Chapter 431

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Tears welled in her eyes, an indescribable mix of emotions; Shen Yao covered the corner of her mouth with one hand, smiling as she walked over and embraced Manman, who stood rooted to the spot.

"You're back, that's all that matters. You're back, that's all that matters."

Manman grinned and hugged Shen Yao back, swaying left and right to show she was in perfect health, saying she had learned many practical skills on this trip and next time definitely wouldn't be like this one.

Shen Yao: ……

Shen Yao irritably raised a hand and patted her daughter, who stood a head taller than herself, and pulled her toward home. "Next time's plans can wait for next time; for now, get home and rest properly."

Her eyelids drooped with exhaustion — clearly she hadn't rested well in the wild.

Hearing this, Manman raised a hand to touch her own cheek; indeed it felt a bit rough, not as smooth as before.

Acting coquettish, she asked Mother to help with skincare — she was still a youthful, radiant beauty, after all.

Shen Yao shot her improper daughter a glare. "There's still some pearl powder at home; I'll make you a face mask later, guaranteed to restore your skin in no more than three days."

The efficacy of mutated pearls is extraordinarily potent; these past years Cheng Qi always found time to go to the riverside, catch clams, and harvest pearls, so what Shen Yao lacks least is precisely these.

Manman grinned and nodded agreement. "Mother, I want a thick layer."

"Rest assured, Mother will definitely treat you well," Shen Yao promised, patting her chest.

"……"

The mother and daughter returned home chatting and laughing, only then realizing they seemed to have forgotten something — where were Father / Cheng Qi?

Cheng Qi, who had merely gone back to the Mercenary Team ahead of time to report in, only to be left behind and ignored: ……

The return of Cheng Qi and his daughter brought much liveliness to the originally empty house.

Because this mission was completed beautifully, despite an accident in the middle, after the Base's review passed, Manman's Gene Awakening schedule was also put on the agenda.

Shen Yao was still somewhat dissatisfied hearing the timing; she felt it clashed with the Hot Rainy Season — after Awakening she would only be able to stay home and slowly recuperate.

Cheng Qi soothed her, saying she could still move around a little at home; with Manman Awakening at this age, the effect would be even better when using Energy Stones later (and they had Energy Stones on hand).

"You encountered danger on this trip, and there were people who couldn't make it back.

Is Manman's side really alright?" A child, after all — wouldn't she be uncomfortable inside?

Shen Yao truly cared to the point of chaos; these past days, whether there was anything or not, she would overthink wildly.

"Manman is stronger than we imagined. She chose to walk this path, so she can't hide away playing deaf and blind." In the future, outside the Base will grow ever more dangerous; perhaps one day even the Base won't be able to stop those Mutant Beasts' footsteps — what will Manman do then?

Cheng Qi took Shen Yao's hand, expressing that all they could do was support Manman, let her grow up as fast as possible, so that whatever trouble she encounters later, she'll have a chance to survive.

Shen Yao's expression was worried. "Has the Outside already deteriorated to this extent?"

Cheng Qi nodded heavily. "These past years, several surrounding small and medium Bases have already ceased to exist; this Base can still hold out, relying entirely on the constant influx of population and the ever-increasing Gene Awakeners."

Originally Gene Awakeners wouldn't appear this easily, but to guarantee normal operations, the Patrol Team had sufficient manpower numbers, so they continuously lowered standards and expanded recruitment — that is what led to the current situation.

What will the future be like? No one dares guarantee. But the only consensus is that the situation will get worse and worse; while the Base attempts self-rescue, it is also preparing a retreat route.

Shen Yao leaned in Cheng Qi's embrace, thinking of the few Bases where conditions were still decent; for them to escape there smoothly, the time and effort required would be far greater than over a decade ago.

Cheng Qi smiled and patted Shen Yao's shoulder. "Perhaps we can live here until old age."

