55: My respect is not a bargaining chip for you to negotiate with me.

Tian Ming had already sensed the sarcasm in Chen Hu’s words; the young man, ignorant of his own limitations, clearly didn’t respect him.

Tian Ming’s expression immediately darkened. For those afraid of death, violence could force submission. But for those with knowledge and no fear of death, violence was useless.

Tian Ming looked at Chen Hu with a sneer and asked, “Are you implying that you don’t respect me?”

“No disrespect, how would I dare to disrespect you?”

Chen Hu maintained that same tone. People like him certainly had ability, but their arrogance far outweighed their skill.

“Boss, Boss, don’t be angry. Xiao Hu, quickly apologize to the Boss.” Mr. Yuan immediately panicked, his voice tinged with reprimand.

This Chen Hu was truly reckless, sticking out his neck and retorting, “Teacher Yuan, what did I do wrong? Did I not work, or did I not contribute to the Shelter?”

“Your attitude is the problem,” Mr. Yuan said sternly.

“What problem? Do I need to kneel and greet him?” Chen Hu refused to back down, maintaining his stubborn attitude.

Chen Hu’s demeanor made Mr. Yuan stomp his feet in frustration, yet he couldn’t act out. Mr. Yuan knew Chen Hu’s personality; this kid was incredibly stubborn, and if he tried to suppress him too forcefully, it would surely cause a backlash.

Tian Ming watched with cold eyes, waved his hand, and said to Mr. Yuan, “Grandpa Yuan, don’t panic, I won’t do anything to him. I suddenly feel that I’ve been too lenient in managing the Shelter. There must be many people who are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, right?”

Mr. Yuan quickly said, “Boss, Xiao Hu is really capable. If he’s properly nurtured, he’ll definitely be able to stand on his own in the future. His attitude is indeed problematic, disrespectful to the Boss. I’ll teach him a lesson when I get back.”

“He’s had too much to eat, he still has his pride. Grandpa Yuan, what’s the use of being able to stand on his own? His attitude clearly shows he doesn’t want to serve the Shelter, so let him go hungry for a few meals and wear down that pride!” Tian Ming’s words were light, but the consequences were severe.

The Shelter had a specially designated isolation room, small and only able to accommodate one person. Tian Ming had covered the walls with sound-absorbing material, making it extremely soundproof and quiet.

After staying in for an hour, one’s ears would start ringing. There was no light, no sound, and no sense of time passing. Inside, one could hear their own heartbeat, breathing, and even the sound of blood flowing.

No matter how strong someone’s ability was, if they couldn’t be used for his own purposes, Tian Ming wouldn’t show any mercy. Besides physical torment, there was also psychological torment in the world. Human will was finite; not everyone possessed an iron will.

“Boss, this is really a misunderstanding! Xiao Hu is just too young, he might not have realized the problem yet,” Mr. Yuan explained anxiously once more.

Tian Ming ignored Mr. Yuan, instead taking out his walkie-talkie and saying, “Dog, send two people to the workshop to grab this Chen Hu and lock him in the isolation room for two days.”

“So this is all you’ve got, huh?” Chen Hu’s eyes were full of disdain. Only a barbarian like Tian Ming would use such methods to force others into submission.

Tian Ming glanced at Chen Hu and said indifferently, “We’ll talk when you come out of the isolation room!”

Chen Hu was quickly led away by two people; even with Mr. Yuan’s pleas, Tian Ming remained unmoved. An attitude problem could be big or small, but Tian Ming disliked and didn’t need people who were arrogant due to their talent.

It was also because of Grandpa Yuan Weijie’s good relationship with Chen Hu that Tian Ming showed leniency. He had recently tinkered with and synthesized bullet ant venom, which was extremely painful. He experimented on a few mice; they writhed on the ground in pain but didn’t die. This stuff could be used for punishment.

If ordinary people in the Shelter were disobedient, this stuff would be used. For those with culture, Tian Ming generally used psychological punishments. There were also some so-called electrotherapy methods, which caused a tingling sensation.

Managing a Shelter was actually very difficult, especially when order no longer existed worldwide. Thoughts were the hardest thing to control, and during times of chaos, there was no need to talk about reason. Steps must be unified, and absolute obedience was required.

Mr. Yuan naturally understood the Boss’s intentions; he agreed with everything Tian Ming did. The Shelter operated very healthily under his rules. But locking up Chen Hu made Mr. Yuan unhappy. To be confined just for a tone of voice, this method was too dictatorial.

“Boss, Xiao Hu is still a child. This kid and I get along very well. For us survivors of the Shelter, there are no longer any relatives around. I treat him like my own son, and I truly don’t understand your actions.” Mr. Yuan still tried to plead for Chen Hu.

“Grandpa Yuan, my punishment for him is already very light. If you feel sorry for him, then I ask you about this Shelter. Who is responsible for everyone being able to eat hot steamed buns, eat noodles, and have heating at night when they sleep?”

Mr. Yuan didn’t know how to answer, and after a long while, he slowly said, “It’s because of the Boss!”

“Chen Hu is a child in your eyes, am I not a child in your eyes? I’m only a year or two older than him. If someone has a little ability, they can question me. Then let him be the boss of this Shelter. Grandpa Yuan, you need to think clearly. I am responsible for everyone in the entire Shelter, not just for him.”

“I understand, Boss! I understand.” Mr. Yuan was speechless and could only nod repeatedly. The snow outside was falling so heavily; if Tian Ming abandoned his responsibilities, these people might not even survive the winter.

“Grandpa Yuan, I also have my youthful vigor. No matter if my decision is right or wrong, even if it’s unreasonable, you must unconditionally execute it for me. You cannot question me in this Shelter; don’t say I’m a dictator, because all your lives are in my hands. I respect you, I give you face, but this respect and face are not bargaining chips for you to negotiate with me, understand?”

Tian Ming left these words and walked out of the workshop, leaving Mr. Yuan in a daze.

He could only sigh. The Boss’s words were pearls of wisdom; he was right, the lives of everyone in the Shelter were in his hands. They only had to obey. Whether they gained respect and face depended on how much of a role they could play.

Although the Boss was only in his early twenties, his mind was more mature than that of an average young person. But it was tough for Xiao Hu; that kid was just a hothead.

After leaving the workshop, it was almost dinnertime. He pondered for a moment, then turned and entered the cafeteria. The cafeteria’s menu was very limited. There were still no fresh vegetables, but there was meat, mostly cured and smoked, all dried goods.

Besides the dining hall, the cafeteria also had three private rooms in the back. Tian Ming went directly into a private room.

Liu Zhizhi, the person in charge of the kitchen, quickly came to greet him. The Boss almost never ate in the cafeteria because everyone knew he could synthesize food himself, so the Boss was rarely seen in the cafeteria.

“Boss, what would you like to eat?”