Chapter 76: Manman's Disappearance
"You must have misunderstood something. This emerald ring was left to me by my mother. The reason I wanted to give it to Manman was simply because I hoped the ring could protect her safety and happiness. Other than that, I have no other ideas..."
If Grandma Qu were here, she would definitely be angry and scold her grandson for being an idiot who doesn't understand romance.
Fortunately, Manman didn't care about it. "The ring is too valuable. You should keep it."
"There's no reason to take back a gift you've given away. Just keep it. Besides, your white and tender hands look great with it." Qu Yanbai stuffed it into her hands without saying a word.
Manman was a little shy. Her hands were covered with calluses from doing housework at her uncle's house and working part-time in college, but Qu Yanbai was still praising her.
Qin Muxue patted Manman on the shoulder and said, "It's okay, just take it first. It would be a waste if you don't take it."
Manman couldn't win the argument with him, so she could only put the ring away. Qin Muxue helped her put it on her hand, and the size of the ring was just right, without any need for any changes.
Looking at the hand emitting green light, it really suits Manman's slender fingers.
"Look, isn't this beautiful? I wish you peace, success and happiness in the days ahead! Happy birthday, Manman."
"Thanks."
All the unhappiness just now was hidden in the children's laughter. Qin Muxue rarely contributed a few bottles of orange juice. For children, sweet drinks are the most tempting.
"Because it's Sister Manman's birthday, I let you drink so indulgently."
There was cake and orange juice, and the children's mouths were full of cream.
Shi Yan touched his pocket. He and Ding Manman knew each other in college and should be friends. He took out a sharp little dagger and said, "I give it to you. You can use it when you are in danger." After saying just a few brief words, he sat quietly aside and started eating the cake he and Qin Muxue had shared.
"Thank you..." Manman felt that Shi Yan was a person who looked cold on the outside but was very gentle on the inside. There was always a clear and soft light in his eyes when he looked at Qin Muxue.
But before I had time to think about it, a cough outside broke this warm scene, "Ahem, maybe I came at the wrong time."
It was Lei Yangzhou. Even he had forgotten that today was Ding Manman’s birthday. He hadn’t had time to prepare anything and even felt a little ashamed. “Manman… I’m sorry, I didn’t have time to prepare a gift for you.”
"Captain Lei, you are joking. It doesn't matter whether it is a gift or not." There was a hint of alienation in her tone. "You must have something to ask to come here to see us, right?"
Indeed, he came to find them because of the mission in the shelter. The team that went out to look for supplies has not returned yet. He needs them to go outside to look for their traces and find some supplies at the same time.
"It's like this. I sent two psychics out to look for supplies before, but we still don't have any trace of them. There's no clue when we looked for them, so I want you to bring them back."
Qin Muxue was suddenly embarrassed. She seemed to know who those two people were. "Well...are the two psychics you mentioned one a wind psychic and the other an earth psychic?"
She turned her head and winked at the people behind her. If Lei Yangzhou knew that these two people had been killed by them, he would probably be furious.
"How do you know? Have you seen them?"
"Yes, I have seen them before, but they were killed later."
Lei Yangzhou's face changed, "He was murdered, how could that happen?"
"Of course it wouldn't be. We encountered a mutated plant that eats humans without leaving any trace. It was such a pity for those two. They were bewitched by the mutated plant and killed each other, and then..." Qin Muxue quickly made up an excuse. Except for the way they died, she didn't lie about anything else.
Lei Yangzhou had a solemn expression. He didn't expect that the psychics under his command had died tragically. He had no doubt about the mutated plants, but he was still a little suspicious about the way they died. However, since they were already dead, it didn't matter to him anymore. If he continued to hold the people in front of him accountable, it would be a waste of time.
"Have you seen their bodies?"
"I'm really sorry, Commander Lei, we couldn't defeat the mutant plant, and we didn't have time to stop those two people. After we watched them fight, they were swallowed by the mutant plants." Qu Yanbai described the scene at that time in a realistic manner, as if it were real.
Lei Yangzhou pondered for a moment, "In this case, the task of finding supplies can only be handed over to you. It is not convenient to discuss here. You can follow me first."
Before leaving, he looked at Ding Manman deeply again, but Ding Manman avoided his sight and no longer looked at him. He felt lost but helpless.
