ATDIWR Chapter 50

Chapter 50 The Child with Severed Limbs Slipped Away

Zhou Qin recuperated at home for a week before appearing at the command center again. The first thing he did upon arriving was to resign, stepping down from his position as deputy commander.

Gu Jinsheng’s handsome profile was flawless in every aspect, but it was constantly shrouded in an unmelting coldness. His dark eyes were deep and profound, like a tunnel leading to eternal night and silence.

But in reality, he was fairer and more just than anyone. He was truly impartial, just like the nickname “Robot” that some people secretly gave him in the Base, without any personal desires.

Zhou Qin’s resignation would only benefit Gu Jinsheng, with no disadvantages. As long as he was willing to promote anyone, they would be loyal and devoted to him. They would even be more helpful than the now-disabled Zhou Qin and would better deter some restless, scheming individuals.

However, Gu Jinsheng, like a robot who only considered the whole and not personal gain, once again seriously and solemnly rejected Zhou Qin.

Gu Jinsheng’s thin lips parted slightly, “I said, Jing Shi Base is not a place that discards people after they’ve served their purpose, and I, Gu Jinsheng, am not a heartless or ungrateful person. This position of deputy commander is something you fought for Jing Shi Base with your life; it is what you deserve.”

Gu Jinsheng never used flowery words when he spoke, unlike others who exaggerated even trivial matters as if they would sacrifice their lives for you.

But it was these simple words that made Zhou Qin’s eyes redden. Even after experiencing such profound betrayal, Zhou Qin was still moved by Gu Jinsheng’s words.

Perhaps it was precisely because of that heartbreaking betrayal that some subsequent beautiful things became exceptionally moving.

Zhou Qin pressed his eyes, pressing back the moisture and the sourness in his nose. He was not a weak person, nor was he someone who liked to cry.

When he looked up again, a smile had returned to Zhou Qin’s eyes, just like before when those painful things seemed never to have happened.

“Boss, what you said moved me deeply, and I’m very grateful. But from every perspective, it seems inappropriate for me to continue sitting in this position as the deputy commander of the Base,” Zhou Qin smiled, and there seemed to be no shadow in his eyes, as if everything was in the past.

But it was precisely this demeanor that made Gu Jinsheng know he hadn’t let go. Gu Jinsheng’s ink-brush-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, so subtly that you wouldn’t notice without looking closely.

“Boss, think about it, our Base doesn’t care, but as our Base develops better and better, there will definitely be delegations from various countries around the world visiting in the future. At that time, it’s inevitable that we’ll encounter troublesome fools like those from R Country and M Country.

As the deputy commander of Jing Shi Base, I can’t fight or retaliate. Isn’t this bringing shame to our Base and tarnishing the prestige we’ve finally built up through Ku Lu Si!”

Gu Jinsheng was not someone easily persuaded, otherwise he wouldn’t be the general commander of Jing Shi Base. He always held firm to the principles he believed in deep down.

“Not everything in the Base requires military deterrence; there are also administrative roles that need managing.” Gu Jinsheng refused to be rejected and directly issued an order: “You switch with Kong Zhongcheng. He will take over your duties, and you will be responsible for the matters he handles.”

Kong Zhongcheng had been handling administrative duties recently, so it was a perfect swap with Zhou Qin.

“Yes.” Gu Jinsheng’s tone was not a discussion but a direct order, so Zhou Qin could only comply.

Kong Zhongcheng yelped as soon as he saw Zhou Qin, joking, “Old Zhou, you’ve finally come to save me. You don’t know how these administrative tasks have given me a headache and a half. At night, I dream of signing all sorts of documents and listening to endless reports. The voices of those officials reporting are noisier than a thousand flies, buzzing in my ears. Countless times I’ve wanted to use my ability to shut their mouths.”

Kong Zhongcheng was exceptionally talkative today, “Those officials are simply not suited for a rough guy like me to deal with. It’s perfect for you, the smiling tiger, to manage them. If you ask me, we should have swapped positions long ago.”

