Chapter 222: Only Allowed To Bite The Hook, Not Eat The Bait
While settling Li Han and other survivors outside the train, Su Huan arrived at carriage 44. From here onward, there were three carriages, all Director Xu’s laboratory.
Because every entry required a strict decontamination procedure, Su Huan generally didn’t want to come over unless there was something important.
Even if there was something, he would just call Director Xu out.
At first glance, it was a narrow equipment carriage, not like the sci-fi white-blue tones of carriage 2, but a mix of heavy industry and future tech, leaning toward pragmatism.
2035 itself was an era of rapid development; new tech and equipment had just emerged, but old equipment hadn’t been phased out. Plus, to adapt to the train environment, these devices had undergone varying degrees of anti-collision and balance modifications, like mechanical patches.
At the edge were a few thin chairs and a small round table, the laboratory’s reception and waiting area.
As soon as he entered, Su Huan saw Lin Xi and Xiao Hezi sitting there.
Xiao Hezi stood up, “Train Conductor.”
Su Huan nodded, “Why are you here?”
“Lin Jin had something to do, so he asked me to accompany Xiao Xi for the checkup.”
“Xiao Lin still doesn’t quite trust me.”
Director Xu pushed open the door from the next carriage and walked in, wearing a white coat, his hair combed meticulously, even his graying eyebrows neatly trimmed.
Xiao Hezi smiled without speaking, Lin Xi remained the same as always, her pupils unfocused, playing dumb.
Director Xu eyed Su Huan sharply, then smiled after a moment, “The breath-masking device is working?”
Su Huan raised his wrist, “Not bad. What’s the situation with the Crown Pear Tree?”
Director Xu told Lin Xi and the other to go back first, then led Su Huan further inside.
On the control panel was a branch of the Crown Pear Tree, with research personnel bustling between instruments.
Director Xu explained, “During our research, we discovered that although the Crown Pear Tree’s branches are separated from the main trunk, their lifecycle is the same. Regardless of branch size or whether they bear fruit, once the main trunk begins to wither, the vitality of the other branches will also start to decline.”
Su Huan frowned tightly, “The branches planted in the carriage farm will wither too?”
“Yes, I specially verified it. All vitality has declined.”
He had thought transplanting would solve everything, but there was this twist.
Fortunately, he hadn’t thrown away the main trunk back then, or the remaining pears withering would have been a disaster.
After promoting to Tier 2, vitality consumption was much faster than Tier 1. To continue promoting to Tier 3 or even Tier 5, treasures that replenished vitality could only be more, not less.
No matter the method, he had to save the Crown Pear Tree.
Calmly, “What needs to be done to save this tree?”
Director Xu pointed to the deck, seriously, “Stand the main trunk upright and provide it with nutrients. Fruiting isn’t guaranteed, but this is currently the only feasible plan.”
Su Huan scratched his hair, squinting at the branch on the control panel.
A full forty meters tall Crown Pear Tree—erecting it was no small project.
Placing it on the train was out of the question.
A strong wind would flip the entire train.
He could only make a separate carrier to stand it upright, then tow it behind the train.
“How much time do we have left?”
Director Xu pondered for a moment, “The vitality decline was just discovered. Given the Crown Pear Tree’s vigorous vitality, at least a month, but it might accelerate later—no guarantees…”
Su Huan calmly said, “Shu Wei, message the Factory Director and Deputy General Manager Deng. Within twenty days, get the Crown Pear Tree stood up. All train resources and manpower at their disposal.”
The busy secretary looked up, “Deputy General Manager Deng is in the rear vice carriage 47. He hopes to discuss details in person.”
“Let’s go.”
Just out from Director Xu’s side, Su Huan hurried straight to the Factory Director.
The carriage where the Factory Director and Deputy General Manager Deng were was also three carriages, corresponding exactly to the bullet workshop’s 47, 48, 49.
Fortunately, the carriages were small; navigating was just entering and exiting doors.
Their main work here was train daily maintenance, like routine mechanical arm maintenance, in-carriage equipment maintenance, and upgrades or modifications on the train’s existing base, adding functional modules.
It effectively shared some of Yu Jing’s work pressure.
While hers had now shifted mainly to new material research and development and exoskeleton manufacturing.
As soon as the door opened, the sound of an electric saw cutting materials rang out.
Deputy General Manager Deng, wearing small glasses, and the Factory Director were discussing something, brows furrowed.
Seeing Su Huan, they hurried over.
No usual pleasantries; the first words were, “Train Conductor, I can get the Crown Pear Tree upright in twenty days, but you need to give me materials and people.”
