Chapter 574: Even a Dog Knows!

Zhang Su didn't know what Wang Zhetao was thinking, but he heard every word of their conversation clearly.

"Fuck, fucking rip-off!"

He had no fondness for this youth whose mind was still stuck in college, but he wouldn't blame the whole team because of one person—he still followed the original plan and had Tan Huajun send over some food and drink.

In Zhang Su's eyes, the Niyazi group's conduct was remarkably steady, more sincere than any other faction, but considering certain factors, he still planned to wait a little longer.

Among the Niyazi people, only Wang Guang was a familiar face—a former comrade-in-arms—but everyone else, including Wang Guang's precious son, were complete strangers with no known background.

When Zhang Su heard Wang Zhetao compare Daqiaobao Village to them, he found it amusing.

Tianmayu and Daqiaobao Village had once cooperated; their joint operations weren't perfectly synchronized, but at least they were pleasant, and both sides honored their promises without overstepping. Meng Changwei had consistently shown goodwill, which was rare in the apocalypse—and besides…

It seemed both Niyazi and Daqiaobao Village had fled here to Tianmayu, but Daqiaobao brought abundant supplies, while Niyazi, despite their tattered clothes, couldn't even produce two useful items—truthfully, they only had those three broken vehicles…

So the two groups couldn't possibly receive equal treatment. Out of past goodwill and consideration for Tan Huajun's feelings, Zhang Su would grant Wang Guang certain privileges, but he would never allow others to think they could enjoy special treatment just because of Wang Guang—especially not Wang Zhetao!

After finishing matters with Niyazi Village, Zhang Su exhaled deeply, thinking, finally, can I rest now? No…

The new recruits were handled, but the veterans still remained—several pairs of eyes were watching him. Ju Wuying stood beneath a withered tree, silently observing Zhang Su; beside her was Yi Xiaoling, confused and tense—wondering if Ju Wuying had developed feelings for Zhang Su, and tense for the same reason…

Down another slope, Duan Wuhu pushed a wheelchair, with Fu Weijun seated in it waving at Zhang Su—clearly, he had something to report, though Xie Yanshan was nowhere to be seen.

By the Shanmen, Su Xiaoya's shy eyes flickered; when their gazes met, she quickly looked away and dashed down the mountain like a streak.

Zhang Su knew Zhong Xiaoshanjian still had more to report, but now he needed to choose between Ju Wuying and Fu Weijun. In the end, he stepped toward the two from the science department—they had more of the information he wanted to actively learn.

Swish.

But before Zhang Su could reach Fu Weijun, Ju Wuying flashed forward and blocked his path, her gaze resolute: "I need to speak with you."

"Tsk… you're so rude!"

Zhang Su scratched his head with a strange expression. If you've got something to say, just come to me directly—why wait until I've made a choice and then cut in?

Rude? Ju Wuying bowed low: "I have something to tell you!"

"Sorry, Brother Zhang, Xiaoju…"

"It won't take long!"

Ju Wuying ignored Yi Xiaoling's attempt to smooth things over, turned to Fu Weijun, who was rolling toward them, and said: "I only need five minutes with Brother Su!"

As she spoke, she extended a palm—her brown wool glove bore a cartoon bear sticker, utterly mismatched with her demeanor.

Fu Weijun was a straight-up guy, but with things said this way, he couldn't insist further. He looked at Zhang Su: "Mr. Zhang, I'll wait for you at Cuileng Pavilion."

"Hey, isn't that cherry blossom girl trying to steal your man from the two sisters?"

Far away, Qi Xiaoshuai, finally free, smoked a cigarette and chatted with Wu Lue.

Wu Lue shook his head firmly: "No, she's a lesbian—has no interest in men. She must have something else to tell Brother Su. But…"

"But what?"

Pan Guoliang, ever the gossip, leaned in and offered a cigarette: "What?"

"But the woman beside the cherry blossom girl—her gaze at Brother Su is off…"

Wu Lue took the cigarette and analyzed thoughtfully. He'd never held a woman's hand, but he claimed to understand women deeply.

Hearing this, all of them turned their gazes thoughtfully toward Yi Xiaoling.

Ju Wuying and Zhang Su had already walked away; their conversation wasn't top secret, but it wasn't suitable for public discussion.

Yi Xiaoling remained where she stood, watching their retreating figures, when suddenly she felt eyes on her. She turned to look—and quickly spotted four guys smirking at her.

Yi Xiaoling froze, then her face flushed crimson. She lowered her head and hurried away.

"She blushed! Holy shit, did you see that?" "Of course I did—her neck turned red! Haha, Luezi, guess why she blushed."

Wu Lue, thrilled to be validated, puffed his chest, took a long drag, and continued: "She either thinks we're teasing her and got flustered, or she thinks we've seen through her secret feelings, or…"

The other three waited a moment, then urged him: "Or what? Go on!"

"Can't say it… can't say it…"

Wu Lue put on airs—and immediately got punched and kicked.

"You fucking—"

"Say it!"

"Hurry up!"

After a few solid punches, Wu Lue instantly broke: "I—I only came up with two possibilities, no third one! I was just guessing! You guys hit way too hard, ow…"

"Shit!"

All three raised their middle fingers in unison.

Wu Lue rubbed his bruised chest, grimacing: "We can't tell anyone about this—if Brother Su finds out we're gossiping, we're gonna get punished."

"Hey, even if it's gossip, it's your fault."

"Yeah, none of our business."

"Come on, let's help Luezi spread the word…"

Zhang Su didn't know about the teasing from the Yanluo Corps members—he and Ju Wuying had reached a quiet vegetable shed outside.

Ju Wuying stopped and got straight to the point: "Your trip out there brought a major breakthrough, right?"

"What major breakthrough? Just a small gain."

Zhang Su clasped his hands behind his back, adopting a smug posture—his left cheek screamed "smug," his right cheek screamed "proud."

Ju Wuying paid no mind to Zhang Su's boasting. She thought this was something worth boasting about! Her expression remained unchanged, but her heart trembled—right now, a wave of pride constantly surged through her spirit.

"How did you do it? Can you teach me?"

Ju Wuying's eyes burned intensely, glowing even under the dim sky.

"Do what? What do you want to do?"

Zhang Su was startled by her gaze—luckily, she looked intimidating, or he'd have thought a celibate teacher had come to seduce him!

"You're…"

Ju Wuying cut herself off, glancing around. After integrating into the community, her emotional intelligence had slowly grown—she knew to be aware of her surroundings. Seeing no one within forty or fifty meters, she lowered her voice:

"Your state affects me. Your thoughts, your emotions—they're colliding with mine!"

Zhang Su's eyes sharpened. He'd assumed she meant his combat power had improved—never expected this. This was insane… wait…

"Wait, you can feel this?"

Seeing Ju Wuying nod, Zhang Su rubbed his forehead, frowning: "Shit, this is bad—could others feel it too?"

"Wang!"

Before he finished, a small figure darted out from beside the shed—it was the corgi, Good Luck. It plopped onto the ground, drooped its lips, and lifted a paw to pat its white chest—clearly saying: "Me too."

The little guy had thought he'd gained some ability himself and happily trailed Zhang Su all day—until he heard Ju Wuying's words and deflated. Still, he felt genuinely happy for Zhang Su.

Zhang Su immediately did a Jackie Chan head-hold, utterly speechless—even a dog can sense it? This is insane!

(End of Chapter)