Chapter 262: Upper citizens refuse to become dust citizens—this is a total reversal of the heavenly order

Ye Heng had already stood up by this point, watching the boy's face gradually regain color, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Zeng Yan looked at Ye Heng with a complex expression, not knowing what the other's motive could be, yet he actually gave away such precious food.

But they really saved Xiao Lao San, this favor, he must repay.

"What should I call you, brother? I'm Zeng Yan, the uncle of these kids."

Ye Heng was equally straightforward, speaking openly:

"Ye Heng, captain of Bi Hu Suo, the previous offer—would you like to reconsider it, Zeng Yan? If you join my refuge, you'll never lack food or clothing."

Zeng Yan's eyes flickered, and he naturally felt somewhat moved.

In the past, those who invited him relied only on smooth talk, with arrogant attitudes, as if joining them were a favor, which is why he felt strong aversion.

But Ye Heng is different—he is polite and sincere, and most importantly, he used a precious sweet potato to save Xiao Lao San's life.

Zeng Yan wavered; he wasn't blind to how Ye Heng and his group stood out.

Each of them had a ruddy complexion and wore brand-new cotton jackets, looking warm at a glance.

From this, it's clear their refuge must be quite wealthy—at least the best-conditioned refuge he has seen so far.

"To be honest, I'm grateful for your invitation, but I can't accept—my family and friends need me, young and old; without me, they couldn't survive."

Having spoken, Zeng Yan almost without hesitation walked toward the three boys and hoisted the cargo rack again.

The three boys, however, stood rooted in place, not moving.

They glanced at each other, then almost in unison said:

"Uncle, go with them; with your abilities, you'll surely have enough to eat and wear, never again suffer hunger and cold—we don't want you to give up such a good opportunity because of us."

"Those refuges before looked unimpressive, but this time it's different—this Uncle Ye is a good person."

The boy who had eaten the sweet potato looked at Ye Heng, his tone earnest.

"Uncle Ye, you have many people—take Uncle Zeng with you; he'll surely live better with you, we're merely his neighbors, not kin, and we have no obligation to drag him down."

Zeng Yan never expected the three little rascals to do this; moved, he felt increasingly reluctant.

Ye Heng saw this and couldn't help but be moved by their bond.

His nearby teammates also couldn't help but sigh.

"These days, seeing such selfless people is rare; these three boys are also fine—they understand gratitude, and even knowing they might lose a protector because of it, none of them regret it."

"Yeah." Ye Heng couldn't help but nod, then said:

"How about this, Zeng Yan—how many people are in your camp, and what's the situation?"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Yan's hope ignited, and he immediately described their camp's situation.

Most of the camp are neighbors from the same residential block, having weathered wind and rain together for ten years, long treating each other as family.

It's just a fifty‑person team, with only Zeng Yan as a young adult; the rest are elders, women, and children—teenagers can help with chores but can't bear heavy loads.

The whole team relies solely on Zeng Yan to keep it going.

Ye Heng thought for a moment and said:

"For fifty people, that's not impossible—here's the idea: this is our refuge's coordinates; go back and discuss it with your crew. If you're willing to take the risk, set out for those coordinates. As long as you arrive, I can take you in and guarantee you'll have enough food and clothing, and I won't enslave you."

Ye Heng didn't give a direct answer; instead, he offered Zeng Yan a choice.

A fifty‑person team is exactly what our refuge desperately needs, and increasing its population would also benefit the refuge.

But Ye Heng also realizes that if this team truly has only Zeng Yan with solid survival skills, then the refuge would have to bear the food, clothing, housing, and travel of the remaining forty‑nine.

This is clearly a losing proposition; even if he wanted to be kind, he must consider the refuge's overall development and his responsibility to others.

Moreover, if the refuge keeps taking in people with this configuration—few young adults, many elderly, weak, women, and children—then not only will the refuge face a huge burden, but Lin Meng's burden will increase as well.

After careful consideration, Ye Heng still decided to give Zeng Yan's team a test.

If they have the determination and successfully reach the refuge, that will prove the team possesses some mobility and self‑defense capability.

As long as that happens, perhaps the other refuge members will be more willing to accept them.

After receiving the coordinates, Zeng Yan gave Ye Heng a deep look and left with the three boys.

After they left, a teammate finally furrowed his brows and said:

"Captain, a fifty‑person team has managed to survive this long; if it truly hinges on Zeng Yan alone, then this brother is indeed impressive—but it's a shame that inviting him means taking on the remaining forty‑nine elderly, weak, women, and children, which really isn't worthwhile."

Everyone knows full well that in this wasteland age, occasional acts of kindness remind us of our humanity; we mustn't be utterly cold‑blooded.

But if kindness runs rampant, it may well be the start of a descent into the abyss.

Their refuge wants to expand its population, needing those who can fight and kill, or possess special skills; once they take in too many elderly needing care or children needing more room to grow, it amounts to pushing the refuge toward destruction.

Ye Heng sighed upon hearing this and said:

"Yeah, that's why I gave them the chance to choose for themselves—if they can reach the refuge safely, I'll accept them."

"A fifty‑person team that has survived to this point must be extremely united; although its overall strength is too weak, it still has some merits—let's give them a chance."

"……"

At the same time, inside the Thirteenth Special Zone, Song Zhi and his team had finished gathering; behind them were their families and assorted luggage, the scene quite impressive.

The news that an entire B‑rank squad had renounced their Upper Citizen status and was setting out with family in tow for a tiny refuge beyond had already been spreading through the 13th Special Zone for days.

Upon hearing that Song Zhi's party would depart today, everyone flocked to watch the spectacle.

"Haha, truly a sight to behold—I've never seen anyone give up Upper Citizen status to become a Dust Citizen before; it's simply overturning the natural order."

"Which refuge could make them so willingly head out? Looking at them, they don't seem to regret leaving the Thirteenth Special Zone at all."

"Take a closer look—only Captain Song and his teammates appear calm; their families' faces aren't looking so good."

"……"

The onlookers chattered incessantly, but Song Zhi remained unmoved, still earnestly persuading his own family and the relatives of his teammates.

"Please rest assured, everyone—I'm Song Zhi, and you should know what kind of person I am; I won't lead you into a pit of fire. Once you reach that refuge, you'll see what's really going on."

The families remained uneasy in their hearts.

After all, the onlookers are right—how could anyone in this world prefer to be a commoner rather than an elite?

Song Zhi's wife looked resentful.

"You better think it through—once we step out this door, from now on we'll all be commoners again."

Song Zhi looked determined—"Let's set off, Brother Ye is still waiting for us!"