The boy's mother and grandmother were visibly anxious. His grandmother, in particular, was furious. She rushed over, pulling the boy into her arms while scolding Chen Wan.
"He's just a child! Why are you arguing with him? It was only a hug! My grandson doesn't even mind you being dirty, and you still dared to push him?"
She held Cheng Cheng close, fussing over him as if he were a toddler—despite the fact that he was already eight years old.
Jia Xuan frowned and shot Chen Wan a cold glare. Sensing the tension, his younger brother Jia Long quickly stepped in, positioning himself behind him, ready to act if needed.
With two male alphas on their side, Jia Xuan's confidence swelled. Across from them stood only two female alphas, an Omega, and a woman holding a child—someone he dismissed entirely.
They had no idea what had happened at the base gate. At most, they felt Chen Wan and the red-haired man might be connected.
But to Jia Xuan, none of that mattered.
His son had been wronged, and in front of a group of women no less. The humiliation burned in his chest—he had to reclaim his pride.
"I was being polite because you're a woman," Jia Xuan said, lifting his greasy chin. "Apologize to my son and make him happy, and we'll let this go. Otherwise… don't blame me for being rough."
Chen Wan let out a cold sneer. She didn't bother replying.
She stepped forward and drove a punch straight into Jia Xuan's face.
The impact sent him flying backward into the crowd inside the tent, crashing into someone else.
Jia Long froze, unable to process what had just happened—his strong, imposing brother had been sent flying with a single punch.
Before he could react, a sharp pain exploded across his cheek.
Chen Wan's fist struck him just as cleanly, sending him sprawling.
Cheng Cheng, still in his grandmother's arms, stared in shock. Seeing his father and uncle beaten so easily, he was too stunned to even cry.
His grandmother and mother, however, rushed forward in a frenzy, shrieking as they lunged at Chen Wan.
Chen Wan grabbed them both with ease and flung them into the tent. They hit the ground hard, groaning.
The boy, who had been throwing a tantrum moments ago, was now frozen in fear.
Chen Wan glanced at him. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the entire tent.
"If you want to spoil your little prince, do it yourselves. To me, he's nothing more than a dispensable brat."
Her gaze swept across the others.
"We don't want to be disturbed. If you don't want to die, stay away. And if anyone insists on courting death… we'll see it through."
With that, she picked the boy up and tossed him back toward his family's spot.
Cheng Cheng yelped in pain and shock, bursting into loud sobs.
The old woman, now thoroughly frightened, didn't dare charge forward again. Instead, she hurried to check on her sons with her daughter-in-law.
Jia Xuan's face had swollen badly, several teeth knocked out. His features were so distorted he barely looked human.
Jia Long wasn't any better—his mouth was full of blood, his face twisted from the blow.
Their family burned with anger but didn't dare speak, helping them up in silence.
"I told you not to cause trouble…" the old woman wailed, her voice trembling. "Look at you now! Beaten like this… Where's the justice? My sons… my grandson…"
Encouraged by her crying, Cheng Cheng began sobbing loudly again.
Chen Wan watched coldly, unable to understand what they were crying for.
They had been the ones acting aggressively from the start.
If she hadn't been capable, wouldn't they have been the ones suffering instead?
Using the child as an excuse to get close—wasn't it obvious what they were thinking? They simply assumed her group was easy prey.
Around the tent, some people were already annoyed—especially by the boy's constant noise.
Before, everyone had been evenly matched, so no one dared stir conflict.
But now, things had changed.
With both alphas badly injured, some people no longer held back.
The tall, thin man who had been talking earlier spoke up first.
"Enough crying. Keep your brat quiet—can't even get a moment of peace."
"Yeah," someone else added. "Can't you control your own kid? This isn't the world from before."
"Treating him like a prince? Keep this up and you'll all die sooner."
The atmosphere in the tent was heavy, filled with suppressed hostility.
Whatever comfort people had hoped to find in the base never materialized.
Instead, there was inequality everywhere. People had to work endlessly for points just to exchange for food. The military's daily ration was barely enough for one meal.
