Welcome Dinner

Inside Operating Room One at Umbrella Base.

Carl ate the candy Leon had given him with a downcast look, occasionally glancing up at the two men talking not far away. He was too young to understand what they were saying. Everything that had happened over the past month had left the little boy, who had only just started school, completely at a loss.

"That's how things stand."

Leon and Shane sat facing each other. His face was expressionless as he stared at Shane's still-haggard features and said:

"Umbrella Corporation won't help all survivors for free. Either become our employees or leave."

"Of course, out of humanitarian concern, if you choose to leave, I'll wait a few days. Once Ms. Lori regains her mobility, I'll carry out this order."

Seeing the bewilderment in Shane's eyes, Leon added blandly:

"I think you should understand that in a world like this, I'm already a very merciful man."

Shane came to his senses. He looked at Carl beside him, then at Lori lying unconscious in the hospital bed, and said hoarsely:

"Of course, Mr. Castor. Choosing Umbrella Corporation is the wisest choice for me and for everyone."

"I hope I can serve you."

A warm smile appeared on Leon's otherwise expressionless face. He patted Shane on the shoulder and said:

"Very good, Mr. Shane. Since that's the case, I can't be too stingy."

"We'll cover 70% of Ms. Lori's medical expenses. You'll have to cover the rest yourself."

"But don't worry. As a combatant, your salary is quite generous. Supporting a woman and a child won't be a problem at all."

He stood up, smiled, and stroked Carl's little face as he said:

"Tomorrow, you'll start working alongside the other survivors."

"At eight tonight, I'll hold a lavish welcome dinner for all the employees who are about to join Umbrella Corporation."

"I'm inviting you and Carl to attend. Relax and enjoy yourselves."

Eight that evening, at the Public Cafeteria.

Outside lay a desperate, dangerous, terrifying apocalyptic world. Inside was a safe, harmonious, joyful refuge for humanity.

After spending more than ten days together, most of the older employees had become familiar with one another. Egged on by several highly sociable employees, everyone let go of their reservations and began celebrating wildly at this rare banquet.

Some danced passionately, some kissed fervently, some sang at the top of their lungs, and some drank to their hearts' content.

That joyful atmosphere soon affected the newcomers who had joined the company that day.

The children were the first to respond to the mood. They forgot the hardships and difficulties of the past month. In groups of several, they rushed to the dining tables, joining the children who had already been eating to their hearts' content. They picked out their favorite food and drinks, hopping and playing together.

The surviving elderly people also found their place. They slowly gathered in a corner of the banquet and sat with the elderly men and women who had survived in the Nursing Home, drinking a little liquor while reminiscing about their turbulent younger days.

The remaining adult men and women also understood the mood. Each found a group willing to take them in, sharing their past experiences, encouraging and flattering one another, and enjoying this rare happiness.

Everyone blended into the atmosphere of the banquet. Smiles adorned every face. Even when tears occasionally trickled from the corners of their eyes, deep down, it was as if they had found a place of peace.

As usual, after giving an inspiring speech, Leon carried a glass of champagne to the seat reserved solely for him. He looked like a king inspecting his territory, a smile at the corner of his lips and his right hand propping up his head as he watched the performances below.

After the survivors from Chemical Plant Camp and Quarry Camp joined them, Umbrella Corporation's workforce had expanded to 76 people. Including the four captives intended for forced labor, the total had reached exactly 80.

Preliminary statistics showed that these two groups included around three Engineering Department technicians: old Dale, an auto mechanic from Quarry Camp; Walter, a high school chemistry teacher from Chemical Plant Camp; and Jon, a senior welder from Chemical Plant Camp.

Including the technicians who had joined earlier and Professor Amrin, the High-End Talent they had just recruited, the Engineering Department now had ten employees. Other than the university professor, they were all fairly ordinary skilled workers, but if put to good use, they could still produce many excellent products.

The Security Department's combat personnel were a pleasant surprise to Leon. Aside from the veteran county police officer Shane, four people from Chemical Plant Camp were willing to fight.

Perhaps their previous abuse and imprisonment at the hands of the Fire Bull Gang's thugs had taught them that in a world like this, only those with weapons in hand could protect themselves and their families.

The two young women who had suffered prolonged abuse, along with their relatives burning with hatred, had all chosen to fight.

At this point, the Security Department had sixteen Warriors. It could now be divided into two Combat Squads.

As for the Logistics Department, excluding the nine children under ten, the twelve elderly people barely capable of caring for themselves, and the three women responsible for handling administrative affairs, there were only thirty-six genuine adult laborers.

As Leon sipped his champagne and pondered the assets under his command, two smooth, delicate arms suddenly wrapped around his neck from behind.

A familiar fragrance lingered beneath his nose. Amy, her face flushed and her eyes hazy, rubbed her cheek against his slightly stubbled cheek like a kitten.

"Mr. Castor, why do you always seem so lonely? Don't sit here—come dance with us. You can have fun with everyone too!"

"Everyone respects you, you know. They all want to get closer to you."

Listening to the girl's alcohol-tinged murmur, Leon reached out and pulled Amy in front of him, letting her lean against his chest.

He rubbed her pointed chin as if teasing a kitten and said in his deep, mellow voice:

"If people get too close, they'll forget to fear me. Without fear, order can't be enforced."

"Loneliness is the passport of the strong."

"I enjoy this feeling very much."

The girl seemed unable to understand him. She rubbed her face against his chest several times.

Leon helped Amy to her feet, patted her lightly on the bottom, and said:

"Go have fun. I still have some things to think about."

Amy rubbed her cheek against his for a little while longer, then happily joined the crowd.

Watching Amy's graceful figure, Leon's thoughts returned to serious matters.

Recruitment and construction.

He planned to establish a team dedicated to recruitment. It would consist of Andrea, Glenn, one Warrior, and one Logistics Personnel. Within the communication range of Umbrella Base, they would recruit surviving humans through broadcasts, bulletin boards, searches, and other means.

Within that range, whether they encountered extermination missions, rescues, captures, or other unforeseen situations, they would be able to respond quickly.

This would both ensure their safety and clear out the surrounding area.

The most important construction task at present was housing renovation.

The base's population had now reached eighty. Continuing to live in tents or recreational vehicles as they had before was no longer acceptable. They needed private residences that were more comfortable and offered greater privacy to meet the residents' needs.

He planned to pull all thirty laborers and devote them fully to this project.

According to his plans, there would be two grades of housing.

The first would be high-end residences on the second floor of the office building. They had sunlight, good ventilation, and convenient water and electricity facilities, making for relatively comfortable living conditions.

The second would be the civilian housing he planned to renovate on the second basement level of the Underground Parking Lot. Everything else was acceptable; its only drawback was that it would be underground, making the environment somewhat oppressive.

Just like the work meals provided by the Public Cafeteria, food and lodging at Umbrella Corporation required Contribution Points.

To enjoy better services, one had to pay more Contribution Points.

Take the most ordinary Logistics Personnel, who earned 700 points per week, for example. At present, they only needed to work for one week for their actual wages to cover three weeks of their most basic consumption.

Of course, that covered only the bare essentials. Anyone who wanted entertainment goods or luxury items to enrich their lives would have to work harder.