Chapter 58 Going home!

The two brothers looked remarkably alike, yet their temperaments were vastly different. Coupled with their age gap, Qi An felt that if she ever had the chance to meet Chen Xi again, she would certainly not mistake the two.

"Aren't you cold?"

After the two sat in silence for a short while, Chen Yuezhou asked.

Qi An kicked her feet slightly: "The sunlight is very warm."

Chen Yuezhou shifted his gaze away from those excessively pale and delicate feet, his hand clenching a handful of soil.

However, Qi An no longer wished to stay seated.

Sitting alone was quite relaxing, but having someone she was not very familiar with staring at her the entire time felt rather awkward.

She lifted her feet, letting them dry in the sunlight for a moment, then put on her shoes and socks and walked back to her quarters.

That day was another group meal. Tang Long had learned how to make knife-cut noodles from the farm administrator, adding beef, greens, eggs, and wild scallions. Each person received a large bowl, so fragrant it made one want to swallow one's tongue.

Yet the atmosphere this time was far from as cheerful as the last, bordering even on silence.

After all, not everyone was present anymore.

Still, in the apocalypse, everyone had to learn to face sacrifice and parting with calm indifference. After a single night, the group packed their gear and set off once more.

There was a relatively secure trade route from Central Base No. 1 to No. 3, so the convoy's travel over the next two days was relaxed.

Tang Long still seized every moment of rest to forage for various wild delicacies, and Qi An tagged along. This time, they discovered a small hill covered in blooming plum blossoms that stretched across the landscape like a spring snowstorm.

Qi An snapped off a large bunch, giving half to Yu Shuang and saving the other half for Teacher Tang.

While Yu Shuang lacked the delicate sensibilities of young girls who adored flowers and beauty, receiving the brilliant bouquet handed to her by Qi An still made her so happy she wanted to ruffle Qi An's stray tuft of hair until it went bald.

On April 3, 2055, the convoy entered Central Base No. 3!

The familiar dirt road, the familiar large iron gates—it looked far more shabby than any base they had passed along the way, yet every member of the squad felt a wave of nostalgia and excitement!

However, the area outside the base gates was much livelier than before, and both pedestrian and vehicular traffic along the main north-south thoroughfare inside the base had visibly increased, creating an atmosphere of bustling activity everywhere.

Qi An had some guesses in her heart, but even more questions.

The convoy headed straight for the Eastern Camp.

Even the entrance to the military camp was more bustling than usual, with military trucks transporting people and supplies or neatly lined-up platoons marching in and out from time to time.

Standing right in the middle of the main gates were Wei Fengduo and Liu Hui.

This was clearly to welcome the convoy, and Yu Shuang hurriedly led the others to disembark.

She stepped forward and saluted: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister, Yu Shuang of the Soaring Wind 2nd Squad leads all members having completed the supply escort mission, and has returned safely! All transported supplies and accompanying personnel are present. Please inspect, Commander-in-Chief, Minister!"

Wei Fengduo maintained his stern, dark expression, but as his gaze swept over the complete roster of the squad, as well as the battle-scarred, tattered yet massive and intact convoy, a strong sense of emotion could not be entirely concealed.

"Received. You've all worked hard!" Wei Fengduo said sincerely, with a trace of a sigh.

Liu Hui also looked over every member of the squad, her gaze calm.

"Hard work," she said as well.

Afterward, Wei Fengduo and Liu Hui turned to Qin Tianxuo and the others, inquiring about their identities and exchanging pleasantries with impeccable etiquette.

Clearly, it was because of the squads from Northern Bases 1 and 2 that these two had personally come out to welcome them.

"We're just the bonus baggage," Zhuang Xiao whispered to Qi An from behind. "Though whether we're bonuses or not doesn't really matter. Sister Qi, do you think we can still get a military medal for this trip? After all, it was such a dangerous mission, and we completed it so smoothly..."

Before Qi An could answer, a voice with an ambiguous smile cut in: "As expected of our Soaring Wind 2nd Squad, always thinking of military honors and forever striving for progress!"

Qi An and Zhuang Xiao turned back to see Wu Zuirui, dressed in crisp and immaculate military uniform, stepping out through the main gate and walking toward them.

Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him was another person, who appeared to be the chief strategist from the Command Office!

Wu Zuirui's voice was loud, and as he looked at Qi An and the other, his smile was not quite a smile.

This seemingly teasing remark caused many passing soldiers to look over.

Their gazes carried all sorts of implications, and that strategist also cast a scrutinizing glance at Zhuang Xiao.

Zhuang Xiao had never been particularly bold; pinned under that look, his entire body stiffened, and he couldn't help but hide behind Qi An.

Qi An grabbed him and saluted Wu Zuirui and his companion.

She did not take up Wu Zuirui's banter, nor did she offer any explanation. As soon as the salute was finished, she immediately made way.

Yet Wu Zuirui still smiled and asked, "What rank of merit are you hoping for this time?"