It's not the worst yet; they can prepare for the next escape, but that doesn't affect them enjoying their present life.

The couple chatted and laughed; outside the window it was pitch-black and silent, and as the lit lamps went out, people fell into deep sleep.

When the sun once again rose from the east, bright light sprinkled over the earth; Shen Yao opened her eyes, welcoming the arrival of a new day in a beautiful mood.

Manman had long since started her daily exercise — running a few laps around the Outer District, then practicing her archery craftsmanship and hands-on ability, finally washing up and coming over to eat breakfast.

Shen Yao instructed Manman to be obedient at the hospital later; Gene Awakening isn't troublesome, but whether it succeeds or not, it will cause irreversible effects on the body.

Cheng Qi would accompany Manman inside; Shen Yao, as an Ordinary Person, could only wait at the hospital doorway.

Manman stretched out a hand, pulling Mother to sit and eat, then called Father to hurry over — they couldn't waste time.

Regarding becoming a Gene Awakener, Manman embraced it with the greatest enthusiasm.

Looking at such a Manman, Shen Yao suddenly recalled her former self; when she first came here she had the same plan, but ultimately gave up for various reasons.

Compared to Manman who has only this one life, Shen Yao — this Longevity in a different sense — gradually became cowardly and conservative.

Perhaps she should adjust for this; she chose rebirth life after life, wasn't it to experience different lives? Bravery is not recklessness.

The family of three finished breakfast and walked to the hospital located between the Outer District and the Inner District.

By now, quite a few people had already gathered outside the hospital — men and women, old and young.

Most came as accompanying persons; a small portion were the ones participating in Gene Awakening.

Manman also saw her classmates inside; she was the youngest, and because she was a girl, she drew many gazes.

"Cheng Qi, isn't that Eldest Sister-in-law over there?"

Shen Yao caught a fleeting figure and hurriedly tugged Cheng Qi's sleeve.

Cheng Qi looked back and nodded, confirming that person was indeed Zhao Xue.

"Didn't they say Eldest Young Master's two kids didn't pass? So why did Eldest Sister-in-law come?"

Cheng Qi explained, "Eldest Sister-in-law accompanied the Zhao Family's people; Zhao Youzhi passed."

Shen Yao: …… truly an eyesore

Instantly losing any interest in speaking with Zhao Xue, Shen Yao pulled Manman over and continued her instructions.

Manman: ……

Manman listened to the whole thing, until the hospital notified them they could enter.

"Mother, wait for my good news."

Manman walked ahead, bouncing along, but vanished without a trace in just a moment.

Shen Yao's heart immediately clenched; one moment she worried what if it failed, the next she thought that if it succeeded she must immediately absorb the Energy Stone, absolutely cannot let her body suffer irreversible Damage.

System:...

The System proposed it could open a video feed so the Host could observe, with messages synced in real time, guaranteeing the Host would not miss a single bit of news about her daughter.

Shen Yao shook her head and refused, "That would make me even more Nervous, better to just wait."

While she waited, Shen Yao received caring messages from Song Ling and even Cheng Ma; both families knew Manman was going to the Hospital today, and whether old, young, or in between, everyone sent messages asking about the situation.

Because she had to constantly Reply to family at home, Shen Yao's Nervous Emotion actually eased considerably.

Until the System reminded her Manman was about to come out, Shen Yao hurriedly Put Down her Wristwatch, lifting her eyes to gaze at the Hospital Gate.

Very soon, in just five minutes, Cheng Qi supported Manman, who looked bedraggled, out the door.

Shen Yao squeezed through the Crowd and went up to them, "Let's go Home first."

Although Manman's face was pale, her smile did not diminish; even with most of her weight pressing on her birth father, she still smugly showed off to her birth mother the good news that she had become a Gene Awakener.

Shen Yao's eyes turned Sour, her Tone trembling slightly, "That is good news; we'll go Home and Celebrate properly."

