Hearing the first question, Shen Jie's pupils contracted, and his companions trembled slightly.
Han Yuxin maintained a calm, professional smile, waiting for their answer.
Shen Jie swallowed hard, his mind racing despite being dulled by repetitive labor, seeking the best response.
He knew Han Yuxin would see through any deception, so the question wasn't whether they had killed but whether they should admit it.
And they had killed, just yesterday.
Men from the neighboring camp had crept into their tent at night, intending to assault the girls.
They had planned it, saving their strength during the day. Being much stronger than the 16- and 17-year-olds, they quickly overpowered them.
Zhang Liying, who had enhanced once, was the first to react and resist the intruders.
Her screams woke Shen Jie.
In the ensuing chaos, they lost two—one boy and one girl—while the attackers left four bodies behind.
Shen Jie vividly recalled driving a sharpened crowbar into the leader's throat, tearing his artery, and the warm blood spraying his face.
The metallic scent still lingered in his nostrils.
The surviving five boys and four girls were terrified, but life had to go on. Shen Jie knew they couldn't stay, as they'd face harassment and revenge at any other construction site.
So before the incident spread, he disposed of the bodies in the concrete pillars and requested a transfer to the service area's project.
That was their real reason for being here.
Shen Jie believed it was self-defense, justifiable homicide.
So even if he admitted it, he hoped Han Yuxin would understand.
After careful thought, Shen Jie nodded, "Yes, we have killed."
"But that was—"
Han Yuxin interrupted, "Alright. Next question."
"If you need to kill again, can you do it?"
Shen Jie froze, mouth half-open, unsure of what to say. Only after several seconds did he realize the purpose behind the question.
They didn't care about the reasons for killing, only that it happened.
The next question revealed their recruitment purpose: killing.
After a heavy breath, Shen Jie nodded.
Han Yuxin's expression turned serious, "Last question."
"Who are you working for?"
Shen Jie stared at Han Yuxin for several seconds before answering, "We are homeless, unwanted, and work for our survival."
Han Yuxin nodded, satisfied, "Congratulations on joining us."
"Go to the inn's suite, clean up, and rest. There are some canned goods left; help yourselves."
"I'll notify you in the evening for your first task."
Hearing they passed the interview and had a place to stay, the group cheered, though Shen Jie remained somber, aware of the cost.
Turning to follow his companions, he noticed Zhang Liying's anxious expression.
He smiled reassuringly.
...
Outside, the construction site buzzed, while Lin Feng and Chen Yanyan enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in the camper.
Chen Yanyan, in casual home attire with shorts and a tank top, donned an apron to prepare a sumptuous dinner.
They ate early, planning to handle the twelve Black Spinal Bugs in the trunk later.
During dinner, Chen Yanyan expressed concern about Lin Feng's plan, "They are just students. Do they have the mental strength to kill?"
Lin Feng shrugged confidently, "People can abandon anything to survive. The first step in this harsh game is the end of childhood."
"Obviously, their dwindling numbers mean they've experienced it."
"Don't worry. Even if they're not useful, I've arranged backup with Hu Fei."
"We're using them for convenience. We can't always rely on Hu Fei; we need our own people."
Chen Yanyan nodded, praying for the students to take the first step.
Time passed quickly, and with Hu Fei's readiness, Lin Feng had Chen Yanyan start the armored camper, carrying remnants of the day's hunt, and they left the service area.
Before departure, Han Yuxin discreetly instructed Shen Jie and his group to take gasoline to the highway's emergency lane, find abandoned cars, refuel, and wait.
They camped not far from the service area.
Following Han Yuxin's orders, after the menacing camper left, they were to ram any other vehicles and rob them.
Shen Jie held a gun given by Han Yuxin for self-defense, knowing its purpose wasn't bug-killing but human-killing.
Preferring stealth, he handed the gun to Zhang Liying, opting for a crowbar instead, ready in the car.
Soon, a large camper passed their ambush site, and a nervous group saw a dark van following.
"Go, accelerate!"
Shen Jie ordered, pressing the gas pedal.
In the van, two photographers watched the camper carefully.
"Will sneaking out cause problems?"
"If Jiang finds out, we're screwed!"
The driver snorted, "Jiang's here for attention. Why can't we take some too? I told you, I've got inside info. Lin Feng isn't what he seems."
"He's close to Qin Hu. If we get exclusive footage, who cares about Jiang Yuner? Fame beats a dead-end job."
"Besides, it's unrelated to her. After shooting, we can quit."
The other nodded, clutching the camera, suppressing anxiety.
Suddenly, a dark sedan appeared, speeding up and ramming them as they tried to swerve.
In a flash, the van hit an abandoned car, rolling onto the road.
In the rear car, Shen Jie kept his grip on the wheel, braking until they spun and hit the guardrail.
Airbags deployed in their faces, and companions pulled them out unharmed, but the van's photographers weren't so lucky.
Unconscious, they were left as others took valuable gear and supplies.
Finishing, they left the bloodied photographers to fate.
Seeing their abdomens bleed out from the crash, Shen Jie knew they'd die within minutes. He and his group quickly fled.
After they left, two explosions sounded, and a car checked the van, confirming the photographers' deaths before leaving.
When Lin Feng returned, the twelve live bugs were gone, leaving two pairs of mandibles and a construction tarp.
The handgun at his waist was upgraded to Lv17.
Now, he needed to cover the camper with the tarp and upgrade the Lv12 armored camper.
Assembling the three autocannons perfectly.
Late at night, as Lin Feng prepared to upgrade in the repair shop...
A director from the filming team approached, asking Chen Yanyan to inform Mr. Lin that Jiang Yuner needed a meetin
g.
Lin Feng put down the mandibles, wiping bug juice from his hands, looking at the director with disdain, "I'm tired today."
"Let her come here."
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