After hearing Liu Li's statement, the expressions of the onlookers changed.
"So that's the truth of the matter. That man deserved to die!" exclaimed an older woman indignantly.
"Exactly! This kind of man is the scum of the earth, the worst of the worst!"
"If I were this woman, I'd have crippled that man before killing him. What a piece of trash!"
Most of the women empathized completely, siding entirely with Liu Li.
Some men also shook their heads in disapproval.
"Disgusting! He's a disgrace to all men!"
"How could someone like that even have a wife? Why am I single when I'm such a good catch? It doesn't make sense!"
Of course, there were also some dissenting voices.
"This is just her side of the story. The other party is dead and can't defend himself. We're only hearing what she wants us to hear."
"I agree. Murderers often portray themselves as innocent victims. Who can really say what the truth is?"
However, these opinions were immediately refuted.
"I can testify. I live next door to them, and this man definitely said a lot of terrible things. The initial screams were all female."
"Then why didn't you speak up earlier?"
"I didn't fully understand what had happened before, did I? I couldn't just make assumptions based on what I'd heard."
"Isn't this the same man who tried to sell his wife at the market before? Someone capable of selling his wife can't be a good person. I completely believe this young woman's story."
The situation had completely reversed.
Everyone suddenly felt a wave of sympathy.
"Private fighting and killing are not allowed in the base. Although it was self-defense, you'll still need to come with us," the guards told Liu Li.
Liu Li nodded and stood up from the ground.
"Uncle, in a situation like this, what punishment will this auntie receive?" someone asked.
The person who knew Yun Xiaoxiao and her companions replied, "She'll probably be expelled from the base."
This wasn't the pre-apocalyptic world anymore, and the laws weren't as strict.
Liu Li's crime wasn't punishable by death, nor could they imprison her.
After all, the base didn't have enough resources to spare for prisoners.
At present, expelling someone from the base was considered the harshest punishment.
Outside the base, one's safety couldn't be guaranteed.
"In that case, this auntie doesn't need to go with you. Hand her over to us, and we'll take her out of the base."
Upon hearing this, both the guards and the surrounding onlookers were stunned.
After a long moment, one of the guards asked in confusion.
"Although she didn't start this, she's still a murderer. Are you sure you want to take her with you?"
Additionally, dinner is ready."
Just as they reached the ground floor, another guard approached them.
This base leader wasn't Zheng Qishan, but the newly appointed Zheng Xin'er.
Unable to refuse such hospitality, the group accepted.
Zheng Xin'er had made excellent arrangements, ensuring everyone was comfortable with food and lodging.
Even Liu Li benefited from Yun Xiaoxiao's influence, getting her own room.
She felt overwhelmed by the sudden preferential treatment.
In all her time at the base, she had never eaten such good food or stayed in such a nice place.
She almost felt like she was dreaming.
They slept peacefully through the night.
The next day, after waking up, the group prepared to return.
As they neared the base's main gate, Zheng Xin'er arrived.
Yun Xiaoxiao had been thinking that if she didn't see Zheng Xin'er, she'd properly host her the next time she came to their base to exchange evolution liquid.
Since Zheng Xin'er was here now, she decided to thank her in person.
She took out a bottle of level-two evolution liquid and gave it to her.
"Sister Xin'er, this is for you."
"Is this... evolution liquid?!"
"Yes."
"Thanks, Sister Xiaoxiao."
Zheng Xin'er laughed heartily and accepted it without any hesitation.
"I'm really sorry, I was so busy yesterday that I couldn't properly host you.
Aliali: 673eb950c4f3f33ac4ee7f08
Are you leaving already? Won't you stay a few more days?"
As she spoke, although addressing Yun Xiaoxiao, her eyes kept flitting towards Lu Chen.
Yun Xiaoxiao had long noticed her glances and pursed her lips slightly.
"Sister Xin'er, if you... miss us, feel free to visit Yun City anytime."
Her words carried a hidden meaning.
Zheng Xin'er immediately caught on.
"Of course, I definitely will."
After bidding farewell, the group got in their vehicle and left.
What they didn't know was that at that moment, thousands of miles away at Rongsheng Base, an incident occurred.
It was this incident that would prompt a large-scale migration of survivors towards Yun City.