This rice mill was different from other places, where zombies roamed freely.
Their gate was tightly shut and had been raised by two additional layers.
"They're coming! That group is approaching!"
At that moment, a crowd gathered at the rice mill's entrance, on full alert.
One person was peering through a crack in the gate to observe the outside.
When Yun Xiaoxiao and her companions appeared, the person's voice immediately rose, tinged with concern.
"If they dare to cause trouble, we'll fight them to the death!"
"What if they're good people?"
"There are no good people these days! Have you forgotten about the last group we saved?
We initially let them in because we felt sorry for them.
But what happened?
They had planned it all along! They worked with their accomplices inside and out, and stole almost half of our supplies!"
"That's right, there are no good people nowadays. We can't be fooled again this time!"
Everyone shared the same indignation.
As Yun Xiaoxiao and her group approached, they heard a shout.
"Stop right there! You're not welcome here. Please leave!"
Yun Xiaoxiao and her companions halted their steps.
Looking at the tightly closed gate, Yun Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow.
She didn't really care about the rice, her main interest was in the machinery inside.
But she had no interest in forcibly taking other people's possessions.
So, she tried to negotiate with the people inside.
"Everyone, we're from the Yun City Base.
For the development of our base, we need some rice mill workers and equipment.
If you're willing, you can come with us and live at our base.
There, you'll have housing, rice, vegetables, and meat. You can return to a normal life."
After Yun Xiaoxiao finished speaking, there was a moment of silence inside.
Then, a clear male voice rang out.
"We're not going anywhere. Don't try to trick us. There's no such good place nowadays.
"That's right, if it's really as you say, with rice, vegetables, and meat, why don't you keep it for yourselves?
These things are so precious now, you'd be willing to give them to us?
We're not even related to you.
I think you're just saying this to get us to open the door so you can steal what we have inside.
Let me tell you, we're not that stupid!"
"That's right, leave now. We won't open the door!"
The people inside were resolute and their tone was firm.
Yun Xiaoxiao shrugged, indifferently saying, "Let's go."
Since they weren't welcome, there was no need to say anything more.
There were rice mills everywhere. If this one didn't work out, they could find another suitable one next time.
"They really don't know how to enjoy good fortune," Nie Yizhou rubbed his nose.
Xiao Feng was more direct, saying, "Foolish."
Yun Xiaoxiao didn't think much of it.
It was good to be cautious in this apocalyptic world.
If they were truly bad people, opening the door to them would be like inviting wolves into the house.
Whatever decision one makes, it's a personal choice. As long as they feel it's right, that's what matters.
"Hey, they're really leaving."
Seeing Yun Xiaoxiao and her group leave without hesitation, the people inside the rice mill were suddenly bewildered.
"Could it be that those people earlier weren't actually trying to steal our stuff?" someone wondered.
"I think there must be a trick! Maybe they're doing this to lower our guard."
"Right, we must stick to our principles. We can't let strangers in again."
Apart from the rice mill, Yun Xiaoxiao and her group had dealt with the zombies everywhere else.
All resources had been completely gathered.
There was also a large number of zombie cores.
This trip could be said to be quite fruitful.
Yun Xiaoxiao and her team estimated the number of people they had rescued and found five large trucks, parking them in an open area.
Then they made a show of filling two of the trucks with supplies.
The other three trucks were all used to transport people.
The number of rescued people was ninety-seven, all survivors from various factory areas.
"Look quickly, there are so many people over there!"
Inside the rice mill, on the third floor of an office building, a man staring in a certain direction suddenly exclaimed.
"It seems to be the group from earlier!"
His words immediately roused the others, who all rushed to the rooftop to look.
"Oh, it really is them!"
"Hey, isn't that Old Chen from the canning factory?"
"I see my neighbor from the village! Strange, where are they all going?"
"Could it be true that they're all following those people to some Yun City Base like they said earlier?"
The crowd just stood on the rooftop, staring blankly at Yun Xiaoxiao and her group.
At this moment, Yun Xiaoxiao and her team encountered a small problem.
"Why won't you let us on?!"
Five men stood in front of Xiao Feng, aggressive and indignant.
These five men weren't allowed to join because of their poor character, so Yun Xiaoxiao hadn't planned to bring them along.
But when they saw others starting to board the trucks, they tried to sneak in with the crowd, hoping to slip through unnoticed.
However, they were eventually discovered by Xiao Feng and pulled out.
"Everyone else can go with you, why can't we?
We're all human, you can't discriminate against us like this!"
They loudly protested.
People both on and off the trucks looked over.
Xiao Feng's face showed signs of impatience.
"We've already explained the reason. Stop making a fuss here. Get lost."
His patience was limited; the fact that he hadn't physically thrown them out already showed great restraint.
But the five men still wouldn't give up.
"Oh no, they're going to hit us!"
"Are you taking people away with ulterior motives? Being so fierce, how can anyone feel safe going with you?"
They just wanted to make a big scene, hoping that under public pressure, they might be allowed to join.
Xiao Feng frowned, ready to use force.
But before he could act, a small hand tugged at the corner of his clothes.
Seeing Yun Xiaoxiao shake her head, Xiao Feng's face soured, but he ultimately resisted the urge to use force.
He snorted and walked to the side.
Yun Xiaoxiao then calmly looked at the five men opposite her.
Dealing with these five wasn't difficult, but she didn't want to appear cruel or violent to her potential new residents before they had established trust.
So, she chose to resolve it in a gentler manner.
She raised her hand, and a vine shot out, wrapping around one of the men and dragging him towards her.
"Ah! Let me go!"
Yun Xiaoxiao ignored the man's cries and forcefully grabbed his jaw.
Her hand was small, but her strength was incredibly great.
The man didn't want to open his mouth, but he couldn't help crying out in pain, involuntarily opening it.
"Everyone, do you see? His teeth and gums are all bloodstained.
And look, his eyeballs are starting to turn red.
Do you know why this happens?"
Yun Xiaoxiao coldly curved her lips.
Seeing the confusion of others, her eyes turned icy as she declared firmly,
"It's because they've eaten human flesh!
And not just once or twice. Only those who regularly eat human meat would show these characteristics!"
