Payday

After Glenn left, Leon fell into thought. He wasn't worried about causing trouble by recruiting Shane.

Although Shane was an egoist who would sacrifice others for his own benefit, such people were everywhere in the world—nothing unusual.

He was just considering whether he should go rescue Rick now.

It was June 20th, about 20 days before Rick would wake up in the original timeline.

When he first crossed over, he was in a hurry to get to the CDC and didn't have time to check on Rick at the hospital.

Now that he had time, maybe he should go save this SR Card-level character. After all, Rick was one of his favorite characters from the story.

He could work alongside his good brother Shane, for me, and give Cal a safe and stable childhood.

This time, he would make Rick, Shane, and Lori sit down and have an honest talk.

It was just an understandable emotional entanglement. As long as they could open their hearts and talk it out, and find a few kind-hearted people to mediate and counsel them a few times, what conflict couldn't be resolved? There was no need for brothers to turn against each other.

Thinking of Rick, Leon realized something else—something very important. His recruitment plan so far had a major flaw.

Ever since he absorbed more than 40 people from the Nursing Home Camp and the Quarry Camp, he'd gotten cocky, always setting his sights on those so-called large camps, wanting to reach the top in one leap.

But now, most survivors had already fled the zombie-infested cities and were wandering the countryside trying to survive.

Survivors or groups capable of surviving alone in the city were few and far between. He should focus his targets on small towns and villages outside the city, or other places with few zombies.

The thought of harvesting more "leeks" perked Leon right up. He pulled a map of Atlanta's surroundings from a drawer and began searching on this crude map.

It was honestly embarrassing. Since the era of smartphones, physical books had gradually died out. Almost all information could be found online. But when the apocalypse broke out and phones lost signal, he couldn't even find a detailed map.

The one in his hand—a children's map that only marked landmarks like the government building, police station, and library—he'd found with great effort in a residential house.

If he could get a precise map now, one that marked every store like a certain navigation app, he'd trade ten tons of food for it.

Making notes on the map while thinking through problems in his mind, an action plan for recruiting people gradually took shape in Leon's heart.

The next day, June 21st.

For other survivors, it was an ordinary day. But for Umbrella Corporation employees, it was a very special day—their first payday.

In the temporary logistics office on the first floor, more than 30 Umbrella Corporation employees formed a long line.

Daryl stood at the end of the line with a blank expression, quietly watching the people ahead dwindle. He felt an indescribable emotion.

After being expelled from high school for fighting, he'd followed Merle around the streets, never holding a real job, never standing in line to collect a paycheck like this.

In the past, he was just a thug everyone looked down on, getting into fights every few days, dabbling in shady gray industries, often broke and hungry, forced to hunt game in the forest to eat.

His past life wasn't something he enjoyed. It was the post-apocalyptic life that actually felt better to him.

He kind of liked this team life. Everyone united, no discrimination, no conflict, no struggle—everyone striving for a common goal.

Helping each other, supporting each other, relying on each other, fighting together—like family.

At the front of the line, Amy, wearing a gray women's suit and round-frame glasses, sat behind a red desk. She chatted briefly with each person at the front before handing them two thin booklets.

Soon, only Daryl was left in line. He saw his brother Merle, holding those two booklets, surrounded by a few subordinates, cheerfully heading toward the basement.

Merle was shouting that today he was treating everyone to drinks, looking very pleased.

"Mr. Daryl, this is your salary handbook and Goods Exchange Handbook. Please take them."

Daryl reached out and took the booklets, nodding to the girl named Amy, saying:

"Thanks."

Amy flashed a sweet smile, tilting her head and saying:

"You're welcome, Mr. Daryl. You and Mr. Glenn are heading to the Quarry Camp at noon."

"You can take this time to exchange some supplies at the warehouse for the road. It's a bit hot outside right now—exchanging for some iced cola or iced beer wouldn't be a bad choice."

"The price isn't expensive either. One bottle is only 5 contribution points."

"Also, since you and Mr. Glenn are on an external mission, according to regulations, you get 20 contribution points per day for food and drink."

Daryl was a bit confused. He'd just woken up today when someone told him to come line up. He only knew today was payday, not the details.

He didn't voice his confusion, but said somewhat woodenly:

"Thanks for the advice. I'll think about it."

He knew that although the girl in front of him looked young, she was Mr. Leon's deputy, with considerable power in the company, responsible for almost all work arrangements, and very busy.

Daryl didn't want to waste her time. He returned to his tent and opened the first booklet, titled "Employee Handbook."

On the first page was his photo. Below it was written: Daryl Dixon, Male, D-Class Combat Personnel, assigned to the Security Department, Deputy Leader of the First Combat Team.

The second page had only one line of small text.

Date: 6.13-6.19, Weekly Salary: 2300 Contribution Points.

Daryl flipped through it a few times and found that the handbook only had these two pages of text.

Somewhat helplessly, he stuffed the first handbook into his pocket and took out the second one to read. It was titled "Goods Exchange Handbook."

He opened the first page—it was a table of contents.

It meticulously divided all goods into eight major categories and indicated which page each category was on.

Daryl looked carefully. The content was very detailed. Not only did it have a picture for every item, but it also briefly described the item's function and value, and listed the contribution points needed to exchange for it.

Daryl thought about his weekly salary—2300 points. He realized his weekly salary was quite high, enough to buy about as much as an ordinary person's monthly salary.

The handbook was filled with a dazzling array of items, and the prices weren't too high. Even someone as withdrawn as him found some things interesting.

"Since I still have time, why not go take a look?"