. I'll listen to you!"

Seeing his desperate expression, Gong Qiuqiu couldn't stop rolling his eyes in contempt.

None of them objected, and they finally agreed to let Gu Xiheng join.

"Alright then, let's leave it at that for today. We'll set off tomorrow morning at sunrise!" Ai Yue concluded.

"Okay!"

The next day arrived quickly. Gu Xiheng, along with Gu Xitian, Cheng Siyu, and Yan Li—four people in total—arrived on time at the base entrance to wait. A moment later, Ai Yue and her group also arrived.

From a distance, Ai Yue frowned when she saw Gu Xiheng and the others. Walking up to them, she said expressionlessly, "Gu Xiheng, let's go."

Gu Xiheng didn't notice Ai Yue's cold expression, nor did he care about the others' suddenly icy faces. Instead, he smiled slightly and said, "Alright, let's go."

As he spoke, the three people behind him followed in his footsteps.

Seeing this, Ai Yue laughed out of anger and stopped in her tracks. "Gu Xiheng, you're a grown man. Do you still need people to see you off when you go out on a mission?"

"Ai Yue, don't talk to my brother like that! Who do you think you are? Besides, we're going out on a mission too. What do you mean, seeing him off?" Since her Superpower had upgraded, Gu Xitian had become increasingly arrogant and was no longer afraid of Ai Yue, speaking with a domineering air.

Ai Yue looked directly at Gu Xiheng and asked coldly, "Is that so?"

Only then did Gu Xiheng realize that Ai Yue was unhappy, but he didn't think there was anything wrong with bringing two more people.

He said, "It's like this: I'm taking them out for some experience. Living in the Apocalypse, how can one not face danger directly?"

The gaze in Ai Yue's eyes turned completely cold, and the last shred of friendship she felt for Gu Xiheng gradually vanished.

"What? Does the Young General want to use us as bodyguards? Heh... Did you forget? We agreed yesterday that only you could join. You couldn't have forgotten after just one night, could you? Or do you think my words can be ignored? You're clearly not... showing us any respect."

"Ai Yue, I didn't mean it like that. It's just three more people. Besides, they aren't helpless; they can help us too. Bringing them along will only increase our strength!"

"Then why don't you bring the whole base out? Wouldn't that be even stronger? Maybe you could wipe out all the zombies outside in one go," Ye Rui said angrily.

"What are you talking about? What's wrong with bringing us along? Is it just because we don't get along with Ai Yue that you don't want to take us? Pfft! Who cares about teaming up with you? If my brother hadn't insisted on it, we would have gone out to collect crystal cores long ago with our own abilities. Why would we need to wait for you?"

Gu Xitian said with a look of disdain.

"You..." Ye Rui was about to retaliate but was sharply interrupted by Gu Xiheng.

"Xitian, if you don't speak, no one will think you're a mute! Shut your mouth!"

Ye Rui was left speechless and even angrier; nothing good ever happened whenever she encountered these two jinxes.

"Oh, alright, Xiheng. Xitian didn't say anything wrong; it's not her fault this time, so don't blame her. If anyone's to blame, it's you for always siding with outsiders and letting your own people suffer. You should know that you're the Second-in-Command of the Yingjin Safety Tower and the heir to the Gu Clan. Why do you have to be so welcoming to those people? With your status, humbling yourself to be friends with them and getting snubbed like this—where's your dignity?"

Cheng Siyu brushed her hand against Gu Xiheng's arm and spoke flirtatiously. At this moment, there was none of her usual cold beauty; her eyes were full of charm, like an alluring enchantress.

"Enough, Siyu. Don't say that. There's no difference in status or position between us. Besides, I truly want to be friends with them. You mustn't speak like that again."

Cheng Siyu looked at Gu Xiheng with deep affection and said with a smile, "Alright, in our family, we all listen to you!"

Gu Xiheng felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this and let out a light cough.

Ai Yue's gaze remained icy throughout. Only after they finished speaking did she say, "Gu Xiheng, I regret it!"

Gu Xiheng didn't understand what Ai Yue meant and stared at her. "What?" The others also looked at Ai Yue, wondering what she regretted.

"I regret giving you face time and time again!"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Gu Xiheng's brow furrowed deeply.

Ai Yue had no interest in further conversation and gave a soft huff. He had allowed the people around him to insult her repeatedly; she couldn't bear to be the "friend" he claimed to treat seriously.

And she, for the sake of their past friendship, had overlooked things again and again, but what did she get in return?

It was his subconscious belief that it was fine for her to be bullied by his family, fine to disrespect her, and fine to ignore her words. Looking at it now, it really was her own fault; she had spoiled him.

Ai Yue looked at her loved ones around her with regret. Li Shilan, Gong Qiuqiu, and the others smiled at her, indicating that it was okay.

Originally, she had wanted to help Gu Xiheng resolve the Zombie Siege while also collecting crystal cores and providing everyone with a safe and comfortable place to rest.

She had forgotten that her fate clashed with this Safety Tower. Every time she encountered them, nothing good happened. This time, she had even sought them out herself; the thought was truly annoying.

Now, she didn't want to stay here for even a moment longer.

It was just a pity that they wouldn't have a safe resting place after fighting zombies in the future.

Seeing that no one minded, Ai Yue made up her mind to leave the Yingjin Safety Tower then and there.

As the group reached the main gate, Mo Li arrived panting and shouted in condemnation, "I just went back to see my aunt, and you actually tried to sneak off and leave me behind to collect crystal cores? You even brought this little brat who only holds everyone back, so why didn't you bring me?" As he spoke, he pointed at Gu Xitian indignantly.