No one notified me in advance. Everyone in the end times is crazy.

Chapter 542 Ari Needs Me

Wang Rui's gaze followed Sun Zhigang's hand to another person. That person had a buzz cut and standard three-white eyes, and looked like someone who was not to be trifled with.

"His name is Mo Zhuo, he is our scout, nicknamed Wolfhound."

As soon as Sun Zhigang finished his introduction, Mo Zhuo eagerly shook Wang Rui's hand and greeted him warmly: "Hello, Brother Rui, just call me Wolf Cub."

Wang Rui: "Hello."

Sun Zhigang: "Don't let his appearance fool you, he's actually very kind and easy to talk to."

Wang Rui: "Yes, I can see that."

Sun Zhigang: "And the last one..."

“Hey! Let me tell you!” Mo Zhuo interrupted Sun Zhigang and introduced the last member of their team to Wang Rui.

The man looked about the same size as Wang Xiaobao, with pockmarks on his face. He didn't dare to make eye contact with anyone, standing in the corner like a nobody, not saying a word.

"His name is Song Qiu, and he's the youngest in our team."

Faced with Wang Rui's outstretched hand, Song Qiu dared not shake it, and apologized meekly, "Yes, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Mo Zhuo: "Ah~ I forgot to mention, he stutters when he's nervous."

Wang Rui: "I'm sorry, I was too abrupt."

Song Qiu: "Yes, no, I'm sorry, it was me, my question, the problem, yes, I'm sorry."

Mo Zhuo: "See? He's always like this, but it's really fun to tease him!"

Wang Rui: "Is he like this when he fights ghosts and monsters?"

Mo Zhuo: "Oh, if Brother Rui is interested, we can go to the rooftop restaurant to talk in detail after we're done."

"Ahem!" Sun Zhigang coughed lightly, and Mo Zhuo shrugged helplessly before shutting up immediately.

The cough successfully diverted Wang Rui's attention. He looked at Sun Zhigang and asked, "Are you sick?"

"No, I just had a sore throat. If you have any questions, Rui, feel free to ask me."

"It's good that you're not sick. You don't need to be so formal with me, just call me Arui."

"Ah, Arui? Isn't that what Yuwen Baiyuan always calls you?"

"It's not his exclusive title, it's just a nickname, there's no need to be so particular about it."

"So...Are you free to have dinner with me later?"

Wang Rui looked at Luo Shiyu with feigned difficulty, pretending to think it over carefully, and then refused, saying, "I'm afraid it's not convenient. My younger brother is here, and I have to take care of him."

Luo Shiyu couldn't hear what Wang Rui was saying, but she knew her brother was looking at her, so she hopped and skipped to greet him.

"Is that your brother?"

Wang Rui smiled and waved to Luo Shiyu, but when he looked away, his expression instantly turned forlorn.

"He is my half-brother, isn't he cute? Because he was frail and sickly since childhood and also mute, our father never really liked him. In this family that exists in name only, he only has me left, and the two of us have always depended on each other for survival."

Wang Rui looked up, his eyes glistening with tears as he met Sun Zhigang's gaze. He forced a smile and continued, "Xiao Bao was luckier than me. He met teammates who have always taken good care of him. Look, he got fifth place this time. My brother will always be my pride, but..."

"Compared to pride, I would rather he live safely. You know the current situation. Everyone knows what the so-called passing on of the torch really means. I'm really afraid he'll die outside the city."

“My parents have both passed away, and Xiaobao is my only family.” After saying this, Wang Rui covered her face and began to sob.

Sun Zhigang panicked and hurriedly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Wang Rui.

"Use this to wipe yourself, don't cry. If their team is willing, we can take them with us."

Wang Rui wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, looking as if she was about to break down.

He leaned towards Sun Zhigang, pressed his forehead against his chest, his long, slender fingers gripping his clothes tightly, and said in a trembling voice, "It's so good to have met you, thank goodness you're here."

The scent of Wang Rui's perfume tantalized Sun Zhigang's nostrils. Just as he was about to hug Wang Rui, she suddenly stood up straight, her face full of apology, and said, "I got your handkerchief dirty. Can I return it to you after I wash it?"

Sun Zhigang's brain completely gave up thinking, and he clumsily replied, "Okay, okay."

"Thank you, but I still have work to do, so I'll be going now."

Wang Rui smiled and said goodbye to him, but the gentle smile vanished the moment the door closed, leaving only the smug satisfaction of a successful scheme.

"Sun Zhigang, please be my brother's scapegoat when necessary."

After Wang Rui left, Ye Su coldly exposed him, saying, "That man reeks of scheming. Don't let him end up taking the fall for someone else and still be enjoying it."

Sun Zhigang's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Wang Rui had left, firmly believing, "Arui needs me."

Mo Zhuo: "Tsk tsk tsk~ Did you see that? Just by changing the title, our captain is completely smitten. Good-looking people are the best at deceiving people."

"But, but, he, he, he, he got married..." Mo Zhuo covered Song Qiu's mouth and continued, "Alright, I'll talk about the rest. You can rest for a bit."

"Xiao Qiu was thinking, wasn't that person married? He's still wearing a ring."

Sun Zhigang: "I know, and I've never dared to dream of anything. This is enough."

Ye Su: "Whatever. If we encounter danger, I will only protect the children. If you die, don't blame me for not warning you."

Sun Zhigang: "It's alright, Auntie, I know what I'm doing."

Ye Su: "That's for the best. As expected, adults are the most troublesome."

Mo Zhuo: "Hey! Xiao Qiu, I bet 5 yuan that the captain will make sure you fall into the pit."

Song Qiu: "Poor, poor, a poor wretch."

Mo Zhuo: "A poor wretch is a poor wretch. Saying 'poor' three times is going too far."

Luo Shiyu glanced at Sun Zhigang and his team, then at the tightly closed door, rubbed his eyes, and repeatedly confirmed the situation.

My brother is gone? He didn't even say a word to me?

Just as Luo Shiyu was feeling down, Wang Rui sent her a message.

R.: Come to my lounge after you're done there.

Yuanbao: Okay, my dear brother.

R.: Stop being so sarcastic. Just tell that smart guy in your team that Sun Zhigang wants to team up with you later. Just agree.

Yuanbao: Sun Zhigang? The man who kept talking to my brother?

R.: Yes.

Yuanbao: By the way, who is this shrewd person?

R.: The one who's a psychiatrist like me.

Yuanbao: Jiajia?

R.: I think that's his name, but I forgot. I only remember that he was quite handsome.

Yuanbao: That's Jiajia. I'll tell him now.

R.: Hmm.

Luo Shiyu wrote down what Wang Rui had told him on Yu Jiajia's palm.

Yu Jiajia pondered Wang Rui's purpose in doing this, and when she saw Sun Zhigang's lovestruck expression, she smiled knowingly and instantly understood everything.

"Your brother has really paved the way for you." (Or rather, he's found a scapegoat.)

However, Yu Jiajia did not say the second half of that sentence.