There were still people standing outside. Matthew Lee didn't dare say much more and quickly fished out a neatly folded note from his pocket, handing it over:

"Here's the list of Inspectors still in the Buffer Zone. I've distinguished between things; see for yourself."

He unfolded a corner of the note.

Seeing a few Eastern People's names listed under the Westerners' camp, Cheng Ye's expression slightly hardened, and he discreetly folded the note back:

"Thanks."

"What are you thanking me for?" Matthew Lee grinned, though there was no smile in his eyes. "Just don't forget today's favor when you become the station chief in the future."

With that, he turned around and walked out, his steps brisk, as if staying a second longer might bring trouble—decisive and without delay.

Watching his figure disappear from view, Cheng Ye tucked the note into his pants pocket, pondering silently.

The current version of the checkpoint is "Faction Stand."

The few Fifth-stage Inspectors at the top are locked in a fierce struggle for the duty station chief position, with those below having no way to intervene and only fretting from the side.

Yet Ding Yishan suddenly held a meeting to "cultivate new blood," effectively shifting the focus of the power storm onto him, the Intern Inspector.

Regardless of the Fourth or Fifth-phase, those First or Second-phase Inspectors surely wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Even if it's just to show their face, it's a safe bet with nothing to lose.

After all, if he really can make it through, as Matthew Lee said, his power would rival that of a duty station chief, and any leftover resources would be enough for them to feast on.

But the problem is, the first person to step out and approach the center of the storm shouldn't have been Matthew Lee.

Cheng Ye asked himself sincerely; his acquaintance with Matthew Lee wasn't that deep, and while Cheng Long was alive, he also had no dealings with this "old fox."

Faction?

Ideology?

Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow, having already figured out the answer in his heart.

Matthew Lee was evidently not a die-hard of the Western Faction, nor could he be Ding Yishan's confidant.

Otherwise, let alone Harlem, even the entire Westerner group wouldn't tolerate him.

"Who would have thought that this old sly fox is actually... half an Initial Heart Faction?"

Cheng Ye couldn't help but sigh deeply, sitting up straight.

A full-fledged Initial Heart Faction holds the ideology that the residents of the Buffer Zone are as important as the checkpoint's defensive line, complementing each other, neither to be abandoned.

But a half Initial Heart Faction is different; their sole obsession is to guard the checkpoint's barrier, not for faction fights, nor for power transitions, only so that the people in Shelter City can live an extra day.

Perhaps they never actively pick sides, sometimes even deliberately assuming a 'mixed day' stance.

Yet at crucial moments, they always help those "who can still get things done" in their way.

"Could it be that Matthew Lee thinks I'm someone who can get things done?"

Following this line of thought, he suddenly remembered.

On the day they met, it was after he finished inspecting the four brothers that Matthew Lee approached on his own.

Before that, even though they both had some idle time at noon, there was no contact.

"Quite an interesting character."

Cheng Ye muttered to himself.

Someone else walked in at the door, and he looked up to see a familiar horse face.

"Uncle Zhou, oh, why have you come too?"

Zhou Changhai was holding a large, transparent bag, bulging, not with supplements, but with books.

There were old, yellowed magazines from the past, as well as hand-written bound books on dealing with the Infected Body.

There seemed to be no less than thirty or fifty books, clearly having been specially informed of his hobbies before coming.

"Cheng Ye, why didn't you tell Uncle Zhou about your injury?"

Zhou Changhai placed the bag of books on the table, quickly moved to the bedside, grasped his hand, his voice slightly trembling, eyes slightly red, "You don't know, when the station chief notified us this morning, Uncle Zhou was almost scared out of his wits... Your father passed early, so our checkpoint has to take good care of you no matter what."

"The fault in this incident lies with us Fifth-stage Inspectors for not protecting you newcomers properly. Don't worry, this kind of thing will never happen again!"

These words were said loudly, and the few First-phase Inspectors who rushed over outside immediately clicked their tongues.

As expected of a Fifth-stage; the level is truly high.

If it were them sitting inside hearing these words, they might immediately bow in gratitude.

But unexpectedly, a louder voice came from within right after.

Cheng Ye seized the opportunity to hold Zhou Changhai's hand, speaking sincerely: "Uncle Zhou, not at all. From the day we became Inspectors, hasn't the peace of the Buffer Zone been our top priority? When the infection surge comes, how can I hide behind the residents!"

In the ward, Zhou Changhai's expression froze for a moment, but soon turned into a deeper smile, patting Cheng Ye's hand firmly: "Good! Good boy! This is the right thing to say! Truly worthy of the Cheng Family, carrying the brave spirit of an Inspector in your bones!"

Just like the last confrontation.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhou Changhai told him to rest well and then turned to leave.

But at the moment of turning, Cheng Ye caught a glimpse of the smile at the corner of that horse face's eyes disappearing immediately.

"Could this guy be anxious over vying for the duty station chief?"

Cheng Ye was a bit surprised.

Matthew Lee could come over first because of their acquaintance and his slippery identity.

But Zhou Changhai was different; he should have made a grand entrance, not rush to show himself before other First and Second-phase Inspectors.

Setting the tone so high is sure to make those coming after quietly curse.

Sure enough, after Zhou Changhai left, the few Inspectors standing at the door didn't come in, but hesitated for a while and then turned to leave.

It wasn't until all three sets of his medicine were hung today that new footsteps appeared.

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