Rules and Bloodlust: An Unchanging Powder Keg

Xiao Yan, the work-point transaction officer, was among the first young women to join the settlement. She had once been personally trained by Jiang Xiaoci, which gave her an air of quiet authority.

At this moment, she glanced up from her desk at Chen Dafeng, the brash and domineering man standing before her. His presence, notorious throughout the settlement, didn't faze her in the slightest. Maintaining her usual unhurried pace, she picked up a clipboard from the table and handed it to him.

"This is the weekly list of food available from the settlement," Xiao Yan explained calmly. "The other two sheets detail food items produced by individuals with specialized talents."

Chen Dafeng snatched the papers and skimmed through them, his eyes narrowing with irritation. Behind him, a line of people waited their turn to make their transactions. Xiao Yan motioned for them to step forward.

"Wait!" Chen Dafeng's voice boomed as he raised a hand, halting the others in their tracks. His attention remained fixed on the list as his brow furrowed. "Are you sure this is everything the settlement can provide?"

"I'm sure," Xiao Yan replied, her tone even.

Chen Dafeng slammed the clipboard onto the table, his anger flaring. "What about cake? The last list had cake on it! Why isn't it here now?"

Xiao Yan met his outburst with composure. "Cake is classified as a scarce luxury item," she explained patiently. "It requires specialized skills and materials to produce, which do not align with the settlement's food production processes."

She paused, then continued, "According to the Food Production and Management Ordinance signed by the Commander, Article 37 specifies that any scarce or luxurious food items may only be produced and provided twice a month, at most. Cake, in particular, typically appears on the list every four to five weeks."

Her gaze didn't waver as she added, "The last list included cake. The next opportunity to purchase it will be in approximately four weeks."

"Four weeks? You expect me to wait four weeks?" Chen Dafeng's fury erupted as he slammed his hand onto the table. "Do you even know who I am? You dare make me wait?"

The room grew tense. The crowd instinctively stepped back, whispering among themselves. Everyone knew Chen Dafeng's temper. When his voice reached this pitch, someone was likely to pay the price.

"Chen Dafeng!" Xiao Yan's voice cut through the tension. She stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. "I don't care who you are or what you've done for the settlement. Rules are rules. Everyone has needs, and the work-point system exists to ensure fairness. You will not receive special treatment."

Her words only fueled his rage. Chen Dafeng leaned closer, his face inches from hers, his voice low and menacing. "Are you telling me to leave, woman?"

"Yes," Xiao Yan answered firmly, her eyes meeting his. "If you have no legitimate business here, then leave. Do not disrupt the order of this space."

Chen Dafeng's eyes glinted with lethal intent, and before anyone could react, his hand shot out and clamped around Xiao Yan's throat. He lifted her off the ground effortlessly, her feet kicking helplessly as she gasped for air.

The guards surrounding the area immediately raised their weapons, barking orders. "Put her down, Chen Dafeng! This is your final warning!"

Chen Dafeng ignored them, his focus solely on the woman in his grasp. His lips curled into a twisted smile. "Tell me, what happens if I kill you right here? Will the Commander still value me enough to let it slide? Or will he send someone to take me down?"

The crowd watched in terrified silence as Xiao Yan's struggles weakened, her face turning a sickly shade of blue. Just when it seemed she might lose consciousness, a voice called out from the back of the room.

"Brother! What are you doing?"

Chen Dafeng froze. His grip loosened slightly as he turned toward the voice. His sister, Chen Xiaoling, pushed through the crowd, her expression a mix of fear and anger. Without hesitation, she reached for Xiao Yan, pulling her away from her brother's grasp.

Chen Xiaoling helped Xiao Yan back to her desk, signaling for medics to tend to her. The guards stepped in, forming a protective barrier around Xiao Yan, their weapons still trained on Chen Dafeng.

Chen Dafeng scowled, his temper simmering but no longer boiling over. His sister's presence had momentarily tempered his fury, though he shot a glare at Xiao Yan as she regained her breath.

"Chen Dafeng, disrupting work and assaulting staff are violations of settlement regulations," Xiao Yan rasped, her voice strained but steady. "You will have one percent of your work points deducted."

Chen Dafeng's rage reignited. "Say that again, and I'll—"

"And," Xiao Yan continued, cutting him off, "a formal record of your behavior will be submitted to the administration for review. I'll be recommending a disciplinary mark against your record."

Chen Dafeng's fists clenched as he glared at her, his mind racing with murderous thoughts. But before he could act, his sister tugged at his arm. "Brother, please," Chen Xiaoling pleaded. "Let it go."

For a moment, the room held its breath. Finally, with a muttered curse, Chen Dafeng turned on his heel and stormed out, his sister and a man named Lu Nianxin following closely behind.

Lu Nianxin glanced back at Xiao Yan, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You handled that well," he murmured before disappearing into the crowd.

As the tension in the room began to ease, the onlookers exchanged nervous glances. Chen Dafeng had left for now, but his presence loomed over the settlement like a storm cloud, promising trouble on the horizon.