I transformed into a cute girl and lived a carefree life in the apocalypse.

She was genuinely surprised; she had only been busy for a short while, how come there was already an extra person?

Hello, Aunt and Uncle!

Ye Qianxue greeted her sweetly, and Xia Ziyun immediately went up to her with a big smile, treating her like her own daughter.

There's no way around it, this sweet child's voice is just too sweet. If only she were her daughter! Unlike that unfilial daughter who's been away from home for so long and never comes back even once!

"They are Yan Ziming and Ye Qianxue?!"

Murong Haiyi and his elders were also startled. They had heard about it from others countless times before, but now they finally saw it in person.

As it turns out, seeing is believing. She is much more beautiful in person than in photos. Her stunning beauty is something that photos and videos cannot convey.

In addition, their strength is also one in a million. Back in the Civilization Cup, Yan Ziming won the runner-up with her exceptional strength at the eighth level.

Moreover, she was only nineteen years old at that time.

How much divine favor must one possess to have such strength at such a young age!

In fact, the news from the outside world is already outdated. Yan Ziming celebrated his twentieth birthday around the end of January, amidst the roar of cannons on the front lines of war.

The girl next to her, named Ye Qianxue, was exactly the same. She was a year younger than Yan Ziming, but she had also reached the seventh level and possessed spatial abilities. Everyone vaguely saw the shadow of Mu Mu in her.

Faced with these two stunningly beautiful and talented sisters, he admitted that he was somewhat attracted to them.

No wonder! No wonder Xia Ziyun looked at me so calmly; it turns out she had already entertained such a person before I arrived!

His gaze toward Yan Ziming and Ye Qianxue was one of pure admiration, though inevitably tinged with a hint of competitiveness.

This gaze lasted only a few seconds. As if he had discovered something, his expression suddenly changed drastically. His calm gaze subtly shifted, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his words contained a probing tone:

"You are Yan Zimo?"

“It’s me. And who are you?” Yan Ziming nodded and asked in return.

“My name is Murong Haiyi. You… never mind, forget I said anything. I will challenge you when I break through to the eighth rank.”

Murong Haiyi was about to ask a question, but then thought better of it and turned to leave.

His elders' expressions shifted from initial surprise to a purplish-red hue after realizing something. They looked back and forth between Yan Ziming and the Mu family members before finally leaving.

Yan Ziming, the person involved, suddenly rolled her eyes.

This guy named Murong Haiyi must be out of his mind!

That was Yan Ziming's first impression of him.

If it weren't for the fact that his gaze towards her wasn't filled with naked desire like other men's, but rather pure admiration, Yan Ziming would have suspected that he was trying to woo her with some kind of feigned indifference.

He suddenly calls out someone's name and says he wants to challenge himself. Who does he think he is?

Throughout the entire country, there are practically no young people who dare to challenge him, so when one suddenly appears today, Yan Ziming is a bit bewildered.

Xia Ziyun whispered an explanation in her ear:

"You might not recognize him if you've been on the front lines for a while, but he's a rising star in China. He's 24 years old, at the peak of the seventh rank, and his special ability is metal-based. Rumor has it that he single-handedly killed an S-rank sandstone dragon!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ziming's expression changed slightly.

To be able to kill a Sandstone Dragon of the same level by himself, his strength must be top-notch, no less than when he killed the Tyrant.

A slight smile played on Yan Ziming's lips, and a flame of battle was ignited within him.

"An interesting guy... ugh! He's not bad. When you challenge me, I'll crush you!"

"Big sister, your smile is so scary..."

"I want you to take care of it!"

Someone's face was pinched, making it difficult for them to speak clearly. Xia Ziyun looked at the two inseparable sisters and grew to love them more and more.

"Zimo, Qianxue, you haven't finished eating yet, have you? Come sit at your aunt's house for a while, your aunt will cook something for you!"

Amidst the envious gazes of many members of the Mu family, Xia Ziyun warmly welcomed the two sisters into her residence.

"I think I'd better not go and join the fun..." Qin Di shrugged, feeling that if he went along, Yan Ziming would beat him to death.

"Third brother, I never expected you to be involved with them..." Mu Chenyi said jokingly.

There are countless forces within China that are trying to curry favor with these two sisters, but they have no way to extend an olive branch to them. As a result, today the sister-in-law has pulled them into her home to entertain them.

This is definitely a good thing for the Mu family. With Mu Mu absent, they can still play a role in 'keeping order' in the Mu family.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Land Reclamation Campaign Ends

Even the retired Grandpa Mu Hong looked at the new clan leader with a different perspective, his eyes filled with admiration.

Mu Bai appeared to be living a glamorous life, but inwardly he was completely bewildered, unable to understand how his wife had managed to lure these two beautiful sisters into their home.

Since their remarkable achievements in the Civilization Cup, the two sides should have been from two different worlds, especially Yan Ziming, whom even the Mu family felt they couldn't reach.

As for the fact that I had just hosted them not long ago?

Can you really take a casual acquaintance seriously?

