PDLP Chapter 35 Going Home
Chapter 35 Going Home
The group set off early in the morning, intending to reach the Dawn Base that evening. They chatted and laughed along the way, enjoying themselves immensely. They rested briefly in Chongwu County at noon, ate lunch, and then immediately continued their journey, finally arriving at their destination at 5 PM. Li Chenglong, wanting to test the base's security, hadn't contacted them beforehand via walkie-talkie. However, just three kilometers from the base, Li Chenglong detected the reactions of the superhumans. A smile appeared on his face: "Not bad." He then proceeded slowly under the "covert protection" of a superhuman, finally being stopped by people from the base about a kilometer away.
As soon as Li Chenglong got out of the car, the person checking the records recognized him and immediately saluted with delight: "Commander Li, you're back! I'll report right away." Li Chenglong returned the salute and then waved his hand: "No need. It's almost dinnertime, and I don't want to make too much of a commotion. Your overt and covert patrols did a good job today. Thank you for your hard work." Then Li Chenglong got back into the car and drove off. Shen Menghua and the others looked out the car window and saw soldiers saluting wherever Li Chenglong's car went, and Li Chenglong returned the salute with his left hand on the steering wheel and his right hand. Han Xiaoling said excitedly, "Brother, you're so handsome and mighty! So many soldiers are saluting you." Li Chenglong nodded, "I'm just grateful for their kindness. By the way, when you go to the base, don't bully other kids because you're my sister. Be kind to everyone, understand?" Han Xiaoling immediately replied, "Yes, I understand." Shen Menghua looked at the people next to her thoughtfully, while Jiang Hui gave a thumbs up and exclaimed, "At the Apocalypse Base, although people were respectful to Lei Bao, it was clear that most of it stemmed from fear. But here, when people see Captain Li, it feels like they genuinely admire him."
Although the canteen is no longer located in the town office building due to the increased number of people, it's still quite crowded around mealtimes because it houses almost all the departments. Li Chenglong parked the car outside, took out everyone's luggage, and led them into the town office compound. Shen Menghua noticed that most of the people here were dressed cleanly and neatly, and their bodies didn't appear malnourished like those at the Tianqi Base, making her even more curious about how they managed to maintain such a state.
By this time, someone had already reported Li Chenglong's return to the headquarters. Zheng Yong, Wang Yousheng, Wu Gang, and several others who were temporarily free of missions had gathered in the office courtyard to welcome Li Chenglong. As soon as Li Chenglong entered, Zheng Yong and the others immediately stepped forward. Zheng Yong said, "You said you'd be back in ten days to half a month, but I didn't expect you to be back so soon. What happened?" Li Chenglong smiled and said, "Something did happen, but it's nothing serious. Brother Zheng, I'd like to hold a plenary meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss what I've seen and heard along the way and to discuss our next move." Zheng Yong nodded, "Indeed, a meeting is necessary. You don't know, the morale of the entire army is high right now. Wu Gang, Zheng Aiguo, Hao Dahai, and several others have all reached level four, and there are more than a dozen people at level three." Li Chenglong was very pleased to hear this. He hadn't expected so many people to be promoted in just three days. He patted Wu Gang next to him and said, "Well done, no wonder you're the people I trained. By the way..." Li Chenglong whispered a few words to Wu Gang, who immediately ran over to Shen Menghua and started chatting.
Li Chenglong then introduced her to everyone: "This is my adopted sister, Han Xiaoling, whom I met on the road. She's also a Level Two Awakened." Everyone looked at Han Xiaoling, making her very embarrassed, and she quickly hid behind Li Chenglong. Li Chenglong then introduced Zheng Yong, Wang Yousheng, and a few others to Shen Menghua. Upon learning that she was a family member of a martyr, the group showed great respect. Zheng Yong and the others exchanged a few more pleasantries with Li Chenglong before going about their own business, while Wu Gang went to arrange Shen Menghua's accommodation. Li Chenglong looked at Jiang Hui beside him: "I heard from Sister Shen that you studied broadcasting and hosting. I plan to establish a propaganda department after we take down the Tianqi Base. Are you interested in working there?" Jiang Hui was overjoyed: "Of course I'm interested! Captain Li, just watch! I'll definitely make the propaganda department great and spread your deeds far and wide." Li Chenglong quickly interrupted: "No need for my deeds. Also, don't address me as 'you.' We're all one big family; just address me as an equal." After saying that, Li Chenglong called someone over and asked him to take Jiang Hui to dinner and then arrange a dormitory for him.
