Chapter 178: Going Against the Grain

Nie Ping finished speaking and stood in place, giving Zhang Yong time to think.

The overhead lights flickered on and off, suggesting unstable voltage.

A long silence.

Zhang Yong's voice was somewhat muffled:

"Chief, if this Lin An is him, why do the higher-ups only suspect?"

"He even named his base after the plan."

"Given Lin An's performance in the simulation, he is more than just a potential threat to all of Huaxia..."

"Moreover, since you already know, why do you still oppose the higher-ups' tentative vigilance against him?"

Nie Ping pondered for a moment, glancing at the end of the hallway:

"Precisely because Lin An used the two characters 'Long An' when he established his base."

"If he had recovered all his memories, he would certainly not have done something like this!"

"An utterly rational man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goal would not expose himself to our sight."

"The scenes he endured were too painful, so he harbors hatred toward us."

"Therefore, if he ever regained his memories, he would surely go into hiding, even disguising himself as someone else to infiltrate us."

"Then, bit by bit, he would kill everyone who carried out the original plan!"

"Not a single one left!"

"So the higher-ups think he only remembers the two characters 'Long An', after all, that is his most deeply etched memory."

"But to be safe, the upper echelons still plan to test him."

"After all, Lin An being a defective product is merely a matter of loyalty."

"He performed exceptionally well in the simulation; at least in terms of completing missions, he could almost accomplish any impossible task, aside from his methods being somewhat bloody."

"Under such perfect performance,"

"To the extent that many feel the loyalty issue need not be overly stringent."

Nie Pin suddenly turned around, a strange smile playing on his lips.

"For example."

"I..."

Nie Ping rose from a lowly soldier step by step to his current position, and he is not as rigid as some military families.

In his view, as long as one can accomplish the mission, they are a good soldier.

Being obedient is useless.

That's just cannon fodder.

The higher-ups wish everyone were like robots, each a loyal and steadfast warrior.

He does not think so.

The loyalty issue?

As long as one does not betray the nation.

Nie Ping's gaze somewhat complex, he continued:

"Furthermore."

"His rebellion against the superiors and killing of officers was also due to those scenarios being set too extremely."

"Moreover, now that it's the apocalypse, extreme times call for extreme measures."

"Such talent, as long as we prevent him from regaining his memories—or better yet, slowly cultivate his feelings—can be put to great use."

"Our country truly lacks warriors of this caliber."

Zhang Yong understood the old general's meaning, and he hesitantly spoke up:

"Chief, I still have something I don't understand."

"If Lin An performed so poorly in the tests, why merely erase his memories?"

Nie Ping waved his hand, indicating he need not dwell on this issue.

Zhang Yong's underlying question was: why not just kill Lin An directly?

That would be the safest course.

"The higher-ups feel erasing his memories is enough, and moreover, someone secretly intervened to protect him."

"Who it is, is not something we can discuss."

"The matter of Lin An ends here; we'll just see what his next reaction is."

"Go on with your business."

Zhang Yong nodded repeatedly; the information he learned today truly shocked him.

Nie Ping pondered for a moment, glanced at the overhead light that had restored illumination, his expression grave:

"I have already filed a report for the Long'an Project."

"Tomorrow you will report for duty."

"Of course, this time the Long'an Project is somewhat different, but the goal remains to cultivate powerful Awakened Ones warriors to resist the apocalypse."

"The higher-ups have learned from past lessons and will not set up extreme scenarios again."

"So you need not worry too much."

"Just..."

Nie Ping looked at Zhang Yong's face, sighed lightly, and spoke each word deliberately:

"You must remember who you are!"

Seeing Zhang Yong's firm nod, Nie Ping couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder.

Hope...

It's not too late.

Long'an Base, celebration banquet.

On the warm, bright training field with the bonfire, laughter and cheer.

Students in groups chatted and laughed, everyone opened their hearts in rare relaxation.

The aroma of the lamb roasting over the fire was enticing.

Drops of fat dripped from the crispy skin into the bonfire, sending up little sparks.

Lin An sat in the center, with Wen Ya on his left and An Jing Tian on his right.

Zhang Tie meanwhile brought Gao Tian wandering around, grinning as he greeted other survivors.

The firelight flickered.

Lin An's side profile was bathed in a soft orange-red, while Wen Ya sat beside him slowly turning the grill.

"Brother Lin, we haven't replied, nor have we privately contacted the Capital Military Region?"

An Jing Tian used a dagger to slice open the crispy roasted lamb leg, handing it to Lin An:

I saw information from the Wangjiang Military Region in the channel, but didn't see any from the Linjiang Military Region.

Lin An took the fragrant lamb leg and replied casually:

Nothing, don't worry about it.

Make sure to add all survivors inside the base to the base roster; when they send messages outward, we'll be able to see them.

