Lam Pham observed, watched, comprehended. The scenes before him, image after image, shook his heart.
He saw an ordinary person begging another for some food. That survivor threw him a steamed bun, then leisurely stood aside watching, as if waiting to see a play.
The survivor who begged for the bread, just about to eat it, was pounced on by another survivor who tore at him, snatching. The two wrestled and fought, expressions savage and fierce.
He similarly saw a thuggish-looking survivor eating instant noodles. That aroma wafted into the nostrils of other survivors. Many people gathered around, wondering if they could drink a mouthful of soup.
Instant noodles, once despised by people for lacking nutrition, now were a delicacy everyone longed for.
The survivor eating noodles, ate mouthful after mouthful. A strand of noodle fell to the ground; instantly someone snatched it, stuffed it into their mouth, face full of endless aftertaste.
The noodle-eating survivor, as if toying with them, finished eating the noodles, then drank all the soup, then casually threw the instant noodle container into the crowd. A group of survivors crazily scrambled for the already empty instant noodle container.
That survivor who snatched the instant noodle container greedily licked clean the remaining soup.
This situation, this scene.
Made Lam Pham fall silent.
Class is eternal. When class oppression is nakedly displayed before one's eyes, for those who see this scene, truly a huge impact.
"Hey! Haven't seen you before! New here?"
Someone patted Lam Pham's shoulder.
Lam Pham turned his head; patting his shoulder was a young man.
"Just arrived. Is something the matter?"
"You just arrived, probably very unfamiliar here. Here is very realistic. As long as have supplies, can live very well."
The young man chatted with Lam Pham, occasionally looking at Frostmourne Lam Pham carried on his back. One glance and could tell, this thing was a realistic replica, still the kind with an opened edge. This kind of weapon relatively rare. If could hold it, also relatively safer outside.
Lam Pham said, "I know these things."
The young man invited, "Interested in teaming up with me? We now have three people, adding you makes four. Can go out to find some supplies or something. Let me tell you, we have a celebrity here, moreover one you know."
"Who is it?"
"Former famous female star, Ha Nha." (Hạ Nhã -> Ha Nha)
"Is it that Ha Nha, who always sought status through charity, always donated money to mountainous regions, a model female star? She's also here?"
Lam Pham was extremely surprised. Ha Nha was a Hoang city native, but always developed in other big cities, always an especially positive energy female star.
He had seen official media reports before. As long as it was a charity activity, Ha Nha always actively participated. Regardless of whether busy with career, as long as invited by a charity gala, always rushed to the front line.
According to official statistics, Ha Nha, in her eight-year career, donated a total of, it seems, several hundred million.
A Midas touch in her career, absolutely a female tycoon. But donated money also without hesitation. According to gossip news, Ha Nha's clothes, some were bought four or five years ago.
The young man chuckled, "Yeah! But so what if a once-popular star? Now isn't she also a refugee survivor like us? I heard someone took quite a lot of supplies to find Ha Nha. As long as she's willing to spread her legs, these supplies are all hers. But this girl is too aloof, pretending to be pure. I don't believe she was so popular before without being played with by someone. Always wants to be like a high-and-mighty female star. Just prefers to starve, also won't accept. Living quite miserably."
After saying this, that young man also didn't know what exactly the manager of this Lucky Star was thinking, actually not allowing forced measures, insisted on mutual consent.
If could use force, then Ha Nha afraid would be too busy to handle.
Lam Pham heard him say these words, his smile gradually faded, "Can you not show some respect for others? She painstakingly filmed to earn money, donated hundreds of millions in eight years, helped many poor mountainous region children go to school. And what did you do? Just casually assume her adherence to a bottom line is pretending to be aloof? If, during the times of national ruin, all were people like you, then could there be a good life later? Although I don't like arguing with people, but these words you said really make people disgusted."
He was extremely friendly to everyone.
Even encountering the Shotgun Thu Dao Tram Ngu Ha Minh Hien, he could still always have a smile on his face. But now, he truly was somewhat disgusted with this person before him.
"Idiot."
The young man looked at Lam Pham with a strange gaze, turned and left.
Then met with two other survivors, whispering, also pointing towards Lam Pham's side, as if saying something.
Lam Pham ignored the opponent.
But wanted to find Ha Nha's figure. However, in this kind of environment, finding one person is very difficult. After he left, a woman with long, draped hair, huddled in a corner, slowly looked up, watching Lam Pham's departing back.
Although the opponent's expression was haggard, sallow, but still could tell from her facial features, the opponent was a very beautiful woman. She heard everything. Originally heard many people say she was pretending to be aloof, etc.; she indeed felt very bad.
Now someone defending her like this.
She was truly very happy.
Looked at the deep blue sky. But thinking of the current situation, dark and bewildered, as if already unable to see hope.
...
Duong Quang Apartments.
"Lucky Star actually has so many survivors?"
Co Hang, hearing Lam Pham speak of these things, was very shocked, extremely surprised. Didn't expect, unknowingly, actually gathered so many survivors. Seems humanity truly can erupt with unimaginable potential in despair.
