Chapter 45 The Guardians Around Me

The day of the practical test was windy, and the small willow tree downstairs in the inpatient department was blown into a ball of green fluff.

The next day, the strong wind turned into a gentle breeze, like someone's soft whisper. The sunlight was not so strong, and sitting in the small garden downstairs in the inpatient department felt like sitting in a golden gauze curtain.

There were indeed whispers inside the "golden gauze curtain"; it was Qi An making a phone call to Teacher Tang.

Tang Xinying had already passed the initial excitement of hearing the news, and now she simply gave detailed instructions:

"Maintain this irreplaceable advantage. Engage in more combat, cultivate trust with colleagues, and build relationships with the base."

Lose your temper often, make sure they remember you're not someone to be trifled with, and if they cross your line, the consequences will be severe!

Qi An nodded in agreement.

When the "White Pagoda" mission was first announced, Teacher Tang called her.

She advised her to take the test and demonstrate her abilities.

If you're going to hide, hide from beginning to end, without giving away a single clue.

However, when Qi An first entered the Central Plains Base No. 3, Tang Xinying had already noticed her special characteristics.

Now that the truth has been revealed, there's no point in trying to hide it forever. The only option is to move forward, become stronger, and strive for improvement!

Tang Xinying was one of the original proposers of the "White Pagoda" concept. She asked Chen Huaizhi about the current development of the project and the level of importance it received.

The answer she received was "rapid development and high importance."

In the past two years, the North Base 1 has seen rapid development in more than just this one scientific research project. There is also "Weaver Girl", controlled nuclear fusion, and a major battle that has established two new bases!

Tang Xinying felt that the current leaders were broad-minded and insightful, which is why she made the risky suggestion.

Qi An rationally agreed with Teacher Tang's point of view, but he had an instinctive fear of exposing his own secret.

When she first arrived at North 1 and participated in the first round of testing for "White Tower", she hadn't made up her mind until she encountered Tan Fu's matter.

Qi An thought of Tan Fu, and when she looked up, she saw a thin arm sticking out of a window on the 9th floor, waving at her.

Qi An smiled, waved in response, and stood up.

As she walked back, she inquired about Teacher Tang's current situation and the condition of the old base.

"Everything is fine at the base; they've already started expanding the perimeter wall," Tang Xinying said in a relaxed tone.

Qi An was surprised, but he immediately realized that the new base's arms production had increased, and the base's land and water transport to the outside world was very busy.

The Central Plains Base No. 3 is already a land transportation hub, but if it is expanded further south, it will be close to the Feng River.

Building a dock on the Feng River, even a small one, can bring significant benefits to the base!

This is a good thing, and Qi An smiled.

"Your deputy team leader's wife, Cheng Xinruo, Xiao Cheng, is 30 weeks pregnant."

I visit her every two days and have also asked the sanitation specialists at the hospital to take care of her daily. Her condition is stable, and she will give birth to a baby girl this fall!

Newborns in the apocalypse are so precious, Tang Xinying said with a soft and joyful smile.

"And then there's Tang Long's younger sister, Tang Xi, who is already 13 years old and underwent a mental enhancement value test last month."

This little girl's enhancement value is an amazing 7.9!

Qi An was surprised again.

With an enhancement value of 7.9, Tang Xi can definitely reach 8 with scientific training and six months to a year of work experience!

When Tang Xinying spoke of the previous matter, her words were tinged with laughter. When she spoke of this matter, her beautiful face, radiant with smiles like peach blossoms in full bloom, seemed to appear before Qi An's eyes!

She couldn't help but laugh too, and only then did she hear Teacher Tang say:

“My research project has also made a breakthrough, and it’s time to tackle the tough challenges. Otherwise, I would definitely have accompanied you to the North 1 Base.”

"Congratulations, Teacher Tang!" Qi An felt grateful, but also a little regretful that he couldn't bring a flower back to congratulate her in person.

She can't return to the new base for the time being either. When she called the captain yesterday, the captain and vice-captain seemed both happy and somewhat silent.

Zhuang Xiao snatched the phone and burst into tears.

