9 A Good Sleep

"You want to be our leader with just a bag of biscuits?"

Huang Wen was confused by Yang Xiao's intent.

"Two big bags of biscuits and two bottles of water, daily," Yang Xiao said flatly.

"Deal!" Huang Wen grabbed the water and biscuits from his hands, tearing them open. The girls swarmed around her.

Huang Wen paused, then took out a biscuit to distribute one by one.

The big box had over 30 biscuits, just enough for one each, with three left over.

Long famished, the girls shoved them straight into their mouths, chewing vigorously.

Huang Wen twisted open the bottle for a sip, passing it around for all to take just a small sip. Amazingly, around one-tenth remained when it returned to her.

Yang Xiao was impressed by their self-restraint, unlike Xiao Zhe's gang. With desires better controlled, in crisis, this group would more easily pull together.

It also showed an ordinary-looking girl may have a kind heart.

"Want more?" Yang Xiao asked mildly.

Huang Wen could hardly believe her ears. He was a true tycoon!

They all eyed Yang Xiao in disbelief, puzzling over his intent. They had nothing to offer. If he had such excess, he could join any team, or have his pick of beauties.

Nowadays, a pack of biscuits and a bottle of water could buy almost any girl.

From his bag, Yang Xiao took out another box of biscuits for Huang Wen.

Opening it, she saw a large pack of Oreo cookies, even more tempting than the previous soda crackers. It contained four individually wrapped rows of ten.

Huang Wen accepted but didn't open it, staring at Yang Xiao. "What's your purpose? Speak."

"You think I'm after your looks?" Yang Xiao laughed.

"You?" Huang Wen was speechless. Normally she'd have scolded him, or at least retorted. But facing her lifesaving benefactor, she had no temper.

"Don't worry, but starting tomorrow it's one pack morning, one afternoon. No surplus here!"

With a smile, Huang Wen hesitated no more. She tore open three rows to distribute, taking just two cookies from the fourth before rewrapping the rest and returning it to Yang Xiao.

He paused in surprise before taking it back.

Huang Wen's meaning was clear. One each was fair, and the extra was awkward to divide. To maintain unity in hardship, fairness was key.

Worry not about scarcity, but inequality!

The Oreo biscuits brought a sense of happiness.

The heavens had truly shown them mercy, sending a savior!

"I'm no savior. We have a cooperative relationship," Yang Xiao clarified. "For four days I'll provide two bottles of water and biscuit packs daily. You just need to stand guard when I sleep, ensuring no one disturbs me and warning me if they try."

Finally, his purpose was revealed.

The girls froze. "That simple?"

"That simple. And don't think of stealing my food while I sleep. There's only enough for 4 days. If we cooperate smoothly, I can provide more after."

Yang Xiao worried hunger might drive them against him, so he dangled further bait. He had an ace, the suitcase in the ditch.

Giving two packs showed kindness, but also displayed his strength to gain their trust.

As their benefactor, they surely wouldn't secretly harm him, right?

In truth, Yang Xiao was betting they wouldn't be as unscrupulous as Xiao Zhe's team. So long as they had kind hearts, they wouldn't plot against him.

Huang Wen looked at Yang Xiao and nodded firmly. 

"Don't worry. These four days, unless we all die, no one will touch you. Sisters, weapons ready. We'll take shifts sleeping and standing guard, absolutely ensuring his safety... Oh right, we haven't asked your name?"

"Ha, don't stand on ceremony. I'm Yang Xiao."

"Good, you can rest now."

Huang Wen showed Yang Xiao the tent's best spot, a Simmons mattress scavenged from ruins.

After days on hard rocks, his back sore, the soft mattress overjoyed Yang Xiao. He lay down using his pack as a pillow.

The girls grabbed their steel pipes and other weapons, taking up sentry duty. Ten went to gather firewood from nearby rubble to stoke the flames.

This glimmer of hope excited them.

Truthfully, Yang Xiao hadn't slept well for days on the mountain. At night, forcing his eyes open, every rustle made him imagine a venomous snake or centipede might strike.

Even in daylight, he didn't fully relax, bolting upright at any sound.

Now with thirty guards, he could finally rest easy.

Relaxing brought swift sleep. Soon Yang Xiao was asleep.

Circled around the fire, the girls had no sleepiness. Yang Xiao's arrival truly thrilled them, a ray of hope. Even with less food, it was better than nothing.

The next day, Yang Xiao woke past 9 a.m.

Stretching lazily on the mattress, he felt underneath for his pack before rising.

Outside, Huang Wen and the 30 girls looked his way as he emerged.

In last night's dim light, they'd only glimpsed each other vaguely. Now in daylight, they saw Yang Xiao wasn't gorgeous but presentable.

Especially his sunny, energetic vibe.

While the rest had been starving for days, only Yang Xiao ate well, naturally looking healthier.

Feeling their stares, Yang Xiao glanced around. No beauties, but some had nice figures, and a few possessed an air. Only five or six were truly ugly, most just ordinary.

"Ahem...good morning, everyone!"