Chapter 162: The Eve of Departure

There were too many complicated matters at hand, and Qin Sheng had neither the time nor the mood to concern herself with the affairs of others. As it happened, night had already fallen, so she decided to spend the night at the Serendipity Shop.

For some reason, being alone in the Serendipity Shop felt a bit lonely. Without the bickering between Song Qing’an and Lu Shenchen, she felt as if something essential was missing. Qin Sheng did not know where Song Qing’an had gone, and in her moments of irritation, she found herself missing him. Had he been by her side, perhaps she wouldn't be feeling so down. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep, likely out of sheer exhaustion.

Rising early the next morning, Qin Sheng used her spatial ability to teleport back to the Safe Zone. With the zone currently leaderless, there were matters she needed to attend to. Guo Jun was unfit to be the administrator, but the previous one had been no saint either. She needed someone who would serve the people of the Safe Zone wholeheartedly, not someone driven by power and self-interest.

By the time Qin Sheng returned, Shen Shi had already made significant progress. Fortunately, because Guo Jun had not focused his efforts on restructuring the zone during his tenure, things remained much as they were before, requiring only some personnel adjustments.

"Captain, here is the status report on the members of the security teams. Please take a look."

Shen Shi was thorough. Knowing the high level of corruption within the security teams under Guo Jun's influence, he had compiled the relevant data yesterday, waiting for Qin Sheng to return and issue orders. Qin Sheng flipped through the files briefly. Shen Shi had already marked those who had been secretly engaging in nefarious activities; the team captains who had followed Guo Jun all had blood on their hands.

Only one person had a pristine record: Yang Lin.

"Do you have any thoughts, Captain?" Shen Shi had been observing Qin Sheng’s reactions. Seeing her pause at Yang Lin’s file, he explained carefully, "Yang Lin is indeed the most suitable candidate for a security team captain. He was a soldier before the apocalypse, so his character is certainly beyond reproach."

Qin Sheng knew Yang Lin was an upright man, and she already had a plan.

"Shen Shi, my idea is to divide the security teams into five major units, with the five captains supervising one another to nip corruption in the bud. As for the appointments, you and Yang Lin can handle them; I trust you both."

Shen Shi nodded. "Why don't you take the position of Administrator yourself, Captain? Not a single person in the entire Safe Zone would object."

Qin Sheng shook her head gently. She was leaving for the Otherworld tomorrow, so it was better to leave the heavy responsibility of the Safe Zone to someone more suitable. "No need. I have my own plans."

Shen Shi nodded slightly. He opened his mouth as if to ask about those plans but decided against it.

"Shen Shi, you are more familiar with the Safe Zone, so I trust you with these matters. Why don't you invite our people over tonight to discuss things? It will give me peace of mind before I leave," Qin Sheng said with a smile.

Hearing that she was leaving, Shen Shi frowned, bit his lip, and asked hesitantly, "You don't intend to stay in the Safe Zone?"

Qin Sheng nodded, the note from the Serendipity Shop crossing her mind. Whether it was meant for her or not, she had to try on the night of the full moon. She had a persistent premonition that she was destined to go to the Otherworld.

"Once everything is settled, I will return," Qin Sheng replied softly.

Shen Shi parted his lips, seemingly reluctant, but ultimately nodded and went to carry out her instructions.

The chaos of the previous day had left much to be resolved. By now, everyone had decisively chosen to stand on Qin Sheng's side. She took care of several matters before leaving. The corrupt captains who had followed Guo Jun were all dismissed, and an official notice was issued banning them from ever serving in the Safe Zone’s security teams again. Those who were dissatisfied or rebellious were given a choice: submit or face a duel on the Life-and-Death Stage.

In other words, it was either submission or death. Most chose to submit; the few who were unafraid of death were sent to the Life-and-Death Stage. Lin Xing and Chu Xingyu spent the whole day busy there.

For most, resisting with ordinary combat or abilities was like throwing an egg against a rock. Of course, not all of them died directly; most were exiled to the Zombie Forest. Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing had enjoyed the day thoroughly, and upon returning, they were still reminiscing with relish. They had also gained a general grasp of how to use their abilities during the process.

It was late by the time Qin Sheng finished handling the affairs of the Safe Zone. In the afternoon, she had asked Shen Shi to invite several people to the Seventh Team to discuss matters. She took plenty of hot pot ingredients out of her space, including some Chinese cabbage she had recently harvested. This meal was not just to celebrate the restructuring of the Safe Zone, but more of a farewell.

By this time tomorrow, she would likely be heading to the Otherworld alone. She intended to go by herself; the Otherworld was a dangerous and unknown place, and she did not want her friends to risk their lives alongside her.