Qi An glanced at him, bypassed the answer, and instead asked, "May I ask the Regiment Commander, is it true that to claim merit, one must make extraordinary contributions on top of merely completing a mission?"

"So you do know," Wu Zuirui chuckled.

Qi An replied, "Thank you for clearing that up, Regiment Commander!"

She took a step back and said no more.

For some reason, Wu Zuirui felt a brief surge of irritation flare up. However, he had business today, so he merely cast a cold glance at Qi An and walked on ahead.

"Hurry up and tally the supplies. We still have people to wait for," he said to Liu Hui and Wei Fengduo.

Wei Fengduo silently agreed. Just as Liu Hui was about to speak, she noticed several people walking over from beside a light pickup truck at the rear of the convoy.

"I am Chen Yuezhou from the New-Born Base." Chen Yuezhou walked over with a leisurely stride and extended his hand toward Wu Zuirui.

Wu Zuirui was slightly stunned, then hurriedly shook Chen Yuezhou's hand: "Welcome! The New-Born Base's Martial God Task Force is renowned far and wide... Welcome, Commander Chen!"

He glanced at the location of Chen Yuezhou's vehicle, feeling somewhat uncertain whether Chen Yuezhou had entered the base together with the Soaring Wind 2nd Squad.

That shouldn't be right; it must have just been a coincidence that they arrived back-to-back.

He looked Chen Yuezhou over more carefully, astonished by his youth.

This was the individual personally designated by Northern Base No. 1 to serve as the battlefield commander in the upcoming major war.

Although he was one of several commanders reporting jointly to the General Headquarters, the young man before him was undoubtedly the youngest of them all.

Boundless prospects!

A trace of sourness welled up in Wu Zuirui's heart, but the smile on his face became even more enthusiastic: "The quarters for Commander Chen have already been prepared. You may go wash up and rest first, Commander Chen, and attend the meeting at the Command Headquarters this afternoon."

Chen Yuezhou nodded: "Thank you. By the way, I've brought the first batch of genetic poison gas ammunition targeted at the corruption insects, as well as a batch of anti-contamination drugs and blockers. Please have your base's logistics department inspect them."

Wu Zuirui hurriedly looked at Liu Hui. Liu Hui, who finally managed a smile at this moment, nodded and said, "We will inspect them immediately. Commander Chen can wait just a few minutes."

More logistics soldiers were called over, and the two batches of supplies were quickly verified.

However, just as Yu Shuang was about to sign and register, Liu Hui blocked the document: "Are you signing?"

She looked toward Jia Wenxuan, Yang Yuning, and Qin Tianxuo behind her.

Jia Wenxuan looked baffled, while Qin Tianxuo simply blurted out, "Who else?"

Having said that, he remembered that the person before him was a base's logistics minister with a very high military rank, so he reluctantly added:

"Commander Yu and I commanded jointly. Commander Yu holds higher authority and is fully qualified to sign on behalf of the convoy!"

This statement—"Commander Yu holds higher authority"—left Liu Hui, Wu Zuirui, and Wei Fengduo all unable to conceal their astonishment.

Liu Hui instinctively wanted to ask, "Are you joking?", but she managed to hold it back in time.

She once again sized up Yu Shuang and the rest of the squad, slowly lowered her hand, forced a smile, and said, "Then sign."

Yu Shuang almost laughed out loud, and with two swift, fluid strokes, she signed her name.

In truth, her authority was no higher than Qin Tianxuo's or the late Li Yi's, but along the journey, everyone had grown accustomed to letting her make the decisions, defaulting to her as the one in charge.

Awesome!

With the atmosphere growing slightly awkward, Wu Zuirui turned directly and said to Chen Yuezhou, "Let's go, I'll take Commander Chen to his quarters."

However, Chen Yuezhou's gaze swept past Wu Zuirui, Qi An, and the others, and he smiled: "Please wait a moment."

He shook hands with Yu Shuang, Qin Tianxuo, and the others: "Thank you all for taking care of me along the way. The knife-cut noodles were delicious!"

Yu Shuang was astonished. This man had always given her the impression of someone who looked gentler than Jiu, but was actually far more difficult to get along with than Jiu.

She hadn't expected him to be so accommodating at a crucial moment!

Qin Tianxuo shook Chen Yuezhou's hand, feeling quite honored, and grinned: "We should be the ones thanking Commander Chen for looking out for us!"

Wu Zuirui's expression stiffened slightly.

So they really *had* traveled all the way together, and they looked quite familiar with one another, like friends!

What was wrong with this 2nd Squad? Did they step in dog feces every time they went out?

Chen Yuezhou also shook hands with Qi An, gave her a deep, smiling look, and walked away with Wu Zuirui.

Xu Le took two steps away, then turned back to wave his phone at Yu Shuang and the others:

"It's settled then. We'll stay in touch via phone. Once Commander Yu has some free time, she must take us on a tour of the entire base!"

"Deal! Tomorrow or the next day, we must have a massive feast!" Yu Shuang laughed heartily.