Chapter 428 Birthday (Part 1)

I learned that the two of them had private matters to attend to and would be going home later.

The teammates exchanged glances.

Those who knew better didn't ask anything.

What if the captain suddenly realized he was getting in their way and decided to deliberately stay late because he thought they were just being a nuisance?

After the meeting, Xie Tu went out to talk to Deputy Zhou.

The others found a shady spot outside to sit and rest.

The weather is hot.

It was midday when the sunlight was at its strongest.

The temperature inside the tent was even higher than outside, making it unbearable to stay inside.

After Yun Zhao finished giving Fu Mo psychological counseling and returned.

Tao Haohao called out, "It's too hot outside, can we go back earlier?"

"How early?" Wang Jiayu asked.

Tao Haohao: "How about leaving this afternoon? The air conditioning in the armored vehicle is broken, it won't be as hot in the afternoon as it is now."

Speaking of their armored vehicles.

The members of Team Zero couldn't help but sigh.

The car was parked on the outskirts of the camp, and could be seen as soon as you looked up.

The once imposing heavy off-road armored vehicle was now riddled with damage. The body shell was covered with dents, the two observation windows were broken, and a large crater was embedded in the rear door.

Their appearance was appalling.

Wang Jiayu was skeptical, "Can this vehicle... even make it to the base?"

"Take the reinforcements' vehicles back," Song Liang said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Jiayu hesitated for a moment and whispered, "What about Qi Ling? His slime... an ordinary car can't handle it."

Once Yun Zhao separated from them, the sticky fluid on Qi Ling's body, without any barrier to prevent it from dripping out, would continue to drip continuously.

Military trucks cannot withstand the corrosive effects of its slime.

Qi Ling stood at the edge of the crowd and raised her head slightly when she heard her name mentioned.

His gaze no longer darted away as before, but instead looked directly at everyone.

"I'm fine."

Qi Ling spoke first, her voice calm, "I can stay on the roof of the armored vehicle, and you can tow the vehicle away."

Song Liang's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he turned to look at Qi Ling with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

He could clearly sense the change in Qi Ling.

In the past, Qi Ling always hid in the shadows and was unwilling to interact with people. But this time, after coming out, she no longer showed the same evasiveness and inferiority complex. Instead, she appeared calm and determined.

It must be related to what happened in the mirror world.

Song Liang felt somewhat gratified.

Although the mission failed to eliminate the contaminated area, the two teammates were able to resolve their inner conflicts as a result, so overall it was a worthwhile mission.

Duan Xi, who was standing to the side, was unusually quiet.

I found a dead twig somewhere and started drawing circles on the ground.

When Yun Zhao walked over, he glanced down at the circle on the ground. Judging from its appearance, it looked like a birthday cake.

The contaminated area was too dangerous, and I lost track of time. When I came out, I realized it was already April 9th.

Duan Xi's birthday has long passed.

Yun Zhao waved to Song Liang, signaling him to come over, and said to the others, "Why don't we leave at midnight tonight? It'll be cooler then."

“I’ll listen to Sister Yun Zhao,” Wang Jiayu raised her hand in agreement.

Upon receiving the signal, Song Liang got up and casually pulled Tao Haohao away, saying, "Okay, we'll tell the captain when he gets back later."

Yun Zhao told them, "We have something to do and are going out for a bit. We'll be back soon."

Duan Xi nodded, not taking it seriously.

The three left the camp and walked towards the sand dunes in the distance.

Tao Haohao followed them away, and only after seeing the scene did he realize what was going on.

He kept looking back to make sure they couldn't hear him, then suggested, "How about we have a birthday party tonight?"

They had all bought birthday gifts before they left.

"What about the ingredients?" Yun Zhao frowned. "How are we going to get the ingredients?"

This place is in the middle of nowhere, there's no signal at all, and the nearest sentry post is over a hundred kilometers away.