Lei Yangzhou saw all the scenes just now. It seemed that the man named Qu Yanbai was really interested in Manman. Subconsciously, he had already regarded the tall man as a love rival. But one thing is for another, and they still have an important task to do.
Since the two psychics are already dead, there is no need to waste energy looking for them.
Arriving at the strategic deployment room, Lei Yangzhou took out a map and circled a location. "This place was originally Dajiang's military base. When we left there, we didn't have time to bring out a lot of weapons, especially our biochemical research laboratory, where we left behind several important researchers and professors. Without them and their research results, our research would stagnate. This time, your mission is to bring the three of them back."
Going to the military base? Qin Muxue immediately became interested. There must be a lot of good things in the military base, which could be used to expand the supplies in her space. Some things can be bought with money, but some things cannot be bought with money.
"I am not sure whether they are alive or dead. We have sent out several teams to search for them but found nothing. They even lost contact in the end. Therefore, this mission is very difficult and we don't know what kind of dangers will arise."
The more Qu Yanbai listened, the more he felt that the scene was familiar. In his previous life, he died in a military base while on a mission. This life was surprisingly similar. The only difference was that all the teammates around him had changed, and the person giving the orders had changed from Commander Wu to Lei Yangzhou in front of him.
Qu Yanbai took a deep breath and asked, "Will Commander Wu also send someone there?"
Lei Yangzhou nodded silently. "Now there are only two of us in the shelter. We are evenly matched and can restrain each other. But whoever gets the experimental report first will definitely become the stronger party."
Commander Wu’s subordinates must be Luo Miaomiao and his group. Hu Zimo should also go there.
Qin Muxue looked at Qu Yanbai's expression and knew that he must have some concerns.
"I will arrange for you to go with them, but you must obtain the lab report and rescue the researcher and professor before they succeed. Remember, the most important thing is the lab report."
The implication was that it didn't matter if the professor and researcher died, but the experimental reports had to be retrieved. "By the way, there is also gold and some spare parts necessary for instrument maintenance. Bring back as much as you can!"
"But, if we are in competition with Commander Wu's men, if necessary, can we also..." She made a clicking gesture.
Lei Yangzhou raised his eyes and said, "I didn't say anything. If you have the ability, that's your business. I don't want you to become the souls killed by their knives." He said in a deep voice, "In addition, I will send two people to go with you to help you complete this mission."
It is said to be cooperation, but in fact it is surveillance, and everyone knows it well.
"Tomorrow morning, a helicopter will take you away, but once you enter the military base you will be on your own." Lei Yangzhou sat on a swivel chair and observed their expressions.
"Okay, let's go."
"Then you should have a good rest tonight. I will take good care of your family. Don't worry."
After walking out of the strategy room, Qin Muxue touched her chin and said, "Qu Yanbai, Shi Yan, what do you think?"
Shi Yan lowered his head and replied calmly: "I'll listen to you."
Qu Yanbai shook his head, "Do we have any other choice? But this is also an opportunity." An opportunity to kill the enemy from the previous life.
After listening to their plan, Ding Manman was still a little worried. "Can I go with you? If you get injured, there is no way to get timely treatment in a place like that. Besides, I have absorbed so much spiritual power from crystal cores, and my healing ability has improved a lot now."
At this time, Wu You rushed over and said excitedly, panting: "Youyou is awake."
Youyou woke up and was drinking porridge. Manman checked her body. After her treatment last night, Youyou was no longer in danger of death, but her body still needed to rest. She was already in charge of the children here. If she left...
At this time, Wu You volunteered and said, "Don't worry, Sister Manman, I will take good care of this place and take good care of the children here. You don't have to worry about us, just go if you want to!"
Without any worries, Ding Manman showed a pitiful expression, "Xiaoxue, I want to go too."
This time, the mission feels much more dangerous than ever before, but Manman is a super strong assistant, and bringing her along will definitely do more good than harm.
"Just let me go with you. I will definitely not hold you back."
"Okay, okay, this mission is not like the previous ones. It will definitely be dangerous. Remember, you must not leave our side." She reminded him again and again.
Manman nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, I will help you whenever you need it."
Qin Muxue stretched lazily, "Since everyone is going out on a mission, why not have a big meal? After going out, we won't be able to eat so many good things."
"Why don't I make you some delicious food tonight!"
The meals provided to the mutants in the shelter are not bad, but they are not very delicious either. They can cook their favorite food in private.
