Chapter 362: Westward Journey!

"Since we've decided, let's go now!"

This was An Ji speaking toward Ryan, then stepping out of the tent first.

The others made no move upon seeing this, since Captain Yan had been clear: only An Ji and Ryan had been invited by Captain Liu.

Hearing this, Ryan gave a faint smile and followed right behind.

…

…

"Captain Yan, how is your rescue operation going now?"

After stepping out of the Maple Country police rescue team’s tent, Captain Yan immediately contacted Wang Ming.

Upon seeing it was Captain Yan calling, Wang Ming urgently asked.

The rescue team had already walked for hours from the base, and outside, night was falling; if they found nothing, Wang Ming’s composure would shatter.

After all, today was already the third day of rescue—they couldn’t afford to linger here.

So now, Wang Ming waited anxiously at the rescue headquarters for today’s results.

Hearing this, Captain Yan smiled slightly and said.

"Mr. Wang, don’t rush—I’m here to report good news: Xiao Qin and the others have found…"

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ming burst into wild joy, interrupting before Captain Yan could finish to confirm.

"Correct—they’ve all been rescued, so I’m calling you right away with the good news."

Captain Yan didn’t mind Wang Ming’s interruption; he naturally understood Wang Ming’s pressure.

"Do you know… if any members of Team Leader Shen’s team were injured?"

After his initial elation, Wang Ming slowly calmed down and cautiously probed his most pressing concern.

If too many were hurt, even rescuing people would be a devastating blow to their production team.

"No deaths, but Xiao Qin and Jin Shui were severely injured, and three others need base checkups—we’ve already sent a helicopter to bring them all back."

"Phew!"

Hearing this, Wang Ming let out a deep, unhidden breath.

This outcome was the best possible for both the production team and everyone involved—the only result the team could bear.

Wang Ming then continued seriously, "I understand. Thank you all for your efforts. I’ll notify Mr. Li to have medical staff waiting at the base for Xiao Qin and Jin Shui, and I’ll recommend everyone for commendation."

At this point, Wang Ming’s tone had grown noticeably lighter.

But then, as if remembering something, he asked again.

"Captain Yan, when will you return? I’ll have hot water and food ready for you to celebrate upon arrival."

Hearing this, Captain Yan frowned slightly, then explained.

"I was just about to report this to you, Mr. Wang! We won’t be returning to the base—we still haven’t found Shen Mengsan and Hong Liu, and our time is running out. We plan to press on and search for them overnight."

Hearing this, Wang Ming froze. Realizing Captain Yan’s words, he knew he’d gotten overexcited too soon—it wasn’t time to celebrate yet. He quickly stammered.

"Captain Yan, your judgment is sound. I understand and support it. If you need any support, I’ll send help immediately."

"On behalf of the entire rescue team, thank you for your support, Mr. Wang!"

Captain Yan promptly added the compliment, and soon after, they ended the call.

"Mr. Wang, did Captain Liu’s team find Xiao Qin and his group?"

After Wang Ming ended the call, Group Leader Kong appeared beside him, urgently asking.

Hearing Group Leader Kong’s question, all nearby staff strained to listen.

Seeing Group Leader Kong’s anxious expression, Wang Ming didn’t hide it—he nodded directly. "Found them! And no one died."

"Yes!"

"Finally some good news!"

"This is amazing!"

…

…

Hearing Wang Ming’s words, the entire rescue headquarters erupted.

They’d been in this wilderness for three days with no good news—everyone on the production team had felt the oppressive atmosphere.

Now, hearing such excellent news, they couldn’t contain their joy.

"Found is good! Found is good!"

Group Leader Kong, upon hearing this, kept muttering happily, unable to hide his grin.

"I’ll inform Mr. Li of this good news right away—Xiao Qin and Jin Shui need the base’s cooperation."

…

…

Meanwhile, at the base, preparations had already begun in full swing.

"Have Dr. Qu and the others arrived?"

"Don’t worry, Mr. Li! Director Qu and the team have all gathered and are waiting outside the base now."

The base didn’t need Wang Ming to report—their team had already learned from Xiao Yi’s livestream that the rescue team had found Xiao Qin and others.

Seeing that none of Team Leader Shen’s members were lost, everyone at the base was overjoyed.

They’d even prepared early to receive the two severely injured: Xiao Qin and Jin Shui.

Still, Li Yong couldn’t help asking his assistant again.

No matter what, until he saw Jin Shui and the others with his own eyes, Li Yong couldn’t calm down.

His assistant clearly understood his mood and smiled in reply.

"Only Shen Mengsan and Hong Liu are still missing—we just don’t know where they are now."

Li Yong thought of the two still missing, muttering involuntarily; his earlier good mood dimmed slightly.

"Mr. Li, don’t worry—Team Leader Shen is experienced, has shelter and food, and is surely fine. Our rescue team will find them as quickly as possible."

Hearing his assistant’s reassurance, Li Yong’s mood improved slightly, then he asked again.

"Has Xiao Yi’s old livestream feed been reconnected? What did the tech team say?"

Everyone knew Xiao Yi’s drone had been following Shen Mengsan.

Unfortunately, the signal had been lost during the blizzard.

If they could reconnect to the drone, they’d immediately locate Shen and the others.

The production team took this very seriously—it was the fastest way to find Shen Mengsan and Hong Liu.

But three days passed with no good news.

Hearing this, the assistant sighed and shook his head, then explained.

"We’ve kept trying to connect, but no response. The drone entered self-protection mode due to the storm, but the tech team manually entered the password to disable it."

