Hearing Chen Shanshan's murmured question, Ding Yi was momentarily stunned, hesitated for a moment, and decided to speak her mind:
"If it's a survivor who just woke up, meeting the captain is certainly a good thing."
"But we can't always unconditionally rescue others, especially when facing the deserters' team, struggling on the edge of life and death every day. Dividing the already scarce food equally among all members will definitely cause dissatisfaction among others."
"That's also why Qi Mountain and Tian Wanrong were able to rally so many people to leave the team."
"No one wants to stay at the bottom forever."
"If it weren't for Lin Feng using himself as bait, pretending to be dead to lure the Scavenger Vulture, both he and I might have died in this crisis."
"Later on, it was also his decision to counter-attack the Desert Wolf, which inspired me to decisively act as bait."
Saying this, Ding Yi took off her glasses, slowly stepped forward, and held the young girl's hands:
"Taking care of everyone doesn't make a good captain; it's about leading them forward in a positive direction that makes a qualified leader."
"In the past, when I taught, there was an ancient saying: Cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world."
"One needs to elevate oneself first, then build their family, and only then have the extra capacity to rescue others, or even change the whole world."
"Captain, you grew up comfortably under the protection of a mentor, seeing things somewhat naïve and simple, but this is a cannibalistic world where human nature is quite complex."
"It's not that the previous way of doing things was wrong, but you need to manage yourself first, and then execute your ideals without sacrificing your companions' interests."
"When you become the ruler of Oasis Town, you can provide enough fresh water to all deserters on every Holy Spring Day, improving their harsh living conditions."
"But now..."
"No."
Ding Yi spoke earnestly, though her strength was small, as a teacher, she saw certain things very clearly.
Knowing Lin Feng is pivotal for her and the whole squad in changing their fate, she couldn't allow Chen Shanshan's naïveté and stubbornness to lead to another team split:
"We survive and have the current gains all due to Lin Feng's special superpower and his decisive actions."
"He, at crucial moments, acts decisively without hesitation, unlike you, captain, who are always indecisive and inactive..."
"If you could apply your combat style to your way of conducting yourself, perhaps you could become a competent captain."
"But for now, Lin Feng is more suitable..."
After listening to Ding Yi's analysis and advice, Chen Shanshan took a deep breath, this had been one of her deeply held concerns:
"Then in the future, let's leave these tasks to Lin Feng, and I'll just focus on combat."
"If I encounter a situation I truly can't resist..."
Ding Yi chuckled; these words she could only dare utter after understanding Chen Shanshan's personality—seeing the girl's compromise made her feel gratified, her persuasion wasn't in vain:
"Rest assured, I'll pull you back in time."
"Besides, we are a team, and if it's a decision both Lin Feng and I approve of by vote, you can't change it."
Chen Shanshan lightly sighed, her whole body relaxed:
"Lin Feng's power will surpass mine sooner or later, then, at that time, formally hand over the captain position to him."
"By the way, what do you think of the Liu Family siblings?"
Mentioning this, Ding Yi slightly furrowed her brows:
"Liu Qian is quite like you, captain; she's also lived under others' wings all along, not fully adapted to this Wasteland world. Having someone she wants to protect sufficiently proves Liu Mingfei isn't like Qi Mountain and them, a cunning villain without scruples."
"If they wish to join, as long as Lin Feng agrees, I have no objections."
Chen Shanshan nodded, then chuckled:
"You can't seem to go three sentences without mentioning Lin Feng, don't tell me you've already fallen for him?"
Ding Yi's face turned red, about to explain, suddenly realizing there's nothing bad about it.
So she openly admitted:
"Of course, tall, handsome, and strong, surviving in the Wasteland like a fish in water. Doesn't such a man make you, captain, feel tempted?"
"It's just a pity he probably wouldn't fancy me. Just now, even with Tian Wanrong looking so pretty, Lin Feng's eyes only had cold killing intent. This man's willpower and execution are terrifyingly strong."
"One day, sooner or later, his silhouette will fade away..."
"I just hope, before parting, I can find a good place under his shadow."
Ding Yi smiled faintly, cherishing the present.
Chen Shanshan buried her face underwater, having felt some unusual sensations when helping Lin Feng scrub his back earlier, pretending impatience to leave.
Thinking back, perhaps this is what Ding Yi said,
the feeling of liking?
Cultivate oneself, manage the family...
"Hehe, your face is red too! Don't hide under the water!"
Ding Yi saw Chen Shanshan only revealing her eyes, the lower half of her face submerged, couldn't help but reach out to pinch.
"Just about done soaking, let's scrub up!"
Chen Shanshan abruptly stood up, somewhat flustered, leaving the wooden barrel pool.
The double room echoed with the sound of their laughter.
The bathhouse owner driving couldn't help but lament:
"Ah, youth~ Tsk, that boy's good fortune, reminds me of my younger days..."
"Reminds you of what?"