Given the tendency of most young people these days to look down on others after achieving great success, it's generally not advisable. You'd be lucky if the other person even remembered your name.

But... looking at Xia Ziyun and Yan Ziming, they seem to be very close, like... a mother and daughter.

"Haha... Big brother, you go ahead and get busy. You can't leave the military headquarters for too long either. Leave the follow-up matters to me."

"See you."

Mu Chenyi nodded, got into his favorite military off-road truck, and returned to the front line.

At this moment, Mu Hong called out to Mu Bai and said, "Mu Bai, you must remember this: you are only allowed to befriend others, not to make enemies."

".......Understood."

Afterwards, Mu Bai practically ran back to his house, wanting to confirm whether what he thought was true.

As soon as I got closer, I heard the silvery laughter of Xia Ziyun and Yan Ziming, chatting happily about topics that are usually quite private for girls.

Would I seem a bit out of place if I went in...?

Mu Bai suddenly thought to himself, scratched his nose, and ultimately did not go in. He went back to managing the household affairs. He had already confirmed what he wanted to know: he believed that Xia Ziyun would handle the matter of the Yan Ziming sisters well.

The two sides continued their discussions until 10 p.m., when Yan Ziming and Ye Qianxue reluctantly said goodbye to Xia Ziyun.

Stepping out of the Mu family compound, Yan Ziming felt as if the wind was blowing under his feet, making him walk quickly and energetically.

The meeting was clearly a great success. Their relationship with Xia Ziyun could be described as very close, which served as insurance for them to reveal their relationship with Mu Mu to Xia Ziyun and Mu Bai in the future.

"Qianxue, remember to come and talk to your aunt often in the future, understand?"

"Yes!" Ye Qianxue nodded solemnly. This concerned their future, and there could be no carelessness.

"Alright, let's go back! It's getting late, let's go back to sleep!"

.........

About a week later, the Ministry of National Defense held a press conference to announce some exciting news that shocked the entire nation.

—The land reclamation campaign across the entire territory of China has officially ended!

This high-profile pioneering operation, which attracted attention from all over the world, has come to a successful conclusion with the recapture of nine fallen cities and the extermination of over ten million mutated species.

Especially the Western countries overseas were almost dumbfounded. They thought it was an impossible feat, but their old rival accomplished it in just a few months!

It should be noted that when China first announced this action, it sparked an unprecedented wave of criticism worldwide. Many countries' officials and media outlets either ridiculed or attacked it, claiming that even if China had ten years, it would not be able to complete the task.

However, when this near-perfect 'answer sheet' was placed in front of them, it was like a hard slap in the face, making them speak incoherently.

They started nitpicking in TV programs and press conferences, specifically talking about China's mistakes and inefficiencies, while omitting all the good things they did, all in order to maintain the "superiority of their own system".

Yan Ziming also expressed his understanding of their situation.

After all, acknowledging China's achievements now would be tantamount to admitting that their sarcastic remarks back then were just stupid nonsense!

Let them continue living in their dreams if they want; we'll see how they handle themselves when the most critical moment arrives.

The remarkable achievements of China were entirely due to the sacrifices and bloodshed of the People's Army and the pioneers. Nearly 100,000 soldiers, totaling 98527, died on the battlefield in the fight to recapture these cities. They all perished on the path of expanding the territory of the motherland.

The pioneers suffered relatively less damage, but this is only relative. Proportionally, their losses were greater than those of the army, with nearly one-tenth of their personnel lost, a devastating blow.

It can be said that the city walls surrounding these cities were walls of life built with the bones of heroes, blocking enemy invasion and protecting the country.

To commemorate these heroic individuals and the stories of blood and tears shed, the soldiers who died on the battlefield were awarded the title of martyr. The title of "pioneer" will be permanently retained and will accompany all those who participated in the pioneering efforts for a lifetime. Their heroic deeds will be recorded in history and made into literary works to be remembered for generations to come.

Furthermore, the national leadership erected monuments on both sides of the main entrances to each city, serving as a place for people to pay their respects and to remind everyone of the staggering price they paid to reclaim these cities.

The entire nation of China lowered its flags to half-mast and observed a day of silence. As one of the most active members on the front lines of the pioneering operation, Yan Ziming had a lot to say and reflect on.

She saw her comrades, who were laughing and chatting just a moment ago, become dismembered limbs in the mouths of mutated species in the blink of an eye. She witnessed the glorious moments of cities being recaptured. Countless farewells of life and death still flowed through her eyes. Even her twentieth birthday, which was of great significance in her life, was spent in endless gunfire.

"Stand at attention! Salute!"

In the People's Squares of major cities and in the military districts, countless officers and soldiers solemnly paid their respects to the vast expanse of cenotaphs, and many pioneers also spontaneously joined the mourning procession.

This is not a task, it is a responsibility.

The seventh day after the moment of silence will be a new day, a day when an award ceremony will be held to honor the soldiers and pioneers who have made outstanding contributions to the pioneering efforts.

Yan Zimo is also included, which is both natural and reasonable.

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