It's the apocalypse again

Qianqian sat cross-legged on the floor of her room, papers and notebooks spread out around her. Jinhai was perched on the bed, arms folded, his eyes scanning the lists she'd been scribbling.

"You're putting too much on yourself," Jinhai said, his tone firm. "You can't do this alone, Qianqian. Not with everything you're planning."

"I know that, ge," Qianqian replied, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "But building a team isn't as simple as just asking people to join. We need the right people. Not just anyone."

Jinhai leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Okay, then who are these 'right' people? Let's break it down."

Qianqian nodded, grabbing a pen. "First, we need brains. People who can think ahead, analyze situations, and strategize under pressure. Someone like…" She hesitated, then glanced up at Jinhai. "You, for example."

"Flattering," Jinhai said dryly. "But one strategist isn't enough. Who else?"

"A tech expert," Qianqian said, jotting it down. "Someone who can hack systems, manage communications, and keep us connected when everything goes offline."

Jinhai nodded in agreement. "Someone young and sharp, ideally. They'll need to adapt quickly as things change."

"Exactly." Qianqian tapped her pen against the notebook. "Then we'll need muscle. People who can fight, defend, and handle dangerous situations without losing their cool."

Jinhai smirked. "Let me guess—you want me to handle that too?"

"You can help," Qianqian teased. "But we'll need others. People with combat training, sharp reflexes, and the ability to keep everyone safe."

"Anyone else?" Jinhai asked, leaning back.

Qianqian chewed on the end of her pen. "A medic. Someone who knows how to treat injuries, handle emergencies, and keep everyone alive. And maybe someone good at logistics—organizing resources, keeping track of supplies, and making sure we're not wasting anything."

Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "So, brains, tech, muscle, medical, and logistics. Sounds like a military unit."

"It has to be," Qianqian said, her voice firm. "If we're going to survive the apocalypse, we need people who are skilled, reliable, and loyal. No weak links, no dead weight."

Jinhai frowned, his gaze serious. "Loyalty might be the hardest thing to find. People will do whatever they need to survive. How do you plan to make them stay?"

Qianqian glanced at the small house that served as her system's base, its inventory hidden from view. "By offering them something they can't get anywhere else. Safety, resources, and a clear plan for survival. If I can show them that sticking with us is their best chance, they'll stay."

Jinhai was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. But we'll need to vet everyone carefully. One traitor could bring the whole team down."

"I know," Qianqian said softly. "But that's a risk we'll have to take. We can't do this alone."

Qianqian pulled out a new sheet of paper, scribbling down categories for each role.

"For a tech expert, they'll need intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills," she said, speaking more to herself than to Jinhai.

"For muscle," Jinhai added, "strength, agility, and combat experience."

"Right. And for a medic, we'll need someone with medical knowledge, steady hands, and a calm demeanor under pressure."

"What about leadership?" Jinhai asked. "Who's going to be in charge of all these people?"

Qianqian hesitated. "That's me. I'll have to take responsibility. It's my system, my plan. I can't pass that off to someone else."

Jinhai's expression softened slightly. "You're ready for that?"

"I have to be," Qianqian said firmly. "But that doesn't mean I can't delegate. Everyone will need to play their part, including you."

Jinhai smirked. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

Qianqian smiled faintly, then looked down at her list. "We'll also need someone good at gathering information. Someone who can blend in, talk their way out of trouble, and bring us valuable intel."

Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a thief or a spy."

"Maybe," Qianqian said with a shrug. "But in a world falling apart, those skills might be what keep us ahead."

Jinhai nodded,then glanced at the list,"so...is there anyone in mind?"

Qianqian hesitated, her pen hovering over the paper."There's Lin Mei...But it's complicated."

Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?,I thought you guys were best friends "

"Well...",Qianqian takes a deep sigh,"it's just the whole secrecy thingy, I've been keeping a lot of things from her and she knows."

Jinhai leans back,"so,what are you going to do,will you tell her?"

Qianqian leans on him, " I don't know,I think I'll just visit her for now and see first...God I'm so mentally exhausted ",she groans.

Jinhai laughs,"I can imagine,well deal with that and I'll see what I can do with the rest but meanwhile what about supplies, I know you said its too early for food but what about...you know cars?"

Qianqian tilts her head a bit," I don't have money,you handle it...and send me some money as well,I'll need to stockpile more"

Jinhai hummed in agreement. Both siblings stared blankly ahead,each lost in their own thoughts