Su Huan’s eyes lit up slightly, “How many?”
Deputy General Manager Deng seriously said, “At least three thousand!”
“Three thousand… No problem.”
Su Huan’s eyes flickered, a flash of fierce light passing by.
Beside him, Shu Wei frowned as she noted it down. The entire train had just over a thousand people, and some held special positions that couldn’t be mobilized. Even including the two hundred survivors on the deck, they were still short two thousand.
Where to get that many people?
…
In the early morning, Li Han was woken by hunger.
Feeling the coolness on his face, he clutched the quilt around him and sat up.
On the train deck slept survivors sprawled every which way, with soldiers on sentry duty interspersed in the gaps.
Because of the disaster, they were used to very short sleep—some pretending to doze while enduring hunger, others whispering quietly.
Another day alive.
Li Han instinctively looked at his palms, and thinking of becoming an evolver gave him a strong sense of unreality.
He was very lucky, awakening on the spot to a “Manipulator” domain ability called “Plant Affinity.” The soldiers had given him extra looks during registration.
Was this skill that powerful?
But no one had come to find him afterward, including that woman called Mongoose.
It seemed just average level.
Yesterday, they weren’t allowed into the train nor driven away.
Soldiers gave each a quilt to sleep on the deck.
One person became a “Defender” domain evolver; with one punch, he could dent a tin bucket and wanted to enter the train interior to rest.
Result: a bare-handed soldier beat him into a pig’s head, stuffed him in a sack hung on the side. Not even half an hour later, amid a shrill scream, something underwater bit him into two sections, leaving only half a thigh hanging.
The remaining survivors horrifiedly discovered a fact: even the most ordinary soldier or staff on the train.
Were all evolvers!
Now no one dared question He Jie’s orders.
At that thought, Li Han’s stomach emitted a deafening rumble.
A massive hunger surged up.
Usually, it wasn’t this bad.
It was just that yesterday’s two pieces of chocolate and cup of water had awakened his taste buds.
“You have one minute to line up in front of me.”
That burly bear-like man from yesterday was back.
Hearing his voice, Li Han instinctively recalled yesterday’s brush with death and quickly stood up.
He Jie naturally recognized him.
“Not bad. Little Cat didn’t pull you for nothing.”
He Jie grinned, his white teeth like a man-eating violent bear, eerily ominous.
Li Han’s scalp tightened, but his gaze fell behind He Jie, where soldiers carried three-meter-long, one-meter-wide tin boats and lots of rope.
But not many—just over thirty. The rest were deck-like material wooden rafts, not solid pieces but cobbled from wood scraps, plus life rafts. Others were more like junk, such as half a cut car shell with water stains, looking freshly fished from the water.
And some odd miscellaneous items, like fishing rods, empty mineral water bottles, etc.
“In the order you gathered earlier, pick your boat yourselves. For the next while, you’ll be on the water.”
As He Jie spoke, everyone erupted in uproar.
Li Han’s heart jolted too.
Stay on the floodwaters?
With these tin boats?
Never mind the underwater monsters—even big waves would drown them.
Even if they all awakened evolutionary abilities, they couldn’t survive. They had just awakened; even someone as strong as Chen Lei wouldn’t dare go in the water.
But Li Han didn’t rashly ask; he quietly waited for He Jie’s next words.
Seeing the clamor gradually subside, with no one daring to directly challenge him, He Jie disappointedly cursed “soft eggs.”
He Jie first explained the train’s point system, emphasizing the supplies that could be exchanged.
Then what they had to do: normally hang beside the train, collect floating debris on the water, scout surrounding water areas and buildings. When the train had work, they could take construction tasks. All activities earned points.
“Accumulate a thousand points for a boarding quota.”
Especially this sentence made survivors including Li Han’s eyes light up.
Seeing everyone’s spirits lifted, He Jie didn’t ramble and directly started the meal.
Logistics Group brought a big bucket of meat congee, a full bowl for each.
When Li Han saw the full bowl of thick meat congee in his hands, he was no longer shocked.
The armored train was strong, so gathering more supplies was natural.
Though he wanted to gulp it down, the scalding meat congee forced small sips.
Only after finishing the bowl did Li Han feel alive again.
Then, under soldiers’ guidance, he began choosing his boat.
Each person could choose one boat, one rope, and two miscellaneous items.
The first two were easy; Li Han picked a tin boat and a thick rope.
For the last two miscellaneous items, Li Han hesitated.
He wanted a fishing rod, but those few mutated plants faintly attracted him.
