Day came, and an hour before lunch, noises came from outside the door.
When they opened it, they saw Luo Gang and Zhao Lin standing outside.
Ten minutes later, inside Luo Gang's room.
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday, Tao'er!"
"Make a wish, Tao'er!"
Tao'er blew out the candle on top of the bread decorated with white cream and dried fruits.
"My apologies. I only prepared a small amount of food. But please don't be shy and eat to your heart's content." Luo Gang walked toward Nanzhi's group with his son Tao'er and scratched his head with a smile.
Luo Gang was being modest. Even though there weren't any meat dishes, the spread on the table was rich and easily enough to feed fifty people.
When it came to free food, Baoyin, Feng Ran, Bingwen, and Hei Qian would never refuse.
"My goodness, Uncle Luo, you prepared so much. Don't worry, we will definitely enjoy your cooking."
"By the way, happy birthday, Tao'er. We hope you like our gifts!"
Tao'er opened the gifts and found a coloring set, drawing books, paper, a set of armor, snacks, and a cool utility Swiss knife.
"Wow! Thank you so much, Big Sister and Big Brothers!" Tao'er really liked the gifts.
After giving their presents, the four followed Luo Gang to get some plates.
"Sister Yu, come sit with us!" Dai Yun waved her hand.
"Okay!"
Tao'er didn't follow them and stayed behind. He apologized to Nanzhi.
"Uhm... Big Sister, I'm sorry for lying back then. I was just afraid you had malicious intentions toward Grandpa Meng. Grandpa has been through a lot, and I didn't want him to experience anything bad again."
However, not only had Nanzhi saved his father during the mission, she had also saved him and his family when they were nearly killed by those terrifying alien beasts.
"If Big Sister is still angry, you can punish me."
Nanzhi said, "I was indeed a little upset, but I'm not going to punish you. I also understand that your reasons were valid. You were just protecting your grandfather."
The frown on Tao'er's face eased.
"Thank you, Big Sister. But I'm curious. When I told Grandpa about you, he said he didn't know you at all. I wonder how Big Sister knows Grandpa Meng?"
"Let's just say I owe him a life," Nanzhi answered. "But let's keep this a secret between us."
As long as her Master was happy, even if she wasn't the one in the picture, it was alright.
Tao'er was a smart kid. There must be some unspeakable circumstances. He didn't ask any further questions and simply nodded.
"Okay, Big Sister. I promise to keep this between us."
Nanzhi handed a plastic bag to Tao'er. Inside was a square brown box.
"Happy birthday."
Weihao also had a gift. It was a pair of military boots, socks, and two pairs of walkie-talkies. Tao'er and Lin Yicheng had the same shoe size, so it was convenient.
The kid's eyes lit up when he saw the gifts.
"Thank you, Big Brother!"
As for Nanzhi's gift, Tao'er wasn't expecting to receive anything from her. He opened the box and saw chocolate bars inside.
"Wow! Thank you so much, Big Sister!"
It had been so long since he had seen or tasted chocolate.
He excitedly tore open one bar and took a bite.
"Hmm... It's delicious! It's even better than I remember."
Nanzhi had personally made the chocolate using ingredients from the virtual farm and Safe Zone. She had also infused it with Bingdi Lotus tea. The packaging was the only thing that came from regular chocolate.
Tao'er loved the chocolate so much that he finished the entire bar quickly.
In Nanzhi's vision, Lin Yicheng's face overlapped with Tao'er's as the boy ate the chocolate.
She badly missed her sweetheart.
Thank goodness the dungeon was ending soon. She could finally return.
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached her ears.
It was her Master.
"Tao'er, come here! I also prepared a gift."
Tao'er saw his grandfather.
"Wait, Grandpa Meng!"
"Sister, Brother, I'll be going. Thank you again!"
Nanzhi nodded.
Tao'er ran off carrying his gifts and sat on Grandpa Meng's lap.
"Grandpa! Look at the gifts I received!"
"That's great. My grandson is a good kid. Tao'er deserves the best in the world." Grandpa Meng smiled and handed Tao'er the gift he had prepared. "Here's mine."
"Grandpa, what kind of candies are these? They're sweet and tasty!"
"These are candies I made from yam and jujube. They're good for you. Right now you're a little short and thin. When you grow up a little more, I'm going to make you my pupil."
"But I want to be someone who can fight alien beasts so I can make lots of money and protect you and Father."
"Being a doctor isn't bad either. Kid, when your father or anyone you know gets sick or injured, you can take care of them. Isn't that good?"
Tao'er fell into thought and realized his grandfather's words made sense. Without hospitals or doctors like Grandpa, it would be difficult to receive treatment.
"Then I'll listen to Grandfather."
He could protect people and treat them at the same time!
"Good kid. After every meal, remember to eat one of each candy so you can grow bigger and taller sooner. If the candies run out, Grandpa will make another batch. Next time with black sesame and hawthorn."
"Really?" Tao'er hopped with joy.
"Of course." Grandpa laughed.
Seeing her Master laugh so lively, Nanzhi couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene. She kept remembering the dream from last night.
At that moment, Uncle Wang and Wang Bo arrived.
"I hope we're not late. Where's the birthday celebrant? Grandpa Wang has some gifts for you!"
"Grandpa Wang! You came!"
Wang Bo was about to walk toward Luo Gang when his eyes spotted Nanzhi and Weihao sitting in the corner.
Nanzhi was startled when Wang Bo suddenly gave a deep bow.
"Miss Lu, I haven't properly thanked you yet. My wife and father told me what happened, and I am deeply indebted to you for what you did. Not only did you save my child, but without you and your team, my family wouldn't have made it out of that place alive."
When Wang Bo listened to his wife's story, he felt as if his soul had left his body.
If Nanzhi and her team hadn't passed by the children's park a week ago, he was certain he would never see his family alive again.
Just imagining it made his body turn cold and his knees weak.
Wang Bo nearly prostrated on the floor, but Weihao and Nanzhi quickly held him up.
"There's no need to kneel. Uncle Wang has done a lot for me before. I just wanted to repay him."
Unable to kneel, Wang Bo gave another deep bow.
"Still, Miss Lu and Sir Lin, if you ever need anything in the future, just tell me. I will cross seas and mountains for you."
Wang Bo was another example of someone tough on the outside but warm on the inside.
"Alright, alright. Brother Wang, Miss Lu and Sir Lin haven't even eaten yet."
Liu Ming smiled helplessly, wrapped an arm around Wang Bo's shoulder, and pulled him toward the dining table.
"Sister Nan, come here and join us! If you don't eat soon, there will be nothing left. Uncle Luo has amazing cooking skills!" Baoyin said with her mouth stuffed full.
Four days later.
It was time to depart.
