The sunlight shone on Chen Hao's face, and he raised his hand to shield his eyes, keeping them closed.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"7:12." Nana stood in front of the monitoring station without turning her head. "Karl's body temperature has stabilized, his nutritional intake is up to standard, and his physical recovery progress is 37 percent."

"Does that mean we can't run away yet?" Chen Hao sat up, his movements more agile than yesterday.

"I suggest observing for another 24 hours." Nana turned around. "You too."

“I’m not that hungry.” He pointed to the corner. Karl was already awake, sitting cross-legged, holding a piece of dry, cracked bark in his hand, rubbing it back and forth to examine the fiber direction.

Susan came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of paste: "I added some mushroom powder today."

"Do you have meat?"

"You wish."

Chen Hao took the bowl, lowered his head and took two bites, then frowned: "What does it taste like this time?"

"Don't worry about the taste, as long as it's edible." Susan placed the wooden spear against the wall. "You said you had a meeting last night?"

“Yes.” He swallowed. “With more people, we need to assign tasks. Otherwise, it will be a complete mess who sweeps, who cooks, and who goes out to find things.”

Nana brought up the system interface: "The team consists of four people, and the task module needs to be reconfigured. It is recommended to hold an initial task allocation meeting."

“Now then.” Susan pulled up a low stool and sat down, “while I still have the patience.”

Karl looked up, didn't speak, but his eyes lit up.

Chen Hao wiped his mouth: "Okay, let's get to the point—we need to go to that observation station on the east side. There are emergency supply lockers inside; we'll have to pry them open if we can't open them with the key. The problem is, who's leading the team?"

Carl said, "I've been to that forest before, and I know the route well. I can take you around the landslide area and the toxic fog zone."

“You do know the area well,” Chen Hao nodded. “But leading a team isn’t just about knowing the way. What if we run into traps, wild animals, or the place has already been cleared out? Who’s going to make decisions then?”

“Only those who survive are qualified to make decisions,” Carl said in a low voice. “I survived over there alone for two weeks, without relying on anyone.”

"I survived too," Chen Hao laughed. "I was carried back by my two teammates. Guess why they didn't abandon me?"

No one responded.

“Because we’re a team,” he said. “No one can make all the decisions on their own. Whoever comes up with the idea has to take full responsibility. That’s the rule.”

Karl stared at him for a few seconds: "Are you afraid I won't follow orders?"

“I’m afraid someone will think they’re more important than others.” Chen Hao put down his bowl. “We don’t have a boss here, only a division of labor. If you want to participate, you have to follow this rule.”

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Nana suddenly spoke up: "According to medical data, Karl is currently not capable of high-intensity operations. Chen Hao is still in the recovery period. It is recommended to prioritize short-range resupply missions as a collaborative test."

“That suits me perfectly,” Susan immediately replied. “There’s still some grain stored at the old farm up north. I’ve been there once and know where the warehouse is. We’ll set off tomorrow and see if Carl can walk long distances.”

“I can,” Carl said.

“That’s fine,” Susan said, looking at him. “But Nana and Chen Hao are in charge. You just need to stay with the team and report the route. Any questions?”

Karl's lips moved, but he only said, "No problem."

The meeting adjourned.

For the next half day, an inexplicable rhythm emerged in the base. Everyone was doing their work, but the coordination between them had diminished.

Nana started compiling the equipment list, Susan checked the weapon inventory, and Chen Hao flipped through the map making markings. Carl sat to the side, watching them busy, wanting to speak several times, but then stopped himself.

Around noon, he walked to the monitoring station.

“Can I take a look at the energy system?” he asked.

Nana looked up: "Why?"

“I’ve worked in the cargo hold and I know a bit about electrical circuits. Your insulation system is too inefficient and wastes energy.”

“I know it’s inefficient,” Nana said, swiping her finger across the screen, “but we don’t have spare parts.”

“I can fix it,” Carl said. “At least it can last a few more days.”

“System operation privileges are limited to authorized personnel,” Nana said. “Currently, only I can handle emergency responses.”

"So you plan to let you handle everything alone forever?" Karl's tone changed. "Aren't you afraid that a robot will crash one day if it makes all the decisions?"

The air suddenly turned cold.

Chen Haogang, leaning on his cane, came out of the house just as he heard it.

“Oh dear, that’s not very polite of you.” He stepped between the two of them. “Nana is a machine, but she saved our lives. You’ve only been here one day, and you’re already questioning her work?”

“I’m not questioning her,” Karl said, looking at Nana. “I’m questioning your allocation method. If something happens to her, you won’t even be able to turn on the lights.”

Nana calmly said, "I can train others to operate it. But they need to pass three mock exams before I can authorize them."

