Teaming Up with My Enemy to Rule the Apocalypse

Anyone can exchange pleasantries.

Some people are stiff and awkward, but others have a knack for saying just the right thing, making you feel perfectly at ease.

And as it happened, Director Lowell was the latter.

Sierra Sullivan and Jayce sat down with Candice, and Hector Grant sat beside them.

After they were seated, Sierra Sullivan’s group remained silent, so it was Director Lowell who spoke first.

"You’ve brought Candice here at this hour. Is something the matter? If I recall correctly, Candice should be at work right now!

Speaking of which, Candice is such an incredible little girl. She’s not a bit inferior to any adult!

Not only is her Superpower quite strong, but she also has incredible stamina. All by herself, she can grow a huge amount of potatoes and sweet potatoes every day, solving the food ration problem for many people. A lot of people are grateful to her in their hearts, and of course, I am too."

As he spoke, Director Lowell looked at Candice with a cheerful smile, his expression growing even more benevolent.

"Candice, you really are an amazing little girl. A role model for so many other children!"

Candice had probably never been spoken to like this before. She stared blankly at Director Lowell, her cheeks flushed, unsure of what to say.

Seeing her reaction, Director Lowell’s smile grew even gentler, his voice persuasive. "Would Candice like to be a role model for other little boys and girls?"

What could Candice say in a situation like this?

She would probably just nod and agree.

But before she could, Sierra Sullivan stopped her.

"Candice isn’t willing."

Candice looked up, watching Sierra Sullivan with a mix of confusion and surprise.

She didn’t seem to understand why Sierra Sullivan would say that.

Sierra Sullivan just smiled at Candice without offering an explanation.

Candice didn’t press the issue.

She had always trusted her big sister unconditionally. Of course, whatever her big sister said, goes!

She wasn’t about to question it!

Director Lowell’s smile froze on his face. It took him a moment to find his voice. "What is the meaning of this...?"

Sierra Sullivan stared straight at Director Lowell. "Director Lowell, we’re all intelligent people here, so there’s no need to beat around the bush. For someone of your age and in your position, don’t you feel ashamed using such tactics on a five-year-old child?"

Just as Sierra Sullivan implied, given Director Lowell’s age and position, it was rare for anyone to speak to him like that.

To be spoken to this way by Sierra Sullivan in front of several people—it was just short of her pointing at his nose and cursing him out—was naturally a great loss of face.

The smile vanished completely from Director Lowell’s face, which was now pulled taut. "What is the meaning of this?"

"My meaning is simple. Since there are people who don’t follow the rule that everyone must work and contribute, why must you demand it of a five-year-old? I do not agree to Candice continuing this work."

Director Lowell’s face remained tight. "She isn’t working for free. She gets three thousand Contribution Points a month. You should know, Kevin Everett only gets one thousand a month. A five-year-old child earning three thousand Contribution Points a month... forget about her, even you could live without any worries about food or clothing."

"Is Director Lowell suggesting that I would make a five-year-old child work hard to support me? In your eyes, am I really that thick-skinned? That shameless?"

Although the questions were posed as if about herself, the underlying meaning was directed entirely at Director Lowell.

Director Lowell’s face grew redder, not from shame, but purely from anger.

"Sierra Sullivan, I’m trying to be civil, so don’t push your luck!"

"I’m protecting my little sister and fighting for her rights. How is that pushing my luck? I don’t understand. I hope Director Lowell can teach me."

Director Lowell’s face darkened. "Then what is it you want?"

"It’s simple. I don’t want Candice to do this work anymore."

"But many survivors will be short on rations..."

"In a base this large, the absence of one five-year-old’s contributions will cause so many survivors to lack food? Whose fault is that, really?"

’Could it be that the leaders are all useless?’

Although Sierra Sullivan didn’t say those words aloud, her meaning was crystal clear.

Someone like Director Lowell could, of course, read between the lines.

And it was precisely because he understood that he grew even more furious, yet he didn’t know how to vent his anger.

After stewing for a good while, Director Lowell finally said grimly, "You should know that every survivor who wants to stay in the base must do what they can to contribute. If you insist on not letting Candice do anything, and you all do nothing as well, then you’ll have no choice but to—"

"Leave the base." Sierra Sullivan finished his sentence. "Captain Grant already told me that. I know. I can take Candice and leave Subterra."

Although Subterra had restored a basic sense of order and was indeed safer than the outside world.

But if the price of staying in Subterra was sacrificing Candice, Sierra Sullivan would never agree under any circumstances.

Director Lowell glared at Sierra Sullivan. "You’ve got a lot of backbone, but are you sure everyone else with you feels the same way?"

"Of course!"

The one who spoke wasn’t Sierra Sullivan, but Jayce.

Jayce lifted his chin. "Director Lowell is so considerate, thinking so much for Sierra’s sake. But I can tell you for a fact, Director Lowell, that all of us are willing to leave Subterra with Sierra."

With their skills, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a place and build a foundation for themselves. They didn’t have to stay in Subterra.

Director Lowell was left completely speechless.

When he realized his threats were utterly useless, he completely lost the upper hand.

The atmosphere in the office became heavy once again.

At that moment, Hector Grant spoke up.

"Actually, we don’t have to be so absolute. There’s a more moderate solution."

Director Lowell looked at Hector Grant. He didn’t speak, but his meaning was obvious: he wanted Hector Grant to continue.

"Candice is too young, and her current workload is indeed a bit strenuous. How about we change it to four hours a day from now on?"

Director Lowell was about to speak immediately.

It was ten hours before, and now it’s being cut to four. That’s less than half!

’How can that be acceptable?!’

Hector Grant gave Director Lowell a look, telling him to be patient, and continued.

"Jayce has the same Superpower. When he isn’t on a mission, I hope he can work with Candice for four hours a day. Of course, the compensation will remain the same."

Sierra Sullivan raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you mean by ’the compensation will remain the same’?"

"Candice will still receive three thousand Contribution Points a month, and Jayce will also get three thousand a month."

Director Lowell’s eyes widened again.

’That’s way too much!’