20: Chapter 20: Clear Rewards and Punishments, Why Did My Good Sister's Eyes Turn Red?

The news of Lin Chen's "recovery" swept through the Fortress like a gale, instantly dispersing the oppressive clouds of panic. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had regained their backbone. But immediately afterwards, a more subtle atmosphere began to permeate—everyone wanted to know how their performance during the master's "grave injury" had been perceived.

Zhang Hao straightened his back, his face openly displaying pride and anticipation, like a loyal dog waiting for its master to throw a bone. Although Su Qingyu appeared calm on the surface, her tightly clenched palms were slightly sweaty. Qin Weiwei kept her head down and eyes averted, blending into the crowd, her heart in turmoil, praying that her superb acting hadn't revealed any flaws.

Lin Chen took in everyone's reactions but didn't comment immediately. Instead, he first made an inspection tour of the Fortress, checking the fortifications and material reserves. He walked slowly, observing meticulously. An intangible pressure spread with his every step, making those following him hardly dare to breathe.

It wasn't until evening that he summoned Zhang Hao, Su Qingyu, and Qin Weiwei—who "happened" to be nearby helping to inventory supplies—to the core control room.

The atmosphere in the control room was heavy. Zhang Hao was rubbing his hands together excitedly, Su Qingyu stood quietly waiting, and Qin Weiwei wore the well-behaved expression of someone genuinely overjoyed at her brother's recovery.

Lin Chen sat in the master's seat, his gaze first falling on Zhang Hao.

"Zhang Hao."

"Yes! Master!" Zhang Hao jolted, puffing out his chest and raising his head, his voice booming.

"You performed well during my 'injury'," Lin Chen said in a flat tone, but to Zhang Hao's ears, it sounded like heavenly music! "Though impulsive, your loyalty is commendable."

He casually retrieved an item from his system space—a ferocious-looking two-handed great axe. It was pitch black, with faint wisps of ghostly energy coiling around the blade. It was clearly no ordinary weapon.

**[Ghost-Headed Earth-Splitting Axe (Fine)]**: Contains Yin Evil power. Has a certain probability to tear the target's soul when striking, dealing additional damage to Bizarre Monsters and energy entities.

"This axe is your reward." Lin Chen tossed the great axe over.

Zhang Hao fumbled to catch it. The heavy weight and the cold, powerful energy emanating from the axe made him almost faint with happiness! He dropped to his knees with a thud, clutching the axe, so excited he was incoherent: "Thank you for the reward, Master! Thank you! From now on, I, Zhang Hao, will be your sharpest axe! I'll cut wherever you point!"

Lin Chen waved a hand, gesturing for him to rise.

Next, he looked at Su Qingyu.

"Su Qingyu."

"Here." Su Qingyu took a step forward, her heartbeat involuntarily quickening.

"You remained calm in the face of danger, handled the situation appropriately, and stabilized the Fortress's situation," Lin Chen's evaluation was concise and to the point. "Your managerial talent is better than I imagined."

He also took out a reward—not a weapon, but an ancient-looking silver ring set with a tiny crystal that sparkled like a star.

**[Glimmer Ring (Fine)]**: Slightly increases the wearer's mental strength and energy recovery rate. Comes with a low-level energy shield (can be automatically charged and activated once per day).

"This ring will help you with your duties." Lin Chen handed the ring over.

Su Qingyu took the ring. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and she could clearly sense the gentle energy within. This reward was practical and suited her needs, showing that Lin Chen had put thought into it. A wave of warmth and the gratification of being recognized welled up in her heart. She nodded solemnly, "Thank you. I will work even harder."

Finally, Lin Chen's gaze finally landed on Qin Weiwei, who was so nervous her palms were sweating.

Qin Weiwei immediately put on a sweet, slightly shy smile, her eyes filled with worship and dependence, as if saying: *My brother being safe is the best reward for me.*

Lin Chen looked at her, a trace of a "gentle" smile also appearing on his face.

"Weiwei."

"Brother!" Qin Weiwei responded in a sweet voice.

"You were also... very worried about me during my 'injury'," Lin Chen's tone sounded quite "moved." "You cried very sadly."

Qin Weiwei felt secret joy in her heart, but a timely blush rose to her cheeks. She lowered her head and fiddled with the hem of her clothes: "I... you're my only family left, of course I was worried..."

"Hmm, you have a good heart." Lin Chen nodded. And then... that was it.

He neither produced any tangible reward nor gave any substantive promise or increase in authority.

The air suddenly grew quiet.

Zhang Hao hugged his new axe, grinning foolishly, looking at Qin Weiwei with a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

Su Qingyu rubbed the ring on her finger, her eyes downcast, focusing on her own thoughts.

Qin Weiwei's smile stiffened. A huge wave of grievance and indignation surged within her! *Why?! That fool Zhang Hao gets an axe, Su Qingyu gets a ring. I cried so hard, acted so earnestly, and all I get is a measly 'you have a good heart'?!*

*This isn't fair!*

But she didn't dare show the slightest hint of it. She could only force an even sweeter smile, her voice even carrying a trace of a sob (this time, it was partly real): "As long as you're safe and sound, brother, Weiwei is willing to do anything. I don't need a reward..."

She truly looked pitiable.

Lin Chen, as if not hearing the grievance in her words, nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Not coveting vanity, truly a good little sister."

Qin Weiwei: "..." She felt as if a huge rock were blocking her chest, almost suffocating her.

"Alright, everyone, get back to work." Lin Chen waved his hand, ending the reward session. "Next, the Fortress may face some impacts. All departments need to stay sharp."

Zhang Hao and Su Qingyu bowed and withdrew.

Qin Weiwei also barely maintained her smile and followed them out. The moment she stepped out of the control room, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by a gaze so dark it seemed to drip water! Lin Chen's differential treatment felt like a slap, striking her face hard! Feelings of humiliation and a sense of crisis surged within her simultaneously!

Inside the control room, Lin Chen watched Qin Weiwei's departing back, the mockery at the corner of his mouth no longer concealed.

"If I don't give you a little 'motivation,' how will you work harder to deliver 'good news' to your master?"

He stood up, walked over to the huge Fortress structural diagram, and fixed his gaze on the false positions marked as "weak defense points" and "energy nodes."

"Pass the order," he said to the empty control room. "Starting today, begin large-scale reinforcement of the city defenses, especially... near Zone B7. Make a big show of it, make it seem like we're very 'panicked.'"

"Yes!" A cold reply echoed in the air.

The war machine that was the Fortress began to operate even more efficiently according to Lin Chen's will. On the surface, it was intense preparation for battle. In the shadows, a deadly noose was being quietly slipped around the enemy's neck.

And Qin Weiwei, who believed she had suffered a grievous injustice, indeed did not "disappoint" Lin Chen's expectations. Returning to her room, gnashing her teeth, she once again activated the shadow recording worm. She transmitted the "important intelligence"—"Lin Chen seems to have recovered from his serious injury but his strength is not fully restored; panic within the Fortress; currently focusing on reinforcing the false energy core area"—along with the resentment brought on by the "humiliation" she had suffered.

She believed this "timely assistance" intelligence would surely win her higher appreciation and rewards from the cult!