NOVPUB
Chapter 98: Chapter 98 Heading to the Auto Repair Shop
The next day, Han Yi, Han Jiaojiao, Yan Xiao, Xiao Jian, and Bai Kairui drove to the entrance and exit of the base, where Zhan Rong had already been waiting for a while, accompanied by thirty soldiers. Among them, standing at the forefront was a woman dressed in camouflaged combat attire. She was tall and strikingly attractive, attracting much attention.
Zhan Rong introduced her to the group, "This is Hong Yun, the vice-captain of the Special Training Team, a Dual Type Superpower User with Mental Induction and Metal Manipulation abilities. She has previously served as the captain of Qingjiang City’s Special Police Squad. She will assist you on this mission."
Hong Yun appeared calm and collected as she shook hands with Han Yi, greeting him formally, "Hello."
Han Yi gave a slight nod and responded indifferently, "Hello."
It seemed that both of their personalities were of the cooler type; Zhan Rong felt somewhat anxious, unsure whether the two would be able to cooperate smoothly.
Zhan Rong continued to introduce, "Han Yi, the third son of the Han Family, is a Psychic Type Superpower User capable of various abilities. You are, in a way, from the same hometown; he’s also from Qingjiang."
The people behind Hong Yun stirred slightly when Zhan Rong mentioned Han Yi was a Psychic Type with comprehensive abilities. A flicker of admiration crossed Hong Yun’s eyes.
"It seems we won’t return empty-handed with the talented Young Han on our side."
Han Yi’s lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile, neither denying nor accepting the comment.
Two black cars drove out from the base; Zhu Changfu got out of one of the vehicles, looking even more haggard than the day before.
Zhan Rong glanced over with suspicion as Han Yi said, "These are also our people. Let’s set off."
After exchanging looks, everyone got into the vehicles—
Under the blazing sun, the convoy gradually left Beicheng Base, kicking up a trail of dust. Hong Yun’s jeep led the way, followed closely by a military truck, then the vehicle carrying Han Yi and his group, with Zhu Changfu’s two cars at the rear.
Yan Xiao turned his head to glance at the vehicles behind them and, turning back around, said with a hint of melancholy, "Yesterday, old Zhu had more than a dozen people with him. I just counted, and including him, there are only seven people in those two cars."
"Uncle Zhu is going to save his own son; it’s perfectly normal for others not to want to risk their lives," Han Jiaojiao commented with pragmatism. No one is prepared to throw away their life; who would be willing to risk it for someone else’s family or friends? The bandits and outlaws are used to living on the edge because such a life promises great rewards. Without such incentives, who would really risk their lives for so-called loyalty?
"Still, it’s not so bad that Uncle Zhu has a few people willing to follow him; it goes to show that there is still true kinship in the world," Han Jiaojiao mused.
Yan Xiao chuckled. Han Jiaojiao looked so young that he always found it amusing when she tried to talk like an adult.
Seemingly oblivious, Han Jiaojiao’s thoughts remained on Zhu Changfu as she mused aloud, "...Still, it’s surprising that Uncle Zhu’s son is from the Research Institute. Those who work there are PhDs or at least have a master’s degree, right? So how old must his son be..."
"Zhu Changfu became a father at eighteen!" Yan Xiao leaned in to share the gossip, "He used to be a street punk, then he got involved in an early romance and became a father at eighteen. After becoming a dad, he started a dance hall, slowly built it up, and that’s how he got to where he is today."
Xiao Jian, who was driving in front, added, "In some southern regions, it’s common to marry and have children young. Eighteen is not really considered early for that."
"Oh, I remember your mother is from the south, from Bashu, right?"
Han Jiaojiao immediately pricked up her ears, having never heard Yan Xiao or Xiao Jian discuss their family matters before. Eager to hear more, she listened intently, but Xiao Jian merely affirmed with a grunt and said no more.
The vehicles continued on their journey, as the sun became more intense, and the people inside the cars began to doze off. Perhaps because they were traveling with a large group this time, Han Jiaojiao wasn’t as tightly wound as usual and slowly fell asleep in Han Yi’s arms.
Yunan Base and Beicheng Base, one in the southeast and the other in the northeast, lay en route to where the trapped researchers were located, roughly halfway between the two. A non-stop drive would take seven and a half hours.
They set out at eight in the morning and, in theory, should have arrived by four in the afternoon. However, this was just an ideal timeframe; any unforeseen incident could cause delays, and once they arrived, there was still the task of scouting and strategizing. Once inside the auto repair shop, they might face various situations. After a series of hold-ups, dusk would arrive swiftly...
If they couldn’t leave before nightfall, the dangers they faced would be unpredictable.
Hong Yun’s team nearly raced at full speed, stopping only once for rest, and even then, the break didn’t last more than five minutes.
Despite being the only woman in the group, her command was orderly and calm. The soldiers under her were extremely obedient; it was clear they were accustomed to such missions.
Han Yi’s vehicle also stopped for a rest. He saw Han Jiaojiao had woken up and was staring out the window without blinking, her eyes gleaming with admiration and longing as she gazed at Hong Yun in the distance.
Han Yi felt a twinge of displeasure, but his expression remained indifferent, revealing nothing.
At that moment, Han Jiaojiao chuckled, her face alight with amusement.
"What’s so funny?" Han Yi asked her.
Without turning, still leaning on the window, Han Jiaojiao watched and said, "Yan Xiao hit on the deputy leader and seems to have been rebuffed. Hee hee hee..."
Han Yi also smiled, "That’s just his bad habit; he always closes in on any woman he sees."
"It’s probably because the deputy leader is pretty. Ah, she’s truly beautiful, tall, and has a figure like a model; It’s really wonderful..."
Han Yi wrapped his arms around her from behind, "Envious of her?"
Han Jiaojiao nodded, her gaze still fixed on the window. Speaking in a tone of yearning, she said, "I’d like to be like her. She seems so powerful. How do you put it? It’s not quite ’imperious without anger’... More like she just feels really strong."
She had always thought her own appearance too delicate, like an immature child, despite being eighteen, she was still treated like a little kid. But Hong Yun was different; not only were her features beautiful, but she also had a unique presence. Although somewhat aloof, her aloofness was neither coldly repulsive nor arrogantly condescending. She exuded a confident and strong beauty, the very thing Han Jiaojiao so earnestly longed for.
Han Yi rested his chin on her head, chuckling at her words, unable to picture the porcelain doll in his arms dressed in army green.
Humoring her, he said, "When you grow up, you’ll be like her."
Han Jiaojiao laughed. In her previous life, at the age of twenty-two, she didn’t feel any stronger for having aged a few years. She was still weak, and if she had managed to survive and gain revenge, it was due only to her relentless determination, nothing to do with being any stronger.
She harbored many dark thoughts and felt she was neither bright nor powerful.
"You’re just trying to cheer me up, brother." No matter how much she grew, she could never become a dazzling person like Hong Yun.
Han Yi turned her face towards him and kissed her, "You are you, and she is she; there’s no comparison. But if you listen to me in the future, drink plenty of milk and bone broth, you indeed might grow a bit taller."
With a smirk touched by pride, Han Jiaojiao said, "I’ll drink it if brother drinks with me."
"Now you’re daring to bargain with your brother, huh?"
——Outside, people were getting back into their vehicles, and after a good rest, Yan Xiao and his team returned to their car as well.
In another two or three hours, they would reach their destination.
