Chapter 348 Sweet Talk
Aubrey's words reminded Steven.
Although they managed to get some building materials on this trip to West Mountain Base, they were only enough to build the outer defenses.
Previously, the shelter had half a wall blown up by Charles, significantly reducing its defensive capabilities.
To repair this integrated wall, special building materials were necessary.
If they wanted to get the materials, they would have to go out.
Steven stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "Although it's best not to go out now. However, the four factions we've mentioned only exist; they haven't engaged in large-scale direct conflict with us."
Steven added, "They also wouldn't act rashly unless they confirmed there were no dangers in the surrounding area. Therefore, if we hurry out in the next couple of days to get the materials and come back, it shouldn't be a problem."
Aubrey nodded. "Got it!"
After Aubrey finished expressing her opinion, Lily also wanted to say something. But Cindy spoke up before Lily could. "Let me share my thoughts!"
When Cindy started talking, Lily had to hold back her thoughts and wait for Cindy to finish.
Everyone paid close attention to Cindy's words.
Because Cindy was very intelligent, she often came up with constructive suggestions.
If she had a flaw, it might be that her high intelligence sometimes made her seem unfeeling.
With a calm smile on her face, Cindy said to everyone, "I think you all are getting a bit too nervous!" She pointed to her head. "Don't lose your judgment because of panic. In fact, the situation we're facing isn't that bad."
Cindy analyzed, "First of all, the other four factions haven't extended their influence around West Mountain Base. Take West Mountain Base, for example. Although it controls the garrison of Starlight City, the most powerful force, they still haven't fully mastered all the territory of West Mountain and Eternal River District. You can see this from the fact that they send people out to patrol. Therefore, we can conclude that the other four factions haven't fully mastered their own territories either. They also restrain each other, not daring to expand rashly, for fear that their bases would be at risk of being attacked. From this, we can deduce that we still have quite a bit of time to prepare for future events."
Her words made everyone feel a bit more relaxed. Indeed, they were just aware that there were many powerful factions in Starlight City, which made them nervous.
But in fact, from a rational analysis, the possibility of the other side coming to attack the shelter was very low.
In this world, transportation and communication methods were greatly restricted. And there was no irreconcilable conflict between them and Steven, making it even less likely that they would send people to search for the shelter's location.
Moreover, the fall of West Mountain Base would make them cautious, not daring to act rashly.
No matter how you looked at it, it was unlikely that the four factions would quickly gather a strong force to attack the shelter.
Earl cautiously said, "Then we should build the defenses early; it's always good to be prepared in advance!"
Cindy nodded. "My point is that we can start building the defenses, but there's no need to rush into a state of alert. Instead, we should take this time to gather more useful supplies."
At this point, Cindy looked at Steven and said, "Steven, don't you need to find materials to repair the shelter?"
Steven met Cindy's gaze and saw something unusual in her eyes.
She was hinting at something to Steven.
Steven thought for a moment and guessed Cindy's idea.
He nodded as he said, "Yes, according to Aubrey, repairing the outer wall of the shelter requires a lot of rare building materials. It does take quite a bit of time!"
Cindy then turn to the thoughtful Lily. "Ms. Evans, Cox Town also needs to prepare more food for emergencies, right?"
Lily couldn't help but blurt out, "That's exactly what I'm worried about! If enemies really attack, wouldn't they be in great danger in Cox Town?"
Cindy tilted her head and stared straight at Lily. "You can't protect them forever, can you? My suggestion is to inform them of the situation in advance and let them store more food and hide. Ms. Evans, don't worry. As I said, no enemies will appear around here in the short term."
By this point, Steven had already confirmed Cindy's thoughts.
Steven smiled and took a deep sip of his coffee, pretending nothing was amiss.
From the beginning, Cindy's speech had made him feel strange. Even if they didn't know when the enemy would attack, Cindy didn't need to make everyone relax their guard.
It wasn't until she mentioned Cox Town that Steven understood Cindy's plan.
First, she and Steven both disliked those students and wanted them to disappear as soon as possible.
Second, because of Lily's presence, they couldn't act openly.
