Chapter 303: Is Su Mary Here to Save or Torture?

Jing Shu smiled, “How about you all just stay in the warehouse again?”

“No, no, this place is much better—electric lights, warm, no stench. Very comfortable. Thank you, Jing Shu, for letting us stay in the office area,” Wang Chao quickly said. “Can’t you see Jing Shu’s influence? A few relatives of those arrested came earlier, said a few words, and left. Who else can get people out? We’re lucky to wait here for the result!”

“Yeah, it’s a thousand times better than inside.”

At that moment, footsteps approached. Li Bailong strode over and said to Jing Shu, “The decision from above is out after much discussion and a tough call.”

Hearing this, Zhang Lingling collapsed to the floor with a thud, a foul stench spreading from beneath her. She trembled uncontrollably. She had heard rumors all day that this group would be executed. Was it finally coming true?

“I know you have friends here eager for the result, so I’m telling you first,” Li Bailong continued. “The policy isn’t to kill them all, but no tolerance for wrongdoing. Those who did wrong must take responsibility.”

Nima burst into tears. The inevitable had come.

Everyone held their breath, silent.

Li Bailong faced Jing Shu directly. “First, all involved will have their virtual coins confiscated during detention.

Second, following the principle of ‘no waste, reap what you sow,’ everyone must eat the number of cakes they sold, proportional to their earnings, before leaving the second squad. They must finish the tens of thousands of cakes in stock. This way, we don’t waste our own food feeding them. They made the cakes; they eat them. Perfect.”

Li Bailong laughed heartily, pleased with the decision. The others could not laugh. Their faces went slack. Before, some had eaten the cakes unaware. Now knowing the cakes cause incurable zombie disease, who would want to eat them?

“Here’s the list. Zhang Lingling must eat 300 cakes; the others 50 each. Once finished, you can leave. Don’t worry, you sold these cakes so happily, you should eat some yourselves. The chance of getting the disease from one cake is only 1%, and eating 50 cakes is about a 50% chance. But it’s unpredictable—some eat daily and don’t get sick; some get sick from one.”

The group slumped down in despair. Though spared execution, being forced to eat the cakes was like a death sentence.

“Isn’t there any other way?” Shi Lei cried. “We really didn’t mean it. I didn’t even know it would cause this. I just want to go home.”

Li Bailong said sternly, “You made mistakes; you must bear the consequences. You’re adults now; you must learn this.”

He turned to Jing Shu. “But Jing Shu, I just spoke with Captain Li. If you speak up, you can save them by handing over some of your herbal medicines from your association. That’s more valuable than punishing them with medicine.”

One moment they thought they were doomed; the next, the official said Jing Shu could save them!

“Jing Shu, I was blind. I don’t want to eat those cakes. Please save me. Give them your medicines. How can I eat 300 cakes? It would take months. I’ll definitely get the zombie disease!” Zhang Lingling no longer cared about pride—life was at stake.

“Save us! We don’t want to die!”

Jing Shu didn’t move, raising an eyebrow. The mood had flipped too fast. She couldn’t keep up. Earlier they said she was powerless and needed Su Mary. Now their attitude flipped like a page.

“I was blind, Jing Shu. I really don’t want to eat those cakes. Please let us go!”

Pigeon soup was indeed hard to swallow. Jing Shu hesitated, “It’s not that I don’t want to save you. Su Mary is handling this. Let’s wait for her. Those herbs are precious; I’m reluctant to give them away.”

Zhang Lingling glared hatefully at Jing Shu. “I know you just don’t want to save me. Seeing me like this must make you happy, huh? Ha! How could you save me?! Su Mary will save me. She will!”

This woman was crazy.

Jing Shu stepped back and sat down to rest. Li Bailong looked apologetic. “You don’t seem to be friends.”

“I don’t have close ties with these classmates. They’re not my family or close friends. I can’t risk everything to save them in the apocalypse. If they were truly innocent, maybe I’d consider it.”

Jing Shu valued family over rules. She would save those she cared about no matter what. For others, it depended on whether it was worth it—especially in this profit-driven apocalypse.

Su Mary arrived wearing a pure white vest and a goose-yellow raincoat dress, looking like a princess with four bodyguards.

It was obvious Su Mary was very powerful, completely different from Jing Shu, who wore a plain black raincoat.

The classmates burst into tears at the sight of Su Mary. Jing Shu had disappointed them too much! Finally, someone reliable had come.

“Save me! Su Mary, only you can save me!”

After Xia Liu explained the situation, Jing Shu nodded, “Yes, that’s how it is.”

“We’re really innocent,” Shi Lei sobbed.

Everyone expected Su Mary to immediately agree and find a way to get them out. After all, she was kind and willing to help classmates.

Unexpectedly, Su Mary’s first words were: “You didn’t kill Boren, but Boren died because of you. You’re not innocent. I thought you were in danger, so I rushed here. But now I see the government handled this well. You sowed your own evil and should eat these cakes yourselves.”

The classmates’ mouths dropped open. This was not what they expected.

“You’re not the only ones with family and children. You indirectly caused many deaths. How sad must their families be?”

Jing Shu nodded. Sometimes Su Mary’s values were quite sound.

But people can’t be praised too much.

“But don’t worry. We’re old classmates. As old classmates, you must accept your punishment. After you leave, if anyone gets sick, I’ll find someone to treat you. That’s the kindness of old classmates,” Su Mary said seriously.

Shi Lei cried harder, “But medical treatment is so expensive! If flesh rots, it must be cut off. How much flesh will be cut? Isn’t that an even worse punishment?”