"You're not a bachelor, huh? Where's this family of yours?" Su Lin sneered.
"Master Lin! Just because I'm a bachelor doesn't mean I wasn't born from a mother!" Hou Yong wiped his face carelessly, crying loudly, "I've got a mother over sixty! If you don't believe me, ask around the village and see for yourself!"
Su Lin glanced at the crowd and noticed many nodding their heads, indicating it was true.
His gaze returned to Hou Yong, scrutinizing him: "What about the young ones?"
"The, the young ones..." Hou Yong licked his lips, "You may not know, Master Lin, but I have a pack of hunting dogs at home. I survive in Group 1 solely on these little beasts. Aren't they the young ones?"
Su Lin was speechless: "No wonder you're such a dog; turns out you're the father to a bunch of puppies."
"That's right! That's right!" Hou Yong quickly laughed ingratiatingly in agreement.
Su Lin was instantly furious: "Then you, a dog's father, calling me 'Master', what does that make me?!"
He lifted his foot and kicked Hou Yong's thigh; Hou Yong cooperatively let out an "ouch".
"I was wrong, I was wrong, I'm not worthy! I'll call you Master; woof! Woof! Woof! Master, please save your dog!"
Hou Yong propped up the bag behind him, decisively knelt on the ground, imitating a dog with his tongue out.
This shameless behavior stunned Su Lin and his surrounding companions.
Su Lin pinched his own face; he thought he had thick skin, but compared to Hou Yong, he was nothing.
Hou Yong wasn't embarrassed; Su Lin was the one feeling awkward, unable to hold it together, irritably kicking him again:
"Get to the side! We'll discuss your matter later!"
Hou Yong looked at Zhao Zhu beside him, panting with his tongue out and nodded, awkwardly using three limbs to "roll" to the edge of the crowd.
The villagers quickly moved aside, leaving a large space for him to be alone.
How disgraceful! If they meet outsiders, they'll surely introduce this guy as being here for tourism!
Su Lin stood upright, his cold gaze sweeping towards the baffled Zhao Zhu.
"You!..." Zhao Zhu was startled by the look and instinctively stepped back.
Hou Yong immediately made his hand into a trumpet and shouted, "Master! Did this big idiot upset you? Don't worry! I'll have my puppies poop at his doorstep!"
Damn it! Su Lin's gathered aura instantly faded, turning his head and shouting angrily: "Shut up!"
"Alright, Master!" Hou Yong immediately ducked his head.
Su Lin stepped forward.
His drawn gun hadn't been holstered; the cold barrel slapped Zhao Zhu's cheeks, while his other hand pointed at Hou Yong, looking arrogant and overbearing like a thug:
"Remember, if you don't want to end up like Old Monkey, before it gets dark today, three pounds of meat, delivered to my house."
Three, three pounds of meat!? Zhao Zhu gaped.
Su Lin's gaze hardened, shouting forcefully: "Did you hear me!?"
The gun in his hand pressed even harder, leaving several marks on Zhao Zhu's face.
He was indeed lacking in meat for nourishment; this unlucky guy came just in time.
Three pounds of meat, not a gram less!
"I hear, hear you loud and clear!"
Zhao Zhu shuddered from the gun pressing, remembering Hou Yong's demeanor, he was thoroughly intimidated and nodded timidly.
Hou Yong's performance seemed genuine.
He didn't dare bet.
The intimidation by association succeeded, and Su Lin swept his gaze over the surrounding people once more.
Each one avoided eye contact, frightened by his overbearing behavior, not daring to meet his gaze.
The Old Man Su had considerable influence in the village; if he genuinely backed this grandson, few wouldn't be afraid.
Now, Su Lin's reputation was likely booming in the village.
No longer as infamous as before, but now viewed as an arrogant third-generation type.
Though none of it sounded good.
Yet...
His reputation? Su Lin snorted indifferently through his nose.
His predecessor's reputation was already so rotten, was he supposed to hurry and clean it up? Who truly respected him?
In this post-apocalyptic world, who cares about a good reputation!
Better to have a fierce name, a wicked name, as long as someone respects and fears it, that's enough.
He took Su Tongxi's quiet and obedient hand, turning to leave with flair.
...
A quiet corner.
After finding a secluded spot, Su Lin just stopped, and Hou Yong immediately followed him, flattering words flowing out:
"Master Lin, you really are mighty! Just like Old Su, a tiger from the military gate! Indeed, like father, like son..."
