For a moment, the Zhou family whispered cheers, most faces filled with excitement and longing for a beautiful and free future.

They could finally leave this cage and venture into a broader world.

Previously, they survived under the nose of the Gan Family, barely daring to breathe.

It is said that one cannot sleep soundly under another’s roof. They understood this principle.

Constantly being exploited by the Gan Family, they were always on edge, afraid the Gan Family might harm them.

However, a small number of people showed no smiles; they were not optimistic about the future. Now that the weather was cold, building a new base would be too difficult.

If they followed Liu Cunyi to that minority area in Yun Province, they didn’t know what the situation would be like there either.

If it turned out to be like the Gan Family, they would still face a grim outcome.

It would be like escaping the wolf’s den only to enter the tiger’s lair.

In short, leaving the Western Alliance, a few felt it wasn’t the wisest decision.

But they didn’t know of any better options.

Staying here, they didn’t know when the Gan Family might deal with them.

Leaving was fraught with difficulties.

Zhou Zhisheng followed Wayne, watching him inspect their equipment. Zhou Zhisheng laughed and said, "Captain Wei, rest assured, everything here is left for you. Everything can run smoothly, look if you don’t believe it."

He finished speaking and pulled the switch; the machines began to operate slowly.

"Not bad," Wayne nodded slightly.

Two minutes later, he entered the warehouse and saw some products already prepared, feeling even more satisfied.

"Okay, not bad. You can leave now. Xiao He, Little Xiong, you two stay here and watch over."

"Okay, Captain," the two responded in unison.

Then Wayne said to Zhou Zhisheng:

"Mr. Zhou, I have checked. Now, I’m going to check over at the Liu Family."

With that, he took the rest to see the situation at the Liu Family.

...

Twenty minutes later, Wayne walked out of the Liu factory, nodding in satisfaction: "You all are quite sensible. Since Director Gan agreed to let you go, I won’t stop you. It’s just that..."

Liu Cunyi initially felt there was no problem, but when he heard this last bit, his heart tensed up.

This was the last step. What else could there be?

"Captain Wei, what are you referring to?"

Wayne rubbed his eyes and said, "It’s just that you folks look so tired. You should show some sincerity for this hardship fee, shouldn’t you?"

Liu Cunyi felt like spitting out a mouthful of old blood.

Damn it, the factory is already yours. And so much grain has already been handed over, yet you still want more.

Damn!

Truly confirming the saying, dealing with low-level people is tough. The lower down they are, the greedier and dirtier their hearts.

But this was the last step; they were on the verge of getting out.

Forget it, better not to tangle with him.

So he spoke up, "Captain Wei, how about this—we give each of you a pound of grain. Is that okay?"

"Haha," Wayne sneered sarcastically.

"Are you trying to send a beggar away? One hundred pounds per person!" Wayne said with unmistakable resolve.

"A hundred pounds? Are you insane? What would you need so much grain for? If we give you that, what would we have left!" Zhou Zhisheng said.

Before Doomsday, they had stockpiled only twenty tons of grain to support more than two hundred people, and it was already running low, prompting the theft of grain from the Gan Family.

But they lost both the grain and their means, subsequently handing over two tons. Now, they had less than two tons of food left.

With less than two thousand pounds of grain for two to three hundred people, these supplies, plus some other grains and canned goods, would at most support them for two months.

Now Wayne told him to give each person a hundred pounds, yet there would be nothing left, and they’d owe more.

Wayne treated Liu Cunyi’s words like the wind in his ear, acting as if unheard.

Liu Cunyi, seeing his attitude, became furious. In Doomsday, people like Wayne were all too common.

Human greed knows no bounds.

But this was Doomsday.

If you’re going to kill me, then we all might as well die together.

So Liu Cunyi lifted his steps and headed out the door.

Wayne saw this and hurriedly said, "Where are you going?"

Liu Cunyi didn’t stop. He kept heading toward the door.

Wayne felt something was wrong, quickly blocked his way, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Liu Cunyi leaned back and spoke to Wayne through his nose, "I am going to talk to Director Gan about us staying. When he asks why, I’ll tell him. Let’s see what he thinks."

Wayne’s expression flickered with panic upon hearing this and said, "What are you doing? We can talk this out. If it’s not suitable, we can lower it a bit."

He was also a bit annoyed at his greed. The initial demand was too high, scaring Liu Cunyi.

If Director Gan found out and it messed with his plans, Wayne would certainly suffer consequences.

Liu Cunyi scoffed, looking at him, and said, "No more talking. I’m going to find Director Gan now."

With that, he raised his steps and started toward the Gan Family courtyard.

Realizing the seriousness, Wayne quickly grabbed him, saying, "Mr. Liu, I’m conceding. Ten pounds per person, ten pounds should be acceptable?"

Liu Cunyi listened and, without hesitation, continued walking that way.

Seeing his attitude, Wayne quickly added, "Let’s do it as you suggested, one pound, one pound per person, is that finally okay?"