Chapter 332: A Rare Moment of Joy

Driving from the barracks to Tianma Yu, if you speed, it only takes thirty to forty minutes—last time, Lu Leiyang raced injured Jia Shiqin there in just over twenty minutes, but this return trip took everyone nearly two hours.

Nothing else—just because the tank's speed is heartbreaking…

When the Type 99 tank began climbing the hill, everyone in the camp came out to line the path and warmly welcome this majestic machine as it arrived at Tianma Yu.

Clack-clack, rumble-clack.

Zhang Su smoothly parked the tank on an open patch facing the Shanmen, pushed open the cockpit hatch, and stuck his head out—immediately, applause erupted like the welcome for a victorious general.

Clap-clap-clap.

"Mr. Zhang, you've worked hard!"

Yu Wen stood at the front of the crowd; seeing Zhang Su emerge, he hurried forward as if to offer support. Though Zhang Su didn't need his help, the gesture had to be made—after all, the crowd wasn't just core members anymore; many new recruits were here, and the leader's prestige must always be upheld.

"Hard work, hard work."

"Mr. Zhang, you've worked hard!"

Many others echoed the sentiment, voices rising in a clamor.

Wang Longzhong and Wang Xin from United Village exchanged glances, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes—they were glad they'd chosen to cling to Tianma Yu.

Ma Changshou from West Camp Village stared at the steaming tank, his lips trembling slightly. Though the Qinglong Militia had still been overrun by the horde despite having a tank, many objective factors were at play—the problem wasn't the weapon, but the people.

The Kuanzhuang survivors at the back of the crowd wore stunned expressions; women and girls alike felt profound safety radiating from the steel behemoth.

Yang Liehuo's heart was a tangle of emotions—amazement and regret intertwined.

He was amazed that the Qinglong Militia's heavy weaponry had truly been brought back and placed in their own camp; he regretted that the two groups could have cooperated smoothly, even merged and grown together—but one man's ambition had changed everything.

Though Kuanzhuang's survivors had joined Tianma Yu, their overall status was less than satisfactory. Had their combat strength remained, they could have towered above United Village and West Camp; but with nearly all their fighters gone, they couldn't even stand tall, sinking quietly into the lower ranks—any change would have to wait until the reserve squad was formed and the Women's Corps showed progress.

Right now, they couldn't even match the five who came from Qinglong Militia…

Xie Yanshan, as a researcher, held high status; the other four all possessed formidable combat abilities, especially Pan Guoliang, who as a former elite squad member could command respect anywhere.

At this moment, Xie Yanshan was nowhere to be seen—probably still in Fu Wei's lab—while the other four stood among the crowd, visibly excited.

Tianma Yu's core members, needless to say, wore expressions of joy and pride.

"Brothers and sisters, listen to me—today's achievement isn't mine alone. Everyone standing before me now, including those on duty at every post, contributed your share. All of you…"

Zhang Su stood atop the tank, gesturing for the noisy crowd to quiet down, delivering an impassioned speech full of encouragement.

He wasn't naturally good at this, but under Yu Wen's influence, and given the real need for it, he'd gradually learned—and now he wielded it skillfully. The proof? People don't respond to empty words—but when leadership leads by example, paired with stirring rhetoric, the effect multiplies!

"Today is a great day. Tianma Yu has achieved major gains—not only did we acquire powerful weapons, but we've also welcomed fellow villagers from West Camp and Kuanzhuang into our Tianma Yu family. I've decided: tonight, we gather for a feast—eat your fill! What do you say?"

They'd hauled back plenty of food and supplies from the barracks and Kuanzhuang; hosting a banquet was no strain. The camp's population was growing, but the overall population had shrunk further—food was no longer the primary problem.

"Good! Brother Su is the best!"

"Yay, feast time!"

In the apocalypse, nothing brought more joy than a feast—if there was something better, it was two feasts…

The crowd cheered in unison, celebrating this rare moment of joy. Only Kuanzhuang's people hadn't fully shaken off their gloom—but under the uplifting atmosphere, faint smiles appeared on their faces.

"Anyone who can cook, report to the kitchen for assignments. One rule: serve plenty—no one leaves hungry! That's it—dismissed!"

At Zhang Su's wave, the crowd slowly dispersed, every face glowing with happiness—unless you were told, you'd never guess these were people surviving in the apocalypse.

Following Zhang Su's orders, over a dozen people with cooking experience followed Tan Hua's lead toward the kitchen—cooking for eighty-plus mouths was no small task.

Only Kuanzhuang's people remained where they were, still awkward and reserved; otherwise, even more volunteers would have stepped forward to help cook.

"Uncle Yang, my sister's dead…"

Su Xiaoya walked up to Yang Liehuo, tears streaking her face.

"There, there, girl, it's over now. It's alright. Don't cry."

After the spiteful old woman was killed by the baseball bat, Yang Liehuo became Kuanzhuang's eldest. He pulled Su Xiaoya into his arms, comforted her, then looked at Zhang Su with a complex expression.

In the apocalypse, the lines between hatred and gratitude grew ever blurrier; right and wrong, good and evil tangled together—no longer could you judge by old standards.

Survive. Everything is for better survival.

"Was the journey here alright?"

Zhang Su stepped forward, not bothering to comfort Su Xiaoya, who had finally found a shoulder to cry on—her sister's death was a fact no comfort could undo.

Yang Liehuo nodded: "All good. But even with Tianma Yu's help, we still couldn't move all the supplies."

Due to its geography, Kuanzhuang had far richer supplies than West Camp or United Village.

"No problem—we'll go back tomorrow. She wants to see it again too."

Zhang Su gestured toward Su Xiaoya, still sobbing.

"Then I'm in your debt, Brother Zhang!" Yang Liehuo nodded politely.

Zhang Su smiled: "Old Huo, that's not like you. Don't be so formal—we're family now. Go on, get busy. Don't just wait around for dinner!"

"Understood. Uh, Brother Zhang, please pay more attention to the reserve squad—everyone's eager."

Yang Liehuo's gaze swept across the women around him.

"Already preparing. Once you're settled, we'll begin selection. Uh… I'll be off now."

As he spoke, Zhang Su noticed Yu Wen watching him from afar—clearly wanting to speak—so he waved goodbye and left the parking area.

(End of chapter)