Mike noticed a subtle eagerness stirring in Jiang Xiaoci's usually composed demeanor, prompting her to offer a gentle reminder.
"Standing at the forefront can indeed help guide the group better," she said, her tone soft but firm. "But it's not without its dangers."
"You disagree?" Mike asked, his curiosity piqued. Though the idea of stepping into the spotlight had crossed his mind, it wasn't something he felt strongly about. However, the constant murmurs from the survivors across the city over the past few days had planted a seed of possibility. Everyone seemed eager to know who Mike truly was—his face, his identity, even his gender.
Jiang Xiaoci hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "It's not about disagreeing. I just think your safety must always come first. Even an ordinary action could expose you to unpredictable risks."
"But how can I lead if I'm always second-guessing everything?" Mike cut in, his voice calm yet resolute. "People need to see the person leading them. Otherwise, how can they feel secure?"
Jiang Xiaoci sighed, her expression conflicted before breaking into a small, unexpected laugh. "You're making it really hard for me to argue with you."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Am I wrong?"
"No, no, you're absolutely right, sir," she replied, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "But your unique talents set you apart. If you were to fully integrate with the group, wouldn't that compromise the abilities you rely on to protect them?"
Her reasoning left Mike momentarily speechless. The logic was sound, though something about her phrasing struck a chord of familiarity—like it belonged to a line he'd heard in some anime.
Jiang Xiaoci continued, her tone softer now, coaxing. "Sir, I understand your resolve, but we need to take this one step at a time. Perhaps we can reveal just enough about you to the public. We could set up a communication channel or arrange speeches to share your thoughts with everyone. That way, your presence is felt without putting you at unnecessary risk."
"Ah, so you think I'm worried about you undermining me?" Mike teased, smirking.
Jiang Xiaoci chuckled, shaking her head. "Of course not. Let's try it your way but with some precautions. Your ideals are noble, sir, but remember, the foundation of a better future depends on your safety. If you fall, who will the people turn to for guidance?"
Her words managed to quell Mike's initial impulse to step out, anchoring him to reality. While her voice carried calm assurance, it was underpinned by unyielding resolve.
Reluctantly, Mike acquiesced, retreating to the solitude of his quarters. Normally, he'd have passed the time with idle distractions, but this time was different.
"I'm the leader of a city now," he muttered to himself. "I can't waste my days like this."
Determined to take action, Mike decided to test the limits of his unique talent. With his connection skill, he could communicate seamlessly across the entire city. But how far could he push it? How many people could he link to at once?
As he activated his ability, the scene shifted.
Meanwhile, in the White Bear Shelter, a crowd had gathered around a massive electronic screen installed outside a repurposed shopping center.
The screen had been reconfigured by communication engineers to sync with Mike's community hub, serving as the primary way to broadcast critical updates to the shelter's residents.
Among the crowd, Chen Dapeng stood with his arms crossed, casually chewing on a steamed bun as he waited. Around him, voices buzzed with anticipation.
"Look, the countdown's almost over! Just ten seconds left!"
"This is the first time the White Bear Shelter is publishing its collective work-point records. Can't wait to see how much I've earned!"
"Man, I hope I did well. I joined the central district liberation mission—I've got to have racked up some decent points!"
As the final seconds ticked down, the screen lit up, displaying rows of names and point totals. At the top of the list, one name stood out in bold letters, accompanied by an eye-popping score:
Work-Point Rankings – White Bear Shelter
Chen Dapeng – 18,523 pointsWu Guoqiang – 1,524 points
Chen Dapeng burst into laughter, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "Knew it! I'm number one!"
Around him, murmurs of shock and awe spread like wildfire.
"Whoa, over 18,000 points? That's insane!"
"This guy's unreal—whether it's causing chaos or earning points, he's always on top."
Chen Dapeng basked in the attention, swaggering over to the transaction booth. The crowd parted before him, more out of fear than respect. Slapping his hand on the counter, he declared with booming confidence:
"Bring out all your little cakes! I'm clearing the shelves today!"
4o