Chapter 862: Chapter 841: Interstellar Superstar 11
"You make it sound easy. What ability do you have to concoct an antidote?"
Fang Xiaolian kept reminding herself to endure; this was a live reality show, and she had to maintain her persona.
However, watching Anning continually hold the upper hand, forming teams and cleverly guiding everyone out of the cage, while planning the escape route for everyone, her jealousy felt like venom ready to burst forth.
Seeing Anning full of confidence, seemingly assured of victory, she couldnât hold back anymore and snapped at Anning.
Ning Kexin looked at Fang Xiaolian and couldnât help but frown.
Chu Ming laughed, "What, donât trust my sister? If you didnât trust her, how come you got out of the cage when she helped you? Why did you come to team up with us?"
At this moment, Ma Fendou wanted to please Ning Kexin.
Seeing Ning Kexin clearly displeased with Fang Xiaolian, he chimed in with a smile, "Stop questioning Sister Ning with that long face. Weâre all strangers; itâs kindness if she helps, but no obligation if she doesnât. Why should Sister Ning make promises to you? That face you pull, like everyoneâs in debt to you and wonât pay up. Young girl, donât act like a sage at your age. If you havenât had enough of societyâs punch yet, go out now and see how those people treat you."
He Gang tugged Fang Xiaolian slightly, "Sister Ning, Xiaolian is naive, donât take it personally."
He gestured to Fang Xiaolian, "Hurry up and apologize to Sister Ning."
Fang Xiaolian bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
She didnât want to cry; she kept telling herself to be strong, with billions of viewers watching the broadcast. Yet, she couldnât help but cry.
Anning toyed with the steel piece in her hand, "I canât guarantee concocting the antidote, and you donât have to follow me. Feel free to go to City C, go to the lab, and let them dissect you."
She put the steel piece away, "Alright, letâs all eat."
Fang Xiaolian didnât dare leave.
A young girl like her, with no superpower and no other abilities, going out would be like a sheep among wolves.
She wiped her tears and bit into her food viciously, head lowered.
After Anning quickly finished her meal, she began assigning shifts.
"Brother Ma, you and Sister Ning take the first watch. Wake me up after two hours, and then Brother He and I will take the second. Chu Ming and Fang Xiaolian will cover the third. Weâll remain vigilant for the remaining thirty minutes, okay?"
Ma Fendou, upon hearing the chance to be on duty with Ning Kexin, was more than willing.
He quickly nodded, "Sure, sure, Xinxin and I will handle the first watch."
Ning Kexin frowned slightly but didnât object.
Meanwhile, many viewers in the live broadcast began to berate Fang Xiaolian.
"Fang Xiaolian is just jealous of my goddess."
"My Ningning has already planned all the routes; just following them would save her energy. Not only is she ungrateful, but she demands Ning guarantee the antidoteâs concoction. Whatâs she thinking?"
"Finally, I understand what a turncoat is."
"Fang Xiaolian embodies the saying: âeat with the bowl, then curse the provider.â
Fang Xiaolianâs fans weakly tried to defend her but ended up being berated harshly by the fans of Anning, Ning Kexin, and Chu Ming.
Even Ma Fendouâs fans joined in, as he was enthusiastically tearing into Fang Xiaolian earlier.
Fans mirror their idol; with Ma Fendouâs sharp tongue, his fans were equally fierce, berating Fang Xiaolianâs fans until they dared not make a sound.
Meanwhile, He Gangâs fans remained silent, neither helping nor berating anyone.
After bashing Fang Xiaolian, fans began discussing Anningâs shift assignments.
"My goddess Ningâs emotional and intellectual quotients are top-notch; sheâs guarding against threats both inside and out."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"Clearly, among the six, Anning, Ning Kexin, and Chu Ming form a small group. Anning trusts those two more, hence she doesnât fully trust the other three who just joined, fearing unforeseen events. Thatâs why sheâs arranged it this way."
Fans wise to the situation began explaining.
"Ma Fendou and Ning Kexin clearly have a connection, and Ma Fendou is fond of Ning Kexin. Having them on duty together means Ning Kexin can handle him. Among the six, besides Anning, the strongest in combat is He Gang. Anning and He Gang on duty together signal suppression, preventing him from playing tricks. Finally, Fang Xiaolian on duty with Chu Ming means Chu Ming dislikes her and will watch her closely, preventing her from harming Anning."
With some fans explaining this, the crowd started feeling sorry for Anning.
"My Ning is too kind-hearted."
"Ningâs power means she could easily escape alone without notice, yet she didnât abandon the others and took them along despite their burdens."
"If Ning were alone, she wouldnât have to worry about any of this."
"Ning is exhausted; can those people at least be less troublesome?"
"Fang Xiaolian, just go away. Seeing that woman angers me."
"I feel Fang Xiaolian is the biggest burden."
"Ningâs too soft; if it were me, Iâd have kicked her out long ago."
Anningâs shift arrangement was truly reasonable.
Ma Fendou was wholly focused on Ning Kexin.
Ning Kexin, although not very talkative, probably knows Anningâs intent behind such arrangements; she showed Ma Fendou some rare kindness while on duty, which delighted him.
He focused solely on Ning Kexin without thinking of anything else.
Of course, he was still diligent during his shift.
The second shift was Anning and He Gangâs, during which guards started searching rooms again, and Anning used her spiritual power to shield them.
After the guards left, He Gang asked Anning, "Do you understand the situation in J Town?"
Anning nodded, "I understand some."
He Gang let out a sigh of relief, "I used to work in J Town before the apocalypse, as a security guard, and still remember the pharmaceutical labâs layout."
Anning smiled, "Youâll need to guide us once we leave the train."
"Alright."
He Gang agreed.
He was someone who knew the times well, aware of who could help him and who would bring him the greatest benefit.
Previously, he didnât cooperate with Anning because he believed himself the strongest, wanting to lead the group. However, now having recognized Anning, who seemed weak, as the strongest and most logical among them, he no longer resisted but respectfully followed her.
Two hours later, it was Chu Ming and Fang Xiaolianâs turn.
Fang Xiaolian continually attempted to converse with Chu Ming.
She wore a sweet smile, neared Chu Ming, and suggested, "Sitting idly is quite boring; why donât we tell some stories?"
Chu Ming held the steel piece Anning gave him.
The small steel piece flickered between his fingers, his right hand deftly playing with it like a master, "I donât want to hear stories."
Fang Xiaolian faltered and then suggested, "Why donât we sing a song?"
Chu Ming lifted his gaze, "Is it worth it?"
"What do you mean?"
Fang Xiaolian was a bit puzzled.
"Iâm asking if singing is worth it. Itâs apocalypse now, and weâre still prisoners. The priority should be conserving energy by doing nothing. Yet you want to tell stories and sing, pointlessly wasting energy. Oh, is your plan to make others carry you when weâre tired and escaping later? Iâm telling you, I wonât carry you."
Such piercing words indeed.
Fang Xiaolian was on the verge of tears again.
"Pointless."
Chu Ming sneered, "What did I do to you that youâre crying? Sister Ning crying is due to uncontrollable tear ducts; why are you crying? Did I hit you or curse you?"