Manman gave an "Mm-hmm," her eyes as if filled with a sky full of stars.

The family of three circled around the Crowd and walked Home slowly; the joy coming from the Crowd behind them, or the Arguments, had nothing to do with them.

"Hey, heard about it? That pack of Mutant Wolves ten-odd li from the Base was dealt with by the Base Patrol Team."

"Heard it, heard it; the one who acted was the Patrol Team's Captain Cheng, just one Knife, cleanly split the Mutant Wolf leader dead, truly impressive."

"Who says otherwise, Captain Cheng is only how old, just turned eighteen!"

"No wonder he's a genius Awakener the Base sees once in a Hundred Years; I heard from Captain Cheng's relatives that Captain Cheng has been sensible, Obedient, and hardworking since childhood, truly Enviable."

"..."

Earlier she was still a bit unaccustomed, hearing such Praise would make her blush.

Nowadays Shen Yao has Cultivated to the point of face not red, breath not panting, completely without the unnaturalness of hearing False words.

Mm, indeed, people are all trained out; Manman used four years to make a Reputation in the Base, and Shen Yao as family also shares in the glory.

Perhaps this is the Reaction parents should have when their child makes good? Not bad at all.

She Stood Up and used her hand to pound her somewhat Sour Waist; Shen Yao sighed that age has arrived, no matter how she maintains herself she cannot improve her declining bodily functions.

Leaving the public area where the Wedding Guests were Discussing, Shen Yao queued for the vehicle and returned to the Base.

In her Back Basket were several fresh Shepherd's Purse and Water Celery; today Manman was coming back, clamoring to eat Dumplings, Shen Yao thought the wild vegetables at Home were not fresh, so she got up early and ran a trip to the wild, gathered enough wild vegetables and hurried back.

Another four years passed, and there were no major changes on Shen Yao's side.

However, Cheng Dage and Zhao Xue divorced, because Zhao Xue's nephew Zhao Youzhi failed Awakening, and now the entire Zhao Family is still saving points trying.

Cheng Ba and Cheng Ma gave up on cultivating the two grandsons, feeling being an Ordinary Person is nothing bad.

Besides, Gene Awakeners are also Not Safe; Cheng Dage these years going out nine deaths one life scared him badly, both sides mutually discussed and compromised, the Two Children also smoothly married and had children, living quite well among Ordinary People.

The Shen Family's situation is better than the Cheng Family; Shen Yu makes money, son Shen Zhuang Gene Awakened, plus Song Ling and Shen Jiancheng daily helping out, aside from Shen Yu never marrying, Other Aspects surpass many families in the Base.

Chen Jia because of the younger children born later has little contact with Shen Zhuang; even though Shen Zhuang successfully Awakened, Chen Jia also didn't come over to disturb much.

Because of this, Shen Zhuang instead has more daily contact with Chen Jia, occasionally providing some help within his ability, and the Shen Family doesn't pursue it.

Drip—

The bus beneath her arrived at the Station; Shen Yao stopped the many memories in her mind.

Carrying her Back Basket, she got off slowly, looked up and saw Manman waving at her from Not Far away.

The tall and sturdy Manman wore the Patrol Team Uniform; standing there she had a full Qixian.

In three steps two steps she reached Shen Yao's side; Manman picked up the Back Basket in Shen Yao's hand, hooked Shen Yao's arm and clamored to go Home.

"Dad is already kneading dough and chopping Filling; once we go back we can wrap Dumplings."

"Mom, this time I got a Base Reward again, can pick a newly produced car; you choose?"

"Mom, our House is a bit old; just right the Base plans to provide a House, why don't we..."

The Captain Cheng who is all bluster outside still hasn't grown up in front of her parents. Cheng Xi likes others to call her Captain, and even more likes Dad and Mom to call her Manman.

She will forever be that child from back then who bounced along, carrying a custom-made Small Crossbow catching Rabbits.