Song Liang: "The captain went to Deputy Zhou and asked for a squad of sentries to go hunting. They should be able to get some meat."

"As long as there's meat, it's fine."

Tao Haohao said nonchalantly, "As long as Duan Xi and Xiao Yu have meat to eat and gifts to receive, they won't mind."

He added, "It's a pity that the captain and Yun Zhao didn't go back with us, otherwise we could have waited until we got back to the base to catch up."

Song Liang nodded, "Then let's include Xiao Yu's as well."

Wang Jiayu's birthday is April 17th. Since the captain and Yun Zhao won't be there, they'll just celebrate together.

Yun Zhao was still hesitant, worried that it would be too shabby.

She had a ton of nice things for her last birthday, and she had just finished a mission, so she had plenty of supplies and food.

There's nothing outside right now.

Song Liang noticed and comforted him, "It's okay, we'll celebrate many birthdays together, and we'll make it up to Duan Xi next year."

"Yes! We'll make it up next year!" Tao Haohao said boldly.

*

The three of them found an opportunity to call Qi Ling out.

Then they found an open space outside and set up the birthday party venue.

Yun Zhao's stamina was such that her teammates were afraid she would suffer from heatstroke and faint, so they told her to go back and keep Duan Xi and A Yu occupied so they wouldn't come out and find out.

The sky was getting dark.

Xie Tu returned, dragging the mutated animals he had hunted.

The venue is almost fully set up.

The venue was very rudimentary.

A bonfire and barbecue grill were set up, with a canopy supporting the side and colorful ribbons hanging on the left and right to enhance the atmosphere.

Below were folding tables and chairs, and then supplies such as seasonings, sausages, cured meat, canned goods, drinks, and snacks taken from the vehicle.

During this time, Fu Qi and others noticed.

Upon learning that it was someone's birthday, the Fumo team volunteered to come over and help (eat and drink).

Xie Tu handed the mutated animals he had hunted over to Tao Haohao and the others to handle, then turned and went into the camp to call for reinforcements.

Yun Zhao sat outside the tent, chatting casually with Wang Jiayu and Duan Xi.

She glanced at the camp entrance every now and then.

I wonder how the preparations are going outside.

Duan Xi noticed her absent-mindedness and said casually, "I mean, it's only been half a day since we parted, is it really necessary to be like this?"

Yun Zhao: "?"

Just as Duan Xi was about to say something more, he saw the captain's figure appear not far away.

Yun Zhao, who was standing beside him, immediately got up and jogged forward to meet him.

Duan Xi shook his head. "I can't bear to look."

Wang Jiayu slapped him across the face, "Who told you to look! Just close your eyes!"

Duan Xi winced in pain and gasped for breath. "Wang Jiayu, are you trying to start another fight?"

"Argue? I'd rather fight!"

"Come on! Who's afraid of who? I'm not going to go easy on you this time."

"When have I ever needed you to give way to me..."

The two people behind me are arguing as usual.

Yun Zhao ignored him and pulled Xie Tu aside to ask in a low voice, "Have you prepared a gift?"

The weather is too hot.

She was sweating profusely just sitting there; her face was flushed and her forehead was damp with sweat.

Xie Tu took out a tissue to wipe her sweat and replied, "No."

Yun Zhao: "..."

When she went out to buy gifts, she notified Tao Haohao, Song Liang, and Qi Ling, but forgot to tell him.

Xie Tu said, "However, I prepared the meat. I will transfer 500 points to each person, and each person will be allowed to rest for an extra day after we go back."

Putting herself in her shoes, Yun Zhao realized that she actually wanted a vacation more than a gift...

Xie Tu led her outside, then turned to signal the two arguing people behind him to follow.

"What's your birthday?" Yun Zhao asked as they walked.

Xie Tu: "June 1st."

Yun Zhao noted it down, "I'll celebrate with you this year."

Xie Tu replied gently, "Okay."