With the troops mobilization complete, Ye Fan took a look around.

The only defensive building that could still be constructed was the Light Prism Tower, but it also required the Spy Satellite to be built before it could be produced.

If the Engineers could unlock the Giant Cannon, it too would need the Spy Satellite to be built first.

Ye Fan felt his building production was a bit slow, but there wasn't much he could do about it since he only had one Construction Yard.

If he had two Construction Yards, the building speed would double.

One step at a time, he'd focus on getting the Spy Satellite out first.

Closing the Red Alert page, Ye Fan left the headquarters.

Ye Fan went to check on Xiaoba first.

Xiaoba spent his days lazily lounging in a small pond, which to him was at most like a bathtub; even diving was challenging.

He did nothing but eat and sleep, becoming plump and round.

Seeing Ye Fan approach, Xiaoba excitedly slapped the water with his eight legs, sending water splashes everywhere.

Alongside the pond were Da Pang and Xiaomei, the War Bears. Feeding Xiaoba was indeed tiring work, so the War Bears took turns.

Now, all the animals in Dawn City had become Xiaoba's followers. After all, the prowess of the Deep Sea Giant Squid was undeniable; the one with the biggest fist is king.

Ye Fan threw a few pieces of Mutant Beast Meat to Xiaoba and patted his big head affectionately.

With the Navy's construction still far off, otherwise, Ye Fan would surely have upgraded Xiaoba to a Heroic Unit if there were a Navy Heroic Battalion.

"Stay here obediently, spring is coming soon, and when the ice and snow melt, I'll let you play in the Great River."

Xiaoba happily blew bubbles, appearing quite content.

After playing with Xiaoba for a bit, Ye Fan left the core zone.

Only Zhuge Yunxue and Shen Ruihui followed, and it was very safe within Dawn City.

Once past the gates of the core zone and into the main city district, Ye Fan immediately felt the atmosphere.

Yesterday's panic had completely vanished. After witnessing the crushing strength of the Dawn Giant Dragon, the people of Dawn City felt at ease.

Everyone started preparing enthusiastically.

This was the first New Year after the apocalypse, and it held significant meaning for everyone.

It's the most important day of the year.

Over time, its meaning gradually shifted to being a day for family reunions.

But no matter how it changed, this day held an irreplaceable sacred place in the hearts of Qin Han People.

Masking his face as he walked through the crowd, Ye Fan blended in unnoticed.

The most bustling area in Dawn City was the trading market in the main city district.

With the population now over 250,000, the trading market could only be described as bustling.

Ahead, an area was particularly lively, and it was none other than Gao Dongliang's noodle stall.

This guy had snagged the best spot in the trading market, and business at his noodle stall was booming.

According to Zhang Kunlin, Gao Dongliang was the first in the city to book a duplex apartment in the main city district, making him the wealthiest man in Dawn City.

However, Ye Fan didn't go for noodles today; instead, he wandered casually nearby.

Beside Gao Dongliang's stall was Yumo Spicy Hot Pot.

This was Qin Yumo's stall.

Qin Yumo's Adventurer Squad was the first squad in Dawn City, now grown to over a hundred members.

Though she arrived in Dawn City later, her contribution points had almost caught up with Gao Dongliang's, and it wouldn't be long before the city's wealthiest title might change hands.

Seeing Gao Dongliang's noodles didn't make Ye Fan hungry, but Qin Yumo's spicy hot pot did.

Choosing a seat with Zhuge Yunxue, Shen Ruihui went to order some spicy hot pot for Ye Fan.

Many of the spicy hot pot's ingredients could be frozen, and it seemed Qin Yumo had recently stocked up on frozen seafood and meatballs, among other things.

He ordered a small portion for Zhuge Yunxue, a large one for Shen Ruihui, and three large portions for Ye Fan.

Ye Fan was always a big eater, and after becoming a Level 2 Evolver, his appetite had increased even more.

While waiting, Ye Fan noticed Qin Yumo busy behind the stall herself.

Perhaps she was getting into the spirit of things; instead of gathering supplies, Qin Yumo had chosen to sell spicy hot pot here.

The surrounding noise and steaming warmth made the winter cold feel distant.

Soon, the spicy hot pot arrived at their table, brought over personally by Qin Yumo.

Ye Fan took off his mask.

In a corner where others were too far to see clearly, Qin Yumo paused, surprised.

Ye Fan first gestured for silence, then greeted Qin Yumo with a nod.

"Hey! Leader Qin, it really feels like a long time since I've seen you."

Qin Yumo glanced at Ye Fan: "What's with the 'long time' talk, it's only been... Ye Fan, you're teasing me!"

Qin Yumo glared at Ye Fan angrily, accidentally falling into the trap.

