One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

A few days later, at the headquarters of Nadutong Company, on a basement floor, in a highly confidential medical and isolation observation area.

Nie Lingfeng's back wound has been thoroughly treated and bandaged. Although it's still painful, it's no longer a major concern. His formidable physique and the regenerative power granted by his Qilin bloodline are taking effect. Wang Ye's internal injuries have also been brought under control, and he is currently resting. Chen Duo awoke after a day in a coma. Her body is fine, but she is severely overexerted and needs recuperation. Most surprisingly, Xiao Yun's condition is as follows: after a thorough examination, aside from some malnutrition, all her physical indicators are completely normal, even healthier and more energetic than other children her age! Moreover, no abnormal energy fluctuations can be detected within her, nor are there any signs of modification or contamination. She seems like an ordinary human little girl. Only her unique golden-red eyes, silver hair, and the feather pendant around her neck—which defies current scientific explanation but contains gentle life energy—hint at her extraordinary nature.

At this moment, Nie Lingfeng had just come out of Chairman Zhao Fangxu's office. He was still wrapped in bandages, and his face was somewhat pale, but his eyes were bright and determined. In his hand, he held a newly signed document that still carried the warmth of the printer, and a barely perceptible, relieved smile played on his lips.

Recalling the "confrontation" in the office just now, Nie Lingfeng still felt a little tired, but the result was good.

He gave Chairman Zhao a detailed account of his entire trip to Southeast Asia—from following clues to infiltrating the laboratory, discovering the truth about the "Holy Blood" project, encountering the black-robed "messenger" and the "Seraph" experimental subject, the fierce battle, the laboratory explosion, Xiaoyun's "rebirth" and reappearance, and their final escape. Of course, he held back some details about Xiaoyun's abilities and specific origins, only saying that she might be an "accidental product" of the experiment, had lost her memory, but seemed to have a special dependence on him and Chen Duo, and that initial observations showed she was harmless.

After listening to the report, Chairman Zhao remained silent for a long time, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the large solid wood desk, a thoughtful glint in his cunning eyes. Clearly, the "Parliament" and the "Holy Blood" plan implicated in this incident far exceeded previous estimates, and were extremely serious in nature.

"Nie Lingfeng, you did a great job on this mission. Although the process was dangerous and the losses were considerable, you at least destroyed one of their important strongholds, obtained crucial intelligence, and brought back an important... 'sample'." Chairman Zhao spoke slowly, his voice steady. "The company will remember your, Wang Ye's, and Chen Duo's contributions, and the corresponding rewards and compensation will be substantial. Now, tell me your plans. What about that little girl... Xiaoyun? What are you going to do with her?"

Nie Lingfeng took a deep breath, looked directly into Chairman Zhao's eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Chairman Zhao, Chen Duo and I would like to apply for a three-month leave to take care of and observe Xiaoyun. Her situation is special, and her background is sensitive. I don't trust anyone else with her. Moreover, we suffered heavy losses on this mission and need time to recover and process what we've learned."

"Three months?" Chairman Zhao raised an eyebrow, picked up the purple clay teacup on the table, and slowly took a sip. "Too long. The company is short-staffed right now, especially top performers like you. At most... seven days."

"Seven days isn't enough!" Nie Lingfeng immediately retorted. "Chairman Zhao, Xiaoyun's identity must be kept secret. We need time to assess her stability and potential impact. Chen Duo and I also need to fully recover. Two months!"

"Half a month. That's the bottom line." Chairman Zhao put down his teacup, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"One and a half months! Chairman Zhao, Xiaoyun has a special trust and dependence on me and Chen Duo. Forcibly separating us could lead to unpredictable consequences. Moreover, we need time to figure out if there are any hidden dangers surrounding her, and what the possible follow-up actions of that 'Council' might take. One and a half months, that's the minimum requirement!" Nie Lingfeng argued forcefully, refusing to budge an inch. He knew that in this matter, there was no room for compromise; retreating might mean retreating step by step.

The atmosphere in the office became tense for a moment. Chairman Zhao narrowed his eyes, sizing up the scarred yet determined young man before him. He knew Nie Lingfeng's temperament and was also aware of the special nature and potential value of Xiaoyun, this "unexpected product" (whether for research or as an emotional bond). Allowing someone of unknown origin, whose past was that of a dangerous experimental subject, to remain outside was indeed risky, but entrusting her to Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo, the two "participants," was perhaps the safest option at present. Moreover, they had indeed made a great contribution to this mission, but at a heavy price.

"...Okay." Chairman Zhao finally relented, tapping the table with his finger. "A month and a half vacation is fine. But there are a few conditions."

"Please speak." Nie Lingfeng's spirits lifted.

"First, during the holiday, you and Chen Duo must maintain constant communication and report Xiaoyun's situation and your whereabouts to headquarters regularly (weekly). Second, Xiaoyun's guardianship is temporarily yours, but the company retains supreme authority. If any dangerous or unstable factors are discovered, the company has the right to intervene immediately and take necessary measures. Third, this holiday is for you to recover and observe, not for you to take a complete break! Be vigilant at all times and be wary of possible retaliation or investigation from the 'Council.' Fourth," Chairman Zhao paused, his gaze sharpening, "in a month and a half, regardless of the situation, you must return to the team on time. The company has a new mission, which may be related to the aftermath of this incident."