The boss lady's cold voice came from behind.
...
Returning to the bus inn, Lin Feng entered the compartment and found the jerky Ding Yi had hidden.
Inside, there are two individually preserved packages of red jerky.
It's ten kilograms of loin meat each for him and Chen Shanshan.
It's also a part of the Rock-Horned Horse, besides the heart, rich in energy and capable of providing enhancement.
Too lazy to find Boss Huang for processing, anyway, Ding Yi has already roasted them with the solar stove.
Lin Feng tore through and started chewing, washing it down with the water bottle, finishing over four pounds of jerky at once.
As his stomach swelled, after digestion, a surge of warmth flowed throughout his body, initiating a new enhancement.
Lin Feng leaned his back against the headboard, squinting to rest.
After showering, feeling refreshed, with the fan blowing, and having eaten and drunk his fill, he was in a relaxed, empty state, quickly falling into a light sleep.
When Lin Feng was awakened by the return of the two women, he glanced at the clock beside the bed and saw two hours had passed.
"You two bathed for over two hours?"
Lin Feng asked with some surprise.
But the bath did have an effect, the two women in front of him looked entirely refreshed, as if they had a beauty filter, washing away the past frowns.
Ding Yi, wearing glasses and with a high ponytail, exuded an intellectual beauty and professional aura.
Chen Shanshan carried an added touch of girl-like playfulness to her strength and wildness.
"It's rare to take a bath, so of course, we need to clean thoroughly,"
Ding Yi tidied up the washed old clothes.
"Exactly, exactly, this guy stinks already, ignore him,"
Chen Shanshan agreed, standing by.
Unsure if it was an illusion, Lin Feng felt the two women seemed different, always looking around to avoid direct eye contact while speaking.
Not paying much heed, Lin Feng turned his attention to the corner of his eye:
"Lin Feng, Level 6/9"
"Life Value 34, Physique: 34, Spirit: 33; Level 6 attribute upper limit 35."
"Item upgrade upper limit increased to Level 6."
"Can consume 1 point of Life Value to upgrade the Level 5 Hundred-Bullet Pistol."
He touched the gun and began upgrading it.
At this moment, the sliding door opposite the compartment opened, revealing Liu Mingfei with his sister Liu Qian, standing slightly nervously in front of Lin Feng and the others.
Thus, they looked at each other for more than ten seconds...
Seeing big brother mumble for a long time, Liu Qian stepped forward and said:
"My brother and I want to join you!"
"Are there any additional requirements?"
Lin Feng and the others exchanged glances, although they were prepared, they were still surprised by Liu Qian's straightforwardness.
Since Ding Yi and Chen Shanshan had already discussed this privately, they both turned their eyes to the man still lying on the lower bunk.
In an instant, all four of them turned to Lin Feng.
Feeling a bit perplexed, Lin Feng thought for a moment before sitting up and speaking:
"We successfully hunted the Level 9 Rock-Horned Horse this time, thanks to your intel and guidance. Next time won't be as easy, and you'll have to show real skills."
"Liu Mingfei, after eating that horse meat, you should have smoothly enhanced to Level 9, right?"
"Plus the captain, with two Level 9 Enhancers, it should cover the manpower shortage."
"What are you good at?"
Liu Mingfei hesitated, just a taxi driver working twelve-hour shifts, picking up and dropping off passengers, cursing, and living hard.
Now that the apocalypse is here, he's completely honest.
Liu Qian, who was observing Lin Feng and the others, realized this Deserted Village Squad seemed led by the slightly weaker Lin Feng.
Strange as it was, it was good news for her and her brother, so she introduced proactively:
"My brother has been driving a taxi for over ten years, and he has some knowledge of dealing with vehicle problems, though not as professional as a mechanic, but he can offer advice on tricycle modifications to avoid pitfalls."
"I studied management accounting, so I can help with inventory and daily arrangements, making plans."
"If there's any other work needed, I can learn."
Lin Feng nodded. Liu Qian's introduction sounded like a job interview template, clearly a professional worker.
In this Wasteland World, finding a normal teammate among the deserted is not bad, so there's no need to be picky.
"Alright. But one more thing, since we're a team, the credit revenue from selling the Photovoltaic Rock Plate should be counted for the entire group, as should future hunt profits, for unified management and purchasing public supplies or modifying equipment."
Liu Mingfei nodded, understanding this.
Many deserted squads are led by a single captain or a few very powerful leaders, forming a small group where other followers are mere subordinates, with no personal savings and a requirement to surrender most of their assets...
In exchange for survival and team protection.
Seeing Liu Family Siblings nodding in agreement, with no objection, Lin Feng got up, stepped forward, and extended his hand with a smile:
"Welcome you two to join."
"Right now, there are two things that need your help with."
After shaking hands, Lin Feng pointed to the pile of jerky beside him:
"Inventory the supplies and then formulate the tricycle modification project!"
"To prepare for the next scourge of the wilderness."