Saying this out will prevent anyone from wanting to privately chat behind the scenes.

An Jing Tian wanted to say more, but Lin An stopped him with a raised hand.

"Come, Jing Tian."

"I don't want to think about these things today."

He looked up at Lin An, only to see Lin An gazing at him with a gentle smile, handing him a bottle of beer:

"Don't worry, I've got everything."

An Jing Tian stared blankly for a moment, then hurriedly took it.

Everything, I've got it...

He thought back to the past, to his childhood.

Back then, Lin An, who was only a bit older than him, always stood before him like a little adult, then turned and smiled to comfort his crying self.

Everything, I've got it...

"Lin Dui!"

"Look what tasty stuff I brought back!"

"Damn, it smells great!"

Zhang Tie proudly held up two big handfuls of skewers, which the survivor cafeteria cook had just finished grilling.

Gao Tian helplessly covered his forehead, as this black bear wandered back and forth in front of the barbecue stall, scaring the cook into hastily grilling something for him first.

Wen Ya saw this, covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then silently propped her cheek.

Her gaze turned to Lin An, who was drinking competitively with Zhang Tie.

"Ah... burp..."

"Damn, that feels great!"

Zhang Tie tilted his head back and let out a big burp, laughing foolishly, seemingly unable to hold his liquor.

Lin An smiled helplessly; even though they were all Awakened Ones, they acted like they were drunk.

"Lin Dui, I haven't been this happy in a long time."

Zhang Tie's gaze fell on Youwei, who was grilling fish, his face full of tenderness.

Since the Apocalypse broke out, there hasn't been a day as relaxed as tonight.

There's family, brothers, fine wine, and delicious food.

And there's their own "home".

Like he'd had too much to drink, he suddenly stared blankly at Lin An:

"Lin Dui, the greatest fortune in my life, Old Zhang, is having met you."

"My parents died early, and I have no real ability."

"Really, in this lifetime... no one treats me better than you."

Lin An lowered his head, used a dagger to slice open the lamb leg, and handed it to Wen Ya.

I don't know why this silly bear, when drunk, likes to spout nonsense.

Zhang Tie paused a moment, then his voice suddenly grew low:

"I want to ask you, Lin Dui, for a favor."

"If something ever happens to me..."

"Please take care of Youwei in my place..."

Lin An froze at the words, the knife in his hand suddenly locking up.

He never expected Zhang Tie to say something like that.

Lin An slowly lifted his head, locked eyes with Zhang Tie, and said seriously:

"That day will never come."

"If it ever does, Youwei will be my sister."

Zhang Tie heard this and cracked a grin, an ugly one.

Then, as if putting his mind at ease, he dragged An Jing Tian around everywhere, causing chaos like chickens flying and dogs jumping.

Pa—pa—

The dried firewood crackled, sending out waves of warmth.

On the playground.

Groups of base survivors suddenly swarmed over, and the leader among the Awakened Ones, as if gathering courage, respectfully raised his wine:

"Lord Lin An! We offer you a cup!"

His wrist trembled, the male student offering the drink nervously looked at the bowed Lin An, while the bolder female students shrank back, secretly glancing at the bowed Lin An.

"Oh?"

Lin An, somewhat surprised, raised his head and then, with a slight smile, lifted the drink in his hand:

"No need to be so formal; have fun."

He remembered this person, a student who had searched for supplies together with him.

The leader of the Awakened Ones nodded excitedly, then in one gulp tipped his head back and drained the wine in his cup.

"Thank you, Lord Lin An! Then we won't disturb you any further!"

Without even wiping his mouth, he bowed excitedly and then led the people away.

"Lord Lin An, Your Excellency Gao Tian, Miss Wen Ya."

"I, Huang Zheng, also wish to offer you a cup."

"I'll drink first as a sign of respect, I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

The academy's former leadership, all humble, bent their waists and then tipped their heads back to down the white wine in their cups.

Many had already taken off their suits and changed into work‑convenient uniforms.

On the way back, the crowd couldn't help but chatter softly.

"I told you, Lord Lin An is actually quite easy to get along with!"

The leader of the Awakened Ones looked pleased, quietly sharing what had happened when he went out with Lin An.

"Yeah, Lord Lin An even smiled at us!"

Many of the trainees hiding in the back grew somewhat excited, unable to stop whispering to each other.

Some of the bolder female dance students, seeing that Lin An was not a man‑eating monster, cautiously crept over, holding their drinks.

"You're quite popular."

"I think those girls would love to surround you."

"Your courage is truly impressive—you're not scared at all."

Wen Ya couldn't help teasing Lin An, though her tone was a bit sour.

Lin An took the peeled fruit she handed him, completely unbothered:

"Then aren't you afraid?"

"If you're not afraid, come to my room tonight."

Wen Ya froze, her body stiffening as a flush rose across her face.

Wine intoxicates the heart.