Chen Lingyu continued, "Let me help you manage the community with a scientific approach. If this model works, we can even expand it to other places."
"We are in the apocalypse now, and all the world's systems have collapsed. We could even establish a kingdom if we wanted!"
"You could be the king, and I would assist you. What do you think?"
Zhang Yi just smiled lightly.
After all, he was a graduate of Tianhai Industrial University and had five years of social experience.
He wasn't so easily swayed by a woman involved in pyramid schemes.
"No interest," Zhang Yi said coldly, dismissing the topic without further discussion.
"But..."
Chen Lingyu was desperate to keep persuading, but Zhang Yi raised his hand and waved her off.
"No need to say more, I really don't know you, and I'm not interested in hearing your spiel."
Zhang Yi's firm gaze made Chen Lingyu's face darken. She took two steps back, feeling as if all her strength had drained away.
After last night's battle, this woman must be frightened.
Instead of seeking cooperation with Zhang Yi, she was likely seeking his protection.
But who was she?
She wasn't pretty, her age was a bit too much, and she had no value left. Zhang Yi had no reason to protect her.
Chen Lingyu said sorrowfully, "At this rate, we might die any day."
Zhang Yi glanced at her and emphasized, "Take away the 'we'."
You might die, but I, Zhang Yi, will not!
Chen Lingyu helplessly shook her head.
Zhang Yi looked at this woman, who could barely be called a strong woman, and asked curiously, "You're a woman. It must be tough to survive alone in the apocalypse. Don't you have a husband?"
Chen Lingyu smiled bitterly and shook her head, "I've been divorced for a long time."
"Oh, so you're all alone, huh?"
Chen Lingyu shook her head again, "Not really. I have a daughter. She's been studying abroad in the U.S. since she was ten, attending a prestigious school."
When talking about her daughter, Chen Lingyu's eyes clearly lit up.
"I don't need a man to rely on. After my divorce, I raised my child by myself. I started by washing dishes and apprenticing at a beauty salon, and gradually worked my way up to become the president of a company on the verge of going public!"
"I'm no worse than any man! Zhang Yi, if you don't want to cooperate with me because of this, it will definitely be your loss!"
Chen Lingyu still tried to make a final effort.
Zhang Yi rubbed his nose and slowly said, "Generally speaking, only the head of a group enterprise can be called a president. A small company like yours can only have a general manager."
Chen Lingyu's face immediately showed an awkward expression.
"This... that's not what I meant. No one says the president can only be the head of a group, right?"
Zhang Yi was speechless.
It seemed Chen Lingyu's education level was no higher than middle school.
In a group, only shareholders exist, and the president is merely a position.
If she couldn't even understand such basic corporate titles, what business did she have pretending to be a businesswoman?
"Well, never mind. You can go back to what you were doing."
Zhang Yi walked past Chen Lingyu, not wanting to continue arguing with this woman involved in pyramid schemes.
However, as he looked out into the distance, he saw something that greatly surprised him.
In building 18, managed by Li Jian, the scene was completely different from other buildings.
Li Jian, wearing a thick black down jacket, was actively leading the snow shoveling.
He was short and unremarkable from a distance, but for some reason, Zhang Yi felt there was a certain resilience about him.
In front of building 18, everyone was working in an orderly fashion, with clear tasks and coordination.
After every ten minutes of work, people would rest, and new workers would come to take over.
Zhang Yi was deeply moved.
Such a scene was something he could never have imagined in the apocalypse.
Unable to resist, Zhang Yi walked over and quietly watched them work from not too far away.
Soon, Li Jian noticed Zhang Yi.
He looked up, the dark shadows under his eyes obvious, and his body had grown thinner.
"Zhang Yi? What are you doing here?"
Zhang Yi didn't answer the question but glanced at the people in building 18.
Although they looked pale, there was a spark of light in their eyes.
Unlike the people in other buildings, who had become completely numb, like walking corpses.
Zhang Yi felt both relieved and curious. He asked Li Jian, "How did you manage to do this?"
Li Jian asked, "What do you mean by 'how'?"
Zhang Yi said, "In other buildings, people are already fighting fiercely over food distribution. But in your building, nothing like that is happening."
"I'm curious. Did you hide the news?"
Li Jian's face showed a trace of pride.
Although he was short, he straightened his chest and said to Zhang Yi, "I haven't hidden anything! From the beginning, I told everyone in our building the results of the negotiations."
This response took Zhang Yi by surprise.
He was astonished that Li Jian dared to do this—didn't he fear internal chaos in the building?
"Then, there's only ten portions of food, and it's impossible for everyone to survive. Why haven't they rebelled?"
Li Jian seemed to have anticipated Zhang Yi's question.
He replied calmly, "Everyone in our building doesn't want to turn into beasts. So, we divide the ten portions of food evenly. If there's only one portion, we'll share it just the same."
Zhang Yi sneered and, with his arms crossed, mocked, "But that will only lead to all of you dying! No one will survive."
"You think you're smart, but in reality, you've made the most foolish choice!"
Li Jian instantly fell silent, unsure of how to respond to Zhang Yi's statement.
Because deep down, he knew Zhang Yi was right.
Human nature and beastliness—clearly, the latter was better suited for survival in such harsh conditions.
Zhang Yi shook his head, deciding not to dwell on this issue.
He had only come out of curiosity. But whether these people lived or died, he didn't care.
Seeing Zhang Yi about to leave, Li Jian quickly called out, "Zhang Yi, wait! Can... can you help us?"
"Sorry, not possible!"
Zhang Yi's response was sharp and unwavering.
He looked down at the short middle-aged man in front of him, his expression indifferent, "With your abilities, you could easily gather a group of the most hopeful survivors, divide the benefits, and ensure you survive well in this apocalypse."
"But you keep hesitating, wanting everything. You don't have the ability to protect everyone, and what you're doing is criminal!"
"You've chosen your path. Now, walk it yourself!"