Apocalypse Chapter 97: Extra 4 – Reunion [END]

Chapter 97: Extra 4 – Reunion

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The Spark Base had a great harvest this year. After opening up the Jiangbei Plain, grain production had multiplied several times over. With more grain, they could raise more livestock and poultry.

Now, the base’s farms held millions of birds. The mutated poultry were larger and their meat was tender and delicious. After careful breeding by the base’s research institute, every bird was plump and round.

As the number of poultry doubled, the variety and number of livestock also increased significantly. After establishing relations with other bases, they had specialized farms for all kinds of livestock common before the Great Crisis.

Now the base’s residents not only ate pork, but also beef and mutton. The children could drink fresh milk every other day.

With livestock and poultry secured, how could they forget about aquatic produce? The base bordered Lingshan Reservoir, and from the start of construction, the network of rivers and canals inside had formed a connected system. Though many fish were mutated, careful selection still allowed everyone to enjoy fresh, fat river and lake fish.

With the New Year approaching, markets in all villages and towns were fully open. Anyone could walk into a market and come away carrying bags full of goods. The base’s supplies were now well-stocked. Everyone could celebrate a prosperous year.

After a hard year of work, it was time to rest well. Jiang Rong’s core team was no exception. He had given the team ten days off, and during this time, members could stay home and spend time with their families.

Today was the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the second day of vacation. Everyone was preparing to gather at Chu Qiang’s house for a meal.

Jiang Rong had planned to get up early, but the previous night had worn him out. When he woke, his back ached, his legs were sore, and his voice was hoarse. He was forced to stay in bed for two more hours. Burying his face in the pillow, Jiang Rong gritted his teeth. “Beast.”

Guan Shao smiled broadly as he rubbed Jiang Rong’s back. “Still sore? Want me to use more strength?”

Outside the door, Jiang Xiaoheng and the others peeked in. “Daddy, are you feeling better?”

Jiang Rong lifted his head from the pillow. “Almost. You kids go to Grandpa and Grandma’s house first. Don’t bother them too much.”

Jiang Yuan responded crisply, “Okay, Daddy! Daddy, can I wear that red floral dress today?”

Though the house was full of males, Yuanyuan still had the taste of a little girl. She had picked out a red lace skirt when they bought clothes before the New Year and hung it by the bedside. She eagerly waited every day for the holiday.

Though it wasn’t officially New Year yet, seeing the older boys already playing with new toys made Yuanyuan unable to hold back any longer. She looked at Jiang Rong with wide eyes. “Can I?”

Jiang Rong smiled. “Of course. You can wear whatever you want.”

Yuanyuan cheered and ran to her room. “I’m wearing my skirt!”

By the time Jiang Rong got up, the three children had already run down the wide road toward Chu Qiang’s house. Junjun and Lele followed slowly behind them like three bodyguards, always protecting their little owners. With them around, no one dared to harm the kids.

They were going to help out at Chu Qiang’s today. Jiang Rong had specially packed two aprons in a bag. “We’ll take the old road. Uncle Li and Aunt Li asked us to pick strawberries.”

Guan Shao reached for the bag. “Okay. Uncle Li and Aunt Li planted strawberries? How’s the harvest?”

Jiang Rong thought for a moment. “It’s their first year trying. I heard the yield is pretty good.”

Winter strawberries were a rare treat, even before the Great Crisis, they were valuable. Once the cultivation techniques matured, they could enjoy sweet strawberries every year.

Heading out, Jiang Rong looked up to the west. Little Fairy had grown several times larger than before. The insulated cover they’d made this year was much bigger than last year’s. The design on this year’s cover was chosen by Little Fairy itself—a white cover with a cute smiling face. When Little Fairy twisted its body, the smile looked even livelier.

Seeing Jiang Rong ready to leave, Little Fairy tilted and wiggled. “Master Jiang, going out~” Little Guaiguai dangled its vine from the rooftop, chanting, “Going out~”

Under the old camphor tree’s tutelage, the two mutated plants were speaking more and more. Jiang Rong thought that in time, they would surely inherit the camphor tree’s legacy and become cultured mutated plants in the base.

Jiang Rong laughed. “Yeah, we’re going to Qiangzi’s house. Please, watch the place for us~”

Little Fairy and Little Guaiguai said in unison, “No problem!”

He remembered when Little Fairy had first only said “Master Jiang” and “Problem.” Now it could respond fluently, making Jiang Rong smile. After Guan Shao closed the door, he looked up at the sky. “The clouds are thick. Looks like it’s going to snow.”

Jiang Rong took Guan Shao’s hand with a smile. “A timely snow promises a good harvest.”