Zhou Qin smiled, showing no abnormality, and even exchanged a few jokes with Kong Zhongcheng before smoothly taking over Kong Zhongcheng’s work.

Although Kong Zhongcheng complained a lot, his work was done very seriously. Especially since the Base recently held an auction, attracting attention from major Bases with spatial storage items and nutrient solutions. Many people wanted to establish contact regarding these two things, making the administrative side even busier, even more so than the combat side.

Even so, Kong Zhongcheng did a perfect job, and everything was on track. Each person in charge could handle their own responsibilities. Therefore, even though Zhou Qin took over abruptly, he didn’t need to put in much effort.

Kong Zhongcheng didn’t hide his feelings when he left, frequently looking back, revealing his worry for Zhou Qin.

Zhou Qin just pretended not to see it.

Perhaps everyone was considerate of Zhou Qin’s feelings. The current work was structured so that if it didn’t need to bother Zhou Qin, they wouldn’t. The days Zhou Qin was in charge were much more leisurely than when Kong Zhongcheng was.

With nothing to do, Zhou Qin went to the research institute after work that evening. Everyone there recognized him and greeted him one after another.

“Commander Zhou, why are you here? Is something the matter?” Wu Youyang had recently heard about Zhou Qin being injured and losing a leg, so he didn’t show any surprise when he saw Zhou Qin entering with a crutch. What surprised him was Zhou Qin’s arrival.

Usually, if the command center needed something researched, they would go to Han Yaokun, after all, Han Yaokun’s side was the legitimate research institute of the Base. Their side was, at best, a private laboratory within the research institute.

Zhou Qin smiled, “I need to see Boss Ji. I don’t see him; isn’t he here?”

“He is.” Wu Youyang quickly said, “Commander Zhou, you came at the right time. A few days earlier, our Boss Ji wouldn’t have come over. He just recently returned these past few days.”

Saying that, Wu Youyang showed an apologetic expression, “However, I might have to trouble you to wait here. Our Boss Ji has a habit; he doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s doing research.

But he should be coming out soon. These past few days, he’s been coming out around this time.”

“It’s fine, I don’t have anything urgent, just some private matters. I’ll just sit here and wait for a bit.” Zhou Qin said while awkwardly handling his crutch. He had just started using a crutch and wasn’t used to it.

After fumbling for a while, he finally managed to get comfortable. As soon as he sat down, Ji An came out of the laboratory.

Ji An, walking out, was wearing a white lab coat, his brows slightly furrowed, and his eyes weren’t focused on any specific person or place. He was clearly deep in thought.

He was probably pondering some profound research topic and was likely facing difficulties.

“Have you heard anything about the Mexican axolotls, African spiny mice, or zebrafish I asked you to find?” Ji An asked while thinking and taking off his white lab coat. He casually handed the coat he took off to Wu Youyang, who came over to take it, completely unaware of Zhou Qin sitting on the sofa waiting for him.

“There’s news about the zebrafish. Someone asked about the price? But they’re mutated,” Wu Youyang replied.

“Mutated is fine. It’s good for strengthening their inherent characteristics. It’s hard to find non-mutated ones now,” Ji An responded casually, seeming unaware of what he was saying, clearly absent-minded.

“Boss Ji, Commander Zhou is here. He’s sitting over there waiting for you,” Wu Youyang had to remind him.

“Hmm? Who?” Ji An seemed not to have heard what Wu Youyang said, only responding casually, his beautiful large eyes slowly rotating, yet not appearing vacant. Instead, they were full of life.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Zhou Qin, who was struggling to stand up with his crutch. It was as if his focus was slowly returning, and he finally made out who the person in front of him was.

“Zhou Qin?” Ji An blinked his eyes, finally waking up from his mind full of research, and clearly saw the person in front of him. “Commander Zhou, you came to see me?”

Zhou Qin was smiling, without any dissatisfaction or feeling of being slighted. He knew these researchers had their eccentricities. Ji An was already the most normal one; when he wasn’t doing research, he was no different from a normal person.

