They didn't have to wait long before the five assistants filed into the office, taking their seats around her large desk.
Looking at the five wonderfully created beings sitting in front of her, Zhao Yuan took a moment to collect herself, swallowing quietly before she finally spoke up.
"Good morning," she began, leaning forward and resting her hands flat on the smooth desk surface. "I called you all in here because we have a lot of ground to cover today."
She looked at each of them in turn, outlining their basic schedule. "Ben will be taking charge of his assigned area today and coordinating directly with Liu Han. Meanwhile, Tom and I will be heading out to a new location."
Taking a deep breath, she leaned in slightly to explain the roster. "After discussing our approach, Tom and I concluded that we need two of you to accompany us to the second site: Cindy and Mike."
At the sound of their names, both Cindy and Mike locked their attention onto her.
"My plan is for Cindy to eventually take full administrative charge of that zone once it's established, so you need to familiarize yourself with the territory from the start," Zhao Yuan explained to her, before turning to the quiet enforcer beside her. "Mike, you'll be coming along to help us secure the perimeter and settle the population. Once everything is stabilized, you'll return with us."
She then shifted her gaze to the remaining two. "As for Leah and Ann, the two of you will be in charge of running this main shelter today. Please try your best to work together smoothly. But if you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out to me through the terminal link, and I'll send someone back to assist."
Leaning back in her heavy leather chair, Zhao Yuan looked around the circle. "Do you have any questions or concerns?"
Silence settled over the room for a brief second as they digested their orders. Then, Tom cleared his throat softly, adjusting his suit jacket as he spoke up on behalf of the group.
"Boss, you don't need to worry about our coordination," Tom said, his voice calm, steady, and reassuring. "We were all brought here with a single purpose—to execute your directives and ensure the expansion of this territory. Regardless of where each of us is stationed, following your orders and maintaining complete synergy is our highest priority."
He looked around the desk at his peers, his tone firm yet warm. "We work as one unit under your command. Isn't that right?"
"Absolutely," Ben immediately chimed in with a confident, cheerful grin. "You can leave the sector coordination with Liu Han entirely to me, Boss. We'll have those logistics running like clockwork by noon."
"I'll keep the main shelter locked down and running smoothly with Ann," Leah added, sharing a resolute nod with Ann sitting beside her. "No issues will breach these walls while you're away."
Cindy sat up a little straighter, a spark of quiet determination in her eyes as she looked at Zhao Yuan. "Thank you for the trust, Boss. I'll make sure I learn the layout of the second location inside out today."
Mike simply gave a single, firm nod of agreement, his expression sharp and ready for deployment.
Seeing the complete alignment and absolute loyalty among the five of them, Zhao Yuan felt a wave of relief wash over her. A genuine, warm smile touched her lips as she tapped the desk once.
"Good," she said softly. "Then let's get to work."
Watching them leave, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of satisfaction at having such reliable, obedient subordinates. She stood up from her desk and turned her attention to Tom, who was still looking immaculate in his suit, and Cindy, who was wearing a soft, casual dress.
"Since the situation at that second location might be tricky, could you both please change into tactical, combat-ready clothes before we head out?" she asked them gently. "Meet me at the terminal when you're ready."
Leaving the office alongside a silent, composed Mike, Zhao Yuan stepped through the terminal interface.
The familiar stainless-steel kitchen of her mobile restaurant unit materialized around them. She gave Mike a quick nod and immediately got to work at the prep counters. By the time Tom and Cindy returned, both now outfitted in sleek, functional tactical gear, Zhao Yuan had already loaded the warmers and pressed the system's operational button to open the service window.
Outside, scattered across the desolate wasteland, the cold silence was broken by the sudden, low mechanical hum of the restaurant gateway. The starving, hopeless refugees froze, their eyes widening at the familiar sound, before scrambling frantically across the dusty ground toward the glowing structure.
And so, Zhao Yuan's grueling workday began.
For hours, she worked tirelessly alongside her crew, handing out warm meals, managing the restless crowd at the counter, and maintaining an unshakeable, calm presence.
Finally, as the rush subsided and the official meal service period came to an end, the service window shuttered closed. They could at last transition to the second phase of their plan.
While Zhao Yuan and Cindy stayed behind to sanitize the kitchen and clean up the dining space, Tom and Mike stepped out into the harsh sunlight, heading into the surrounding wastes to scout for potential shelter locations and identify prospective Cell Captains among the gathered crowd.
Outside, Tom and Mike looked completely out of place with their clean, healthy appearances as they navigated the dusty terrain. They walked around for a bit before stopping one of the disheveled survivors to ask a question that would determine the course of the rest of their day.
"Is there any shelter around here?" Tom asked politely, directing a pleasant smile toward the dusty, messy-looking man.
The man froze, clutching his empty food container tightly to his chest as he stared at them in clear fear, his mind frantically contemplating how he ought to answer.