Apocalypse: The Primordial Pearl Recognizes Its Master, Starting with Infinite Space

Upon hearing Lin Chen's question, Hu Shanshan's face showed a hint of confusion and unease. She had assumed that being rescued meant being accepted.

"You don't think that just because I saved you, you're part of my team, do you?" Lin Chen saw through her thoughts and asked directly.

"Isn't that right?" Hu Shanshan was even more confused. "Aren't you taking us to the Mountain and Water Garden Shelter?"

"Of course I'll bring them," Lin Chen said calmly. "Well, the survivors have divided the shelter into inner and outer cities. Only those in the inner city are truly part of my team."

"The outer city and I have a cooperative and vassal relationship—I provide a safe place to stay and sell food, clothing, weapons and other supplies; they use the crystal cores obtained from hunting zombies as currency to exchange for these necessities for survival."

He gave a general overview of how the shelter operates.

Hearing that there were already over 100,000 people in the outer city, while Lin Chen's inner city force only had over 2,000, Hu Shanshan was secretly alarmed.

She was indeed tempted when she learned that she could enjoy relatively warm housing and basic safety in the outer city, as well as a more free environment.

She held Lin Chen in high esteem, and it seemed that being able to live a peaceful life in the outer city was enough for her.

She was just worried that if she revealed her desire to join the outer city, it might provoke Lin Chen's displeasure or even retaliation.

Seeing that she seemed satisfied with the conditions in the outer city, Lin Chen felt somewhat helpless—why didn't this girl ask about the treatment in the inner city?

"You're satisfied with the treatment in the outer city?" He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Don't you want to know what you get as an inner city member?"

"Ah...so, what are the benefits like in the inner city?" Hu Shanshan blushed, realizing she might have missed the point.

"First of all, your special ability can at least help you reach A-level, and S-level is also within reach," Lin Chen began to patiently guide you.

Hu Shanshan's breath hitched.

"Secondly, we have no worries about food and clothing. Fresh fruits and vegetables, and gourmet food cooked by professional chefs that rivals the quality of food before the apocalypse, are plentiful."

Delicious food! Hu Shanshan's eyes widened slightly; she was a foodie at heart.

"Furthermore, the living environment is more comfortable, with the room temperature maintained at around 20 degrees Celsius."

How warm! In this freezing cold, these are simply dreamlike conditions.

"Finally, you need to be equipped with excellent gear. Of course, you also need to take on corresponding combat or mission responsibilities. But if you have a purely supportive ability, like your 'teleportation portal,' you'll be more responsible for internal support or special operations, which carries relatively lower risk."

Upon hearing "A-grade or even S-grade" and "delicious food," Hu Shanshan's heart was already pounding.

Especially the "food," which struck at her deepest desires. That vague longing for "freedom" in the outer city was instantly crushed.

"Mr. Lin!" Without further hesitation, she raised her head, her eyes becoming clear and resolute. "I am willing to join your ranks and enter the inner city!"

Lin Chen chuckled and extended his hand: "Welcome to the team."

He knew that in the apocalypse, no one could refuse such a offer.

At this moment, Tan Zhaohui walked over with Duan Rong, Tian Tian, ​​and others, their faces showing solemnity after finishing their business.

"Mr. Lin, those scumbags have been dealt with," Tan Zhaohui said in a deep voice.

In the end times, they no longer adhere to formalities, nor do they abide by the creed of not resorting to vigilante justice for the incorrigible; direct elimination is the best approach.

"Hmm." Lin Chen nodded, his gaze sweeping over Tan Zhaohui, Duan Rong, Tian Tian, ​​and the other security guards who had persevered to the end. They all looked exhausted, their lips chapped.

Without saying anything more, he subtly moved his mind, and a large amount of food instantly appeared on the open ground beside him—high-calorie chocolate, compressed biscuits, canned meat, and even vacuum-packed braised eggs and milk.

The rich aroma immediately filled the air, causing everyone around to involuntarily swallow and stare blankly.

"Let's replenish our energy first," Lin Chen said casually.

Looking at the mountain of food, Hu Shanshan glanced at Lin Chen's calm profile, and the last trace of unease in her heart subsided.

Someone who can casually produce so many supplies must have made a promise that wasn't false.

All the survivors began to line up to receive food, and the atmosphere slowly shifted from a tense sense of despair to a weary sense of relief.

The long-lost feeling of fullness and warmth is dispelling the biting cold and the fear of impending death.

Lin Chen walked to the side and asked Duan Rong, who was quietly eating an energy bar, "Did you learn anything today?"

Duan Rong swallowed her food, pondered for a moment, and then said seriously, "I've learned something... After all, a person still has to be a person, and should act like one. Besides, you can't judge a book by its cover; you can't rely on appearances alone."

Tian Tian, ​​who was munching on chocolate, looked up when she heard this. Her baby face showed a kind of relief and understanding. She interjected, "You also need to have enough strength, and... you have to be ruthless when you need to be. A saintly mentality can really kill you."

Lin Chen looked at the sweet-looking girl with some surprise and asked, "Oh? How did you come up with that?"

Tian Tian wiped her mouth somewhat embarrassedly and explained, "Just now... I almost got beaten to death by that madman."

"Looking back now, we were always thinking about protecting everyone and maintaining order, and sometimes we were really overestimating ourselves. And your decisiveness in dealing with those people, and the way they exposed themselves... made me realize that in the apocalypse, being too kind and weak not only fails to protect those you want to protect, but may also drag everyone into the abyss."

Lin Chen nodded approvingly: "Not bad. If you can understand these things, as long as you're not too unlucky, you'll live more wisely and longer than others in the apocalypse."

"If it weren't for Brother Lin saving me just now, I might be dead." Tian Tian looked at Lin Chen, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude.

"Would you like to join my team?" Lin Chen asked casually.

Tian Tian had already learned about the situation inside and outside Shanshui Garden from her best friend Duan Rong. Without hesitation, she flashed her signature sweet smile and nodded vigorously, "Yes! Thank you, Brother Lin, for giving me this opportunity!"

Lin Chen was quite satisfied with the trip. He had only come out for a stroll and to rescue someone along the way, but he hadn't expected to not only find Duan Rong's best friend, but also gain Hu Shanshan, a space-type ability user with strategic potential. Now, even Tian Tian, ​​a seemingly delicate but actually insightful girl, was willing to join him.

The trip was much more fruitful than expected.

The atmosphere became noticeably more lively afterward. During the break, everyone started chatting. Lin Chen also learned more about the new members from their conversations.

Hu Shanshan works at the Canton Tower, where she is responsible for receiving high-end clients and planning projects. Her mother is from Gaul and her father is a Chinese engineer.

"Before the apocalypse, my parents went to Gaul to visit my maternal grandparents and then lost contact with them. The last news before communication was cut off was that things were also in chaos there. My parents did not turn into zombies, but now we have no way of knowing whether they are alive or dead."

As she spoke, her eyes dimmed for a moment, but she quickly rallied.

Lin Chen could only offer the words of comfort: "Good people are always blessed."

As for Duan Rong and Tian Tian's identities, they gave Lin Chen some pause for thought.