Chapter 334: Private Lessons with the Tutor

Chapter 334 : Private Lessons with the Tutor

Zhang Yi and the others discussed their plans for building a defensive line.

Meanwhile, the women gathered together, led by Zhou Haimei, to play mahjong.

As Zhou Ke’er came over to refill her water, she overheard the three men talking and couldn’t help but laugh, “Now that West Hill Base is gone, you’re all even more cautious than before.”

She felt that there would likely be a prolonged period of peace now.

After all, with an organization as powerful as West Hill Base destroyed, any remaining factions would be too intimidated to approach this place lightly.

Zhang Yi responded, “Better safe than sorry! We can’t count on what others might do, but we can make sure our own security is top-notch!”

In the apocalypse, proper safety measures are absolutely essential.

The three of them thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.

After all, men are forever passionate about things like construction, cars, and women.

Even if they didn’t need it, they’d still love to build a wall just for fun.

That’s what you call a perfect blend of hobbies and reality.

But Fatty Xu asked, “Boss, do you really think there’ll be any foolishly bold armed forces that would come here?”

“There’s no way Tianhai City has any faction stronger than West Hill Base, right?”

Fatty Xu’s question wasn’t without reason.

West Hill Base had controlled the only stationed army in Tianhai City, making it the most formidable armed organization there.

Zhang Yi smiled faintly.

“Fatty, you’re forgetting one possibility.”

He tapped his fingers on the table, saying with a playful look, “It’s true that we destroyed West Hill Base, but not everyone knows that.”

“To outsiders, we’re just a group of regular people, hardly even a faction.”

Fatty Xu’s eyes lit up with realization, “You’re right; that makes sense.”

“Then we better get this defensive line set up fast! Honestly, I am a bit worried.”

Zhang Yi nodded in agreement, ready to get moving on the project.

The sooner the defensive line was complete, the safer they’d feel.

He asked, “Fatty, Uncle You, are you both at peak physical condition right now?”

Uncle You patted his chest, “My body’s fine. Those meds didn’t have much of a side effect on me.”

Zhang Yi chuckled, “So the stimulants didn’t have much effect on you either?”

“There’s still some effect,” Uncle You replied.

Just then, Fatty Xu quickly spoke up, “I still need to recover a bit; I’ve been feeling more and more exhausted lately.”

Zhang Yi looked at him knowingly, “Maybe you’ve overused that life-like girlfriend I got you?”

Fatty Xu’s face turned bright red, as if his secret had just been exposed.

“‘Overused’ is a bit much! A single guy like me has to ease the loneliness somehow. That’s not overindulging!”

The living room filled with laughter.

Fatty Xu’s visits always seemed to lighten everyone’s mood.

But even when he wasn’t around, they still enjoyed this kind of camaraderie.

“My strength has recovered pretty well, too. How about this—three days from now, let’s head to West Hill Base and gather whatever useful stuff we can find.” �

“Sounds good!”

“Boss, think you can spare me some herbal supplements to help with my energy?”

Zhang Yi replied sympathetically, “I’ll throw in some goji berries too. Have them with every meal!”

“Thanks, Boss! You’re the best.”

The three of them continued chatting, brainstorming ways to make the defense line even more effective at resisting enemy attacks.

But after experiencing the assault from West Hill Base’s Special Forces Team, Zhang Yi’s mindset had undergone a significant transformation.

Even if he faced another large-scale battle in the future, he wouldn’t feel any panic.

Especially since his own strength had increased immensely after absorbing the powers of Ling Feng and several other Special Forces members.

Confidence comes from true strength.

After a while, Liang Yue arrived and rang the doorbell.

“Isn’t that Teacher Liang? What’s she doing here?”

Fatty Xu rubbed his chin, giving Zhang Yi a suggestive look, “Boss, don’t tell me you’ve added her to your list?”

Zhang Yi grinned, “Get your mind out of the gutter. Liang Yue and I have a purely professional relationship. She’s my private tutor. Got it?”

Uncle You chuckled, “A ‘pure’ relationship between a man and a woman? You sure have an interesting definition of pure.”

Fatty Xu’s mind was already wandering, imagining various “tutors” as he said admiringly, “Boss, you sure know how to enjoy life!”

Ignoring their mischievous looks, Zhang Yi opened the door for Liang Yue.

Upon entering, she noticed how lively the house was, with everyone gathered.

The men sat together, drinking tea and chatting, while the women played mahjong, gossiping in between.

The warm, welcoming atmosphere made her feel as if she’d entered another world.

After all, back in Xu Family Town, she was busy looking after her students, struggling in subzero temperatures, playing the role of both father and mother to them.

She couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy for Zhou Ke’er and the others.

Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin warmly greeted her.

They genuinely respected this teacher of theirs.

In the apocalypse, someone who maintained kindness was rarer than a national treasure.