"But it didn’t go smoothly—the drone still isn’t receiving any signal. The tech team suspects it was severely damaged during the blizzard."

"Damn, this drone’s quality is terrible!"

Hearing this, Li Yong couldn’t help cursing.

The assistant secretly rolled his eyes—this boss was so pragmatic.

He’d praised the Dajiang drone’s quality countless times before; now, because of this, he was calling it junk.

But it wasn’t the drone’s fault—in that blizzard, no drone would’ve held up.

Just then, Wang Ming called.

"Mr. Li, I’ve got good news—Xiao Qin…"

"I know—they found Xiao Qin and his group."

Wang Ming "…"

Before Wang Ming could finish, Li Yong cut him off.

Wang Ming was stunned, slightly annoyed—he’d planned to take credit in front of Mr. Li!

Yet now, Li Yong already knew. He silently wondered: who the hell bypassed him to report directly to Mr. Li?

"Glad you know, Mr. Li!"

Wang Ming could only say awkwardly.

Li Yong sensed Wang Ming’s low spirits and feared he’d start suspecting others, so he explained.

"Xiao Yi has been with the rescue team all along!"

"Xiao Shen?"

Hearing this, Wang Ming was even more bewildered, exclaiming in surprise.

He hadn’t expected Xiao Yi to be with Captain Yan’s team—this Xiao Shen was everywhere!

No wonder Mr. Li had known before him.

"Keep cooperating well. Shen and Hong Liu are still missing—make sure you bring them back safely."

"Understood, Mr. Li. We guarantee the mission!"

Now that Xiao Qin and his group had been rescued, Wang Ming’s confidence soared—his voice grew louder.

After a brief exchange on supply matters, they ended the call.

…

…

“Xiao Shen, are you leaving?”

Seeing Xiao Yi walk toward the exit, Liu, who had just been voicing his thoughts, quickly asked.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi paused, then smiled and said.

“I won’t be joining you all. I plan to eat something first, then head out alone.”

Upon hearing this, the rescue team members felt no issue.

Though Xiao Yi always appeared just in time, he had always operated alone in his rescues.

Only Liu spoke up: “Xiao Shen, if you find any clues, please contact our rescue team immediately.”

“Moreover, I believe Shen Mengsan and Hong Liu are not far from here—they went missing in Sector Seven’s coniferous forest.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yi was startled; he hadn’t reviewed Shen’s livestream logs before going missing, so he knew nothing of the details.

Seeing Liu say this, Xiao Yi couldn’t help but smile, then nodded.

“Thank you for the information, Commander Liu. If I find anything, I’ll notify the rescue team right away.”

After saying this, Xiao Yi didn’t linger. He opened the tent and walked out.

“Mmm! Mmm!”

Seeing Xiao Yi emerge, the lone lynx kitten outside, playing and leaping, let out two excited cries and ran toward him.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi smiled and patted its head. “We should go.”

Come to think of it, where had those two buzzard chicks flown off to?

They vanished on the way back!

But Xiao Yi didn’t care much—let them go.

Besides, once he found Shen Mengsan and Hong Liu, he’d leave this wilderness anyway. Those two little things wouldn’t have anywhere to beg for meals after that.

“Let’s go, let’s go—find another place!”

“Mr. Xiao Yi, are you leaving?”

Xiao Yi called out again to the lynx kitten, but before it could respond, a voice came from behind.

Hearing it, Xiao Yi turned and saw Angi and Ryan striding toward him.

It was Officer Ryan who had spoken; beside him, Angi said nothing but stared at Xiao Yi with burning eyes.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi felt exasperated—he hated men looking at him like that. It made him want to punch them.

Still, he politely said, “I’m going to search alone first. Commander Liu is waiting for you two—please go inside.”

Seeing Xiao Yi had no intention of further conversation, Ryan tugged Angi’s arm and said.

“Then we’ll go disturb Commander Liu. Hopefully we’ll keep our luck and find Commander Shen and Hong Liu.”

After the two entered the rescue team’s tent, Xiao Yi didn’t dawdle. He walked straight toward his snowplow.

At that moment, Yan returned and saw Xiao Yi leaving. But seeing him walk away, he made no move to call out.

“Let’s go!”

Getting into the snowplow, Xiao Yi prepared to head west.

Since Commander Shen went missing near this coniferous forest, he wouldn’t be directly ahead—there were no trees where they were last seen.

The north was impossible—the blizzard came from there.

That left only east and west. Now was the time to choose, and Xiao Yi decided to try the west.

“Mmm! Mmm!”

After Xiao Yi and the lynx kitten got in, the kitten let out two cries.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi teased, “Are you talking about that dumb bird? It’s gone—stop thinking about it.”

Clearly, the little lynx had grown used to the bald buzzard’s presence.

But that bird has a mate—why would it hang around a single lynx like you?

Xiao Yi ignored it and started the snowplow, heading west.

“Chirp! Chirp!”

Soon after Xiao Yi left, two buzzards flew in from the sky.

Everyone in the rescue team knew these buzzards likely belonged to Xiao Yi, so none had any intention of harming them.

Seeing no trace of Xiao Yi at camp, the two buzzards circled for a while, then flew west.

Clearly, the snowplow and Xiao Yi himself still carried their scent—these keen-nosed birds had instantly determined his direction.

That’s why the buzzard always left at night but found Xiao Yi again each morning.

Clearly, the two buzzards hadn’t given up on Xiao Yi as their long-term meal ticket.