The heavy military vehicles rumbled along the broken, desolate roads of Qing Shan County, their engines growling like beasts in the early morning light. Smoke and ash billowed from the ruins of the town, the remnants of the cataclysm that had swallowed its people whole. The troops worked methodically, killing off any remaining monsters that dared to emerge from the shadows, their weapons cracking like thunder in the eerie stillness.

Inside one of the vehicles, Zhao Xi and Yin Yueqing lay strapped to stretchers, their breaths shallow, their bodies drained and battered. Doctors worked over them, their movements hurried but meticulous as they cleaned wounds and prepared for what Feng Gang had ordered: an operation to uncover the "secrets" of the ruins hidden within their bodies.

In the front of the vehicle, Feng Gang stood next to a mysterious man draped in a long, flowing robe. His presence exuded an aura of authority and mystery, his face partially obscured by the hood of his garment. Feng Gang, despite his usually arrogant demeanor, treated this man with an almost reverent attitude, bowing his head slightly as he addressed him.

“Mr. Bai,” Feng Gang said respectfully, “we have arrived at the mouth of the cave where the ruins were discovered. It matches the description the Iussians provided perfectly. I believe we are on the verge of uncovering something extraordinary.”

The caped man, referred to as Mr. Bai, let out a low, thoughtful hum. His voice, when he spoke, was soft yet weighted with authority. “Ah… so this is the sacred place the Iussians spoke of,” he said, his tone almost reverent as he gazed at the smoking cave entrance. “Yes… let us proceed.”

But before they could move forward, Feng Gang turned to the back of the vehicle and called out sharply, “Doctor! Have you finished the work? We don’t have time to waste!”

Only silence greeted him. Feng Gang frowned, his instincts flaring. Something wasn’t right.

“Doctor!” he barked again, his voice tinged with impatience. Still, no response came. Feeling uneasy, Feng Gang strode to the back of the vehicle and yanked the curtain aside, revealing the scene within.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

The "doctors" were no longer tending to Zhao Xi and Yueqing. Instead, Feng Gang found himself suddenly ensnared by thick, twisting vines that shot out from seemingly nowhere, binding his arms and legs tightly before he could react. He struggled, but the vines held him fast, their grip like iron.

One of the “doctors” stood up and calmly removed his gauze mask, revealing a young but weathered face. His eyes were sharp, almost predatory, and he smirked as he looked down at Feng Gang.

“Well, well, Mr. Vice Secretary,” the man said in a mocking tone. “You’ve been so kind to let us into your little scheme. And… oh, what’s this? The man sitting over there in the hood—why don’t you welcome us properly, Mr. Bai?”

Feng Gang froze, his mind racing. The situation had spiraled out of control, and now, the very people he thought were allies had turned on him. He glanced at Mr. Bai, whose hooded face remained unreadable, though a slight shift in his posture suggested he wasn’t as surprised as Feng Gang was.

The second "doctor" stepped forward and removed his mask, revealing a younger, more cunning face. His expression was cold and calculating, his sharp eyes scanning Feng Gang like a predator assessing its prey. He floated slightly off the ground, as though gravity itself bent to his will.

The hooded man, Mr. Bai, sighed deeply, his tone heavy with feigned surprise. “Oh! How curious… Maple and Light! Why are both of you pretending to be doctors and interfering here? What is the meaning of this?”

The first man, Maple, folded his arms and sneered. “Mr. Bai,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm, “do you know what you’re doing here? Give us an honest answer.”

Mr. Bai leaned back slightly, his tone measured as he replied, “I am merely here to accompany Vice Secretary Feng in investigating the aberrant situation in Qing Shan County. Surely, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”

The second man, Light, let out a sharp laugh. “Don’t play dumb, old fox,” he said coolly. “Feng Gang has already been proven to be colluding with the Iussians. And you—your hands are just as dirty as his.”

“What?” Mr. Bai’s voice rose slightly, his tone filled with mock incredulity. “I don’t understand what you’re accusing me of. Mr. Feng, surely you can explain—”

But Maple cut him off with a sharp laugh. “Don’t bother, Bai. We’ve already gathered enough evidence to expose you. You and Feng Gang were plotting with the Iussians to steal our country’s antiques and exploit the ruins’ power for yourselves. There’s no point denying it—it’s useless.”

For a long moment, Mr. Bai sat in silence. His expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps anger, or perhaps realization that the game was up.

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Before Mr. Bai could respond, vines surged forward and wrapped around him, binding him as tightly as they had Feng Gang. The two conspirators were now completely immobilized, unable to move or resist.

Meanwhile, in the stretcher, Zhao Xi and Yueqing lay still, their faces pale but peaceful. Their wounds, once grievous, had been carefully stitched with what appeared to be thin wooden threads. The work was delicate and precise, almost supernatural in its perfection. Despite the chaos around them, it was clear that they were being protected.

Yueqing stirred faintly, her fingers twitching as she began to regain consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, and she took in the sight of the two “doctors” standing over Feng Gang and Mr. Bai, the vines writhing like living things. She glanced down at her body, noticing the miraculous stitching that had saved her life.

“How…?” she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible.

