As the two chatted and laughed, Jiang Chuan and Luo Xiaoxue approached.

Jiang Chuan was carrying an exquisite fruit basket in his hand, which contained six different colored fruits that looked extraordinarily fresh.

"Inspector Cheng, this is sent by Station Chief Ding to express his condolences."

"He also asked me to relay a message: Successfully killing an advanced fusion body marks you as a remarkable talent among the younger generation. However, you must not become arrogant and complacent because of this. Always maintain a sufficient sense of awe towards the infected bodies. This way, you can continue to shine in your position and make more contributions to our inspection station."

"Additionally, the station is undergoing renovations recently, and he is really unable to come. Once everything is settled, he will personally visit you, the meritorious wounded."

The words sounded quite formal, but Jiang Chuan recited them without emotion, which reminded Cheng Ye of those short videos he watched before crossing over, where bloggers read ads from a prompter.

"Please send my thanks to Station Chief Ding!"

He swiped a card to open the ward door, and everyone filed in.

Since entering the room, Yiyi had been staring at the fruit basket. Cheng Ye smiled, "Kang, go wash some fruit and share it with everyone."

"Sure, Yiyi will go too!"

The big one and the small one left with the fruit basket, leaving three people sitting in the living room.

Seeing Cheng Ye directing his gaze towards him, Jiang Chuan paused for a moment before speaking, "It's like this, Inspector Wang has also passed the intern assessment and is qualified for independent duty."

"Really?"

Cheng Ye nodded slightly.

During the intern assessment, the entire process was conducted in a closed manner, with exceptionally strict content and scoring standards, almost eliminating any possibility of cheating.

Although initially, he completed all the cultural assessments within less than two weeks with an all-S grade evaluation, while the three people in the same period as him, like Wang Kang, hadn't even finished reading the designated textbooks for the assessment.

It's just that the martial power assessment delayed the time, otherwise, breaking Harlem's record would have been no problem.

"So, what Station Chief Ding means is that he wants Kang to follow me and learn for a while?"

As the words fell, Jiang Chuan was visibly taken aback, forcing a smile, "Yes, since Inspector Cheng has already guessed, there's no need for me to say more."

"Alright, I'll trouble you then. Kang and I were good brothers back in the Inner City, and now that we're out, it's only right to look after each other."

Cheng Ye nodded, skillfully steering away from the topic, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

Station Chief Ding didn't come himself but sent Jiang Chuan with people over, clearly intending to test more of his abilities.

Bringing a newcomer?

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be difficult, but right now, with a large number of infected bodies about to cross the border, it's a bit tricky to have a newcomer to take care of.

But thinking it over again, Cheng Ye didn't see much of a problem.

When he crossed over, he was busy with assessments and didn't have much contact with Wang Kang. However, in his memory, apart from being very timid, Wang Kang was quite clever, and he was also one of the few people who hadn't been wastelanded from the old era.

As long as they can communicate well and are willing to listen, he is quite confident in keeping Wang Kang alive during the upcoming duties.

"So, should I... leave first?"

"Take your time."

Cheng Ye got up and, along with Luo Xiaoxue, sent him to the elevator and watched the doors close before turning back to the room.

As soon as the door closed, the smile on Luo Xiaoxue's face vanished instantly, replaced by a few traces of solemnity, "Jiang Chuan is the most trusted aide of Station Chief Ding. You should know this relationship, right?"

"I wasn't that clear on it."

"About eighteen years ago, when Ding Yishan first made a name for himself at the station, Jiang Chuan was already with him. Although he is referred to as an aide, he is more like a personal bodyguard and enforcer... Hmm, because Ding Yishan's martial arts talent is quite average. Although there's no strict requirement for skills in the position of station chief, he often needs someone who can fight by his side to safely traverse dangerous areas."

"Jiang Chuan is a martial arts fanatic, and in terms of talent, he might be slightly better than your Brother B. But they are the same kind of people. They look cold and hard, but they're actually good-hearted individuals!"

