Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies
Chapter 786: The Tagalong

Chapter 786: The Tagalong

Zhu Zheng agreed to Zhang Yi's request.

"We will provide all the resources you need. Additionally, I'll assign you an excellent assistant to help with this mission."

A meaningful smile appeared on his face, like a cunning old fox.

Zhang Yi had a bad premonition.

But he couldn't refuse since Blizzard City would definitely send someone to monitor this operation.

Zhu Zheng needed to keep everything under his control.

Suddenly realizing something, Zhang Yi asked, "It's not that young lady from earlier, is it?"

He emphasized the word "young lady" slightly.

Zhu Zheng coughed lightly, "Ahem, generally it's better to address her as 'madam.' 'Young lady' can be... ambiguous."

Zhang Yi widened his eyes, "So it really is her?"

This was troublesome. Zhang Yi didn't particularly like her personality.

The thought of bringing her along on a long sea voyage was quite unappealing.

Zhu Zheng said with a smile, "She's my niece. You've met her—what do you think?"

Zhang Yi: "..."

You've already said she's your niece—what else can I say?

What exactly do you want me to say?

"Madam Zhu Yunque appears to be well-educated, reasonable, and highly capable."

Zhu Zheng laughed contentedly, "Hahaha, it seems you two hit it off well. That puts my mind at ease!"

Since Zhu Yunque was indeed Zhu Zheng's biological niece, Zhang Yi couldn't refuse this arrangement.

He requested authorization to collect supplies and temporarily left Zhu Zheng's office.

Outside, he saw Zhu Yunque leaning against the wall with a pensive expression, her furrowed brows indicating displeasure.

Noticing Zhang Yi's approach, she raised an eyebrow in his direction.

Zhang Yi pursed his lips, gave her a slight nod as greeting, then left the command center.

Zhu Yunque watched Zhang Yi's retreating figure with stubborn resentment before turning to enter the office.

"Uncle, why do you want me to get close to that man?"

"I don't like him—he doesn't seem gentlemanly at all. I prefer Deng Shentong much more."

She sat on the sofa with crossed legs and arms, visibly upset.

Zhu Zheng sipped his coffee calmly, "Currently, Zhang Yi is more valuable to me than Deng Shentong."

"I've specifically arranged for you two to spend several months together at sea."

"Use this time to win him over. Then we can naturally arrange your marriage."

A faint smile appeared on Zhu Zheng's lips.

With Zhang Yi as his nephew-in-law, their relationship would be solidified.

Zhu Yunque looked uncomfortable, "You want me to seduce him?"

As the princess of the Zhu family, she had lived a privileged life under her uncle's protection.

She was always the one being pursued, never the pursuer.

When had she ever needed to chase after someone?

She wasn't some vocational school graduate who'd fawn over a man for his rap skills.

"Women pursuing men is easy as lifting a veil. I believe you can succeed if you try."

Zhu Zheng gave her a meaningful look.

"With this much time, others might already be pregnant."

"You're not Linghu Feixue from the Rose Squad. If you won't endure life's hardships, you must pay another price to maintain your privileged life."

Zhu Yunque frowned slightly, displeased.

She disliked being a marriage pawn, but in her family, some choices weren't hers to make.

Freedom wasn't easily obtained, especially after decades of luxury.

Zhu Zheng continued calmly, "This trip will also serve as training for you."

"You've never experienced the apocalypse's cruelty—that's detrimental to your future work and development. It's good for you to see the outside world."

Zhu Yunque was Zhu Zheng's beloved niece.

Smart, beautiful, she had earned an MIT Sloan bachelor's degree young through family resources.

She would become a valuable asset under Zhu Zheng.

But first, she needed to witness the apocalypse's brutality to mature quickly.

This low-risk mission with Zhang Yi as her protector killed two birds with one stone—cultivating their relationship while ensuring her safety.

Zhu Yunque smoothed her hair dismissively, "Uncle, I know how cruel the apocalypse is."

"No, you don't!"

Zhu Zheng refuted bluntly, "You've lived too comfortably, retaining naive ideas. Everyone around you treats you kindly—you've never suffered like ordinary people in the apocalypse. You only know it verbally, not physically."

"You must go on this mission!"

"If you fail, you'll work as a Blizzard City clerk handling documents and calls. The Zhu family doesn't support idlers!"

Zhu Yunque felt desolate—her doting uncle now saw her as a political tool.

She nearly cried, forgetting that without Zhu Zheng, she might not have survived the apocalypse.

"Fine, I'll marry him!" she said, sniffling as if making a huge sacrifice.

"Don't worry, I'll complete this task successfully."

...

Zhang Yi collected necessary supplies at the quartermaster's.

Including shipboard weapons and fuel.

Though Tianhai City didn't lack fuel, Zhang Yi never refused free resources—these were his rightful rewards.

Zhu Yunque approached Zhang Yi. Despite her reservations, she forced a smile remembering Zhu Zheng's orders.

"Zhang Yi—"

"Use my codename during work," Zhang Yi said coldly.

Zhu Yunque stiffened, "Must you be so serious?"

"Habits are dangerous things," Zhang Yi glanced at her.

"This voyage requires absolute anonymity. No one can know I'm Zhang Yi. You can't even use my codename—call me Mr. Zhang, and I'll call you Miss Zhu."

Remembering Zhu Zheng's interpretation of "miss," Zhang Yi smirked.

Zhu Yunque smoothed her long hair, exposing her fair neck.

"Fine, whatever you say!"

As Zhang Yi checked supplies with the quartermaster, she leaned in, "Anything else I should know? Let's discuss it properly sometime, okay?"

After confirming the inventory, Zhang Yi said flatly, "I'll email you later."

His coldness angered Zhu Yunque.

"Hey! Just because I said your handshake was impolite doesn't mean you have to be so cold!"

"We're mission partners! Must you act this way? Will you stay this distant for months?"

Zhang Yi glanced at her amusedly, "You know we're just mission partners, so let's stick to our roles. No need to pretend closeness."

Different circles shouldn't force integration.

Zhang Yi's current status even commanded Zhu Zheng's respect—why should he cater to some Zhu family princess?

Remembering her initial attitude, Zhu Yunque felt regret.

She should have been nicer earlier.

Zhang Yi said, "We'll depart from Tianhai City's harbor. I'm not bringing Blizzard City crew—just Tianhai sailors."

Zhu Yunque nodded, "Then I'll go with you!"

Author's Note