Unfortunately, he really didn’t have much muscle, and even when he tensed his arm, only a faint hint was visible. Qian Lang had wanted to show off and catch Fang Yuxin’s eye, hoping she would recruit him into the Mercenary Team, but his physique just wasn’t up to the task!
His otherwise delicate face immediately turned beet red, and after a light cough in the doctor’s direction, he hurriedly pulled down his sleeve to cover the embarrassing arm.
Qian Sen, upset at his lack of progress, smacked him on the head and gave him a warning glare before saying to Fang Yuxin, "To be frank with Miss Fang, I know that all the major Bases must have research institutes. After I get to Beishi City, I may join a research institute. Humanity is facing a great crisis right now, and we must find ways to overcome this disaster. So, if the research institute needs it, I will do all that I can!"
"Grandpa!" Qian Lang cried out, tugging hard on Qian Sen’s clothes and whispering into his ear, "Grandpa, have you lost your mind? What’s wrong with joining Miss Fang’s team? Do you still want to hang around with others? Ouch! I didn’t say anything wrong, why are you hitting me again!" As he spoke, he stole cautious glances at Fang Yuxin, afraid she might get angry.
Fang Yuxin wasn’t angry, though; she stood up and bowed respectfully to Qian Sen. Qian Sen, taken aback by her gesture, jumped to his feet, waving his hands and saying, "Miss Fang, this is absolutely unnecessary! You... why such a grand gesture for me? If anyone should be bowing, it should be me bowing to you—you saved my life, after all!"
Fang Yuxin replied, "No, elder sir, your noble aspirations and concern for the world merit this respect. I hope for your forgiveness if there were any shortcomings in my care previously."
Qian Sen looked uncomfortable: "This... what are you talking about? You saved my life, how could I possibly blame you?"
Bai Ye, watching from the side, said timely, "Elder sir, don’t feel troubled. Xinxin truly admires you, and seeing your concern for the world, it is only right for us to take care of you."
After finishing, he personally served a bowl of rice and passed it to Qian Sen, "Please, elder sir, have your meal."
Qian Sen felt uneasy, feeling like he was fishing for compliments, having not actually done anything worthwhile, yet receiving such treatment from Bai Ye and Fang Yuxin. He... he truly felt undeserving in his heart!
Seeing him frowning with difficulty, Fang Yuxin spoke again, "Elder sir, don’t be troubled, we have plenty of food, please go ahead and eat."
Qian Sen wasn’t one to fuss, so upon hearing this, he smiled at Fang Yuxin and Bai Ye, then bowed his head to eat. Qian Lang, who had been eager to join Fang Yuxin’s team, was now unsure of what to say.
But then, he suddenly heard Fang Yuxin say, "This Qian... brother, if you’re willing, you can join the Yongcheng Team." Although Qian Lang hadn’t awakened his superpower yet, she had Elemental Crystals, which would make his Awakening not too difficult.
However, if possible, she would prefer that this person Awaken naturally through infection. Awakeners were divided into three types: voluntary Awakeners, infection-Awakened, and Elemental Crystal Awakened. Voluntary Awakeners had the best talent, infection-Awakened could resist the erosion of the Zombie Virus, and while their talent might not be the best, their willpower was absolutely the strongest. Elemental Crystal Awakeners, who took a shortcut, faced a greatly reduced danger during the Awakening process, but without the trial by Zombie Virus, their willpower was significantly lesser than that of those who Awakened through infection.
Qian Lang, who had thought that after Qian Sen’s speech Fang Yuxin wouldn’t want him, was suddenly presented with a chance! Just as he was about to agree, something occurred to him, and he couldn’t help asking, "Miss Fang, can I ask a question, and don’t get mad. You... you didn’t decide to take me in just because of my grandpa, did you?"
But Fang Yuxin, instead of answering, retorted, "Why? Don’t you trust in your own abilities?"
Qian Lang immediately denied, "Of course I believe in myself!" He said, touching his head and laughing, "As long as you’re not just taking me because of my grandpa, I’m in! I’ll join your Mercenary Team!"
Yet, he might have been too excited, because just as he finished speaking, his stomach growled loudly. Qian Lang’s face turned red again; he instinctively covered his stomach, hesitated for a moment, but still said with some embarrassment, "Ahem! That... Miss Fang, I... I’m now one of your people, right? Could I... erm... that..." He said, eyeing the nearby rice pot.
"From now on call me Deputy Captain Fang. The Captain is my brother; you’ll meet him when we get to Beishi City." Fang Yuxin smiled, gesturing towards the rice pot, "If you want to eat go serve yourself."
After speaking, she turned her attention to Liu Zhenglin and Zhao Yan, "Could you two tell me about your specialties?"
Zhou Han, unable to hold back, interjected, "How come you’re not asking me?"
Fang Yuxin glanced at Bai Ye with a meaningful smile, "Aren’t you going to become his pupil? He’s not from my Mercenary Team."
Zhou Han’s eyes widened in astonishment, his gaze flitting between Fang Yuxin and Bai Ye, his voice filled with confusion, "Aren’t you guys a couple? Why do you make such a clear distinction?"
Fang Yuxin didn’t understand what he meant at first, automatically retorting, "As I just said, we’re not from the same team..." Then, furrowing her brows, she suddenly realized that Zhou Han might mean something else.
Bai Ye, whose mood had soured since Fang Yuxin disassociated from him, couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing Zhou Han’s words, teasing Fang Yuxin, "Xinxin, you misunderstood, what he means is..."
Fang Yuxin’s face flushed red, and she quickly interrupted him, "Shut up! I know what he means!"
(To be continued. If you work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)