When the war officially concluded, it was already the end of December.
Other than the weather being colder and the snowfall being heavier, people didn’t detect any difference associated with the seasonal change.
After a war, although Second Army was at an advantageous position in the latter half of the war, the force still suffered a high casualty number, and most of the survivors were wounded and exhausted.
According to the orders from the General Office, Second Army would be replaced with the Zhao Gang-led Third Army and to handover the defense of Wu City. The replaced Second Army would go to Fishbone base for reorganization. At the same time, the General would personally preside over the ceremony and reward the soldiers’ meritorious service.
Due to heavy snowfall, the road from Wanghai to Hongcheng was completely blocked off, and airships were the only transportation option between the two places. It wasn’t until the end of December that the two armies completed the exchange of defense.
Therefore, the ceremony was set on the eve before New Year’s Eve.
This ceremony, which symbolized glory and honor, also gave the 2019 New Year a special sense of delight.
“…Granting Private First Class Hu Cheng, the Knight Medal!” A bright and rough voice reverberated throughout Fishbone base square.
At the ceremony, Hu Cheng’s face was flushed, and his chest was raised high. He saluted Jiang Chen. After General Jiang personally put on the medal for him, they shook hands. Then he took back a half-step, and he took the uniform that symbolized a Knight and a cheque with one thousand credit in a wooden box.
According to NAC’s regulations, outstanding soldiers would be awarded the Knight status, meaning he would be able to own a set of power armor and lead a five-man platoon. He would also have the opportunity to transfer from the front line to the military government system as an official.
Although General Jiang didn’t say a word when they shook hands, Hu Cheng was shuddering in excitement. Shaking hands with The General who commanded the entire NAC and receiving his recognition was an absolute glory in itself.
In the tavern, he drank with his comrades freely. Hu Cheng then dragged his drunk body and returned home at Fishbone base.
It was a simple apartment. From the coffee table covered with dust and the miscellaneous things stacked up around the house, he lived alone. But it didn’t matter; he would soon receive a new place. Any person who received Knight status has the right to own property in the Garden of Eden.
It was a privilege that belonged to those who made outstanding contributions to the NAC.
By the way, the function of the Garden of Eden was of course not just the unimaginably large CNC plantation towers; the living space that occupied 50 percent of the area was the main function of the garden. As a closed, independent biosphere unit, the pre-war scenery only existed in the Garden of Eden.
There was no chilling blizzard; only eternal spring.
He collapsed on his bed and his snores quickly filled the room.
In his dream, he dreamed of his goddess. In his dream, she finally agreed to his proposal and was willing to be his wife. In his dream, he held her delicate hand and put a ring on her. In his dream, he was wearing the power armor and leading his platoon to insert the NAC flag among the ruins of the Northern Alliance Area…
He turned in his bed, and he was clearly drooling
No matter how unhappy his life once was, from tomorrow onward, his life would be completely different.
After the end of the ceremony, Jiang Chen returned to the mansion with his exhausted body and threw the winter clothes on the hangers.
He just sank into the sofa and didn’t want to move a single inch.
Although he didn’t need to say a word, he maintained a stern expression for an entire afternoon, shook hands with more than a thousand people, and knighted almost one hundred people. All in all, it was extremely tiring.
But he couldn’t complain—the rules were set by himself.
It was a way to show proper respect to the loyal soldiers and served as repayment for the soldiers’ expectations, so he had to stand there from start to finish.
[So thirsty…]
While he was debating whether he should go to the refrigerator to take a bottle of juice and continue to lie down, Yao Yao walked over with water with a fluttering skirt.
Yao Yao gently put the cup closer to Jiang Chen’s lips and carefully fed him the water. Although he had the strength to drink, looking at the thoughtful Yao Yao, Jiang Chen with lazy cancer suddenly didn’t want to move and enjoyed the small Lolita’s service.
Looking at her beloved Big Brother’s exhaustion, Yao Yao was distraught and pouted. She raised her hand and gently wiped Jiang Chen’s mouth with her sleeve as she whispered, “… It must be tiring.”
“It’s tiring,” said Jiang Chen. He tousled Yao Yao’s fluffy hair. “But thanks to Yao Yao, I’m much better now.”
“Hehe…”
With a lovely smile, Yao Yao with her hair tousled was like a little squirrel who just picked up a pine cone. Her happy expression cured all his fatigue. Even though he wasn’t a Loli Lover, it was difficult to resist her softness and gentleness, and an urge gushed from his chest to make her even happier.
“Speaking of it, has Sister Sun Jiao not come back yet?”
“Sun Jiao and Xiaorou are still preparing for the New Year celebrations in the evening.” The thought alone gave Jiang Chen a headache.
Although there would be many fun shows and delicious food at the celebration, it meant he wouldn’t be able to go to bed early.
Looking at Jiang Chen’s pained expression, Yao Yao sighed. Her expression was slightly depressed as she murmured.
“I’m sorry…Yao Yao is getting less and less useful. Big Brother must think Yao Yao… is useless.”
Jiang Chen stopped then laughed.
“How come?”
“Oh…Yao Yao’s computer technology hasn’t come in handy for a long time.”
One hand picked up Yao Yao and put the frightened little animal on his lap. Jiang Chen gently patted her back and said softly: “Yao Yao has helped me a lot even though Yao Yao doesn’t even know it.”
“Really?” In Jiang Chen’s arms, her big eyes gazed into his eyes.
Responding to her eyes full of hope, Jiang Chen solemnly nodded, squeezed her little nose and smiled.
“Of course.”
“Hehe…”
Yao Yao smiled shyly and pressed her soft cheeks against Jiang Chen’s chest to feel his warmth.
The quiet atmosphere continued in the living room.
Hiding behind the door, holding her favorite mango pudding in her hand, Lin Lin silently closed the door. She planned to mock him for a bit then stuff the pudding his mouth, but someone seemed to be a step ahead.
She was relieved.
She didn’t need to worry about something she wasn’t good at.
The girl comforted herself.
Even with the strongest and fastest quantum supercomputing chip, she couldn’t understand the inexplicable frustration in her chest.
Leaning against the wall next to the door, Lin Lin slid slowly to the floor.
Hugging her legs and resting her chin on her knees, there was a hint of distress in her dichotomous eyes.
She repeatedly murmured and buried her head in her knees.
“This idiot…”