*

In the dead of winter, Uncle Li’s orchard was bustling with people. Several new greenhouses for fruits and vegetables had been built, and visitors came and went in a steady stream. The elderly couple worked tirelessly, barely stopping to rest.

Though busy, they were full of energy. After Li Xiaojun left, the couple had been downhearted for a while. But seeing the base grow stronger and the orchard flourish, they found a new purpose again.

As  the Spark Base expanded, many from the Peace Base had joined its ranks — including Uncle Li and Aunt Li’s son and daughter-in-law. Unfortunately, those two had hurt the old couple deeply before, so Uncle Li and Aunt Li never accepted them. Instead, they told them to behave, work hard, and support themselves.

After all, everyone lived in the same base but had their own lives. Whether they returned or not made little difference. Spotting Jiang Rong and Guan Shao, Uncle Li called out from a distance, “Here, here! I’ve got something ready for you. I wanted to send it down, but it’s too busy up on the mountain. Just picked—big and sweet. Come taste!”

Jiang Rong glanced at the basket beside Uncle Li. It was filled with large strawberries, each about half a palm in size. The bright red berries sported fresh green caps, and a sweet aroma floated toward him.

He couldn’t resist grabbing two strawberries and handed one to Guan Shao. Biting into it, the berry was juicy with a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Jiang Rong hadn’t tasted such fresh strawberries in a long time. “As expected of Uncle Li. These strawberries really are something!”

Uncle Li lifted two full baskets and passed them to Jiang Rong. “For the kids to snack on. Ah, I better get back to the greenhouse and help.”

Jiang Rong laughed, holding the heavy baskets. “Alright, you go ahead. Aunt Li and I will come by later for the pig-killing feast.”

Uncle Li chuckled. “Of course!”

*

To prepare for the New Year, the Chu family elders had bought plenty of supplies. They brought home two live pigs from the farm and dozens of chickens, ducks, and geese.

The Spark Base’s mutant pigs were hybrids of wild boars and domestic pigs. Each grew to weigh six or seven hundred pounds. Though their bristles looked patchy black and spotted, once scalded and cleaned, their skin was white and tender.

When Jiang Rong and Guan Shao arrived at Chu Qiang’s yard with the strawberries, the pigs had already been slaughtered. Zheng Zhanqing, Weng Chenggang, and others were busy scalding chicken feathers and plucking goose feathers. The strong espers found spots around the yard, working energetically.

Everyone was busy, and Chu Qiang was no exception. His job, however, smelled a bit strong. He crouched outside the gate washing pig intestines with a miserable expression. Spotting the relaxed Jiang Rong and Guan Shao, his complaints exploded, “Xiao Jiang, we expected you to help kill the pig, but instead, you showed up just in time to enjoy! Come on, help me turn the intestines!”

Jiang Rong smiled silently, but Jiang Xiaoheng protested on his behalf, “No! Intestines stink, I don’t want Daddy smelling like that.”

Jiang Yuan added, “Yeah, Uncle Chu smells bad.”

Chu Qiang painfully rubbed his forehead. “Look at your three little devils, even complaining that I stink. I might just keep the fat intestines from you.”

Uncle Chu appeared, carrying a large basin of hot water. His booming voice filled the yard. “Not letting my good grandkids eat? Say that again?”

Faced with his own father, the tough Chu Qiang had no choice but to plead, “Alright, alright! Even if I don’t eat, I can’t starve the kids.”

Uncle Chu nodded in satisfaction. “That’s more like it. You better hurry up — look at your peers, their kids are already running around in a bunch, and you’re still hanging around at home. Find a girl and settle down already…”

Chu Qiang grimaced. “Alright, alright, I get it, I get it.”

Jiang Rong carried the strawberries into the living room. “Hanyu? Leilei? Come wash the strawberries and eat.”

Hearing Jiang Rong’s call, the two girls came quickly from their rooms, eyes lighting up as they picked up the fruit baskets. “Wow, such beautiful strawberries! They must taste amazing.”

As Jiang Rong entered the room, he saw tables laden with meat. Chiang Jinhu and others stood by the table cutting pork. Over a thousand pounds of red-and-white meat spread out before them looked spectacular. Jiang Rong marveled, “That’s a lot of meat…”

Aunt Chu passed by and smiled kindly. “Not too much. With so many of us, if everyone gets a little, it’s not too much.”

Jiang Rong felt a little embarrassed. “That’s a lot of trouble for Uncle and Aunt.”

Aunt Chu laughed softly. “Don’t be so formal. You all work so hard, when would you have time to prepare all this? Me and your uncle are free anyway, might as well get some exercise.”