Ye Fan seemed oblivious, taking out a pair of disposable chopsticks.

Seeing Ye Fan ignore the topic, Qin Yumo didn't pursue it further: "Where have you been having fun these days? If you don't come back soon, your old nest will be overturned."

"Leader Qin, what you said isn't quite right. If my old nest is overturned, your business and contribution points will be gone too. So you should treat Dawn City as your home and bravely face any difficulties."

"Face your head! Hurry up and eat!"

Qin Yumo went to greet other guests and then circled back to Ye Fan's side.

"Hey, do we have enough people defending the city? If you need more, just say the word. Our Apocalypse Mountain Squad may not have many people, but we're pretty strong. We can join in defending the city if needed."

Ye Fan quickly finished the first bowl and started on the second, asking: "Are there other squads thinking the same?"

"Dai Yu's squad has said the same thing. In fact, many residents of Dawn City have offered. If really needed, we can all support city defense anytime since this is our home too."

Ye Fan looked up at Qin Yumo: "Does everyone think that our city might not hold?"

"A little, since the zombie hordes on TV are terrifying. But no one has completely lost hope, especially since you came back. Things are much better now; people were really panicking just days ago."

Ye Fan chuckled: "Seems like I'm good at calming people down."

"Don't get too full of yourself. Mainly because it's winter and the roads are tough, even if people wanted to flee, they can't. They're stuck on this ship with you. If it were spring or summer, who knows, maybe this girl would have flown far away by now."

"Where would you fly to? Is there a better place nearby?" Ye Fan knew she was joking and casually replied.

Unexpectedly, Qin Yumo suddenly turned serious: "Don't say that, there actually is one now."

"Where?"

"Ice City. This morning, Guo Zhun was on TV again, boasting about Ice City, saying that at most within half a month, they will reclaim Jiangbei District. If he can't, he'll step down. Once Jiangbei is reclaimed, his base will truly be the first in the province."

Hearing this, Ye Fan was a bit skeptical.

He passed through Jiangbei District on his way back and it seemed the battle would last at least another month.

How come Guo Zhun suddenly dares to claim the battle will end in half a month?

Could it be his strength has increased drastically in recent days?

There seemed to be something happening that Ye Fan wasn't aware of.

But for now, Ye Fan wasn't interested in those matters. Dealing with the impending zombie horde was his main concern.

After chatting with Qin Yumo a bit more, she brought up a few questions.

"Ye Fan, I think there are too many idle people in Dawn City right now. You took over Qinghe, improving people's lives slightly, but I don't think this is a long-term solution. We adventurers can go out and gather resources, but what about the ordinary people? They don't have the ability to fight zombies and still need to work, right?"

Ye Fan nodded, acknowledging it's indeed an issue.

In fact, Dawn City has many problems; feeding over two hundred thousand people is a significant one. They gained many resources from capturing Qinghe, but relying on that alone won't last long either.

Moreover, this year's food is hard to keep for the next year. Dawn City will have numerous responsibilities next year.

Building the base, planting crops, and producing various industrial goods.

Once life stabilizes, people will naturally have higher expectations.

Aside from military affairs, all other aspects are in desperate need of development.

"Don't worry, since I could establish Dawn City here, I'll make sure everyone has something to do and food to eat."

"It's good you remember. You have so many people under you; I'm sure you'll arrange things. I'm just reminding you."

After finishing the spicy hot pot, Ye Fan wanted to pay her in contribution points.

Qin Yumo smiled: "You're joking with me. This little thing doesn't need money, consider it my bribe to the highest officer."

Ye Fan said seriously: "No way, if I don't pay, I'm not coming next time."

"Ah, you're really something. Aren't we friends? Just take it as my treat, okay?"

"No, I have my status here; not paying would mean taking advantage of the people. I must pay."

Ye Fan took out his ID card, which was designed by an engineer. It directly connects to the other party's ID to pay in contribution points, a specialty of Dawn City.

Qin Yumo tried to reject Ye Fan's hand, and their hands almost touched.

Shen Ruihui suddenly spoke from the other side: "Sir, she has a payment code here, and I've already paid."

Ye Fan was stunned for a moment, indeed noticing a payment code on the wall, allowing payment in contribution points.

Ye Fan withdrew his hand and glanced at Shen Ruihui: "Good job."

"Hehe, it's only right to help the officer solve problems. Plus, my company commander salary is a lot, more than enough to treat the officer." Shen Ruihui nodded, steady as always.

He had become smarter, avoiding big gestures in public.

That woman wanted to refuse the officer publicly, so he quietly paid in the background, resolving the officer's pressing issue, avoiding prolonged awkwardness with the woman.

Society is progressing, humanity is evolving, and the intelligence of Company Commander Shen increases day by day.

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