Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

As Ye Wan's prestige within the team grew, Ye Ershun's jealousy and resentment intensified. He felt suffocated by his sister's authority and was filled with resentment. He believed he was the one who deserved respect within the team, not Ye Wan, an "ordinary woman." So, he quietly approached some members who had negative opinions about Ye Wan, attempting to undermine their trust in her and gradually establish his own influence within the team.

Ye Ershun's first target was those members who felt unfairly allocated tasks or resources. That evening, he quietly approached a young man in the hunting team who had been complaining. He began with a nonchalant tone, "Have you ever noticed that we go out hunting every day, working ourselves to death, yet we don't necessarily eat more than those doing the easier work? Ye Wan, on the other hand, always makes everything perfectly clear, forcing everyone to obey her, as if she truly wants to be a 'leader.'"

The young man hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly agreed, "I do feel the distribution is unfair sometimes, but what Miss Wan did does make sense... After all, her arrangements were quite thoughtful."

Seeing the other party's hesitation, Ye Ershun smiled calmly and continued to provoke in a low voice: "Thoughtful? Do you really think she is doing this for the benefit of everyone? Or for her own prestige? Have you ever thought about how good it feels for her to be a 'leader'? No matter how hard we work, she only needs to say a few words and everyone has to listen to her. How can anyone else take the lead?"

These words seeped into the young man's heart layer by layer. He seemed to begin to waver and couldn't help but frown, thinking about something.

Over the next few days, Ye Ershun, through opportunities to interact with certain members, gradually instilled in them the idea that Ye Wan was exploiting everyone for her own benefit. He emphasized, "We can organize ourselves; we don't need a 'leader' to direct us. We're all adults, why do we have to be dictated to by others?" He used these words to incite those who were dissatisfied or tired of Ye Wan's arrangements, implying that Ye Wan was simply exploiting everyone's labor to build her own reputation.

He even said directly: "I plan to lead some people and do things my own way. Anyone who wants to join me can come and work together. We will have more freedom in distribution and don't have to obey orders on everything."

Ye Ershun's words cast doubt on some members, especially those who were dissatisfied with Ye Wan's daily arrangements. They began to think that perhaps they could break free from their current situation and no longer need to be directed and arranged. For a time, private discussions among the few people gradually increased, and some even began to secretly echo Ye Ershun, discussing how to act "spontaneously" in daily affairs.

However, Ye Wan was keenly aware of signs of disharmony within the team. She noticed that some of the previously harmonious team members had become distant, and some even displayed a clear lack of slackness in their mission. A sense of alarm welled up in her, realizing that Ershun's family might be secretly fomenting discontent and attempting to weaken the team's cohesion.

At one point, Ye Wan overheard a few people whispering about whether they should continue to follow her instructions. She knew that if division began to spread, the stability of the team would be greatly threatened, and everyone's efforts could be wasted. She had to find a way to reunite everyone.

Ye Wan decided to resolve this crisis with a gentle yet forceful approach. She patiently observed and identified those who were interested in aligning with Ershun, then proactively sought opportunities to communicate with them and understand their true intentions. She didn't directly mention Ye Ershun, but instead expressed concern by asking about their feelings within the team, focusing on their needs and listening to their concerns.

During the conversation, she remained calm and humble, and said sincerely, "I've seen everyone's hard work and understand how difficult it is. I just hope that we can all work together to get through this difficult time. Every task I arrange is to ensure the safety and future of the team. If there is anything that makes you uncomfortable, please feel free to tell me and we can improve together."

Her gentleness and thoughtfulness reassured some skeptical members, who even felt their earlier complaints were unjustified. Many realized that Ye Wan was never condescending, and that all her decisions were made with everyone's survival and future in mind. Her attitude made them realize that they weren't being exploited, but were truly cared for and valued.

Meanwhile, Ye Wan didn't directly retaliate against Ye Ershun's actions. She knew that direct confrontation could lead to deeper divisions. Instead, she chose to continue using practical actions and care to address discontent within the team. She reassigned some tasks, assigning lighter tasks to those with less physical strength and assigning more important responsibilities to those who were physically stronger and less likely to complain about the work. This way, everyone felt valued and recognized in their work, reducing any sense of unfairness.

Over the next few days, Ye Wan organized an open "Team Exchange Meeting." She encouraged everyone to share their thoughts and suggestions about team life, stating frankly, "We're all part of this team, and everyone's ideas are crucial to our shared future. If you have any complaints or opinions, please feel free to raise them. I will do my best to ensure everyone's comfort."

This candid and transparent communication brought her team members closer. Her words, devoid of any commanding tone, made everyone feel like a valued member of the team, truly involved in decision-making. This openness and inclusiveness helped many regain their trust and feel a sense of belonging.

While Ye Wan's efforts gradually alleviated some discontent, Ye Ershun continued to secretly instigate, attempting to further escalate the divisive forces. Ye Wan took no chances with Ye Ershun's constant provocations. She knew these divisive sentiments had to be addressed in the bud, otherwise they could lead to deeper rifts within the group. She secretly resolved to continue using her wisdom and patience to stabilize the group and not give Ershun's group any opportunity to truly divide the group.

She knows that true leadership isn't just about directing; it's about getting everyone to willingly participate and contribute. She believes that as long as she continues to be inclusive and sincere, most people will understand her original intention, fostering greater unity within the team and moving toward true stability.