"There's no need for you to do anything." Qin Muxue took out a lot of chicken wings, hamburgers, and fried chicken from the space. She had stockpiled a lot of KFC before, but the amount she took out to eat was very few. This time she could just take them out to satisfy her craving.
"Manman, you like New Orleans-flavored chicken burgers. This is for you. Shiyan, what flavor do you like?"
"I can do anything."
"Then how about giving you five squares of tender beef?"
"good."
Qu Yanbai came forward and asked, "Why don't you ask me what kind of food I like?"
"Eat whatever you have." Qin Muxue stuffed a spicy chicken burger into his hands.
In addition to hamburgers and cola, there are also French fries, chicken nuggets, original chicken, New Orleans chicken wings, and egg tarts. This KFC looks like it was just bought from the store and is still hot. "Eat it while it's hot!"
Fast food that used to be everywhere in the city tastes really delicious now, and there is a sense of nostalgia. "When KFC was not so expensive before, we often went there to eat set meals for more than ten yuan. Do you remember? It was cheap and the portions were big. Now they are getting smaller and smaller."
Qin Muxue ate several burgers in a row without feeling anything. She then drank a large glass of Coke and began to happily nibble on the chicken breast of the Finger Licking Original Chicken.
She doesn't like to eat other parts of the chicken, she only likes the meaty chicken breast, which tastes more satisfying.
Shi Yan looked at the greasy food on the corners of her mouth and handed her a tissue, "No one is competing with you for it."
While gnawing on a chicken wing, Qu Yanbai sighed, "It's all thanks to you that we can eat this, otherwise we wouldn't even want to think about it." Thinking of the dry and hard bread and tasteless beans he had eaten before, he shook his head. Now he has meat for every meal and never has to worry about food and drink.
"This is not free food for you. It is exchanged with your supplies, hehe." Qin Muxue showed a sly smile.
"You... okay, okay, let's exchange, exchange." Qu Yanbai shook his head helplessly. Since all his belongings were in Qin Muxue's space, he could only succumb to her tyranny.
Ding Manman looked at them quarreling and thought that such days of playing and fighting were quite nice.
Qin Muxue asked Lei Yangzhou for a lot of food and asked him, "This is the children's food. You must distribute it every day."
Now that Wu Yong has been rescued by them, they let him and Wu You take care of these children in the school. Grandma Qu was also an educated person when she was young, and she volunteered to join the task of educating the children. It does not consume physical energy, and Grandma Qu feels a lot younger when she is with the children.
Just thinking that they had just been together for a while and now the children were going out again, she couldn't help feeling a little reluctant. "This time when you go out, you must be extra careful." She also knew that the reason they could live such a worry-free life in the shelter was because of the efforts of these children. Although she couldn't help them in any way, at least she couldn't hold them back.
Grandma Qu wanted to give some more instructions, but she saw the ring on Ding Manman's hand, "This is a very familiar ring. Where did you get it? It's exactly the same as the one my daughter-in-law has."
Ding Manman's face flushed immediately. "Um, um, Grandma Qu, it's..."
Qu Yanbai immediately stepped forward and explained: "This is a gift from me to Manman, grandma."
"You guys?" Grandma Qu wanted to ask, but held back. "Okay, okay, this is a good child." She held Qu Yanbai's hand and sighed, "I can see you like this in my lifetime, and I will die with no regrets!"
"Grandma, please don't talk nonsense. You are in good health. Don't say such discouraging things. You will live longer in the future." Qu Yanbai sighed, and seeing that Manman wanted to explain something, he winked at her and told her to keep silent.
"Seeing you and Manman together, I am so happy. Manman is a kind-hearted girl with a good temper. She is good in everything. She is more than a perfect match for you. Even though you are a rough man, you must take good care of the girl. This way you will have a companion and I can rest assured in the future." Grandma Qu was thinking that if she died one day, Qu Yanbai would at least have someone to accompany him and would not be so lonely.
"Grandma, what are you talking about? I am also a good man! Don't worry, I will take good care of you and Manman."
"That emerald ring is one of your mother's favorite pieces of jewelry. She told me that she wanted to leave it to her future daughter-in-law. Now that I see you gave it to Manman, I feel relieved."
Qu Yanbai touched his nose guiltily and said ambiguously: "What do you have to worry about? Just stay here and enjoy your retirement and wait for us to come back."