‘Almost forgot my ability.’
Realizing, Li Han sensed around again with “Plant Affinity.”
His gaze instinctively fell on the huge main trunk on the distant deck.
“You want that tree?”
A puzzled voice came from behind.
Li Han turned to see Mongoose still in an oversized dark green combat suit, but with rain today, she wore a darker knee-length rain trench coat over it.
No different from the surrounding soldiers.
(Armored train old military uniform style, from the armory)
Li Han tentatively asked, “Is that okay?”
Mongoose frowned, “Of course not, but a branch might be possible. If you’re sure, I can apply for you.”
Feeling the powerful attraction from the trunk, Li Han nodded firmly, “I’m sure.”
“Mm, wait here.”
Mongoose walked toward He Jie.
Soon, He Jie’s mocking loud voice echoed across the deck.
“Gonna use power for your little boyfriend? Fine, but the missing points come out of your salary.”
Mongoose’s gaze was calm; she knew He Jie wouldn’t miss a chance to jab her, so her mentality was steady.
The salary deduction made her hesitate briefly, but thinking of her past self and the dead woman, she nodded.
Even if only minor things.
Better than staying silent.
Surrounding soldiers glanced and ignored it; He Jie demeaned Mongoose daily, and if he found a mistake, it was a merciless beating.
But under He Jie’s high-intensity training, Mongoose hadn’t broken—instead, she grew stronger with setbacks.
In the entire armed corps reserves, her evolution intensity and combat power ranked top few, faintly chasing the officers.
And Mongoose held grudges—if you mocked her, next training you’d get some cuts.
As for “little boyfriend,” treat it as wind past the ears. Words from He Jie’s mouth, except orders, ignore the rest.
In the entire armed corps, except Yu Yue, Eighth Master, and a few others, who hadn’t been cursed by He Jie?
Seeing this from afar, Li Han angrily clenched his fists, thinking it was his fault bringing humiliation to Mongoose.
“Bang—”
The tin boats started launching.
Li Han also got a Crown Pear Tree branch.
Thumb-thick, three meters long.
But he lost the chance to pick another miscellaneous item.
Tying the rope to the train, Li Han took the branch and jumped onto the tin boat. The small boat rocked far more than the train deck, but compared to those with wooden rafts, he felt somewhat lucky.
Those people got drenched like drowned rats just jumping down.
Glancing at his tin boat—narrow, but with space for the quilt.
Setting the branch aside first, Li Han looked toward the nearby miscellaneous items.
His top priority now was figuring out dinner.
One way: search from water surface or buildings. Another: find high-value items to exchange with the train.
Besides food, could exchange for various tools, even boat expansion services.
With enough points, turning the small boat into a water fortress was no issue.
Soon, Li Han hit his first problem.
The nearest floating debris was over ten meters away. How to reach it?
Just then, the armored train behind slowly moved, the rope pulling his small boat toward the debris.
…
“Start with one boat, gear all from scavenging.”
“Flood apocalypse, surviving hard on a small wooden raft.”
“Which fits better?”
Su Huan stood on the roof of the right vice train carriage, watching survivors launching like dumplings.
He Jie rubbed his buzz cut, “Got something, but Train Conductor, why up so early?”
Su Huan glanced at him with a half-smile, sighing, “If not for Senior Colonel He’s passionate voice waking me, I’d have lazed in bed a few more hours—after all, just went to sleep in the morning.”
He Jie chuckled awkwardly, not biting.
“We heading to Xiushui City next?”
“No.” Su Huan shook his head, “First gather all Guan Chong City survivors.”
He Jie paused, looked at the survivors below, then puzzled at Su Huan, “Use them as bait? They’ll be dead in days?”
Anyway, whatever, with the Train Conductor’s character, no good deeds.
“Fishing?”
“Fair enough, but I don’t do losing business. Bait is for fish to see, not eat.”
As he spoke, a two-meter-plus big fish burst from the water, directly capsizing a small tin boat, leaping out.
Su Huan coldly snorted, eyes flashing electric light.
A thick bolt of lightning leaped from his fingertip, piercing the air, striking the fish.
After crackling explosions, the electrocuted big fish splashed back into the water.
The fallen person frantically cried for help; nearby small boats rushed to rescue.
The minor incident caused a commotion.
He Jie sucked his teeth, “Protecting this many, workload’s huge.”
Su Huan waved grandly, “Yours.”
He still needed to check the blueprints the Factory Director’s team rushed overnight.
Three days passed in a flash; the train circled all of Guan Chong City, rescuing over three thousand people and some supplies.
