Chapter 117 Birthday Banquet

Chapter 117 Birthday Banquet

"The base is currently short of medical and healthcare professionals, so I thought it wouldn't be right to turn them down."

"You decide for yourself whether to take them in or not. If you like them, take them in; if not, just refuse. Don't worry about my feelings. Actually, in the past, I would have quite liked such clever and resourceful kids."

"They are smooth talkers, willing to endure hardships, and get things done immediately when assigned. They handle trivial and mundane tasks effortlessly and efficiently, which is quite satisfying. So, I am willing to give them some guidance and resources."

"Seeing them succeed, they still warmly call me 'teacher' when we meet. But when I ask them about their recent research or publications, it's all in vain."

"All they talk about is how some high-ranking official sought their treatment, how their child's school teachers are trying to curry favor with them, or how many disciples they have taken in."

Yao Huan squinted his eyes and rambled on: "But as I grew older, I gradually realized that students like you, who quietly pursue knowledge, genuinely love research, and have no ulterior motives, are better. A little clumsiness is actually a good thing."

"I asked him a few questions. Although he seems very clever, I don't think he necessarily suits your taste, so I only mentioned taking him under my wing."

"You decide. He can handle some miscellaneous tasks. After all, he is a medical student from a prestigious university, even though he didn't complete his undergraduate studies. He can assist and has experience with research projects. His previous mentor was also a renowned scholar."

"I noticed you haven't had much time for research lately, and your thesis has been left untouched. I know that setting up a new base involves countless tasks. Although those people are quite capable, your participation indeed boosts their cohesion."

"But I know your personality well. In the past, when the student union or others approached you, you always refused outright. The school wanted you to participate in some competitions, but you were unwilling, saying those were irrelevant to research and a waste of time. Find some people to handle those meaningless chores."

Zhou Yun listened silently. Yao Huan looked at him sharply: "Don't tell me it's for Team Guan. I don't think you are the type to abandon research for love. Don't end up like me, old and regretful, feeling like there's never enough time."

Zhou Yun smiled: "Teacher, I haven't neglected my research. The thesis just needs a bit more data. I'll finish it in a few days." In his past life, he had spent too much time on research, relying on Yi Qian to handle mundane tasks. Because it was so convenient, he thought he could isolate himself from the world and focus solely on research, but in the end, he failed miserably.

Yao Huan knew that this disciple wouldn't casually say it was done, so he felt slightly reassured. Zhou Yun explained: "I wasn't in a hurry before because I felt it wasn't the right time to publish it. For example, that test strip. If published, I wouldn't be able to protect it, and it would attract people with ulterior motives, bringing disaster to those close to me."

Yao Huan suddenly felt a sense of resonance: "You're right. Even my small achievement with the mutated fennel for stomach issues has been targeted by others. It's ridiculous."

"Don't be fooled by how others praise me. In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, your teacher is just an 80-year-old feeble old man, easy to manipulate."

He looked at Zhou Yun, feeling a mix of emotions: "At such a young age, you are indeed much more astute than this old man of mine." It seemed like he had suffered some setbacks.

Zhou Yun smiled.

After Master Xinhai and Taoist Master Yunyin accompanied Yao Huan to the car and headed to Beiming, Zhou Yun turned to Qi Shuhong and instructed: "Based on their specialties and qualifications, assign them to assist in the emergency and surgery departments. As for that young Yi, who didn't complete his undergraduate studies, let him join the internship."

"The recent influx of new residents has put a lot of pressure on the base's health check-up department. Have him assist in the health check-up department's tasks."

Qi Shuhong understood that he wasn't impressed and smiled: "Alright, I understand."

She then said to Zhou Yun: "There's another thing. We now have some people living in Yunding Mountain Villa, but everyone is busy and doesn't have much time to get to know each other."

"Coincidentally, Zhao Yi's birthday is coming up in a few days, and the daughter of Team Jiang from the villa is about the same age. We thought of hosting a birthday party in the hall on the second floor of the Doomsday Tavern, inviting everyone to gather and socialize. I wonder what you and Team Guan think about it."

Zhou Yun nodded: "It's good to gather. Just go ahead with the arrangements."

Qi Shuhong smiled: "Shen Lan and Qin Mu discussed it and thought that the Sky Wolf Team, being a rare group of high-level psychics, along with our Phoenix Team, the Old Street Gang, which consists of young people, and a few council members from the Wood Guild, as well as Team Jiang and Sister Dong from the Special Forces, who are now the mainstays of base management, should gather and socialize to get to know each other better."

Zhou Yun said: "I have no objections, but you should have Deputy Team Jiang report more to Team Guan."

Qi Shuhong said: "Since you agree, Team Guan won't object."

Zhou Yun said: "I don't object, but I might not have the time. The teacher just told me to focus on finishing my thesis."

Qi Shuhong knew that Zhou Yun wasn't fond of social gatherings. While official events were unavoidable, he might not be willing to attend such a large private gathering. She smiled: "Alright, I'll let them know."

Zhou Yun returned to Yunding Mountain Villa, feeling that his social energy for the day had been completely drained. Originally planning to pick some vegetables from the vegetable garden to cook noodles, he ended up lying on the bed and falling asleep without realizing it.

In a daze, he felt someone feeling his forehead. He opened his eyes to see Guan Yuanfeng leaning over the bed, his expression filled with concern: "Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhou Yun was momentarily disoriented, unsure of his surroundings. Staring at Guan Yuanfeng's handsome face, he was dazed for a moment before slowly regaining his senses: "No... I just haven’t slept late in a long time. Today, things ended early, and when I got back, it was quiet with no one around, so I snuck in a nap."