The Chu elders had already prepared buns and other snacks for the espers. The two pigs were mainly for making meatballs today. After preparations, the espers set up a canopy in the yard and hung a large pot ready to fry meatballs.

Seasoned minced meat was rolled into balls. When the oil was hot, they slid the balls down the side of the pot with a sizzling “sshh-sshh” sound. Along with the rising smoke came a rich, savory aroma that drew the three children to the pot, eagerly waiting for the first batch.

Wang Chunlan was in charge of frying. Seeing the kids’ eager faces, she specially made a batch of small meatballs. When the balls were golden and crispy, she called to the children, “Little gluttons, come taste the meatballs. Be careful, they’re hot.”

The kids obediently each took two small meatballs and walked away. Wang Chunlan raised an eyebrow at the line of espers waiting at the pot. “What’s going on? The little gluttons left, and now the big gluttons are here?”

Chu Qiang laughed and popped two meatballs in his mouth. “As long as there are no kids, I’m the baby.”

Behind Chu Qiang, Weng Chenggang and the others nodded. “Yeah, Chunlan, we’re babies too. You can’t neglect us.”

Wang Chunlan smiled helplessly. “Alright, alright. You all wait in line; I’ll fry another batch.”

Jiang Rong and Guan Shao had been chatting nearby when his phone rang. He saw Pan Pan was calling. As soon as he answered, Pan Pan’s excited voice came through the receiver, “Captain Jiang, Captain Guan! I’m a daddy now! Mengmeng gave me a big, fat daughter — seven pounds, two ounces!”

It was an explosive joyous announcement. Jiang Rong congratulated him repeatedly, “Congratulations, congratulations!” Then he loudly relayed Pan Pan’s happy news to their teammates, “Friends, Pan Pan just became a daddy. He has a daughter, a big, fat girl — seven pounds, two ounces!”

The espers burst out laughing, snatching the phone from Jiang Rong to congratulate Pan Pan themselves. “Is our girl pretty? Does she look like me?” “Move aside, father-in-law, I’m your son-in-law now.”

The yard filled with laughter and commotion. Jiang Rong smiled at his teammates’ silly antics, his eyes forming beautiful crescents. At that moment, Jiang Hao and Jiang Xiaoheng approached mysteriously. “Daddy, close your eyes and bend over, then open your mouth.”

Guan Shao could smell the aroma of meatballs from the children’s palms. The kids just wanted to share their treats, and how could a daddy refuse?

With mouths open, warm meatballs were placed inside. Chewing, they were crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. Jiang Rong opened his eyes and gratefully said, “Delicious~ Thank you, Xiao Hao, thank you, Xiaoheng.”

Guan Shao patted the children’s heads. “Very tasty. Thank you.”

Jiang Xiaoheng beamed. “Aunt Chunlan’s meatballs really are delicious. We have to make sure Daddy tries them. Oh, and the one Yuanyuan had is for Uncle Gu.”

Gu Zefeng arrived. Jiang Rong and the others looked toward the yard’s entrance. Gu Zefeng was holding Yuanyuan, smiling brightly. “Thanks, little Yuanyuan. The meatballs are really delicious. I’ve never had meatballs this good.”

Jiang Yuan pointed toward the yard. “Aunt Chunlan’s still frying meatballs. There are lots more. Uncle, let’s go queue up with them.”

Gu Zefeng glanced toward the yard, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “No, Yuanyuan should eat more. I’m just passing by. I have other things to do later.”

In such a lively atmosphere, if he joined in, wouldn’t he ruin the mood?

After saying this, Gu Zefeng gently put Yuanyuan down. “Yuanyuan, you should go back now. It’s about to snow—don’t catch a chill. By the way, that dress looks great. Whoever bought it has good taste.”

Yuanyuan tilted her head and looked at Gu Zefeng’s profile. Though she was little, she wasn’t naive. She clearly knew that Uncle Gu wanted to come inside the yard. In fact, before she noticed him, he had already been standing there for quite some time.

Just as Gu Zefeng was about to leave, Guan Shao called out to him, “You’re here already. Why not join us for a meal?”

Gu Zefeng stood firm but didn’t look back. “Master Guan, you jest. This is a family dinner, and as an outsider, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Jiang Rong smiled. “That’s exactly why we invited you. But in our family, anyone who wants to eat has to help out. So, will you join us or not?”

Gu Zefeng thought for a moment, then turned and strode toward the yard. “I’m coming. Do you think I’m scared?”

When Gu Zefeng entered the yard, the espers fell silent for a moment before erupting in warm greetings. “Just in time! Qiangzi, bring out that basin of pigskin. The pig hair burner has arrived!”