"Cut the crap!" Su Lin interrupted impatiently, glancing at the arm hanging from Hou Yong's neck, "Talk about the real business, what do you want from me?"
Thud—Hou Yong knelt down again, his face full of despair: "Master Lin! Please give me a way out! Captain Chang holds a grudge against me, I can't return to Team 1. I want to ask for your help to join Team 2!"
Su Lin frowned and stepped back: "Want to join Team 2? What good am I to you? I don't even know anyone in Team 2. My dad is gone, out of sight, out of mind, don't you get it?"
Hou Yong crawled forward while kneeling: "But Old Su is still here! He has a lot of influence!"
"Old Su knows people in Team 2?" Su Lin was taken aback.
Su Tongxi behind him tiptoed and whispered in his ear:
"Brother Kirin, Team 2's leader Liu Jun, Old Liu, was personally promoted by Grandpa Su when he was still the Hunting Group's captain."
Her warm breath brushed his ear, causing a slight tickle.
Su Lin instinctively turned his neck and accidentally brushed against Su Tongxi.
The young girl instantly blushed, covering her chest and stepping back a bit.
Su Lin smacked his lips, savoring the moment, then turned back to look down at Hou Yong, "Even so, why should I help you?"
He kicked Hou Yong's knee, "What's in it for me?"
Hou Yong had wronged his predecessor. Why should Su Lin help him without any benefit? Just because he shamelessly called him Master?
Spit! Su Lin was disgusted by his own thoughts!
Hou Yong's face changed several times, he gritted his teeth, appearing to make a huge decision, suddenly took out two heavy long objects from his backpack.
Su Lin's pupils shrank, he instantly drew his gun, clicked off the safety, aiming directly at Hou Yong!
"Master, Master, don't misunderstand!"
Hou Yong was scared out of his wits, raising his hands in surrender in 0.1 seconds.
Thud—what was in his hands fell to the ground.
"Ah!" Su Tongxi, a beat late, saw what it was and gasped, covering her small mouth.
On the ground was a yellow cloth, wrapping two dismantled rifle parts.
Hou Yong chuckled dryly, raised his hands, and pointed to the guns on the ground with his chin:
"Master, this is my family's heirloom AK, as a gift to you... In this area, this thing is still precious."
He sneaked glances at the two guns, his eyes full of pain and reluctance.
Su Lin remained still, with the gun still pointed at Hou Yong, gesturing to Su Tongxi: "Hanbao, pick it up."
Only after Su Tongxi picked up the guns and held them securely did he slowly lower his gun, holstering it back.
"An heirloom AK? Ha." Su Lin sneered, taking one from Su Tongxi's hands, weighing it, and in just a few swift motions, assembled it.
The speed and familiarity of his actions left Hou Yong dumbfounded, while Su Tongxi was so surprised her small mouth slightly opened.
Su Lin toyed with the assembled AK, tested the sight line, then swiftly disassembled it, handing it back to Su Tongxi.
This gun was well-maintained, in the apocalypse, as long as there were enough bullets, it was definitely a deadly weapon.
Guns in the village were not rare, but mostly pistols, or even homemade ones.
But rifles were rare, even his predecessor's father, as the deputy captain, only had one, which he treasured like gold, cleaning it periodically.
Firearms could only be crafted at more advanced safe house workbenches, which none in the village could manage.
Although bullets were as precious as gold, Su Lin couldn't afford to use the rifle, but having one was better than having none.
"I'll take the items."
Su Lin spoke plainly, "I can relay your message, but I make no guarantees if it will work. As for the goods," he glanced at the AK, "once they're in my pocket, don't expect to get them back."
Hou Yong, feeling reprieved, kept bowing his head: "Yes! Yes! Thank you, Master Lin! Thank you, Master Lin!"
Seeing him about to perform a great ritual of gratitude, Su Lin frowned in disgust, sidestepping him, and with a flick of his toe, gently kicked him:
"Damn! Trying to shorten my life? Get up! And stop calling me 'Master' all the time, it's annoying. Just call me 'Master Lin,' each to our own, saves tying you up with your dogs of sons!"
"Yes, yes, thank you, Master Lin! Thank you, Master Lin!" Hou Yong quickly got up, nodding and bowing.
Su Lin, unwilling to look at him any longer, shook his head, pulled Su Tongxi along, holding the newly acquired two AKs, and headed towards Grandpa's house.
At the same time.
On the other side of the village.
Chang Sanheng wore a sullen face, dragging along his crying son, also heading determinedly towards the Su Family's Old Mansion.