Chapter 17

In the afternoon, Xu Qiao performed surgery. When she returned to the duty room to rest, she noticed that Sun Fushan had sent a message in the group chat.

Sun Fushan: 【The mother lizard earned us a total of 140,000 points, and with the C-level materials, it’s 176,850 points in total. Shall we split it four ways? 】

Typically, the materials from a C-level beast would only earn a little over a thousand points, while an A-level beast would start at 100,000 points.

The message had been sent half an hour ago. The other two teammates either hadn’t seen it or, due to their personalities, didn’t like to be the first to speak up when it came to splitting the points.

Given that Qin Chi and Meng Li were recruited into the team by her, Xu Qiao replied: 【Let’s split 160,000 points evenly and put the remaining in the public account? The fuel consumption and maintenance of the off-road vehicle will come from the public account, as well as our meals. If we continue having boxed meals for team dinners, the cost of the ingredients should also come from the public account. 】

Meng Li: 【Agreed.】

Qin Chi: 【Okay.】

With these two messages, both Xu Qiao and Sun Fushan fell silent.

Sun Fushan privately messaged Xu Qiao: 【Do they always listen to you?】

Xu Qiao could only guess: 【Maybe it’s a coincidence. Last time, when you suggested making team uniforms, Meng Li directly vetoed it.】

Sun Fushan: 【I still think you would make a better team leader.】

Xu Qiao: 【I’m busy with work and don’t have as many connections in the central area as you do. Besides, when we’re on missions, you command very well.】

Encouraged and affirmed, Captain Sun sent a shy smile and promptly transferred the points to the teammates.

With another 40,000 points in hand, Xu Qiao felt justified. Although she hadn’t contributed much to the killing of the A-level mother lizard, the treatment she provided to her three teammates, if converted into hospital fees, would be about the same amount. Moreover, her timely treatment spared her teammates at least two to three hours of pain.

In short, each teammate had their own contributions, making it a perfect example of teamwork.

After this mission, Xu Qiao’s life returned to normal. She shared breakfast with the middle schooler at home every day, greeted Qin Chi with a smile when they met during their commutes, worked diligently at the clinic, relaxed by watching shows, went for morning runs, and practiced her abilities discreetly at night. It was a peaceful and fulfilling routine.
—-
In early April, the six types of vegetables in the two small courtyards were still growing, but the chives, green onions, and spinach Xu Qiao grew indoors were ready to be harvested.

At ten o’clock on Sunday morning, just before Qin Chi started preparing lunch, Xu Qiao took a photo of the pots with the three types of vegetables and sent it to him, saying, “I promised to let you try these when they’re ready. How about a serving of each?”

This was a small perk she had promised the new tenant.

When the message came through, Qin Chi was practicing drawing in the living room. The curtains on the balcony were open, revealing the lush greenery outside.

The fire dragon, forced to rest and recuperate, was dozing in his mind. Hearing the notification from the communication wristband, the dragon lazily opened one eye.

Life had become so monotonous and boring that even the laughter of children running by on the street could catch the fire dragon’s attention.

Qin Chi finished the stroke he was working on before checking the message.

A rare message from the little landlord made Qin Chi raise his eyebrows slightly, while the fire dragon excitedly flew a few circles.

Qin Chi had recipes for all three vegetables and was curious about how the little landlord planned to prepare them: “How are you planning to enjoy them?”

Xu Qiao replied, “We had spinach noodles for breakfast, and Xiao Yang and I are planning to steam buns for lunch.”

Xu Qiao’s grandfather loved eating wheat-based foods, and Xu Qiao was skilled in making his favorites.

Qin Chi said, “I haven’t tried making such complex wheat-based dishes. If you don’t mind, could you bring me some steamed buns?”

Xu Qiao smiled, “Of course, you can. How about you come over and eat with us when they’re ready?”

Qin Chi: “I’d be honored.”

