Qi Yan had never thought that the government would use Samud’s hostages in exchange for himself, and the message that came with the telegram was - you can set any conditions, just return Qi Yan.

For a moment, everyone looked at Qi Yan with unfamiliar eyes again. The trust that had been hard to build up in these days turned into indifference again in the face of those strange looks.

Meeting their eyes, Qi Yan felt sad in his heart, but his face did not show indifference.

There were fewer and fewer children coming to listen to stories in the evening. Every time they listened obediently, and then left. They no longer teased and played with Qi Yan, although they still said hello and goodbye politely. After that, gradually no children came to listen to stories.

Qi Yan didn't understand why he felt so empty in his heart. It was an emotion that he had never experienced since his father passed away.

Only Doniel treated Qi Yan as usual. But Doniel was also busy, going out early and returning late every day, as if he was busy because of the government's announcement.

"He must be an important figure in the government!" Bick shouted hoarsely: "The government is willing to use any conditions to exchange for this person. Doniel, do you still believe that he is an ordinary person?!"

Doniel, who was sitting in the main seat, frowned and said nothing.

Xiya glanced at Bick, then at Doniel, and said with a turn of her eyes: "Bick, don't yell at Doniel. Doniel was also deceived by Qi Yan. How can you blame Doniel?"

Bick was stunned for a moment, and quickly said to Doniel: "Sorry, Doniel, I was too anxious... But the people in the government are really mean! They actually used those children to make us let down our guard against him!"

Doniel did not relax his brows because of Bick's apology, but frowned even tighter.

"He didn't deceive me, don't talk nonsense." Inexplicably, Doniel wanted to believe Qi Yan, even at this moment.

Bick choked and looked at Xiya, but saw that Xiya lowered her head, looking like she was not interested in this matter at all.

"I will investigate this matter further. But the conditions offered by the government this time are very favorable to us, so let's think about what we should ask the government for." Donil changed the subject.

The subsequent discussion was in full swing. While everyone was discussing, Qi Yan, who was far away in the tree house, was also making his own guesses in his mind. It

was too weird... Why would the government care about him so much? Is it because of his father? Or some special reason?

His father was dead, and as the surviving son of a government official, he was said to be taken care of forever, but in fact he was just arranged in a small corner, with no worries about food and clothing and a life of mediocrity...

Was he really worth the government's great offer in exchange?

Somehow, Qi Yan felt that this matter must have something to do with his late father, otherwise the government would not value his life so much.

That night, Doniel returned to the tree house and looked at Qi Yan, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Qi Yan, on the other hand, probably already knew the result of their discussion.

"When are we going to exchange the hostages?" After all, he was going to be used to exchange for the Samod people captured by the government.

Qi Yan's indifferent look made Doniel feel a little sad: "...tomorrow."

"Yeah, I guessed it." The Samod people had suffered a lot from the government. As a good leader, Doniel couldn't let them suffer for a few more days if he had the chance.

Qi Yan stood up and suddenly bowed deeply to Doniel.

"Thank you for your care these days. I feel another world and joy." Qi Yan said solemnly, "If there is a chance, when we meet again in the future, we can travel around the universe together as friends."

Doniel's heart ached even more.

"...I'm sorry." He didn't know why he suddenly apologized, but with just this one sentence, Qi Yan and Doniel understood something.

"No need to apologize." Qi Yan stood up and smiled: "See you tomorrow, and maybe we will never meet again in this life, so this apology is meaningless."

"Life is like this, there will be success and failure. A numb life may end in a heart-wrenching battle. I am very happy to be able to come here for a 'touristy'."

"I won't tell the government about what happened here, please rest assured."

After speaking, Qi Yan took out a thumb-sized glass bottle from his pocket, which contained a colorless liquid.

"This is the Fountain of Youth, it has been confirmed. But there is no live experiment, so I dare not take the risk of giving it to humans. I will only take these, and as long as the remaining crystals do not melt, there will be no problem."

Doniel pursed his dry lips: "...Okay. To be honest, I am a little reluctant."

Qi Yan, who was observing the transparent liquid, was stunned and slowly turned his head to look over: "What?"

"I said I am a little reluctant." Doniel did not hide his feelings: "Maybe I already regard you as a friend."

After speaking, Qi Yan stared into his eyes for a long time, and finally laughed lightly.

"Thank you, you are also my friend, Doniel."

"Hahahaha...what's your name? I only remember Yan, so I'll call you Yan."

"...Okay, whatever you want."

...

Why do some feelings only express themselves when they must be separated?

——You know, the time we spend together is not much.

On the second day, Doniel took Qi Yan and boarded the Samoed II. This is a fighter plane that is much smaller than the Samoed. It has a small passenger capacity, but its combat and flexibility are considerable.

Doniel did not bring many people, only Qi Yan and two men that Qi Yan had never seen before. Bick and Xia were not on the cabin.

"Open the cabin door at the tail of the plane in a while, and close it quickly after the hostage exchange is completed." Doniel said to the two men, who were obviously pilots.

"You know the route after that, and proceed according to our plan yesterday."

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

Qi Yan sat in the safety chair, quietly waiting for the moment of exchanging hostages.

After a few tremors, Samoth II successfully flew into the sky. Qi Yan silently looked out the small window at the gradually darkening night sky outside, feeling a little melancholy.

Such days are coming to an end...

"What's wrong?" Doniel sat down beside him and naturally fastened his seat belt.

"Nothing." Qi Yan shook his head: "I think I am too."

"What?" Donil frowned in confusion.

"I said, I seem to be the same as you."

Qi Yan raised his voice, his clean and clear voice was full of clear magnetism.

—— "I can't bear to part with it."