Chapter 47: Joining

After finishing everyone's lunch, about half an hour had passed; fortunately Chen Mu was quick enough with his hands and feet, otherwise we'd have to bring in a novice, and we estimate lunch would have turned into dinner.

Chen Mu finally made himself an extra-large giant hand‑pulled pancake, gave Wei Dalei an extra serving, then stopped.

Delicious food truly brings physical and mental pleasure; eating the steaming, spicy hand‑pulled pancake, Chen Mu felt his confidence in the future increase a bit.

Although He Ying had already eaten three rice crackers, she still finished the hand‑pulled pancake cleanly, licking her lips afterward, seeming a bit unsatisfied.

"This is what life is, this is what life is……"

Sun Yuan munched on the pancake with both hands while muttering.

Having eaten and drunk their fill.

Everyone lay back down on the towels, enjoying the rare tranquility.

Dong Junwei called He Ying aside, and the four of them sat at the corner of the towel.

"He Ying, what are you going to do next?"

"I don't know; I can only take it one step at a time."

"Are you willing to join us?" Dong Junwei asked bluntly.

He Ying didn't seem surprised by the invitation, hesitated a moment, then shook her head and said, "If it were just me, I'd definitely welcome it, but I still have three people at home; I can't just abandon them."

Dong Junwei wondered, "We invited you, naturally meaning all five of you."

He Ying was truly stunned this time: "But… those three haven't awakened any abilities; even Sun Yuan's ability isn't strong—would you still want them?"

Dong Junwei smiled and said, "First, at a time like this, we should all unite; we can't look down on someone just because they lack ability. Second, as Chen Mu said, every unawakened person is a potential stock—who knows, they might someday soar."

"Finally, Sun Yuan's ability isn't bad; from what we see now, it's at least not worse than Zhao Xiao Yan's. If Zhao Xiao Yan heard this, I'd bet your best friend would never let you off the hook."

After hearing that, He Ying still couldn't quite believe it: "But in such tough times, do you really not mind supporting idle people?"

Dong Junwei replied, "Not being awakened doesn't mean being idle—take Tang Jing, for example; who would dare call her idle?"

"But… not everyone is like Tang Jing."

"Even the most ordinary person can play their part; Du Jia Jia is a great example. And what do you think—how strong are we ourselves?"

Dong Junwei then gave a brief introduction of the nine people on her side.

Upon hearing that someone's special ability was simply a growth on their body, whose only use was to scratch an itch, He Ying also felt a bit dazed.

Just then.

From not far away, Sun Yuan's startled voice came over: "Wow, that's awesome."

Then Chang Junyan's doubtful voice was heard: "Really?"

"Yeah, senior, I ask you: what is most lacking in the apocalypse?"

"Food?"

"Then what after food is taken care of?"

"Hmm… what is it?"

"Entertainment."

"That kinda makes sense." Chang Junyan said, not entirely sure.

"So, senior, look—when others' spiritual lives are extremely deprived, you can grow a bag on your body, scratch it when bored, entertain yourself; isn't that ability strong enough?" Sun Yuan's voice was very excited.

"Hmm… maybe there's some truth to that?" Chang Junyan obviously couldn't quite follow the other's train of thought.

"Does that count as spiritual life?"

But self-entertainment is indeed true.

The usually carefree, goofy Chang Junyan seemed to quickly accept Sun Yuan's point.

The two chatted there with great enthusiasm.

……

Chen Mu suddenly turned back, solemnly telling He Ying, "I take back what the class monitor just said—can we kick Sun Yuan out? This guy seriously undermines team morale."

The three of them burst out laughing.

Dong Junwei added, "We can't say what the future holds, but right now, with Li Xu saying our school's main base is out of reach and the threat from Yi Zhong looming nearby, sticking together is definitely beneficial."

He Ying seemed to have made up her mind, saying, "If you can accept all of us, I can make the decision for them, join you, and I'm willing to follow your arrangements, doing whatever I can to help the whole team."

In the short term, her three unawakened companions certainly couldn't help much, so He Ying's meaning was clear: she wanted to take on their share of responsibility as well.

"Then that's settled."

Dong Junwei was very pleased with this outcome; after speaking, she waved at Sun Yuan in the distance.

"Senior Dong."

Sun Yuan immediately ran over, panting.

Dong Junwei is a prominent figure on campus, appearing in virtually every school activity, on and off campus; thus even first- and second-year students are quite familiar with her.

"We just discussed with He Ying and wanted to invite you to join our team; are you willing?"

"Can I join too?" Sun Yuan's face showed half delight, half unease.

"Of course." Dong Junwei smiled, "Your ability is strong; you could be a big help to us."

"Really?!" Sun Yuan, fearing Dong Junwei might withdraw her promise, hurriedly nodded, saying, "I'm willing, I'm willing..."

The guy who had never been proper actually seemed a bit choked up.

"Then it's decided."

Dong Junwei gathered everyone together.

Then, as the representative of Class 4, Senior Year, she formally extended her hand to He Ying:

"Welcome the five classmates represented by He Ying to join our big family."

Crackling applause broke out.

……

After the brief and enthusiastic welcome ceremony.

A problem lay before everyone.

He Ying's three companions need to be fetched back as soon as possible.

「Today is too late; going back and forth might mean another night outdoors. I suggest that tomorrow morning, Chen Mu, Wei Dalei, He Ying, and Sun Yuan go fetch our new members back. 」

Chen Mu said: "Let Da Lei stay behind to guard the house; just fetching the people, we three are enough."

Dong Junwei nodded: "Then let's follow Chen Mu's suggestion. He Ying, what do you think?"

He Ying said: "I will follow the arrangement."

Dong Junwei smiled: "Since that's the case, everyone should rest early today, especially Chen Mu, who just returned less than a day ago and has to go out again—thank you for your hard work."

……

After adding two more members, many things need to be increased.

Sleeping is fine.

The previous rooms already had some allowance; even with five more people, it wouldn't be crowded.

The more troublesome part is the toilet.

Chen Mu had to add five more squat toilets.

After this trip returns, many things will need improvement.

The toilet problem comes first.

A toilet that cannot flush waste is not only unhygienic, but also uncomfortable to use, and having to manually clean it each time is hardly a long-term solution.

Fortunately, Tang Jing said she already has some preliminary ideas, but they need further planning and Chen Mu's cooperation to complete.

Of course, these things need to be done step by step.