The end of the world is approaching, I'm handing myself over to the country.

The black dot stretched and twisted in the dim twilight, and finally, under Sun Ye's impatient gaze, it revealed a human shape.

Lin Xiu stopped in front of Sun Ye, bent over, his hands on his knees, panting heavily.

"I'm sorry, Brother Ye, I...I'm late."

Sun Ye threw the cigarette butt, which was now only a small piece, on the ground and slowly extinguished it with the tip of his muddy boot.

He had a smile on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"It's so late, I thought you weren't coming."

Lin Xiu's face was full of apology. He straightened up, his forehead hair was wet with sweat and stuck to his skin in a disheveled state.

"I'm sorry, I was delayed by something."

As he spoke, he took out something wrapped in rags from his pocket and carefully handed it to Sun Ye.

The gesture was as if it were presenting some rare treasure.

"Brother Ye, I'm so sorry to have to trouble you again."

Sun Ye flicked his finger, brushing away non-existent dust from his sleeve with a relaxed posture.

"It's nothing, we're all brothers."

He reached out and took the package.

However, Sun Ye stopped moving as soon as he got his hands on the package.

It's too light.

The weight was far greater than he had expected.

The smile on his face quickly cooled, and he casually tore open the knot in the bundle.

The fabric came undone, revealing what was underneath.

The few dozen scattered source crystals couldn't even emit an alluring luster in the dim light.

Next to the pitiful source crystal, there were three cigarette boxes that were already somewhat deformed, but the packaging was still relatively intact.

Before Sun Ye could react, Lin Xiu had already moved closer, a fawning smile plastered on his face.

"Brother Ye, I noticed you smoking. This is something I specially found for you. It's a Hua Zi cigarette, soft pack, try it and see if it tastes right?"

His voice carried a hint of expectant praise.

Sun Ye's face darkened completely. He didn't even bother to look at the few packs of cigarettes, and just tossed the pitiful amount of source crystals in his hand.

"Is that all?" he spat out through gritted teeth, each word dripping with icy malice. "You think this is enough to fob off a beggar?"

In an instant, Lin Xiu's smile froze on his face, making him look embarrassed and helpless.

"Brother Ye, you know me, I really don't have much ability. I haven't slept much for the past three days in order to get these source crystals."

"I fucking don't care what you do!" Sun Ye's patience finally ran out. He swung his hand and slammed the entire package hard into Lin Xiu's face: "No Source Crystals, no discussion!"

The cloth bag wasn't heavy, but the source crystal inside was digging into my face and causing a sharp pain.

Lin Xiu staggered from the blow, his mind went blank for a moment.

But he didn't get angry, or even show any dissatisfaction.

He just stood there, stunned, letting the few source crystals and cigarettes scatter all over the ground.

But Lin Xiu, regaining his senses, quickly squatted down and frantically picked up the things on the ground.

Instead of picking up the source crystals first, he picked up a box of cigarettes, clumsily tore open the packaging, took out a cigarette, and respectfully handed it to Sun Ye.

Sun Ye stared coldly at him, observing his humble appearance, but did not refuse.

He snatched the cigarette and put it in his mouth.

Lin Xiu hurriedly took out his lighter, leaned over, and lit it for him with trembling hands.

Hiss—whoosh!

The flames leaped up, illuminating Sun Ye's mocking face.

He took a deep drag, the thick smoke swirling in his lungs, and then slowly and rudely exhaled it into Lin Xiu's face.

White smoke instantly enveloped Lin Xiu, choking him and causing him to cough violently, tears streaming down his face.

But Lin Xiu didn't care. He wiped his face and, with his last glimmer of hope, spoke almost pleadingly.

"Brother Ye, could you... let me see Ling'er one more time..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sun Ye rudely interrupted him.

"Obviously...of course not!" His voice left no room for negotiation: "Are you that shameless, or are you deaf?!"

"Do you really think we're that close that I'd help you without expecting anything in return?"

Sun Ye's face was filled with sarcasm: "Do I know you that well?"

Lin Xiu stood frozen in place, as if the blood in his body had frozen at that moment.

He subconsciously pointed to the cigarette in Sun Ye's hand.

"But Brother Ye, this cigarette..."

"cigarette?"

Sun Ye seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world. He let out a short, sharp laugh, took the cigarette he had only taken a puff of from his mouth, held it between two fingers, and waved it in front of Lin Xiu.

"Are you an idiot? Can't you understand human language?"

"Do you think you can bribe me with a few packs of cigarettes?"

Sun Ye's voice suddenly rose, each word like a slap in the face, striking Lin Xiu's dignity.

"I really want to smoke, can't I just go buy some? One Source Crystal can buy a whole bunch right downstairs in my apartment complex! Why would I want to smoke in 'Wasteland Era'?"

After saying that, he flicked his wrist.

The burning cigarette butt traced an orange-red arc and struck Lin Xiu precisely in the chest.

The fabric was instantly burned with a small, charred hole, and then the burning pain penetrated the clothing and stung the skin.

Lin Xiu's smile froze completely.

On his way here, he had considered many possible outcomes, but he never expected the other party to turn on him so directly and humiliate him in this way.

The pain in my chest was nothing compared to the humiliation churning inside me.

He instinctively wanted to back away, to lash out in anger, but the thought of Ling'er waiting for him forced him to suppress his raging fury.

You must not use your hands.

Once you take action, you'll never see Ling'er again.

He forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace, and lowered his posture even further.

"Brother Ye, please help me this time, for the sake of our classmates."

His voice trembled slightly, a sign that he was trying his best to suppress his emotions.

"I will remember your kindness and I will always be grateful to you."

"classmate?"

Sun Ye seemed to have heard some absurd joke. He took a step forward, approaching Lin Xiu and looking down at him with a condescending gaze.

"What's wrong, classmate? Like I said, are we that close?"

"I have tons of classmates, from elementary school, middle school, high school, over a hundred in total. Everyone asks me for help, how am I supposed to survive?"

He reached out and gently patted Lin Xiu's cheek with the back of his hand, one stroke at a time.

The gesture was utterly insulting, like teasing a pet.

"Besides, what the hell do I need the gratitude of a piece of trash?"

Sun Ye's voice was full of undisguised contempt.

The cool back of his hand pressed against his burning cheek, and with each touch, Lin Xiu's body stiffened a little more.

He felt that all his dignity was being shattered bit by bit by this light tap.

Sun Ye withdrew his hand and wiped it on his pants in disgust, as if he had touched something dirty.

"Yuanjing, whatever you say goes."

"Without Source Crystals, who the hell cares about you!"