Most valuable: a helicopter on a rooftop, partially damaged—needs time to repair for use.
Various metal materials too, like copper cables, titanium alloy, tungsten steel, high-value metals.
Xiao Ba worked overtime these days, crafting over a thousand tin small boats.
Now the armored train, besides the main body, was festooned with all sorts of small boats.
Like a big fish with a school of young.
Rampaging through all of Guan Chong City, luring and killing countless zombies and mutated beasts.
Biggest haul in evolution materials.
Cost: He Jie nearly worked himself to death.
Starting with two hundred survivors was manageable; armed corps soldiers two per, with a hundred for shifts or emergencies.
The later three thousand left even He Jie no time to rest.
Big ones jumping out now and then.
Ordinary soldiers couldn’t handle; officers had to step in. Later, even Old San’s combat group joined.
Over five hundred killing nonstop; manufacturing group’s material collection couldn’t keep up.
Killed till today, threats in all Guan Chong City mostly eliminated.
Just occasional big fish from outside underwater.
He Jie hugged the heavy machine gun, sleeping on the roof, cigar sustaining him, dark circles scanning below.
Top boss not going home, Qu Hang, Goat, Lu Xiao, Tong Zizhan naturally endured too.
Footsteps behind; He Jie was about to vent curses.
Then a sweet “Dad.”
He whipped around, seeing his daughter in a skirt approaching; his mouth grinned wide instantly.
“Zhenzhen, why’re you here? Don’t come closer—slippery. I’ll come to you!”
He Jie bounded to his daughter’s side in two steps.
He Zhenzhen pouted, “You haven’t come home for meals in days. Mom sent me with food.”
He Jie took the lunchbox, old face beaming like a flower, but soon stern, “You two stop worrying. I’ll be back when done. And don’t come up next time—windy and slippery up here. What if you fall in?”
“So fierce…”
He Zhenzhen muttered, “Then eat. I’m going down.”
“Mm, go quick.”
He Jie ate heartily while watching his daughter.
But watching, something felt off—wasn’t she heading to the carriage?
Why to the deck?
Who was responsible for that defense line…
Thinking, He Jie’s eyes bulged like bells.
“Fuck! Qu Hang!”
He Zhenzhen naturally didn’t know her dad was furious.
Her lively gaze swept the edge shadows, spotting Qu Hang hugging his sniper rifle, presence minimal.
She quick-stepped over, black long skirt hem fluttering.
Qu Hang, slacking with fake doze, ears twitched, eyes puzzled.
Early morning, why curse him?
Lifting an eyelid, he saw He Zhenzhen approaching.
“Why’re you here?”
The young girl smiled faintly, holding the food box, “Bringing Dad lunch. But Mom made a lot; he can’t finish. We’ve eaten, so bringing back wastes it. Brought some for you.”
Surprise flashed in Qu Hang’s eyes, but he didn’t call out the girl.
Teacher wouldn’t do something causing misunderstandings.
Seeing the girl’s expectant gaze, Qu Hang swallowed his refusal, took the box.
“Thanks.”
“Mm, eat slowly. I’m going back.”
Finished, He Zhenzhen didn’t linger, turned to the carriage.
Qu Hang just about to open the box felt a chilling stare; lifting his eyelid, sure enough—He Jie stood overhead, face black.
Once He Zhenzhen’s figure vanished, He Jie jumped down fuming, snatching the boxed meal from Qu Hang.
Opened it, sneered, “Chicken leg too? What level are you? Eating the same as me?!”
Qu Hang didn’t care about one meal; as one of the armored train’s few senior officers, he could eat at the dining car with the Train Conductor—rice and meat plenty.
But seeing He Jie’s right hand holding a half-eaten meal, he couldn’t help asking, “Didn’t Senior Colonel say you couldn’t finish?”
He Jie’s eyes bulged, “Scram! Who said I can’t? I’m eating double—you mind?!”
“Got nothing to do? Want me to find you work?”
“Remember, kid—no eyeing my daughter, and definitely not my wife!”
‘Wasn’t it the same last time?’
Hearing He Jie being unreasonable, Qu Hang shrugged, jumped to the front of the train.
Not worth a beating for one forgettable meal.
After apocalypse events, Qu Hang’s feelings for Teacher had faded.
Just couldn’t say it.
If said, He Jie wouldn’t believe—think he was pouring oil on fire.
(Kinda unlucky, caught a cold and fever slept a day, this place counters me, keeps food poisoning and stomach flus, but 6k done, normal 4k update tonight)
