Chapter 662: Bearing Thorns to Apologize

“Those zombies outside sustain their energy through photosynthesis—why does Ms. Cheng still need to eat?”

Yu Wen stared at the closed bedroom door, slightly puzzled, as muffled sounds of exertion had already begun inside.

Zhang Su spread his hands: “Who knows? Maybe she still retains human metabolic habits. But that doesn’t make sense—she eats but never excretes, like a bixiu, with one hundred percent conversion efficiency… Forget her, let’s focus on our own work. I think the old leaders still had some sense of responsibility—they could be entrusted with important tasks.”

“Yes, I’ve been paying special attention to them. Aside from Wu Baokang and Zhang Xin, the leaders of the other camps each have their own charm and methods—they can be assigned to different departments depending on the situation.”

“Then let’s first figure out which departments we need to establish…”

“Boss Zhang, Boss Zhang, something’s come up… uh, Liu Yao’s looking for you.”

Just as they were about to assemble the framework, Zhang Su and Yu Wen’s walkie-talkies blared simultaneously—Lv Leiyang, the guard at the Shanmen, was speaking.

“Liu Yao wants me? Why doesn’t that idiot just use the walkie-talkie…”

Zhang Su was puzzled—the mountain had a public communication frequency known to everyone below.

Yu Wen’s eyes flickered; seeing Zhang Su prepare to call Liu Yao, he pressed down on his wrist and said, “It might be related to the previous matter. Mr. Zhang, it’s better to speak face-to-face.”

“The previous matter… Oh?”

A strange expression crossed Zhang Su’s face as he pressed the transmit button: “Is he alone?”

“No, it’s… uh, three people.”

Lv Leiyang’s tone carried an odd quality.

Zhang Su and Yu Wen exchanged a glance, understanding without words.

“Tell him to wait for me at the parking lot.”

Zhang Su tucked away the walkie-talkie and stood up: “We haven’t even warmed our seats—let’s go.”

As the two descended the stairs and stepped out of the courtyard, even Yu Wen, without super hearing, could hear Liu Yao’s roar.

“Kneel down! Kneel properly, damn it!”

“Hey, Commander Liu, what’s all the yelling for at this hour?”

Zhang Su walked into the parking lot, feigning ignorance, and looked at the two bruised, swollen men kneeling on the ground—Liu Yao was pacing angrily around them.

Several onlookers peered curiously, unsure what had happened.

Liu Yao, hearing Zhang Su use his old title, felt a jolt of tension and hurried forward: “Boss Zhang, these two stole from the warehouse this afternoon—caught red-handed, still unrepentant, and even assaulted the warehouse staff. As soon as I found out, I punished them immediately and brought them here for your judgment!”

Zhang Su and Yu Wen exchanged glances—Liu Yao had moved faster than expected…

He had to move fast. When Liu Yao heard the news, he was utterly shaken—he valued loyalty. Though everyone was now part of Tianma Yu, they’d all once followed him. Remembering how Yanluowang had dealt with the four thieves last time, he immediately sought out Du Shi and Huang Langcai.

After learning the facts, he didn’t hesitate—he administered private punishment first, then lectured them earnestly. Whether it had any effect, he didn’t know.

“I heard about this from Lao Yu. Lao Liu, what kind of nonsense is this? As combat personnel, you already have more supplies than logistics staff—yet you still steal. Get caught, refuse to admit fault, and even beat someone up—it’s just…”

“It’s outright lawlessness—you bastard!”

Liu Yao cut in, leaping forward to kick Du Shi.

Gulu…

Du Shi rolled twice on the ground, blocking with his arms, teeth exposed, sobbing: “Stop! Master Liu, Boss Zhang, please make Master Liu stop!”

“Do you want to die? My name is Liu Yao—he’s Boss Zhang! I really want to beat you to death!”

Liu Yao’s face turned green as he grabbed Du Shi’s collar and glared furiously.

He’d gone to great lengths to bring them here to carry thorns on his back and beg forgiveness, hoping to spare their lives—yet they’d immediately betrayed him. He was the “Master,” Zhang Su was the “Brother”—it was upside-down! Worse, he foolishly thought he was the one punishing them, completely misunderstanding the hierarchy—he sensed this guy was doomed. “Yes, yes, you’re Liu Yao, he’s Boss Zhang, Master Zhang—I admit fault, I admit fault…”

“I know I’m wrong, Boss Zhang. My hands were itchy—I shouldn’t have taken things. I was arrogant and shouldn’t have hit anyone.”

Huang Langcai’s face was no less swollen, yet he kept slapping himself—left, then right.

