Chapter 44: Danger (Tuesday Urgent Call for Continued Reading—Let's See If We Can Get Recommended)

As night descended, the city of Civilization bloomed into life. The residential district outside was adorned magnificently; colorful lights transformed the entire square into a dazzling sea of brilliance.

All around the square, numerous small stalls had been set up, each displaying all sorts of toys and supplies in neat, orderly rows. Some stalls were piled high with decorative trinkets, while others offered mouthwatering pastries and fresh fruit.

In the center of the square, the lively strains of festival music began to play—it was Amy. She moved as if dancing amid the lights.

Little Stone, along with Carl, Sophia, and a few other children, dashed about the square, excitedly exploring stall after stall.

Dell and Herschel, both elderly men, sat quietly on a bench, chatting and smiling as they observed everything around them.

Everyone had scrubbed themselves clean with hot water and changed into fresh clothes. Their spirits were completely revived.

Perhaps the earlier stress had been too great, for now the men gathered in small groups, drinking red wine and talking endlessly. The women, too, grouped together, sharing stories of home and family.

Of course, where there is joy, there is also discontent. Take Wichita, for instance.

"Docked another three days’ worth of contribution points! Damn that City Lord!"

Wichita raised her wine glass with a look of resignation, staring at the swirling red liquid as if lost in thought. She wished this glass of wine were Li Changsheng himself so she could swallow him whole.

Ah, she hated taking on assignments—she wanted to reap the rewards without the effort. She needed to think of a way to make up for it.

Her gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, to Amy and Beth, sitting at another table. Though both women held glasses of wine, their minds were clearly elsewhere, their faces troubled by some private worry.

"They must be involved with the Boss. Now’s my chance for revenge! Boss, let’s see how you survive a little taste of chaos."

A wicked smile crept across Wichita’s face. With that, she strode over to Amy and Beth’s table.

"Hey, ladies, why so glum? Did something happen?"

"Oh, Wichita, it’s nothing," Amy replied, waving a hand to mask her mood, but her dejection was plain.

Beth bit her lip. "Our captain decided to stay upstairs and chat with the AI all by himself. Every other team is laughing and having fun—we feel abandoned. We’re just a bit worried about him. He’s up there alone, and it seems so lonely."

"The Boss is just like that—doesn’t care for crowds. You know him, Amy."

Amy nodded in agreement.

Wichita’s brows furrowed, and she deliberately suggested, "Spending too much time alone isn’t good—he’ll end up a recluse. I have a great idea. Why don’t we all go find him and play a game together?"

"Great idea," Amy and Beth chimed in at once.

So the three of them left the festivities downstairs and headed upstairs.

Upstairs, it was much quieter, with only a faint glow illuminating the corners. In truth, with the power restored, all the lights could have been turned on, making the top floor as bright as day.

But Li Changsheng worried that such brightness would attract the undead.

Downstairs, the wall of obstacles still offered protection, but up here on the top floor, if he turned on all the lights—

It would be like a firefly in the dark, impossible not to notice!

Knock, knock, knock.

Hearing the knock, Li Changsheng felt a flicker of surprise but got up to answer the door.

"Hey, Boss!" Wichita greeted him with a peculiar smile. "Isn’t it boring being up here all alone? Guess who I brought!"

Li Changsheng looked up to see Beth and Amy standing demurely behind Wichita, holding glasses of red wine and plates of fruit and snacks.

Amy still wore her usual professional attire, but she had swapped her skirt for sheer black stockings, her fair skin faintly visible beneath. Beth wore a loose pink T-shirt and a white skirt patterned with tiny flowers, exuding youthful vitality. Wichita herself was clad in a black tank top and tiny leather shorts, her figure accentuated in all the right places.

Li Changsheng gave the three women, each so strikingly different, a curious look. "It’s so lively downstairs—why come up here?"

