Chapter 136: She Does Not Like Being Threatened

“Yes, Miss Qin Sheng.”

Qin Sheng puffed out her cheeks slightly, somewhat puzzled as to why the district chief wanted to see her. She didn’t have a very favorable impression of that little old man. Moreover, she was aware that the district chief didn’t seem keen on having a girl as the captain of the Seventh Guard Team.

“Is there something the district chief wishes to discuss with me?”

Xiao Li smiled politely and replied, “You are the captain of the Seventh Guard Team, which is under the district chief’s jurisdiction. Naturally, you should meet with your superior.”

Qin Sheng nodded. Xiao Li’s words were airtight, yet sensible. She had no reason to refuse meeting the district chief.

“Very well,” Qin Sheng answered lightly.

“By the way, Miss Qin Sheng, the district chief said that the winner of the arena competition can have any wish granted. Have you thought about what you want?” Xiao Li remained courteous, offering a friendly reminder.

Qin Sheng smiled and nodded. “I’ve already decided. Thank you.”

Xiao Li smiled in return and said politely, “It’s my duty. Please follow me.”

Qin Sheng smiled, gave a quick word to Wang Qiang and the others, then followed Xiao Li toward the district chief’s office in the core area of the Safe Zone.

“District chief, Miss Qin Sheng has arrived.”

Upon entering, Qin Sheng saw the district chief sitting with his back to her and Xiao Li, seemingly lost in thought. Only after Xiao Li’s reminder did he turn around.

Qin Sheng greeted him politely with a slight bow. “Hello, District Chief. I am Qin Sheng.”

She knew well how to speak according to the audience. She was aware from the start that the district chief disliked the idea of a girl leading the Seventh Guard Team. Now that he must know she had accepted the position, he surely bore some resentment. Qin Sheng naturally wanted to put her best foot forward to win over this narrow-minded man.

Her proactive politeness earned a slight nod from the district chief—an unspoken acknowledgment.

“How does the Zombie Forest feel?” the district chief asked sternly, frowning.

Qin Sheng pursed her lips briefly and replied softly, “It’s very dangerous.”

The district chief seemed unsatisfied with her answer, rubbing his forehead slightly.

Qin Sheng rolled her eyes inwardly and continued, “But I understand that the challenges and dangers faced by a guard team member far surpass those of the Zombie Forest. As a member of the guard team, I must protect the district chief and the Safe Zone. I have to confront difficulties head-on and resolve them.”

Xiao Li’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he adjusted his glasses.

Qin Sheng noticed this gesture and knew her compliment had hit the mark.

The district chief’s main concern was his own safety and the authority over the Safe Zone. Qin Sheng’s answer was a perfect response—one she had rehearsed well.

The district chief nodded in satisfaction, putting down his hand from his forehead. His attitude toward Qin Sheng had improved significantly.

“You have a clear understanding of yourself, which is commendable. Always remember, protecting the Safe Zone is your responsibility,” he said, nodding.

Qin Sheng listened attentively with her hands clasped behind her back, her posture straight, occasionally nodding in agreement—something the district chief appreciated greatly.

Though she was a girl, her obedience was far better than many men.

With that thought, the district chief’s opinion of Qin Sheng shifted considerably. Still, he felt something was lacking. He remained unconvinced that her abilities surpassed those of the other male guards. This was why he was reluctant to let a girl lead the team. After all, men had physiological advantages, which in this post-apocalyptic era might determine survival.

Suddenly, Xiao Li leaned close to the district chief and whispered something.

The district chief’s expression turned noticeably surprised. When he looked at Qin Sheng again, all his earlier prejudice had vanished.

Qin Sheng guessed Xiao Li must have mentioned her match against Chen Er from the First Team.

Otherwise, how could the district chief’s attitude have changed so swiftly?

There must be some advantage Qin Sheng held over the other guards; otherwise, the district chief wouldn’t have changed his mind so completely.

What puzzled Qin Sheng most was why Xiao Li was speaking up for her.

“Did you defeat Chen Er from the First Team?” The district chief looked at Qin Sheng in amazement, as if not quite believing it without hearing it from her directly.

Qin Sheng nodded seriously. “Just a friendly sparring match. A narrow victory.”

Upon hearing Qin Sheng’s modest reply, the district chief’s furrowed brow from before vanished. He looked eager to take her hand and assign her the many responsibilities of the Seventh Guard Team’s captain. He no longer cared much about her being a girl.

Chen Er was no ordinary man; he had been a special forces soldier for years. Qin Sheng beating him meant she had considerable strength. The district chief’s real concern was whether she possessed extraordinary ability. If so, she was indeed fit for the role.