"However, Lucky Star's mechanism is just those in power freeloading, using a sliver of dispersed power, letting survivors watch over survivors. Indeed formidable."
Co Hang, thinking about it, also felt very terrifying.
Survivors can only rely on their own efforts; life still not guaranteed.
"Big Brother, are you having some thoughts?" A Hai looked at the slightly grave Lam Pham and asked.
Lam Pham said, "What do you all think?"
Vuong Khai, beside, hugging Doggi, ruffling its head, was about to speak, but was preempted by A Hai.
"Big Brother! Your thoughts, I all support! Just as you said those things just now, actually, the survivors on that Lucky Star, there are people full of hope for the future. But reality conceals this sliver of hope, letting them be enveloped by darkness. Also like myself, I am also just useless trash. But I am full of hope for the future, never thought of harming others. So meeting Big Brother, such a person full of radiance, brought the light of hope to me!"
A Hai spoke extremely sincerely, extremely earnestly. Saying, saying, eye sockets slightly red. That kind of grateful expression towards Lam Pham hard to conceal.
Vuong Khai's mouth opened wide, stared dumbfounded at A Hai.
Damn! Combat power truly standard!
He looked at A Hai's girlfriend, found his girlfriend looking at A Hai with a face full of worship, as if not expecting her boyfriend could actually say such moving words.
Vuong Khai sighed inwardly, All taken by you. What can I do then? Am I supposed to get a "me too"?
Chu Dinh nodded, "A Hai is right! We are all people full of hope for the future! If not for Bro Lam helping us, then we might, like those hopeful yet despairing people on Lucky Star, always be enveloped by darkness!"
Tran Hac: "Yes! Just this meaning!"
Mieu Lap: "I also agree!"
Dai Vu and Tieu Vu nodded furiously. Mm... express extreme agreement.
Co Hang thought, raised a problem, "Then Little Pham, have you thought about the situation of other survivors on Lucky Star?"
Lam Pham said, "Thought about it. Lucky Star already has its own rules. In the apocalypse, being able to gather together, having a corresponding system, extremely not easy. I persist in my inner ideals, but I also don't deny others' ideals."
"The world is originally survival of the fittest. But in such an environment, still there are spirits that can move and make people admire. I just want to bring hope to these people. At least while they are alive, let them carry hope and, together with us, restore Hoang city's glory."
"As for whether can succeed or not, no longer important. At least we strived."
The crowd looked at Lam Pham.
When they were brought back to Duong Quang Apartments by Lam Pham, Lam Pham always smiled, encouraged them, told them, Let's work hard together, bring back Hoang city's past brilliance.
Actually, they knew this kind of change possibility very low. But they were willing to believe, because this was their motivation to advance. Not regarding resisting zombies as the direction forward, but striving to restore Hoang city's brilliance.
This is a great and distant goal, can always lead us onward.
Now they understood.
Lam Pham's heart also understood this direction. Perhaps very difficult, but what he cared more about was the process. The process of striving is best.
Co Hang said, "Little Pham, then you follow your thoughts. Do you need any help?"
Lam Pham asked, "Who knows how to drive a boat?"
Co Hang said, "I do."
Lam Pham smiled, "Then let's go to the pier first, find a boat, then go to Lucky Star."
"Okay."
...
...
"You say you want guns. Don't know what you can exchange for them?"
Ha Khanh looked at the fat man before him. This was the second time he saw the opponent. First time, he heard people from another protection point came to find him, wanting to discuss a deal with him.
He was very curious, agreed to meet.
Who knew this fellow opened his mouth wanting handguns, moreover using food to exchange. He heard and immediately laughed out loud, directly pointed to the steak on the table, Your shelter, can you eat steak like mine every day?
Ha Minh Hien said, "Boss Ha, you said before, can use medicine to exchange. Don't know if this brother's bag of medicine is enough."
Finished speaking.
He then lifted a bag, directly placed it on the table, opened it, pushed it before the opponent.
Ha Khanh waved his hand. A man wearing glasses stepped forward to inspect.
Ha Minh Hien, seeing someone wearing glasses, felt an innate dislike, vaguely always thought of things below the belt.
The man with glasses said, "All are some currently more important medicines."
Under current apocalyptic conditions.
Medicine is more important. Although many shops now, but considering zombie terror, having life to think about getting, afraid no life to be able to carry away.
Ha Khanh looked at Ha Minh Hien before him. Thought opponent could find so many medicines, afraid also risked his life. Even their Lucky Star's supply collection teams, often ten teams, if two can return alive already very good. Even if these two teams return alive, afraid also the kind that gained nothing.
"Good! I, this person, value integrity most! Give it to him!"
Ha Khanh waved his hand.
Ha Minh Hien saw the opponent hand over a gun, heart agitated. He knew Lucky Star also because once when out collecting supplies, met a group of people. Seeing them risk finding firearms, eyes red with envy. Later learned their protection point was Lucky Star, always kept in mind.
