Several days later, Liu Xing was finally filled with anger, kicking chairs, tables, and sofas in his office like a madman. His group of advisors stood nearby, their faces dark and gloomy. These politicians, who played political games whenever they had a chance to catch their breath, ultimately underestimated the power of human nature.
As Liu Xing and other enraged politicians lost their minds, in the hidden mountain base, it was the break of dawn.
Su Pei had gradually returned to her usual self. She gently patted Dou Dou, who was sipping on juice. The latter wiggled its tendrils, indicating its readiness to take flight once more.
Old Wei stood beside them, gazing at this poor girl. The heavens favored her, allowing her to escape death multiple times, yet they were also cruel, demanding her loved ones in exchange for her survival.
Perhaps sensing Old Wei's presence, Su Pei turned around.
"Uncle Wei!"
"Yeah, I came to see if you're feeling better today."
"Much better, Uncle Wei!"
"Well, that's good!" Old Wei nodded. "Zhao Aunt noticed you ate very little this morning. She made some simple fried eggs and bean porridge. Don't forget to go over and eat later."
"Thank you, but I can just eat at the cafeteria, really!"
"It's no big deal. The cafeteria serves the same food as here, but Zhao Aunt's cooking is exceptionally delicious."
"Yeah, it really is tasty!"
"Haha, then what are we waiting for? Let's go together!"
"Okay!" Su Pei, after all, had the heart of a child, and Old Wei cleverly used food to lead her like an obedient girl.
"Zhao Aunt!" Su Pei's melodious voice echoed.
"Oh, you're here!" an aunt-like figure answered loudly. "Xiao Pei, come in. We're just about to eat."
"Yeah, it smells so good!"
"Sister Zhao, is there a portion for this old man?" Old Wei chuckled.
"Why not? Come over here! Get your bowl and chopsticks!"
"Sure thing!"
Su Pei entered and immediately scooped up the little kid sitting on the ground. "Big baby, did you miss me?"
"Hello, big sister!"
The adorable big baby was Aunt Zhao's son. She had him in her later years, and her husband, along with Su Pei's father, disappeared together on a ship. He was an extraordinarily skilled craftsman, whether it was iron welding or carpentry, he excelled at it all. But this time, perhaps he wouldn't return.
Aunt Zhao was an optimistic and strong person. Even for the sake of her child, she gritted her teeth and lived life with a smile.
Old Wei, Su Pei, and a few others gathered around a table, enjoying a hearty breakfast and playing with Big Baby.
"Xiao Pei, from now on, consider this place your home. Is that alright?" Aunt Zhao spoke up.
"Sure!" Su Pei replied sweetly.
"That's good. But don't forget, you have to come here for all three meals today."
"I want to play with big sister!" Big Baby chimed in with a childish voice.
"Uncle Wei, I want to do something." After finishing their meal, the group sat down and chatted. Su Pei held Big Baby and looked at Old Wei.
Old Wei sighed inwardly, and Su Pei naturally understood about ninety percent of what he was thinking. Aunt Zhao wasn't foolish either. After a moment of bewilderment, she quickly grasped the situation, her eyes slightly teary.
"Do you all know what I want to do?" Su Pei asked.
Both Old Wei and Aunt Zhao remained silent.
"I know I'm stubborn, but I want to go and see, really, just see!"
"Don't cry, don't cry." Aunt Zhao, tears streaming down her face, wiped her own tears away quickly.
Old Wei let out a long sigh. "Another Xiao Guang."
"I know. I'm sure I need your approval for this. Because I'm afraid you'll worry. I want your blessings the most..."
"Stop talking, stop talking." Aunt Zhao embraced her tightly. "Child, stop talking. I understand, I understand!"
Old Wei felt bitter in his heart. Su Pei was capable of controlling Dou Dou, but the environment over there was treacherous. Without support, how could they rest easy allowing her to take risks again? Searching and fleeing were not the same. When fleeing, she could fly high and escape from predatory insects. But searching in the jungle, venomous creatures abounded. Even a spider web could mean the end for Su Pei and Dou Dou. If there were no ground forces to support her, how could they feel at ease letting her go again? Xiao Guang was able to do it because he could almost completely ignore all insects. He could control them almost effortlessly. As for Su Pei, it seemed she hadn't discovered a way to control insects other than beetles.
"Wait a bit longer, please wait a bit longer!" Old Wei pleaded. "The mounted squad has returned to the base to get reinforcements. They might advance earlier to that area. When that time comes, we can go together to explore and search. Let's wait for news, alright?" Old Wei's tone was almost imploring.
"Yeah, okay."
