Xu Qian raised an eyebrow and said lightly, "We hope the base accepts everyone, good or bad, regardless of age."
This was the truth; as long as they could contribute to Hope Base, age was irrelevant.
Wei Daying stroked his beard and chuckled, "That's good, that's good."
Soon, people from both bases were assembled. They didn't carry much, mostly just small backpacks.
Having fled their own bases, they hadn't brought anything with them.
The group walked outside the mountain cave. With a thought, Xu Qian conjured several large buses.
She shone her flashlight on them, revealing the full form of the vehicles.
"Get on one by one, don't fight for seats. The bus will drive itself when it's full, so don't panic.
When you arrive at Hope Base, the bus will stop on its own. Just state the base's name, and they won't trouble you. Do you understand?"
In the darkness, everyone's eyes gleamed, and they obediently replied, "Yes."
After seeing them all onto the buses, Xu Qian had another thought and a black SUV appeared before her.
She turned back to Wei Daying, who was watching them leave.
His gaze was dazed, tinged with disbelief.
"Boss Wei, I'll be heading off now."
Wei Daying snapped back to attention, "Yes, yes, yes. Come visit when you have time."
"I will."
The black car slowly disappeared into the wind and rain. Wei Daying's eyes flickered, and he firmly closed the door.
Hope Base.
"Who goes there?"
The guards at the gate were stunned. People dared to come now?
Didn't they know how bad the storm was?
A loud voice called from inside the car, "I am Yang Lian, bringing everyone to Hope Base for shelter. Our base has been destroyed by the storm, and we can no longer stay."
The man frowned, Yang Lian Base?
"Wait, I need to get permission first."
"Okay!"
Yang Lian was somewhat panicked. What if Hope Base refused to take them in?
Would they have to stay in the car?
They didn't even have food...
Just as he was lost in anxious thoughts, a "beep beep beep" sounded, and the gate opened.
The car drove in by itself and stopped in the indoor parking lot.
The car doors opened automatically.
Everyone looked at each other and got out of the car as if in a trance.
A dozen or so soldiers surrounded them. The man in the lead was tall and imposing, quite handsome.
"Who is Boss Yang?"
Yang Lian trembled and raised his hand.
"I am... Yang Lian."
The man gave a military salute.
"Hello, I am Mo Tianran, in charge of Hope Base's security. Everyone will please cooperate with our personnel for a physical examination.
Those who are cleared can proceed directly to registration. Those with wounds will require one day of observation."
Yang Lian quickly agreed, "Yes, sir. Whatever you say, sir."
"As for Boss Yang, please proceed with your examination first. Our leader is waiting for you."
Yang Lian felt a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
Why did they want to see him?
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Leader, Boss Yang is here."
"Come in."
As the door was pushed open, a black panther lay before the sofa, its long tail swaying, as if to ensure no one missed its presence.
Yang Lian stood at the doorway, afraid to enter.
"Does this black panther bite?"
A cool, elegant male voice came from inside.
"Boss Yang, Little Black doesn't bite. Please come in and sit."
Although his voice was calm, it carried an inexplicable pressure.
Even if he had said the panther bit, Yang Lian would have had to go in.
Yang Lian closed his eyes and stumbled inside.
Mo Tianran wisely closed the door and left.
"Sit."
Yang Lian opened his eyes and saw that the black panther was paying him no attention, instead playing with itself.
Yang Lian sat down obediently, awaiting his fate.
He didn't dare to look up.