Chapter 1490: Moving Out of Territory Three

Though the rookie He Zhongyun looked young and mild, Xia Qing, who was used to being cautious, never judged people by their appearance.

Territory Two, which had lost its lord and been taken over by the Territory Management Department, was now in hot demand. Not only did every faction in Hui Three Base want a piece of it, but bases elsewhere in Hui City wanted in as well. Xia Qing had publicly stated that Center Nine would not be expanding, so in front of He Zhongyun she did not mention Center Nine's large-scale recruitment of new employees. She only asked vaguely, "Brother Tao mentioned the job to Brother Kui, right?"

Zheng Kui's numb, gaunt face pulled into a stiff smile. "He did. I can't farm, so I won't come cause you trouble."

Jobs at Center Nine were extremely sought after. Apart from disabled veterans, ordinary ex-soldiers had to have a special skill to be hired. Zheng Kui was just an ordinary man with passable marksmanship and combat ability—he didn't meet their hiring standards at all. Zhong Tao throwing away his pride to beg Xia Qing to let him in would be the same as snatching a slot meant for one of those one-in-a-hundred non-disabled veterans, which was why Zheng Kui called himself trouble.

Xia Qing explained expressionlessly, "Next spring we're setting up a Livestock Department and need to hire people with breeding experience. Brother Tao said you have experience raising cattle and sheep. If Brother Kui is interested in the job, you can call the HR Department to sign up. We'll pick the best candidates when the time comes."

She said they'd pick the best, but since Xia Qing had spoken, Zheng Kui knew he'd definitely be hired if he signed up. He was deeply moved but still didn't intend to take the slot. However, since Xia Qing had brought it up, he didn't refuse outright. "Alright. If I'm still alive then, I'll come give it a try."

Xia Qing nodded and didn't press further.

Soldiers on outside missions were well paid but had high casualty rates. Both Zheng Kui and Zhong Tao took on such dangerous work to support their families. Now that Zheng Kui no longer had a family to feed, he kept doing this job because he wanted his death to mean something.

Whether he'd be alive or dead in two months, no one could say.

After completing the deal for Territory Three, He Zhongyun drove forward and began to advise, "Brother Kui, Territory Nine has great food and lodging, and you don't have to worry about robbery or assassination. It'd be a real shame to pass it up."

Zheng Kui said nothing. He relit his extinguished cigarette with a match, took a deep drag, and leaned back in his seat, staring blankly at the endless snow mountains and white clouds.

Unlike Zheng Kui's silence, He Zhongyun at the wheel was buzzing with excitement. "Brother Kui, did you see that? Sister Qing handed me the insulated bag with her right hand. From now on that bag is my lucky bag! She can take out a target two thousand meters away with a flick of her finger, and kill an evolved wild boar with one punch…"

After the two patrol soldiers drove off, the three people inside Territory Three returned to the lab.

Xia Qing looked at Zhang Shi questioningly.

Zhang Shi nodded. Zheng Kui, who had lost his family, had a very weak magnetic field, but throughout his entire conversation with Xia Qing, his field had been gentle—he was full of gratitude toward her.

A person who had suffered immense hardship and grief, who had even resolved to give up his life, yet had not become cynical or resentful of the world, and instead hoped his end could bring some light to those still living—this was a deep, fundamental goodness, the solid core of his humanity.

In front of Ye Yiyi, Zhang Shi did not reveal her hidden ability. Lowering her head, she asked, "Tell Auntie—what do you think of that uncle just now? Would you want to live with him in the future?"

Zhang San and Xia Qing had both agreed to let Ye Yiyi stay in this territory, so Zhang Shi changed her role in front of Ye Yiyi from doctor to aunt. Kinship isn't severed by separation, and they could stay in touch long-term.

Sensitive Ye Yiyi had noticed the change in Zhang Shi's attitude toward her, and her condition was much better than the past two days. Upon hearing Zhang Shi's question, the little girl—who was clutching a lamb's horn tightly in her hand and clinging to Zhang Shi with her arm—didn't make a sound, but she didn't have a stress response either. This showed that deep down she wasn't opposed to living with Zheng Kui. It was a good start.

Zhang Shi and Xia Qing exchanged a glance and smiled.

Ye Yiyi's condition had improved, and Zheng Kui had passed Zhang Shi's preliminary assessment. Xia Qing left the lab to carry out the next step of her plan.

Xia Qing stood beneath the ruins of the house to the south of her home, looked up, and asked softly, "Old Four, are you sleeping? I have something to discuss with you."

Inside the wolf den in the house ruins, Old Four, who'd had a few more teeth pulled yesterday, still had a swollen gum and couldn't open his mouth easily. He looked at his companion beside him.

The missing-eared old wolf, whose fur was visibly thicker, stood up, crawled out of the den, passed through the weeds, and looked calmly at Xia Qing.

Xia Qing read its expression, smiled, and nodded. "Alright, I'm coming up."

After entering the wolf den, Xia Qing first comforted the old wolf, who wasn't in great spirits. "Old Four's surgery was a great success. As long as you rest and follow the diet plan, sharp, sturdy tusks will grow back. Do you want to go back to your own territory to recuperate?"

The old wolf lying on the hay immediately raised its head.

The place was full of human scent and human-made noise. Without teeth, the old wolf's combat ability had dropped, and Xia Qing was always going out on business. The old wolf felt very unsafe staying here and wanted to return to its own territory.

Xia Qing smiled. "In a couple of days, once Old Four's gum swelling goes down, you can take your companion back to the southern wolf pack's territory. But for the next two months, you and Missing Ear will need to strictly control your diet—you can only eat the nutrient meals with medicine and nutrient paste added in. You've already paid for this part, so I'll keep providing your nutrient meals."

The old wolf's eyes brightened.

"No, I need to protect my own territory, so I can't go back with you." Xia Qing read the old wolf's expression and understood what it was thinking. She shook her head, telling it it was wrong. "I want Tenth Sister to go back with you. She's a professional dentist. She'll live in the cave next to yours, check your body every day, and make your nutrient meals. You protect her safety. Is that alright?"

Old Four looked calmly at Xia Qing and did not nod.

Xia Qing sighed and spoke frankly. "Old Four, you overheard me talking with Third Brother and Tenth Sister, didn't you? In a few days, some bad people are going to enter my territory. There are a lot of them, and they're very strong—I can't beat them right now. If you, Missing Ear, Tenth Sister, and the little one Yiyi stay in my territory, you'll be in danger. That's why I need to send you somewhere safe ahead of time."

After explaining, Xia Qing formally made her request. "Old Four, may I send Tenth Sister and the little one Yiyi to your territory to hide from the bad people? I'll provide their food. Once your sharp, sturdy teeth have grown back, I'll come bring them back. Of course, if in the meantime you feel Tenth Sister and Yiyi pose a threat to the wolf pack, call me right away and I'll come get them immediately. Any damage they cause to your territory, I'll compensate double. How about it?"

The old wolf still didn't move.

Xia Qing could only keep raising the stakes. "If you agree, I'll move the CBCT machine and the dental chair into the cave next to where you live, so Tenth Sister can examine you. Once your sharp teeth have grown back, we'll move them back. If you don't agree, I'll talk to Broken Waist and have Tenth Sister take the equipment and hide in its territory cave. Little Wolf Sister and Little Wolf Brother are about to lose their baby teeth—Broken Waist will definitely agree."

"When that happens, you'll have to stay in the northern wolf pack's territory and let Tenth Sister make your nutrient meals and check-ups. Broken Waist will definitely charge you lodging points. Does Old Four have enough points left?"