After getting out of the car, Qin Luo spent the entire way lecturing Cheng Cheng. While it’s true that kids tend to speak without a filter, some things just shouldn’t be said.

On the surface, Cheng Cheng nodded obediently, but in his heart, he was convinced that his thin-skinned "big brother" had a crush on the pretty "big sister."

Adults are always so contradictory.

The orphanage was a massive, colorful building, its vibrant hues immediately making it clear that this was a place for children. It looked like an oversized kindergarten.

At the entrance stood two security guards—not the elderly retirees one might expect, but real Abilities users. After all, they were protecting humanity's future.

Besides the two guards at the gate, there were also Abilities users patrolling inside the orphanage from time to time.

The shrill sounds of children shouting echoed across the playground—it was just the right time for school to let out. A group of little kids was running around wildly, playing without a care in the world. They didn’t fully understand what the apocalypse was; they only vaguely knew that things were a bit different now than they used to be.

But for the most part, their lives hadn’t changed all that much—except for the absence of their parents.

Instead, they now had many little companions.

Cheng Cheng, after all, was still a half-grown child himself. His eyes lit up as he stared at the playground equipment and the various fun facilities.

Even Cheng Ai looked longingly at the playground.

Qin Luo walked over to the security guards, spoke with them briefly, then led Cheng Cheng and Cheng Ai inside to register. He glanced at the little zombie girl and, seeing no reason not to, signed her name for her as well.

Xu Duoduo was also observing the inside of the orphanage. The teachers, dressed in cute outfits, were playing with the children. For the kids, at least, this place was a paradise.

"Alright, let’s go!" Qin Luo called out after finishing the registration. The little zombie girl immediately followed him.

Unexpectedly, they ran into a familiar face.

The moment Liu Chunhui saw Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo, she waved her hand excitedly. "Hey! Captain Qin!"

Qin Luo looked over and, to his surprise, saw Zhao Gang's wife, Liu Chunhui—the family of three they had rescued at the service area. "Well, look at that! You’re here too?"

Liu Chunhui quickly walked over, nodding enthusiastically. "What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to run into you again, Captain Qin. I really don’t know how to thank you properly! Our family of three was assigned to the H City Survivor Base."

She couldn’t stop talking. It turned out that after they parted ways that day, her family had been sent here. They had wanted to find their benefactors, but the base was simply too large.

Once assigned to a specific area, ordinary people needed to apply for permission to visit other districts.

This was to prevent ordinary residents from being frightened by Abilities users or unexpected incidents. After all, Abilities users returning from missions often carried contaminants that could be dangerous to ordinary people.

As a result, the base had issued a directive dividing areas. Ordinary people were assigned to specific districts where they would live permanently.

Liu Chunhui’s family had been allocated to the Liuyan District. Because of their daughter’s schooling needs, they ended up connecting with the orphanage. Coincidentally, the orphanage’s kitchen was short-staffed, and since both Liu Chunhui and her husband were skilled cooks, they stayed on as chefs, preparing meals for the children.

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"The kitchen is mostly staffed by parents of the students. We cook together and chat about our kids—it’s such a fulfilling life," Liu Chunhui said with a big smile. She added that back in the day, they had worked themselves to the bone trying to buy a house, but now they were provided with free meals and housing, a cozy two-bedroom apartment.

Sure, their points income was a bit lower, but it didn’t matter—they didn’t need much.

Schooling for their daughter was practically free, with the base covering most expenses. They only had to spend points on things like toys or extracurricular books for their child.

Qin Luo felt genuinely happy for them. "That’s great. Just focus on living a good life from now on."

Both Liu Chunhui and her husband were kind and honest people. Hardworking and down-to-earth, they could thrive anywhere.

Liu Chunhui was overwhelmed with gratitude. "If it weren’t for you, Captain Qin, who knows where we’d be right now? We might still be stuck at that service area, completely unaware of what the world outside had become!"

Qin Luo waved off her thanks. "It’s our duty. No need to thank me."

But Liu Chunhui insisted on praising him. "You’re all so amazing! I listen to the broadcasts every day, and every time I hear about your sacrifices, I can’t hold back my tears. It’s because of young people like you standing between us and danger that we can live peacefully. Every time I hear the casualty reports, I’m terrified your names will be on the list."

Her family had only learned about the 3A Special Operations Team’s reputation after arriving at the base. That didn’t stop them from worrying about the team’s safety, though.

They prayed for the team’s well-being every day.

Whenever the casualty reports were broadcast, they listened attentively, dreading the possibility of hearing their names.

Wiping away her tears, Liu Chunhui warmly invited Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo to stay for a meal. "Bring the other kids over too!"

Ordinary people couldn’t visit other districts, but as long as Abilities users weren’t carrying contaminants, they could move freely. After all, they needed to be ready to respond to missions at any time.

Qin Luo politely declined. "By the way, those two siblings over there lost their parents as well. If you could, please look after them."

He explained that the kids were new and might feel uneasy at first, but once they got used to the place, they’d be fine on their own.

Liu Chunhui’s heart ached at the thought. "Oh, this world… surviving is already a blessing. Don’t worry, Captain Qin—I’ll make sure to take good care of them."

She reassured him further. "This orphanage is truly excellent."

The teachers were wonderful, the children were well-behaved, and the facilities included dormitories, classrooms, and activity areas. With so many kids around, they’d adapt to their new lives in no time and wouldn’t feel as homesick.

Qin Luo glanced at the well-equipped facilities and felt reassured. "Alright, I’ll leave them in your hands. We’ll head out now—we need to rest."

Liu Chunhui nodded understandingly. "You just finished a mission, didn’t you? Take care, then. But please, come back for a meal when you have time!"

Qin Luo smiled and agreed. Then he called out to the siblings and the little zombie girl who were playing ball nearby. "Alright, that’s enough playing. Cheng Cheng, take your sister and follow Auntie to get settled."

Cheng Cheng had been playing happily, but his expression dimmed at the thought of staying in a new and unfamiliar place. Although Qin Luo and the others had saved them, from now on, he’d have to navigate this strange environment on his own, with only his little sister by his side.

He pressed his lips together, trying to hold back his emotions.

Qin Luo patted him on the shoulder. "Stay strong. If you need anything, ask the teachers."

The base’s orphanage was probably the safest and happiest place one could find.

Cheng Cheng nodded. "Thank you, big brother and big sister, for saving me and my sister. I won’t forget it."

Qin Luo suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, I haven’t given you the photos yet." He turned to the little zombie girl. "Hey, Xu Duoduo, do you have a wireless photo printer?"

Xu Duoduo tilted her head, thought for a moment, and nodded. Without hesitation, she pulled one out of her seemingly endless stash.

Qin Luo connected it to his wristband’s Wi-Fi and printed two photos of Cheng Cheng’s home—a four-story house with a loquat tree whose branches peeked into the frame. He shook the photos dry and handed them over. "One for you, one for your sister. Keep them safe. See? Your parents’ loquat tree got you safely to the base. Worth it, right?"

He was referring to the time Chen Xiaofei and Xu Duoduo had been scolded as thieves for picking loquats.

Cheng Cheng burst into laughter, and seeing her brother laugh, Cheng Ai giggled as well.

Qin Luo relaxed, smiling mischievously. "Alright, that’s better. The future’s bright—just focus on living well here and taking care of your sister, got it?"

Cheng Cheng nodded shyly, looking much more at ease and less lost.

When Xu Duoduo glanced at Qin Luo again, she suddenly felt as if he was glowing.

Big Doggie really was a good person.