Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

“Grandma, I know that you have never compromised with any power, whether it is the Sarkaz or the dukes and nobles. You have always resisted everything in your own way.”

Catherine was taken aback, not understanding why Qi Yan thought so highly of her when it was their first meeting.

Qi Yan ignored all of that and continued to express his opinion:

"Compared to the younger Fester, you have experienced more, shouldered more responsibilities, and are more aware of your own shortcomings."

So you can't fight for something with the same recklessness as Fester; you have your own concerns.

“…What do you want to say?” Catherine asked.

"I'm willing to share your concerns," Qi Yan said with a smile. "I also understand my own limitations. The more information I have, the less I can make a label-based evaluation of any one party."

The Sarkaz, the Duke, the Deep Pool, the commoners of Lontinim—everyone is fighting for their future, everyone is upholding their own sense of justice.

I can't mediate anything, but I can do what I can: protect the people I want to protect.

"You mean you're willing to shelter me?" Catherine's eyes widened in shock. "But I don't understand, what can you get from me?"

Qi Yan shook his head: "It's not you...it's all of you!"

I want to shelter all those who are striving to live a good life; this is the original intention behind establishing this nursing home.

Catherine paused for a moment, then said in a daze:

"You mean you're willing to take in these workers from the Highbury factory?"

But didn't you establish Kazdel?

“That’s prejudice,” Qi Yan said.

“I said, Grandma, that’s prejudice.”

Qi Yan took out the tape recorder with the missing corner again and played the audio of Theresis and his apprentice.

The audio, accompanied by the ceaseless hum of the machines in the workshop, echoed in everyone's ears.

Catherine's face gradually went blank, and even Fester and the workers beside him were dumbfounded.

After the audio ended, Qi Yan put away the recorder and continued:

"As you have heard, the Sarkaz regent not only did not stop me, but was willing to help me."

Therese started the war not because she wanted to kill, but because she wanted resistance.

He rebelled against the injustice of this land, against the discrimination of all races; all he wanted was for the Sarkaz to live a peaceful and stable life.

Catherine fell silent, but Fester grew impatient and stepped forward to ask:

"Then why us? If the Sarkaz want to rebel, why choose Lentinium?"

"A choice?" Qi Yan found it somewhat amusing. "The Sarkaz never really had a choice. Who brought the Sarkaz to Londinium?"

Fester: "..."

Qi Yan didn't bother arguing with Fester; his target remained Catherine.

"Grandma, many people may think I am high and mighty, planning all sorts of messy things, but that is actually a kind of stereotype and prejudice."

Qi Yan looked directly into Catherine's light blue eyes and said sincerely, "I am not high and mighty. In fact, I have nothing and there is very little I can do."

I just want to do my best to provide the fairest possible environment for all those who want a stable life.

I admit that the platform outside the city is called Kazdel, and it will inevitably embrace many Sarkaz in the future, but at the same time, it will also embrace everyone on this land, including you, and 'you' on this land.”

Catherine remained silent.

Qi Yan stepped forward and took Catherine's hand, which was roughened by years of hard work:

"Grandma, there's only one thing I can do, and that is to try my best to shoulder the concerns of those who want a stable life."

Looking at Qi Yan's youthful face, Catherine couldn't help but be moved.

At this moment, everyone present in the workshop couldn't help but look at Qi Yan with a hint of admiration.

Even though everyone was standing together, they felt they had to look up at Qi Yan's figure.

This gap did not stem from Qi Yan's strength, but merely from the radiance emanating from him at that moment—the radiance of an idealist.

“I accept your invitation.” For the first time, a relaxed smile appeared on Catherine’s face.

At this moment, she couldn't think of any reason to refuse Qi Yan.

Seeing Catherine agree, everyone couldn't help but smile with relief, and a light gradually appeared in their eyes—an expectation for the future that had been extinguished for a long time but was now shining again.

Qi Yan also showed a relieved smile, and holding Catherine's hand earnestly, he said:

"Let's talk about the cost of the nursing home now."

Fester: ? ?

The workers watching: ? ? ?

The doctor raised his hand and pulled his hood down so low that there wasn't a single gap, as if he were too ashamed to show his face.

Even the King of Carrion's breathing, which had been somewhat erratic, instantly froze.

He turned to the patriot beside him and asked in a low voice:

"Is Qi Yan serious?"

“He never lies,” Patriot replied affirmatively.

After answering the King of Carrion, Patriot strode over to Qi Yan's side.

He raised his hand and ruffled Qi Yan's hair, then said:

"Let me handle these things."

"You mean the planning for the expenses?" Qi Yan's eyes lit up. "Grandpa, you know about these things?"

Patriot chuckled, “The carrion eater understands. I can take care of the nursing home, maintaining order and the admission process. You don’t need to shoulder the entire burden.”

Although you always call me "Old Man," considering Wendigo's lifespan, I have a long future ahead of me. I'm not in a hurry to retire; consider this a way to keep myself busy.

"Of course I have no problem with it, whatever makes you happy, sir." Qi Yan readily agreed.

The King of Carrion raised his cane behind him, wanting to speak up and declare that although he had lived a long time, there were some things that one could not understand simply by living a long time.

