Chapter 819: Elsewhere
All living beings possess instincts inherited from their ancestors.
These are imprinted in their very DNA.
The mont Zhang Yi saw that yellow stone, his genes seed to leap with excitent, as if they had discovered sothing they desperately craved.
Could this be the Divine Source?
Zhang Yi glanced at Li Zongyu before calmly reaching out to take the stone.
He could sense traces of a peculiar energy within it, though only faint remnants remained.
"Where did you get this thing?"
Li Zongyu smiled. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you that yet. You'll have to guarantee the safe passage of and my people first."
Zhang Yi smirked playfully. "Is that so?"
He held the stone up toward the pale white sun in the sky, but couldn't discern anything through it.
Zhang Yi thought to himself: Does this contain the secret to breaking genetic limitations?
"I'll be keeping this stone. Any objections?"
As he spoke, Zhang Yi pocketed the stone.
Li Zongyu nodded. "Of course."
Zhang Yi nodded back. "Good. You're dismissed. Go about your business."
Li Zongyu looked slightly surprised that Zhang Yi would let him go so easily.
From what he knew, Zhang Yi was a rather ruthless individual.
Li Zongyu had even prepared himself for interrogation, bribery attempts, or even physical violence.
Zhang Yi's casual attitude left him thoroughly confused.
What he didn't know was that his so-called secret held little appeal for Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi was rely curious and asked casually.
As for whether this mysterious Divine Source truly existed or what it might be, Zhang Yi genuinely didn't care much.
He hated trouble.
Let the Jiangnan Region deal with troubleso matters.
"Maybe he's actually a decent person after all."
Li Zongyu shook his head. Though he still didn't fully understand Zhang Yi's character, Zhang Yi's actions had earned so goodwill from him.
The Golden Edge departed Rockflow Island's waters and headed into open sea, retracing its route back to Huaxu Kingdom.
The initial journey had taken over two months.
But with the route now familiar, the return trip would be significantly shorter, estimated at under fifty days.
By then, it would be around November.
Nearly a year had passed since the apocalypse began. Zhang Yi sotis marveled at how ti flew like a fleeting white horse - here one mont, gone the next.
Yet so much had happened during these months.
With increased passengers aboard the Golden Edge, daily managent beca necessary.
Old Tian oversaw these matters.
Living conditions on the ship were divided into four tiers.
Zhang Yi's als weren't handled by the ship's kitchen - he had his own gourt supplies.
The kitchen was responsible for feeding everyone from Zhu Yunque downward.
Zhu Yunque and the crew enjoyed abundant als with no shortage of chicken, fish, at or eggs.
The third tier consisted of Rockflow Group mbers, who still received so protein daily.
Though at portions were small, they were available.
The fourth tier - later-screened Huaxu citizens and overseas compatriots - only got at every three days.
Still, basic food needs were t for everyone.
Initially, no one complained about these living conditions.
Compared to Rockflow Island, their current provisions represented a massive improvent.
Though life in the cabins could be boring, at least they had food security.
But as the saying goes: so people shouldn't eat too well. Hunger brings one worry, but fullness brings countless troubles.
Soon enough, trouble arrived.
Zhu Yunque approached Zhang Yi, requesting private quarters for Su Nuanxi.
"She's my junior after all, and rather naive. I worry about her safety in those mixed-gender cabins."
"Besides, I could use help with the baby. Managing alone has been difficult."
Zhang Yi laughed at this.
"What, she could handle cave living but can't adjust to ship cabins now? Sounds like spoiled brat behavior to !"
Zhu Yunque looked uncomfortable.
Truthfully, her request was self-motivated.
After just days with the infant, she was nearing her breaking point.
Yet per Zhang Yi's orders, no crew mber would assist with childcare.
That's when her eager junior stepped forward to help.
After two lonely months at sea, Zhu Yunque desperately needed companionship.
She quickly ca to regard Su Nuanxi as a confidante.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Nuanxi proposed moving to private quarters upstairs, which Zhu Yunque readily agreed to.
"It's just one room. It's not like we're short on space."
Pouting unhappily, Zhu Yunque complained to Zhang Yi: "No one will help except her. Can't you make this one exception?"
Zhang Yi countered: "Plenty of won manage in shared cabins. Why does she need special treatnt?"
"If she couldn't handle communal living, we should've left her on the island."
Stumped, Zhu Yunque could only look at Zhang Yi pleadingly.
"Zhang Yi... I'm begging you, okay? I really need the help."
Zhang Yi considered it. Their deck did have vacant rooms - giving one to Su Nuanxi wouldn't hurt.
At least it would stop Zhu Yunque's constant pestering.
Still, he disliked the woman's attitude.
"Our rooms are all occupied. But there is a storage room available."
Zhu Yunque gasped. "A storage room? Wouldn't that be filthy?"
Zhang Yi sneered. "She wants privacy over safety but complains about cleanliness? She can clean it herself if she's so particular. Take it or leave it!"
"Fine, fine! She'll take it!"
Zhu Yunque quickly agreed.
Without Su Nuanxi's help, she'd be lost with the baby.
With Zhang Yi's permission, Zhu Yunque went to fetch Su Nuanxi from the Rockflow Group area.
Hearing this, the other group mbers looked at Su Nuanxi with envy.
So female mbers approached Zhu Yunque:
"Miss Zhu, could we apply for private rooms too? It's rather inconvenient for us girls sharing with so many people."
Once the precedent was set, demands multiplied.
Zhu Yunque looked helpless. "I'm afraid not. Su Nuanxi is helping with Tommy."
"But we could help with childcare too!"
"Well... I don't need that many helpers."
Author's Note
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