Chapter 345 Welcome to Steven's Team
Steven wheeled Cindy into the living room, where they saw a slightly nervous Lily.
Cindy gave Lily a reassuring look that seemed to say, "Don't worry, I'll speak up for you!"
Lily felt a bit more at ease.
Aubrey said, "Captain Rogers, welcome home! What would you like to drink—beer, milk, or a hot cup of coffee?"
Steven replied, "Coffee, please."
Aubrey cheerfully went to pour Steven some coffee, but her eyes were still subtly observing Steven and Lily.
She couldn't help it; as Lily's student, she really liked her teacher.
She also hoped that someone as good as Lily could move into the shelter and live well with them in the post-apocalyptic world.
Steven changed into his casual clothes and then sat on the couch. He wasn't in a hurry to speak but instead busied himself slowly with his own things.
At times like this, one must stay calm. The first to speak is already at a disadvantage.
Lily sat nervously on the couch, wanting to speak but not knowing how to start.
It was Cindy who broke the ice first. "Steven, I have something to ask you," she said.
Steven turned to look at Cindy and asked, "What's up, Cindy? We're not strangers; just say what you need."
Cindy glanced at Lily and then said, "Can you let Ms. Evans move in with us?"
Lily felt a sense of relief when Cindy voiced her thoughts and was grateful to Cindy.
Lily looked at Steven, afraid he might reject her.
"Really? Ms. Evans wants to move in?" Steven smiled, looking amused.
He pointed at Lily and said, "You must be joking! Didn't Ms. Evans always say she had students to take care of?" But then he changed his tone. "Of course, I never said Ms. Evans wasn't welcome. Ms. Evans is beautiful and strong; if she joins our shelter, she would be a valuable asset. It's just that I don't like to force anyone."
Lily's expression turned slightly awkward.
Indeed, at the beginning, Steven had subtly expressed his admiration for her.
But when he found out she insisted on staying with her students, Steven never expressed such sentiments again.
However, Steven's acknowledgment of her abilities made her feel a bit more comfortable.
Aubrey came over with the coffee, handed the steaming cup to Steven, and pleaded, "Captain Rogers, you don't know Ms. Evans' current situation! Those students don't appreciate Ms. Evans at all. They refuse to work and only make Ms. Evans do everything. It's just because Ms. Evans has a good temper. If it were someone else, they would have stopped caring for them long ago! And yet they still have the nerve to complain!"
These words struck a chord with Lily.
She had made great sacrifices for those students. Although she didn't expect anything in return, they should at least feel a bit grateful, right?
But what about them? Not only did they not appreciate her efforts, but they also kept pushing their limits.
Even someone as good-tempered as Lily couldn't take it anymore.
Lily spoke to Steven, "I hope to come here to give them an independent environment to grow. Kids need to be weaned when they grow up, let alone most of them are already adults. Staying with them isn't helping; it's harming them."
She added, "Don't worry, once I enter the shelter, I'll follow your rules. If you need me for anything in the future, just let me know!"
Seeing Lily being so honest, Steven decided not to keep up his cold demeanor.
Lily was a proud person; if he went too far, their relationship might deteriorate.
In a post-apocalyptic world, Psychics were precious, each one a valuable asset. How could he let her slip away?
So he held the warm coffee cup and smiled, "If you're willing to come, I welcome it. But I still have some concerns about you."
Lily frowned slightly and asked, "You don't trust me?"
Steven smiled faintly as he said, "Not exactly. I'm just worried if you can follow my orders as you said."
Under Steven's intense gaze, Lily's heart fluttered slightly, and she instinctively pressed her legs together. She said, "If it's an unreasonable request, I simply can't agree! After all, I have my principles!"
Steven had no idea what she was thinking. He calmly said, "Ms. Evans, you are kind and straightforward. These are your strengths, but they are also your weaknesses. If I keep you, it's for your combat abilities! Teaching me fighting techniques is one thing, but the most crucial aspect is that I need your strength in battle."
His smile slowly turned sinister, and he looked at her deeply. "But if one day, to protect our own people, you need to kill someone you think is innocent, can you do it?"
Steven didn't need a subordinate with a conscience; he needed a warrior, a soldier who would execute his orders without hesitation.
In his heart, someone like Charles was the ideal subordinate.
Charles would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, yet he was particularly stubborn about certain things, like "loyalty."
If their roles were reversed and Steven were in Charles' position, he would have killed Peter and taken the leadership himself.
Lily was indeed strong, but her inability to be ruthless made it hard for Steven to accept her.
To his surprise, Lily seemed to anticipate Steven's question. She took a deep breath and looked at Steven with determination, saying, "If it's for your safety and the safety of those around you, I can do it! But if it's just to satisfy your personal desires, I can't accept that."
Suddenly, Lily's gaze softened, and she gave Steven a bright smile. "And based on my observations, although you seem cold and ruthless, you are a peace-loving person. As long as no one provokes you first, you won't kill the innocent."
Cindy secretly winked at Lily, indicating that she had said the right thing!
It was clear that before Steven arrived, the two had discussed the possible demands Steven might make.
Steven, of course, noticed their interaction, but it didn't matter. What he needed was Lily's attitude.
As long as Lily's blade could swing for him at critical moments, he didn't care about anything else.
To put it bluntly, he was looking for a doormat, and as long as the doormat was useful when needed, that was enough.
Steven confirmed with Lily, "So, as long as it's to protect our safety, you can kill anyone, right?"
Lily thought for a moment and cautiously replied, "I won't harm my own people."
She was afraid Steven would ask her to kill her students.
Steven had no objections. "Of course! After all, I'm not a demon. How could I harm those around me?"
If such a thing had to be done, he would do it himself.
Steven picked up his coffee and slowly drank it under Lily's slightly nervous gaze.
To be honest, he didn't like Lily's personality and even disliked her always bringing a bunch of burdens.
And accepting Lily meant he would have to support those students of hers.
But what relationship did Steven have with them? Why should he take care of them?
If it were anyone else today, Steven would have kicked them out long ago! But it was Lily, so Steven had to weigh the pros and cons.
Providing food for ten people daily in exchange for a highly skilled combatant who could also be his teacher—a beautiful Psychic.
No matter how you looked at it, it was a profitable deal.
In the post-apocalyptic world, Steven needed strong combat power around him. Especially a woman with a bit of a problem in her head; in some ways, she was a bit foolish, but overly shrewd people were harder to control.
Steven pondered for a while and thought, 'I really want to bring Lily over and then kill all her students! After all, they used to bully Cindy and Aubrey, so doing this would also gain their support. This plan is feasible. I'll bring Lily over first, and the lives of those students in Cox Town will be at my mercy. The post-apocalyptic world is so dangerous; it's normal for them to die in accidents, right? I have plenty of time and methods to deal with them. The only thing I need to expend is a bit of food, which is insignificant to me.'
After considering it, Steven concluded that this deal was a sure win, so he had to do it.
Having made up his mind, Steven put down his coffee cup and extended his right hand to Lily with a smile. "Then, happy cooperation! Welcome to our group!"
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