Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

Lin Guang was about to turn around and explain to Qi Yan and his sister when he saw Qi Yan staring at Marna's back with a... drooling expression.

Nearl, Zofia: ?!

"Wow, to be honest, our uncle is much more handsome in person than in the photos!" Qi Yan exclaimed sincerely.

Lin Guang knew Qi Yan's personality quite well and was already used to his random attempts to claim relatives.

But Zofia, including Marna who was going upstairs, were both stunned.

With one foot dangling in mid-air, Marna slowly turned her head, her orange-yellow eyes instantly locking onto Qi Yan.

Qi Yan brushed the frost off his tail and said with a grin:

"Hello, Uncle. It's nice to meet you. My name is Qi Yan, and I'm Margaret's friend."

Upon hearing Qi Yan's name, Marna's foot, which had been suspended in mid-air, finally fell to the ground, landing on the same step as her other foot.

Then the weariness between his brows faded, replaced by a sharp look.

Marna slowly turned around and returned to the four people in the living room.

“I’ve heard of you. What brings you here?” Marna asked bluntly.

Nearl gave Zofia a reassuring look, then looked at Qi Yan with some curiosity, waiting for his answer.

Everyone on Rhodes Island knows that behind Qi Yan's seemingly carefree personality lies a meticulousness that is almost on par with the Doctor's. Every action of Qi Yan is not the simple, playful behavior that appears on the surface.

This time, however, Qi Yan is destined to disappoint Lin Guang.

He stood up with a grin, extended his hand to shake Marner's, and bowed and scraped as he said:

"Uncle, please don't misunderstand. I just came to visit a friend and took the opportunity to visit you as well. Look, I even brought you a gift."

Marna was somewhat taken aback by Qi Yan's enthusiasm and instinctively refused:

"No need, the Linguang family cannot afford your gift."

"We can take it on, we can take it on!" Qi said with absolute certainty.

Marna took a soft breath and had no choice but to comply:

"Then thank you very much."

After saying that, he waited silently for Qi Yan to take out the gift, and then decided whether to accept it based on the situation.

In Marna's view, a rising powerhouse like Qi Yan was by no means simple.

Furthermore, because of Nearl, he had specifically collected information about Rhodes Island, especially Qi Yan. Marna felt far more apprehensive than friendly towards this eccentric yet meticulously planned young powerhouse.

But after waiting for a while, instead of Qi Yan taking out a gift, Marna kept rubbing his own arm armor.

At that moment, a chill ran through Marna.

He easily pulled his hand back with a slight effort, secretly relieved, then frowned and said:

"I wonder what gift Mr. Qi Yan wishes to give?"

"Me?" Qi Yan said seriously.

Maena: "..."

His right hand, clad in arm armor, trembled uncontrollably, almost touching the sword at his waist that hadn't been drawn in ten years.

Lin Guang, watching from the side, felt his eyelids twitch and quickly stepped in to act as a peacemaker:

"Qi Yan, your uncle doesn't understand our young people's jokes, so please stop making a scene."

Marna's lips tightened slightly.

Margaret, if you can't speak, you don't have to.

Qi Yan glared at Lin Guang and said with dissatisfaction:

"How can you talk like that? Where is our uncle old?"

Men at this age are at their most attractive!

I will not allow anyone to slander my uncle!

Especially one of Thorn's eldest sons, as long as his uncle draws his sword, everything will be alright!

A deathly silence fell over the living room.

Lin Guang raised his hand to cover his forehead and let out a low groan of pain.

Here we go again, with Qi Yan's unique, incomprehensible pronouncements.

Marna took a deep breath, the sharp glint in her eyes vanishing as she returned to her weary, overworked state.

“Mr. Qi Yan, I must refuse your gift.” Marna said curtly. “The Nearl family does not need your pity or protection. Whatever Margaret does is just her childish trick, and it is none of your business or that of Rhodes Island behind you.”

Qi Yan clapped his hands, his expression sincere with a hint of pleading:

"What a coincidence! I also think that I shouldn't interfere with the decisions that Lin Guang made herself, so I didn't come here to see her at all. I came here specifically to see you!"

Uncle, come to Rhode Island! We offer room and board, paid vacation every year, and you can leave work on time. Plus, I can guarantee you'll never have to work overtime.

You just read the newspaper normally, count the seconds when you make your move, and once the time is up, even if the sword has already been slashed, you can immediately retract it without me uttering a single complaint.

Please, please come to my island!!!

Chapter 396 Life's journey is long and arduous.

Marner's expression was somewhat blank, but he quickly masked it.

When he first learned of Qi Yan's identity, he imagined countless possibilities.

Upon learning that Qi Yan seemed to want to protect Margaret, he racked his brains to think of countless things he might face if he refused Qi Yan.

But Qi Yan, this young Rupert, always seems to defy expectations, striking a chord with those he converses with from unexpected angles.

If Marna hadn't possessed the composure cultivated over many years, her expression would have definitely begun to spiral out of control.

“…Thank you for recruiting me, but I am very satisfied with my current job and have no intention of leaving.” Marna seemed afraid that Qi Yan would say something shocking again, so she added, “My boss has entrusted me with important responsibilities, and no one can replace me in the projects I am in charge of.”

"Are you sure?" Qi Yan smiled strangely.

Marner opened his mouth as if to say something, but the terminal in his pocket rang first.