Neither of them had joined the Little Eagle Group—they’d stayed behind at the kindergarten and had no idea how Zhang Su dealt with thieves. When Liu Yao told them what had happened, they were terrified. Had Liu Yao not held him back, Du Shi would’ve fled with a bucket; Huang Langcai was slightly calmer, but still tense.

“Enough. Be quiet!”

Zhang Su coughed, stopping Huang Langcai’s self-abuse, then turned softly to Yu Wen: “Call Yang Dongxin up.”

He stepped forward, exhaled deeply, and looked down at Huang Langcai and Du Shi: “What were you thinking? Did you believe you passed some test and now feel entitled to bully logistics staff? Speak—who taught you to act like this?”

The parking lot remained brightly lit. Zhang Su’s sunglasses didn’t seem out of place—he radiated overwhelming pressure, making them shiver uncontrollably.

“I—I didn’t—I… yes, I did think that way at the time, but… I—I know I’m wrong now, I really know it.”

Huang Langcai had wanted to argue, but suddenly remembered Liu Yao’s warning—he quickly confessed. Wrong was wrong; no excuse held water. Admitting fault quickly was the best solution.

“I—I’m Boss Zhang, I didn’t want to bully anyone. My hands were itchy too, but… I followed Brother Huang. I didn’t lack anything—I just saw Huang take something, so I took some too.”

Du Shi knelt on the ground, whining—partially admitting guilt, shifting some blame outward. He thought this might reduce his punishment.

“You…” Huang Langcai, cheeks swollen, stared at Du Shi in disbelief, said nothing, and turned away in disappointment.

“Oh. I see. You mean he initiated it, and you just followed—so you’re merely an accomplice, not the ringleader?”

Zhang Su stroked his chin, thoughtful.

Liu Yao’s spine chilled; his toes curled tightly. He raised his hand to slap Du Shi—but his wrist was suddenly gripped.

“Boss Zhang, this bastard is lying and making excuses—let me teach him a lesson!”

Zhang Su shook his head: “Lao Liu, I know what you want to do—but how long can you protect them? And how do you know he’s lying? Wait for Yang Dongxin to arrive, get the facts straight, then decide.”

At these words, Liu Yao, Du Shi, and Huang Langcai all fell silent—but their expressions differed.

Liu Yao looked troubled, brows furrowed; Du Shi maintained his pitiful expression; Huang Langcai clenched his lips tightly, his eyes now sharper than before—burning with fury.

Not long passed before Yang Dongxin arrived. Yu Wen had warned him ahead, so he was allowed through without hindrance.

In the cold, pitch-black night, Yang Dongxin rode a small electric scooter up Tianma Yu, wearing a Lei Feng hat, his nose red from the cold, a purple bruise on his nasal bridge—red and green, oddly striking.

On the way up, he’d guessed Zhang Su wanted him because of the afternoon incident—but when he saw the two culprits kneeling, beaten senseless, he was instantly terrified by the scene.

He wobbled as he propped up the scooter’s kickstand, bowed low, and forced a smile toward Zhang Su: “My lord has summoned me—is this about what happened this afternoon?”

In his old office routine, he’d pretend ignorance and let the superior reveal the issue—but now he thought it wiser to appear sharp.

“Correct, Lao Yang. What exactly happened this afternoon? Tell us—who’s the ringleader, who’s the accomplice, or are both guilty?”

Zhang Su handed Yang Dongxin a cigarette.

Yang Dongxin held the cigarette—he realized he was being called as a witness. His mood instantly lightened.

Recalling the afternoon, he said: “It went like this. When they entered the warehouse, they were whispering to each other, laughing and chatting. At the time, I seemed to be compiling reports—but actually…”

“I was covering for them. Every time someone entered the warehouse, I watched them. If there were too many, I’d limit entry—ensuring everyone stayed under my sight!”

At this, Du Shi’s eyes widened in disbelief: “Impossible! Absolutely impossible! You didn’t say this earlier today—you’re a liar! You’re lying!”

“Lao Yang?”

Zhang Su turned to Yang Dongxin.

Yang Dongxin shrugged: “Earlier today… ah, I held back to spare them some face. Who knew just exposing their theft would get them beaten? After that, I didn’t dare speak up.”

“But did you actually see it?” Zhang Su fixed his gaze on Yang Dongxin.

“I swear on my life—I saw it with my own eyes. But I can’t tell who was the ringleader and who was the accomplice.”

Yang Dongxin’s expression was firm, his palm raised toward the sky.

(End of Chapter)