Nie Lingfeng nodded without hesitation: "No problem, Chairman Zhao. We accept all these conditions."

Thus, he came to have this document in his hand—a temporary guardianship agreement for a special individual named "Xiaoyun," along with an approval letter for a paid leave of one and a half months for him and Chen Duo.

……

In the rest room of the quarantine observation area.

Chen Duo was able to get out of bed and walk around, though her face was still a little pale. She sat quietly on the sofa, holding an apple in her hand, slowly and carefully nibbling on it. Xiao Yun, like a clingy kitten, sat close to her, her little head resting on Chen Duo's arm, one little hand tightly clutching the hem of Chen Duo's clothes, while the other curiously played with the ends of Chen Duo's hair. Her big eyes watched Chen Duo eat without blinking, occasionally swallowing a mouthful of saliva, looking incredibly cute.

Wang Ye slumped on another sofa, holding a game console in his hand, his fingers clicking away, but his eyes kept glancing at Chen Duo and Xiao Yun, a smile of anticipation on his face.

Nie Lingfeng pushed open the door and walked in, waving the documents in his hand with a relaxed smile on his face: "It's all settled. We've also obtained temporary guardianship of Xiaoyun for a month and a half's vacation."

"Hey, pretty efficient, Lao Nie!" Wang Ye put down his game console, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Looks like Chairman Zhao is quite easy to talk to! He didn't give you much trouble?"

"There were quite a few conditions, but I finally agreed." Nie Lingfeng sat down next to Chen Duo, habitually reaching out to ruffle Xiaoyun's hair, but then hesitated, instead gently patting her shoulder. Xiaoyun immediately turned to him, giving him a sweet, unreserved smile, and called out in a clear voice, "Papa!"

Nie Lingfeng stiffened again, his lips twitching slightly, but a strange softness welled up inside him. He coughed and changed the subject, "Chen Duo, how are you feeling? What did the doctor say?"

Chen Duo nodded gently, her voice still a little weak but clear: "Much better, my strength is slowly returning. Xiaoyun... she's very good." She looked down at Xiaoyun nestled beside her, a rare tenderness appearing in her emerald eyes. She could clearly feel that this little girl possessed a warm and pure aura shared with her, making her involuntarily want to be close to her and protect her.

"That's good." Nie Lingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Wang Ye, "Old Wang, what about you? When are you going back to your Wudang Mountain?"

"Hey! You're kicking me to the curb after you've served your purpose, aren't you?" Wang Ye immediately sat up straight, looking heartbroken. "I almost lost my life for you guys, my ribs still hurt! And you're just kicking me out like this? You have no conscience! (；′⌒`)

"Don't give me that," Nie Lingfeng said irritably. "You're from the North China region, you still have to go back and submit your mission report, don't try to freeload off me. Besides, you seem quite energetic, your hand speed in games is pretty fast."

"I'm just balancing work and rest! I'm exhausted, don't you understand?" Wang Ye rolled his eyes, then slumped back down, lazily saying, "Alright, alright, I know you three are going on a sweet vacation, I'll leave now and won't bother you. But Old Nie, to be honest," he was unusually serious, looking at Nie Lingfeng, then at Chen Duo and Xiao Yun, "a month and a half, that's not a short time. With such a... 'special' little one, you'll have to be extra careful. It's not even certain if that black-robed monster is truly dead, the council definitely won't let it go. If anything happens, contact me anytime. I may be poor, but I'm always ready to help in a fight."

"I know, thanks." Nie Lingfeng nodded, feeling a warmth in his heart. Wang Ye, although usually carefree and cheeky, is absolutely reliable when it matters.

"Let's go, let's go. Staying any longer would really make me a third wheel." Wang Ye waved his hand, struggled to get up from the sofa, and limped towards the door. When he reached the door, he turned back, winked at Xiaoyun, and said, "Xiaoyun, be a good girl and listen to your 'Mommy and Daddy'! Next time Uncle comes to see you, he'll bring you candy! (￣▽￣)／"

Xiaoyun tilted her head, looked at Wang Ye, then at Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo, seemingly not quite understanding the meaning of "Dad and Mom," but still nodded obediently and said softly, "Uncle... Uncle... Goodbye... Tangtang..."

"Hey! Good boy!" Wang Ye grinned from ear to ear, waved his hand, turned and left with a flourish, closing the door behind him.

In the lounge, only Nie Lingfeng, Chen Duo, and Xiao Yun, who blinked her big eyes, looked at Nie Lingfeng, then at Chen Duo, and finally stretched out her two little arms, one around Nie Lingfeng's neck and the other around Chen Duo's arm, hanging herself between the two of them, letting out a satisfied giggle.

Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes, but more than that, a peculiar, warm peace.

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

A month and a half vacation, a mysterious "daughter," a future full of unknowns and possibilities... it all seems to have begun so hastily yet naturally.