Before Amy and Beth could reply, Wichita jumped in, "It’s too noisy down there. Amy and Beth wanted somewhere quiet, but everywhere else is too dark and scary. So we figured we’d just come find you. Don’t turn us away on such a happy night."

Li Changsheng shot her a skeptical glance.

Of all Wichita’s ten words, only one could be trusted.

"You’d better not be scheming anything," he muttered. Still, since Amy and Beth had come bearing treats, he couldn’t refuse. He let them in. "It’s a bit dim—watch your step."

They dragged over a small table and settled in.

Once the food and wine were set out, Wichita suggested, "Let’s play a game!"

"What game?"

"Truth or Dare!"

Li Changsheng meant to refuse, but the three women looked at him with such anticipation.

Life after the disaster had indeed become too monotonous.

As Columbus’s Survival Notes recorded: always seek out small joys in life.

He didn’t want to spoil their fun, so he agreed.

Wichita pulled out a deck of cards, drew four, and placed them face down for everyone to pick. The game cards were just four: the two Jokers, a 2, and a 3. The rule was simple—the Jokers issued commands, the 2 and 3 had to obey, or else drink.

Wichita exclaimed, "What a coincidence, I’m the Joker!"

Li Changsheng glanced at his card—a 3.

Feigning deep thought, Wichita’s eyes glinted with mischief. "Let’s start with number three. Number three, truth or dare?"

This woman is up to something…

Damn Wichita…

No dares, that’s for sure.

"Truth," Li Changsheng answered nonchalantly.

At last, he’d fallen into her hands!

Wichita’s expression was one of gleeful triumph. "Oh, then, Boss, tell us—who’s your favorite person in the base?"

She beamed, having tampered with the cards just to see Li Changsheng squirm in this awkward situation.

Amy and Beth both perked up, their gazes falling on Li Changsheng.

Though the two women got along well, neither had ever broached the subject of feelings.

Their eyes met briefly in the air, then each looked away, jealousy and anxiety surging beneath the surface.

A death trap…

Wichita, you troublemaker…

I can’t say I like both Amy and Beth.

Or say I like all the pretty ones? After all, who wouldn’t, in a TV drama?

Or admit to liking Wichita? But with her thick skin, she’d never believe it.

There was only one answer.

"My favorite?" Li Changsheng paused. "It must be Mole. Mole is a good worker—always diligent and tireless."

Wichita cursed him for his cunning, annoyed at herself for not specifying romantic interest.

Next time, for sure.

How frustrating!

Amy and Beth both gave Li Changsheng a speechless look.

But inside, both felt a wave of relief.

After that, the game grew more absurd.

"Dare! Number two and number three, kiss each other!"

Drink.

"Truth! What part of the opposite sex do you like most?"

Drink.

And so on.

Li Changsheng soon realized Wichita had nothing but mischief in mind. He decided to take the punishment for nearly every question—just drink.

Beth and Amy, faces flushed, drank relentlessly as well.

Wichita soon lost interest—the thrill of cheating had worn off.

"Enough! I can’t stand you all. Amy, Beth, you two are just as bad—learning from the Boss to be so reserved. Not at all like Westerners! I’m going to find Little Stone. You two can keep drinking!"

With that, Wichita stormed off in a huff.

Amy and Beth, emboldened by the wine, paid no mind to her angry exit.

Their fair faces were tinged with a rosy blush, like ripe peaches in early summer—tempting enough to steal a kiss.

Amy’s eyes were half-lidded, a dreamy allure in her gaze. A few buttons at her chest had come undone, revealing a hint of soft, pale skin. She leaned closer and closer to Li Changsheng, nearly pressing herself against him.

Beth was little better. Her pink T-shirt slipped down, exposing a smooth, white shoulder. Her shoes had disappeared somewhere, and one bare foot tangled with Li Changsheng’s.

He too was a bit tipsy, his thoughts drifting here and there.

In the lamplight, the wine in their glasses shimmered enticingly—just like the state of the three of them: alluring and dangerous.