When Lin Feng rode the White Moonlight, carrying the equally laden White Jade and Wangcai, and appeared outside the familiar walls of the shelter, it was dusk a month after he had left the shelter.
His figure was stretched extremely long in the afterglow of the setting sun, making him appear even more upright and vigorous.
The woman on guard duty in the shelter's watchtower, after recognizing the familiar group of one person, one dog, and two horses, paused for a moment before letting out a long-suppressed scream filled with surprise and relief!
Soon, the entire shelter was in an uproar.
Six women emerged from their respective sheds and work areas and gathered in front of the shelter's gate, eagerly awaiting their arrival.
As Lin Feng slowly walked through the gates of the shelter, looking at these familiar faces and hearing their heartfelt cheers and greetings, even his heart, hardened by the wilderness, couldn't help but soften slightly.
Qin Lan quickly came to greet her. Her eyes were slightly red, but more than that, they showed a heartfelt joy and relief that was hard to hide.
"Mr. Lin, you're finally back."
Lin Feng did not go to rest immediately, even though he had not slept properly for several days.
He responded simply to the women's greetings and then gestured for them to be quiet.
He laid out a huge animal hide map, the culmination of countless hours of his hard work and sweat, on the relatively flat open space in the center of the shelter, which had already been cleared.
All the women held their breath and gathered around the map.
Lin Feng picked up a charred charcoal stick and began to explain to them, in detail and region by region, all the important discoveries he had made during this expedition, the dangers he had encountered, and his preliminary plans for the future, referring to the map.
Whenever Lin Feng introduces a new discovery, whether it's a terrifying behemoth or a magical plant or mineral, it elicits waves of suppressed gasps of amazement, awe, and even fearful whispers from the women.
Their understanding of this alien world on which they depended for survival was refreshed and subverted time and time again in Lin Feng's description.
They also gained a deeper understanding of the enormous risks Lin Feng took on each of his journeys, and the significant importance that the information and resources he brought back would have for the future of the shelter.
"This map, at present, only records a very small part of this world."
Lin Feng's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable, rock-solid strength.
His gaze slowly swept across the still vast areas on the map marked as "unknown" and "fog," especially the misty canyon he highlighted as dangerous and mysterious, and the endless, frigid land further north.
"Our journey is still very, very long."
By the time the map explanation was finished, it was completely dark.
A few simple torches were lit inside the shelter.
The women gathered around the map, unable to tear themselves away from the magnificent world Lin Feng had described.
Their hearts were filled with shock, awe, and even some fear, but more than anything, there was an indescribable hope.
With Lin Feng around, they really can survive in this cruel world.
Lin Feng gently rolled up the animal skin map.
His gaze swept over all the women, including Tang Bao, and his tone turned cold and distant the next moment: "Now that I'm back, you all need to move back to the wooden shed from now on."
As soon as he finished speaking, the joy and hope on the women's faces froze instantly, replaced by an incredulous astonishment.
They looked at each other, wondering if they had misheard.
Qin Lan's body stiffened slightly, and the map scroll in her hand seemed to grow heavier.
She looked up, staring directly into Lin Feng's eyes, trying to find a trace of a joke. However, Lin Feng's gaze was calm as still water, deep and devoid of any emotion.
"Mr. Lin...?" Ruan Mengtian's voice trembled slightly as she cautiously asked, trying to confirm, "You mean... we're moving back tonight?"
Lin Feng didn't answer directly, but simply added casually, "The main house is my private space, and also where I store important supplies and research results. It would be inconvenient for you to live here. The wooden shed is your living quarters, and it has been renovated and is sufficient to cope with the cold."
His words were clear and distinct, like cold stones striking the women's hearts one by one.
They then realized that Lin Feng's words left no room for negotiation.
The warmth and comfort of the past month, the nights spent laughing and chatting by the fireplace, the peaceful sleep on the soft bed—it was like a sweet dream, now shattered by Lin Feng's own hands and thrown back into the cold reality.
Qin Lan opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to start.
Yes, the cabin originally belonged to Lin Feng; they were just staying there temporarily.
However, after experiencing that warmth and comfort, returning to the cold and drafty wooden shed was such a huge contrast.
Moreover, they believed that they had worked hard to manage the shelter for a month, and even if they hadn't achieved anything, they had at least put in the effort, and at least... at least they could get some recognition, right?
Su Wanqing's face also turned slightly pale, and she subconsciously wrapped the animal skin around her body tighter.
She remembered the soft bed in the main house, the warm fireplace, and the snacks and cola that allowed her to briefly forget her suffering.
It turns out that it was all just a fleeting dream.
Qian Xiaoxiao, Shen Jiaqi, and Ruan Mengtian all had red eyes. They were relatively young and had simpler minds, so they couldn't hide their emotions as quickly as Qin Lan and Su Wanqing.
They couldn't bear to part with that warmth, and they were even more afraid to return to those days of constant anxiety and shivering in the cold wind.
Only Tang Bao, the seemingly smallest but also the most quick-witted girl, showed a hint of resentment and determination in her eyes after her initial surprise.
She looked at Lin Feng's profile, which appeared somewhat cold and hard in the firelight, bit her lip, and made a difficult decision.
Lin Feng ignored their different expressions and turned to go back into the house.
"Mr. Lin..."
Tang Bao's voice trembled slightly, making it exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
She took a small step forward, mustered her courage, and looked up at Lin Feng: "We...we don't want to go back to the wooden shed...it's too cold there..."
Lin Feng paused for a moment, but didn't turn around. He simply gave a faint "Hmm?" to signal her to continue.
Tang Bao took a deep breath, as if using all her strength: "Mr. Lin... as long as you let us continue to live in the main house... we... we can do anything... you... you can..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning couldn't be clearer.
