For An Yiqing, there was always an indescribable sense of intimacy towards Zhang Yufeng. This feeling was different from the blood ties she shared with relatives like An Zhihang—it was a kind of resonance, a kind of recognition.
Ever since the first time she saw this comatose girl in the hospital bed, An Yiqing had felt that she must be a resilient person, just like herself. No matter the hardship, people like them would endure, bleeding and gritting their teeth if necessary, to pull through.
That was also the reason why An Yiqing had so wholeheartedly devoted herself to saving Zhang Yufeng in the first place.
Although Zhang Yufeng was a few months older than her, to An Yiqing, she felt like a little sister she wanted to cherish.
"Alright, I’ll listen to you, Miss," Zhang Yufeng said, nodding unwittingly while looking down at An Yiqing’s gentle face, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
After lunch, An Yiqing gathered Zhang Yufeng and the Twelve Blood Generals in the main hall.
Looking at the thirteen people sitting on either side, An Yiqing slightly parted her red lips and loudly proclaimed, "Starting today, the Thirteen Blood Generals are all assembled! In seven more days, the Feng Family Five Brothers will return from ’Hong Ci.’ At that time, you brothers will be taking a new step forward!"
"Next, we have two tasks to accomplish. First, we need to recruit members for the Blood Generals! This task is up to you gentlemen! I don’t care where or how you recruit, nor do I care about their qualifications. However, I have two requirements: First, they must be loyal! Second, they must have perseverance and belief! Do you understand?!"
The Thirteen Blood Generals quickly straightened up and roared in unison, "Yes!"
"Very well!" An Yiqing nodded and continued, "Perhaps you don’t understand what belief means now, but let me tell you!"
With that, An Yiqing stood up abruptly, strode towards the main doors of the hall, and flung them open with both hands.
The sunlight immediately slanted in, illuminating the entire hall.
Turning around, An Yiqing’s clear eyes swept over the Thirteen Blood Generals, her voice crisp and melodious, "Look at every blade of grass and every piece of furniture in the courtyard, look at every table and chair within these walls—this is our refuge in Xuandu City, our own home. Our belief is this home and the family within it! The sweat and blood we shed yesterday will become the strength to crush all enemies! Only by standing at the pinnacle of this world can we protect those we love, can we protect this home! So, my only demand of you is—for our home, give your all in the struggle and battle!"
An Yiqing’s words were filled with passion and fervor, and the Thirteen Blood Generals looked excitedly at their own courtyard, their own mansion, and the brothers sitting next to them. They stretched their necks and bellowed, "Yes! For our belief! Give our all in the struggle and battle!"
"For our belief! Give our all in the struggle and battle!"
The deafening shouts pierced through the roof of the mansion, echoing between the blue sky and white clouds for a long time before dissipating.
Looking at the thirteen people in front of her, their faces flushed and necks bulging from shouting, An Yiqing nodded her head in satisfaction.
Taking a deep breath, she firmly controlled the rare excitement in her heart, and An Yiqing walked back to her seat at the head of the hall.
"Moving on to the second matter, I mentioned before about starting a security company. These past few days, I have been working on this, and once the business license is sorted, I will leave the matter entirely in your hands. Ah Feng, from today onwards, I appoint you as the captain of both the Thirteen Blood Generals and the Feng Family Five Brothers, with Xiao Feng as the deputy captain. The two of you need to take control of the big picture, handling both the recruitment of the squad members and the establishment of the security company. I want to see results within two months!"