Chapter 111: 111, Liu Bu's older brother (Fifth update)

Thousands of refugees were looted by hundreds, leaving nothing—watches, jewelry, cash, food—all gone.

Food was already scarce, and the disaster struck so suddenly, who had time to grab provisions? Or perhaps the big shots inside the barrier had no such concept at all, for most of them had never known hunger.

So even if someone brought food, it was only some snacks.

Of course, there were those who weren’t robbed, such as those within a five-meter radius of Ren Xiaosu…

The refugees dared not linger near Ren Xiaosu, fearing that if they stayed a moment longer, he might spot something else he desired.

Ren Xiaosu, contentedly admiring his new watch alongside Wang Yigui, failed to notice the peculiar gaze others cast upon him…

Especially the female teacher behind him, whose eyes grew complex.

Those around Ren Xiaosu realized it—the refugees feared this youth! Deeply!

In truth, Ren Xiaosu had not slaughtered innocents in the settlement, nor had he killed without cause. Yet whenever the refugees faced him, they felt an instinctive dread.

There was always a food chain in this world—the timid feared the fierce, and the fierce feared those who killed without blinking.

After the refugees had scavenged, they returned to report to Wang Yiheng, some whispering in his ear. Then Wang Yiheng glanced toward Ren Xiaosu.

At that moment, Ren Xiaosu sensed he was being watched, turned, and their gazes met.

His expression was open, unafraid, while Wang Yiheng’s face darkened, remaining silent for a long while before suddenly telling the refugees beside him, “Let’s not worry about Ren Xiaosu for now. If he pushes too far, we’ll deal with him later.”

When Ren Xiaosu saw Wang Yiheng’s gaze shift elsewhere, he let out a cold chuckle—this Wang Yiheng was nothing but a bully who preyed on the weak. Though he’d never crossed paths with Wang Yiheng, the settlement was small, and the factory managers few; he’d heard rumors.

Wang Yigui muttered, “Wang Yiheng has a godmother in the barrier. That’s how he got the job as a quarry foreman.”

“Hmm,” Ren Xiaosu nodded. “Ignore him.”

Because of Wang Yiheng’s looting of the refugees, the entire group had stalled, all feeling exhausted. They sat on the ground to rest, and soon the earth was strewn with sleeping figures.

They were simply too tired, drifting into unconsciousness without realizing.

Ren Xiaosu instructed, “Rest for now. I’ll keep watch until midnight. Yan Liuyuan and Old Wang, you take the latter half.”

He and Yan Liuyuan had to stay alert, for both carried guns, and one had to remain on guard.

Among the group, Wang Yigui, Xiao Yu, and Wang Dalong posed no threat to him. First, Ren Xiaosu had never revealed the gold in his palace. Second, without him, none of them might survive to reach Barrier 109.

The five of them formed a small clique amid the chaos, and no one else could join. Ren Xiaosu trusted no one else.

Yan Liuyuan said, “Let me keep watch tonight, Brother. You’ve had a long day.”

“No,” Ren Xiaosu frowned. “If you’re to sleep, sleep. Don’t waste time.”

“Oh,” Yan Liuyuan obediently nodded.

Wang Yigui sighed inwardly, watching Yan Liuyuan’s meek demeanor before Ren Xiaosu. Who would’ve thought this kid had gunned down several thugs just days ago? They were like two demons.

Once everyone slept, Ren Xiaosu pondered their future. If they could enter Barrier 109, that would be ideal—his gold and Old Wang’s medicine should secure their footing. But if not, they’d have to live in the settlement outside Barrier 109.

The earthquake earlier must have affected Barrier 109, though not as catastrophically as Barrier 113, which had been razed entirely.

At that moment, a middle-aged man rose and approached Ren Xiaosu’s group. Ren Xiaosu looked up at him: “Stay back, or you’ll die.”

The man looked embarrassed. “I’m Liu Hai, a section chief in Barrier 113’s logistics department.”

Now Ren Xiaosu froze. He recalled Luo Xinyu mentioning Liu Bu’s brother was a logistics section chief—could this be him!?

He felt a surge of irritation. Initially, Ren Xiaosu had wanted to kill Liu Bu to silence him, but he, Xu Xianchu, and Yang Xiaojin weren’t entirely heartless, so they’d spared Liu Bu.

Yet hadn’t Liu Bu sold them out the moment he turned around?

If Liu Bu was such a traitor, what good could his brother Liu Hai be?

Liu Hai said, “Here’s the deal—can I join your group? When we reach Barrier 109, I’ll find connections to secure you excellent housing inside. As for money, I have some, but it’s all in Qingshi Bank.”

Ren Xiaosu gave him a cold glance—another one making grand promises. “You think your department head could even arrange that? If you had such influence, you wouldn’t be a section chief. Get lost.”

Liu Hai’s face flushed red and pale, and he stood speechless for a long time.

Many nearby had been awakened, but they didn’t speak, only listening silently to Liu Hai and Ren Xiaosu’s exchange.

Many harbored similar thoughts—Wang Yiheng and the others clearly didn’t dare touch Ren Xiaosu, and he seemed far more approachable than them. Why not seek his protection on the road?

They saw Ren Xiaosu caring for the elderly, children, and women, assuming he was kind-hearted, unaware of what Wang Yigui and Xiao Yu had sacrificed for him.

Students from Barrier II had collapsed in heaps, ignoring whether the ground was clean—everyone was simply too exhausted.

Only the female teacher remained upright, her eyes brightening when she saw someone approach Ren Xiaosu. But she hadn’t expected him to so decisively crush their hopes.

She felt disappointed, yet helpless, and slowly drifted into a daze. Having fled with her students all day, she was utterly spent.

In the middle of the night, Yan Liuyuan woke. “Brother, sleep a while.”

“Hmm,” Ren Xiaosu nodded, glancing at the sleeping Xiao Yu and Wang Yigui. After a pause, he sighed, “Let them rest well tonight. We’ll keep watch.”