Chapter 784: New Mission
Zhu Yunque's simple action made Zhang Yi realize one fact.
He and the woman before him existed on different social strata—at least before the apocalypse.
But in these times, those who still clung to past formalities were either exceedingly powerful or hopelessly naive.
Zhang Yi ignored Zhu Yunque's words, merely glancing at his Rolex. "It's almost noon. Let's go—I still need to have lunch after meeting Commander Zhu."
With that, he stepped past Zhu Yunque and headed outside.
Zhu Yunque froze momentarily.
She hadn't expected Zhang Yi to so blatantly disregard her face—she'd offered polite criticism, yet he'd completely ignored her?
"You... wait! The commander instructed me to escort you," Zhu Yunque said with visible displeasure.
Zhu Yunque clenched her fists inside her pockets, biting her lip as she glared at Zhang Yi's retreating back.
If looks could kill, the fabric of his jacket would have been shredded by her razor-sharp glare.
Remembering Zhu Zheng's warnings, she composed herself and hurried after him.
"That won't do—I'm under orders. If I don't bring you back properly, my salary gets docked!"
Zhang Yi merely glanced at her before continuing in silence.
He'd encountered young ladies from prominent families before—back during his corporate days, he'd dealt with several privileged individuals.
While not exactly arrogant, they all carried an innate sense of superiority.
No matter how polished their manners, that condescension inevitably leaked through.
Zhu Yunque had taken offense at him not removing his gloves for their handshake.
However proper her demeanor, the unspoken message was clear—she considered herself above Zhang Yi.
Yet no sane person would fuss over glove etiquette during an apocalyptic freeze.
Noticing Zhang Yi's displeasure, Zhu Yunque forced a smile. "What, are you really upset over something so trivial?"
Her eyebrows danced with mock surprise.
"The commander said you were extraordinary. Surely you're not this petty?"
Zhang Yi replied in a tone dripping with disinterest: "Motion sickness. Don't feel like talking."
They reached the parking area where Zhu Yunque's vehicle waited.
She didn't believe his excuse, recognizing it as blatant dismissal, and couldn't suppress her irritation.
Internally, she was already criticizing Zhang Yi—he violated basic etiquette, she offered gentle correction, yet he was the one acting offended?
Then, considering both their backgrounds alongside what she knew of Zhang Yi, she suddenly understood.
*Just a warehouse keeper after all—not even middle-class, let alone high society. Can't expect too much.*
Recalling Zhu Zheng's advice, she bit her lip and opened the passenger door herself.
"My mistake, alright? I should've been more understanding. Get in."
Zhang Yi eyed the open door, then wordlessly moved to the rear seats instead.
"Need rest. Wake me when we arrive."
He immediately closed his eyes, leaving Zhu Yunque's smile frozen in place.
Had word gotten out that the esteemed Zhu heiress had her car door refused, the entire Jiangnan Region's elite would know by sundown.
"Fine! Sleep all you want!"
She slammed the door petulantly and took the wheel.
The entire drive became an exercise in childish retaliation—swerving unpredictably, sudden brakes every few minutes.
Zhang Yi found the antics more amusing than annoying, refusing to indulge her tantrum.
Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the new command center.
"Hey! We're here!" Zhu Yunque snapped at the "sleeping" Zhang Yi via rearview mirror.
Zhang Yi opened his eyes.
He promptly exited and strode inside, sending Zhu Yunque into silent rage.
She'd gone out of her way to fetch him, and he treated her like air?
"What an infuriating man!" she fumed.
At the command center entrance, guards immediately saluted Zhang Yi, eyes shining with admiration.
With a nod, he entered the building while Zhu Yunque had her car parked before hurrying to catch up.
The elevator ride passed in frosty silence—Zhang Yi couldn't be bothered with troublesome women, regardless of beauty.
Zhu Yunque stood pointedly apart, radiating displeasure.
The sixth-floor doors opened directly into Zhu Zheng's expansive office.
The commander was reviewing documents when their arrival sparked immediate enthusiasm.
"Zhang Yi! Come, sit!"
Removing his glasses, Zhu Zheng ordered Lan Xincheng to prepare Zhang Yi's usual Blue Mountain coffee before warmly guiding him to the sofa.
His eagerness suggested he'd found a long-lost son rather than a subordinate.
Zhu Yunque, witnessing such rare warmth from Zhu Zheng, thought privately: *What's this? People might think he's your secret lovechild!*
She reluctantly took a seat nearby.
"Commander Zhu, what's this about? Just tell me directly so I can stop wondering."
Zhu Zheng sighed dramatically, slapping his thigh.
"Ah! We've hit quite the predicament!"
At these words, Zhang Yi immediately stood to leave.
"Just remembered my laundry—"
"Wait wait wait! Hear me out first!" Zhu Zheng hastily pulled him back.
Zhang Yi eyed him suspiciously. "Commander, I've contributed significantly to Blizzard City. You can't keep shearing the same sheep."
Zhu Zheng rubbed his hands. "It's not targeting you—but you're uniquely qualified for this mission."
Zhang Yi sipped his coffee, signaling him to continue.
Zhu Zheng explained the situation:
Some 3,700 kilometers from Tianhai City lay Rockflow Island, where overseas Huaxu Kingdom citizens had been stranded for over half a year.
Now facing food shortages and marauding gangs, they'd sent distress signals to the Jiangnan Region.
"We can't abandon them—they must be evacuated," Zhu Zheng declared solemnly.
"Incidentally, Tianhai City needs population—perfect for resettling them there."