On this cruel alien planet, survival is the greatest luxury, and sacrificing some things becomes acceptable in order to survive better.
The other women looked at Tang Bao in astonishment, and Qin Lan's expression changed drastically. She wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
Lin Feng finally raised his head. His gaze fell on Tang Bao's face, which was flushed with nervousness and shyness. His eyes were devoid of warmth, instead carrying an undisguised mockery and disdain.
He chuckled, his voice not loud, but like a cold awl, piercing Tang Bao's last hope and sending a chill down the spines of the other women.
"You guys?"
Lin Feng's tone was full of contempt as his gaze slowly swept over the six women in front of him, as if he were examining a group of worthless objects.
“You are not qualified to live here.”
He paused, looking at their faces, which had turned pale and wounded in an instant, and his tone became even colder: "I'm keeping you here because you're still useful. Taking care of the chicken coop, looking after the sheep, cleaning the stables, cultivating the vegetable garden... these are your jobs, the price you pay for food and safety."
"As for the main house,"
"This place belongs only to me."
"Do your job well and don't have any unrealistic expectations."
Lin Feng coldly uttered a final remark, then turned away, took the map, and walked straight toward the heavy wooden door.
"Bang!"
The wooden door slammed shut behind him with a dull thud, completely separating the two worlds.
The women stood frozen in place, as if all their strength had been drained away.
Tang Bao's face was completely drained of color. Lin Feng's disdainful gaze and cold words made her feel more humiliated and desperate than any severe punishment.
She thought that by giving up her dignity, she could gain some real benefits, but she never expected that in Lin Feng's eyes, "everything" of them was so cheap that it wasn't even worth his consideration.
"Alright, everyone stop standing there." Qin Lan's voice was a little hoarse. She forced herself to calm down, walked over to Tang Bao, and gently patted her shoulder.
"Mr. Lin is right, we... we just need to do our own thing."
She knew that any words of comfort would seem pale and powerless at this moment.
Lin Feng's words, though cruel, were the most truthful law of this alien world. All they could rely on were their own hands and Lin Feng's occasional "mercy."
Su Wanqing sighed silently, a hint of bitterness flashing in her eyes.
Once upon a time, she was a star admired by all, and countless people spent a fortune to make her smile.
Now, she and five other women have to beg for the right to sleep under a warm roof, even at the cost of selling themselves, yet they are still treated like trash.
This sudden change made her feel dizzy.
"Let's go back to the wooden shed." Qin Lan pulled up Tang Bao, who was still trembling, and led the way towards the wooden shed.
The other women followed silently behind, their steps heavy.
The night wind blew, stirring up snowflakes that stung their faces, chilling them to the bone.
They were back to the state they had been in when they first arrived at the shelter: helpless, insignificant, and with an uncertain future.
This time, however, in addition to fear, they also felt an indescribable bitterness and resentment.
Inside the main house, it's warm as spring.
Lin Feng carefully placed the animal hide map on the table, walked to the fireplace, and added a few pieces of firewood.
The flames reignited, crackling and dispelling the last trace of chill that had drifted in from outside.
He took off his heavy coat, revealing a slightly tired but still lean body underneath.
This month-long wilderness exploration, enduring wind and rain and sleeping in the open, was also extremely taxing on him.
"Waaah..."
A soft sob, tinged with grievance and discontent, came from the corner.
Lin Feng looked in the direction of the sound and saw a purple figure huddled in the shadows of the corner of the wall.
The phantom was looking at Lin Feng with resentful eyes, its small nose twitching slightly.
A gentle smile appeared on Lin Feng's face; this was probably his only smile tonight.
He walked up to the Phantom, knelt down, and reached out to gently stroke its smooth fur.
"Little one, are you throwing a tantrum?" Lin Feng lowered his voice, with a tenderness he would never show to a woman: "I'm back now, aren't I? I even brought you some nice things."
The phantom didn't buy it. It turned its head away from Lin Feng's hand and made a softer whimper, as if it were being coquettish or complaining.
During this month, Lin Feng was away. Although the women fed it as instructed, it clearly clung more to Lin Feng's presence.
Moreover, it could sense that this man had gone to a very far and dangerous place this time.
Lin Feng wasn't angry. He rummaged in his leather bag for a while and took out a small piece of dried meat that emitted a strange aroma.
This is not ordinary roasted meat, but the essence of a rare beast he hunted during his exploration, containing pure energy.
He held the jerky to the Phantom's lips.
The Phantom brought its little nose closer to sniff, its sapphire-like eyes lighting up, clearly attracted by the delicious aroma.
But it hesitated for a moment, then gently rubbed its head against Lin Feng's fingers before opening its mouth, taking a small bite of the jerky, and chewing it carefully.
Seeing the phantom squint its eyes in satisfaction, Lin Feng felt much more relaxed.
He gently stroked the Phantom's soft fur, recalling everything that had just happened outside the door. He felt no remorse for driving the women back to the shed.
In his view, rules are rules. The main house was his core area, symbolizing his authority and power, and not just anyone could enter and leave at will.
In his eyes, the six women were first and foremost "resources," a source of labor capable of sharing the daily work at the shelter.
He saved them, gave them food and a relatively safe place to stay, which was already a great blessing.
As for moving into the main house and enjoying better treatment? That requires them to demonstrate sufficient value and loyalty, not through cheap hints and pleas.
Tang Bao's suggestion made him feel even more ridiculous and disdainful.
Does Lin Feng need to resort to this method to get women?
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside. The shelter was quiet in the night.
A faint light shone from the wooden shed; the women were probably lighting their own small fires to keep warm.
Although he was indifferent to them, Lin Feng was not entirely indifferent to their work.
Tomorrow, he needs to thoroughly review how the shelter has been operating over the past month.
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