Right at this moment—
A knock came from outside the train compartment. Soon, Old Pig pushed the door open and reported quietly, "Master Mang, I’ve taken Mountain Cat with me to conduct a thorough inspection of today’s rescued survivors, and none of them are his girlfriend."
Chen Mang wasn’t holding out much hope in the first place. With this mortality rate, the chances of Mountain Cat’s girlfriend surviving were slim. He merely instructed softly, "Tonight, give the newly arrived survivors a simple meal first, and also ask if there are any couples among them."
"If there are any couples, bring them to see me."
"If anyone causes trouble, kill them."
Old Pig hesitated for a moment, then said softly once more, "Master Mang, following your instructions regarding Ji Chuchu and the small group of celebrities, I specifically had female slaves clean them up—they are all now clean and waiting in the thugs’ compartment, ready to come over at any time."
"Let Ji Chuchu come over."
In the thugs’ compartment, Old Pig glared at Hei Hao and said grumpily, "Stop staring. Master Mang wants Ji Chuchu to come over. Don’t let it be that when Ji Chuchu climbs up the ranks, she remembers this and you can’t keep your little life later."
Hei Hao watched Ji Chuchu’s departing, curvaceous silhouette, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he muttered, "Didn’t Master Mang say that if we bros do a good job, once Doomsday Abyss is over, this..."
Before Old Pig could speak, Biaozi gave Hei Hao a smack on the back of his head: "Why do you talk so much? Bewitched by a woman?"
"But... that’s not just any woman. That’s a celebrity."
"It’s precisely because she’s a celebrity that it’s dangerous. Since ancient times, beautiful women have been a source of calamity. Shut up and don’t drag me down with you if you want to die."
"I know what you’re thinking."
Old Pig spoke each word coldly: "I need to remind you all: there’s only one voice on this train, and that’s Master Mang’s voice."
"All the control of the firepower weapons is in Master Mang’s hands."
"Talking about retracting a promise is a minor thing. Even if Master Mang has countless problems, anyone who complains has only one end: death. Promises made by those in power can only be addressed by those in power. If they haven’t brought it up, anyone who mentions it is committing treason."
"Do you all understand this principle?"
"Of course, we understand."
Biaozi replied solemnly: "Pig Train Captain, rest assured, we definitely understand this principle. Hei Hao just had a moment of muddiness in his head."
Inside the train compartment.
Ji Chuchu pushed the door open, a hint of panic on her face as she wore a spaghetti strap dress. She kneeled on the blanket, not daring to lift her eyes to look at the mysterious man sitting in front of her, her head nearly buried in her chest.
A familiar voice sounded.
She couldn’t help but look up at the screen inside the train compartment, which was playing a variety show she had recorded in the past. Quickly, she lowered her head again, her eyes full of unease.
Who knows how much time had passed.
Sitting at the control panel, feet crossed and propped on the table, puffing smoke, Chen Mang glanced at Ji Chuchu in the variety show, clicking his tongue as he remarked, "Indeed, your acting is average."
He tilted his head towards the obedient Ji Chuchu kneeling on the blanket, lifting her chin with his cane, looking over her pitiful and tender face. After a few glances, he casually said.
"The real person looks a bit better."
Chen Mang nodded slightly in approval but didn’t pay further attention to Ji Chuchu and instead continued watching the variety show on screen. After a moment, he couldn’t help but comment again, "How can someone act so poorly in a variety show?"
"I shouldn’t look like a philanthropist. Everyone on this train must show their value to receive the train’s protection. Do you have any value?"
Ji Chuchu breathed a long sigh of relief, lifting her head with flirtatious eyes looking at Chen Mang, much of the unease dissipated, even a hint of a smile appearing: "My on-stage acting might be average, but my off-stage acting is quite proficient."
Kneeling on the ground, Ji Chuchu smiled: "For example... ."
Chen Mang looked at Ji Chuchu, once again obediently kneeling to the side, her face now much less unsettled. Lighting a cigarette slowly and exhaling a long puff, he chuckled softly.
"As long as you like it, Master Mang."
Only then did he call Old Pig over via the intercom.
Old Pig entered through the door without glancing at Ji Chuchu next to him. With a respectful, hoarse voice, he said, "Master Mang, you called for me."
Chen Mang nodded, pondering for a moment before speaking, "From now on, she will enjoy the status of a first-class slave on the Fixed Star train, residing in the thugs’ compartment on usual days. You should have a record of the number of slaves mining in the Doomsday Abyss these recent days, those in the forefront, also with you and Biaozi. There’s another batch of small celebrities among those who ranked lower, you just handle the arrangements as you see fit."
"Alright, take her away."
Old Pig nodded, while Ji Chuchu, kneeling beside him, let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed like survival wasn’t too challenging after all. Being a celebrity in the apocalypse did have its advantages. No matter who captures her, her life is virtually guaranteed.
Fixed Star, thugs’ compartment.
Biaozi gazed at Ji Chuchu, who had already eaten sixteen slices of bread and was still eating, his expression complex as he couldn’t help but comment, "She really can eat, probably starved enough in the past."
After the seventeenth slice of bread was swallowed, Ji Chuchu patted her belly contentedly, burped, and licked the bread crumbs at the corners of her mouth as if still savoring the taste.
"That’s quite a lot to eat."