"Sister Qi, didn't you say you'd only be gone for a month? Why aren't you coming back?"

Don't you want us anymore?

Without you, our gatherings are no fun at all. The group leader might as well not join us anymore!

How are we going to live from now on?

Zhuang Xiao is no longer on the front lines; his main job is to instruct new recruits on shooting.

Qi An knew that a significant reason why he was having a hard time was that he had too much free time.

The captain and vice-captain are busy with both work and romance. In addition to her missions and love life, Su Qingran also has to go in and out of the operating room.

She followed Zhou Yanying's path, intending to become a professional surgeon after retiring from the military.

Tang Long remained at the old base, but was temporarily transferred to the melee combat unit.

Zhuang Xiao loves lively gatherings, but now that she has plenty of free time, she can't find anyone to have fun with.

"Sister Qi, it seems like I'm not old yet, but I already need to move a bamboo chair, bask in the sun, and reminisce about the past." The person said blankly over the phone.

Qi An felt a pang of sadness!

But before her bitterness and guilt could fully develop, Yu Shuang snatched her phone back.

"Life is long, very long! Two years ago I thought I would work at the old base until I retired, but last year I became the strongest team in the new base!"

In the apocalypse, you can't predict the future; everything is temporary. Xiao Qi, just remember to come home when you're done with your work.

Everything is fine at home, don't worry!

After saying this, Yu Shuang probably lightly slapped Zhuang Xiao and chuckled:

“You just stay by our side and we won’t have to worry about anything. Do you know how difficult Xiao Qi’s situation and choices are?”

Have you finished reading the books that Lao Zhao assigned to you?

Have you thought it through or not? Should I reply to that tech lady's confession?

You still have time to be emo! Two close-combat regiments, a whole bunch of snipers, are eagerly waiting to train with you; you'll be assigned them all as trainees tomorrow!

The phone call ended, and the noisy sounds faded away.

Qi An squatted by the flower bed, resting her chin on her hand in a daze, thinking that she wasn't actually having a very hard time, and that she had people watching over her now.

Spring is coming to an end, but many flowers are still in full bloom in the flower beds.

Qi An noticed a rosebud in the corner of the wall that was about to bloom, but it was a dark purple-black color!

She immediately took it down and went upstairs to put it in the vase by Tan Fu's bedside.

Tan Fu tilted the flower.

Qi An said, "Cold, mysterious, and unique, I think that suits you very well."

Tan Fu's lips, which were about to turn down, turned up again.

That's kind of cool.

She doesn't like flowers, but black ones, and they were picked by An'an, so they're kind of a good match for her.

Qi An brought not only flowers, but also a large gift bag that he had gotten from Wen Yan.

The reason Qi An went to such lengths to bring this gift package into "Star Fortress" was because he couldn't predict the situation on the battlefield.

Tan Fu's original shoes, even the ones he wore when going out for exercise, had soft soles and were not suitable for running.

Qi An was worried that something unexpected might happen, and Tan Fu would need to run on his own, even on the gravel ground, so he made preparations.

Although this preparation was not needed, the clothes were left in the Crystal House without any damage and were all taken out by the cleaning staff.

Tan Fu could barely get out of bed, but he stumbled and staggered as he rushed over to grab the clothes!

Qi An smiled and helped her take off her oversized hospital gown, carefully avoiding her wound, and helped her put on a sweatshirt, a jacket, and tied the colorful, snake-patterned canvas shoelaces of her leather boots.

Tan Fu carefully combed her messy, yellow hair, tied it with a rubber band, and ran to the bathroom mirror.

There were no little skirts, embroidered shoes, or jingling braids. The girl in the mirror was tall and slender with straight legs, and her full forehead was completely exposed, revealing a pair of sharp and deep eyes.

She stomped her foot lightly, and the sole of her boot struck the tiles with a deep, crisp sound.

"Happy birthday," Qi An said from behind her.

The girl in the mirror had her hands in her pockets, her round eyes slightly narrowed, and the corners of her mouth gently turned up.

This is Tan Fu at 16 years old, already grown up.