As Zhao Laosi listened to the women's mutual attacks, his interest grew stronger.

He watched it like a spectacular monkey show.

These "fairies," who were arrogant and looked down on men like dirt back on Earth, are now tearing each other apart so viciously in order to compete for the right to become his wife.

This gave him an unprecedented, morbid sense of pleasure.

He cleared his throat, interrupting the women's argument.

Everyone immediately fell silent, watching him nervously.

Old Zhao stroked his chin, looking like a nouveau riche, and said slowly, "What's all the noise about! Do you think I'm dead?"

His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Fu Hancheng. He then looked at Li Juan, the one who had informed on him, grinned, and revealed a set of teeth that were yellowed from tobacco smoke.

"Well... I'm really not interested in divorced women," he said slowly, each word like a heavy hammer blow to Fu Hancheng's heart.

Then, he raised his voice and announced loudly to all the women, "My requirements are very simple! I want them to be untouched! Clean and whole! Whoever is, step forward!"

"First-hand"?

"Clean and tidy"?

The women were taken aback at first, but then they understood the most straightforward and vulgar meaning behind this incredibly corny phrase.

In an instant, the entire mine fell into a deathly silence.

The women, who had been so noisy and eager just moments before, were now frozen in place, as if under a spell.

They looked at each other, their eyes darting away, their faces showing embarrassment, shame, and awkwardness.

No one stepped forward.

Not a single one.

These women, who once championed "freedom," "openness," and "bodily autonomy" in the new era, viewed chastity as the most decadent and ridiculous shackle.

The private lives of most of them are rich enough to fill a book.

But now, this thing that they consider the least valuable has become the only standard that the man who decides their fate values.

This is simply the most absurd and ironic joke in the world.

Looking at the silent crowd, Zhao Laosi's smile slowly faded.

He was a little annoyed.

"What? None?" His voice turned cold. "With so many women, isn't there a single clean one?"

His words were like whips, lashing at the faces of every woman.

Their heads were bowed even lower. Humiliation overwhelmed them like a tidal wave. They dared not look into Zhao Laosi's disappointed and contemptuous eyes.

Zhao Laosi snorted, feeling troubled.

The leader sent him to choose a wife, but none of them met his most basic requirements. What could he do? He couldn't go back empty-handed, could he? Wouldn't that be letting down the leader's benevolence?

He pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the silent black-armored guard beside him, his face now displaying a humble and ingratiating smile.

“This…this sir,” he rubbed his hands together and asked cautiously, “did the leader only say that I could choose one?”

The guard glanced at him, his eyes still cold, but still answered, "The leader has ordered that, in recognition of your great contributions, you are granted permission to choose up to three."

"Three?" Zhao Laosi's eyes lit up instantly, as bright as two light bulbs.

You couldn't pick out a single one, but now you can pick out three? This...this is truly a piece of wonderful news!

His little scheme immediately began to unfold in his mind.

Since quality isn't an option, let's make up for it with quantity! One woman gives birth, three women give birth—it's the same thing. Surely three women can give him a son?

At that time, with many children and many blessings, the Zhao family line will flourish!

“However,” the guard’s cold voice poured cold water on him again, “Minister Tang Bao gave instructions. The leader gave you this favor so that you could use their bodies to create value for the shelter, not so that you could be influenced by their minds.”

"You are fully responsible for disciplining these three people you have chosen."

"If they dare to say anything they shouldn't in the future, or do anything that goes against the leader's will, not only will they be thrown back into the mine, but you will also suffer the same fate. Do you understand?"

Zhao Laosi felt a chill run down his spine and immediately nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Understood! Don't worry, sir! I understand! I understand everything!" He patted his chest and loudly promised, "I will definitely keep them under control! I will absolutely not let them gossip! If they dare to cause trouble, don't bother sir, I'll break their legs myself first!"

"Hmm." The guard nodded and said nothing more.

Zhao Laosi was finally completely relieved.

He turned around and faced the group of women who were eagerly waiting, his confidence returning.

His gaze began to re-examine and filter through the crowd.

Since the standard of chastity is no longer valid, he needs to find a new one. What standard is the most practical?

Of course it can reproduce!

His gaze became highly purposeful. He no longer looked at their faces, but instead looked directly downwards.

Look at their buttocks, look at their pelvis.

This is the oldest and most practical wisdom passed down from the elders in the countryside—women with big hips are more likely to give birth to sons.

His gaze swept over the women.

The women whose gaze swept over him all puffed out their chests, trying their best to show off the curves of their bodies, hoping to catch the eye of this "benefactor".

Fu Hancheng bit his lip, his heart filled with humiliation.

She wanted to straighten her chest and sway her hips, but her deep-seated pride prevented her from making such a... such a despicable move.

She could only watch helplessly as Zhao Laosi's gaze swept over her without lingering.

Soon, Zhao Laosi had a target.

"You!" He pointed his rough finger at Li Juan in the crowd. She was the first woman to stand up and expose Fu Hancheng.

Although Li Juan has an ordinary appearance, she has a large frame and a rather impressive bottom.

Li Juan, who was called out, was first stunned, and then overwhelmed with immense joy.

She could hardly believe her good fortune, pointing at herself with a trembling finger: "Me...me? Mr. Zhao?"

"Yes, it's you! Come out!" Zhao Laosi said impatiently.

"Oh! Oh! Thank you, Mr. Zhao! Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"

Overjoyed, Li Juan scrambled through the crowd and stood beside Zhao Laosi, as humble as a dog wagging its tail.

The women around her all cast envious, almost maniacal, glances at her.

Zhao Laosi was very satisfied. This Li Juan was ruthless and pragmatic. A woman like that would do anything for personal gain; she should be relatively easy to control.

Then, he pointed his finger in another direction.

"And you too!"

The woman chosen this time was a young woman named Wang Mei.

She looked to be in her early twenties, with a voluptuous figure and rounded hips. She hadn't said much, just looked at Zhao Laosi expectantly with her big, watery eyes.

Wang Mei was so excited she almost fainted; she covered her mouth, and tears instantly streamed down her face.

"You, come out too!"

Wang Mei quickly ran out and stood obediently next to Li Juan.

One more is needed.

Zhao Laosi's gaze continued to search through the crowd. Finally, his eyes settled on a woman who was equally robust, with slightly dark skin, and who had been standing silently at the back of the crowd.

This woman's name is Sun Li. She is usually quiet and reserved, but she is very strong when she works.

“You’re the last one!” Zhao Laosi pointed at her.

Sun Li was stunned for a moment, never expecting that such a huge windfall would fall on the head of someone as insignificant as herself.

She walked out hesitantly and gave Zhao Laosi an awkward bow.

The three spots have been decided.

The three chosen women stood on the high platform.

The women in the audience who were eliminated seemed to have all their energy drained away in an instant; their faces were ashen, and the light in their eyes had been completely extinguished.

They knew that their hell would continue.

Fu Hancheng looked at the three "ordinary women" on the stage whom she had once looked down upon, who had now become the darlings of fate, while she herself, the former leader, had to remain in this dark and gloomy mine.

The immense disparity and humiliation caused her vision to blur, and she almost fainted.

"Alright! We've chosen our people! Let's go!" Zhao Laosi waved his hand triumphantly and said to the three women.

Carrying his three "trophies," he walked with his head held high, under the obsequious smiles of the overseers and the cold gaze of the guards, towards the steel gate that represented freedom.

He didn't even glance back at the losers.