As the vehicle turned into the base entrance, Jiang Nuan saw the crowd.
Under the evening sky, the entrance was brightly lit.
Several transport vehicles were parked by the gate, their cargo doors wide open. Half the crates had already been unloaded.
The base’s logistics staff, maintenance crew, and other personnel who had stayed behind had received the news early and were waiting nearby.
As soon as the members of Zero Squad stepped off the vehicle, the sentry raised a hand in salute.
“Zero Squad, welcome back.”
Someone clapped twice. A moment later, applause spread all the way through the entrance.
Some people clapped until their palms turned red. Others raised their arms and waved at them, their joy impossible to hide.
“Thank goodness you’re back!”
“I heard it was an SS-level exclusion zone. That was terrifying!”
“Don’t crowd around them. Get the supplies inside—and be careful with that crate of fruit!”
The orderly crowd immediately scattered, each person returning to their own work.
Some pushed carts, others carried crates. As several logistics workers moved the supplies into the base, they still made way for the squad.
Jiang Nuan followed everyone inside. Listening to the jumble of greetings around her, she felt the tension that had kept her taut for so long gradually ease.
Only then did Jiang Nuan notice that more than a dozen large crates were still stacked inside the transport vehicles. They contained ammunition, energy supplies, equipment maintenance materials—and, on top of everything else, a crate of fresh fruit.
Jiang Nuan stared at the fruit and suddenly felt a little dazed.
She had spent so long in that world within the exclusion zone, where roast meat, milk tea, and fresh ingredients were all commonplace, that she had almost forgotten: after returning here, fruit was still a luxury that could only be obtained in quantity through meritorious service.
After the apocalypse, fruit was no longer part of anyone’s everyday diet.
It belonged to holidays, patients, decorated personnel, and special channels available only to those with powerful connections.
“Compensation supplies allocated by the War Readiness Bureau.”
Jiang Nuan followed the voice and looked over.
Wen Xu’an stood beside the supply crates.
Qinian glanced at him, then at the several vehicles loaded with supplies. “Manager Wen, delivering supplies in person?”
“The logistics department is responsible for the supplies.” Wen Xu’an smiled and lifted the documents in his hand. “I’m only here to relay some information.”
Lu Shiyan walked up to Wen Xu’an. “Manager Wen, please get to the point.”
Wen Xu’an did not keep them in suspense. He opened the document directly.
“For completing the clearance of an SS-level exclusion zone and rescuing civilians trapped inside, Zero Squad will receive full reimbursement for the resources consumed during this operation, according to the highest standard. Additional merit rewards and mission points will be issued once the review is complete.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
“Additionally, effective today, all members of Zero Squad are required to take twenty days of fully paid leave.”
Jiang Nuan’s eyes lit up.
Now that was exactly what she wanted!
Wen Xu’an’s gaze lingered on Jiang Nuan for a moment.
“Miss Jiang must have expended a great deal of energy using her ability inside the exclusion zone. The Strategic Research Department originally suggested that we request a detailed record of her energy fluctuations.”
Jiang Nuan immediately grew wary.
She had known it. Wen Xu’an had come in person for more than just the commendation notice.
Lu Shiyan spoke coldly. “Her personal ability and medical records are not subject to retrieval by the Strategic Research Department.”
Wen Xu’an looked at him, the smile on his face unchanged. “Of course.”
He closed the document, as though he had expected that answer all along.
“So I’ve already withdrawn that recommendation.”
“You all performed beautifully in this operation.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Over the next twenty days, get some proper rest.”
The wariness in Jiang Nuan’s heart did not completely fade.
Wen Xu’an clearly had not forgotten about her ability.
But compared with many others, he understood how to read the situation. He also knew when to stop.
...At least he had some humanity left.
*
That evening, the base cafeteria remained lively well into the night.
The logistics department selected several of the fresh ingredients from the compensation supplies and combined them with ingredients from the base to prepare a celebratory feast.
Someone tried to stir everyone up into toasting the squad, but Qi Sui laughingly replaced the alcohol with fruit juice. Everyone had to undergo a medical examination over the next two days, and drinking was prohibited.
Jiangjiang crouched beside Jiang Nuan, his head buried in a small plate of meat that Jiang Ce had set aside especially for him.
Jiang Nuan returned to her room very late.
Jiangjiang had claimed half her pillow and was sleeping sprawled out in every direction, his tail still draped over her wrist.
She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
All at once, she felt that this place had truly begun to resemble a home.
So, on the very first day of her leave, Jiang Nuan carried Jiangjiang to the open ground behind the base.
She asked the maintenance department for several discarded wooden boards, then found a measuring tape and some nails. She crouched on the ground, comparing and arranging the pieces for a long while.
Cat trees couldn’t be bought in the apocalypse.
But she figured she might be able to make one herself.
Jiangjiang basked in the sun beside her, eyes narrowed as he watched her work. He clearly had no idea that his future home was in danger.
Just as Jiang Nuan steadied a wooden board, someone appeared behind her.
Ye Que lowered his head and looked at the conspicuously crooked board in her hands. “What is that?”
Jiang Nuan looked up. “A cat tree for Jiangjiang!”
Ye Que glanced at Jiangjiang, who was crouched beside the board and pawing at a nail.
“For him?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Nuan confidently steadied the two-tiered wooden frame she had just assembled and gestured for him to look.
“He can sleep on the bottom level, sunbathe on top, and here he can—”
Before she could finish, the top board suddenly tilted to the side.
A moment later, the entire structure collapsed with a clatter.
Startled, Jiangjiang jumped half a step back. He stared at the scattered boards, then calmly raised a paw and continued batting at the nail that had rolled in front of him.
Jiang Nuan held on to half a wooden board and remained silent for two seconds.
“...It’s still a work in progress.”
Ye Que said nothing more. He simply crouched down beside her and took the board from her hands.
Jiang Nuan blinked. “You know how to do this?”
“No.”
He realigned the two boards and pressed down on the edges with one hand.
“But we can give it a try.”
