Chapter 52: In the Depths of Night, Sisters Open Their Hearts

Nie Xiaoyue could never have imagined that her younger sister, Nie Xiaoxing, was among them. Instantly, Nie Xiaoyue's tears streamed down her face as she rushed to her sister, embracing her tightly.

Nie Xiaoxing, meanwhile, was completely bewildered. What was happening? Why was her sister behaving this way? Why wasn’t she wearing any clothes? And not only that, she came out to greet them like this, without a trace of shame. Her sister was a dignified PhD, the pride of their family! Yet, despite her confusion, Nie Xiaoxing’s own tears began to flow. She clung to her sister’s smooth, bare back, feeling the pressure of her body against her clothes. She realized that, in this apocalypse, simply surviving was already a blessing; she could not demand more. Moreover, her sister seemed perfectly normal, apparently unharmed. She would ask for details later.

“These people are under your command from today,” Xue Feng instructed Gu Xiaoqian, handing over the five girls. “They’re all general laborers.”

Gu Xiaoqian was elated; she herself had only arrived yesterday, and had defined her role as a maid—serving Xue Feng and the others. Though Xue Feng had named her as housekeeper, Gu Xiaoqian didn’t see herself as such; in wealthy families, housekeepers had many subordinates. She had never expected that Xue Feng would find her some helpers so quickly.

“If any of them slack off or act cunningly, tell me. I’ll punish them severely,” Xue Feng added. He was determined not to show leniency to these girls; they needed to learn there was no such thing as a free lunch.

“Yes, sir!” Gu Xiaoqian nodded promptly.

“Let them take a bath first, then put on clean clothes and have something to eat,” Xue Feng went on.

Hot water and food! At the mention of those words, the girls’ eyes lit up. Seeing the grand villa, they had already believed Xue Feng’s promises. Now, they were desperate to begin. Soon, all the girls had bathed and donned clean clothing. The meal brought to them was simple—millet porridge, pickled vegetables, and some heated sausages.

Normally, it would be just an ordinary breakfast. But for these famished girls, it was a feast fit for the gods. They devoured the food ravenously, barely bothering with chopsticks, grabbing the freshly grilled sausages by hand. Even though they burned their fingers, they stuffed them into their mouths with abandon.

During their days at school, they had survived on moldy steamed buns and pancakes, and cold rice soaked in water. Even so, their portions were rationed daily. Now, finally, they could eat hot food. Even simple millet porridge seemed like the best thing they had ever tasted.

“Sis, when are you going to put on some clothes?” Nie Xiaoxing sipped her porridge, Nie Xiaoyue sitting beside her. What puzzled Nie Xiaoxing was that her sister still hadn’t dressed.

“I can’t. I lost, so I have to accept punishment. Besides, opportunities to stand out like this are rare. You’ll get used to it,” Nie Xiaoyue replied, blushing deeply. If it meant Xue Feng would notice her a little more, what did it matter if she wasn’t dressed?

“You’ll get used to it… Sis, does that mean you already—?” Nie Xiaoxing couldn’t help but glance at a certain part of her sister.

“Yes. When you finish eating, come to my room and I’ll explain.” Nie Xiaoyue nodded gently; she didn’t want to discuss it in the dining room, where Nie Xiaoxing’s classmates could overhear. The secrets to winning Xue Feng’s favor must not be easily stolen.

After the meal, Nie Xiaoxing went to her sister’s bedroom. Nie Xiaoyue recounted how Xue Feng had rescued her and everything that had happened afterward.

When Nie Xiaoxing heard that her sister had willingly climbed into Xue Feng’s bed, she was stunned. Was this still the sister she knew? In the past, her sister had been known as the Ice Goddess at school, never smiling at any man. Yet now she had thrown herself into Xue Feng’s arms.

“Sis, did you really sacrifice so much just to survive?” Nie Xiaoxing couldn’t help but ask. Had she done the same, Sun Teng would have gotten his wish long ago.

“Silly girl, I’m not so unprincipled. You don’t know Xue Feng. He is a real man! To become the woman of such a man is the greatest happiness for any woman!” Nie Xiaoyue’s eyes shone with adoration as she spoke. If she were merely afraid of death, she would never have left the sewers, nor offered herself so willingly. She had been utterly captivated by Xue Feng. In this new era, he stood as the undisputed king.

“Sis, you’re truly happy!” Nie Xiaoxing grasped her sister’s hand with excitement. Since their parents had died, she had never seen such joy in her sister’s eyes. Then Nie Xiaoxing shared all that had happened to her, especially mentioning Xue Feng’s actions upon storming the school. She nodded in agreement.

“He’s really different! Even his presence is extraordinary.”

When she heard this, Nie Xiaoyue smiled softly. “So, what do you feel about him?”

Feel? “He’s amazing, very strong! And he acts decisively—he killed many of Sun Teng’s henchmen,” Nie Xiaoxing answered thoughtfully. She knew those people were no good; if they had lived, they would have hurt other girls. Their deaths were for the best. Despite being classmates, Nie Xiaoxing felt no pity for them. These days spent trapped together had revealed their ugly sides.

“Tonight, you should become his woman,” Nie Xiaoyue said, happily grasping her sister’s hand.

“Tonight? But we’ve only just met him a few hours ago!” Nie Xiaoxing’s eyes widened. She liked Xue Feng, but not to that extent. She was a conservative girl, after all; during university, she had steadfastly refused to date.

“The world has changed. Who knows what tomorrow brings? Trust your sister—this is your chance, you must seize it! Xue Feng is a man you can entrust your life to,” Nie Xiaoyue insisted. Aside from Xue Feng, there was no one else in the world she could trust.

“But sis, you too… wouldn’t we both—?” Nie Xiaoxing’s face reddened instantly. The world had changed, and she understood, but together with her sister?

“What’s there to fear? In ancient times, this was common. If you don’t go, there will be plenty waiting to take your place. It’s better to be among the first. Besides, I’m not embarrassed—why should you be? I can even teach you,” Nie Xiaoyue smiled, knowing her sister had been thoroughly persuaded.

“Mm…” Nie Xiaoxing nodded gently, giving a hesitant answer.