Teaming Up with My Enemy to Rule the Apocalypse

Dominic Crawford didn’t answer.

But in this situation, not answering was the best answer.

Nathan Thorne’s eyes widened even more. "No way! Mr. Crawford, you actually brought them over? You’re not even earning a single Contribution Point right now. It’s hard enough to support yourself, how are you going to provide for two more people?"

Dominic Crawford’s face flushed red. "I know. I don’t have a single Contribution Point right now. The house I live in, everything in it, it’s all thanks to Sierra Sullivan and Jayce. But it won’t be like this forever. I’ll go look for a job tomorrow. I’ll definitely pay back the Contribution Points I owe as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Nathan Thorne’s expression became complicated. "No... that’s not what I meant. I was saying..."

Nathan Thorne wanted to explain, but for a moment, he didn’t know how. He could only look pleadingly at Sierra Sullivan and Jayce, hoping one of them would clarify for him.

"Mr. Crawford," Jayce began slowly, "we don’t expect you to pay back the Contribution Points right away."

Sierra Sullivan added, "And we have no issue with Joy Warren or her mother."

They were practically strangers. There was no reason to have an opinion about them one way or another.

Although Sierra didn’t approve of Joy Warren’s methods.

But in this post-apocalyptic world, everyone was just struggling to survive.

Everyone had the right to make their own choices.

No one had the right to judge the choices others made to give themselves and their loved ones a better life.

As Jayce and Sierra Sullivan spoke, Dominic Crawford watched them both.

Seeing their earnest expressions and the complete lack of superficiality in their words, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

But immediately after, an embarrassed look appeared on Dominic Crawford’s face.

"Sierra, Jayce, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to react like that just now. It’s just... Joy is on her own. Even though she’s a Superpower User, you’ve seen the situation in the Subterra. It’s not easy for her to provide a stable life for her mother by herself.

I was the one who suggested they move in. I didn’t ask them to move in to take advantage of their situation. I just... I just don’t want to see her struggle so much. I want to help her. And I don’t want you guys to hold anything against her because of this. She really has it tough."

"I know she has it tough." Sierra Sullivan nodded. "In this post-apocalyptic world, who has it easy? Most people don’t. I don’t care about her situation; I just have one question for you."

"What question?" Dominic Crawford sat up straight. "Just ask."

Sierra Sullivan looked directly into Dominic Crawford’s eyes. "If one day, you can’t afford to rent this house anymore, and you can’t give her the life she wants, and she chooses to leave you, will you be upset?"

Dominic Crawford thought about it seriously before answering, "Even if that day comes, it would be because I wasn’t capable enough to give her the life she wants. It would have nothing to do with her. I wouldn’t blame her. As for whether I’d be upset... I think I would be, but that would be my own problem to deal with, not hers. And I hope that if that day comes, you all won’t blame her either."

Since he had said that much, there was no need to say anything more.

Sierra Sullivan nodded. "Alright, I understand. We’ll leave it at that. We won’t say any more about it. Nathan, you too, drop it."

Nathan Thorne nodded repeatedly. "Got it! I promise, I won’t say another word!"

Jayce picked up his chopsticks again. "Since that’s all settled, let’s eat! It would be a waste not to enjoy this delicious hot pot."

With the weight off his chest, Dominic Crawford’s expression relaxed, and his appetite returned.

"I was starving! I’m going to eat a ton today!"

The group continued their meal.

They exchanged a few words occasionally as they ate.

The atmosphere was incomparably lighter than before.

But they all knew this was just on the surface.

In reality, a heavy feeling still weighed on each of them, to some degree.

After the meal, Dominic Crawford helped clear the table before saying his goodbyes and leaving first.

As soon as Dominic Crawford was gone, Nathan Thorne, who had been holding his tongue all evening, couldn’t wait to speak.

"Sierra, Jayce, why didn’t you try to talk some sense into him? Isn’t he just setting himself up to be a sucker?"

Jayce glanced at Nathan Thorne. "What do you mean, ’being a sucker’? Can’t a man pay the price for love?"

"What?"

Nathan Thorne almost thought he’d misheard.

What had Jayce just said?

’Pay the price for love?’

If this were before the apocalypse, he wouldn’t say a single word about how Dominic Crawford chose to spend his money.

But this is the apocalypse!

In the apocalypse, survival itself is a challenge, and Dominic Crawford wants to pay the price for love.

This was just...

Nathan Thorne’s expression became indescribable.

After holding it in for a long moment, Nathan Thorne finally asked, "So we’re really just going to leave it alone?"

Sierra Sullivan shook her head. "He’s older than us. What is there that he doesn’t understand? Do you really think he can’t see what’s as clear as day to us?"

"Then why is he still—"

"This is his own choice," Sierra Sullivan said seriously. "Since he’s already made his decision, we should respect it."

They were just friends.

No matter how close they were, they were still just friends.

There are boundaries between friends.

Getting too involved would only push them apart.

There was no benefit to it otherwise.

Nathan Thorne didn’t say any more. After holding it in for a while, he let out a long sigh.

Sierra Sullivan checked the time. "Alright, stop overthinking it. It’s getting late, you can go home now!"

Despite being told to leave, Nathan Thorne still seemed quite happy.

"I’m going to look for a job tomorrow. So if you can’t find me, don’t worry."

"Don’t worry!" Sierra Sullivan nodded. "We won’t look for you tomorrow."

Nathan Thorne, "???"

Seeing Nathan Thorne’s expression, Sierra Sullivan burst out laughing.

Yvonne Shelby, watching from the side, also started to laugh.

After laughing, Yvonne Shelby said, "It’s getting late, I should get back too!"

Jayce immediately said, "I’ll walk you back."

Yvonne Shelby refused. "No need. It’s such a short distance, am I going to get lost? This is the Subterra, there aren’t any Aberrant Beasts. You don’t have to worry."

"Don’t argue. Come on, I’ll walk you."

Jayce didn’t bother arguing with Yvonne Shelby.

Once he made a decision, he wouldn’t easily change it.

Seeing how insistent Jayce was, Yvonne Shelby could only agree with a sigh of resignation and walked out with him.

After seeing Nathan Thorne off and watching Jayce and Yvonne Shelby walk away, Sierra Sullivan finally closed the door.

The moment she turned around, she saw Candice Tate holding a large plate piled with bright red, huge strawberries.

"Sierra, have some strawberries. It’ll make you feel better!"

Candice Tate’s voice was so soft and sweet that Sierra’s heart felt like it was melting.