Zhang Xiao Qiang was preparing to get in the car when a beautiful figure ran out in front of him. When that figure appeared, all the men present were agape with shock. The woman in front of them was as beautiful as the fairies of legends. Even their breathing became harsh. Some of them held their breaths until they couldn't hold it in anymore and panted. The panting broke the silence that had permeated the area, and every single man shot daggers at Zhang Xiao Qiang. Because this woman was actually staring at him pitifully, her eyes pleading.
This beauty was precisely Shangguan Qiao Yun, and she had been practicing and training together with the rest these past few days. She was truly formidable, having convinced Yang Ke'er and mesmerized her in just a few sentences. Other than the things that Zhang Xiao Qiang specifically said not to mention, Yang Ke'er had spilled everything out like an innocent little girl. Shangguan Qiao Yun got to know Zhang Xiao Qiang's character and knew he was perverted, but he had his principles, and would not force women, nor would he just randomly have s.e.x with a woman he didn't know or understand. Even if it were a beauty like her.
The more she got to know him, the more she was surprised. She could not believe that such a man still existed. On the surface, he was all macho and had the machismo thinking, but deep down, he actually respected women. Yang Ke'er had revealed how they got to know each other, and Shangguan Qiao Yun could not believe that Zhang Xiao Qiang had actually brought along a dirty and soiled little girl whose appearance hadn't been clear to roam the wilderness. Along the way to WH, he had never once taken advantage of the girl, did the world truly still have such an upright gentleman?!
For Shangguan Qiao Yun, ever since she escaped from the city, she had met a bunch of survivors. Being with them, her eyes were opened to the type of men that existed. All the young women had been thoroughly humiliated, raped, or tormented, a fate worse than death, whereas those that were older or not as good-looking were forced out of the team to save water and food. She was beautiful, and hence, the men were thoroughly hooked on her charm. Each of the men wanted to possess her, none of them could make a move. She wasn't raped, instead, she was taken care of so well. Not that they didn't harbor any thoughts, one night, one of the man crawled beside her, intending to smell her. He was caught by the rest and pummeled to death. As she watched on, she had been fearful, and tried her best to get on good terms with everybody, but not overly so. Like this, she had led a life like a queen, where all the males tried to get into her good books, living for her, until she met Brother Long.
Now, she was officially Zhang Xiao Qiang's person, having left the depraved brother Long, and had always thought Zhang Xiao Qiang to be a stepping stone for her. She would use her pride and capabilities to live like a queen again. Except, this time, she was truly mistaken. The distance between h.e.l.l and heaven had been so close, and when she was plunged into despair, and had thought to kill herself, he had stopped her, and given her some sort of a promise. Although it was harsh, it was a sort of a rope for her to cling on while she was drowning. Thus, she decided to grab hold of it tightly.
She knew he had been harsh with Yuan Yi and Su Qian, and understood the meaning behind his actions. She was intelligent and knew that he wanted them to have the strength to continue living in this cruel world. Even in the event they left him, they would be able to fend for themselves, as long as they could live, there would be hope.
She had thus mustered her determination from that year, where she had gone all out to marry into that rich man's family. Every day, she had practiced while gritting her teeth, to the point she could not walk properly. She had gone all out because she had seen the hope, the hope of not relying on someone so that she could live on still. That was why she had thrown her pride away to beg Zhang Xiao Qiang. She hoped that he would bring her, and help her gain the courage to face those man-eating monsters. It was a chance, a chance she had to grab thoroughly!
She stood silently in front of him, her long hair tied up in a braid. Her slightly blond hair looked golden under the sunlight, and the radiance of it caused Zhang Xiao Qiang to squint slightly. Those eyes that were even more attractive than the most beautiful gemstones were currently looking at him and pleading. There was a stubborn strength behind those eyes, a resolution even clearer than the purest milk. Under the bright sunlight, there was a slight crimson look, and it was that crimson look that would cause most men to be unable to hold back, to reach out for her and to caress her face.
Under her cute nose, her lips were redder than the lushest rose and looked even more inviting than the finest wine. There was no need to go up to have a taste, just looking at it and admiring her lips would bring a sort of serenity to one's heart. Her lips accentuated the freshness of her teeth, those white pearl-like things, which caused one to be fearful of damaging them, more precious than the most valuable of crystals.
She was extremely nervous and bit her lower lip, her legs trembling slightly, and her voluptuous chest heaving up and down. The surrounding men could not help but stare straight at her, quietly gulping while taking in the scene. Even Zhang Xiao Qiang.
Zhang Xiao Qiang s.h.i.+fted his gaze towards her limpid eyes and hesitated. After all, he wasn't responsible for taking care of her. It would really be up to her luck. If she met some danger, it was her misfortune. If she didn't, then she was truly blessed. Now, it was her taking the initiative to ask him to bring her on the expedition. It was not in the agreement, but if he were to turn her down, with such a beauty begging him only for him to reject her, wasn't it seemingly petty of him?
Honestly, Zhang Xiao Qiang was not a broad-minded person, to those he found pleasing, he was slightly more relaxed. However, it was not to the point where he was a generous person. Up till now, he only gave He Wen Bin that slight bit of generosity. But to acknowledge that he was petty? Over his dead body. How could a macho man be petty? Wasn't that just the opposite of a man?! Zhang Xiao Qiang looked down on those calculative men the most. He felt that most men who were henpecked were weak men if they couldn't even handle their wives, what were they?
"You know this. I've not promised you anything, and I'm not responsible for you. I would not waste my energy to protect you, who are lacking in ability."
He was extremely direct, and he had come to terms with it. The apocalyptic world had its own set of rules. It wasn't the time for him to enjoy himself nor risk himself for anyone else yet. If she suddenly affected his rhythm during a crucial moment, wouldn't that just be problematic?
Shangguan Qiao Yun lowered her head, using that husky yet alluring voice to plead: "I just want a chance, a chance so that I don't have to rely on any man."
She paused a while, before looking at him with those eyes of hers, as she continued: "Even if I have to follow a man, I must get the chance to follow a true man like you!"
When he heard those respectful words, he suddenly found it funny, did she really know what he was like? Did she take him for some superhero?
"I'm not some formidable person, the outside world has many things more terrifying than me. Plus, why should I give you the chance? You aren't of the same mind nor goal as us, isn’t it? Since you're going to rely on someone else the moment you reach WH."
Zhang Xiao Qiang rejected Shangguan Qiao Yun once again. He didn't want to bring trouble to himself. He didn’t want to follow Emperor Taizu of Song's example to send the dethroned prince and his mother away. He was practical and didn't want to die early just because he acted like a good person.
"Putong…" This time, she kneeled down in front of everybody, her hands right in front of her head that was close to the ground. Her eyes continued to look at him, her tears flowing without stop, like little crystal droplets.
Zhang Xiao Qiang could suddenly feel a dark ominous energy around him. When the men had seen this beautiful fairy actually groveling on the ground in front of Zhang Xiao Qiang, they had started to curse him in their hearts. If he wasn't famous for being a powerful figure, and they all knew that he wasn't nice to mess with, they would have already torn him apart.
Seeing the pretty flower crying in front of him, everyone was feeling furious, and Zhang Xiao Qiang, who normally felt his skin to be thick, could even feel himself flus.h.i.+ng. It was truly not nice to be at the receiving end of such looks of loathing!
In the end, she got in the car, he didn't promise her anything, and she was just an additional hand, and would not be part of his team. Even then, the true nucleus only consisted of him, Yang Ke'er and Yuan Yi. Su Qian's behavior left much to be desired, and Zhang Xiao Qiang wanted to see if she could reach his standards before promising anything.