Marner's hand moved so fast it was almost a blur, instantly answering the phone, turning his back and bowing respectfully.

“It’s me, I can go back to work overtime anytime… Yes, it’s my responsibility… I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, I will handle it… Please give me another chance, the others aren’t like me who followed up on this business from start to finish, they can’t… No, no, no, I didn’t make any requests… I’m sorry, I’m really sorry… Okay, I understand…”

Marna wanted to say something more, but the call was cut off first.

Putting away the terminal, Marna suddenly felt a little afraid to look at Qi Yan's expression.

Nearl and Zofia wanted to laugh, but they couldn't.

They still remembered that dashing young master and the triumphant knight-errant from back then, but now Marna was so real, displaying his predicament right in front of them.

"Sorry for making you laugh."

Marna regained her original posture, no longer avoiding Qi Yan's gaze, and adjusted her mindset at an astonishing speed.

But the mocking face he had expected from Qi Yan did not appear. Instead, Qi Yan wore a smile that was gentle and sincere.

"Uncle, I didn't say you had to come to Rhodes Island right now."

Qi Yan raised his finger and pointed out the window.

Marna subconsciously looked in the direction Qi Yan was pointing. The sky outside the window was foggy and gloomy because of the approaching rainy season.

He was somewhat puzzled, frowned and looked at Qi Yan again, waiting for Qi Yan to continue.

Qi Yan didn't keep them in suspense and said directly:

"When the sun breaks through the clouds, when the sunset rises again, when you find the path you want to walk, it's never too late to come back. The gates of Rhodes Island are always open to you."

"However, I still have a request."

Qi Yan interrupted Marna, raised a finger and said leisurely, "Everyone has their own choices and their own goals, which may be vague or unrealistic, but these are not important."

The road is right beneath our feet. Just keep walking and keep moving forward. As long as we keep moving forward, we will eventually reach our destination.

Of course, sometimes you should pause for a moment, look up at the scenery around you, and not miss the people and things around you.

Marna narrowed her eyes slightly.

He always felt that Qi Yan's words were both a piece of advice and a prophecy.

Qi Yan was still smiling, with his hands behind his head, he stretched and continued:

"Don't let my youth fool you, this is based on experience. I used to be someone who just kept my head down and almost got lost."

Luckily, I met a kind companion who pulled me back, making me realize that I wasn't alone, and that my companion might be there to lend a helping hand.

Marna didn't speak, just silently watched Qi Yan.

After a moment, he suddenly spoke coldly:

"Ridiculous."

After uttering a remark that could be considered a sarcastic remark, Marner turned and walked up the stairs, disappearing from everyone's sight.

Lin Guang explained with some concern:

"Qi Yan, your uncle doesn't mean you any harm, it's just his personality."

"Don't worry, I expected his attitude." Qi Yan waved his hand, stood up and walked towards the villa door. "He's as stubborn as you, but he's not someone who can't listen to what others say. I still have to prepare for the tournament, so I'll be going now."

Qi Lin silently got up and followed.

As the brother and sister walked to the villa's entrance, Qi Yan suddenly stopped, turned around, and smiled:

"Lingguang, if we meet on the field, don't think I'll hold back."

Nearl also smiled, a fighting spirit flashing in his eyes:

“That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

The two exchanged a smile, then pushed open the door and left with their younger sister.

As the door slowly closed, Lin Guang seemed lost in thought.

Zofia, on the other hand, seemed a little anxious:

"Qi Yan is also going to participate in the tournament? With his strength, don't you have absolutely no chance of winning? What about your goal then?"

Lin Guang snapped out of his thoughts, his face showing no worry or fear:

"Yes, I am definitely no match for Qi Yan. I don't even have the confidence to last three moves against him... No, if it's a serious Qi Yan, I can't even last one move!"

Zofia: "...When you say such discouraging things, can you please not be so confident and proud?"

She sat down in the chair, somewhat dejected, and complained with a long face:

"Aren't you two very close companions?"

"Of course, Qi Yan is a trustworthy companion to whom we can entrust everything. He will seriously consider everyone's needs and silently protect us."

Lin Guang sat back in his chair, looked at the door and said slowly, "But as he just said, everyone has their own goals and paths to follow. He... has changed. He is no longer the lonely guardian he once was."

Now, we walk side by side!

"Alright, alright, let's walk side by side." Zofia clearly couldn't empathize with Nearl's feelings and still seemed somewhat discouraged.

Lin Guang chuckled gently, trying to soothe him:

"It doesn't matter if I don't win this tournament. I have another one, and the one after that. What I want to do is not simply win the championship, but to use my actions to show everyone in Kazimierz what a knight should be like."

Winning a championship is important, but it's not what truly determines everything.

"You... sigh, I can't argue with you."

Zofia finally remembered why she had come here, and picked up the bag in her hand again: "I'm going to find Marna. He injured his wrist while sparring with you. Knowing his personality, he definitely won't go out of his way to treat it."

Lin Guang nodded:

"I'll leave Uncle to you. I need to intensify my training now so I can be in top condition for my match against Qi Yan."

As she spoke, she got up and went to the training room to get her equipment.

Zofia shook her head and walked up the stairs with a worried expression.

At the corner of the stairs, she looked out the window. The sky outside was overcast, and it was clear that it was about to rain.