Chapter 607

The door opened, against the light, Zhang Yan seemed to see his own family, their bodies seeming to be plated with a layer of golden light....

"Am I.... having a hallucination?"

Zhang Yan stared blankly at several people, tears unknowingly filling his eye sockets.

Qi Yu had already reacted quickly, she broke free from Zhang Yan's embrace and ran toward Zhang Jie.

"Welcome home!"

Qi Yu showed everyone a bright smile, her speech no longer stuttering, but that strange appearance still startled Zhang Shuo and the others; however, everyone quickly realized this was the watermelon rind Zhang Jie spoke of.

"How did this little guy grow two paws!"

"Is this the watermelon rind?"

Zhang Jie glanced around the room, only to see Zhang Yan not far away, staring blankly in this direction; he immediately waved excitedly and shouted.

"Big Sis! I did it! I brought Dad and the others back!"

I just woke up, saw little brother back, I'll sleep a bit more.

As he spoke, Zhang Yan was about to pull the small blanket over himself and go back to sleep, but Zhang Jie grabbed him and pulled him up.

"It's true."

Before Zhang Yan could speak, he already fell into a warm embrace—it was Mom.

"Xiao Yan.... These years... you've worked hard."

"Mom...."

Tears could no longer be restrained, they flooded out, drenching his clothes; Zhang Yan burst into tears, utterly lacking decorum.

The joy of reunion came and went quickly; you all sat together, recounting these years' experiences. Although Zhang Jie had already said it once, it didn't stop them from listening to Zhang Yan say it again.

And finally, the topic naturally shifted to Xigua Pi Qi Yu; they were deeply interested in this little creature that, in Zhang Jie's words, initially resembled a snot worm.

But Qi Yu didn't much like getting close to them; although she had language and wisdom, her nature was still not that smart—look, this little guy has already clung to your arm and started sucking blood.

This time, she drained an especially large amount of blood, and also sprouted another white worm‑like limb—your blood seems to be a great tonic for her.

But regarding this, your family expressed concern; they worried about Xigua Pi's safety—after all, that appearance looks anything but normal at a glance!

"I won't.....," Xigua Pi expressed protest; although you don't know what she means by "won't," you can roughly understand that this is her way of saying she won't hurt you.

Qi Yu was extremely sensitive to these words and actions; even if they later apologized, it was to no avail—she began to distance herself from them, intentionally or not, keeping only the most basic greetings.

Nowadays, Xigua Pi only allows you and your older sister to touch her; whenever she sees you family chatting and laughing, she watches from the side, like a little mouse spying on people's lives.

News that you successfully brought back three investigator squads spread across the internet; people were greatly surprised, and the forbidden zone's erosion of their 'existence' gradually weakened, causing people to recall these pioneers who explored the forbidden zone.

But unfortunately, you found no information about that chief investigator; if it weren't for that contained item you're holding, you might even doubt that everything you experienced was a dream.

After not returning for nearly half a year, the world has undergone tremendous change; first and foremost is the new anomaly called 'Mimicry,' which has already spread from the Star Bridge District to several surrounding areas and has been marked by the Anomaly Bureau as extremely dangerous individuals.

And you bringing back so many people undoubtedly brought a hint of relief and turning point to this scar‑riddled world, but having taken such a long leave, it was only natural that you were dispatched to contain the 'Mimicry' anomaly.

Fortunately, your position hasn't been revoked, your squad is still there, Huang Mao and Qiu Yu are waiting for you; fortunately you succeeded, otherwise....

Before you set out, Xigua Pi clung to you, gnawed on your arm once more, and wore a look of wanting to speak but holding back.

Will you.... despise me?

She twitched the worm‑like limb behind her, nervously gazing at Zhang Jie.

This answer, for him, should be very, very important.

?

Of course not, why are you asking that?

(Ginseng came down with a heavy cold, yesterday he even spiked a fever of thirty‑nine degrees, as soon as he opened his eyes he went straight to the emergency room; I'll make up the rest tomorrow, sorry, all you godfathers)