She brought up a new screen: "Lesson begins tomorrow morning at seven. Do you wish to attend?"

Carl paused for a few seconds, then said, "I'll participate."

But when he turned and walked away, his shoulders were very tense.

In the afternoon, Susan was preparing supply packs in the kitchen when Carl offered to help.

"Keep the mushrooms separate," she said. "They'll get moldy if they get wet."

“I know.” He tied the bag tightly. “I used to survive on this.”

“Then you should understand,” Susan looked up, “some people live for themselves, and some people live for others. You’re here now not because you’re miserable enough, but because someone is willing to give you a chance.”

Carl didn't argue; he simply sealed the bag and gently placed it on the table.

At dinner, the four of them sat together.

The food was the same as always: a thin porridge with dried vegetables. No one spoke; the only sound was the clinking of spoons against bowls.

Susan broke the silence: "Tomorrow's route will pass through an area frequented by wolves. They've been appearing frequently lately, so someone needs to take turns keeping watch."

“I’ll do it,” Carl said immediately. “I’ve walked alone at night for half a year, and I can locate places better by listening to the wind than you can.”

Chen Hao scooped up a spoonful of paste, blew on it, and asked, "So, do you still want to lead the team?"

“If it can increase the survival rate, why not?” Carl looked him straight in the eye. “You’re still recovering from your injuries, Nana is a machine, and Susan has to handle logistics. I may be thin, but I’m clear-headed and quick-witted.”

Chen Hao smiled, not angry: "You really dare to say that."

“To be honest,” Carl put down his spoon, “I don’t want to be a burden. I want to prove I can help.”

“Helping and taking power are two different things,” Chen Hao said. “You’ve just arrived and you’re already trying to interfere in decision-making. Would you accept that if you were in your shoes?”

“I don’t want power,” Karl’s voice deepened. “I just don’t want to be treated like an outsider forever.”

Nana suddenly interjected: "Proposal record: Carl has applied to participate in core mission planning. Evaluation level: Pending. Training and collaboration test required."

"Look, the system hasn't even recognized you yet." Chen Hao picked up a piece of dried vegetable. "Learn how to use the monitoring station first, then we'll talk about other things."

Carl didn't say anything more, and lowered his head to eat, eating very slowly.

After the meal, everyone cleaned up.

Susan was washing tools in the kitchen, Nana was updating her task log, and Chen Hao was leaning against the bed flipping through maps. Carl stood by the window, gazing at the distant mountain ridgeline; his shadow was pressed against the wall like an elongated nail.

Chen Hao quietly moved next to Nana and lowered his voice: "This guy doesn't want to be a team member, he wants to be the leader."

Nana looked at the data stream on the screen: "Interpersonal interaction stress index increased by 18%. Conflict risk level: Mild warning."

Do you think he'll cause trouble?

“His behavior has not crossed any lines so far,” Nana said, “but his focus on the distribution of power is more frequent than normal.”

"I knew it," Chen Hao said, pursing his lips. "To be starving like that and still have such bright eyes, he must be no ordinary person."

“He may have leadership experience,” Nana speculated, “or perhaps he was once in a core position within an organization.”

"That's even more troublesome." Chen Hao rubbed his temples. "Our trio was doing just fine, but now there's someone else trying to turn things around."

“Changes in team structure inevitably lead to adjustments,” Nana said. “This is a normal process.”

"It's not comfortable even if it's normal." Chen Hao snorted. "I don't even want to get out of bed right now, for fear that the two of them will start fighting in the room."

He glanced back at Karl. The man was still standing by the window, motionless.

Do you think he might sneak a peek at the system password in the middle of the night?

“The surveillance footage shows that his gaze lingered on the energy panel for a total of 47 seconds today,” Nana said. “It has been marked as an observation item.”

"Alright." Chen Hao lay back down. "Keep a close eye on the supply mission tomorrow. If he dares to tamper with the equipment, shut it off immediately."

"Instructions received," Nana replied softly.

The wind picked up again outside, causing the corrugated iron wall to sway slightly.

Carl finally turned and walked to his bed. He sat down, placing his hands on his knees, palms up, as if accepting some unseen weight.

Chen Hao closed his eyes and tapped his knees with his fingers in a slow rhythm.

Nana stood in front of the monitoring console, the screen light reflecting off the metal casing.

Susan came out of the kitchen, glanced at Carl, and stuck the last wooden spear into the dirt in the corner of the wall.

All four people were inside the room, and the lights were still on.

Carl suddenly looked up at Chen Hao.

"You said no one can make all the decisions alone." His voice was low. "Then if one day I save your life, can I make some demands?"