“Yes,” Zhou Qin smiled, “Boss Ji, are you busy? If you’re not, I’d like to ask you to take me to the orphanage.”

“Not busy.” The experiment Ji An was working on wasn’t something that needed to be completed in a hurry; it required slow, careful work. “Let’s go. It’s been a while since I last saw those children; let’s go together.”

After Ji An left, Wu Youyang went into the laboratory to clean up after Ji An. Wu Youyang never let anyone else do these tasks, not even small things like sweeping. He was afraid that a student or cleaning staff might accidentally touch something and delay Ji An’s experiment.

Seeing the earthworms cut on the lab bench, the divided starfish, and the densely recorded experimental data, Wu Youyang knew Ji An was studying the innate regenerative abilities of some animals.

Thinking of Zhou Qin’s severed leg, Wu Youyang sighed deeply.

What Wu Youyang could do was to check if the well-kept jellyfish, geckos, and other creatures needed food or water.

On the way, Zhou Qin actively inquired about the situation at the orphanage and also bought over a thousand credit points worth of items for the children. Ji An also bought roughly the same amount.

Ji An never went empty-handed. Primarily, he wasn’t short on money now. He didn’t need to spend money on food or accommodation; only clothes had some cost. But even so, Ji An was earning so much now that it was just a drop in the bucket.

It was only with the orphanage to support that he felt he had major expenses. Furthermore, the main funder of the orphanage was the Base, and Ji An only needed to contribute one or two million credit points annually, which was absolutely no burden.

When the two arrived, the children were reading under the guidance of the teacher Ji An had hired. The clear, resonant sound of reading echoed above the orphanage, filled with vibrant energy, unlike the gloomy oppression found in ordinary orphanages.

“This place is much better than I imagined,” Zhou Qin said. “I thought the atmosphere here would be heavy and oppressive, but I didn’t expect it to be completely the opposite, filled with vitality. Staying here, I feel like the future is full of hope again.”

“Actually, coming here is itself a hopeful thing for these children regarding their future.” Ji An looked at the children sitting in the classroom reading, a gentle smile on his face that he himself didn’t notice. That warm smile sparkled in the sunlight.

Zhou Qin found it a little dazzling and suddenly understood what Ji An meant.

Children who were hungry, cold, and constantly facing the threat of death suddenly came here, no longer having to worry about going hungry or freezing, and being able to read and study. If they performed well, they could even receive rewards. How could this not be something that fills these children with hope for the future?

What seemed to him unsuitable for children’s growth, the orphanage, might actually be paradise for these children.

This is probably what people mean by ‘one person’s poison is another person’s honey’!

“Mr. Ji.” Yuan Mingan carried a bucket of water out of the house. Ji An saw her and quickly went over to help.

Yuan Mingan avoided Ji An and smiled, “Mr. Ji, this isn’t the Apocalypse before. I have plenty of strength; this bit of water is nothing to me.”

Ji An said, “Even so, taking care of the children every day is very hard work. I can help a little when I come over, at least to make you less tired.”

Yuan Mingan smiled after hearing that and didn’t argue further. She told Ji An to put the water bucket in the sunniest spot in the courtyard. “Put it here, and the water will heat up after a while. Let the children take a bath. These children haven’t bathed in almost a month; they should wash up.”

Before the Apocalypse, if someone didn’t bathe for a month, everyone would definitely complain about them being dirty. But this is the Apocalypse! All water sources are polluted, and all water for human activities needs to be provided by Power Users.

Fortunately, Water-type Power Users are relatively common in the Apocalypse, but even so, with too many people to supply, there is still not enough water.

Therefore, many people find water too expensive and are as frugal as possible, not drinking water until they are severely thirsty, let alone bathing.

For these children without parents, being able to take a bath once a month is already considered a luxury.

This is also because the person taking care of them is Yuan Mingan, and Yuan Mingan happens to be a Water-type Power User, allowing them to receive this treatment.

If someone else took care of these children, they would definitely not have this treatment, even if they were as dedicated as Yuan Mingan.

