186: Meet

After the first inspection process, Fang Yun, Toke, and Valentine were greeted by familiar faces from the patrol team.

Ge'er: "Yo, Toke, Valentine, Fang Yun, you're back. How were your gains? Did you encounter any dangers?"

Toke (smiling): "Although there was a small hiccup, it was ultimately thrilling but safe. Speaking of which, Ge'er, you seem to be in good spirits today. Did something good happen?"

Ge'er (grinning): "Hehe, was I that obvious?"

Valentine: "Of course. Your smile hasn't left your face."

Ge'er (clearing his throat): "Ahem. To be honest, my son messaged me this morning saying he found a girlfriend, and it's someone I know."

Toke (raising an eyebrow): "Continue."

Ge'er: "When he sent the photo, I saw it was my good brother's daughter!"

Ge'er: "At that time, my mouth was almost split from smiling. When I told my good brother the news, his silence made me feel even more refreshed."

Ge'er: "Even now, every time I see the 'breaking down' emojis he sends me, I can't help but laugh, hehehe."

Fang Yun watched Ge'er giggling foolishly and couldn't help but marvel:

"I remember a joke I saw in my previous life, it seemed to be about this exact scenario. I didn't expect to see a real-life case today."

"My condolences to Ge'er's good brother. I hope he's okay. *hands clasped together/amen.jpg*"

Toke and Valentine chatted with Ge'er for a couple more sentences, and seeing another patrol team member driving towards them, they said their goodbyes:

Toke: "Brother Ge'er, we're heading back to the camp now. We won't return until we're drunk tonight."

Valentine: "Old Ge'er, tonight, the drinking party awaits you."

Ge'er: "Hahaha, no problem, see you tonight."

Fang Yun waved goodbye to Ge'er, then lightly stepped on the accelerator and drove into the Buckle Family Camp.

While driving to Toke's tent, Fang Yun asked Valentine with some confusion:

"By the way, doesn't Uncle Ge'er's son work under our family's middleman? I rarely see him in the camp."

Valentine grabbed the grab handle on the car roof and nodded affirmatively:

"Yes. Our Bakr Family supports its own middleman in the Badlands, named Ramoschi."

"His reputation isn't huge, but he's well-established in the Badlands' middleman circles."

"Ge'er's son, Ge'er Te, is currently working under him."

"Oh, I see."

Fang Yun's face showed understanding, and he nodded thoughtfully.

"Once our reputation grows, Ramoschi's situation will also improve." (Valentine)

"The prerequisite is to complete the transaction with the Old Captain first." (Toke)

"Trust in my strength, that day won't be far." (Fang Yun)

"......"

While speaking, the three had already arrived in front of Toke's tent.

After parking and dropping off Toke, Fang Yun then drove Valentine back to his own tent.

"See you at the mess hall tonight?"

"OK."

Fang Yun watched Vavinia lift the tent flap and enter the tent.

"Next, I can finally go find Vavinia."

"Let me see where she is..."

Fang Yun opened the communication interface and checked the message Vavinia had just sent:

"I'm helping Auntie Kassan in the logistics department's warehouse. Are you coming back soon? *happy.jpg*"

"I've already returned to the camp, and I'm coming to find you right away. *joy.jpg* I'm at the Buckle Family Camp, just got off 'thunder'.jpg."

"Logistics department, I remember it's this way."

Fang Yun closed the interface, looked up to pinpoint the direction of the logistics department, and immediately started moving.

...

Upon arriving at the logistics department, Fang Yun scanned the family members coming and going.

Suddenly, a graceful figure emerged from the crowd.

Even though her clothes were not much different from those around her, even though there were so many other people as distractions, she was just so special, so striking.

His accelerating heartbeat recognized her presence before his brain did; before the words escaped his lips, a brilliant smile had already bloomed on his face:

"Vavinia."

"Hmm?!"

A voice that wasn't overly familiar, yet one she constantly yearned for, instantly made Vavinia turn around.

What met her eyes was Fang Yun's tall and straight figure.

Vavinia's movements paused, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a bright light shone in her eyes.

It was a light that welled up from the bottom of her heart, first illuminating her eyes, then like a spring stream flowing over ice, silently spreading to the corners of her eyes and eyebrows.

Her lips curved gently upwards on their own, as if pulled by an invisible, tender string.

Her smile was so natural, like a dormant flower bud meeting the sunlight it was destined to meet, blossoming in an instant.

"Fang Yun!"

Vavinia, unable to suppress the impulse in her heart, happily ran towards Fang Yun and then plunged into his embrace.

Fang Yun steadily held Vavinia's soft body and whispered in her ear:

"I'm back."

Vavinia buried her head in his chest, making a muffled sound:

"You're finally back. I missed you so much."

Fang Yun's upturned lips hadn't dropped since he saw Vavinia.

Hearing her words, the smile that had already stretched to behind his ears now extended to the back of his head.

"I missed you too."

The two embraced silently, neither speaking again.

Language had become a superfluous burden.

Vavinia turned her face, pressing it against Fang Yun's chest, his steady heartbeat echoing in her ears, one beat, two beats...

In this moment of warmth, the world became small, small enough to only hold the two of them.

Time was stretched infinitely, everything around them receded, leaving only their heartbeats gently resonating in the silence.

The surrounding Bakr Family members, the older ones, all gave knowing, aunt-like smiles; those with partners recalled their own life companions; and the remaining single people and youngsters, overwhelmed by too much 'dog food,' fled in a panic.

After the passionate embrace, a lingering warmth remained in the air.

Vavinia's cheek was pressed against Fang Yun's chest, but the tips of her ears were quietly burning.

When her overheated brain finally cooled down, she realized how bold her impulsive act had been.

Vavinia lay on Fang Yun's chest, not daring to look up, afraid that if she did, she would see the smiles of acquaintances.

Her usual cool demeanor would probably completely collapse after this embrace.

But even so, next time, and the time after, and forever, Vavinia would still choose to embrace Fang Yun as firmly as she did today.