"What do you think?"
"There's no Dream Kiss component inside; I haven't experienced reactions from taking Dream Kiss," Johnny hesitated and said.
His tone towards Chen Che improved significantly since Chen Che saved his sister and a few other Wildfire Gang members who nearly died in agony.
"Yes, the first piece of meat bone I gave you, how does it feel?"
Johnny looked up, "What do you mean?"
"Wasn't I clear before? I'm a person with a saintly heart, I like to repay grievances with kindness. You wanted to kill me, I don't hold it against you, I want to win you over.
You live like dogs for those people, worse than real dogs, without any merit, not even labor's worth. One task undone almost got several people killed.
This shows they don't care about your lives at all."
"But I'm different. With me, though you also act like dogs, you won't always be dogs. I'll give you dignity as long as you work for me.
You're controlled by them because of the Dream Kiss drug; you've seen it, with me around, you simply don't need to worry about this Dream Kiss control.
My biscuit can relieve the withdrawal pain when it comes.
Moreover, I can tell you directly, as long as you keep eating this biscuit, you can completely rid yourself of any drug control."
Upon hearing these words, Johnny appeared somewhat excited and shouted, "Impossible! Dream Kiss is the strongest mental control drug. They've controlled countless people with it.
It's impossible to get rid of!
Once you come into contact, you're controlled forever..."
The reason Johnny said this is because he had tried many methods to get rid of Dream Kiss's control.
He could be anyone's dog, could live without dignity, but he didn't want...to die.
Just like today's situation.
He didn't want to die, nor did he want those around him to die, at least not such a wasteful death.
"But haven't you witnessed my ability?"
Johnny fell silent.
The fact was right before his eyes.
The others were silent as well.
After Chen Che said he could let them completely get rid of Dream Kiss, every person's eyes shone with excitement.
The breathing around became rapid.
Johnny remained silent for a long time and then asked, "What attracts you to us?"
"Wildfire Johnny, a mad dog-like figure, once biting, would tear off a chunk of flesh, even with some bone. I need mad dogs like you to do things for me.
Just this point is enough."
"Is it just that you want us, or is there someone behind you plotting against us?"
"Haha, you're worried someone big is behind me, planning to use you as part of some scheme, right? Didn't expect the so-called mad dog Wildfire Johnny to be so afraid of death."
"Yes, my fearlessness of death is based on the fact that I am afraid to die.
I'm not afraid of dying from struggling for survival, to live better.
But am afraid of dying inexplicably."
Chen Che looked at Johnny, his eyes devoid of madness, only calm.
Seeing through the survival rules of this world.
Only by being between fearlessness of death and fear of death can one live long.
"Rest assured, you overestimate yourselves... My people see no value in you, it's purely that I need my own wings."
"What can you give us?"
"Wasn't the previous pancake enough? That's already tangible benefit put before you. It can help you completely eliminate the withdrawal from Dream Kiss.
As for anything else, drawing bigger pies for you is useless.
I can only tell you that by following me, you're dignified dogs, and perhaps someday you can be called true people.
I can let you drink thick meat soup and eat bones with meat.
What choice will you make?"
Johnny continued in silence.
Outside, Xia Na poked her head through time and again.
She stomped her foot impatiently.
Why hadn't they acted yet? What were they talking about?
Xia Na was curious about what Chen Che said that made Wildfire Gang treat her more kindly.
Her heart was like a cat scraping at it, thinking she might go over to listen but felt it might be embarrassing.
...
After pondering, Johnny looked up, "Your biscuit can relieve our withdrawal symptoms and even just eating a small piece, if finished, should completely counteract withdrawal, so I believe your biscuit can help us quit Dream Kiss.
Just based on this, I will lead the Wildfire Gang to pledge loyalty to you and work for you!"
"But I'm also curious; is it worth all this trouble just for us? Moreover, if your biscuit truly helps us quit Dream Kiss, once we're no longer subject to withdrawal, we won't need your biscuit anymore, breaking a link between us.
Aren't you afraid we might betray you or leave you?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Che wore a confident smile, "I once kept a stray dog that might have been painfully treated by others, making it baring its teeth at everyone.
I had its wounds healed by someone, and it started wagging its tail at me.
Finally, I gave it the freedom to choose its path; yet, it refused to leave my side even an inch.
Because it knew gratitude."
"Are you betting on human nature in the apocalypse?"
"No, because it also knew that staying by my side meant it wouldn't have to wander aimlessly, wouldn't have to live a life of eating unsatisfyingly in harsh conditions; it could easily drink meat soup and eat bones with meat.
So it would never leave me, and even if someone wanted to hurt me, it would bare its teeth and pounce without hesitation to bite that person.
If under such circumstances it chooses wandering, then I am helpless."
Looking at Chen Che's expression, Johnny completely understood what Chen Che meant.
He lowered his head and chuckled.
"With such a master, I would also be reluctant to leave, and I would protect him too..."
This was a mutual journey.
Of course, for Chen Che, besides feeding good things to dogs, there was another reason.
Damn, once you submit and complete a mission, I will stuff steamed buns in your mouths to make you my firm loyalists!… Chen Che smiled, "So, please make your choice."
The next moment, a prompt sounded in Chen Che's mind.
[Congratulations on completing the mission {Revenge or Repay with Kindness?}
You have earned a mission reward: Earth-grade first-class recipe {Loyal Meat Bun}!]
Johnny faced him and knelt on one knee.
...
Xia Na grew extremely impatient, holding the Tang Blade in her hand.
This guy is so annoying, taking so long! No matter, they're all scum anyway, just rush in and kill them all, say it was dangerous if bitten, first get my sister's undergarments... hehe, sis's underwear... so fragrant... I'm so clever.
Xia Na wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth through her mask, peering towards the warehouse, just about to act.
But she saw a scene she would never forget in her life.
The pretty boy she looked down upon the most stood amid the crowd.
Previously wanting to kill this pretty boy, the Wildfire Gang members all stood and knelt on one knee to him, right fist to heart, left hand behind, heads bowed.
In the Wasteland, this gesture symbolizes the Oath of Loyalty!
It represents the kneeler's submission!
Xia Na's pupils suddenly contracted.
What...is...this?