He glanced out the window at the vivid sunset, realizing he had slept deeply.

Guan Yuanfeng studied his expression carefully for a moment: "Did you have lunch?" They had breakfast on the 30th floor, but when he returned in the evening, he found Zhou Yun asleep in the villa, the kitchen untouched.

Zhou Yun: "..."

Guan Yuanfeng pressed his shoulder to keep him from getting up: "Stay in bed. I’ll whip up some noodles for you. If you’re tired, take a few days off at home. No need to go out every day."

Zhou Yun smiled: "I'm really fine. Honestly, I didn’t do much today. It's rare for me to slack off, and I got caught by you."

Guan Yuanfeng's expression remained serious: "After every major mission, we take time off to fully unwind. Even if you didn’t do much, the prolonged stress of being on duty can be draining."

"Building a city isn’t something that happens overnight. You need to return to your normal pace of life."

Zhou Yun walked out and watched as Guan Yuanfeng rummaged through the fridge for ingredients. He sat on the sofa and watched him cook noodles: "Just crack an egg and toss in some minced meat. There’s frozen shrimp and dried scallops in the fridge—just toss some in. No need to overcomplicate it. There are scallions in the backyard vegetable garden, and it would be best to add some goji leaves."

Guan Yuanfeng turned to him, at a loss for words: "And you call that not too complicated?"

Zhou Yun laughed. Despite his words, Guan Yuanfeng walked to the backyard, plucked a few tender goji sprouts and scallions, and rinsed them under the tap. Zhou Yun asked him: "Where's Comet?"

Guan Yuanfeng replied: "Out in the neighborhood, playing with Zhao Yi and Xiao Jiang’s daughter. Qin Sheng is with them."

Zhou Yun asked: "What's the name of Captain Jiang's daughter?"

Guan Yuanfeng hesitated, thinking for a moment: "I think her nickname’s Dandan. I can’t recall her full name."

Zhou Yun remembered something: "Today, Qi Shuhong mentioned throwing a birthday party for Zhao Yi at the Doomsday Tavern, inviting everyone to get together and bond."

Guan Yuanfeng said: "That's a good idea. Are you going?"

Zhou Yun replied: "No, I need to focus on finishing my paper."

Guan Yuanfeng asked again: "General Luo from Sanchu Base is visiting in a few days. He said he wants to pay his respects to Lord Dongjun. Will you meet him?" He was supposed to come tomorrow, but the trip was postponed due to sudden weather changes.

Zhou Yun was momentarily surprised: "I can meet him." General Luo was quite an intriguing person. Back at Sanchu Base, General Luo had looked out for him. In hindsight, it might have been because Guan Yuanfeng had put in a word for him.

Guan Yuanfeng looked at him, visibly surprised.

Zhou Yun smiled at his reaction: "What's wrong?"

Guan Yuanfeng said: "If you don't want to meet him, you don't have to."

Zhou Yun replied: "They’ll all be under your command eventually. It’s good to meet them."

Guan Yuanfeng's gaze was complex, but he didn't say anything. To him, although Zhou Yun always smiled in front of him, there was an underlying sense of listlessness.

This wasn't the case when he left in the morning.

The two had a simple dinner, and Zhou Yun immediately buried himself in his study, focusing intently on writing his paper.

For the next few days, Zhou Yun hardly left the house, staying mostly on the 30th floor. He was either conducting experiments or typing away at his computer, sometimes working late into the night.

Guan Yuanfeng always felt something was off, but he was also very busy.

That day, he went out to inspect the maintenance of the reservoir and the small hydroelectric power station. They had brought in experts in water and electricity from Jing Nan Base, Beiming Base, and Sanchu Base to form an expert group. They redesigned and built a small hydroelectric power station and carried out maintenance on the existing reservoir facilities. The main construction was handled by the stationed troops, who also had to ensure security.

On the way back, passing by the foot of the mountain, they heard laughter and music. Jiang Rongqian in the car smiled: "It's Xiao Yi's birthday party. They gathered together today and just posted a lot of photos in the group. It's really bustling; even Yao Lao showed up. Taoist Master Yunyin even did a live Taoist chant performance, it was hilarious. Captain Guan, do you want to go take a look?"

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Your daughter is there too, right? Let's go take a look."

He was actually hoping to ask Yao Lao whether he was putting too much pressure on Zhou Yun. Although he didn't understand academics, these things couldn't be done in just a few days, could they? He had seen that at the Psychic Research Institute, some projects took years or even decades. It's not as easy to look up information now as it used to be...

The second floor of the Apocalypse Tavern had been transformed into a large banquet hall, decorated with pink and lavender balloons and flowers.

The sound of piano music drifted in, and people inside the banquet hall were chatting and laughing.

Hua Rou was at the entrance of the banquet hall, cutting cake and chatting with Qin Sheng. She was wearing a yellow full-skirted dress today, and the shadows of the past were gradually fading away. Her smile was noticeably more relaxed than usual: "It's fine to look for a soldier, but Captain Guan? Don't be silly, stop playing matchmaker... Captain Guan is Dr. Zhou's."

Coincidentally, just as Hua Rou said this, a piece of music ended, and the banquet hall inexplicably fell into a quiet state.

Hua Rou's teasing remark, filled with laughter, was very clear and crisp. The banquet hall suddenly fell silent because Guan Yuanfeng had just walked in from outside and heard it all clearly.