Looking at the warm atmosphere between the old man and the young girl, he really couldn't bring himself to say something so jarring.

After all... I'm not Qi Yan.

The King of Carrion let out a deep, melancholy sigh.

Chapter 639 The Significance of Nursing Homes

The doctor avoided all eyes and quietly approached Fester, tugging at his clothes.

"I can't stand here for another second. Let's go to your grandma's room to find information." The doctor lowered his voice as much as possible. "I feel ashamed standing next to that white dog."

"Uh... ok."

Fester glanced at his grandmother, nodded, and turned to leave the scene with the doctor.

Qi Yan noticed the doctor's movements immediately, turned around and told Patriot, then followed him without being left out.

With Qi Yan gone, only Catherine and her group of workers remained in the workshop, facing the Patriot and the King of Carrion.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat oppressive again.

Even though these two Sarkaz hadn't shown any hostility since they appeared, their aura and status alone were enough to exert maximum pressure.

Catherine took a soft breath and chose to speak to Patriot, who was clearly closer to Qi Yan:

"Sir... how would you like to... uh, how much would you charge?"

Patriots were somewhat embarrassed.

Although he had experience in managing teams, those guerrilla fighters were all following him for their ideals, and no one mentioned any salary issues.

The Patriot decisively turned to look at the King of Carrion.

“…How about we just take a little money as a token gesture?” The King of Carrion said, then added, “After all, Sarkaz are generally very poor.”

Catherine: "..."

So we also benefited from the Sarkaz?

This discovery made Catherine's feelings even more complicated.

Patriot mentally imagined Qi Yan's reaction upon hearing the news, and couldn't help but feel a pang of pity:

"Actually, it is possible. Following Rhode Island's rules, people who cannot afford to pay can earn the right to live in a nursing home by working."

The nursing home's condition necessitates a large workforce to rebuild it.

“We are willing,” Catherine agreed immediately.

For the workers, if they were to receive such a huge benefit for no reason, these honest and hardworking workers would actually feel uneasy.

The workers around him nodded cautiously in agreement.

The Patriot nodded in satisfaction and said:

"You can pack your belongings first, or you can inform your relatives and friends of this news."

After saying that, he turned to look at the King of Carrion:

"You can also spread this message among the Sarkaz. I believe Theresis will actively assist you."

The King of Carrion stroked his beloved cane, calmly adding a touch of concern:

“I am very willing to offer this rare opportunity to the Sarkaz, but one thing is certain: whether we are Wendigos or Carrion Eaters, our infamy among the Sarkaz is second only to that of the Exorcists.”

“There’s no rush.” Patriot looked at Catherine and the workers. “Things will change eventually, just like they are now.”

When Catherine met Patriot's gaze, although her fear lingered, she wasn't so easily swayed by her emotions as to let her reason prevail.

"As Qi Yan said, he can only help us share the pressure and concerns from the outside world, but he cannot directly deliver the most ideal life to us."

Next, it's up to us to work hard; we can't stop yet.

Patriots' opinion of Catherine rose even higher:

"I understand now why Qi Yan chose you. You are a respectable and outstanding woman."

"White-haired dog, do you know what you're doing means to you?"

The doctor stood outside Catherine's room, not going in with Fester.

Qi Yan stayed by the doctor's side, casually grabbing his own tail and slowly grooming his fur:

"It means I can make money off everyone on this land."

The professor couldn't help but roll his eyes:

"This means you will become a thorn in the side of many people."

Think about it carefully: why are infected people discriminated against? Why is the Reunion Movement labeled a violent organization? It's because they represent something that certain people in power cannot control, something that is difficult to obey, and something that requires the sacrifice of their interests.

“But my nursing home is essentially no different from Rhodes Island, right?” Qi Yan said with a smile. “All the twists and turns that the nursing home will encounter in the future are things that Amiya will have to face. She can take this opportunity to learn some things in advance.”

"That's why Kal'tsit secretly managed Rhodes Island and always carefully controlled its size."

The doctor sighed at the smoothness of Qi Yan's cerebral cortex: "You've really gone too far. With your personality, you definitely can't stand being targeted by those forces. Do you really want to escalate the situation to the point where you're at war with all the nations of this land?"

Qi Yan plucked a black stray hair from his pure white tail and said nonchalantly:

“If it weren’t for the fear of angering Amiya or accidentally hurting some people, I think that thoroughly plowing this land would be the fastest way to bring about peace.”

PhD:"……"

"That's why I really don't like chatting with you violent people," the doctor grumbled, dissatisfied. "You start fighting and killing at the drop of a hat, but you also know that even if you become the scourge of the world, you can't eliminate the prejudice in people's hearts."

Your nursing home had an easy start, but once it reached a certain size, even you couldn't suppress the growing greed in people's hearts.

"But... what if human nature is inherently good?" Qi Yan countered.

Qi Yan loosened his tail and chuckled:

"I don't need to develop the nursing home into a large-scale operation. It's enough to let the people of this land know that such a place exists."

When people know that peace is possible, they will naturally try to apply this method to themselves.

"I'm not an old relic like Kal'tsit who's been beaten down by life for tens of thousands of years, nor am I an old silver coin like you who's always worrying about this and that."