The first time they met, in Zhou Qingâs eyes, Su Huan was a dangerous young man.
This time, however, Su Huan was her only lifeline.
"Does the promise you made still hold true?"
Zhou Qing asked directly.
Su Huan shrugged, "I donât remember making you any promise."
Facing the conductorâs nearly rejecting words, the young manâs face would have turned pale at this moment, but Dean Zhou simply repeated the question Su Huan had previously asked her.
Lu Yu and the other students looked nervously at Su Huan.
Short footsteps came from behind, and Lu Xiao and Miao Qi arrived with their men, immediately spotting Su Huan at the forefront.
They stopped, unloaded their bullets, and lowered their gun barrels.
The uniform sound made the students tense up.
Under the frightened gaze of the teachers and students, the armed soldiers who had easily massacred their mercenaries walked up to this mysterious young man and respectfully spoke.
"Conductor."
A small commotion instantly erupted in the crowd.
Lu Yuâs gaze passed over the teacherâs shoulder and landed on Su Huan, eyes filled with complex awe.
He looked about the same age as himself, but this man was already the leader of a major force.
Not just him, even Zhou Qing couldnât help but show a hint of amazement in her eyes.
They knew very well about the armed train that had been in the spotlight for the past two days, even had dealings with it. They had speculated more than once behind the scenes about the identity of the "conductor", even she had stereotypically thought it would be at least someone over thirty-five, a hero with a deep understanding of human nature and the world.
Or perhaps one of the few who knew the truth about the apocalypse.
Never expected it to be someone even younger than her students.
Although evolution had made everyone younger, Su Huanâs vibrant energy could not be hidden.
She subconsciously compared him to her best students, whether a politician governing a region, a tycoon storming the financial markets, or a writer manipulating words to influence minds, the names she once took pride in seemed somewhat insignificant in this scenario.
Because Su Huan, with a single thought, could decide the fate of humanity in a region.
Ultimate power and authority were condensed in his person.
To forge into the future or to lie dormant forever.
All decisions made by a single word!
Upon witnessing this scene, Wen Biao was already terrified to the bone.
He initially judged the armed train could easily devour the minor forces of Xinma County, but the entire Xinma County united could surely withstand the train.
Yet a single lieutenant had devoured Engineer Ma.
Wen Biao instinctively recalled the officer who had questioned him by the car door, seemed to be...
A colonel!
Thinking about his brush with death, Wen Biaoâs limbs couldnât help but tremble, but thinking about latching onto the Dragon Kingâs leg, he got excited again.
If a lieutenant is this fierce, what about the other officers?
Is this the true strength of a force like the Jinfeng Chamber of Commerce?
Amidst his wild reveries, Wen Biaoâs brain became increasingly exhilarated.
His body, in fear and anticipation, broke out in alternating hot and cold sweat.
Su Huan lingered on Lu Xiao for a moment, nodded slightly, and turned to face the woman and students.
"So, whatâs your answer?"
Zhou Qing replied seriously, "I am willing."
Perhaps hearing the satisfactory answer, Su Huanâs lips curled slightly, like a devil weighing a soulâs worth with a smile.
"Then I refuse."
"Huh?"
Wen Biao blurted out in surprise, and Engineer Maâs teachers and students collectively found themselves in an awkward position.
Confusion filled Zhou Qingâs eyes, the young man seemed genuinely intent on recruiting her, at least thatâs the emotion she felt at that moment, but why refuse now?
Zhou Qing still wanted to make one last plea, "My name is Zhou Qing, I am the Dean of the Intelligent Transport Institute, proficient in connected vehicle technology, drone application technology, and rail vehicle technology. If you employ me, all eight teachers and forty-six students behind me will work for you. Though I canât guarantee much, we have extensive experience in mechanical repair. In this situation, you will not find anyone more professional than us..."
Su Huan squinted, dimming the brilliance in his eyes.
He didnât expect he had truly stumbled upon a treasure.
Zhou Qingâs words undoubtedly contained some exaggeration, like in an interview, they surely embellished everything, put everything positively.
But the domains she mentioned happened to be what he needed.
As long as these teachers were half as proficient as she claimed, heâd have struck it rich this trip.
As for the students...
Who would be picky about free gifts?
Su Huan wore a faint smile, "Then was then, now is now. Youâve already declined my invitation, and now that the situation has changed, you still want the previous terms? Thereâs no such good deal."
Zhou Qing was momentarily stunned, thought about it and realized it did make sense.
If it were ordinary people, theyâd be concerned about unpleasant future interactions and accept the situation.
But Su Huan didnât care about "interaction", "face", "measure" and such mess, anyway, for matters not agreed upon, there was no burden in refusing.
"Then..."
"You are now the soldiersâ war spoils."
Su Huan said coolly, "After we return, one by one, according to treatment as captives, youâll be screened, those with abilities stay, those without will return from wherever they came from."
Among the teachers and students, quite a few students turned pale.
Zhou Qing lowered her head in silence, tacitly accepting this circumstance.
Living is always better than dying.
"Alright, pack it up."
Having accomplished his main goal for the night, Su Huan left satisfied.
Watching the conductor walk away, Lu Xiao passed by Tong Zizhan, punched him in the chest, and said fiercely, "Damn it, picked up another stroke of luck, will your rank be higher than mine when we return?"
Tong Zizhan felt bitter inside, but had to put on a nonchalant facade, blowing smoke rings, carefree said, "Youâll have to run over when the time comes."