86: lose

Lin Wan held the documents in her hand:

"Everyone went from being resistant at first to basically accepting it now."

Xia Yue smiled and said:

"More than that, they are all overjoyed."

"Earlier, we followed their wishes, settled all the base residents, and then let the old members all choose freely."

"Some people chose to join the Official Base army we secured for them. After all, that place is stable and has a future; it’s a legitimate official post."

"The other part chose to continue following us."

Ji Chuan crossed his legs and picked up the conversation:

"Sigh, the leaders promised Lin Wan three conditions back then. Two have been used up, and the third was used this time. They should be secretly delighted. However, The Authorities aren't really losing out either. Anyone who leaves our base is never a coward; they were all trained by Old Shen and me, and their powers are high-level too."

Shen Mo Chi looked at Lin Wan, who smiled but remained silent:

"This matter can't be judged that way. I think Wanwan's actions are reasonable."

"Although these conditions are precious, they followed us diligently for several years. Without them, our Qingyun Base wouldn't have reached its current scale. Therefore, only by properly arranging a path for them can we focus on other things with peace of mind, and it will also make the members who follow us later feel more secure. In the long run, it benefits us without any harm."

Lin Wan tilted her head and winked at him.

"My husband understands me best."

"Oh, stop showing off your affection. I know that principle too."

"So, after that portion of people who went to the Official Base passed the review, the remaining one hundred or so core members continued to follow us."

"Speaking of which, training them back then wasn't in vain. Now they are all outstanding figures in various fields. Moreover, they aren't inferior to those who joined The Authorities; now, every one of them is rolling in wealth."

"Yes, everyone is very satisfied with their current situation, and everyone who needed settling has been settled."

Lin Wan felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Seven years. Everything was finally slowly getting on the right track.

Only now could they truly enjoy life in the Apocalypse.

She had used her space to help Huaxia repel threats back then precisely because she understood this principle: only if Huaxia was well would they be well.

...

In the spring of the eighth year of the Apocalypse, the magnificent Qingyun Base officially withdrew from Sea City's stage, and from Huaxia's stage.

Even many years later, many people still could not forget the irreplicable glorious moments of the Qingyun Squad back then.

After Qingyun Base disappeared, what rose in its place was the Qingyun Group, which others could only look up to in awe.

It involved all fields, was spread throughout Sea City, and was now slowly expanding into surrounding provinces.

The legend of the Qingyun Squad continued in another form.

...

The day Dou Dou was gone, Yi Nian was preparing formula for her daughter, Shi Luoqing.

The eight-month-old infant slept in the crib Lin Wan had brought over, playing with a toy Xia Yue had sent.

From time to time, she would grin, revealing four cute little white teeth.

Dou Dou and Yi Nian guarded her, playing with her.

Fifteen-year-old Dou Dou was no longer as agile as in previous years.

Moreover, Yi Nian felt that he was unusually clingy today.

He stayed around her feet, not leaving her side for a single step.

Dou Dou had been sick some days ago and lacked energy daily.

But today, he looked much better, his condition especially good, reminding Yi Nian of years past.

Yi Nian happily squatted down and stroked his big head.

"Dou Dou, you look much better. It seems the newly developed medicine Sister Lin Wan brought worked well."

Dou Dou rubbed its head into her palm, its eyes full of reluctance.

Yi Nian hugged him affectionately:

"Dou Dou, you have to cheer up and watch Luo Luo grow up."

"Waa..."

The warm moment between the woman and the dog was interrupted by the infant's cry.

Yi Nian quickly stood up. She looked at her daughter:

"Dou Dou, Luo Luo is hungry. I'll go prepare her formula first."

After speaking, Yi Nian stroked him and walked away, failing to notice the tears welling up in his round dog eyes.

When she returned after preparing the formula, Dou Dou was curled up by the crib, his eyes closed as if he were sleeping normally.

Yi Nian's heart suddenly clenched, a heavy weight settling in her chest, leaving her feeling ungrounded.

She stood there, her feet feeling as if they weighed a thousand pounds, making her not want to take another step forward.

Yi Nian took a deep breath, not even daring to speak loudly:

"Dou Dou? Are you tired, so you fell asleep?"

Silence filled the room.

Yi Nian's eyes widened, staring fixedly at his body, which no longer showed any rise and fall. Tears fell one by one.

Just then, the now-calm Shi Luoqing suddenly began to cry heart-wrenchingly, with a volume and sadness she had never shown before.

The baby bottle in Yi Nian's hand dropped to the floor.

She lunged forward, her hand trembling as she reached out.

No breath.

She leaned over Dou Dou's chest, desperately hoping to hear the sound of a heartbeat, even a faint one.

But... there was no heartbeat either.

"Dou Dou! My Dou Dou..."

Yi Nian held his corpse, sobbing uncontrollably.

Shi Li was not supposed to come home this early today, but he had a persistent feeling that something might happen, so he decided to go home for a visit.

As he reached the door, he heard the heart-wrenching cries of the mother and daughter.

Shi Li's expression changed, and he pushed the door open to enter.

Yi Nian, clutching Dou Dou, her face streaked with tears, cried out:

"Shi Li, my Dou Dou is gone!"

Shi Li's pupils constricted. He said nothing, only going over to hug her.

The next day, Yi Nian found a relatively decent spot for Dou Dou and buried him there.

That evening, Lin Wan and Xia Yue came to keep her company.

Lin Wan held her hand and spoke softly:

"Yi Nian, in this world, none of us can defy the laws of nature. In life, everyone must face separation again and again."

"Dou Dou left without pain, and he lived quite a long life for a dog. Face it calmly; perhaps we will meet again someday."

Xia Yue held her other hand, wiping away her tears.

"Yes, Nian Nian. Actually, when Dou Dou was sick last time, the veterinarian already said his body was at its limit."

"But after hearing the news that you were pregnant, he miraculously got better and held on until now."

"Yi Nian, he wasn't at ease about you. He waited until he saw you give birth to Luo Luo and have someone else to accompany you before he left peacefully."

Listening to their comfort and recalling the memories of those years, Yi Nian's nose stung once more.

"I know. Dou Dou was actually exhausted from holding on for me. That big silly dog never left my side after I gave birth to Luo Luo. Even when I asked him to watch Luo Luo, even if he was extremely tired, he wouldn't dare to sleep."

"But every time I asked him to watch Luo Luo, he was especially happy because he felt I didn't blame him for Dad's death. Actually, that incident was never his fault..."

Yi Nian wiped away her tears and shouted:

"Silly dog, go rest in the Dog Star [heaven]! I will be fine. I have many people who love me, and Luo Luo will grow up healthy and happy. Thank you, thank you for accompanying me all those years!"

For the next few days, Lin Wan and Xia Yue stayed with Nian Nian. They knew Dou Dou meant as much to her as Uncle Wang.

As for the three fathers, they were responsible for taking care of the baby.