18: Whoever has a greater role has a higher status

Tian Ming dropped out of school at 17 to work, having seen society and understood human nature early on.

Although he possessed a kind heart, this kindness was directed towards the entire group, not individuals.

Looking at Shen Yi, Tian Ming patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Don't overthink it. Once you enter my Shelter, I'll protect you. But asking me to save others? Forget it. I don't have that kind of kindness."

Tian Ming's words clearly stated his stance: he could only look after his own small domain. As for other matters, he couldn't concern himself with them.

Shen Yi looked at Tian Ming. After learning about his abilities, Shen Yi was very excited, believing this crisis could be resolved, but Tian Ming's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him.

"How can you have no sense of social responsibility?"

Tian Ming's lips curled into a sneer. For those at the bottom, what even was social responsibility?

"Shen Yi, you may be an intellectual, but you're too naive. This is the Apocalypse, big brother! What do you mean by social responsibility? The whole world has collapsed, and you're talking to me about social responsibility!"

Just as the two were about to argue, Tian Ming glanced at Shen Yi's sister, Shen Yuan.

"Little sister, why is your brother so stubborn? Has he read so much that he's become foolish?"

Shen Yuan's face showed a hint of disdain. In her opinion, it was an oversight from heaven for such a person to gain the ability to change the world. However, since the siblings were currently dependent on others, it wasn't appropriate for her to say anything.

Shen Yuan slowly said, "My brother has always been in the Laboratory and hasn't experienced much of the ways of the world. He might be a bit idealistic, Brother Tian Ming, please don't take offense."

They were both scholars, but Shen Yuan's personality was much gentler than her brother's. Tian Ming smiled; he could see the disdain in her eyes, the kind an upper-class person held for someone of a lower class.

However, Tian Ming didn't care in the slightest. Now, he was the master of this Shelter. There weren't only these two siblings among the survivors who were educated. He would keep them for now, treat them with courtesy, and if they changed their ways in the future, he would entrust them with important tasks.

"You two rest well. I still have things to do, so I'll be leaving first!" Tian Ming dropped these words and left without looking back.

Returning to Qiu Wuhui's interrogation room, Qiu Wuhui was tightly bound to a chair.

His eyes were full of resentment. As a young master, when had he ever suffered such indignity? He swore that if he ever got the chance, he would make Tian Ming realize the consequences of offending him.

Tian Ming pulled over a stool and slowly sat down, looking at the rich young master before him.

"From your expression, you don't seem very convinced, do you?" Tian Ming said indifferently.

As the master of the Shelter, Tian Ming was gradually adapting to his role. Whether it was establishing authority or managing people, he had to learn from scratch.

Qiu Wuhui was definitely an unruly individual, so he would be a good test subject.

Qiu Wuhui looked up at Tian Ming and said, "This young master has fallen, I accept it."

He said he accepted it, but he was not convinced in his heart, lacking a bit of backbone. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm; a gentleman's revenge is never too late.

"You contributed over a dozen cartloads of supplies, and the variety is very comprehensive. I am very satisfied. How about this: I can give you a full quantity of supplies every day, but I'm not giving them for free. You'll have to work for me."

Tian Ming smiled. Young masters usually ordered others around. Here, of course, he would make him return to his old ways.

Qiu Wuhui pondered for a moment. Work? What kind of work? Would Tian Ming be that kind? It couldn't be some back-breaking work that paid nothing, could it?

Seeing Tian Ming's face covered in smiles, Qiu Wuhui suddenly felt a little scared, so he asked, "What kind of work?"

"Of the ten bodyguards you brought, you can choose three to join the patrol team. The Shelter is quite large, with over five hundred people. So you will participate in patrols, and if you encounter anyone fighting or not following orders, you will handle it."

Qiu Wuhui was confused and asked, "You mean, I'll be a patrol supervisor?"

"Precisely, full marks for comprehension." Tian Ming nodded.

Among the supplies Qiu Wuhui brought, there were many weapons, including smoke grenades and some stun guns. These non-lethal weapons were much better than the crossbows currently used by the patrol team.

So, he replicated more than a dozen of them and distributed them to the patrol team. After all, stun guns could quickly incapacitate people without causing fatalities.

For the early stages of the Shelter, they were very useful for stabilizing the situation and establishing rules.

Qiu Wuhui was also sensible, nodding and saying, "Alright, I agree. I'll be the captain of your patrol team. But I brought ten skilled fighters; you're only giving me three?"

Tian Ming smiled. Had this young master still not recognized the situation? He now had nothing, yet he still thought of himself as a young master?

"Seven of your ten bodyguards will go to Gouzi. They'll be responsible for collecting supplies, going into the city every few days. Young Master Qiu, recognize the situation. You have nothing now. How can you afford to support so many bodyguards?"

"What about my mother and my sister? And those six women I brought?"

"Your mother and your sister are now under Dr. Wu's care. As for those women of yours, unfortunately, Gouzi asked, and they are no longer willing to follow you."

Qiu Wuhui immediately became enraged. Damn it, he had thought Tian Ming wouldn't be so ruthless. But he didn't expect Tian Ming to strip him of everything.

These women Qiu Wuhui brought were originally gold-diggers. They followed Qiu Wuhui because, in the Apocalypse, he could provide them with safety and food.

After entering the Shelter, Qiu Wuhui was essentially bankrupt. A young master who instantly fell from grace and had a bad temper—only a fool would choose to remain his woman.

"These stinking bitches! They cried and begged me to take them out of the city, and now they treat me like this." Qiu Wuhui said through gritted teeth.

Tian Ming smiled and said, "Work hard, make something of yourself. I've given you a chance. I'm not biased, and I don't hold grudges. In the Shelter, whoever is more useful has a higher status. Young Master Qiu, a man's dignity is earned by himself. You could be arrogant in the first half of your life because of your father. Whether you can continue depends on yourself from now on."

Clatter. A stun baton was thrown in front of Qiu Wuhui. Immediately, the ropes binding him slowly dissolved and disappeared.

Qiu Wuhui, now free, looked at the stun baton on the floor, feeling lost. Whether he accepted it or not, he was no longer a young master in the Shelter.

His current status was worthless. He slowly picked up the stun baton from the ground and looked at the high and mighty Tian Ming.

"You said, whoever is more useful has a higher status."

"I said, whoever is more useful has a higher status. Dr. Wu from our Clinic currently has the highest status in the Shelter. I will fulfill all her requests because she is very difficult to replace, even I can't replace her. Think about it carefully. Once you've understood, go find Gouzi; Gouzi will arrange things for you."

Tian Ming walked out of the temporary interrogation room, secretly pleased. He found that he had become smarter; such manipulative and PUA-like words now came naturally to him. It seemed he truly had the potential to be a leader. He would just have to work harder, grow stronger, and create new glories.