Yes, today’s destination was Peking University (Jingda), and the target was a sophomore student.
Last time, when Jiang Taian asked if Ji Lin could purify the environment, Li Sang’s answer was that someone else was better suited for the task. That person was this sophomore from Jingda—Wen Banxia. She possessed the ability to grow crops in extreme environments: fruits, vegetables, and any other plants. As long as it was planted by her hand, it would survive. This was the powerful “farming” ability of a post-apocalyptic protagonist.
Because Li Sang’s information was kept secret from Jiang Taian’s team, they had no idea what the next mission actually entailed. In reality, rather than Li Sang being there to help the squad, it was Jiang Taian and his men who were assisting her. Since three days ago, the entire group had been acting solely on Li Sang’s instructions. First was Xu Jiao, then Ji Lin, and now they were heading to Jingda. Li Sang spoke, and Jiang Taian’s team followed.
“Hurry up, it’s already seven o’clock,” Jiang Taian said. He stood at the door without entering, quietly watching Li Sang as she seemed to be lost in thought.
Hearing him, Li Sang narrowed her eyes and grumbled, “I know. Are you trying to rush me to my grave?” Was there really a need to be so impatient?
Despite her nonchalant attitude, her pace subconsciously quickened. Within five minutes, Li Sang was back in that battered Wuling Hongguang van.
“Jingda?” Jiang Taian confirmed from the driver’s seat.
Li Sang leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes for a nap. “Yes.”
The group heading out still consisted of the same four people. As for Ji Lin, who had joined Team 031 yesterday? He had been picked up before dawn. It was obvious who had taken him. His current role wasn’t vital; his true value would only emerge once the apocalypse officially began. For now, the only one who considered him essential was Tang Yunzhou.
“What’s so special about this new person?” Jiang Taian kept his eyes on the road, but his peripheral vision remained on Li Sang.
Li Sang didn’t hide anything. “Well… remember when you asked if Ji Lin could purify the environment? He can’t, but this person can.”
Jiang Taian’s eyes brightened. “What is the specific ability?” To think such a miraculous power existed!
Li Sang blinked and thought for a moment. “Simply put… she can grow crops in extreme conditions.” This was something that could only be proven in the later stages of the disaster; it couldn’t be tested in advance. This was why early recruitment was so critical.
Li Sang believed this university student would be their easiest recruit yet. Not because she was naive, but because at this stage, she had no idea of her own potential. Only after the apocalypse arrived would she realize the truth. This made it much easier for Li Sang’s team to bring her in now. Under normal circumstances, who could refuse a permanent government position with top-tier salary and benefits? While her peers were still scrambling for internships, she would be stepping directly into a state-level career. It was an irresistible offer.
However, reality proved to be harsher than Li Sang’s plan.
“What? Banxia isn’t at school today? Where did she go?”
“Ah? She went on a date with her boyfriend?”
“With that scummy jerk? She’s still dating him?”
Upon hearing the situation, Li Sang instinctively complained, which earned her a hostile look from Wen Banxia’s roommate. Li Sang didn’t care; Wen Banxia’s taste in men was undeniably terrible.
Her boyfriend was a textbook “mama’s boy.” He obeyed his mother in everything and had no opinions of his own. He was only with Wen Banxia because she was an only child and a local of Beijing. Her family was well-off; her parents had stable jobs, pensions, an apartment owned in full, and a car.
In contrast, the boyfriend was from a rural village. Li Sang didn’t look down on rural backgrounds—she was from one herself before transmigrating—but he came from a single-parent home with a younger brother in middle school, and his family had no assets. Bluntly put, if he hadn’t gotten into Jingda, he would never have crossed paths with someone like Wen Banxia.
Realizing her words were getting harsh, Li Sang stopped talking and leaned toward Ling Lan. “Lan, do you think Banxia and her boyfriend are a good match?”
Ling Lan frowned. It was a subtle expression, one Li Sang would have missed if she hadn’t been watching closely. Normally, Ling Lan wouldn’t care about such things, but after hearing the details, she couldn’t help but feel worried for the girl. They were clearly not a match. And a man with no backbone… was even more loathsome.
“I have no comment,” Ling Lan said.
Li Sang added a final blow: “Her boyfriend has a fiancée back in his home village.”
A smirk played on Li Sang’s lips as she waited for a reaction.
“Dumbass,” Ling Lan replied.
Li Sang was satisfied and nodded. “Right? I think he’s a dumbass too. To save our future teammate, I think we need to intervene!” It was time to break up a couple.
At that moment, the data on Wen Banxia was sent to everyone’s phones. Their devices rang simultaneously. In the files on the boyfriend, Ling Lan spotted a small line of text that confirmed he indeed had a fiancée back home. Li Sang hadn’t lied.
“See? This guy is truly disgusting. I wasn’t lying.”
“Where is she dating him?” Ling Lan asked, now fully invested.
Li Sang answered eagerly, “There’s a snack street right by Jingda. Since it’s early, they’re probably getting breakfast.” This was Li Sang’s deduction, and also her way of hinting she was starving.
“Let’s go to the snack street then,” Jiang Taian decided, heading out of the school.
However, they soon returned. “Don’t blame me, I didn’t know the snack street was gone. Maybe check the canteen?”
As soon as they entered the canteen, Li Sang spotted the girl from the photo. It was Wen Banxia. She was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a boy, looking very close. He was clearly the boyfriend.
Li Sang stared at the scene and clicked her tongue. “Come on, let’s go break them up.”