So Cindy deliberately said that to make everyone think the current situation wasn't that tense, which would prevent Lily from asking Steven to bring those students to Emerald Estate for protection.
Moreover, from another perspective, if enemies did attack, the first to be dealt with would definitely be the villagers of Cox Town near Emerald Estate.
Because logically, the villagers of Cox Town could very well be the outpost of Emerald Estate.
To attack Emerald Estate, they would have to deal with the people of Cox Town first.
Lily was very conflicted after hearing Cindy's words. She tried asking Steven, "Can we have them come over to help us build the defenses in exchange for our protection?"
Steven didn't directly answer Lily's question. He just smiled and asked back, "Have your students learned how to catch fish? If they can't catch fish in this cold weather, they might not survive."
Lily's face immediately turned a bit awkward.
Steven's point was that these useless people, who couldn't even catch fish from a frozen river, wouldn't be of any help.
They would only be a burden, and he didn't need burdens!
Cindy comforted Lily, "Don't worry, Ms. Evans. What we said is just our speculation; after all, the enemy might not even show up. Maybe no one will come at all."
Lily sighed, "It would be great if that were the case!"
After Cindy finished speaking, Lily had planned to ask Steven for help, but now she found it hard to speak up.
However, at this moment, a voice came to Lily's rescue, "If you are so worried, then let me come up with a solution for you!"
The speaker was Steven.
He looked at Lily with a smile. "If one day, there really is danger nearby, I will temporarily allow your students to move near the shelter."
There were a few vacant villas around the shelter, enough to accommodate them.
Lily stared at Steven in disbelief; she couldn't believe these words were coming from Steven. Because in her impression, Steven was not such a kind person.
Not only Lily, but even Earl, Henry, and Aubrey were all shocked, as if they were meeting Steven for the first time.
Only Cindy looked at Steven calmly, with a smile on her lips and admiration in her eyes.
Seeing Lily's shocked expression, Steven spread his hands and smiled, "Why are you looking at me like that? You don't really think I'm a cold-hearted person, do you?"
Lily's face turned slightly awkward. Although she didn't speak, her expression admitted her inner thoughts.
Steven shook his head and said, "Maybe I was like that in the past, because back then, we weren't companions. But now, Lily, you are one of us! You are my companion and my family, so the people you want to protect, I will definitely help you protect them too!"
Steven looked at Lily with incredibly sincere eyes, his tone as earnest as a devout believer.
Lily was moved by Steven. At her most conflicted and difficult moment, it was Steven who came to her rescue.
This stirred ripples in the heart of this 27-year-old single teacher, and she even stopped caring so much about Steven taking her treasured knife.
"Steven, I really don't know how to thank you." Her face flushed with excitement.
Elinor, who was cooking not far away, saw this scene, pursed her lips, and muttered a few words under her breath.
Judging by her lip movements, it seemed to be some curse words.
"Don't speak so formally. From now on, we're all in this together. Just do your best to keep everyone safe."
'As long as you listen to me in the future, and do what I say,' Steven thought.
Lily nodded firmly and replied, "I will definitely do that!"
At this moment, Steven's image in her heart grew taller. She realized she had always misunderstood him.
She had thought of Steven as a selfish person, which was such arrogance and prejudice!
With Lily's issue resolved, Steven addressed the concerns of the others.
He said, "In short, there are two urgent tasks: first, to build a solid defense line centered around Emerald Estate to guard against potential enemies. Second, I will go out with Aubrey to find materials to repair the shelter. Apart from that, no one is allowed to act on their own or leave the vicinity of the shelter to avoid unnecessary conflicts with scouts from other factions."
Everyone had no objections to Steven's arrangements; it was the best plan for now.
However, there was one thing Steven didn't mention. That was, he had already killed the Psychic and regular soldiers of Silverlake Base at the entrance of West Mountain Base.
So the current peace would definitely end sooner than expected.
Steven didn't bring it up, and Earl and Henry also tacitly didn't mention it.
They thought Steven was trying to stabilize the morale of the people in the shelter.
But in reality, Steven was preparing for his next plan.
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