As Xia Shuang recounted these events, she was filled with remembrance and deep sorrow.

"So, how did the Dawn Project fail last time?"

Qin Tan's words startled Xia Shuang, who then smiled.

"You really do notice."

"Yes, we have carried out Project Dawn once, and I was one of the members in that project."

"The plan failed because of internal strife among humans."

Is it ridiculous?

The original intention of the plan was to protect humanity, but it was halted for many years due to human factors.

"Captain, were the injuries you sustained back then?"

Qin Tan's questions were all so sharp, but Xia Shuang was not angry in the face of Qin Tan's aggressive attitude.

She nodded calmly.

"right."

“He was injured by my companion, but I can’t blame him because he was trying to save me.”

"Qin Tan, do you remember what I told you before, that someone inside the wall went to explore the outside world and discovered traces of humans, no, let's just call them 'humans' for now?"

"That exploration was merely a preliminary search mission for Project Dawn."

“During that mission, we suffered heavy casualties and argued about the route ahead, which caused us to stay in one place for too long and end up in danger. My teammates attacked me and knocked me away in an attempt to save me.”

"And he died."

Beneath her calm tone lay Xia Shuang's deep pain.

She touched her chest.

Even now, the pain from each heartbeat reminds her of the person who saved her but sacrificed their life.

"At that time, he was the hope of the entire team."

"Because of his abilities, he can resist the invasion of deeper levels of the abyss."

"It's important to stay rational when you're out in the world."

Therefore, their exploration came to a standstill after the other party died.

Later, they had no choice but to return home.

The Dawn Project ended in failure before it even began.

"Then what……"

Qin Tan continued to listen; the story was not yet finished.

Xia Shuang's personality is such that she will not be discouraged by the death of her companion, nor will she escape to the small place of Wangcheng.

They don't even want to heal their wounds.

"Yes, and then."

Xia Shuang smiled bitterly, and the bitterness on her usually icy face made the onlookers feel her struggle.

“After we returned, we were subjected to severe interrogation and accountability.”

"The failure of the plan was a blow to everyone involved, and the huge initial investment did not even bring back a single return."

“Some people can’t accept our failure; they need a reason.”

Xia Shuang stared at the application form on the table, her vision blurring, as memories of that day quietly surfaced in her mind.

"No one is willing to step forward and take responsibility."

"So you were pushed out!" Qin Tan said with certainty.

She poured Xia Shuang a glass of water, signaling her to calm down.

"yes."

"Without my knowledge, I became the culprit, and everyone's testimony is consistent."

"It was my failure to follow the rules that led to his death for me."

"I became the real culprit behind the failed plan."

"However, I have powerful backers, so they can't make me pay with my life; they can only exile me here."

She, however, was still grieving the other person's death and, amidst the condemnation of her "comrades," chose to exile herself.

Yes, if someone has to be the reason, then let's make it her.

Anyway, everyone's on the opposite side of her, right?

Xia Shuang took a sip of water, then looked up again, and all the past guilt and complex emotions were frozen in time.

"I'm telling you this not so you can pity me."

"If he hadn't saved me back then, even if I had died, the plan could have continued."

"Fortunately, we now have new hope."

"Over in Zone One, the team researching taboos recently invented a man-made taboo."

"As long as we wear it, we can be protected from a large amount of abyssal pollution, which gives us the initiative."

If we can hope to mass-produce it, then the failure of that year can be forgiven.

Therefore, the authorities are willing to relent and allow her to participate in the plan again.

Another reason is probably because she has powerful connections.

Thinking of this, Xia Shuang looked at Qin Tan.

"I can guarantee you will pass the selection test."

"At that time, although you and I will be members of Project Dawn, we only need to follow one person's orders and we don't need to worry about the others."

"I can't say who that person is right now."

So what's your choice?

Xia Shuang longs for true companions, and even more so for companions strong enough to stand on their own.

Perhaps Qin Tan hasn't reached that level yet, but she still has time to grow.

Her potential for growth is the greatest among all the extraordinary individuals she has ever seen.

Even the man he once was couldn't compare to Qin Tan in this respect.

"My choice has never changed."

Qin Tan signed his name neatly.

His elegant and neat handwriting was just like Qin Tan's personality.

"Okay, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we'll set off in three days."

"You can rest well for these three days. You also have people you need to say goodbye to, right?"

Xia Shuang put the things away and nodded, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

She was very happy.

"Um."

Qin Tan responded.

Besides saying goodbye, she had one more thing to do.

After leaving Liming Shu, Qin Tan walked into the night and arrived at the entrance of the Thirteenth Hospital.

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