“Ms. Yuan is very devoted to the children,” Zhou Qin suddenly Feelings Dao.

Yuan Mingan only then noticed that the man with a crutch and a broken leg following Ji An was actually Zhou Qin!

Yuan Mingan spent all her days in the orphanage and hardly ever went out. She didn’t know what had happened to Zhou Qin.

Although she was curious and surprised, she quickly suppressed it.

For a man who was once so powerful to become like this, it was painful enough in his heart. Yuan Mingan didn’t want to reopen his wounds.

“Commander Zhou, I’m sorry, I was busy with things just now and only noticed you.” In fact, Yuan Mingan had already noticed a man with a broken leg, but out of politeness, she didn’t pay much attention. She never expected the man with the broken leg to be Commander Zhou, who was full of vigor and vitality just a little over a month ago!

“It’s okay, you were also busy,” Zhou Qin said with a smile, as if his leg wasn’t broken. “Ms. Yuan, you take care of the children very well. Thank you.”

Yuan Mingan quickly waved her hand, “This is what I should do. Besides, I get paid. Doing my job is only right. Commander Zhou, you’re being too kind.”

“How can that be?” Ji An followed up, “Regardless of whether you get paid or not, being serious about your work and not being serious are two different things.”

As the few of them were talking, the teacher finished class and let the children out.

The teachers are all personally selected by Ji An, so she recognized Ji An and came out to greet him when she saw him coming. “Mr. Ji, you’re here.”

Ji An asked, “How’s work? Are you getting used to it?”

“Getting used to it, getting used to it. The children are all very well-behaved.”

“Brother Ji An.” A loud call rang out, and Little Stone rushed out like a cannonball from inside, directly crashing into Ji An’s arms.

“Hello, Brother Ji An,” Little Rose also ran over, but the little girl was very reserved and didn’t burrow into Ji An’s arms like the mischievous boy. She just gently pulled the hem of Ji An’s clothes, looking up at him with eager eyes.

It melted Ji An’s heart.

“Little Stone missed you so much.” Before, Ji An stayed here with the children for nearly a month. He was amiable and patient with the children. These children were already very close to him, and he was their savior. Similar to imprinting, the children’s feelings for Ji An were different.

“Brother Ji An missed you too.” As they were talking, many more children gathered around, and a few younger children climbed onto Ji An, asking for a hug.

Ji An casually picked one up. Zhou Qin was surprised, seemingly not expecting Ji An to be so close to these children.

Yuan Mingan explained, “Commander Zhou, these few children were all rescued by Mr. Ji, so they are particularly close to him.”

“Is that so? Then it makes sense,” Zhou Qin said.

Little Stone’s big eyes curiously examined Zhou Qin. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen people with missing hands or feet. In fact, the darkness he had witnessed was no less than that of any adult.

He just hadn’t seen a person with a broken leg who was so well-dressed and seemed to have that imposing aura unique to powerful Power Users.

“This is Brother Zhou Qin,” Ji An introduced the children to him. “He is the deputy commander of our Base. Our orphanage being built also has Brother Zhou Qin’s credit for casting a vote in favor.”

Upon hearing this, the children immediately changed and started to warm up to Zhou Qin as well.

Zhou Qin was surrounded by the children, listening to their innocent but sincere childish words of thanks. At this moment, his heart found an unprecedented peace.

Since both Ji An and Zhou Qin, two grown men, happened to be there, they helped the children bathe.

Although Zhou Qin’s legs were inconvenient, he could still help while sitting on a low stool.

Water was so scarce at this time, so it was naturally impossible for each child to soak in a bathtub. Instead, a large tub was used, fitting as many children as possible to soak. Then, they used the same water to scrub the children. No one complained about anyone else being dirty; there wasn’t much water anyway.

Ji An scrubbed one child while saying to Zhou Qin, “It’s only been two weeks since I last came, and there seem to be ten more children here.”

Zhou Qin had really never helped someone bathe before and was fumbling while helping these children. He still managed to answer Ji An’s question, “Life is difficult in the Apocalypse now. Everyone is just making do to survive. No one has the extra energy to pity these children. There will be more and more children here in the future.”