Seeing Su Pei agree, Old Wei continued to console her. "During this time, try again. Maybe you can find a way to control other insects. You rode a grasshopper last time, didn't you? None of us can do that. You surely can!"
"Yeah, I'll give it another try."
"That's right, especially those dangerous insects. If you're not afraid of them, you can search more easily." Old Wei continuously encouraged her. "They caught spiders last time. Try to control them and keep them away. Remember, only when you've mastered this can you handle danger, and that's when you'll graduate and be able to save others."
"Yeah, Uncle Wei, I understand. I won't sneak away!" Su Pei responded earnestly, showing none of the slickness of trying to evade Old Wei's concerns.
"That's good, that's good."
What's that sound outside?
Clamorous voices and loud shouts filled the air. It didn't sound like danger or excitement; rather, it seemed like people had discovered something out of the ordinary.
After exchanging glances, Su Pei handed Little Baby to Aunt Zhao and went outside with Old Wei to see what was happening.
As they stepped out of the cave, they saw a crowd of people surging outside. Many were streaming out, and up ahead, there was a commotion. Many children were running after them. Just then, someone came running to find Old Wei. When they saw them, they spoke loudly, "Old Wei, it seems like there are people coming from the northwest base. A lot of people. Everyone's going to see what's happening."
"People from the base are coming, and there are many of them?" Su Pei and Old Wei found it puzzling. Aunt Zhao also came out with Little Baby. She probably heard the noise but knew that if it were something dangerous, they would have said so. So, she brought Little Baby to see.
Together, they walked to the crossroads and saw that in the distance, the road was packed like an ant colony, forming neat lines. There were old people, children, and many young women. Only a few young men were leading the way.
They had backpacks and baggage, and wooden carts with bundles of luggage. Despite the dust on their faces, they looked spirited. It was evident that the women and children had probably endured a long journey, traveling for days to reach this place.
What was going on? Old Wei looked at the leading young people. Some of them seemed familiar but, due to his poor eyesight, he couldn't recognize them.
"Your son, Old Wei." Aunt Zhao patted Old Wei's shoulder.
"Ah!" Suddenly, everything clicked for Old Wei. The tall figure beside his son, wasn't that Xu De Kai? He was with his sister Zheng Zi. And their group of friends, why were they all here?
Many people rushed down to greet them. Regardless of the reason for their arrival, they were all worth welcoming.
The two groups of people converged on the hillside. Looking at the continuous and unending line of people, Old Wei was about to ask when Xu De Kai, loud and clear, quickly answered everyone's question.
"Uncle Wei, look, I've brought your son back, and there are over a thousand people. They're all those who haven't found their loved ones!"
"Your son, Old Wei?" Aunt Zhao patted Old Wei's shoulder.
"Ah!" Old Wei finally put two and two together. The tall figure beside his son, wasn't that Xu De Kai? He was with his sister Zheng Zi. And their group of friends, why were they all here?
Many people rushed down to greet them. Regardless of the reason for their arrival, they were all worth welcoming.
The two groups of people converged on the hillside. Looking at the continuous and unending line of people, Old Wei was about to ask when Xu De Kai, loud and clear, quickly answered everyone's question.
"Uncle Wei, look, I've brought your son back, and there are over a thousand people. They're all those who haven't found their loved ones!"
"Your son, Old Wei?" Aunt Zhao patted Old Wei's shoulder.
"Ah!" Old Wei finally put two and two together. The tall figure beside his son, wasn't that Xu De Kai? He was with his sister Zheng Zi. And their group of friends, why were they all here?
Many people rushed down to greet them. Regardless of the reason for their arrival, they were all worth welcoming.
The two groups of people converged on the hillside. Looking at the continuous and unending line of people, Old Wei was about to ask when Xu De Kai, loud and clear, quickly answered everyone's question.
"Uncle Wei, look, I've brought your son back, and there are over a thousand people. They're all those who haven't found their loved ones!"
"Your son, Old Wei?" Aunt Zhao patted Old Wei's shoulder.
"Ah!" Old Wei finally put two and two together. The tall figure beside his son, wasn't that Xu De Kai? He was with his sister Zheng Zi. And their group of friends, why were they all here?
Many people rushed down to greet them. Regardless of the reason for their arrival, they were all worth welcoming.
The two groups of people converged on the hillside. Looking at the continuous and unending line of people, Old Wei was about to ask when Xu De Kai, loud and clear, quickly answered everyone's question.
"Uncle Wei, look, I've brought your son back, and there are over a thousand people. They're all those who haven't found their loved ones!"
Old Wei's hand tightly grasped Xu De Kai's. "We've waited for you for a long time. Let's talk inside. Let's go save people!"