Arknights? Yesterday's Arknights!!

"Yes, I specially got you the Water of Life, Uncle. I'll just drink beer."

He put the food aside, opened some drinks for the two people, then set out the barbecue and sprinkled on the seasonings.

After eating for a while, we chatted about some things.

Late at night.

"Uncle, may I borrow your daughter for a bit? I promise I'll return her to you before I go to sleep."

Anxin had promised Alina that she would try to persuade Froststar, and naturally she couldn't go back on her word.

"Go ahead." Patriot had long known Yelena's thoughts; a daughter is meant to stay at home, so it was better to let her go.

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P.S. Thanks to Dreamwing32, Bookgut80821788475, Nanomachines! Commander, bvvdPegasus, Lifelong Venti Single-Pusher, Biscuit Come Hit Me, Yi Xiaomo, and Cloudwing's Blade.

It seems someone wanted the cover, so I've included it here as well.

Chapter Forty-Nine: The Night Fades

Yelena didn't know why An Xin was looking for her, but she still went out with him.

As soon as she stepped outside, it was still a bit chilly at night. An Xin wrapped her coat tighter and breathed a sigh of relief.

Tian Duan City has streetlights, but no one is willing to turn them on. The city needs Pure Originium to function, and the Reunion Movement still lacks this resource.

They used oil lamps instead, placing them in a small transparent box for lighting. Each patrol team carried torches to avoid accidental injury.

This resulted in the nights in Tian Duan City being no different from before. The two of them strolled through the city, using the moonlight as a guide.

"What do you want?" Yelena didn't understand why An Xin was suddenly looking for her.

"White Rabbit".

"Well, I'm here."

“I’ve heard something.” Anxin paused, meeting Yelena’s gaze. “The Reunion Movement has given you a new nickname, did you know that?”

"I don't know."

"They refer to you and Big Daddy together, one as the shield of the infected, and the other as the halberd of the Reunion Movement."

An Xin pursed his lips, his eyes filled with confusion. He understood what Alina meant. She might not listen to others' advice, but if it were him, she might listen.

But what right did he have to care about Yelena? They were just friends, comrades.

An Xin paused for a moment, then looked up. "Don't push yourself so hard, White Rabbit."

"Oh."

"I hope to see the day we succeed. I hope that on that day, you will be standing by my side, instead of treating yourself like this, wasting your body into an empty shell."

An Xin stood beside her, saying, "Without you, the Yeti Squad wouldn't be a special forces team. Even for their sake, you should live on."

I don't want you to die.

As he said this, the blond youth met her gaze, and the sadness emanating from his heart startled Yelena, who quickly turned her head away.

Is this all you wanted to say?

"Ah."

"Say it again."

"what?"

“I’m asking you, all those reasons don’t matter, what matters is what you think. Repeat the last sentence to me.”

Yelena stopped in her tracks, the wind blowing through her hair, her long white hair dancing in the air.

An Xin nodded. "You can say it as many times as you want. I don't want you to die. I want you to live. On the day of victory, we can share the joy together. You will stand by my side, and we will watch the fire of the Reunion Movement burn the old Ursus to ashes. This red color will become a flag on the land."

In just a moment, he felt his cheek touch two cold lips.

Separate immediately upon contact, without any lingering attachment.

An Xin didn't even have time to fully experience it before Yelena broke up with him.

She tiptoed, kissed him, turned back and smiled, her eyes full of joy.

"Based on what you just said, I'm willing to wait for you, whether it's a year or ten years, whether we win or lose, you will eventually go to see that girl, until you make up your mind."

Don't forget, there's someone waiting for you here.

“Yelena…” An Xin touched her cheek that had just been kissed, her expression complicated.

He had no reason to lie to himself anymore.

He had no chance to avoid the feelings that Yelena, Talulah, and Alina had for him.

"This is my first kiss," Yelena said with a smile, moonlight reflecting on her face and cascading over her dress.

The girl blooms alone in the cold silence, wandering between the independent stages of black and white, chanting the incantation of a dark fairy tale. She is the spear of the Reunion Movement, the princess of the Yeti, and Anxin's white rabbit.

Many years later, this scene was still firmly etched in An Xin's memory, like a brightly colored photograph. Time not only failed to wash away the colors, but instead made them appear even more vibrant.

What An Xin didn't know was that the look of bewilderment in his eyes under the moonlight, the shock in his pupils, and the way he touched his cheek, was something Yelena would remember for a lifetime.

The rest of their journey was a little lonely, but neither of them felt it.

If it weren't for her health issues, Yelena would have already taken his hand by now.

On the way back, An Xin pulled her to a stop under an oil lamp.

"Put your arms out."

"Ugh?"

Yelena was taken aback, but she did as An Xin said and extended her left hand.

A syringe pierced her skin, and before she could react, the entire syringe was injected.

She trusted An Xin, of course, and believed that he wouldn't do anything to harm her.

"This is?"

"An inhibitor will at least temporarily manage your Oripathy. Also, stop using the Oripathy in your body. I'll find a way to get you a staff."

An Xin was really worried that she might die suddenly in battle due to overuse of Originium Arts.

"Where...did you get this inhibitor?" Yelena was as surprised as if she had seen a husky wreck your house, because this stuff is very rare in Ursus.

"Never mind that, just this one shot."

Anxin felt a little regretful; she should have left all the inhibitors she brought with her to Yelena.

She bit her lip and said, "Thank you."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" An Xin looked up, the warm raindrops hitting her face.

It's raining.

The two could only return to the campfire. Patriot looked at his daughter and ultimately said nothing.

Time passed again, and finally a whole year had come. Today is over, and this game can end now.

An Xin sighed and took one last time to organize the prepared plan and copy.

He had to hand these over to Talulah personally; if he couldn't stay tomorrow, these things would be his final gift to the Reunion Movement.

Please accept this, Talulah. This is my final gift.

Saying things like that feels a bit strange, it makes people think there's something amiss, so let's just leave it to Talulah.

He carried the document, followed the path, found Talulah, and tossed it to her.

“This is…” She stared at the notebook in her hand, a thick stack, like a book.

"have a look."

“Yes, I will definitely watch it.” Talulah nodded firmly.

An Xin's smile carried an indescribable feeling, a mix of reluctance, unwillingness, and a touch of relief.

"Then I'll go."

"Don't leave."

She grabbed An Xin's wrist and held him back without much force.

Miss Red Dragon rarely showed a frightened expression. She bit her lip lightly, her eyebrows involuntarily raised, and her eyes seemed to speak volumes, pleading with An Xin to stay.

The air was filled with the pleasant scent of ink, and sunlight streamed in through the window, making her long, curled eyelashes shine through, revealing her exquisite beauty and charm.

"I always feel that if I let go, I will lose you. Don't go, stay with me for a while."

The two were separated by a table. She walked behind An Xin and leaned against his back.

Chapter Fifty: Staying or Leaving