“Then let me congratulate you on becoming captain of the Seventh Guard Team,” the district chief said with a broad smile as he stood and retrieved the distinctive captain’s badge from his drawer.

Qin Sheng stood straight, relieved at the smooth progress.

“Thank you, District Chief. I swear to protect you and the entire Safe Zone with my life!”

After pinning the badge on Qin Sheng, she tactfully declared her loyalty, winning the district chief’s final approval.

He nodded approvingly and patted her shoulder, officially recognizing her as the team captain.

Qin Sheng nodded back and then looked at Xiao Li with a polite smile.

If not for Xiao Li’s help today, she might not have received the captain’s badge so quickly.

“All right, Qin Sheng, have you decided on your wish?” The district chief returned to his seat and asked.

Qin Sheng smiled gently. “I have.”

“Do share it with me.”

“District Chief, may I choose the members of the Seventh Guard Team myself?”

She had thought of this wish early on. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to let Chu Xingyu and Jiang Miaomiao give up before entering the Zombie Forest. She certainly wouldn’t allow them to be assigned to other teams at random.

Especially Jiang Miaomiao—she wouldn’t be bullied if she stayed in the Seventh Team.

After all, Guo Jun was there as a formidable protector.

Since the district chief had promised to grant any wish, he wouldn’t object to this straightforward request. As long as the captain’s intentions aligned with his, he would not hinder Qin Sheng’s choice.

“Of course. You can handle these matters yourself,” he agreed swiftly, just as Qin Sheng had expected.

There was no loss for the district chief, so he had every reason to comply.

“Thank you, District Chief!” Qin Sheng bowed deeply.

The district chief smiled helplessly and told her to rise.

“All right, come with me shortly to attend the founding ceremony of the Seventh Guard Team.”

Qin Sheng nodded.

Before the ceremony, she changed into the captain’s uniform prepared by Xiao Li, tailored roughly to her size.

Wearing the pale blue uniform and the badge on her shoulder, Qin Sheng saw her confident eyes reflected in the mirror, the badge gleaming brightly.

She adjusted herself, smiled faintly at her reflection, and stepped out of the fitting room.

Xiao Li had been waiting at the door for some time.

“It suits you very well,” Xiao Li complimented politely.

Qin Sheng smiled and thanked him, then they headed toward the core base exit together.

“Why are you helping me?” Qin Sheng finally asked, unable to hold back her curiosity. She and Xiao Li were not close, and he had no reason to trust her.

To speak well of her to the district chief and even prepare a uniform suggested Xiao Li had his own motives.

Qin Sheng was straightforward and lowered her voice to ask while no one else was around.

Xiao Li was not surprised that she saw through his intentions. Smiling, he said, “I think you can take down Guo Jun.”

Mentioning Guo Jun, Xiao Li’s usually polite and gentle smile turned serious and cold.

Qin Sheng guessed that Xiao Li must have some grudge against Guo Jun. It seemed Guo Jun’s path to captain had made many enemies.

Qin Sheng saw no need to pry further and smirked slightly. “Did you realize early on that Guo Jun and I wouldn’t get along?”

“No. Guo Jun has always been targeting you,” Xiao Li retorted, looking at her.

Thinking it over, Qin Sheng agreed. From the first day of the arena competition to their time in the Zombie Forest, Guo Jun had schemed against her at every turn. Xiao Li, as the district chief’s secretary, surely knew much more than he let on. Qin Sheng was not surprised.

“Then why do you believe I will oppose him? Or that I will take him down?” Qin Sheng asked, intrigued.

Xiao Li pursed his lips, and they stopped walking.

Qin Sheng noticed and turned to him.

“If you don’t take down Guo Jun, you have no future,” Xiao Li said softly but firmly, striking directly at her heart.

Qin Sheng offered no answer, turning away to walk ahead slowly.

Xiao Li furrowed his brow, knowing he was right.

Her silence was, in a way, an answer.

Taking down Guo Jun was something she wanted and was capable of doing. But not doing so didn’t mean she was doomed.

She disliked such threats.

It was only because Xiao Li had helped her just now that she tolerated it.

The old saying was true: one more friend meant one more way out. Xiao Li had qualities she admired—and aspects she could use.

She still needed him for the district chief’s affairs.

Their relationship was, in essence, a silent partnership.

They said nothing more until they exited the core base.

“I’ll leave you here. I have to go meet the district chief. See you at the ceremony in ten minutes.”

Qin Sheng nodded, watching Xiao Li return to the core base.

“Sister!”

Just as Qin Sheng reached the venue for the ceremony, a little figure like a small cannonball—Xiao Nuo—pounced on her.

“Who dares attack your auntie?!”