After the conversation, Xu Qiao cut some tender spinach, chives, and green onions, leaving some distance from the roots so they could grow back quickly with the help of her abilities.

Once the dough had finished fermenting, Xu Qiao chopped the vegetables while Lu Yang minced the meat. As they started making the buns, Xu Qiao placed her tablet opposite her to watch a show while she worked, a constant smile on her face.
—-
At 11:30, the steamer on the gas stove began to emit a fragrant aroma. Xu Qiao sent another message to Qin Chi: “Almost ready, you can come over now.”

She then went to open the living room door.

When Qin Chi arrived, he was wearing a casual white shirt with the top two buttons undone as usual.

In his left hand, he held a small bouquet of mixed roses, and in his right hand, a substantial dish of spicy stir-fried beef: “I thought the buns might be a bit mild, so I made a spicy side dish.”

Lu Yang, who had just come out of the kitchen with a plate of home-style cold dishes, was speechless.

Xu Qiao laughed and said, “It looks like you’re treating us to a feast. Next time, we won’t feel right saying we’re inviting you over for a meal.”

Qin Chi replied, “We are neighbors and teammates, no need to be so formal.”

Xu Qiao nodded, closed the door, and let Qin Chi sit by the dining table. She went to arrange the flowers, mindful of her spirit beast’s temper, and refrained from praising them further.

Lu Yang glanced at the white and pink roses and, while fetching the buns, awkwardly tried to make conversation: “Mr. Qin seems to like flowers a lot?”

Qin Chi answered, “Yes, having fresh flowers in the living room brings a sense of vitality to life. Unfortunately, I don’t have wood-type abilities, so I have to buy ready-made bouquets.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Qiao said, “If you want to keep flowers, I can help you take care of them. However, my abilities are focused on healing, so I can’t accelerate their growth. Flower shops are still more convenient; you can buy blooming flowers anytime.”

Qin Chi replied, “That’s right. I just like looking at flowers, so I won’t go out of my way to grow potted plants.”

Lu Yang, who had suspected the male neighbor wanted to use flowers as an excuse to get close to Xu Qiao, was surprised by Qin Chi’s response.

Qin Chi was already admiring the three plates of buns that the middle schooler had brought out. The white, soft dough was beautifully and intricately folded, showing the skill of the maker.

After Xu Qiao introduced the three types of fillings, Qin Chi picked a spinach and meat bun, took a bite, and said, “It’s delicious.”

Xu Qiao also praised his spicy stir-fried beef.

Although they were sitting at the same table, there was still a slight sense of unfamiliarity.

Qin Chi shifted the conversation to Lu Yang: “Isn’t Xiao Yang’s birthday coming up soon?”

He had seen their rental contract and knew from the personal information that Lu Yang’s birthday was May 19.

Lu Yang nodded indifferently.

Xu Qiao said, “He has a good birthday. He’ll turn sixteen shortly before the graduation exams. After the exams, he can awaken his spirit beast without much delay.”
—-
The base regulations stated that all middle school students, regardless of whether their sixteenth birthday fell in the first or second semester, would awaken their spirit beasts together after the graduation exams. Based on their awakening results and exam scores, they could then apply to regular universities or military academies.

Qin Chi said, “When Xiao Yang awakens, I’ll attend the ceremony as well. I’d like to see if any outstanding spirit beasts appear in the Southeast Base this year.”

Lu Yang, being young and less cautious than Xu Qiao, asked directly, “Which base did you come from?”

Xu Qiao gently kicked him under the table.

Qin Chi maintained his usual smile and replied, “The Northeast Base.”

Lu Yang said, “I’ve heard that place is better built than the other three bases, and everyone wants to get residency there. Why did you leave?”

Qin Chi answered, “I’ve lived there for over twenty years, and I wanted a change of scenery.”

Lu Yang understood, “So, you’re only staying in the Southeast Base temporarily and will eventually go back?”

