<h4>Chapter 18: First Contact</h4>


    Outside, a woman spoke in an affected, coquettish tone, "Hey there, big brother, open up. I''m Ava Johnson from the neighboring team, the captain sent me over to negotiate with you."


    Alex frowned.


    He hadn''t expected the neighboring team toe knocking on his door before he made a move.


    "If it''s about teaming up, I''m not interested. Please leave," Alex replied without opening the main gate.


    For others, teaming up made it easier to gather supplies and deal with zombies, making survival more likely. But for him, other people were the biggest threat.


    "Hey there, don''t be so quick to refuse, let me in first... Look at me, my backpack is empty, I have nothing..." Ava volunteered, opening her backpack.


    As Ava had said, there was nothing in her possession that could threaten Alex''s safety, which indeed showed her sincerity.


    After a moment''s thought, Alex opened a crack in the door, ready to shoot at any moment.


    Then, cautiously, he let Ava sidle in.


    She was a woman with a hot figure but an ordinary face.


    Her clothes were tattered, her body partly exposed, it was unclear if it was due to poor conditions or intentional seduction.


    Alex chuckled inwardly.


    Such goods might have caught his eye before, but after spending so many days with Mia, his standards had risen sharply in just a few days.


    "Wow, little brother, is this a golden-tier blueprint? Looks like you''re the real deal, huh, 10086..." Ava said admiringly.


    Alex remained expressionless.


    This was exactly what he was most worried about.


    As soon as the barrier wall was built, Ethan''s team knew his identity right away.


    Though Alex didn''t expect to keep his identity hidden forever, now was not the time.


    If Ethan''s team were to reveal his identity on the chat channel, Alex, with his current strength, would be in a passive position.


    After all, everyone knew he had a lot of supplies, and there was no guarantee that someone wouldn''t have ulterior motives.


    Alex narrowed his eyes, smiling without warmth, "So, is your team only interested in my identity?"


    Ava giggled, covering her mouth, "Little brother, why are you being so formal? Maybe we still have a chance to be teammates, don''t you want to invite me in for a chat?"


    Alex squinted at Ava, unsure of her intentions.


    "But still," he said with a smile, "guests are wee, since your team has shown sincerity, I won''t be stingy. Please,e in."


    In another vi, Ethan and his group received the message from Ava on the team channel.


    "Sessfully entered Shelter 10086, starting reconnaissance!" Ava sessfully entered Alex''s vi.


    Just as Ava reported, she hade with a mission this time.


    That mission was to probe Alex''s true intentions.


    They couldn''t possibly be unaware of the fact that Shelter 10086 had splurged on six hundred essential supplies to purchase golden-tier blueprints.


    After all, they had also once considered making a move on the barrier wall.


    But their power fell short.


    When they saw Alex had already built the barrier wall, they knew his identity.


    He was the elusive yer, Number 10086!


    Ethan''s subordinates had advised him to treat Alex''s information as intelligence and sell it to those forces or yers who had designs on Alex or the golden-tier blueprints.


    But he tly rejected this idea.


    He even cursed the idiot who suggested it.


    Then, he revealed his own n.


    Ethan intended to send someone to probe Alex''s intentions.


    Then, he would take down this big fat sheep, Alex, himself.


    He had clearly seen that only Alex and Mia had entered the vi.


    This meant that there were only two people on Alex''s side.


    While on their side, there were eight people in total!


    Though Alex had abundant resources, two fists couldn''t beat four hands.


    As long as they figured out theyout inside Alex''s vi, when the time was right, they could easily take down the two of them by quietly climbing over the barrier wall!


    Then, they wouldn''t have to worry about resources anymore.


    Such ayout was simply wless!


    So, the previous night, Ethan called Ava over.


    First, he vented his anger on Ava, then...


    "Ava, how does Ethan treat you?"


    Ava nestled up to Ethan, drawing circles on his chest with her hand, coquettishly saying, "Ethan treats me the best. It was Ethan who saved me from the zombies, it was Ethan who gave me food and drink, Ava has decided to stick with Ethan for life..."


    Ethanughed heartily, giving her a hard squeeze until Ava winced slightly before releasing her satisfied.


    He leisurely said, "Ava, tomorrow, go find out about the situation on the 10086 side, don''t carry any weapons. Once inside, make sure to gain the other party''s trust, and if necessary, fulfill all their requests."


    Ava looked at Ethan in shock.


    She naturally understood Ethan''s meaning, and for a moment, she hesitated.


    "Ethan..."


    Ethan cut her off directly, his eyes cold. "What, you want me to say it a second time?!"


    Ava, feeling helpless, could only nod bitterly.


    "Yes, Ethan..."


    Only then did Ethan''s anger turn into joy. He kissed Ava''s cheek and chuckled, "That''s my good woman. Let me continue to cherish you..."


    So, the scene of Ava knocking on Alex''s door the next day urred.


    After leading Ava inside, Alex first ordered Mia to stay put on the second-floor balcony, upying the high ground to observe any movements from Ava''s teammates.


    Then, he had Ava sit in the living room.


    "Ava, let''s have a chat while we sit. I haven''t eaten yet, would you like some fried rice and orange juice?"


    "Sure, since little brother invited me for a meal, I certainly can''t refuse."


    Alex nodded and took the items out of his backpack, cing them on the table.


    Smelling the aroma of the fried rice, Ava couldn''t help but swallow involuntarily.


    Sinceing to this post-apocalyptic world, even filling her stomach had been difficult.


    Things like fried rice and orange juice seemed like a dream.


    It was as if the experiences of these past few days were all illusions, and she was still the goddess cherished by men.


    After eating a few mouthfuls of rice and drinking a ss of orange juice to moisten her throat, Alex got down to business.


    "Ava, you mentioned earlier that you wanted me to join your team. I''m curious, what confidence do you have to invite me to join after knowing my identity?"


    Ava wiped her mouth, still savoring the taste, and smiled. "Little brother, we have arge team of eight people. I''m sure you''ve seen us clearing out the zombie horde in the vi area before. That''s not something just any team can aplish."


    Alex nodded.


    "I admit, I''ve seen your strength, and indeed, it''s formidable."


    Before this, he wouldn''t have had such a profound understanding of Ethan''s team''s strength.