They arrived before anyone else, being the first.
Yes, they were five minutes early.
Sheng Wei Qu led them to their assigned seats, solicitously asking if they preferred coffee or tea.
"Coffee," both said in unison.
Sheng Wei Qu's refined young face twitched slightly, and he softly acknowledged their request.
Precisely at ten o'clock, a dense sound of footsteps filled the air as people streamed into the conference room.
They flattered each other, boasting about their respective bases.
Familiar voices mingled within the din. Xu Qian's ears were sharp, and she instantly recognized them.
It was Mei Yue Bai and Xiang Jin Tian, and a third voice, cool and indifferent, similar to Tang Zhi Yuan's, but not quite.
His voice was colder, and more resonant.
The two naturally stood up to greet them. Xu Qian silently followed behind Guan Wei Yun, looking up at the assembled guests.
Several familiar faces were right before her.
Xu Qian's pupils constricted, and she lowered her gaze.
"Hello, I am Guan Wei Yun."
They introduced themselves, exchanging pleasantries and flattery.
Guan Wei Yun didn't want everyone to pay too much attention to Xu Qian, so he simply introduced her briefly.
"This is my wife."
No one paid any mind to Xu Qian, whose presence was deliberately understated, nor did they question why she wore a mask.
Everyone was focused on maximizing their gains for the day.
"Please sit."
The five of them took their seats. Occasionally, eyes would drift towards Xu Qian, linger for a moment, then shift away, subtly.
Tang Zhi Shen scanned the room and cut to the chase.
"As everyone knows, the purpose of gathering all you leaders here is for the vaccine that Tang's Base requires. In addition to our needs, we have 300 doses remaining to offer to you all..."
Everyone held their breath, awaiting the terms.
"I heard that Brightness Base recently found a batch of gasoline. My demands are not high: 100 jin of gasoline per dose of vaccine."
Xu Qian's lips twitched. Not high demands?
100 jin of gasoline for one dose of vaccine? That meant 1,000 jin for 100 doses! What kind of joke was this?
Even if the vaccine was important, it wasn't worth that much gasoline.
In the apocalypse, gasoline was difficult to replenish. Once given, it was truly gone.
Mei Yue Bai's face darkened. He unbuttoned the top button of his collar, finding a moment of relief.
"Tang Zhi Shen, you're asking for too much."
They had indeed found a considerable amount of gasoline in a cellar in the suburbs recently, likely left by a fuel dealer before the apocalypse.
But 100 jin of gasoline for one vaccine dose was excessive.
Tang Zhi Yuan's lips, the color of flesh, curved upward. A cold glint flickered in his dark eyes, obscured by his glasses.
"Then Leader Mei can reconsider."
"You!" Mei Yue Bai was about to retort when the man beside him pressed his arm.
"A Bai, calm down."
Mei Yue Bai deflated like a pricked balloon.
The two exchanged a look and fell silent. Next up was Hope Base.
"Leader Guan, Hope Base has many people, so you should have quite a few crystal cores, correct? How about 1,000 Level 3 crystal cores plus 50 jin of fruits and vegetables?"
The two from Brightness Base frowned upon hearing this. 1,000 crystal cores per dose, and then an additional 50 jin of produce for each dose. Compared to their own situation, it was even more demanding.
Tang Zhi Shen was truly greedy.
Guan Wei Yun's expression remained unchanged. Hope Base had no shortage of resources, and crystal cores were indeed abundant.
But where would he get fruits and vegetables?
"Mr. Tang, we can provide the crystal cores, but the vegetables, let's forget it."
Tang Zhi Shen gently adjusted his glasses, a low chuckle escaping him.
"I've heard that the high-ranking members of Hope Base have been enjoying quite good meals lately. Perhaps, Leader Guan, you could consider that?"