Yang Lian was stunned, but dared not retort.
Xu Qian didn't even glance at him and said coldly, "Those willing to go with me, I will lead you. Those unwilling, stay here and await death.
Now, those who wish to go, come to my side. Those who don't, follow your boss Yang Lian."
The crowd hesitated for a moment. Most of them cherished their lives, and only a few remained by Yang Lian's side.
Their inner thoughts were in turmoil; hearing the voices of thousands of people was making Xu Qian's head explode.
Yang Lian's face turned dark with disappointment.
For the sake of the mission, Xu Qian sighed and patiently persuaded, "Boss Yang, you actually know yourself that the merger of bases is inevitable.
Do you think the powers that be will allow you to develop freely here?
If they cut off your water and electricity, wouldn't you have to obediently wag your tail and go over?
Moreover, Hope Base has excellent protective measures and a well-established system. Why not embrace it?"
Yang Lian's heart trembled, and he suddenly came to his senses.
Yang Lian Base's water and electricity were indeed supplied by Hope Base. Now that the base had collapsed, reconnecting them would be a major undertaking.
The authorities might not even agree, and even if they did, it would likely cost a fortune.
Would they not have to relocate then?
Having been in a position of leadership for so long, he had truly become complacent, unable to discern what was truly important.
Human safety and lives were the most important.
"Sister Qian, I agree to merge with Hope Base, but I have one request..."
Xu Qian's expression remained unchanged as she interrupted him, "You can make any request you have to the official powers.
I am not the leader of Hope Base and cannot make decisions for him on all matters."
With a thought, Xu Qian made ten large buses appear outside the dining hall.
"Use any stool you can find to shield yourselves from the elements as you rush over. If there aren't enough seats, you can stand. The buses have automatic cruise control and will navigate directly to Hope Base."
"Don't play any tricks by tampering with the vehicle's controls; you can't afford the consequences."
The crowd trembled, not daring to ask anything. They all picked up chairs to shield their heads and rushed out.
Even as they swayed precariously and acid rain splashed on their legs, they dared not make a sound.
Once everyone was on board, the buses automatically set off.
After everyone was safely in the buses, Yang Lian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He straightened his back and apologized sincerely,
"Sister Qian, what I said earlier was impulsive. I am truly sorry. I am already very grateful that you are willing to help us.
I shouldn't have asked for so much."
Xu Qian glanced at him indifferently and opened her black umbrella.
"Let's go, Boss Yang."
Yang Lian chuckled bitterly, "I'm no longer a boss. Just call me Yang Lian."
"Boss Yang, what was your original intention when you established this base?"
Xu Qian believed that any base established in the apocalypse, especially one that could gain recognition from Hope Base, must have been a good base.
Their original intention was certainly to rebuild a home for people, to build a place for themselves, and to no longer be homeless.
Then why did this original intention change so drastically after three years?
Yang Lian was taken aback, unsure how to answer for a moment.
They had already reached the front of the buses.
"Get on, Boss Yang."
The young girl wore a black mask that covered half her face, revealing only her beautiful eyebrows and a pair of exceptionally calm dark eyes.
Yang Lian's brow unfurrowed, and his heart suddenly felt enlightened.
"I never expected that at my age, I wouldn't be as open-minded as you young girl."
The purpose of establishing the base was for the people.
The purpose of relocating the base was also for the people, not for oneself.
Xu Qian's dark eyes flickered slightly, and she said faintly, "Maintain your original intention, and you will still be Boss Yang."
With that, the young girl turned and walked into the heavy rain, her back straight, like a towering tree standing proudly in the storm.
Never to fall.