She was a true saint, not a “fake saint.”

The difference between the two is significant.

A real saint thinks, *They need help, so I’ll help them.*

A fake saint thinks, *They need help, so you should help them.*

Though Liang Yue might be overly protective of her students, she relied on her own strength to support them rather than imposing moral obligations on others.

Seeing her students doing well, Liang Yue’s face softened into a warm smile.

“Seeing you two so happy makes me feel at ease!”

Yang Xinxin smiled sweetly, “Mm-hmm! Brother Zhang Yi treats us so well, and we’re very happy here.”

She sighed regretfully, holding Liang Yue’s hand with a sincere expression, “Teacher Liang, it must be so hard for you out there. If you’d like, I could ask my brother to let you stay with us.”

“I really miss you.”

Liang Yue had always doted on Yang Xinxin, partly because of her disability.

Hearing Yang Xinxin’s words, she felt a bit swayed.

But thinking of her students in Xu Family Town, she shook her head and sighed.

“I can’t leave them. If I go, it’ll be tough for them to survive in such harsh conditions.”

“As a teacher, the least I can do is teach them to adapt and survive.”

Yang Xinxin nodded, “Teacher Liang, you’re as gentle as ever!”

“But, actually, these two things don’t conflict.”

She explained with a smile, “If you moved into the Shelter, you could still help them.”

“After all, they’re old enough; they won’t need you by their side constantly, right?”

“If anything, letting them fend for themselves could teach them the survival skills they’ll need in the apocalypse.”

“Don’t you think I have a point?”

Liang Yue’s gaze flickered, clearly moved by Yang Xinxin’s suggestion.

“But… Zhang Yi probably wouldn’t agree to let me stay here, would he?”

She scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed, “It’s not like we’re that close.”

“Besides, if I stay in the Shelter, it wouldn’t be fair to leave Wu Chengyu and the others out there, would it?”

Yang Xinxin smiled innocently, sensing that her teacher was already leaning toward the idea.

“I’ll talk to Brother Zhang Yi about it!”

“As for the other students, no matter where you live, their conditions won’t change.”

“If they were to stop you from staying here, wouldn’t that be selfish?”

The little devil knew exactly how to manipulate.

Once Liang Yue moved in, there would be no going back.

She wasn’t foolish; used to the comfort here, she’d never want to return to the icy wilderness.

With Liang Yue’s protection gone, the other students would be vulnerable.

One day, if the chance arose, they could be “dealt with” easily.

With a plan forming in her mind, Yang Xinxin’s smile became all the more innocent and harmless.

“I… I’ll think about it.”

Liang Yue’s words were cautious, but her heart was already tempted.

Knowing she’d succeeded, Yang Xinxin held back, not wanting to push too hard and cause resistance. She nodded with a sweet smile, “Alright, Teacher Liang. If you decide, just let me know!”

“Okay.”

Liang Yue smiled back.

Not far away, Zhang Yi rose from the sofa and walked toward Liang Yue.

Although he didn’t know what they had talked about, he was sure Yang Xinxin was trying to win Liang Yue over.

“Liang Yue, let’s head downstairs! Too many people here; it’s not convenient.”

Zhang Yi smiled as he spoke.

The women playing cards nearby couldn’t help but look over.

Liang Yue’s face flushed; Zhang Yi’s words sounded a bit misleading.

But thinking about it, there was nothing really wrong with what he’d said, so she nodded and followed him to the basement.

They went down to the third underground level—the gym.

Zhang Yi glanced at Liang Yue’s worn clothes and took out a fresh set for her from his *Spatial Storage*.

Down jacket, wool sweater, thermal wear, and sneakers.

He even included undergarments and socks.

Of course, he didn’t forget an indoor athletic outfit.

“There’s a shower over there. You should wash up first.”

He pointed to a nearby bathroom.

Liang Yue’s face turned a deep shade of red.

Though she was a martial arts master, she was still a woman.

Zhang Yi hadn’t mentioned anything about her being unclean, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious.

She lowered her head and muttered, “It’s not like I have the luxury of new clothes or hot showers outside.”

Zhang Yi chuckled, “I didn’t say a word! You’re overthinking.”

Flushed, Liang Yue grabbed the clothes and went off to shower.

After a good while, she returned, freshly showered and dressed in the new athletic gear Zhang Yi had prepared.

Her upper body was clad in a gray sports tank, revealing her healthy, tan skin and clearly defined abs.

She wore fitted black athletic pants below, her toned muscles and perfect curves a testament to her years of training.

With a black sweatband across her forehead, her already resolute expression gained an added layer of charisma.

Zhang Yi took in her appearance with satisfaction.

“All right, Teacher Liang. Let’s get started!”

Liang Yue gave Zhang Yi a faint, mischievous smile.

“Learning martial arts is tough. You’d better be ready!”

Author's Note