Prison situation extremely realistic.
Given his personal situation, without any handy weapon, wanting to stand up very difficult.
Now with a weapon, his hope even greater.
"Thank you, Boss Ha."
Ha Minh Hien took the gun, stood up to bid farewell.
Leaving Lucky Star, looking at the considerable number of survivors. Ha Minh Hien looked at that huge cruise ship. Towards Ha Khanh's management ability, truly admired. Damn! Managing so many people so skillfully, also making that group obedient! This skill truly not just for show! If he had this skill, how good would that be!
Immediately after.
He saw a yacht approach.
Looked.
Saw Lam Pham in an instant. Ha Minh Hien's face showed surprise.
The two looked at each other.
Lam Pham smiled, waved towards Ha Minh Hien, as if not expecting they would actually meet.
Ha Minh Hien indifferently watched, didn't say a word. His mindset now had quietly changed. If still past mindset, would have long drawn gun, bang bang fired a few shots, telling the opponent, See the gun in master's hand? Doing you without words!
Co Hang, driving the boat, asked, "Know him?"
Lam Pham said, "Mm. A client who didn't close a deal before. Temper extremely irritable, likes to curse. But now he seems to have changed a lot, very good."
Co Hang looked at that distant rubber dinghy, didn't think much.
...
Lucky Star.
A bald burly man with a gold chain around his neck held a plate. On the plate was fragrant pasta. Leisurely walked before a long-haired, draped-hair woman.
"Ha Nha, still want to resist? Follow me, won't starve. Let you eat your fill every day, so good."
"Look at this pasta, so fragrant, so delicious. Smelling it also makes one's appetite open wide."
The bald burly man used the pasta in his hand to tempt Ha Nha.
He knew Ha Nha was also on Lucky Star. That agitated heart, trembling hands, long nowhere to release. Originally thought under apocalyptic conditions, no law, could do whatever he wanted. Yet didn't expect this Lucky Star actually had such rules.
Shattered his thoughts of using force.
But luckily, he had a small gang, even more so appreciated by Boss Ha, became this floor's manager.
Thought in peaceful times, he was just a small figure. Although ambition higher than sky, but reality cruel. Towards these female stars, at most just looked at photos and imagined.
Who knew now met.
Then definitely must think of possessing.
He truly thanked the apocalypse, thanked Boss Ha, for letting him rise from a small figure. Just this floor he managed, had Hoang city entrepreneurs. When first arrived, still said how much money had before, arrogant attitude, made him somewhat upset. Later, still like a dog, kneeled on the ground, dog wagging tail for master, begging for some food, not even needing a shred of dignity.
Ha Nha ignored, didn't even lift her head slightly.
The bald burly man said, "Don't f***ing give you face, shameless! Still think you're some star? Here all have to be obedient! Want to eat fill, then have to beg me!"
Surrounding survivors, looking at the pasta, continuously swallowed their throats. That saliva almost about to flow down. Even several women wanted to go lean beside the bald burly man, as if saying, She doesn't agree, we agree!
The bald burly man roared once, directly made them get away. Each one pretending! Don't even look at what you look like!
At this time.
A survivor said to Ha Nha.
"Ha Nha! You are a big star! You used to like doing charity most, helping others! Can you not help us a bit? Agree! Even if you don't eat, can also let us eat!"
"Yeah! I'm about to starve to death!"
"I knew you were pretending! What charity, what enthusiasm! I see you're just faking, setting up a persona!"
A woman pulled an old man before Ha Nha.
"Ha Nha! Look, my mom is about to starve to death! Just have mercy! Who isn't it the same with? Why must you be so stubborn? Boss Hao is this floor's manager! Following him, eat well, drink well, what's not good? If not for Boss Hao disdaining me, I would have rushed over long ago! Truly pretending to be pure!" (Hạo ca -> Boss Hao)
The old man weakly said, "Star Ha, just have mercy on this old one. You will agree, right? Isn't it just sleeping? All the same. Why take it so seriously? If not for not being able to use force, you think you can still be like this now?"
Ha Nha, who had been lowering her head all along.
At this time, finally looked up.
She coldly looked at this group of survivors surrounding her.
Disgusting, ugly faces.
She never thought human nature would be dark to this extent. She was also an orphan before. But under the help of countless kind-hearted people, she survived, completed her studies, entered school with excellent grades.
Because her own conditions good, plus hardworking, gradually stood out.
When appearing in the public eye.
Also encountered those transactions.
But all rejected by her. Similarly also encountered being frozen out. But luckily, she relied on her own strong heart, also support from highly respected seniors, slowly walked out.
She was grateful, thanked all who helped her.
Willing to pass on this gratitude.
So she sought status through charity, sought status by helping people in difficulty.
But now...
She shook her head, grasped the railing, thought of jumping down from the cruise ship. This world too dark, already no hope whatsoever.
But just then...
A voice came.
"Excuse me, is the manager of this Lucky Star present?"