Gu Zefeng grumbled, “Damn, why do I have to do the pig hair burning? What about Chiang Jinhu? Doesn’t he know how?”

Chiang Jinhu howled, “Why do you think I chose to cut meat?! Quit whining and come help! If we’re quick, maybe we can make the pigskin jelly today.”

The yard buzzed with noise and laughter, warm steam rising into the cold air. Jiang Rong shook his head with a smile. “I’ve realized that Gu Zefeng is really just all talk but soft-hearted deep down.”

Guan Shao nodded slightly and took a few steps forward. Then he stopped and looked up at the sky. “It’s snowing.”

Flurries drifted down, landing softly in Jiang Rong’s outstretched palm. Watching the flakes melt, Jiang Rong smiled. “Yeah, it’s snowing. Looks like another good harvest next year.”

They weren’t the only ones who noticed the snow. Children playing outside cheered, “It’s snowing! Let’s go to the activity center and build a snowman!”

Jiang Rong called after them with a laugh, “Not yet—you can’t build snowmen now.”

The kids weren’t discouraged. They ran toward the yard shouting, “Then we’ll go eat Auntie’s fried meatballs first!”

The snow fell harder, quickly covering the ground with a thin white layer. The laughter in the yard seemed to soften behind the snow’s gentle hush. Jiang Rong and Guan Shao walked along the path toward the yard, their hands brushing together without realizing it.

It was unclear who grasped whose hand first, but soon their fingers intertwined. After a few steps, Guan Shao stopped, smiling softly as he looked at Jiang Rong.

“What’s up?” Jiang Rong asked with a smile.

“The snow’s fallen on your hair,” Guan Shao said quietly. Jiang Rong’s head was dusted white. Surely Guan Shao’s was too. Had they unknowingly grown old together, hand in hand?

Jiang Rong understood immediately. “Yeah. We’ll grow old together like this. The snow’s coming down hard; we should head back, or they’ll say we’re slacking off.”

The fresh snow bore five sets of light footprints—two tall and three small—running ahead. The three children held hands, laughing as they ran, while behind them two tall figures walked hand in hand. Accidentally, the whole family had turned white-haired together.

*

The heavy snow fell steadily, and the Spark Base grew unusually quiet. Both espers and ordinary people had returned to their homes. But this didn’t mean the Spark Base’s defenses were down—in fact, in times like this, Spark’s hidden strength became even more apparent.

Snow in the fields had buried ankles deep. Through wind and snow, thousands of mutant animals patrolled their familiar routes. At the first sign of threat, they would swarm to attack.

Junjun, a mutant tiger with exceptional fighting prowess, had its own patrol area. Proud and tall, Junjun led the way. Behind it trailed Lele, the tyrant tiger Mimi, and over a dozen other mutant cats and dogs. Their footprints in the snow spread out like plum blossoms, ears pricked to catch any unusual sounds.

Today’s patrol covered more ground than usual. The smaller animals climbed hills and crossed ridges, clearing every threat from their territory. Snowflakes settled on their fur, making them appear even fluffier than usual. Hours passed without notice—it was time for a shift change.

Junjun wagged its tail and approached a snow mound. The dogs rushed forward, tails wagging as they sniffed around. Suddenly, the snow mound shifted. A red vine emerged from beneath the snow. Little Guaiguai stretched its tendrils across the snow. “We got this! Let’s go, Little Fairy.”

After advancing to a fifth-level bloodthirsty vine, Little Guaiguai and Little Fairy no longer feared the cold of winter. They took over patrol duties in areas Junjun and the others couldn’t reach.

The mutant plants briefly touched “heads” in greeting before preparing to leave. Then, a flash of light streaked past. The cats and dogs all turned their heads toward the activity center. Two flickering orbs of light rose through the snowfall, climbing into the sky. At their peak, the orbs exploded, revealing two fireworks thousands of meters in diameter. Only then did the animals hear the booming sounds of the fireworks.

The brilliant, colorful display continued with a second wave of explosions. The mutant animals sat on the ridges, tongues lolling, their eyes reflecting the gorgeous fireworks as if they were smiling. Behind them, the red bloodthirsty vines twisted into heart shapes. “So beautiful~” Little Fairy swayed, “So pretty~”

After returning, they planned to ask Master Jiang if they could have these beautiful fireworks every night. No matter how many times they watched, they would never tire of them.

Little Guaiguai hummed the theme song of the “Meow-Meow Team.”

“Master Jiang~ got a problem~”

Little Fairy followed with the same tune, “Master Jiang~ no problem~”

 

 

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