Chapter 152
Chapter 152
As Qingqing gazed at the familiar scene before her, she couldn’t quite put her feelings into words.
Regret?
As long as she held firm to her conviction, she could bring the veteran and the young woman back to life.
Sadness?
Every one of those soldiers had died with a smile, content to give their lives protecting her.
After a long silence, Qingqing bought another ticket and sat down in the chair.
Taking a deep breath, she returned to 1999.
The instant Luo left, all data on Earth’s warships and combat armor vanished.
It was as if the war had never happened.
Lu Yi coughed up a mouthful of blood and wiped the corner of his lips.
“Soldiers, we won!”
Cheers resounded across Earth, every soldier’s eyes brimming with tears.
Qingqing emerged alongside several scientists and looked out at the jubilant crowd.
The celebration continued for over an hour before Lu Yi finally switched the broadcast back on.
“In my capacity as Commander-in-Chief of Huaxia, I hereby present the following medals!”
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“Long March Company is hereby awarded the Martyr’s Medal!”
“All hands aboard Fuxi are hereby awarded the Martyr’s Medal!”
“All hands aboard Victorious Fighting Buddha are hereby awarded the Martyr’s Medal!”
…
Each name testified to the brutality of the war, and everyone present fell silent.
It took a full three hours to finish reading the entire list.
“All adult soldiers must sign a confidentiality agreement. Minors may return to ordinary life after undergoing Memory Erasure.”
With one hand, Lu Yi pinned a medal on Qingqing’s chest.
“No. 179, thank you for everything you’ve done for all humanity!”
Qingqing smiled up at Lu Yi. “To serve the people!”
The moment the words left her mouth, her vision went black.
A succession of images unfolded before her.
From that moment on, Earth entered an era of rapid development.
Ten years. Twenty years. A full century later, the first spacecraft successfully ventured into the depths of space.
There, countless warships were holding off the insects’ frenzied assaults.
Atlantis raised the banner of civilization high and charged at the very forefront.
Luo’s voice seemed to echo in her ears.
“You’ve come!”
The scene shifted.
Beneath the Lunar Cabin, the shattered remains of an insect slowly drew together again.
1999: END!
When Qingqing realized she had returned to reality, her mouth fell open.
Zhang the Thief!
What the hell was that insect supposed to be?!
Damn it, the scenario was already over!
Qingqing was so frustrated she could burst. She stormed off and quickly found Zhang Bei.
“Boss, could you try acting like a human being for once?!”
“What’s gotten into you this time?”
“What was that insect at the end of 1999 supposed to mean? Wasn’t the war over?”
Zhang Bei arched an eyebrow. “That’s for the next war. There’ll be a new scenario about it later.”
Qingqing’s face was full of resentment. This damn plot was way too freaking “healing”!
“If you’re in a bad mood, go ride the Roller Coaster.”
Qingqing also felt that she needed a good, cathartic scream, so she headed toward the Roller Coaster.
Before anyone knew it, business hours had quietly come to an end and night had deepened.
Zhang Bei was sound asleep when the ringing of his phone woke him.
“Boss, something’s happened!”
The call was from Guan Guo. Zhang Bei rubbed his eyes and sat up.
“What is it?”
“It’s too complicated to explain over the phone. You’d better come to the Laboratory.”
Hearing the gravity in Guan Guo’s voice, Zhang Bei’s expression turned serious as well.
He quickly got dressed and drove to the Laboratory.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Guan Guo and several others arguing with a group of soldiers.
“I’ve already told you, this is a private Laboratory! We have the right to keep our research findings confidential!”
“I’m sorry, but our orders state that dangerous items are being developed here. We must conduct a search!”
From the argument, Zhang Bei had already pieced together what had happened.
His eyes narrowed. “Guan Guo, let them through.”
“But, Boss…”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll have a new assignment for all of you shortly.”
Guan Guo silently stepped aside, allowing the group to enter the Laboratory.
The search was soon over. One of the soldiers put away the sheet of A4 paper in his hand and saluted Zhang Bei.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Zhang!”
Zhang Bei said nothing as he watched the soldiers leave.
“Sit down. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
Seeing his solemn expression, everyone took a seat and waited for him to continue.
“From now on, I’ll be conducting all my experiments on a private island. If you choose to go, you might not be able to return for a very long time.”
Zhang Bei operated the printer beside him, quickly printing out a set of contracts.
“If you don’t want to go to the island, I can give you a one-percent stake in the automobile company. You can take charge of upgrading its technology and developing future models.”
Everyone fell silent.
They would be leaving the country!
Guan Guo considered it for a long time before saying, “I’ll go to the island!”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure!”
Zhang Bei put one of the contracts away and looked at the other three.
“What about you?”
Zhu Xiaotong tugged on her boyfriend’s arm. “Of course we’re going too!”
Du Xin was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, boss. My mother is ill. I can’t leave.”
Zhang Bei nodded and pushed a contract toward Du Xin.
“Working for the automaker isn’t bad either. The Laboratory over there needs you to hold down the fort.”
“Thank you, boss!”
Zhang Bei waved a hand. “Pack everything up. We probably won’t be using this Laboratory anymore.”
“Yes, sir!”
From the moment Zhang Bei decided to purchase a private island, he had known this day would come sooner or later.
No matter how much Professor Li protected him, there would always be people who considered uncontrolled experiments like his too dangerous.
Neither side could really be called right or wrong.
One side wanted to bring the System’s Black Tech into reality.
The other was concerned about the safety of countless ordinary people.
By the time Zhang Bei finished handling the Laboratory’s remaining affairs, the sky was beginning to brighten.
He yawned and headed straight for the Amusement Park.
It was still early, and Chef Li wouldn’t arrive for another half hour.
Rather than throw off his sleep schedule, Boss Zhang slipped into the kitchen once again.
By the time Chef Li arrived and saw the table covered in snacks, alarm bells immediately started ringing in his head.
“Boss, what’s all this?”
Zhang Bei gave a light cough. “Same as last time. I had nothing better to do.”
Chef Li shot him a deeply suspicious look.
Why do I feel like I’m about to lose my job?
Holy crap! How did I not notice last time that the boss was this good at cooking?
The entire table was laden with every kind of snack imaginable, from stinky tofu to cold jelly noodles.
Chef Li casually picked up a fried meatball and took a bite.
Tears instantly sprang to his eyes.
“B-Boss! Must-mustard!”
Zhang Bei placed the last stuffed pastry into an insulated food box.
“Lucky you. There were only two mustard-filled meatballs in the entire batch.”
Chef Li had to gulp down several mouthfuls of water before he finally recovered.
After hearing Zhang Bei’s words, he silently gave him a thumbs-up.
As expected of his boss!
What normal person would ever come up with an idea like that?
Zhang Bei packed all the snacks on the table into insulated food boxes.
“You make breakfast. I’m going to get some rest!”
Chef Li nodded. Looking at the snacks inside the boxes, he observed a moment of silence for the employees coming to work today.
Hopefully, this wouldn’t leave them traumatized by food for the rest of their lives.