"So, you're saying all these supplies belong to the Commander?"
Anis's mouth fell wide open, almost big enough to fit an egg.
This was too unbelievable!
"Pretty much."
Just as Mo Chen finished speaking, he saw a figure lunging toward him. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and pressed his hand against her face to stop her.
"Wow! Doesn't this mean we're going to be rich?!"
Anis was beyond excited.
She didn't even care about Mo Chen's hand on her face—she just kept pushing forward like a pig rooting for cabbage.
"If we sell these to the Ark, imagine how much money we could make!"
"Money is all you think about."
Mo Chen pushed her away and gave her an exasperated look.
"These vegetables are not for sale."
"Stingy! Selling a little wouldn't hurt." Anis pouted.
"Do you think this is enough to go around?" Mo Chen said helplessly.
"With so many people in the base, this is barely enough to feed them."
Clearly, she had no idea how expensive maintaining an entire base could be.
Anis froze for a moment, struggling to process what she just heard.
"Commander, you mean… you're giving all of this to everyone?"
"That's right."
Mo Chen nodded. "From now on, the outpost won't eat Splendamin anymore. We're switching to fresh vegetables and grains."
Anis stepped closer and placed her hand against her forehead, then pressed it against Mo Chen's head.
"No fever… hmm?"
"Get lost."
He swatted her hand away.
"Commander, are you serious? Do you even realize how much this stuff could sell for?"
Anis looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
It was such a great opportunity to make a fortune, and yet he was just giving it away?
"It's not about the money," Mo Chen replied, shaking his head. "Starting today, everyone at the outpost—no exceptions—will eat this. Splendamin is to be sealed away for now."
The reason was simple.
The composition of Splendamin was far too complicated to analyze, and there was no guarantee they weren't made of something horrifying—like human tissue.
Or worse, they could be some kind of nutrient slurry derived from corpses, like in The Matrix.
The very thought made Mo Chen nauseous.
"Commander, are you sure about this? You're giving it to Nikkes."
Anis tried to confirm again.
"It's too luxurious for them."
"Aren't you a Nikke too?" Mo Chen rolled his eyes at her.
Just then, the door to the command room creaked open.
Everyone turned to look and froze.
Standing at the entrance was Syuen.
She was still wearing her tattered clothes—the sleeves torn and patched with straps. Although her hair had been combed, it was still a bit messy, and her skin bore some dirt stains that hadn't been cleaned off.
Mo Chen glanced at the time and frowned.
"You're this late?"
What surprised everyone was that Syuen didn't even talk back. Normally, she'd be cursing him out by now.
Mo Chen waved her away with a look of disdain.
"Go change your clothes and take a shower. You stink."
His disgusted tone nearly made Syuen explode.
That broken dorm she'd been thrown into didn't even have electricity or water—how was she supposed to wash up?
Syuen prided herself on cleanliness, so not being able to shower was practically torture.
But now, left with no choice, she could only grit her teeth and endure.
"I'll take her," Rapi said, unable to watch any longer. She led Syuen away to clean up.
After they left, Anis immediately scooted closer, lowering her voice.
"Commander, what's up with her?"
"Reeducation through labor."
"Huh?"
"Labor reforming."
"You're kidding, right?" Anis was stunned. "Aren't you worried she'll take revenge? And what about the Ark? Those guys aren't exactly pushovers. If they find out, won't they come after you?"
"If I were afraid of her taking revenge, she wouldn't still be alive." Mo Chen wasn't concerned.
"As for the Ark, I already sent a message. They won't do anything."
Anis gave him a thumbs-up.
An hour Later, Syuen returned.
She had changed into simple, clean clothes. Her skin had been washed, and her hair—still slightly damp—looked softer and fluffier after being blow-dried.
Syuen wasn't ugly. On the contrary, she was actually quite pretty.
Her fair skin, violet eyes that sparkled like morning stars, and delicate nose and lips made her features exceptionally striking.
A single beauty mark beneath her eye added a touch of allure.
She was petite, with slender arms and legs. Though young and somewhat immature, her figure had already begun to develop.
Her previous bizarre hairstyle had downplayed her beauty, but now that her "seal" had been lifted, it elevated her entire appearance to another level.
The only thing reducing her "beauty value" was her personality and demeanor.
"Now, go clean up. Wipe the tables and mop the floors."
Mo Chen leaned back in his chair, casually giving orders to Syuen.
She was stunned.
"You want me to clean?"
She had never done any chores in her entire life! And now he was making her clean?
Mo Chen gestured toward the door.
"You can also choose not to."
A threat! A blatant threat!
Syuen was furious.
Did he think she would just give in because he scared her a little? What did he take her for?!
So, naturally, she went to clean.
Too weak!
Syuen hated herself. Why couldn't she even put up a fight?
After a while, he noticed Syuen standing there awkwardly, frozen and flustered. He frowned.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to get punished?"
Syuen panicked when she saw his dark expression. Her voice trembled.
"I-I don't know how…"
"Figure it out. Nobody's born knowing how to clean."
Mo Chen had someone fetch her a rag and a mop.
Since cleaning was usually done by robots, it actually took some effort to find those old-fashioned tools.
Syuen fumed but had no choice. She begrudgingly started wiping the tables.
"Clean properly. I'm going to check later," Mo Chen warned.
Anis, watching the scene, felt a chill run down her spine. She quietly leaned toward Mo Chen.
"Commander, you don't think she's going to hold a grudge, do you?"
Mo Chen turned to Syuen, who was wiping the table.
"Anis wants to know if you'll hold a grudge."
Syuen froze.
"N-no, I won't."
Grudge? She wanted everyone here dead!
Mo Chen turned back to Anis.
"See? She said she won't."
Anis couldn't believe what she was hearing. She kicked Mo Chen lightly in the leg.
"You're just going to believe that? What if she comes back later and takes revenge? Commander, this is all on you—you better take responsibility."
Mo Chen smirked.
"Take responsibility? That sounds sketchy. She's not even sixteen yet."