Chapter 553 – Securing a Long-Term Meal Ticket

Lucy had no idea what kind of answer Ling Mo would give in the end.

At first glance, it seemed like she was already familiar with Ling Mo, but upon closer inspection, this guy was full of mysteries. Was there any part of him that she had figured out?

Moreover, from any perspective, Ling Mo seemed completely uninterested in things like power and control.

If he were interested, would Yuwen Xuan still be the current master of Falcon Second Camp?

In Lucy’s view, people like Ling Mo were quite rare in this era.

Living in constant fear, a person’s mindset and character were bound to change.

The biggest change perhaps was the psychological distortion and amplification.

Money? It’s useless now, but supplies and food have become the best replacements, and no one can get enough of them.

Women? Some people have a taste for that. However, such people usually only manage to lord it over small Survivor Teams.

In bases like Falcon Second Camp and F Team, there’s no place for that kind of scum.

Firstly, with a large population, these bases often had strong women occupying significant positions.

Among them, the beautiful and capable women were especially eye-catching, akin to a red flower amidst a sea of green.

For example, Su Qianrou, for example, Lucy…

Secondly, most normal people were quite repulsed by such degenerates.

Although the world had lost all order, in these densely populated bases, the social nature of humans naturally manifested.

But what attracted the most pursuit was, without a doubt, power!

Personnel! Territory! Resources! Who wouldn’t want these things?!

Even from a rational standpoint, controlling more resources and standing higher than others not only meant a significantly higher survival rate.

It’s always the pawns who get sent to their deaths, while the leaders reap the benefits.  Wasn’t that how the Air Force Corps operated in the past.

So no matter how she looked at it, Lucy found Ling Mo to be a strange person.

Ling Mo clearly had strong abilities; anything he wanted was within his grasp. He never hid his desire and need for supplies. So, why didn’t he have any ambition?

Not only Lucy couldn’t figure this out, but the members of F Team couldn’t either. Even Falcon’s senior leadership was baffled by this question.

However, there was one thing they were very clear about.

And that was—

As long as Ling Mo wanted, he could find a way to destroy them, with the Air Force Corps serving as a cautionary tale!

The most terrifying part was, this man controlled no territory or people. As long as he hid in the city, he would always be in the shadows, like a venomous snake lurking in the grass.

The enemy wouldn’t know where he was, but he would always be locked onto them, quietly seeking opportunities, ready to strike and deliver a fatal blow at any moment.

Dealing with someone like this, it’s impossible not to be wary and not to feel anxious!

Even Lucy could see this clearly. Ling Mo’s incomprehensible behavior and actions were precisely his best camouflage.

Was this Ling Mo’s real intention? Would he agree to F Team’s request then?

Lucy anxiously awaited Ling Mo’s response, and so did everyone in F Team…

Ling Mo’s answer finally came two days later—

“As for conditions… share with me the new intelligence you gathered. Also, when I run out of supplies, I’ll come and take what I need. Furthermore, all members of your team need to be available to assist me when needed. Of course, I won’t ask them to undertake very dangerous tasks or anything that would insult their dignity. I can guarantee that, and you can evaluate it when the time comes.”

As Ling Mo uttered these words while holding a teacup, Lucy just wanted to punch him in the face.

Truly ruthless!

He abandoned a one-time reward and went straight for long-term control!

Even though it didn’t seem like he was asking for much, these indefinite and unpredictable conditions were far harsher than extorting a single hefty price.

“You think we’re your long-term meal ticket!” Lucy fumed.

Beside her were two members of F Team. They had just opened their mouths to speak, but as soon as Lucy slammed the table and sprang up, they shrank back in fear.

The two even consciously distanced themselves from Lucy, adopting a “nothing to do with me” spectator stance…

You couldn’t really blame them; Lucy dared to challenge Ling Mo by pounding the table, but did they have that kind of courage?

“There’s definitely something unusual between them…”

“Yeah, they seem really close.”

The two exchanged a silent glance and then, in unison, displayed a knowing smile.

“You two! Say something!” Lucy suddenly turned her head and shouted at them.

Ling Mo also looked over: “Yes, what do you think?”

“Uh, um…”

The two immediately felt a sense of panic. How did they suddenly become the focus? They had been so invisible just moments ago!

Since you two are arguing so passionately, why not continue as if no one else is around? Why drag the bystanders into it now?

Being glared at by Lucy was one thing, but Ling Mo’s gaze was something else. Though his expression seemed calm and his tone gentle, why did it feel like a dark shadow stood behind him, grinning menacingly at them?

What to say? Offend Lucy? No way, no way…

So, offend Ling Mo? They definitely didn’t have the guts for that…

Cold sweat immediately broke out on their palms, and they stammered incoherently, unable to form a complete sentence.