Grandma Qu looked at the people around her and said affectionately, "I'll wait for you to come back. I'll make you sweet and sour pork and dumplings."
"Okay, don't worry, we will come back safely."
After Grandma Qu went back to rest, Qu Yanbai said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't ask you to explain just now."
"I understand. You just want to make Grandma Qu happy. We are about to go out on a mission. She is old and has been worried all the time. You want to make her happy."
"Manman, I hope you can understand."
"Grandma Qu is usually very nice to me, and sometimes I envy you for having such a caring elder." She lost her parents at a young age, and the only grandmother she had some impression of passed away early. The two people she called uncle and aunt had never given her a trace of family warmth.
Looking at Manman's lonely expression, he suddenly said seriously: "I envy you. Look, you have such good friends and teammates who care about you so much." He could sense that there was a good impression between the two, but he could not protect himself and could not promise her a bright future, so he dared only stay where he was, or even retreat. Instead of touching an uncertain future, it is better to stay where he is.
Ding Manman realized instantly that he was talking about himself, "You are not my good friend, my best friend is Xiaoxue, huh."
She had a crush on Qu Yanbai, and he should have been able to sense it, but she expressed the relationship between them in such an obscure way, that they were just friends.
Well, the relationship between friends is the least likely to break.
Manman smiled and said, "I'm a little tired. I'm going to go back and rest first."
"Shall I take you back?"
"The shelter's protection measures are very good, you don't have to worry about me, I just want to be alone."
Qu Yanbai knew it was inappropriate for him to appear in front of her now, "Okay."
Qin Muxue came to the space, still thinking about Baozhu and Zhenzhu. When Baozhu saw her, she excitedly jumped on her. Qin Muxue touched her back vigorously. Seeing that the dog and cat food in the automatic feeder were empty, Qin Muxue felt a little guilty. "I have neglected you recently. I will try my best to come once a day in the future."
After filling all the food in the bowls, Qin Muxue opened a few cans and fed them. Seeing that they were eating with relish, she touched her stomach and suddenly felt hungry.
She remembered that there were still some crayfish she had stockpiled in this space, so she found a basin of crayfish from the storage area, opened a can of beer, and sat in the courtyard to enjoy it happily.
Ah Huang's puppies were all round and very cute. Qin Muxue just waved her hand and they came over with their tails in their mouths. Qin Muxue fed them some snacks and took out some teething sticks. These puppies were at the stage of growing teeth and these were just the right things for them to use to grind their teeth.
I poured some catnip for Pearl. When she smelled the catnip, she immediately rolled on the ground intoxicated, looking like she was enjoying it.
Cats are supposed to look leisurely and carefree. It seems that Pearl is living a very happy life here.
Baozhu called out to her a few times, motioning him to follow her. Qin Muxue followed her to the rabbit hive and discovered that the male and female rabbits had given birth to several snow-white little rabbits, which were instantly adorable.
“It looks like this place won’t be far from becoming my dream farm.”
She picked some celery, basil, cherry radish, and lettuce from the field and put them in the rabbit's nest, "Eat more and grow fatter." She seemed to have seen the scene of the rabbit turned into cold rabbit pot, and her mouth was watering.
After that, the wild boars on the farm grew a lot. Qin Muxue picked some fresh corn and vegetables. They were not picky about food and ate whatever was available. When they saw Qin Muxue, they were no longer as emotional as they were at the beginning.
Qin Muxue thought that if there was still a shortage of breeding pigs, she could go outside and catch a few more wild boars, which would increase the output value.
Raise a few sheep in this area, and a few cows in that area. It would be even better if there were chickens, ducks, etc. Anyway, there is a lot of space here, so you can raise anything.
After picking the ripe grains and vegetables from the fields, Qin Muxue saw that it was almost time, so she hurried to Baozhu and Zhenzhu and said, "I'll come to see you tomorrow. You must be well here. I've prepared enough food and water for you."
She left reluctantly, returned to reality, and returned to the dormitory, but did not see Manman.
Qin Muxue was a little surprised. Manman usually fell asleep as soon as she touched the bed. Why didn't she rest on the bed? "Manman! Manman!"
After calling her name several times, there was still no response. Qin Muxue became a little anxious. She was not in the bathroom either, so where could she have gone?
So she knocked on the door of Qu Yanbai and Shi Yan's room, "Have you seen Manman? Is she here with you?"
Qin Muxue had a bad feeling for some reason.
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