Bai Ru returned to the dirt slope, her mind heavy with thoughts, only to find Lin Tao sitting at the edge, his back turned to the camp. A nearly burnt-out cigarette dangled from his fingers. Bai Ru gazed at his broad, reassuring silhouette, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. Perhaps, she realized, her attempts to seduce Lin Tao weren’t solely for the sake of securing his protection. Stripped of her celebrity gmour, she was just an ordinary woman—a woman who yearned for love. And a responsible, dependable man like Lin Tao seemed like the best choice.

  She walked up slowly and sat down in the sand beside him, leaning her head naturally against his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she nuzzled against him, her voice soft as she murmured, “I never imagined human nature could be so complicated. Li Li kept saying she was doing it willingly, but I could see right through her lies.”

  “Li Li made the right choice,” Lin Tao said calmly, his eyes fixed on the vast darkness ahead. He didn’t look at Bai Ru as he continued, “Li Li couldn’t follow me, so she had to seek protection elsewhere. Old Hu might seem despicable in your eyes, but his survival skills far surpass yours. He’s far from useless. Staying with him isn’t a bad decision. Don’t forget, out of the hundreds of survivors in that small factory, he was the one who escaped with us. Protecting a woman like Li Li is well within his capabilities.”

  “I understand,” Bai Ru sighed. “What Li Li did is understandable. In this world, we women have little to offer. Perhaps the only thing we can use as leverage is our bodies. If we’re willing to use our bodies as bargaining chips, then how others treat us is their prerogative. Who can afford to care about the emotional toll anymore?” After a moment of silence, she asked quietly, “In this apocalypse, will humanity only continue to fall deeper into depravity?”

  “Yes, depravity will only lead us to ruin. But the truth is, humanity had already begun its descent long before the apocalypse. Even from a very young age.”

  Lin Tao gnced at Bai Ru, who looked slightly puzzled. He flicked the cigarette butt into the air, watching it trace a bright red arc before it hit the ground and scattered into sparks. Pointing at the extinguished cigarette, he said, “In a way, I’m also falling into depravity. I know smoking is harmful, yet I can’t break the habit. Cigarettes are like demons from hell—they give you pleasure while silently stealing your life. So, in many ways, humanity is constantly battling its own depravity. But in times like these, it’s even more important to hold onto one’s true self. Once you fall completely, it’s nearly impossible to climb back up.”

  “Complete depravity… just thinking about it sends chills down my spine,” Bai Ru shook her head, resting her head on Lin Tao’s knee. After a long pause, she whispered, “If I ever reach that point, if you see me like that… please, kill me.”

  “By the time that day comes, you might not feel the same way…”

  The voice didn’t belong to Lin Tao. A soft, melodic voice sounded from behind them. Bai Ru looked up in surprise to see Cao Mei standing gracefully behind Lin Tao, holding two bottles of red wine. Lin Tao didn’t seem startled—he must have known she was there.

  Cao Mei wore a bck bzer over a white low-cut top, paired with beige tight-fitting trousers and white ft shoes. Her wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders as she sat down on Lin Tao’s left, handing him one of the bottles. She uncorked her own bottle, wrapping her thin, sensual lips around the rim and taking a rge sip.

  After drinking, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Her face was free of makeup, her features delicate and striking, no less beautiful than Bai Ru’s. Her chest, perhaps even more voluptuous than Bai Ru’s, rose and fell as she spoke with a hint of amusement, “Depravity can only come willingly. No one can force you into it. What you perceive as depravity might not be depravity at all—it could simply be a means of survival. Engaging in affairs with men while living in comfort, that’s depravity. But when life forces you to make choices, if you want to survive, you have to accept your fate.”

  “Accept my fate?” Bai Ru shook her head, sitting up slightly to look at Cao Mei. “If accepting my fate means using my body to bargain with different men, I can’t agree with that. That would be worse than death. If it comes to that, I’d rather choose suicide.”

  “I told you, when that time comes, you won’t feel the same way.”

  Cao Mei also shook her head, clinking her bottle against Lin Tao’s. After watching him take a rge gulp, she gently wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth before taking another sip herself. She then turned to Bai Ru and said, “You can’t understand because you haven’t been in that situation. Aside from women who are naturally promiscuous or have psychological issues, which of us, raised with traditional values, could willingly sell our bodies? Yes, I’ve been someone’s mistress, but that doesn’t mean I’m promiscuous. I had my reasons. I loved that man, and he provided for my family. Just as I admire Lin Ye for his integrity and bravery, I also admired that man for his wealth. There’s no shame in valuing money—it’s one of his strengths. So, Bai Ru, you can’t judge things you haven’t experienced firsthand.”

  “…” Bai Ru was momentarily stunned, her brows furrowed in deep thought.

  “Come on, superstar. You seem a bit off. A drink might help. This is what I do when I can’t shake off my troubles.” Cao Mei leaned over and handed her bottle to Bai Ru. After a moment’s hesitation, Bai Ru took a rge sip. Perhaps she drank too quickly, as she began to cough, her face turning red. She covered her mouth and handed the bottle back to Cao Mei.

  “Bai Ru,” Cao Mei said, leaning against Lin Tao and looking at Bai Ru with a pyful smile. “Let me say something a bit arrogant. Out of all the women, including the te Zhang Hong, you’re the only one I truly respect. Not because of your beauty, but because you share the same pride as me. Your pride is obvious, while mine lies in my heart. I’ve given up a lot to survive, but I still have my principles. For instance, I’ve never called anyone ‘husband.’ To me, that word is sacred. It’s a title I’d only give to one person in my lifetime. Once I say it, I’d remain loyal to him until death.”

  As she spoke, Cao Mei’s eyes locked with Lin Tao’s, her gaze filled with deep emotion. Lin Tao studied her for a moment before saying calmly, “Cao Mei, you don’t need to tell me this. You know my character. I’ll make my own judgments.”

  “Cao Mei…” Bai Ru looked at her, her delicate brows furrowed. “Is it really worth losing your dignity for survival? If you have the courage to live in humiliation, then death shouldn’t be too difficult, should it? Do you think living like this is worse than death?”

  “Do you think I haven’t considered it? But it’s not as simple as you imagine. Suicide requires more than just a little courage.” Cao Mei sighed, taking another rge sip of wine. The excess liquid spilled from the corner of her mouth, trailing down her smooth neck and into the deep crevice of her cleavage. The deep red wine contrasted sharply with her pale, rounded breasts, creating a scene of undeniable allure and temptation.