“Um… I think… maybe you should discuss it further?”

“Right, uh… both sides have points…”

“Yeah, absolutely…”

“Who asked you two to play peacemakers!” Lucy said in exasperation. These teammates were no good; they should unconditionally support her and negotiate firmly with Ling Mo! Instead, they cowered in fear of Ling Mo and tried to appease both sides…

Traitors!

Faced with Lucy’s blazing eyes, the two resolutely chose to ignore her.

Since offending one was inevitable, they opted for the least confrontational way…

Ling Mo put down his teacup and said calmly, “Lulu, now that you’re the President, show a bit of boldness. Bigger investments naturally lead to bigger returns.”

Lucy was about to lose her temper at the first half of his sentence but was drawn in by the latter part.

Lucy looked at Ling Mo skeptically and asked, “What kind of return can you give us?”

A slight smile played at the corners of Ling Mo’s mouth as he clasped his hands together on his knees and leaned forward, his unusually bright eyes fixing on Lucy. “I think, compared to an Honorary Regimental Commander, you all would prefer if I became the real Nominal Regimental Commander, wouldn’t you?”

Thump!

Lucy’s heart skipped a beat.

A Nominal Regimental Commander?!

Did she want this? Did F Team want this?

Of course, they did!

While the title of Honorary Regimental Commander also carried weight, it still felt somewhat distant. Although dealing with Yuwen Xuan as an Honorary Regimental Commander brought some advantages, it was ultimately limited. Yuwen Xuan, despite his eccentricities, was far from foolish. Occasionally, he even displayed a cunning and sly nature, making people wonder if he had instantly switched to a hidden persona.

But being a Nominal Regimental Commander was different!

This meant that externally, Ling Mo would be the official commander of F Team, while internally, he would only hold a nominal position. This could bring greater benefits and advantages to F Team without interfering with its internal affairs.

Though it was just a difference in titles, the significance and importance were immensely different.

With anyone else, Lucy might have seen some risk and would have needed to think it over carefully.

But with Ling Mo, she couldn’t be more reassured.

Power? He wouldn’t want it even if it were handed to him! He didn’t go after the massive cake that was the Air Force Corps, let alone a mere dessert like F Team!

Most importantly, this arrangement would put her mind at ease…

She knew all too well how long she could hold the position of President.

With Ling Mo’s assurance, it was as if she had taken out an insurance policy for F Team’s future…

The more Lucy thought about it, the more tempted she felt. Suddenly snapping back to reality, she met Ling Mo’s gaze.

Caught in his deep eyes, Lucy felt as if her entire being was laid bare…

Blush!

Two spots of red suddenly appeared on Lucy’s cheeks, and her face uncontrollably began to burn.

Seeing the change in her expression, Ling Mo was momentarily stunned.

What was going on? Lucy could actually blush?

And at this moment… it didn’t seem like he had done anything to cause such a reaction…

Lucy found herself in an extremely awkward face-off with Ling Mo, her whole body rigid, not daring to move.

She certainly didn’t want her two companions to notice anything unusual… and Ling Mo… this guy clearly had no clue.

Idiot… Lucy muttered silently to herself, her blushing face still taut. Her voice was even more formal than before: “Sounds good. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Ling Mo flashed a broad smile and extended his hand.

“What for?” Lucy’s heart skipped another beat.

“It’s not like we’re sealing it with a kiss, just a handshake to signify a pleasant cooperation,” Ling Mo said, puzzled.

“Oh…”

That pale, slender, but firm hand barely extended before it was enveloped by Ling Mo’s large one.

In that brief yet seemingly endless moment, feeling the dry warmth of his palm and the appropriate firmness of his grip, Lucy could only hear the sound of her own heartbeat.

Thump! Thump-thump!

…

The two Council of Elders members didn’t notice Lucy’s peculiar behavior, but they did notice something else.

This handshake seemed to last unusually long…

“Do you think this counts as the first step towards a union?” one couldn’t help but whisper.

The other chuckled while casting a sly glance at his companion, “You get it.”

“Hehehe… I get it.”

The two shared a knowing smile, and when they looked at Ling Mo again, he suddenly felt more endearing to them.

A Nominal Regimental Commander is fine too; after all, sooner or later he’ll be our F Team’s son-in-law…

“By the way, don’t you think it’s a bit odd… having me be the commander of F Team?” Ling Mo suddenly commented.

Lucy stiffened, and the two behind her were taken aback.

After a brief moment, three distinct, yet equally beautiful faces simultaneously flashed in their minds…

“Goddammit!!!”

One of them slapped his thigh and wailed.