"Zhou Yong," he said after introducing himself, answering Su Ling's question, "I was the one who started the fire."
Before Su Ling could ask why, Zhou Yong explained, "As for why I started the fire, it's simple. This pharmaceutical factory belongs to me. Even after the apocalypse, I've stayed here because it's all my life's work."
"If you hadn't shown up, I could have continued to guard my life's work and survive in this post-apocalyptic world, relying on the vegetables from my small plot of land and the corn I grew."
Though he said this, Zhou Yong knew very well he hadn't eaten a full meal or tasted meat in a long time.
Heaven knew how much he craved meat!
Zhou Yong glared at Su Ling resentfully, "But you appeared, like bandits, wanting to claim my life's work as your own. How could I stand by and watch you take everything that belongs to me? I'd rather destroy it than let you benefit. But my abilities are limited; I'm just one person, and I'm no match for you. I admit defeat!"
Speaking up to this point, Zhou Yong became a little frantic, "So, I set a huge fire and burned down the fifth floor where I was. I only regret that I was weak and alone, forced to be like fish on a chopping board..."
Su Ling listened to Zhou Yong's accusations and condemnations. She didn't refute them, merely saying in a soft voice, "Scouring your pharmaceutical factory is a fact, and I'm too lazy to explain my actions."
Zhou Yong had long known that Su Ling and her group were bandits, so he had already guessed what Su Ling would say. He looked at her and snorted, "I'm less skilled than you. Kill me or skin me, as you wish. But there's one thing: after you kill me, please bury me with my pharmaceutical factory. Let me lie with them in eternal rest after the great fire."
Su Ling looked at the defiant Zhou Yong. Her cold eyes swept over his shoulder, and the rocket launcher on Zhou Yong's left shoulder whizzed back into Su Ling's hand.
Zhou Yong was stunned by this and looked at Su Ling in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Su Ling played with the rocket launcher, looking at Zhou Yong, "If you're willing, you can come back to our base with us. It's very safe there, offering shelter from the apocalypse, and there are many survivors. You can make new friends."
Zhou Yong narrowed his eyes slightly at Su Ling's words, "Are you saying this is your compensation for taking the medicine from my pharmaceutical factory?"
"You can interpret it that way," Su Ling said, her voice cold. "As for whether you're willing or not, it's entirely up to you. If you're not willing, I can compensate you in other ways. Name your terms, and I'll consider them."
Zhou Yong tilted his head slightly, looking at Su Ling as he considered the credibility of her words.
The air suddenly fell silent.
Su Ling propped her chin on her hand, playing with the rocket launcher. She was waiting for Shang Qi and Chu Jin to return, and also waiting for Zhou Yong's answer.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yong was still contemplating Su Ling's words.
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yong asked, "Are you sure?"
Su Ling gave a soft hum and lazily added, "Sure. Come back to our base with us, and you can live a life indistinguishable from before the apocalypse. If you don't come back, I'll still compensate you for your losses."
"Indistinguishable?" Zhou Yong seized on Su Ling's words and looked at her very seriously. "If I come back to your base with you, I can live a life indistinguishable from before the apocalypse. What a bold claim!"
It wasn't that Zhou Yong doubted Su Ling's words out of disbelief, but he knew clearly that to achieve such a feat in this arduous post-apocalyptic world was harder than ascending to heaven.