Over the next few days, Lin Feng did not stop his actions. He knew that to build a self-sufficient shelter, a few captures alone would not be enough.

He needs a stable, fertile flock of sheep.

Next, he captured dozens more black giant sheep, both male and female, large and small, which rapidly increased the number of sheep in the pen.

The shelter was bustling with activity.

Under Lin Feng's guidance, the originally planned sheepfold was rapidly expanded and became more sturdy and durable.

The new sheepfold is located inside the walled area, next to a water source, and has a spacious interior that can accommodate more sheep.

Furthermore, Lin Feng specially raised the walls of the sheepfold and installed barbs on the top to prevent the giant black sheep from jumping over the walls and escaping, as well as to guard against other wild animals.

The foundation of the wall was also reinforced with large stones to ensure its stability.

To better manage the sheep, Lin Feng personally participated in the design and construction of the sheepfold. He directed everyone to divide the sheepfold into different areas:

Resting area: Thick hay is laid out to provide a comfortable resting place for the sheep.

Feeding area: Simple feed troughs were made for easy feeding of hay and supplementation of minerals.

Watering area: Clean mountain spring water has been introduced to ensure that the sheep can drink at any time.

In addition, Lin Feng also required the women to clean the sheep pens regularly every day to maintain environmental hygiene and reduce the occurrence of diseases.

He even personally demonstrated how to gently herd the sheep with a long pole, how to feed them, and how to observe their health.

He told them that taming animals requires patience and care, especially in the early stages, to gradually adapt these wild black giant sheep to domestication.

After nearly a week of effort, the flock of giant black sheep in the sheepfold gradually stabilized.

They are no longer as agitated as when they first arrived. Although they remain vigilant, they have begun to get used to being fed and cleaned every day.

"Mr. Lin, look! The lambs have started eating the fodder we put out!" Tang Bao pointed to a lamb with delight.

Lin Feng nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Young lambs are easier to tame, and their adaptation will drive the entire flock.

Qin Lan also noticed that when cleaning the sheepfold now, the sheep no longer charge wildly as before. Some of the ewes even just watch warily when they approach, instead of running away.

"This is all thanks to Mr. Lin's method," Su Wanqing exclaimed.

She once thought these wild giant sheep were impossible to domesticate, but Lin Feng proved his ability once again.

With the sheep flock stabilizing, the food structure of the shelter was greatly improved.

The Black Giant Sheep has delicious meat and a large meat yield, which not only meets the daily meat needs, but Lin Feng has even begun to consider storing dried meat and cured meat to cope with possible food shortages.

Sheepskin also became an important resource, and Su Wanqing and Tang Bao began to try using it to make thicker and warmer winter clothes and quilts.

Night fell.

The campfire rose, dispelling the chill of the night after the snow melted.

Lin Feng distributed the last few pieces of roasted saber-toothed tiger ribs and some freshly hunted rabbit meat.

Everyone put in a lot of effort to build the sheepfold and deal with the giant black sheep, especially the six women led by Qin Lan, whose performance exceeded Lin Feng's initial expectations.

Watching them wolf down their food, their faces showed exhaustion but also a hint of satisfaction.

Lin Feng calmly broke the temporary silence: "Today's food is your reward for the past few days of work."

Upon hearing this, the women paused, a strange emotion welling up within them.

They knew Lin Feng's rule was equal exchange, but hearing him define the nature of this meal so clearly made them feel that something was unusual.

Lin Feng continued, his tone still cold and emotionless: "The sheepfold is finished, and your previous work is now complete. After you finish this meal, you can leave."

"boom!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, exploding in the minds of the six women.

The rabbit leg in "Tang Bao's" hand fell to the ground with a "thud." Her big eyes, which had just lit up because of the food, were instantly filled with horror and disbelief: "Mr. Lin... what... what did you say?"

Su Wanqing's face also turned deathly pale. Her fingers, gripping the grilled meat, trembled slightly from the force, and her forced composure almost crumbled at this moment: "Mr. Lin, what...what did we do wrong?"

Shen Jiaqi and Ruan Mengtian were terrified, their faces turning deathly pale. They were already filled with uncertainty about the future, and Lin Feng's words undoubtedly pushed them into the abyss of despair.

Qian Xiaoxiao instinctively grabbed Qin Lan's arm, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Qin Lan was the only one who could barely maintain her composure, but her heart sank.

She took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound calm: "Mr. Lin, do you mean... our employment relationship is over?"

"That's one way to understand it."

Lin Feng wiped the grease off his hands and looked at them calmly. "I provided food and shelter, and you provided labor. Now, the transaction is complete."

"But...but we..."

With a sob in her voice, Ruan Mengtian said urgently, "We have nowhere to go! It's so cold outside, we..."

That's your own problem.

Lin Feng interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for negotiation, "This is not a shelter. You've been here long enough."

"Mr. Lin!"

Qian Xiaoxiao finally couldn't hold back her tears and pleaded in a sob, "Please, don't send us away! We can do anything! We can keep working, do even more work! Just give us a bite to eat and a place to shelter from the wind!"

"Yes, Mr. Lin!"

Shen Jiaqi's eyes were also filled with tears. "Our...our old cave...it's completely flooded because the snow melted a few days ago and the meltwater flowed in! We really have nowhere to go! Going out means certain death!"

Su Wanqing bit her pale lips, setting aside all her pride and self-respect, and pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Mr. Lin, we know we were spoiled before and can't do many things well. But we've been trying our best to learn and adapt. Please give us another chance! We'll definitely be more useful!"

