Chapter 121 Reunion

The rain subsided slightly by noon the next day, turning into a light drizzle. The hotel was damp inside and out, and the women were busy using tools they had found to clean up the water.

Ruan Ning, who was sitting on guard by the second-floor window, suddenly looked up.

The roar of engines came from the distant highway, deep and powerful, piercing through the rain.

The mental energy extended out instantly.

Five military green trucks, their cargo beds covered with thick tarpaulins, bumped along the muddy road. Leading the way was a light wheeled armored vehicle, its body covered in mud splatters.

The convoy was heading towards the county town at a slow pace, clearly looking for a place to rest and take shelter from the rain.

As the distance closes, the mental power can "see" more clearly.

Beneath the truck's canvas cover were neatly stacked crates bearing military markings, faintly radiating energy fluctuations—these were weapons and ammunition, in considerable quantities, and possibly some special equipment as well.

From the cabs and cargo compartments of the armored vehicle and the trucks behind it, Ruan Ning could clearly sense the energy fields emanating from approximately fifty life forms. They were all superhumans, with varying energy levels, but generally at least Tier 2. They were disciplined, and their actions were marked by clear training and a menacing aura.

This is an elite military squad composed entirely of superhumans, presumably on an important mission, likely transporting these weapons from a military base or warehouse, and currently being delayed by the heavy rain.

The convoy slowly came to a stop in front of a relatively sturdy three-story factory building, about 200 meters away from the hotel.

The armored vehicle door opened, and a man in a crisp combat uniform, with shoulder insignia indicating the rank of major, jumped out first. He was tall and nimble, his face expressionless, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

Raindrops fell on his hat brim and shoulders.

Ruan Ning's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

It was him.

At the very beginning of the apocalypse, in that chaotic and filthy alley, a man suddenly appeared, exuding a powerful and dangerous aura, blocked her path, stared at the necklace around her neck, and asked, "Where did you get this necklace from?"

Nearly a year has passed, and his appearance hasn't changed much, except that his brows now bear a deeper, colder look and an air of battle-hardened tension. The military rank on his shoulders also indicates his status in the post-apocalyptic world. Clearly, he is not only alive, but also the commander of a military unit of superhumans.

The man seemed to sense something, his gaze suddenly shifting towards the hotel, precisely "looking" at the window where Ruan Ning was. Despite the rain and the two-hundred-meter distance, their eyes seemed to meet for a fleeting moment within an invisible spiritual field.

His eyes flickered slightly, as if he recognized Ruan Ning, or at least the energy aura he had noticed before.

But he made no unnecessary movements, quickly averting his gaze and turning to give orders to the soldiers who were rapidly assembling and forming ranks. His gestures were crisp, and his voice, though muffled by the rain, was powerful. The soldiers quickly dispersed, some on guard duty, others entering the factory to investigate and clean up, clearly intending to rest there temporarily.

Ruan Ning withdrew her mental energy and left the window expressionlessly.

An unexpected encounter.

The presence of this military squad suggests the possible presence of other military forces or mission lines in the vicinity. There is clearly some connection between the man and her necklace that she is unaware of.

In this weather and in this location, living next to an elite military force carrying important weaponry and composed entirely of superhumans is a blessing or a curse that is hard to predict.

She went downstairs and briefly told Sun Hong, who was arranging things, "A group of soldiers has arrived and settled in the factory next door. Be vigilant. The people who are keeping an eye on you should not approach them, and do not panic. Proceed as usual."

Although Sun Hong was surprised, she immediately nodded: "Understood."

Ruan Ning didn't want to provoke them, but the man came looking for her anyway.

About half an hour later, a soldier ran over from the factory and arrived at the hotel entrance in the rain. He said a few words to the woman guarding the door. Soon, Sun Hong found Ruan Ning, looking somewhat nervous: "Captain Ruan, over there... that officer said he wants to see you and talk to you alone."

Shortly after the soldier relayed the message, Qin Li walked alone through the drizzle to the inn's entrance. He stood under the eaves, raindrops dripping from his hat, calmly watching Ruan Ning emerge from the drizzle.

Ruan Ning was on high alert, her hands seemingly hanging casually at her sides, but her mental energy had already quietly locked onto her opponent. Da Huo crouched beside her legs, letting out a threatening growl.

"Let's talk." Qin Li got straight to the point, his voice still clear despite the rain. "Just the two of us."

Ruan Ning looked at him silently for a few seconds, then turned to the side: "First floor restaurant."

The restaurant was empty and dilapidated. The two sat facing each other at a table. Rainwater drifted in through the broken window, making the air damp and cold.

"What do you want to talk about?" Ruan Ning asked directly, her eyes cold.

Qin Li's gaze fell on her neck—the necklace was hidden by her collar, but he seemed to be able to sense it. "The necklace." His gaze shifted back to Ruan Ning's face. "Where did you get it? I need to know."

This is the same question again. Ruan Ning's eyes grew even colder: "Why should I tell you?"

Qin Li leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped on the table—a posture that conveyed both pressure and a negotiating intent. He paused for two seconds, seemingly choosing his words, then looked up and met Ruan Ning's gaze directly.

“Because,” he said in a low voice, enunciating each word clearly, “my mother also had the exact same necklace.”

Ruan Ning paused almost imperceptibly. Her face remained expressionless, but a very subtle ripple flickered deep in her eyes.

“Impossible.” She retorted immediately, her tone resolute. “This is my mother’s keepsake. She wore it since she was little, saying it was a gift from her grandmother.” She stared intently at Qin Li. “My mother passed away a long time ago.”

Qin Li met her gaze without flinching. "My mother is too."

His voice was steady, yet carried a heavy tone. "She's been gone for many years. And that necklace," he paused, "was among her belongings, placed alongside an old photograph. The photograph showed two little girls, each wearing a necklace like this around their necks. One of them was my mother. The other..."

His gaze fell on Ruan Ning's collar again, the meaning of which was self-evident.

“I don’t know their relationship, nor do I know the true origin of the necklace. But in my mother’s notes, she repeatedly mentioned that this necklace was ‘crucial’ and ‘must be protected,’” Qin Li continued, his tone now more inquisitive and scrutinizing. “Until half a year ago, I saw you wearing it in that alley. And now, I’ve met you here again.”

He leaned back, his gaze sharp: "So, Ruan Ning, now it's my turn to ask you—how much do you really know about this necklace? And what is your relationship with our mother?"

The sound of rain outside the window seemed clearer. The restaurant was filled with the smell of dust and dampness. Ruan Ning's hand, resting under the table, tightened slightly at the fingertips.

The mother never mentioned another woman who had the same necklace, nor did she mention any "crucial" instructions.

She looked at Qin Li, who was also waiting for her answer. The air was filled with a silent struggle and a mystery waiting to be solved.