But no one blamed them.
Transporting supplies was dangerous, and many soldiers never returned. Meanwhile, more and more survivors poured into Funan City Base.
Being able to eat once a day was already considered fortunate.
The old woman, usually sharp-tongued, fell silent under the cold remarks.
Jia Xuan and Jia Long rinsed their mouths with clean water, their pain turning into anger.
Suddenly, Jia Xuan stood and slapped his wife.
"I work my ass off to feed you, and this is how you raise the kid? Almost got me killed!" he spat, his words slurred through missing teeth. "Damn it… hurts like hell."
He kicked her as well.
She lowered her head, not daring to argue.
The scene drew a faint chuckle from Chen Wan.
The tent fell quiet again.
"What a talent," she said lightly. "Taking it out on your wife. If you've got the guts, come at me."
Jia Xuan immediately shut up, sitting down and covering his face, trying to make himself invisible.
Jiang Yanxin watched everything unfold, unease tightening in her chest.
Noticing her expression, Chen Wan gently took her hand.
"Don't worry. As soon as we get news, we'll find them and leave. I don't like it here either."
Jiang Yanxin nodded softly. "Chen Wan… I have a bad feeling. I'm afraid…"
She trailed off, but Chen Wan understood.
"I'm here," she said firmly. "No matter what happens, we face it together."
She gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Jiang Yanxin leaned against her shoulder, still restless.
In a place like this, it was impossible not to worry—especially with her sister's looks drawing attention.
Nearby, Yi Yi held Yang Yang and noticed the little girl had been unusually quiet.
She gently rocked her. "Yang Yang, why aren't you playing today? Want me to tell you a story?"
The child lifted her head slightly, glancing around nervously before whispering, "Auntie… we can't talk loudly outside. The bad people will catch us and throw us away."
Yi Yi's expression softened.
"I'm here. No one will take you away," she said gently. "How about I tell you the story of the little white rabbit?"
Tempted, Yang Yang turned to look at Chen Wan.
Chen Wan smiled reassuringly. "Go ahead and listen. Mommy's here. You don't need to be afraid."
Seeing that familiar warmth, Yang Yang finally relaxed.
"Okay…"
Yi Yi began her story, her voice soft and steady. She had endless tales to tell, and soon the child nestled comfortably in her arms, listening with quiet focus.
The tension in the tent gradually eased. Aside from the earlier commotion, people began talking again.
By noon, Chen Wan's group took out some food.
Cookies were passed around, and then two cans of luncheon meat were opened.
The rich smell immediately drew attention.
"That group… they're like walking treasure," a dark-faced, heavyset man muttered, staring at his dry bun with distaste. "I haven't had meat in ages…"
"Just smell it and be grateful," the crew-cut man whispered. "When I stepped out earlier, I heard something—those four women took down Er Hu's group at the gate."
"What?" the tall, thin man blinked. "Er Hu got beaten?"
"Not just beaten," the crew-cut man said, lowering his voice, fear flashing in his eyes. "Killed. All nine of them. Not one left. And only two of those women made a move."
The others stared, stunned.
"You're joking…"
"I'm not," he insisted. "Even Red Hair knelt to the woman in the army-green shirt. She's not someone you mess with."
The heavyset man swallowed hard. "Then… we'd better behave. Don't even look their way."
Back at Chen Wan's side, Yi Yi took a token piece of a cookie.
She didn't need to eat, so the rest was divided among the others. Chen Wan and Jiang Yanxin each took half a can of luncheon meat, while Qin Ke and Yang Yang shared the other.
Now relaxed, the little girl happily took big bites, her earlier fear fading.
They ate quickly, staying alert in case anything happened.
Meanwhile, Red Hair, still shaken, gathered a few of his men and began searching for reinforcements.
They first checked Zone C but found no trace of the usual thugs.
With no other choice, he shifted his search to Zone D.
He needed to find them fast.
That woman… was like a walking god of death.
And he absolutely could not afford to cross her.