"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't need these supplies," Alex said indifferently, not even glancing at the contents of the shopping cart.
Did he need their pity and charity?
That was a joke!
The items in the cart, which were treasures to these people, were mere trash to Alex.
Food, water, and various living supplies – he had as much as he wanted!
The entire Jiangcheng City was nothing but a warehouse at his disposal!
Si Ruqing, too, caught the implication in the storekeeper's words and said unhappily, "Old Zhang, what do you mean by that? If you're reluctant to give these away, you can put them on my account! Didn't I lead the team to find half of these supplies?"
"Officer Si, I know these supplies were found by you and your team, and we are all grateful for your help. But now, these supplies are public property. Giving them away to an outsider like this, isn't that a bit too much?" the storekeeper argued.
"We are already in a difficult situation. If we keep giving away supplies like this, we might starve to death in less than three months!"
Si Ruqing frowned tightly, saying angrily, "If we run out of food and water, we can establish a new shelter elsewhere! We can also find supplies in other places! As long as we stick together, we will make it through!"
"But it's difficult to break out from here and find a new gathering place with zombies all around us."
Zhou Zhengyu then walked up from behind, smiling at Si Ruqing and the others, "That's why we can't afford to have idle people anymore! From now on, everyone in this shelter must follow my orders and take turns going out to find food!"
As Zhou Zhengyu appeared, Scarface and several other men slowly approached, weapons in hand.
Zhou Zhengyu then pointed to two elderly people and three girls who were cooking near the warehouse.
"As for these two elders and the children, I'm sorry to say, from now on, they must learn to fend for themselves!"
Upon hearing Zhou Zhengyu's words, the two elderly people seemed to have already anticipated this, merely staring blankly at the unfolding scene, resignedly sitting on the ground without a word.
One of the older men with white hair stood up and knelt in front of Zhou Zhengyu, pleading, "Boss Zhou, it doesn't matter if us old folks die, we are just a burden alive. But these three children are innocent, they are our future hope! Can you please spare them?"
"Damn it! We're struggling to survive ourselves, and you're talking to me about future hope! At this rate, do you think we'll survive another three months?" Scarface stepped forward and brutally kicked the white-haired elder, cursing, "Wanting kids is easy! With so many women here, just let the brothers have some fun, and there'll be hope! Hahaha!"
The men following Scarface all burst into laughter, their smiles filled with a bestial kind of desire.
Alex could tell that these men were desperate.
No wonder, with Si Ruqing's protection, these men, surrounded by so many tempting women, could only look but not touch.
After more than two months, they must be at their limits.
This wouldn't have been an issue in the former law-abiding society.
But now, in a lawless, dark apocalypse, everyone's inner evil would be magnified without limit.
Alex didn't need to think hard to know that these men were planning to band together against Si Ruqing.
The main reason behind their union was to vent their desires.
Hearing Scarface's words, the few women who had been whispering to each other all huddled together, expressionless.
But not a single one dared to speak out.
The atmosphere had become dangerously tense, filled with a thick air of impending violence.
Behind Zhou Zhengyu and Scarface, eight men with weapons watched menacingly, their blades all pointed towards Si Ruqing and her group.
On Si Ruqing's side, including Alex, there was only one armed man and six armed women.
Si Ruqing glanced at the silent elderly and women huddled to one side, probably having guessed the whole story.
While she was out scavenging for supplies, Zhou Zhengyu and Scarface had reached an underhanded agreement.
Now, the two groups had joined forces.
Their goal was to force her into submission and take complete control over the power within the shelter.
And this plot, the elderly and women present, had already known about it!
Si Ruqing, suppressing her anger and disappointment, coldly observed everything unfolding before her.