52: Entering its fourth year

Sun Ping instantly understood what he meant.

She instinctively felt a trace of hesitation, but thinking of the good life ahead, she instantly hardened her resolve.

At first, she thought that in the Apocalypse, only mother and daughter would be left to depend on each other, and as a mother, she absolutely had to protect her completely.

But she was fine in Qingyun Base, yet she was driven out because of her.

Every time she did the dirtiest and most tiring work, she couldn't help but think about the comfortable good days when she was in Qingyun Base, and the work she did was within an acceptable range.

She also wondered why Bei Bei had to run out at that time; if she hadn't run out, she wouldn't have been bitten, and she wouldn't have been driven out for insulting Lin Wan.

Sun Ping's mentality gradually underwent a huge change.

She now felt more and more that her daughter was a burden, a drag!

Yet she was her mother, and still had to work herself to death every day to get her food and drink.

Even if she met an outstanding man, if he saw that she had a child, he would retreat three steps.

This was the Apocalypse! Food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all limited and extremely precious.

Everyone struggled to survive; who would be willing to raise someone else's child in the Apocalypse?

She did all this so that they could eat well and live well.

Therefore, it was only right that Bei Bei should contribute as well.

Although it was very dangerous, the Leader said he would send people to protect Bei Bei.

"Okay, before, they all liked Bei Bei very much. With Bei Bei going, there definitely won't be a problem!"

Yang Hong nodded without surprise, then began to discuss the plan.

...

"That's generally the plan. The New Year is coming soon. We will start acting after the New Year."

"Good."

On the way back, Yang Hong's heart was filled with certainty of success.

Although Sun Ping was a very small figure in the Apocalypse, someone reduced to dust.

One could never underestimate such people; as long as they were used well, it was often these very people who could be of great help!

The Leader had been looking for Level 8 and Level 9 Crystal Cores.

But truly high-level zombies or mutant beasts were very, very rare.

Not to mention Ability Users.

Currently in Sea City, apart from the few leaders of Qingyun Base who were Level 9, the strongest among other general Ability Users were only Level 7, like himself; in fact, even Level 7 Ability Users were few and far between.

He was already considered a formidable existence among the crowd.

But the higher the level, the more obvious the gap became.

For instance, the leap from Level 7 to Level 8, or Level 8 to Level 9, was very difficult to break through.

It required not only sufficient energy and a sufficient number of Crystal Cores, but also suitable personal conditions.

If this plan succeeded, even if they only captured two initially? Digging out the Level 9 Crystal Cores and offering them to the Leader would be a great achievement.

If it truly succeeded, one core would go to the Leader, and he would absorb the other, perhaps allowing him to break through Level 7 and reach a higher level.

Moreover, as everyone knew, Qingyun Base had always been united, like one family.

Once two were captured, the rest would be easier to handle because they always helped each other and never abandoned one another.

It would be best to succeed in one go!

At that time, they would dig out Lin Wan's Crystal Core, then keep her barely alive to toy with her in front of Shen Mo Chi...

He really looked forward to that day arriving...

The New Year was almost here, but Yang Hong knew.

After the New Year, there would be no more peaceful days.

The US and Japan were already poised for action. The Apocalypse, which seemed to have calmed down a little, would soon be shattered.

"Today is a good day. Everything I wish for can come true. Today is a good day..."

Yang Hong hummed a tune as he walked toward his small villa.

...

Qingyun Base.

Lin Wan and the others sat casually around a round table. On the table was detailed information about Guangming Base.

"Yang Hong... this person is a Level 7 Water Ability User, his strength is decent."

"However, although he is responsible for all the major and minor affairs of Guangming Base, the Leader said he seems to have someone behind him. This person is just mysterious and never appears in public view, so they don't know who it is yet."

Lin Wan put down Yang Hong's file and said:

"In a few days, it will be the New Year. After the New Year, we must first find a way to figure out the person behind Yang Hong."

Shen Mo Chi fed her a piece of freshly cut mango.

"Mm, Yang Hong is just a runner. This person is the black hand behind the scenes colluding with foreign powers, and also the actual person in power at Guangming Base."

Ji Chuan jokingly opened his mouth wide.

"Brother AChi, I want mango too."

Shen Mo Chi summoned his Thunder Dagger.

"Come here, I'll feed you."

Ji Chuan immediately shut his mouth tightly and went to hug Yue Yue's slender arm.

"Wife, AChi is bullying me."

Xia Yue covered her face.

"Serves you right!"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Ji Chuan glared at Shen Mo Chi, who continued to feed his wife.

He said:

"This matter still requires Yi Nian to step up. We have to find a way to make Yi Nian invisible and have her make a trip to Guangming Base."

Yue Yue glared at him crossly.

"That's a den of wolves, and we don't know the strength of the person behind this. Sending Yi Nian there is too dangerous!"

"Not only that, have you forgotten? Since everyone learned about the existence of the Invisibility Ability, major bases have mental-type Ability Users just in case. Moreover, the data shows that Guangming Base also has a Level 6 Invisibility Ability User. Although his level is lower than Nian Nian's, if they run into each other, he can see Nian Nian."

Ji Chuan:

"Of course I haven't forgotten. That's why I said we need to find a thorough way."

Yi Nian nodded.

"Actually, I don't think it's as serious as everyone says. Even if the other party has an Invisibility Ability User, I will carefully avoid him. Sister Wanwan, I think I can try going."

Lin Wan tapped her forehead.

"You're talking nonsense again. Don't take it lightly. Although this matter is urgent, it's not so urgent that it can't wait. I won't allow you to take risks. If you lose a single strand of hair, Uncle Wang won't let me off the hook, right?"

Uncle Wang, who was exercising nearby, laughed and said:

"Little Wan is teasing me again. Without you, Yi Nian wouldn't be here today. You are her savior, so how could you harm her? Even if she gets hurt one day, it has nothing to do with you."

Lin Wan felt warm inside.

Uncle Wang didn't know that in her previous life, without him, Lin Wan would have been very sad too. He had truly taken care of her for a long time.

Shen Mo Chi gave her a second life and silent protection.

Uncle Wang gave her psychological comfort and material care. They both owed her kindness.

These things were unspeakable, but Lin Wan never forgot them for a moment, only repaying them in the small details of daily life.

Yi Nian touched her forehead, her smile blooming like a flower, and said no more.

...

On New Year's Eve, although it was still the extreme night, the habit ingrained in the bones of Chinese people made everyone temporarily set everything aside on this day.

Bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.

Celebrating that they had survived three years in the cruel Apocalypse and were about to head into the fourth year.

Looking back at the time before the Apocalypse now, everyone felt as if they were in another lifetime.

Today, Qingyun Base distributed New Year's gift packages to all members.

There was rice, flour, and a few pieces of candy.

Everyone was beaming, extremely happy.

Zhang Zhengyuan was the leader of the Official Base publicly, and privately, he was Shen Mo Chi's mentor.

So after lunch, Lin Wan and Shen Mo Chi brought him the tea leaves and wine he liked.

On the way, they also dealt with several Level 5 zombies along the way.

After sitting for a short while, the two left.

By eight o'clock in the evening, they sat together to eat the New Year's Eve dinner.

"Four years. Cheers to everything remaining as it was! Cheers to our friendship!"

"Cheers!"

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Wan took out fireworks from her spatial storage.

"Let's go, same old routine! Even if it's the end of the world, we have to set off fireworks!"