When Qin Sheng brought the ingredients down, Yu Yong knew what to do, took them, and headed to the kitchen. Within minutes, those invited by Shen Shi began to arrive at the Seventh Team.

"Qin Sheng."
"Qin Sheng, we're here."

Yang Lin and Xiao Li met at the entrance and walked into the Seventh Team together. Seeing Qin Sheng sitting under the old locust tree, lost in thought, they called out her name in unison.

Qin Sheng shook off her thoughts, stood up, and looked at them. "You're here? Come, sit."

Yang Lin and Xiao Li nodded and sat beside her. Looking at the smile on Xiao Li’s face, it seemed he had breathed a sigh of relief now that Guo Jun was dead.

"The hot pot will be ready in a moment. Please wait a little longer."

Upon hearing there was hot pot, both Xiao Li and Yang Lin looked shocked.

"You have hot pot here?" Yang Lin knew Qin Sheng was no ordinary person. He joked, "If there's hot pot, I'd love to stay with the Seventh Team. Is Captain Qin still accepting new members?"

Qin Sheng smiled faintly. "I brought it back from a trip yesterday. It’s only right to share good things with everyone."

"Captain, the hot pot is ready. Everyone, come in and eat!"

As soon as Qin Sheng finished speaking, Yu Yong walked out of the small kitchen to invite everyone inside.

"Please."

Qin Sheng greeted her own team members as well. As they sat in a circle around the hot pot, a sense of warmth and happiness filled the room.

"Qin Sheng, you didn't just call us here for hot pot, did you?" Xiao Li adjusted his glasses and looked at her with a smile.

Qin Sheng nodded sheepishly. "Naturally, it’s not just for hot pot, though that is the main event."

"Just speak your mind; we are a family," Yang Lin said, acting like the older brother he had always been.

Qin Sheng stopped hesitating and stated bluntly, "I am leaving the management of the Safe Zone to you all."

As soon as she said this, everyone except Shen Shi, who already knew, spoke at once:
"You’re leaving the Safe Zone?!"
"Sister Sheng, are you abandoning us?"
"Sheng Sheng, where are you going?"

Qin Sheng hadn't expected such a strong reaction. She calmed them down, saying, "I have some things I need to handle, but rest assured, I will definitely return to the Safe Zone."

"If the matter is difficult to handle, why don't we go with you? There is strength in numbers," Yang Lin urged.

Qin Sheng shook her head with a smile. "I don't know how long this journey will be. Don't worry, just trust me."

Everyone was uneasy about her going alone, but they had absolute faith in her abilities.

"So, I leave the affairs of the Safe Zone to you two," Qin Sheng said, looking at Yang Lin and Xiao Li.

"You can count on us; we will take good care of everything," Yang Lin said, and Xiao Li nodded in agreement.

Qin Sheng smiled faintly, trusting their experience and capability. "In that case, Yang Lin, you will take on the responsibilities of the Safe Zone Administrator. Xiao Li, you are familiar with the Core Base, so I leave that in your hands."

Yang Lin frowned slightly and shook his head. "I am only familiar with military affairs and am not skilled at managing the Safe Zone. Besides, you’re coming back, so why don't you keep the position for when you return?"

"Exactly," Xiao Li added. "Brother Yang will handle the security teams, and I will handle the Core Base. We will manage everything well until you return."

Yang Lin nodded. He could handle the security teams, but the position of Administrator was better left to someone more capable.

"Alright, let’s settle on that for now. The pot is boiling; let's eat and talk."

Perhaps because of Qin Sheng’s impending departure, the atmosphere was noticeably subdued. Qin Sheng sensed this and said with a helpless smile, "I’m not saying I won't come back, so don't be so sad. Who knows, maybe I won't even be able to leave tomorrow."

She only knew that the night of the full moon was the key to reaching the Otherworld, but she had no idea how it would actually happen. Everything would only be clear tomorrow.

The others remained silent, heads bowed as they ate. Qin Sheng chuckled and added, "Come on, don't you trust my abilities?"

Her deliberate remark finally drew a reaction.

"Sister Sheng, we know your abilities, but we still worry..." Chu Xingyu pouted, looking reluctant.

Lin Xing’s eyes welled up with tears, his voice choked with emotion. "Grandmother, we can't do without you..."

Jiang Miaomiao looked just as downcast, biting her lip and sighing, unable to find words.

"Alright, enough of this sentimentality. When I return, I’ll treat you all to barbecue," Qin Sheng said, hoping the promise of food would soothe their spirits.