He glanced at the wounded on the ground, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Not lining up obediently at the Central Inspection Station, but insisting on staying here, it boils down to wanting to exploit the situation. This group of parasites, even if they return to Happiness City, they are still useless; better to die outside cleanly than to come back and harm the Buffer Zone."

Cheng Ye remained somewhat silent, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.

The young men in the front row, who looked like hooligans, were mostly filled with anxiety, cursing furiously, undeserving of sympathy.

Middle-aged men shrugged their shoulders, their eyes dodging, just like Matthew Lee said, exploiting the situation, not daring to meet his gaze.

The few elderly people constantly wiping their tears appeared rather pitiful.

But finally, his eyes settled on the women holding children, seeing the panic in the women's eyes and the fear in the children's eyes.

"Among them, perhaps there really are those who have nowhere else to turn."

Cheng Ye's voice was very low, as if talking to himself, "If they were forced out by danger and now want to come back, it's not surprising."

But who would have expected that Matthew Lee, who usually wore the guise of a lowlife and greeted him with a smile, still had a cold face, "Nowhere to turn? Who's not at their wit's end in the Buffer Zone? Of those who stayed, who hasn't endured a few life-and-death struggles? When they decided to pack up and leave, why didn't they consider the benefits of the Buffer Zone?"

These words were very firm.

It's the most serious thing Matthew Lee has said since they met.

But since guessing he was half from the Initial Heart Faction, Cheng Ye wasn't surprised and could understand Matthew Lee's thoughts at this moment.

Fairness is very hard.

But Matthew Lee, indeed, was maintaining fairness.

It's fairness for everyone in the Buffer Zone who hasn't left, and for those heading to the Central Inspection Station to line up honestly.

Seeing him silent, Matthew Lee paused and softened his tone a bit, though still with undeniable firmness: "Cheng Ye, it's not surprising you're softhearted encountering such a thing as soon as you arrive. In my third year on duty, I wasn't much better than you, always thinking these people were pitiful, thinking everyone had unspeakable difficulties, wanting to help if possible."

"But remember, Happiness City has persisted on the Wasteland not because of anyone's mercy, but because of rules."

"The rule established back then for re-entry through the newcomer process after renouncing citizenship was meant to make everyone think carefully when making decisions, and once they step out of the Buffer Zone, they shouldn't expect to step on their old footprints when they return."

"And being soft on those who break the rules is cruel to those who follow them."

"Allowing one opportunist in today will result in ten, a hundred following tomorrow. By then, the Inspection Station will be like a sieve, with infected bodies, refugees, and all sorts of things flooding in, and you, I, and those who stayed obeying the rules, will all die."

Rules.

Indeed, a weighty word.

Cheng Ye said nothing more and turned to sit back behind the alloy table.

"Cheng Ye, what I just said has no other meaning, let's not let it affect our relationship."

Matthew Lee came over again, wearing a familiar smile on his face, "You're a newcomer, acting like this is normal; it would be strange if you could be as cold-hearted as me."

"If you want to change all this, then strive to become the station head and expand the Central Inspection Station so it can accommodate three thousand, five thousand people a day, and there won't be these problems."

"No need to comfort me, I can figure it out."

Cheng Ye waved his hand, understanding such logic wasn't beyond him.

It's just that after interacting more with the people of Celestial Essence Community these days, he's become accustomed to seeing the hardships of ordinary people, always thinking of ways to help a little more.

And going the route of the Idealist Faction, it's easy to overlook these rigid rules, always thinking of putting people first.

But sitting in the Inspection Station, one needs a heart of stone, prioritizing the Inspector's responsibility and the rules of the Inspection Station.

"Alright then, get ready for your duty, there are a lot of refugees here, and over there it's probably all residents, you need to check carefully."

With only five minutes left till nine, the vehicles in the front line were already starting up.

Cheng Ye paused, waited for the emotions in his heart to completely dissipate, then picked up the Defense Communication to make a call.

"Brother Cheng?"

"Which zone were you assigned to?"

"Quarantine Zone B, seems like I'm inspecting residents!"

Wang Kang's voice carried a hint of excitement, "But I'm still here handling paperwork, haven't gone over yet."

Newcomers directly to Zone B?

In usual times, the risk level could not be higher.

But given today's circumstances, it's actually good, provided he knows the rules inside in advance.

Cheng Ye quickly recapped what Matthew Lee had just said, surprisingly, the staff at South Station had already informed Wang Kang beforehand.

"I know, following the rules is the only way to survive!"

"Good!"

Hanging up the phone, Cheng Ye breathed a sigh of relief, it seems South Station indeed took good care of the Eastern People.

And judging from Wang Kang, it seems South Station's Zone E is not guarded by second-generation rich kids, but by actual staff.

This is good, it aligns with his vision of what an Inspection Station should be like.

As he pondered, a bell rang inside the Inspection Station, it was nine o'clock!

Cheng Ye took a deep breath, looking at the Big Golden Cup slowly driving into the passage, his eyes became sharp once again.

The final shift at North Station had begun.

"Halt, newcomers."

Cheng Ye stood up and shouted powerfully.

The Big Golden Cup came to a steady stop in front of the gate, and a short-statured man pushed the door open and got out.

Just one glance at the man's face made Cheng Ye raise an eyebrow; he had never seen anyone's eyebrows grow into two tufts of lush green grass.

And the man's first words further startled him, barely able to maintain a neutral expression.

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