Chapter 59 Concession

Whether it was pretense or deception at this moment, everyone shared a single purpose: to survive!

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that human nature in this world could sometimes be so terrifying. Although I had only been working at Lan Fang's shop for a few days, at least from my perspective, these people had seemed quite amiable, on the surface at least.

I didn't know what kind of background Lan Fang had, but during the days I spent there, she would occasionally gather the employees together for get-togethers. This at least suggested that Lan Fang was not an unpleasant person; she had her own ideals and her own principles in life.

However, through the experiences of the past few days, struggling to survive though I did, my heart was truly filled with a certain realization. It wasn't despair toward this rainforest, but rather a profound disillusionment with human nature, brought on by the people I had interacted with.

"If all of us can unite, our chances of survival will obviously be much greater!" Peng Qian said in a remarkably calm tone, even looking directly at me. "Last night, there were only two of them, and yet almost all of us nearly lost our lives!"

At this, Peng Qian glanced at the people around him, each wearing a different expression. Finally, with a meaningful look in his eyes directed at Jia Lü, he turned back to me. "And you, Huang Jing, not only saved A-Fen but also dealt with that fellow. Based on your capability alone, we have all the more reason to cooperate!"

Unexpectedly, the disheveled fat man nodded frantically at this, a hint of terror still lingering in his eyes. Yet his next words left everyone momentarily speechless.

Whether he was putting on a performance or trying to prove his existence, he adopted a deep, solemn tone: "Yeah! Yeah! Sister Fang, Ah-Jing, and Xiangxiang—all things considered, we had a fantastic relationship back at the shop. Now that we've encountered such hardship, we mustn't be selfish!"

I believed I had the ability to go head-to-head with these people. Even if I were swarmed and ended up falling into their hands, the worst that would happen would be dying a few days earlier. But I was absolutely certain I could take at least three of them down with me. Dragging others to their graves with me was a realization I would awaken to in a moment of utter desperation.

However, when I felt Qu Xiang and Lan Fang standing behind me, along with Huang Jianfen up in the tree—who was severely injured and currently in much greater danger than Lan Fang—I hesitated. If I truly forced a mutual destruction, the chances of them surviving were slim. Looking at the people before me, I genuinely wavered.

"These people are truly out of their minds and completely shameless!" Qu Xiang muttered in helpless frustration, shaking her head beside Lan Fang. Facing a bunch of shameless wretches like them, wasting any more breath arguing was simply a waste of one's own saliva.

However, to my surprise, instead of replying to Qu Xiang, Lan Fang gently tugged at my clothes from behind. "Ah-Jing, you decide these matters. We will listen to whatever you say!"

I was naturally taken aback, but understanding dawned on me almost immediately. When I had stayed behind to care for her, she might have initially thought I was just somewhat clever, but seeing me genuinely and wholeheartedly care for her for the sake of survival, Lan Fang had long since acknowledged my actions in her heart, even if she hadn't said it out loud.

"Huang Jing, think about it! I feel like you really ought to consider this!" Jia Lü said calmly, fixing her steady gaze on me. "We still have some supplies left, and most importantly, regardless of injuries or accidents, at least we still have these people on our side!"

"In fact, whether we fall out completely or join forces depends entirely on a single word from you!" Peng Qian said. Seeing that I didn't respond, and perhaps losing his patience or genuinely wanting to resort to force, his underlying intent was clear: to signal to the others that if I refused to cooperate, a direct conflict was inevitable.

I certainly wasn't afraid, especially not of Peng Qian's threats. But recalling Lan Fang's words, I suddenly remembered that I had stayed behind to care for her purely out of a sense of justice after Peng Qian abandoned her and fled. Now that these people were willing to compromise, though their motives were infuriating, it was undoubtedly an exceptionally good opportunity!

"It can be considered!" Though I felt a lingering reluctance, seeing the dazed and weary figures of these people, I gritted my teeth and made my decision. Yet I did not let down my guard, saying with a measure of calm, "We can cooperate, but for now, do not come near us. Hand your medicine over to me, and I will make the fire for you."

"Agreed!" Without waiting for Peng Qian to react, Jia Lü immediately gave her assent, regardless of what she might have been thinking.

A sharp glint flashed in Peng Qian's eyes, and his mouth twitched a few times, but in the end, no words came out. Perhaps sensing the mutual concession, the tension in the air eased slightly for a moment.

Seeing Peng Qian and the others make a move to come over, I raised a hand to stop them. "Don't say I didn't warn you—this place is temporarily my territory. You have no objections to that, do you?"

"Don't push your luck, Huang Jing!" Zhou Jian国 barks out aggressively once again. This truly left me depressed, as I had no idea what deep-seated hatred he held against me.

"No problem!" In a rather face-slapping manner, however, Peng Qian and Jia Lü nodded almost in unison, even exchanging a glance as if they had reached a silent consensus.

Sure enough, Jia Lü spoke up immediately: "Since we're cooperating, each side will naturally need to make some compromises. You go first—what are your thoughts, and what warnings do you have?"

"Actually, it's very simple!" I looked at them quietly, casting a cold glance at Zhou Jianguo with a sneer. "I am a hunter. Therefore, within a range of less than two meters in front of you, I have set up some traps. Anyone who refuses to believe it from now on is welcome to try their luck."

"Oh!" Hearing this, though their reactions varied, they all involuntarily took a step back. Yet seeing me stand there with such composure, they clearly believed my words.

"My thoughts are simple: Sister Fang and A-Fen are both injured, so none of you are to come over and disturb them!" I looked at Peng Qian and Jia Lü with a heightened sense of confidence. "Hand over all your remaining medicine for me to distribute!"

"That's no problem at all, completely acceptable!" Peng Qian wasn't stupid either, though perhaps catching the scent of food drifting from our side, his throat visibly bobbed as he swallowed hard.

"With so many people, food is bound to be a major issue! No matter how much food you have, it surely won't last long. If we just sit here waiting for rescue, we'll eventually be worn down to death. Therefore, some of us need to go out and forage for food. But on our side, only I will go out; Xiangxiang needs to stay here to take care of both A-Fen and Sister Fang!"

Hearing me say this, Peng Qian frowned, clearly lacking the courage to make decisions on his own behalf. As soon as I finished speaking, he looked over at Jia Lü. Jia Lü heard every word clearly, but her expression flickered uncertainly as she sank deep into thought.