"Xiao Wu, you know what? I was actually awake a while ago," Xiao Wenqiang said with a wry, slightly manipulative smile. "I wanted to go to the restroom and saw Ye Yao sneak out. Feeling suspicious, I followed her and discovered she went to the annex where Li Mingguang and the others were."
"What was she doing there in the middle of the night?" Yang Ning’s face contorted with annoyance at the mention of Ye Yao’s name. He couldn't help but furrow his brow.
"I only found out by eavesdropping on her conversation with Li Mingguang and the others. She discovered I had the ability to store things out of thin air, and I suppose she misunderstood, thinking I was hiding it from everyone." Xiao Wenqiang feigned distress, lowering her head mournfully.
"This woman told Li Mingguang and the others about your spatial ability?" Yang Ning’s eyes widened in disbelief. After all, Ye Yao was part of their team; how could she do something like this?
Xiao Wenqiang offered another bitter smile. "She didn't know I had awakened an ability; she thought I had some kind of magical artifact. I also overheard her discussing with them how she would seize my treasure for them, to contribute to humanity."
"This is outrageous!" Yang Ning was utterly furious, his voice nearly uncontrollable.
Xiao Wenqiang patted his shoulder, signaling to him. "Since Ye Yao has acted so unrighteously, then don't blame me for being unjust. So, Xiao Wu, are you willing to stand by my side?"
"Boss, ever since you stood in front of Brother Four and me with nothing but a simple-looking dagger, escorting us out of the gymnasium, I vowed in my heart," Yang Ning declared, thumping his chest, looking ready to shed blood for her. "I, Yang Ning, will follow you, Boss, my entire life, and will always be your loyal follower. Just give me any orders!"
"Then let's first..." Xiao Wenqiang patted his shoulder, and the two of them huddled together, hatching a plan.
The sun rose, and the sky finally brightened completely.
Everyone took out the carefully rationed water and bread biscuits from their backpacks, beginning to replenish their energy.
Lu Feiguang removed his black-rimmed glasses, exhaled onto them, and wiped them with his shirt hem before putting them back on.
He took out his last bottle of mineral water from his bag, unscrewed the cap, and tilted his head back to drink. Done. The last two drops of drinking water were gone.
His mouth was incredibly dry, and his lips were already cracked. Lu Feiguang looked at Yang Ning, hesitating whether to ask for some of the mineral water he had previously given him back.
He had considered stopping Yang Ning when he had shared his water with Zhu Yan. However, he ultimately said nothing. It was only after seeing Xiao Wu drink raw water several times, slowing down their progress, that he silently gave him a bottle of his own mineral water.
But having been generous then, it felt awkward to ask for it back now. More importantly, he knew that Xiao Wu's water supply was likely running low as well.
As Lu Feiguang wrestled with his thoughts, the Ma brothers and Zhao Yong walked in, each carrying several bottles of mineral water.
Ma Mingguang distributed the mineral water to Xiao Wenqiang and the others, smiling. "Sister Xiao, we know you plan to leave today. We brothers don't have much to give, so take these few bottles of water with you!"
When Lu Feiguang received the water, he was close to tears. He remembered having a negative impression of the Ma brothers initially, yet they turned out to be so warm and kind. He felt a pang of guilt.
In this era of rampant zombies, to have someone generously gift such vital resources as drinking water to people they had just met, and not just one bottle, was truly a sign of great character!
However, despite his thirst, Lu Feiguang waited for Xiao Wenqiang's reaction. Seeing his boss smile and accept the mineral water with thanks, he finally felt reassured to drink.
Ma Mingguang observed their reactions. Seeing that only the man named Lu drank, while the others put their bottles in their bags for later use, he frowned slightly.
Ye Yao exchanged a glance with Ma Mingguang. She deliberately twisted open the cap and took several large gulps, sighing, "This brand of mineral water truly lives up to its 'noble among waters' slogan. It tastes exceptionally good."
In fact, Ye Yao had already discussed with them that the water she received was unadulterated, specially prepared for her by Zhao Yong. "Wenqiang, you should try some too. It has a really refreshing, sweet taste."
Seeing Xiao Wenqiang freeze for a moment, the others watched as she then took out a mineral water bottle from her bag and agreed, "Okay!" She then proceeded to drink large gulps.
Ma Mingguang's frown eased. At least Xiao Wenqiang had also drunk it. With her awakened power-type ability, she was the strongest and most threatening here. If she fell victim, they would essentially have secured their victory.
And seeing Xiao Wenqiang drink, An Xin couldn't help but take a small sip. However, she was reluctant to drink too much, as water resources were scarce in the apocalypse.
Only Yang Ning didn't drink. However, he pretended to take a sip, without actually swallowing.
As they had expected, after drinking the drugged mineral water, the group began to feel drowsy. They all yawned incessantly, and their planned departure was temporarily postponed.
As the people around them fell asleep one by one, Ye Yao opened her eyes.
"Brother Ming, your medicine is so effective! Look, An Xin and Yang Ning only drank a little, and they're already knocked out."
Ma Mingguang instructed his brother and Zhao Yong to check on everyone's condition one by one, while replying, "This is good stuff that used to circulate in bars. It'll cure even severe insomnia instantly."
Ma Mingliang had already rummaged through Xiao Wenqiang's backpack. Impatiently, he asked Ye Yao, "Where's the spatial artifact you mentioned? Where is it?"
Ye Yao also got up and approached Xiao Wenqiang, intending to search for the spatial ring herself. She wondered when this woman had hidden the ring; she had seen her wearing it earlier, but now it was gone?
"Woman, are you trying to trick us? We can't find it anywhere!" Ma Mingliang said displeasedly after searching Xiao Wenqiang's fingers, neck, and clothing pockets, still finding nothing.
"How could I possibly trick..." Ye Yao's words were cut short.
"Yes! She's tricking you, so what?" Xiao Wenqiang grabbed Ma Mingliang's hand as he reached for her chest and twisted it, breaking it.
As Ma Mingliang cried out in pain, Yang Ning pounced on Zhao Yong, who was rummaging through his backpack. He held the small dagger his boss had given him to Zhao Yong's throat.
Ye Yao was shocked. "You're... unharmed!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Ma Mingguang grabbed her by the neck.