Even though they came to the meeting, Xia Bowen and Gao Xiangjun had already communicated with each other in advance.They were only bold enough to attend tonight's meeting because they banded together.
"I invited you all here today to discuss an attack on Su Chen," Gao Qiqiang said slowly.
At those words, the leaders glanced at each other with strange expressions.
Previously, Zhao Xiong and the others followed Gao Qiqiang to attack the Youlden Hotel.The result was a disastrous defeat, and now they were reduced to being Gao Qiqiang's lackeys.Song Linfei didn't join them and ended up being ambushed instead.Not only was he killed, but his team was also taken over by Gao Qiqiang!
Now, these leaders were doing everything they could to stay away from Gao Qiqiang—why would they possibly agree to fight alongside him?
"Well… Boss Gao, we have no grievance with Su Chen. I'd say there's really no need for this," Xia Bowen said with an awkward laugh, politely declining the invitation.
"What, are you trying to disrespect our boss?" A Biao on the side frowned and said coldly.
"It's not that I'm disrespecting him—we're just all afraid to die," Gao Xiangjun said sarcastically, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses."Song Linfei died a horrible death, after all!"
Hearing the mention of Song Linfei, Gao Qiqiang didn't get angry. Instead, he chuckled."You've all misunderstood. There's actually more to the story than meets the eye."
He then gave a brief version of what happened—though, of course, it was a heavily altered version.
According to Gao Qiqiang, Song Linfei had wanted to defect to Su Chen, while Zhou Shixian opposed it.Their two sides clashed violently.In an effort to stop internal conflict, Gao Qiqiang had no choice but to step in.But that led to a misunderstanding, and Song Linfei's people attacked Gao's group.With no other choice, Gao Qiqiang killed Song Linfei.
On the surface, his story seemed reasonable.But everyone present knew better.The weather outside was freezing, with snow falling heavily.Why would someone like Gao Qiqiang, who wasn't known for his kindness, risk his life just to break up a fight?
"We've already gone through so much to survive—shouldn't we be helping each other instead of fighting?" Xia Bowen said, shaking his head. His stance remained firm.
"You're right, Boss Xia. But Su Chen—he's the real problem!" Gao Qiqiang continued to smear Su Chen."He refuses to cooperate and constantly kills people!"
Seeing the others still unmoved, he decided to play his trump card."Honestly, the rest isn't that important. The key is... that bastard Su Chen knows the truth about the apocalypse!"
That statement shocked everyone.
"Boss Gao, are you serious?""Isn't the apocalypse just a natural disaster? How could he possibly know more than the rest of us?"
Facing their skeptical looks, Gao Qiqiang smiled and said calmly,"Don't worry, I'll explain everything."
"You all know that I knew Su Chen before the world ended, right?"Everyone nodded.They had all heard how Su Chen borrowed a large sum from Gao Qiqiang when he used to run a loan shark business.
"A month before the apocalypse, Su Chen bought a luxury Nomadism RV.""He spent a fortune modifying it so that it could withstand even the harshest environments."
"But that still doesn't prove anything," Gao Xiangjun frowned.
"Hold on, let me finish."Gao Qiqiang paused, then continued:"Old Xu, the driver, told you before—Su Chen spent tens of millions buying supplies at Walmart!"
"If that's not enough, here's more: A Biao can confirm that right after the heavy rain started, Su Chen ordered his people to gather cold-weather supplies.""And remember? Not long after the rain stopped, he sent people into the mountains to chop wood?"
Reminded of this, the others slowly began to recall that it had, indeed, happened.
"All of these things put together point to one conclusion," Gao Qiqiang said slowly and clearly."Su Chen definitely knows something!"
"That's why I suggest we work together to take him down!""Not just to seize his massive stockpile of supplies, but also to force the truth out of him!"
Upon hearing this, the others were clearly tempted.Every survivor longed for the restoration of society.
No matter how their lives were before, at least back then, they didn't have to fear starving or freezing to death.In the apocalypse, death was always lurking—whether by heat, cold, or hunger.They'd had enough of this kind of life.
Even if restoring the world wasn't possible, learning the truth might at least help them survive longer.Not to mention Su Chen's enormous stash of food and supplies—enough to keep them worry-free for a long time.
"I… think what Boss Gao said makes a lot of sense," Xia Bowen finally nodded after a brief pause.
"I agree too," Gao Xiangjun chimed in quickly.His own supplies wouldn't last even a month.Had it not been for Gao Qiqiang's ruthless ways, he would've agreed long ago.
With the two major leaders on board, the others also voiced their agreement after brief hesitation.
Seeing this, Gao Qiqiang was overjoyed.
"But Boss Gao," Xia Bowen warned sternly, "let's make one thing clear: if you try to trick us, don't blame us for turning on you!"
"Don't worry, I'm only targeting Su Chen!" Gao Qiqiang patted his chest, promising earnestly.
He was telling the truth this time.His main goal was to eliminate Su Chen and settle the score.
"I do have one suggestion," Gao Xiangjun said slowly."Why don't we send someone to negotiate with Su Chen first?""If he's willing to share the truth and provide us with supplies on schedule, then there's no need for bloodshed."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, that would be ideal.""In times like this, survival is everything."
Gao Qiqiang frowned slightly but then relaxed.With Su Chen's personality, there was no way he'd accept those terms.Once he refused, the others would give up on diplomacy and fully support an attack.
"Alright then, first thing tomorrow morning, I'll send someone to talk to Su Chen!"
...
Su Chen slowly opened his eyes and was met with Lin Yingying's exquisite, angelic face.