The next morning, as Wen Yu descended the stairs for breakfast, the entire hall was already buzzing with Li Quan’an’s news.
"Have you heard? Order has been restored in Chaihe Town. We’re heading there tomorrow."
"How come I didn’t know?"
"You arrived late. Just before breakfast, Mayor Li announced it. It’s great news! Apparently, he received notification that Chaihe Town has been completely taken over by the government. We’re saved now."
"Thank goodness. I can’t bear this life without water and electricity anymore."
Watching the hushed conversations filling the hall, Wen Yu couldn’t help but shake his head.
Were they foolish? No. In this day and age, there were no true fools. The only reason these people appeared foolish was due to information asymmetry. This was the root of the sorrow of the weak—being sold out yet still counting money for their betrayers.
Sitting silently at an empty table, food and drinks were naturally brought to him. Wen Yu glanced over; it was Bai Xiao’an.
"Brother Wen Yu, tomorrow... it’s not going to be like what they’re discussing, is it?"
Seeing Bai Xiao’an’s hesitant expression, Wen Yu shook his head.
"You’ll find out what you need to know when the time comes. Don’t try to get it out of me."
With that, he ignored Bai Xiao’an, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.
Wen Yu had quickly scanned the hall earlier. Many professionists weren’t participating in the discussion. Instead, they sat with grave expressions, clearly aware of the truth.
THUD. A dinner plate was slammed heavily onto the table in front of Wen Yu.
Wen Yu frowned and looked up.
It was Sun Ruixing. His eyes were bloodshot, and he glared at Wen Yu with a murderous aura.
"What’s wrong, Big Brother Sun? Who upset you?" Wen Yu glanced at Sun Ruixing, then returned his attention to his food. Wasting food really isn’t a good habit.
"Brother Wen Yu, I need an explanation," Sun Ruixing said, staring intently at Wen Yu, trying to find any trace of guilt or unease on his face.
But he found nothing.
"What explanation do you want? Hmm, this mutant beast meat is cooked quite well." Taking a large bite, Wen Yu instantly saw through Sun Ruixing’s intentions. It had to be said, Sun Ruixing was steadily eroding what little goodwill Wen Yu had left for him.
Lowering his voice, Sun Ruixing said fiercely, "It’s about tomorrow’s plan. Brother Wen Yu, don’t you think you’ve terribly wronged the non-professionists?"
Hearing Sun Ruixing’s accusation, Wen Yu put down his chopsticks. With a hint of coldness, he said, "How have I wronged them? What I’m doing is merely finding a path to survival for all of Hualin Town."
Clenching his fists, Sun Ruixing whispered through gritted teeth, "They’re doomed! They’re doomed, don’t you know? With their limited mobility, they can’t possibly escape!"
"Oh, you’re talking about that. Yes, I know they can’t escape." Wen Yu’s indifferent words reached Sun Ruixing’s ears, each one making him more horrified.
"While they can’t escape, their lives can allow more people to get away. If, as you say, Big Brother Sun, we don’t use these people as bait, then even more professionists will die. In that case, wouldn’t I have terribly wronged those dead professionists as well?"
"Big Brother Sun, you’ve lived for so long; I thought you’d be more clear-headed about such matters. However, your mindset truly disappoints me. In fact, I had even considered bringing you along earlier. It seems my decision not to was wise."
"Lives have never been of equal value. Sacrificing powerful experts for the sake of the weak—that is the epitome of unfairness."
"You shouldn’t blame me for this. You can blame yourself for not being strong enough. You can blame these weak individuals for not seizing the chance to become stronger. You can even blame this damn world. But to blame me, Li Quan’an, or the other professionists—that’s where you’re mistaken."
"Saving someone is a kindness, not a duty. For that matter, you can’t even be sure of your own survival, so I really don’t understand why you’re worrying about others."
Hearing Wen Yu’s slightly mocking words, Sun Ruixing’s frustration surged, reaching its peak.
"You cold-blooded executioner!" Sun Ruixing roared, his voice so loud it startled everyone eating nearby.
Watching Sun Ruixing’s expression, Wen Yu’s eyes slowly narrowed. This man has become tiresome, he thought. And for tomorrow’s plan, he’s definitely an unstable factor.
Behind him, Cyclops sensed Wen Yu’s killing intent and slowly rose. Its amber eyes locked onto Sun Ruixing. If Wen Yu gave the command, Sun Ruixing wouldn’t survive even five seconds.
Fortunately, nearby professionists reacted quickly. Several of them grabbed Sun Ruixing and dragged him out of the hall.
Wen Yu coldly watched Sun Ruixing leave, then turned and headed upstairs.
"Mayor Li!" Wen Yu kicked open Li Quan’an’s door and found him engrossed in a cheerful conversation with a young woman.
Startled by Wen Yu’s abrupt entrance, Li Quan’an was about to lose his temper, but upon seeing it was Wen Yu, his face instantly broke into a wide smile.
"Brother Wen Yu, what is it? Coming in like that in broad daylight, you gave this old brother quite a scare."
Wen Yu glanced at the two people in the room, his brow furrowing slightly. He then gestured to the woman beside Li Quan’an.
Like a startled bird, the woman tremulously stood up and scurried out the door.
After the woman left, Li Quan’an immediately bent his waist and lowered his body, bowing his head to Wen Yu like a lackey as he spoke.
"Brother Wen Yu, what favorable wind has blown you here?"
Li Quan’an offered an apologetic smile and continued, "Brother Wen Yu, if you took an interest in that young woman from before, I can have her keep you company later?"
This was Li Quan’an’s attempt to curry favor.
"That won’t be necessary. I just came to ask about Sun Ruixing." There was no discernible expression on Wen Yu’s face.