Chapter 111: The Return

“Miss Jiang?” The man standing before Jiang Huan looked somewhat uneasy.

Before the disaster, he was an ordinary company intern. Since middle school, he had been involved in various volunteer activities in the community. So when he saw a child trip and cry out loudly under the scorching sun, he couldn’t help but rush over to hold the child.

In protecting the child, the bare back of his neck got sunburned.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Huan had specifically mentioned him.

She patted his shoulder, pulled out a playing card, and tore it in half. “If you’re willing to live with us, get your things together in the next couple of days.”

He was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with disbelief and joy.

Could it be that his good fortune had finally come?

For a moment, countless eyes were fixed on him.

Jiang Huan then called up two more people she had previously mentioned. One was a midwife who had delivered several children and was now retired but still in good health. She was also an excellent midwife mentioned by Old Lady Wang. Jiang Huan wasn’t merely bluffing; she just didn’t want to compete with the base for talent, so she selected those capable individuals who, due to age or other reasons, hadn’t been fully utilized by the base.

When the third person was called up, someone finally couldn’t hold back. “We understand saving lives, and we understand midwives are special talents. But what’s this about? That kid is like a wild wolf, always hanging out with a few others, scheming and conniving. You, with your moral purity, how can you favor such a brat?”

It wasn’t surprising someone spoke up because Jiang Huan’s third choice was a boy who looked about ten years old.

He clenched his fists tightly and responded proactively, “I’m not a brat. I don’t bully others. I just help out with work that some of you won’t do. The little things add up, barely enough to support a few of us orphaned kids with no one to rely on. Is that bratty?”

“That’s clearly stealing someone else’s job. You just use your kid and orphan status to get what you want. Isn’t that disgusting?”

“You’re disgusting! You’re just jealous! So what if we’re orphans? Did we eat your food? Oh, I remember you—you even came to steal our crumbs! You’re shameless!”

Watching the child’s fighting spirit fully ignited, Jiang Huan nodded with satisfaction.

Those who couldn’t protect themselves would only bring trouble if taken in.

This child was not only independent and strong but also friends with the monkey. Since Jiang Huan had interacted with this group of children and knew their struggle to survive, she had more appreciation for them. With no choice but to act, she might as well pick those she favored.

She signaled the boy to stop arguing. “I chose you because you’re worthy, and also to ease the burden on the base. I know some of you might think I’m just picking servants or slaves, or that this is a show, that I’m colluding with the base to deceive you. But I want to ask, what exactly am I deceiving you about? What do you still have?

“As someone independent outside the base, I can tell you directly—I don’t support parasites. I won’t tolerate or save everyone just because life is precious. Some of you should actually thank the base and the country for their enormous tolerance. Otherwise, do you honestly think if you left this place, or even controlled it, you could manage it well?

“According to your deluded mindset of becoming some chaotic-era hero, if the base were handed to you for free, the first thing you’d do is eliminate the elderly, children, and disobedient people you consider a waste of resources. Humans are the strongest productive force. Do you really think you’ll be the most influential among those causing trouble?

“I’ve been observing you these days and have come to a conclusion: fools love being used as pawns. Calm down and think with your still-functioning brains. If someone with great power promised you everything, why would they live such a chaotic life themselves? Look at me—how about you take a good look at me?

“My clothes are clean, my skin is clear, I’m well-fed and rested, and I look healthy and spirited. Among the few people I support, who is more miserable than you? I’m selfish enough not to slave away to support the incompetent and backstabbers, yet I still live better than anyone. The facts and contrasts are glaringly obvious. So shut your noisy mouths for a moment and open your eyes!”

Jiang Huan even spun around once.

She was living better than anyone present—no one could deny it, and even the blind could see it.

Her words weren’t pleasant, but they struck a chord with some.

They hesitated.

They wavered.

Their minds wrestled with conflicting thoughts.

Then, unanimously, they looked toward a kindly middle-aged man.

Calling him middle-aged was generous; upon closer inspection, even with careful grooming, he couldn’t hide his aging.

Immediately, someone went to take the man away. He struggled, protesting why they had to be so rough with an old man, and asked if they would treat others so harshly in the future.

But because of Jiang Huan’s earlier words, no one moved. They just watched the old man being dragged away unwillingly.

Jiang Huan curled the corner of her mouth. The base’s management had indeed found a pre-apocalypse famous writer to deliver that rousing, though provocatively divisive, speech to her. This was a crowd of rabble, a loose confederation, and now the mastermind behind the scenes had been exposed.

With the core figure arrested, the ringleaders lost their backbone and, after being scolded, quieted down.

Then came good news—the scouts reported that the transport and armed teams had returned, and they were still an hour away from the base.

Everyone quickly made preparations—those in charge managed personnel, others set up sunshades.

An hour later, the sound of vehicles filled the air as the convoy indeed returned.

Jiang Huan didn’t rush forward but took her group back to their quarters.

“They’re back; our mission is essentially complete. It’ll be late at night soon, so we can borrow a vehicle to transport the things that belong to us. As for those kids... their survival skills are no worse than adults’, and I feel their physical condition has been somewhat enhanced... I can’t quite explain it—just a feeling. We’ll take them back first and see.”

The monkey was a child Jiang Huan trusted. Everyone had witnessed how he performed near her own air-raid shelter.

Moreover, they wouldn’t harbor any resentment toward Jiang Huan’s decision.

The base wanted to invite Jiang Huan for a meal, but she declined, saying she just needed to settle her payment. Then, with the chosen few, she left the official base behind.