Seeing Sheng Shuya so heartbroken, Qin Zhi didn't know what to say.
She silently patted Sheng Shuya on the back.
After a while, she said, "The past is behind us; what's important is the future."
Sheng Shuya wiped away her tears. "Yes, the future is what matters most."
That night, everyone had a great time.
They played to their heart's content and ate without holding back.
What's more, they all felt their bodies were somehow different from before.
Take resisting cold air, for instance.
Before, no matter how thick their clothes were, even with plenty of warming patches, standing outside still made them feel freezing cold.
But now, while there was still a slight chill, it was noticeably better than before.
Moreover, they felt an endless surge of energy within them.
In other words, they no longer felt dizzy or sore...
However, the next day, Yun Xiaoxiao announced:
Everyone in the entire base, except for those under two years old and over fifty-five, will be enlisted, regardless of gender!
Their schedules will be adjusted starting today.
Morning training, afternoon work, and evening rest.
Even those without special abilities must undergo training to practice combat skills.
Yun Xiaoxiao had been planning this ever since she incorporated the central base into Yun City.
Since the central base could handle production, the people of Yun City could become self-sufficient, easing the production pressure.
The extra time could then be utilized effectively.
What reminded her of the need for this plan was the reaction of the people when the flying insects attacked yesterday.
Apart from the guards, everyone else's first instinct was to flee at the sight of the insects.
What kind of chaos was that?
Although the base seemed secure and safe inside, nothing was ever certain.
And she hated that "just in case."
Any potential threat to her, she wanted to eliminate beforehand.
To encourage everyone, she added several incentive programs.
Winners would receive extra points, fruits, and even mutated animal meat as rewards.
She still had plenty of mutated animal carcasses from the forest she had hunted in her space.
Thus, that morning, the entire Yun City was filled with groups of people running, practicing stances, and training in sword techniques.
Days passed.
One day, while Yun Xiaoxiao was leading a group in push-ups, Tao Mi'er approached.
"Little Chief Yun, Bai Hongting from the northern base is here. He brought a lot of things and said... he wants to see you."
Hearing this, Yun Xiaoxiao didn't stop her movements and didn't even look up.
She said coldly, "I won't see him."
"What about the things he brought?" Tao Mi'er asked again.
Yun Xiaoxiao frowned. "Include what he sent last time; return everything to him."
"Understood!"
Tao Mi'er drove first to the warehouse, then to the hospital, and finally returned to the gate.
"I'm sorry, Bai Base Chief, our Little Chief Yun is currently unavailable to see you," she stated professionally.
At this, Bai Hongting's eyes dimmed slightly.
In truth, he had anticipated this outcome.
Xiaoxiao still hasn't forgiven him.
"Didn't I tell you not to come?"
Just as he was feeling down, Sheng Shuya walked out.
Her tone carried a hint of disdain.
Since she wasn't a resident of Yun City, she didn't have to join the training like everyone else.
She spent her days at the hospital, continuing her vaccine research with her team.
Earlier, Bai Hongting had tried to enter the base but was stopped by Tao Mi'er.
Yun Xiaoxiao had previously instructed that the base chief from the northern base was not allowed inside.
So, unable to enter, Bai Hongting had asked Tao Mi'er to convey his desire to see Yun Xiaoxiao and to help call Sheng Shuya.
After delivering the message to Yun Xiaoxiao, Tao Mi'er first went to the warehouse to check the items and arrange for transportation.
Next, she headed to the hospital to inform Sheng Shuya.
Hearing his wife's disdainful tone, Bai Hongting let out an ironic chuckle.
What a failure he was.
His daughter didn't acknowledge him.
His wife disdained him.
With a wife and daughter, he lived like a lonely king.
He coughed lightly, leading Sheng Shuya to a corner away from others.
Then, with a pitiful expression, he said, "Sister, haven't you thought of me?"
Sheng Shuya nearly choked on her own saliva.
Bai Hongting had only used this tone with her when they were young and courting. In the years since, he rarely spoke to her like this.
They had had a May-December romance.
Bai Hongting had won her over by being tall, handsome, and serious in front of others but turning into a clingy and adorable puppy behind closed doors.
Hearing him call her "sister" after so long, Sheng Shuya felt a chill run down her spine.
"Don't use that tone; it's embarrassing if someone hears," Sheng Shuya frowned.
They weren't young anymore.
What was once playful banter now felt...
She herself found it a bit repulsive.
Bai Hongting smiled and returned to his usual tone.
"How have you been doing here recently?"
He genuinely missed his wife.
Sheng Shuya nodded. "Yes, it's pretty good."
With Xiaoxiao around, just seeing her made her happy.
"That's good. Even though I'm not by your side, take care of yourself."
"I know."
"Here are some crystal cores; take them. If you need more, have Xixiao come back for them."
Bai Hongting handed a large bag of crystal cores to Sheng Shuya.
"Okay."
"That..."
Bai Hongting hesitated but finally asked, "Has Xiaoxiao acknowledged you yet?"
Sheng Shuya sighed and shook her head silently.
"This matter can't be rushed."
They chatted privately for a while longer.
Just as they were about to part, a truck drove out from inside the base.
"Bai Base Chief, these are the things you previously sent. Our Little Chief Yun said for you not to send anything in the future. No merit, no reward; we're not close, so there's no need to bring gifts each time," Tao Mi'er conveyed, smiling politely.
At this, Bai Hongting's heart filled with melancholy.
What to do if his daughter wouldn't accept his gifts?
She didn't acknowledge him, but she even took away his chance to show her kindness.
This...
In this moment, he was overwhelmed with regret.
If only, back then, he hadn't blindly sided with Bai Ruo or harmed her, would things be different now?
Regrets are useless in hindsight.
It's all too late.
He sighed silently and looked at Tao Mi'er.
"Can I use these crystal cores to purchase the evolution liquid instead?"
"This..."
Tao Mi'er exchanged a look with Liu Tao beside her.
"We'll need to ask first."
Although Little Chief Yun hadn't explicitly said the northern base couldn't buy the evolution liquid, it seemed she wasn't too fond of Bai Base Chief.
So, to be safe, they needed to check first.
