Chapter 609: That Kid Just Needs a Beating

"Internal affairs are mostly sorted out; a few individuals are lagging and haven't finished their tasks—they can handle those gradually later. We've found a location for the Heroes' Garden inside the scenic area: along the mountain path, up past the temple, about a hundred meters up the slope there's a flat patch. Cao Duoliang said it's perfect. I don't understand feng shui, but it looks pleasant enough..."

In the dining hall, Yu Wen sat across from Zhang Su, reporting on the day's work item by item—concise, thorough, no detail omitted.

Not only had the population of Weixing Village grown, but so had the number of residents in the Tianmayu homestay area: recently arrived were Ding Yong and Zheng Ziwen, uncle and nephew; the Wang family father and son; and temporary members of the Yanluo Corps, Zhou Hao and Ke Zhiyu, plus Zuo Fengjuan, assigned to the lab.

With the population increase, the already cramped Little Fortune Restaurant was overwhelmed, so we opened a second dining hall: Little Fortune now serves as the core members' dining area, while the dining space attached to Qingfeng Xiaoyuan functions as the cafeteria for new residents on the mountain.

Although we opened a second dining hall, meal preparation remains centralized—all cooking still happens in Little Fortune's kitchen.

"The person you personally assigned, Yang Dongxin, is an exceptionally adept and versatile man—he quickly grasped warehouse management duties and clearly has experience. Liu Yao and Wu Baokang told me they hope to begin systematic combat training for the personnel soon. Village Two..."

Zhang Su listened patiently through Yu Wen's report, then saw Tan Hua and Mo Qianlan enter the dining hall. He smiled and said, "Old Yu, you've worked hard—but don't overexert yourself. If you get the chance, take some time to exercise. I see you're as vigorous as ever!"

Starting today, Yu Wen would no longer participate in Yanluo Corps training; his focus shifted entirely to overseeing camp development. He is now the only member of the Yanluo Corps who does not train. As he grows older, further squeezing him won't yield good results—better to leverage his strengths.

Yu Wen smiled and patted his arm. "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang. I exercise while managing affairs—I did eighty push-ups today. Oh, Xiao Tan, you're here! Haha, you're not eager for meals today? Come, chat with Mr. Zhang."

Seeing Tan Hua approach the table, Yu Wen understood instantly—Zhang Su wanted to speak with Tan Hua alone. He picked up his tray and stood.

"Lanlan, have dinner with Grandpa Yu. I'll talk with your mom."

Zhang Su dismissed Mo Qianlan.

"Got it! But first I need to get food for Mom—heehee!"

Mo Qianlan stuck out her tongue, skipped and bounced over to the serving area, like a lively butterfly flitting between tables, greeting everyone with cheerful energy—drawing smiles from all.

"Brother Su, you want to ask about Brother Wang and Xiao Tao, right?"

Tan Hua sat down, glanced around—everyone had naturally kept their distance from Zhang Su's seat, clearly giving him space for conversation.

Zhang Su nodded. "Right. How was Wang today on your mission?"

For this old friend who had once fought beside him, Zhang Su hoped he could truly revive himself and contribute meaningfully to the camp.

"Very capable. And hardworking."

Tan Hua took a breath, expression strange. "Brother Wang works tirelessly—he does the work of two men. His body's fine, stronger than most—he can carry a hundred jin of corn flour without blinking. Oh, I found out how he got burned! During an escape, someone panicked and knocked over the charcoal brazier, tripped him, and he caught fire. Luckily they had medicine—he barely survived."

"That's what life on the run is like..."

Zhang Su sighed, then noticed Tan Hua's expression was off. "Your face says you're dissatisfied with something. Is it Wang Zhetao?"

He praised Wang Guangjun's diligence, yet his face carried faint disdain—there had to be a reason.

"Sigh..." Tan Hua sighed. Seeing her daughter Mo Qianlan approaching with a tray, she took it and continued: "That kid's clever, but he's always playing petty tricks. Brother Wang rushes to take on work—he? He puts on a show in front of you, then does the opposite behind your back."

"How so?"

Behind his dark glasses, Zhang Su's eyes fixed on Tan Hua. Seeing her hesitate, he added: "Old Tan, don't hold back. Wang is Wang. Wang Zhetao is Wang Zhetao. I won't conflate them." Tan Hua said: "Wang Zhetao acts hyper-enthusiastic in front of me, but I asked Brother Zhang to keep an eye on him. Brother Zhang told me Wang Zhetao only works hard when he knows I'm watching—otherwise, he's just going through the motions."

Tan Hua shrugged helplessly, then started eating—her stomach had been protesting for a while.

"That kid absolutely needs a good beating. I bet Brother Wang has coddled him too much, never let him suffer—so he turned out like this. Of course, some of it's his own personality too."

Zhang Su's expression darkened. Even in the Yanluo Corps, few were as bad as Wang Zhetao. In this world, with a safe place to live, everyone else works hard—everyone understands "everyone for me, I for everyone."

"I just feel sorry for Brother Wang. He went through hell to save Wang Zhetao, but the kid doesn't care about improving at all."

As a single mother, Tan Hua was deeply serious about raising Mo Qianlan.

She always was, and now even more so. Though Mo Qianlan couldn't join the Yanluo Corps yet due to age and health, Tan Hua kept her schedule packed: learning zombie-survival skills, bomb-making, physical training—nothing missed.

"You say Wang Zhetao isn't motivated? He's desperate to be! He's always performing in front of me—damn it."

Zhang Su laughed bitterly at Tan Hua's words.

He was the kind of person who never committed major errors, but never stopped causing minor annoyances—master of flattery, opportunism, and reading the room. In the old world, he'd have made money easily. But times had changed.

The two ate in silence, discussing details from their recent missions.

"Brother Su, I'm going to ask Zhou Hao."

After dinner, in the courtyard, Zhong Xiao held her passbook and spoke to Zhang Su.

"Go ahead. I'll take a walk around. Oh, tell that kid to train harder—this afternoon's session was garbage."

Zhang Su waved his hand dismissively.

"Got it."

Zhong Xiao smiled, took her passbook, and headed toward Qingfeng Xiaoyuan. At the dining hall entrance, loud chatter burst through the door. When she pushed it open, all eyes turned to her—the noise stopped instantly.

"Second Sister?"

Liu Tianji hadn't eaten at Little Fortune—he'd accompanied Ke Zhiyu to the new dining hall. Seeing Zhong Xiao, he asked curiously: "Uh... is there something?"

"Second Sister? Is Dr. Zhong here? Have you eaten?"

Wang Guangjun, hearing Liu Tianji's words, turned toward the door and greeted the blurred figure: "Hello."

Zhong Xiao closed the door and replied clearly: "Little Liu, Brother Wang. I've eaten. I came to find Zhou Hao."

(End of Chapter)