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Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Germination
In a very ordinary office, an elderly man with graying temples quietly leaned back in a recliner, clutching a report in his hands.
Zhan Rong stood in the center of the office, somewhat uneasy. He slightly lifted his head, surveying the surroundings—the office was decorated simply, with just basic furniture and a cactus perched under the windowsill. The cactus, over a meter tall, was thick and dark green. Its slightly bulging outer skin studded with neatly arranged spikes shimmered under the sunlight.
The older generations of soldiers did not fancy flowers and plants but rather displayed these types of potted plants, symbolizing the austere and resilient character.
"Getting old," the elderly man suddenly sighed, "back in our youth, being a soldier was the highest honor, but now times have changed. Whatever you do, it’s all about dealing, without suffering any loss."
A bitter smile appeared on Zhan Rong’s face.
The elderly man put the document down on a round side table and gently tapped his finger twice, asking, "Out for a day, completed three tasks, you say, are they really that impressive?"
Zhan Rong knew Elder Ji already harbored some dissatisfaction with Han Yi and others, he did not dare to praise them too much, only cautiously replied, "When the old master of the Han Family was still alive, he placed great trust in this third young master from the younger generation of the Han family, raising him as a successor since he was young. Unfortunately, the old master passed away early, and the third young master’s father also died unexpectedly... The role at the Military Commission then was taken over by the eldest and the second young masters of the Han family."
Upon hearing this, Elder Ji fell silent for a while, then laughed, "He is indeed a character."
"To be called a character by you is his good fortune, but this third young master does possess some abilities. However, being young and impetuous, he still needs your personal guidance to achieve something great."
Elder Ji silently smiled and then asked, "How is the Han family doing recently?"
"Han Chenfeng originally supported a group of people, but after they ran out of ammunition, he could no longer maintain his force. The eldest young master of the Han family is in the ability team, the second young master... died on the way to the base."
"Doesn’t the Han family have an armory? Are they still short of ammunition?"
"General, you may not be aware, armories are usually built in remote and harsh locations, far from human habitation, I’m afraid they have the fate to go but not the fate to return."
Elder Ji, deep in thought, after a moment said, "Pass a message to Han Chenfeng, tell him to visit there when he can. They are all relatives, why cause such estrangement?"
Zhan Rong hesitated, "You mean..."
A faint smile appeared on Elder Ji’s face, his aged voice somewhat hoarse, "Young talents inevitably have some arrogance, I’m just emulating the ancients with the ’Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage’."
...
—Perhaps due to the alcohol, except for Yu Wanxi, everyone slept until the sun was high the next day.
Han Jiaojiao woke up in Han Yi’s arms, her eyes groggily opening only to realize both she and her brother were bare, covered only by a thin blanket.
She was overwhelmingly embarrassed, shut her eyes again, and finally remembered last night’s events.
Her brother, drunk, had been relentlessly affectionate until midnight; both ended up sticky, and she was so tired she couldn’t muster any strength, her brother carried her to the bathroom downstairs to wash... A drunk brother was oddly different... no longer wearing a morose expression, nor speaking those embarrassing words, just smiling at her, clinging to her, entwining around her, tender as if he had become another person...
Han Jiaojiao suddenly felt a warmth on her forehead, Han Yi’s uniquely gentle yet husky voice arose above her—
"Why so red this early in the morning? What are you thinking about, hmm?"
"Thinking of nothing, hah," Han Jiaojiao softly responded to him, amusement secretly stirring within her, thinking to herself that her brother was sober now, returning to his teasing tone.
Seeing her cheeks pink like peach blossoms, her dark, slightly curved eyelashes fluttering, Han Yi greatly enjoyed it, his palm gliding over her smooth curves, he murmured huskily, "Jiaojiao, you look so beautiful."
In the night, she appeared soft like a startled deer, tempting one to ravage and conquer. Under the sunlight, however, she seemed as pure as a fledgling in a nest, endearing and eliciting care.
Han Jiaojiao got up intending to get dressed, but Han Yi held her back, "Be good, let brother check."
"No." Han Jiaojiao’s cheeks were flushed; she covered her chest with one hand and tried to grab the clothes from his hand with the other.
Han Yi teased her deliberately, causing a commotion on the bed.
At that moment, a soft cooing sound came from the direction of the windowsill.
Han Jiaojiao was startled at first, then she sat up, not even bothering to dress, and rushed to the windowsill— 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"Brother! ...It’s sprouted! Come and see!" Han Jiaojiao was ecstatic, her voice trembling with excitement.
Han Yi walked over, wrapped her exposed body with a thin blanket, then kissed her on the cheek, "Yes, Jiaojiao’s treasure has sprouted."
On the windowsill, one of the eggshells had already broken, revealing a small tuft of plant the size of a palm, fuzzy with hair. The remaining eggs also had cracks, though they were not fully open yet; it would not be long before they hatched.
The first one that emerged had four small leaf buds and was covered with a layer of short white fuzz, as cute and pretty as a mini plush toy.
Han Jiaojiao was overjoyed the more she looked at it, feeling that it must be the reincarnation of the egg that broke in her previous life. It was great that it could hatch safely in this life.
She extended a finger and gently touched it. Its leaf buds lazily moved a bit, making a faint sound: "coo, coo, coo, coo..."
"Brother, I’m not going out today, I want to watch them."
She felt that the two other eggs with the cracks were also about to come out; she couldn’t leave at this moment.
"Okay," Han Yi touched her face, "I’ll bring your lunch up."
"You’re the best, brother!"
Han Jiaojiao reveled in his embrace for a while, then got dressed and freshened up with renewed vigor. She ran down to the kitchen on the first floor to get a cup of clean water, then joyfully ran back to her room.
Her running up and down created quite a commotion. She didn’t come down for lunch, and then Yan Xiao heard her laughter non-stop from upstairs...
Yan Xiao glanced at Han Yi, who was picking up food from the bowl, and quietly looked in the direction upstairs.
"Han, uh... Is Jiaojiao alone in her room?"
"Yeah," Han Yi did not explain much.
Hearing this, Yan Xiao felt somewhat uneasy. —Was she alone, laughing so joyfully?
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the stairs, and looking up, Yan Xiao saw Han Jiaojiao leaning over the banister with her eyes curved into crescents as she waved at Han Yi, "Brother, brother come quickly! Hurry, come here, hurry up."
Han Yi affectionately looked at her, his eyes filled with both helplessness and affection. He picked up Han Jiaojiao’s portion of the meal and started heading upstairs.
The remaining people at the dining table looked at each other.
Lu Changyuan sighed with a smile, "These siblings, never tired of each other every day."
Among those present, perhaps only Lu Changyuan dared to make such an "over-the-top" remark. Everyone silently applauded him in their minds and continued eating...