Li Chenglong was about to lead Han Xiaoling upstairs when he suddenly heard the sound of brakes. Turning around, he saw Yun Lan and Li Xue returning in their car. Before even getting out, Yun Lan exclaimed, "Is that Brother Long back? I could feel it!" Li Xue jumped out of the car, ready to rush into Li Chenglong's arms. Li Chenglong immediately caught her, looking her up and down. "Not bad, level five. Our Li Xue has become so powerful." Yun Lan also got out of the car and quickly walked over to Li Chenglong. She kissed him on the cheek and then said with a hint of pride, "Today I took Xue'er to hunt zombies, and Xue'er finally leveled up. By the way, how come you're back so quickly? I sensed you were actually at the base just now; I couldn't believe it."
Li Chenglong first activated the True Dragon Eye: Li Xue, an A-rank mermaid level 5 awakener, with Constitution 120, Strength 108, Agility 127, and Spirit 145. Healing Spell Level 5 (max level 10), Super Perception, Extreme Cold Ice Arrow Level 4 (max level 6), Ice Shield Level 3, Azure Staff Level 2, and Energy Recovery. Li Xue said with some regret, "It's a pity I didn't gain any new skills, but the previous Purification Power and Healing have now been combined into Healing Spell. It can not only treat wounds but also directly heal them, and it can even cure viral infections." Li Chenglong patted Li Xue's head: "It's already very good. Back then, I killed the bully Sun Xiao in Xipo Village. His level 5 attributes were only around 90. You can easily beat him now." Yun Lan saw the little girl next to Li Chenglong and immediately asked curiously, "Whose child did you kidnap? But she's quite a beauty." Li Chenglong briefly told Yun Lan and Li Xue about Han Xiaoling's identity. Li Xue hugged Xiaoling and said, "From now on, I'll be your older sister, okay?" Han Xiaoling nodded obediently, which made Li Xue even more affectionate towards her.
Seeing the group getting along well, Li Chenglong felt relieved and said, "Xue'er, take Xiaoling to eat. Yunlan and I have some things to do. Oh, and please tell Yunqian I'll be going over tomorrow." Li Xue nodded and left with Xiaoling. Li Chenglong then said to Yunlan, "This trip went smoothly, and I found Han Yang's wife and children and brought them back." Yunlan asked excitedly, "Where is my sister-in-law now? I want to go see her." Li Chenglong said, "I had Wu Gang arrange for them to stay in the converted dormitory on the third floor. Let's go see them together." He then pulled Yunlan upstairs.
Li Chenglong and Yun Lan went upstairs and found the door open. Wu Gang was no longer there, and Shen Menghua was making the bed with her daughter. Li Chenglong knocked on the door and went in: "Sister Shen, where did Wu Gang go?" Shen Menghua tucked her long hair behind her ear and said shyly, "Wu Gang said he was going to get me food, but I said it wasn't necessary. However, he insisted on going, and I'm really sorry." Li Chenglong smiled and said, "It's alright, Sister Shen. If you need anything in the future, just let me know. We used to be in the same squad." Shen Menghua saw a beautiful female officer standing next to Li Chenglong and asked, "And this is?" Yun Lan immediately stepped forward and took Shen Menghua's hand: "Sister Shen, I am Yun Lan, a teammate of Captain Cao Yang during the mission where he sacrificed himself. At that time, our squad knew nothing about the zombie virus. Later, Captain Cao Yang was unfortunately infected with the virus..." Yun Lan told Shen Menghua the whole story of that incident. Shen Menghua couldn't help but shed tears again, but then she said, "Old Cao sacrificed himself for the people and for his beliefs. We can't blame anyone but this hateful zombie virus."