Ji An said, “It seems we need to earn more money.”

Zhou Qin almost became speechless, “You already earn enough.”

Ji An just laughed heartily.

Just then, there was a frantic knocking at the large gate of the orphanage.

Ji An’s expression changed, and he put down the child in his arms and walked out. Zhou Qin wanted to get up and follow, but as soon as he lifted his rear, he fell back down. He had forgotten that he now only had one leg.

Zhou Qin’s eyes darkened, but they were quickly drawn back by a small child who was trying to scrub himself and ended up splashing Zhou Qin’s face with water. He had no time to think about his broken leg.

Little Stone saw it and giggled, “You’re so clumsy! You even splashed Brother Zhou Qin with water while scrubbing yourself. Look, I always wash myself, I just need Brother Ji An to scrub my back where I can’t reach.”

Ji An opened the door. Standing outside was a man like a skinny monkey, with small, beady eyes that bulged outwards, looking shifty. As he spoke, he kept peering into the courtyard behind Ji An. Seeing only a group of small children, Ji An, who looked like a weak scholar, and a man with a broken leg in the courtyard, a cunning gleam flashed in his eyes.

“I heard you take in children here. This one has a broken hand and foot; do you want him? If you do, keep him. If not, just throw him away.”

Lying by the man’s feet was a child with long, messy hair like a bird’s nest, whose gender was unclear.

One of the child’s legs was missing from the thigh up, and although the other leg was still there, it was twisted from the ankle. It looked like it had suffered an external injury and wasn’t properly set, causing it to grow crooked.

Similarly, his two arms were in a similar condition; one was twisted at the wrist, and the other was severed at the wrist. The severed wound had already healed, covered by flesh.

The child was wearing tattered clothes, full of holes, like wearing rags, which allowed Ji An to clearly see the child’s condition.

The child just lay on the ground without moving, so still it was unclear if they were alive.

Ji An quickly knelt down to check the child’s condition. Fortunately, there was still breathing; the child was not dead. But their breathing was very weak, as faint as a newborn kitten.

“Who is it?” Yuan Mingan, who was bathing the girls inside, heard the commotion and came out to ask. She saw the man and at the same time saw the tragic state of the child lying by the man’s feet, and quickly ran over to check.

Yuan Mingan exclaimed in shock, “What happened? How did this child get so badly injured? Are they still alive?”

“Alive.” Ji An had already picked up the child. The child was very light, weighing almost nothing in his arms, perhaps not even as heavy as a solid wood chair.

There were many wounds on his body; some were still oozing blood, while other areas were bruised, clearly newly added.

The child’s body had new injuries piled upon old ones, with not a single piece of intact skin or flesh.

Seeing that Ji An and the others had discovered the child’s injuries, the skinny monkey man quickly said, “This has nothing to do with me. I picked this child up on the street. I felt sorry for him and heard that you here specialize in taking in children, so I brought him over.”

Saying that, the skinny monkey man darted away and slipped off. Ji An was holding the child and it was inconvenient to chase. Yuan Mingan wanted to chase, but the man was too fast and seemed very familiar with the terrain. In a blink of an eye, he had disappeared.

Yuan Mingan ran back, panting, “He got away.”

It wasn’t that Yuan Mingan didn’t want to use her ability to stop the clearly guilty skinny monkey man, but because in the laws and regulations of Jing Shi Base, the first rule clearly stipulated that using abilities to fight within the Base was not allowed. Minor offenses resulted in being expelled from the Base, while severe offenses resulted in the abolition of the ability.

This rule was, firstly, to protect ordinary people, and secondly, to prevent Power Users from randomly using their abilities to fight anywhere, damaging public facilities, and causing serious property loss or casualties.

“Forget it.” Ji An carried the child inside. “I remember what that person looked like. I’ll draw it out and give it to Gu Jinsheng, and ask him to help find the person.”

“That’s the only thing we can do,” Yuan Mingan replied.