Their cries for help rose and fell, filled with despair and fear.

They knew all too well the consequences of losing a powerful protector in such a wasteland.

Although they didn't know what would happen to Yang Li and her gang, they could imagine it.

Without food, weapons, or safe shelter, these women were like lambs to the slaughter in a dark forest.

Lin Feng's expression remained indifferent, completely unmoved.

In his view, these women had completed their phase of the task and received their "salary," and their departure or staying was none of his business.

Seeing that Lin Feng was unmoved by reason, the women's faces gradually lost color, and their eyes were filled with a deathly despair.

Tangbao had even started to sob softly, already foreseeing her tragic end.

Just then, Qin Lan suddenly raised her head, a resolute glint in her eyes.

She said in a deep voice, "Mr. Lin, we are not worth dying for. But have you ever thought that without us as your labor force, many of your future jobs will be affected?"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, but said nothing, gesturing for her to continue.

Qin Lan composed herself and continued, "I know you are capable, all-powerful, and have plenty of time. But as your family grows larger, the daily chores will also increase."

“The chicken coop needs to be cleaned and fed, the dog kennel and horse stable also need daily maintenance, and now there is this sheep pen. Just preparing hay and water for these livestock and cleaning up their manure is a considerable amount of work.”

"There are also tanning hides, mending clothes, processing the game you hunt, storing and tending firewood, cultivating your planned vegetable garden... these chores always need to be done by someone."

She paused, her tone becoming even more earnest: "If you do everything yourself, it will inevitably consume a lot of your energy and time. In that case, the time you have to go out hunting, explore more distant areas, and make better weapons and equipment will be greatly reduced."

"Although we are clumsy, we can at least share these trivial tasks with you, so that you can have more time to do more important things."

Lin Feng fell silent.

Qin Lan's words were indeed spot on.

As the facilities in his home gradually improved and the number of animals increased, he did feel that the time spent on routine maintenance was increasing.

When I was alone, many things could be simplified, but things are different now.

Although these women have limited physical strength, under Qin Lan's organization, they are indeed able to complete a lot of meticulous chores.

Their existence objectively liberated a portion of his productive forces.

If he drives them away, the work will eventually fall on his own shoulders.

Keeping them would only cost them a few more bites of food.

Lin Feng's gaze swept across the faces of the women.

They held their breath, anxiously awaiting his final verdict.

After a long silence, Lin Feng finally spoke slowly: "I can let you stay."

"call!"

Almost simultaneously, the women all breathed a long sigh of relief, their tense nerves suddenly relaxing, and some even became unsteady on their feet due to the great emotional fluctuations.

Tang Bao burst into tears of joy and collapsed to the ground.

“However,” Lin Feng’s voice turned stern again, “the rules must be redefined.”

He stood up, walked to the main house door, and pointed to the sturdy wooden hut behind him: "This is my private space. No one may enter without my permission. Your activities are limited to the yard and the wooden shed where you are currently staying."

His gaze swept over them like a sharp sword: "Your status remains that of employees. I will provide you with food and basic necessities based on the work you do. But don't expect any extra treatment."

Qin Lan immediately stated, "We understand, Mr. Lin. We will never set foot in the main house, nor will we have any improper thoughts! We will work even harder to prove our worth."

"Very good." Lin Feng nodded. "As for the wooden shed you're staying in..."

He glanced at the somewhat flimsy shed standing in the wind: "I'll take some time tomorrow to reinforce it for you, at least to make it able to withstand even worse weather. But don't expect it to be very comfortable."

This is already the biggest concession Lin Feng can make.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Lin! Thank you so much!" Su Wanqing and the other women were all moved to tears.

For them, being able to stay in this safe haven, a place where they can shelter from the wind and rain, is already a great blessing.

So what if the conditions are a little harsh?

Compared to living in fear and hunger outside, this place is simply paradise.

"You're welcome."

Lin Feng's tone remained calm: "This is what you earned by exchanging your own value. Remember, with me, there is only equal exchange. If one day you lose your usefulness, or try to challenge my bottom line..."

He didn't say anything more, but his cold eyes said it all.

"We will never!" Qin Lan solemnly promised again, and the other women nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with awe and a hint of relief at surviving a disaster.

Lin Feng said no more, turned around and walked into the main house, closing the door heavily to shut out the noise outside.

In the courtyard, the campfire was still burning. The six women looked at each other, and after a moment, an indescribable joy welled up in their hearts.

"That's great...we can stay..." Tang Bao cried tears of joy and was helped up by Shen Jiaqi.

Qian Xiaoxiao wiped away her tears, and said with a hint of lingering fear, "I was so scared just now, I thought we were really going to be kicked out..."

Su Wanqing took a deep breath, a bitter smile appearing on her face: "It seems that if we want to survive here, we must constantly prove that we are useful."

Ruan Mengtian nodded, a determined look flashing in her eyes: "Sister Qin Lan is right. We can't become a burden to Mr. Lin. Starting tomorrow, we need to work even harder."

Qin Lan breathed a sigh of relief as she watched her companions regain their spirits.

"Alright, let's not think about it too much." Qin Lan clapped her hands. "Since Mr. Lin has agreed to reinforce the shed, we can sleep more soundly tonight. Everyone, get some rest. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

The women nodded, tidied themselves up, and returned to their simple wooden huts, which held their hopes for survival, with mixed feelings of joy and relief.

Although Lin Feng wouldn't allow them to enter the main house, they were already content as long as they could stay within this safe enclosure.