Chapter 60: Li Jiandong's Proposal and Ruthlessness

Li Jiandong held out a spoonful of white sugar right in front of Nan Ruyan’s lips, a trace of mockery lingering in his tone.

Faced with the temptation of the sugar, Nan Ruyan shook her head and refused.

This sugar must not be eaten!

If she were to eat it, Li Jiandong would only become increasingly bold and push his boundaries further!

Seeing that Nan Ruyan refused to eat, Li Jiandong looked somewhat disappointed.

Licking the spoon clean, he stood up once again and walked before the crowd.

Everyone looked at him with puzzled expressions, having no idea what he was up to.

He cleared his throat and glanced around the room:

"Listen to me for a moment, everyone... Our food supplies have been completely exhausted. If we just stay here like this, we are guaranteed to die!"

"Eventually, things here will devolve into the kind of cannibalism we read about on the internet!"

"None of you want to see a situation like that, do you?"

Hearing Li Jiandong’s words, a slight commotion rippled through the crowd as people began to whisper among themselves.

"Waiting here any longer is practically seeking death."

"But if we don't hide here, what else can we possibly do?"

"Do you have any good ideas?"

Li Jiandong nodded in satisfaction and continued:

"The remaining food was completely depleted yesterday! I believe that while we still have some strength left, we need to find a way to get out of here!"

"The Grand Gold Hotel doesn't just have one main kitchen... there is also some food stored in a few of the guest rooms."

"I've observed the situation; the number of zombies outside is not very large. I propose that we all charge out together and let fate decide our survival!"

At these words, some people were tempted, while others hesitated.

Just then, a robust, middle-aged man spoke up in agreement.

"I think what Li Jiandong is saying makes sense."

"Continuing to wait here is just waiting to die!"

"The number of zombies outside the door really isn't large—only about eight. And there are thirteen of us here..."

The implication behind his words was painfully obvious.

Feed one zombie per person, and there would still be five people left to escape with their lives.

Li Jiandong glanced at the robust man and nodded approvingly.

"Exactly! That's precisely what I mean. While we still have the strength to run, we have to make a desperate fight for it!"

"Our life and death are in our own hands!"

Everyone looked at each other, seemingly deep in thought.

Just as Li Jiandong wanted to press his advantage while the iron was hot, the chubby young man nearby interrupted him.

"But this isn't fair... If we all rush out together, doesn't it just come down to who runs the fastest?"

"Those of you with good physical fitness who can run fast will obviously have a much higher chance of survival than the rest of us who are slow runners!"

The moment the crowd heard this, a fresh wave of discussion broke out.

"That's right, those who run fast have a higher survival probability!"

"As women, we run slowly—does that mean we deserve to be used as cover for you? I disagree..."

"To put it bluntly, if you want to survive, you don't need to run faster than the zombies; you just need to run faster than most people..."

Seeing that he had disrupted Li Jiandong’s plan, a flash of complacency crossed the chubby man's mind.

Trying to snatch my food—serves you right!

Li Jiandong stared intently at the chubby man, a ferocious grin spreading across the corners of his mouth.

"Little fatty, you've raised a very good question—an exceptionally good one!"

"In response to what he just said... I have a suggestion!"

The crowd gradually quieted down.

Li Jiandong smiled and said:

"To increase everyone's survival rate, some of us must make sacrifices and act as bait..."

"If someone runs ahead first, they will naturally attract some of the zombies' attention, and the survival probability for those running behind will increase significantly."

At this point, Li Jiandong cast a meaningful, profound glance at the chubby man.

The chubby man's eyes widened as a sudden sense of impending doom gripped his heart.

The rest of the crowd understood as well, their eyes lighting up one by one.

Li Jiandong went on to say:

"Since everyone agrees that we need to take the risk and go outside..."

"Then you, little fatty! Not only have you eaten the most food over the past couple of days, but you've also been secretly hiding things away, dammit!"

Li Jiandong pointed a finger directly at the chubby man, wearing an expression of absolute righteousness.

"You are a sinner among us, and you need to make a contribution for everyone's sake!"

"I, I..." The chubby man's face instantly turned ashen.

Li Jiandong looked around the circle and said with a smile:

"I think the little fatty is well-suited for the vanguard position, running out ahead of everyone to draw the zombies' attention. What do you all think?"

People exchanged glances and quickly voiced their agreement.

"I agree!"

"I... agree too!"

Everyone eagerly chimed in to express their approval.

As long as they weren't the ones being sacrificed, anything was fine.

Li Jiandong nodded with satisfaction.

The chubby man had originally been a waiter here, placing him at the very bottom of the social ladder with no prior personal connections to these corporate elites.

He had eaten the most and even dared to hide supplies behind their backs...

Having made mistakes, he was the most suitable candidate to serve as bait.

Who else could they choose if not him?

"No! I don't agree! Why should it be me?" the chubby man shouted, straining his neck.

A cold gleam flashed in Li Jiandong's eyes as he brandished the kitchen knife in his hand and said harshly:

"Everyone else has agreed. Do you want to go against the public will?"

"I'm telling you, you have no choice!"

"Either you go be the bait, or I'll kill you right now and use your corpse as bait."

The chubby man trembled violently, his complexion turning dreadfully pale.

Li Jiandong paused for a moment, then adopted a more soothing tone to pacify him:

"Actually, your task is very simple, and it doesn't necessarily mean you'll die."

"What if you manage to shake off the zombies? Or what if the zombies just aren't interested in you..."

"In short... let fate decide for everyone! What do you all say?"

Exchanging glances, the rest of the people also joined in to persuade him:

"Little fatty, just agree to it!"

"You're the one who ate the most these past few days!"

"That's right! You even hoarded supplies; consider this your way of atoning for your sins!"

The chubby man's face was completely pale, his eyes devoid of any spirit.

Faced with the condemnation and accusations from everyone around him.

He felt utterly lost and helpless, having no idea what to do.

"A-Alright then." Seeing that everyone was of the same mind and looking at the knife in Li Jiandong's hand, the chubby man had no choice but to agree with resignation.

A consensus was finally reached among the group.

Since the decision to take the risk had been made, preparations began immediately.

People quickly formed cliques and started pairing up.

A crew-cut young man mustered up the courage to step forward and team up with the woman in black silk stockings.

The woman hesitated for a brief moment before finally nodding in agreement.

...

In the corner.

A glimmer of hope was also reignited within Nan Ruyan.

"Manager Nan, you must stay close to me. I'll take you with me as we run."

Li Jiandong gazed at Nan Ruyan with undisguised greed.

"O-Okay." Nan Ruyan managed to squeeze out a forced smile.

Before long, everyone was fully prepared!