Lin Qiye stepped through the thick snow and pushed open the gate of the courtyard.

The rich aroma of food mixed with lively shouts wafted from the courtyard. The sunlight in the distance gradually dimmed, and the orange sunset began to climb up the blue sky.

"You're back?"

Shen Qingzhu, who was leaning against the wall smoking, smiled slightly when he saw Lin Qiye coming back.

"Um."

"Is everything settled?"

"It's all over." Lin Qiye stood at the door, feeling the relaxed and joyful atmosphere in the courtyard, and stretched himself lazily. "Although the process was a bit tortuous, the result was very satisfactory."

"That's good."

Shen Qingzhu naturally took out a cigarette from his bosom and handed it to Lin Qiye, "Would you like to try it?"

Before he finished speaking, Shen Qingzhu shook his head and took back the hand that was offering the cigarette. "Forget it, forget it. It's not good for your health."

Lin Qiye smiled, passed by him, and patted his shoulder. "I'll ask you for it when I need it in the future."

He walked straight into the yard.

"Instructor Lin!"

As soon as she entered the yard, Li Zhenzhen trotted out of the room holding a white cat.

The white cat in her arms had one leg bandaged, and it seemed a little inconvenient to move. Li Zhenzhen could only hold it in her arms, letting her delicate and warm hands stroke its fur, with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.

It turned its head slightly, as if a little embarrassed to look at Lin Qiye.

Lin Qiye looked at Li Zhenzhen, then looked at the white cat with rosy cheeks in her arms, and raised his eyebrows.

"Coach Lin, are you okay? Do you need treatment?" Li Zhenzhen asked worriedly, "How are those 'mysterious' people? And Ding Chongfeng and the others..."

"The 'mysterious' matter has been resolved. After Ding Chongfeng and the other two knew that you were all right, they went down the mountain to have the New Year's Eve dinner." Lin Qiye touched her head and smiled, "You still have to have some faith in the instructor."

"As expected of Instructor Lin."

"Fang Mo, how are you recovering?" Lin Qiye's eyes fell on the white cat in her arms, and he took the initiative to speak with a smile on his face.

The white cat's body shook slightly.

"It's all right now, Master Qiye." The white cat Fang Mo looked embarrassed and answered reluctantly.

"Huh? This cat can talk?"

Zhang Zhengting, who was busy preparing food, walked forward in surprise, wiped his hands on his apron, and asked Li Zhenzhen curiously:

"Zhenzhen, this is..."

"Oh, this is my classmate." Li Zhenzhen grabbed the injured paw of the white cat, waved it gently, and said with a smile, "It is injured, so it can only become like this, and it is a little inconvenient to move...M..

It seems that he can only stay at our house for the New Year."

"Classmate?" Zhang Zhengting's expression became subtle. "Male or female classmate?"

"Male classmate."

"oh……"

Zhang Zhengting's mouth twitched slightly, and he glanced at the white cat Fang Mo. Without saying much, he just said quietly, "Then stay and celebrate the New Year together."

Fang Mo: (ー_ー)

Just as a few people were chatting, the gate of the courtyard was pushed open again. Everyone turned their heads to look at the same time and was slightly startled.

Standing at the door was a stranger wearing leather boots and a military coat.

He stood at the door, looked around, took his hands out of his pockets, seemed a little overwhelmed, and spoke awkwardly:

"Well... Captain Shao asked me to come to the New Year's Eve dinner."

Zhang Zhengting and others looked at each other, as if they had thought of something, and a look of understanding appeared in their eyes.

"Chen Han, come sit here together." Lin Qiye saw his embarrassment, smiled, stretched out his hand, and patted the seat next to him, "The food will be ready soon."

"Oh! OK."

Chen Han felt as if he had been pardoned and walked quickly to Lin Qiye's side.

"Hello, my name is Zhang Zhengting, and I'm a member of Team 006." Zhang Zhengting took the initiative to extend his hand.

"Hello, my name is Chen Han."

"My name is Yuan Gang, and I'm the deputy captain here."

"My name is Lu Hu..."

Everyone shook hands with Chen Han and introduced themselves to him enthusiastically.

After all the social engagements were over, Chen Han sat down next to Lin Qiye in a relaxed manner. The other team members were busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, and only the two of them sat in the empty corridor, quietly enjoying the snow scene.

"The environment here is really nice." Chen Han looked around and couldn't help but sigh.

"Compared to your Anta County Forestry Bureau, it is indeed much more comfortable to live in."

"No, that's not what I'm talking about." Chen Han shook his head and stretched out his hand, pointing at the scattered snowflakes falling in the sky. "I like the snow here, the quietness here. I've been in Anta County for a long time, and I'm not used to the fast-paced city life anymore."

"Anyway, as long as you like it." Lin Qiye turned to look at him, "After all, you may have to live here for a long time."

Chen Han was silent for a moment and let out a long sigh.

"To be honest, I still haven't figured out what's going on. We were about to fail, but when that demon ape showed up, the situation inexplicably returned to normal...

Do you think there is really a 'mystery' in this world that is on the side of humans?"

"Perhaps."

Lin Qiye smiled mysteriously.

While the two were chatting, Li Zhenzhen held the white cat, walked around the yard, and came in front of Lin Qiye and Chen Han.

"Uncle Chen, have you seen my Uncle Shao?" she couldn't help but ask.

“Yes.”

"Did he say when he would be back?"

"He said that if everything goes well, he should be able to come back for the New Year's Eve dinner." Chen Han looked at the sky and asked doubtfully, "Logically speaking, it should be almost time..."

Suddenly, Lin Qiye seemed to sense something. He raised his head slightly and looked into the distance, then fell silent.

…

Outside the courtyard.

Shao Pingge, wearing a dark red cloak, walked towards the gate on the snow.

Suddenly, the phone in his arms rang. Shao Pingge was startled, and after hesitating for a moment, he took out his cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Pingge, Happy New Year."

"You too, Commander Zuo." Shao Pingge smiled helplessly, "You called me at this time, it shouldn't just be to wish me a happy new year, right?"

"……Um."

Zuo Qing on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then said, "Today, the two passes on the northwest border detected the intrusion of alien creatures, but after careful investigation, no signs of foreign gods entering the country were found.

I'm worried that those outer gods will take advantage of our New Year to do something small, just in case..."

"I understand." Shao Pingge nodded, "I will go to the front line now, guard the pass, and set up a dream net to prevent anything else from sneaking in."

"Thanks for your hard work."

“It should be.”

Shao Pingge hung up the phone and stood silently in front of the vermilion gate of the courtyard.

The familiar aroma of food, mixed with laughter, wafted out from behind the door. Shao Pingge stood alone in the snow, wearing a dark red cloak that fluttered slightly in the wind.

After an unknown amount of time, he let out a long sigh, moved his feet, turned around and left with regret and reluctance.

Squeak——!

He had just taken two steps when the vermilion door behind him was gently pushed open.

Shao Pingge stood there in a daze.

He turned around and saw Lin Qiye standing quietly in front of the door, looking at him with a smile.

"Captain Shao, Happy New Year." Lin Qiye paused and added,

"...Have a safe journey."