Qin Chi replied, “Of course.”

Lu Yang discreetly glanced at Xu Qiao.

Xu Qiao immediately thought of Qin Chi’s rental contract, which was for three years. It seemed Qin Chi planned to stay in the Southeast Base for three years.

This meant she could team up with this reliable neighbor for up to three more years.

However, three years was a long time. Perhaps before Qin Chi left, Sun Fushan, with his deep connections, might leave the team for various reasons.

After this brief meal, Xu Qiao and Qin Chi returned to maintaining a polite and courteous neighborly relationship.
—-
One Thursday in mid-April, Qin Chi was driving away from the Second Military Academy in heavy rain. His black sedan could only park in front of the fifth building, and as soon as he put away the car, Qin Chi immediately opened an umbrella.

However, rain still splashed onto his shoulders, pants, and shoes.

The fire dragon didn’t like the wet feeling. As soon as Qin Chi closed the front door, the fire dragon emerged and breathed fire at him, instantly drying the rainwater off his clothes.

Qin Chi said, “Rain or shine, it’s all part of nature’s normal phenomena. If there’s no necessity, I prefer to experience life like an ordinary person.”

Abilities are convenient, but sometimes they take away certain joys.

The fire dragon didn’t enjoy his rambling and looked towards the window covered by curtains: “I saw her this morning. She didn’t bring an umbrella. You should pick her up from work.”

Qin Chi replied, “We’re just neighbors. This doesn’t align with normal social etiquette between neighbors or even teammates.”

The fire dragon was speechless.

Patience? It preferred to control this body, so it could do whatever it wanted.

With the discussion going nowhere, the frustrated fire dragon flew back into Qin Chi’s body.

Qin Chi pulled back the curtains to watch the rain for a while, then turned on the lights, set up his easel, and began to paint.

It wasn’t that he pursued artistic excellence; he just suddenly had a lot of free time and decided to try everything.

Around five o’clock, the sound of a bicycle riding through the rain could be heard on the otherwise quiet, rain-soaked street. The sleeping fire dragon opened its eyes, prompting Qin Chi to put down his brush and walk to the window. He hid behind the pale gold curtains on the balcony and looked at the path in front of the fifth building.

It was Xu Qiao, riding her bicycle, still wearing the white shirt and black pants from the morning.

She wasn’t holding an umbrella, but above her head was a large, transparent lotus leaf, about one meter in diameter, looking even greener in the rain.

The lotus leaf could only shield her from the rain above, but the rain around her seemed to change direction as it approached, obviously influenced by her water abilities.

Under the lotus leaf, the young landlady’s face was as fair and jade-like as her spirit beast’s petals, glowing softly, and she was smiling as if having a pleasant conversation with someone.

Soon, she stopped in front of the fifth building and turned her bike around.

From this angle, Qin Chi saw a cluster of water droplets gathered in a depression on the lotus leaf, rolling back and forth along the edge. Just as Xu Qiao was about to disappear under the building entrance, the lotus leaf mischievously tilted its edge, sending the water droplets down her collar.

Qin Chi couldn’t help but laugh, and he heard her low exclamation of surprise, frustration, and resignation: “If you do this again, I won’t need your help next time.”

She definitely wasn’t truly angry, as she could control the water that rolled into her collar just as she did with the rain outside.

It was merely a playful game between her and her spirit beast.

The fire dragon, still with some free time left, emerged again, slithering to the front door and peeking through the peephole at Xu Qiao, who was now shrinking the lotus leaf, parking her bicycle, and entering the opposite apartment. The fire dragon turned its head and breathed fire longingly at Qin Chi.

Qin Chi called the spirit beast to his side, pressing his palm against the fire dragon’s head.

The fire dragon instinctively lowered its eyelids.

Taking advantage of this, Qin Chi retrieved a bottle of water from his space and poured it over the dragon’s head.

The fire dragon was speechless.