Yunlan started helping Shen Menghua tidy up the room, and soon it was neat and tidy. At this time, Wu Gang also brought the food and invited the two to eat. Li Chenglong chatted briefly with Wu Gang, explaining that he planned to inspect the entire army the next morning and also revealing plans for combat operations. Wu Gang was very pleased to hear this, said goodbye to Shen Menghua, and left. Shen Menghua looked at Yunlan's right hand and smiled, saying, "Captain Li, is this the lover you've mentioned so many times? A perfect match, you're both handsome and beautiful." Yunlan lowered her head shyly, while Li Chenglong took her hand, saying, "That's right, she's my other half. Sister Shen, I have no parents, and there's no news of Yunlan's parents either. On our wedding day, I wonder if you could attend as one of my relatives?" Shen Menghua happily replied, "That would be wonderful, as long as you like me." After chatting for a while, Shen Menghua asked, "I wonder if I could do something at your base? I've said before that I don't want to be a freeloader; it would make me seem useless. Besides, I'm only 37 this year; there's still plenty of work I can do."
Yunlan immediately said, "No need, you just need to take good care of your daughter." Li Chenglong then said, "Sister Shen, our logistics department heads are Yunqian and my sister Li Xue, along with a young girl and a few newly recruited staff, all of whom lack experience. You have a doctorate in business administration and have also served as the company's chairman. If you have time, you could go and give them some advice. If it's inconvenient, that's fine too." Shen Menghua immediately said, "What's inconvenient about that? If possible, I'll start work tomorrow." Li Chenglong nodded, "That's wonderful. We're in dire need of someone like you right now. I'll go and say hello to Yunqian tomorrow morning." After chatting for a while, Li Chenglong led Yunlan out of the room. Before leaving, Yunlan gave Shen Menghua a treasured family photo of the Xiaolong Squad.
Li Chenglong took Yunlan back to their room and told her about what had happened on the way. When she heard about Lei Bao's evil deeds and his insults to Li Chenglong, Yunlan was furious and vowed to kill Lei Bao. Li Chenglong smiled and quickly stopped her: "The Tianqi Base definitely needs to be destroyed. In order to successfully occupy Linhai City, we must have such a springboard, and the time is not far off. Tomorrow morning I plan to hold a military parade to take a good look at our troops, and then in the afternoon I plan to hold a general meeting to discuss the attack plan." Yunlan jumped onto Li Chenglong's lap and sat down: "This time I must be the vanguard and kill Lei Bao." Li Chenglong kissed Yunlan: "Okay, I'll listen to you. By the way, how is our special operations company doing?" Yunlan took out a notebook from her ring and looked at it: "Currently, there are 47 people who have signed up. After my initial screening, I have kept 25 people. Do you want to go and check on them?" Li Chenglong nodded: "I trust you completely. I might be too busy these next few days, so I won't go."
Yunlan pinched Li Chenglong's arm, then said, "By the way, where are you planning to let Xiaoling stay? She can't stay with us, can she?" Li Chenglong smiled and said, "I've already thought of it. This morning I asked Sister Shen to let Xiaoling stay with them. Besides, the two girls are relatively close in age and have common topics. By the way, could you mentor her during training? Xiaoling is quite quick to learn, and she's already advanced to level two." Yunlan's eyes were alluring: "Okay, but how are you going to thank me?" Li Chenglong immediately put Yunlan on the bed, and just as he was about to take the next step, he suddenly revealed a bitter face: "Your period started?" Yunlan grinned mischievously: "Yes, it started yesterday, hehehe." Li Chenglong immediately slapped Yunlan's butt a few times, making Yunlan giggle.
After a while, Li Chenglong sat up from the sofa and looked at the night view outside the window, saying, "As the ancients said, cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Let's get married after Dawn City is established." Yunlan didn't expect Li Chenglong to say this. She sat up from the bed and leaned against Li Chenglong, saying, "Okay, let's work together to build our home."
The next morning, Li Chenglong got up early and went to the logistics department office with Shen Menghua. Although he arrived early, he didn't expect Yun Qian, Chen Xiaoke, and several staff members to already be there. The two women greeted Li Chenglong warmly. Li Chenglong said, "You two are working too hard, getting up so early. Actually, delegating to others would be the same; there's no need to do everything yourself." Yun Qian shook her head, "We've only just started; how can we relax? We must strictly oversee every aspect of logistics to ensure the base operates smoothly." Li Chenglong sighed, "I've invited a PhD in Business Administration to help you with some work, which will make things easier for you." He then introduced them. Yun Qian was very excited to hear about this talented individual and quickly invited Shen Menghua to sit down, then asked her various questions. Seeing that they were busy, Li Chenglong didn't disturb them further and left the logistics department.