98: Chapter 98 Xiyin Base

He crushed the cigarette butt in his hand again and again until the last speck of red disappeared.

Xiao Sinian fell silent for a moment; although he had to admit it, he eventually nodded.

"Mm, it's him."

As for this former colleague of his, Qi Yin only had a vague understanding; she wasn't in a position to judge what kind of person he was.

However, judging by Xiao Sinian's expression, this Yanqi Mountain didn't seem like a good person.

Then again, what decent person would get involved with the zombie virus?

The materials brought back from the Medical University were spread out on the lab table. Professor Zhou adjusted his thick glasses, his fingers excitedly tracing over a complex chart as he kept muttering about how critical this data was.

It was clear that these materials, retrieved at the risk of their lives, were extremely important.

Xiao Sinian didn't disturb him, but instead took Qi Yin's hand and walked to the wall, hanging up a map covered with surrounding terrain and markings.

Then, his finger slowly moved along the contour of a mountain range, finally stopping at an area circled with a red marker.

He tapped heavily on the circle, making a thumping sound.

As Qi Yin looked at the mountain range he pointed out, an absurd thought couldn't help but arise in her heart.

It couldn't be, could it? It couldn't really be what she was thinking, right?

The location of this mountain range was in Mosila, over a thousand kilometers away. As far as she knew, the number one base from her past life, Xiyin Base, was right in this place.

Then what was Xiao Sinian's relationship with this base?

Xiao Sinian's tap not only shocked Qi Yin but also attracted the attention of Professor Zhou Zhiheng, who was looking down at the materials.

Professor Zhou looked up, his eyes behind the lenses filled with inquiry.

Qi Yin also stopped gnawing on her apple, waiting for him to continue.

Xiao Sinian turned around, facing away from the map. His gaze first fell on Qi Yin; when their eyes met, there was an unspoken gravity, and then he slowly turned to Professor Zhou.

He took an encrypted electronic notebook from his backpack, opened it, and pulled up a few photos.

"Professor Zhou, we have established a new shelter in the north, based on the old Mosila base."

As he spoke, he cast a thoughtful glance at Qi Yin before immediately looking away.

"The name of the base is Xiyin."

In the photos was a steel fortress. Professor Zhou looked at the photos carefully, surprise appearing in his eyes.

"You built it?" Professor Zhou took off his glasses and looked the tall, handsome man up and down, refreshing his impression of him once again.

Xiao Sinian shook his head faintly. "Half and half. The state had a hand in it."

Half were his people, and half were the national military.

Qi Yin clicked her tongue. Xiyin Base really did have a connection to Xiao Sinian; he was even one of the leaders.

It was just that the name was truly a bit strange.

Xiao Sinian continued, gesturing at the photos.

"The main structure of the base is located inside the mountain, so resisting high-intensity impacts is not a problem, and the energy issue has also been resolved."

Following his indication, Qi Yin saw the fortifications in the photos and immediately sighed in admiration.

"Your outer defense line is a triple design with overlapping fire coverage; conventional zombie hordes couldn't possibly break through. Moreover, the laboratory's protection level is much better than mine, and it's isolated, preventing the possibility of virus spread during research."

Qi Yin looked up at the cold-faced Xiao Sinian and sincerely praised him, "Awesome!"

Xiao Sinian touched her hair and chuckled, "Thanks to the inspiration you gave me."

A big question mark floated over Qi Yin's head. What did this have to do with her?

Putting away the electronic notebook, Xiao Sinian rested his hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward slightly.

"Professor Zhou, this place is, after all, a temporary stronghold. In terms of defense, it really doesn't have any major problems regarding the current situation."

"But your current whereabouts have already been noticed. For the sake of your safety and that of the other researchers, I must insist that you come with me to Xiyin Base."

Xiao Sinian's expression was heavy. Zhou Zhiheng's safety concerned the future of the country; he had to ensure he was safely escorted to the base.

His gaze met Qi Yin's again; clearly, these words were also meant for her to hear.

Qi Yin shook her head, "Don't look at me. Xiyin Base is indeed much safer than here; I have no objections."

All she could do was provide some materials that might help Professor Zhou's research.

Such as spiritual spring water, pure crystal cores, and the like.

Anything else, and she would be helpless to assist.

Professor Zhou looked at Xiao Sinian, then at Qi Yin, who had provided him with quite a bit of help. Finally, his gaze returned to those heavy materials.

He took a deep breath, clenched his wrinkled hands tightly, and finally nodded heavily.

"I understand. Where it is doesn't matter; what matters is that we must produce results and preserve our hard work. I will go with you."

Xiao Sinian's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he nodded.

The night deepened. Qi Yin and Xiao Sinian returned to the hilltop villa. From the warm courtyard downstairs came the whispers of a few drunks.

The two stood on the second-floor terrace, and the warm breeze dispelled the cold on their bodies.

Xiao Sinian gazed at the snow-covered forest in the distance and suddenly spoke.

"Once Professor Zhou is ready, we will set off back to Xiyin Base. What about you? What are your plans?"

When asking this, Xiao Sinian's fists clenched unconsciously. He turned his head and looked deeply at Qi Yin, seemingly very expectant of her answer.

Qi Yin was stunned by his question.

Plans? When she was reborn, her first plan was to avenge herself.

Now, the entire Qi Family, except for Wang Hui, was dead. In a few days, her revenge would be considered complete.

Her second plan was to live on with the friends around her, living her own little life in this small world that was enough to settle down in.

Although the Xianhe Mountain villa couldn't be considered absolutely safe, it was at least a place she had lived in, a nest she had managed bit by bit. Staying here was very comfortable.

Although Xiyin Base was the most solid and powerful base in the Apocalypse, it was very unfamiliar to her.

"Xiyin..."

Qi Yin silently repeated the name in her heart. A subtle palpitation quietly spread, but she immediately suppressed it.

It was probably just a coincidence.

She turned around, seemingly casually tracing the cold railing with her fingers, and pretended to ask Xiao Sinian inadvertently.

"Eh? Why is your base called Xiyin? Is there any special significance to it?"

After asking, she touched her ear with a guilty conscience; it was a bit hot, so she quickly turned her face away.

Xiao Sinian turned to look at her. Under the moonlight, his eyes were very deep, as if filled with finely scattered starlight.

This kind of emotion was something Qi Yin had never seen before; it was very intense, too intense to dissolve.

After several seconds, he chuckled softly. The laughter was low and carried a bit of helplessness.

It seemed he was helpless at Qi Yin's obtuseness.

"It's just as you think; it uses the sound of your name."

Qi Yin's heart jumped violently, as if something had bumped into it.

She raised her head, her somewhat flustered appearance colliding with Xiao Sinian's deep eyes, feeling a bit dazed.

"Why..."