Due to Liu Bi, and because of Cheng Long, Luo Xiaoxue is exceptionally familiar with the personnel within the inspection station.

Speaking of Jiang Chuan, she gave a very positive evaluation.

But the problem is.

"Jiang Chuan specifically came over, which clearly stems from Ding Yishan's intention, letting you safely ride out this period at the medical facility. Now it seems... it won't be possible."

"What do you mean?"

"Before you arrived, I talked to him a bit. Wang Kang will be stationed at the South Rapid Inspection Station to learn how to do duty..."

"A newcomer going to the Rapid Inspection Station?"

Cheng Ye was taken aback.

Goodness, he originally thought his own start was a disastrous one.

Wang Kang was even more unfortunate, not only being directly placed in the rapid inspection station but also at the time when a massive number of infected bodies are crossing the border.

"Ding Yishan is testing you."

The noise of squabbling from Kang and Yiyi in the water room at the end of the hallway had yet to reach their ears.

Luo Xiaoxue lowered her voice, her tone containing a hint of solemnity, "If you refuse to take him, he... will surely die."

"And based on your previous relationship, if you turn a blind eye as he is sent to his death, it will be a black mark on your record if you want to advance in the inspection station in the future..."

"No problem, I'll take him."

Cheng Ye smiled, taking over the topic without hesitation.

Instead of partnering with unfamiliar inspectors at the South Inspection Station, it's more satisfying to team up with Wang Kang.

At most, he'll work a few extra hours every day.

As for avoiding trouble, even if he ignored Wang Kang, Station Chief Ding would have numerous ways to push him to the inspection station.

Why not simply take over this responsibility and tell Ding Yishan to come at him directly?

Besides, Wang Kang is quick-witted. As long as he's willing to listen, there's a chance of making a living in this chaotic world.

Helping him along the way fulfills past sentiments and allows for cultivating his own people, why not?

"But..."

Luo Xiaoxue wanted to say more, but the sound of approaching footsteps came from the hallway.

The door was pushed open, and all the fruits in the basket were washed, with glistening water droplets clinging to the surface, looking especially tempting.

"Brother Cheng Ye, try one first!"

Liu Yi tiptoed, plucking a plum-like fruit from the basket and shoved it straight into his mouth.

Oh.

It was really sweet.

The clear sweet juice burst in his mouth, tasting like a mix of the richness of apples and the refreshing taste of pears, with the fruity aroma lingering on the tongue, leaving an endless aftertaste.

"These fruits are quite expensive. I've only had them once."

Luo Xiaoxue explained with a smile, "In the Inner City, there's a special greenhouse. In a thousand-kilometer radius around Happiness City, it's the only place where fresh fruits and vegetables can be grown. To buy these, having contribution points is not enough; you need a special quota. In the whole buffer zone, only Station Chief Ding receives such a quota every month."

"Well, we got lucky today, let's all have a taste."

The four sat around the fruit basket; for a moment, only the sound of chewing could be heard.

You could tell Wang Kang was eating with restraint; he only tasted two fruits before withdrawing his hand, lightly rubbing his fingertips on his knee, with a few traces of inexpressible anxiety hidden in his eyes.

Thinking about his own mood when he was assigned to the rapid inspection station, Cheng Ye understood well.

After eating a round and chatting with Luo Xiaoxue for a while,

as the sky grew darker, Cheng Ye packed half of the fruit basket to send off the big and the small.

Returning to the room, it was only him and Wang Kang left.

"Brother Cheng..."

Wang Kang's lips trembled, with a thousand words caught in his throat, not knowing where to begin.

Without others around, the panic in his eyes was almost overflowing.

But the next second, a pair of warm hands suddenly cupped his shoulders, and he instinctively looked up.

Four eyes met.

The calmness and confidence in Cheng Ye's eyes were so unfamiliar that it left him in a daze.

It was a certainty borne from enduring storms, harder to associate with the Cheng Ye in his memory before leaving the Inner City, who was terrified, almost to the point of losing control.

"Don't worry, when we go to the rapid inspection station in a few days, I will take you!"

...

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