Zhao Xi, too, stirred, his eyes opening just enough to see the same scene unfolding. Though his body was weak, his mind was clear, and he understood—somehow, they had been saved. And now, their enemies were at the mercy of forces they couldn’t control.

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The streets of Ji Bei, the provincial capital of Shandong, were alive with the energy of a crisp, clear day in 1961. The golden rays of the sun bathed the city in warmth, and the cool breeze carried with it the sounds of bustling markets and cheerful conversations. Zhao Xi, dressed in a neat suit befitting his position as the Party Secretary of Ji Nan’s Government, strolled through the streets, his steps brisk yet relaxed. Beside him walked a woman who matched his pace, her face serene yet radiant, her steps confident yet graceful. It was none other than Yin Yueqing—his wife.

The two walked side by side, laughing softly and sharing light banter as they navigated the vibrant streets. Yueqing, now a member of the CMF—the mysterious organization tasked with protecting Xiana’s supernatural secrets and utilizing those with extraordinary abilities—still carried an air of strength and mystery. But to Zhao Xi, she was no longer just a valiant fighter or the brave woman he had fought beside three years ago; she was now his partner in life, someone who completed the pieces of his soul he hadn’t known were missing.

Passing through the gates of the government building, the guards stood at attention, saluting Zhao Xi with respect and greeting Yueqing with warm smiles. The two returned the gestures as they made their way inside, the polished floors and tall ceilings of the building reflecting the grandeur of their achievements.

“Two visitors are expected today,” Zhao Xi said, glancing over at Yueqing as they ascended the stairs to his office. “And I’m sure they’ll make quite the entrance.”

Yueqing smiled knowingly. “Maple and Light, right? It’s been a while since we last saw them. I wonder if they’ve changed at all.”

Reaching his office, Zhao Xi opened the door and settled into his chair while Yueqing perched on the sofa nearby. The office was neat and modest, though its large windows offered an impressive view of the bustling city below. They didn’t have to wait long. A few sharp knocks sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Zhao Xi called, his voice steady and welcoming.

The door swung open to reveal two familiar figures—Maple and Light, dressed sharply in black-and-white uniforms, their expressions beaming with mischief and camaraderie. In their hands were an assortment of fruits and snacks, a gesture that immediately brought levity to the room.

“Wow! Zhao Xi! Long time no see!” Maple exclaimed, his voice loud and jovial as he strode into the room with a broad grin. “How are you? You look fantastic—so vibrant, so happy! And Yueqing…” His grin widened as he glanced at her. “Ah, sorry, maybe I should call you ‘sister-in-law’ now. Hahaha!”

Light, as always, had a subtler demeanor but no less teasing in his words. “Xi, you’ve got yourself a gem here. You’d better take care of her. She’s not just your wife—she’s our comrade in the CMF. And let’s be honest… beauty like hers will never lack pursuers.”

At this, Yueqing flushed slightly, her cheeks warming as she shot Light a pointed look. “You two… mind your words,” she said, though her tone lacked any real sharpness. She was used to their antics, after all.

Maple laughed, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “Haha, sorry, sister-in-law! Just a joke. Don’t take it to heart!”

Zhao Xi, watching the scene unfold, chuckled warmly. “Don’t worry, brothers. I treasure her more than my own life. So rest assured—she’s in good hands.”

Yueqing turned to Zhao Xi, her eyes softening as she gave him a warm, tender look. “Hey, Xi, don’t be so sentimental,” she teased lightly, though there was no hiding the affection in her voice.

The four of them continued to banter and chat, the conversation flowing effortlessly between jokes and reflections on the past. Maple and Light spoke animatedly about their work in the CMF, while Yueqing and Zhao Xi shared snippets of their lives in Ji Bei. It was a moment of joy and levity, a well-deserved reprieve after everything they had endured.

As the sun began to sink lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the office, Maple and Light stood to leave. Zhao Xi and Yueqing accompanied them to the door, bidding them a warm and rousing send-off.

“Take care, you two,” Yueqing said with a smile. “And don’t forget to visit us more often.”

“Same to you, sister-in-law,” Maple replied, grinning as he adjusted his coat. “And Xi—keep that smile of yours. It suits you.”

Light gave a small wave, his expression calm but genuine. “Stay strong, both of you. The world still needs people like you.”

As the two disappeared down the hallway, Zhao Xi and Yueqing lingered for a moment, watching them go. The laughter and camaraderie that had filled the room still lingered in the air, a reminder of how far they had come.

Yueqing turned to Zhao Xi, her expression soft. “Do you ever think about those days? About everything we’ve been through?”

Zhao Xi nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “I do. Often. But those days made us who we are. They brought us here, to this moment.” He glanced at her, his lips curling into a small smile. “And they brought me you.”

Yueqing chuckled, shaking her head lightly. “You’re impossible.”

The two of them stepped out into the fading sunlight, the cool evening air brushing against their faces. The streets of Ji Bei were still bustling, filled with life and energy. For the first time in a long while, Zhao Xi felt a deep sense of peace.

The nightmare they had endured three years ago—the ruins, the betrayals, the battles—was behind them now. They had suffered, lost, and fought, but in the end, they had found happiness. Together, they had rebuilt their lives, and together, they would face whatever the future held.