CHAPTER 671: CHAPTER 615: GRAND FINALE (PART FIVE)

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Qiao Qingyu’s mind.

He Xiuyu then stood by her side, his gaze exceedingly complex, yet also tinged with strands of concern.

As their eyes met, He Xiuyu gave Qiao Qingyu a slight nod before stepping forward, turning his back to her and opening his palm. Qiao Qingyu was dumbstruck!

Lying there, in the palm of He Xiuyu’s hand, was the Space Device.

That very same Space Device in the shape of the initial plant seed, which was also what Qiao Qingyu had seen in the last image...

Qiao Qingyu looked up at He Xiuyu, her mouth opening and closing, wanting to say something, but He Xiuyu spoke softly, "We’ll talk about it later."

Qiao Qingyu had to close her mouth, glancing around. Indeed, now was not the time to discuss such matters. Lu Ye had followed onto the helicopter, and He Xiuyu stayed behind to arrange the aftermath with a few other people.

It was only then that Qiao Qingyu had the chance to examine the Energy Stones at the bottom of the pit.

Why did they just look like ordinary stones?

Qiao Qingyu moved her fingers slightly. At this moment, her fingers no longer felt the burning sensation, nor would they be as hot as a red-hot branding iron.

Everything was normal, just like any other day.

The mole on her index finger was slightly lighter in color. The next moment, Qiao Qingyu couldn’t help but be startled again, but her expression remained very calm. She had become much more serene, as the successive shocks had made her heart instantly stronger.

At that moment, she saw her own Seed Laboratory, the exterior of the Space Device, and a bright, endless array of Energy Stones composing the operating source.

To her, the Space Device seemed to have become a part of her thoughts.

As long as she wanted to, she could see it, rather than needing to press the mole.

So, all of this must be related to the Space Device in He Xiuyu’s hand.

What was strange, however, was why there was no repellence between the two identical Space Devices?

There were just too many questions in her mind.

But Qiao Qingyu still suppressed them.

Originally, the Energy Mine, believed to be rich in energy, was now gone, just ordinary stones. The soil might have caused a collapse, so everyone had retreated to a safe place, but they would still send a survey team to have a look.

The helicopter had already flown away, and as the sky gradually darkened, everyone began to pack up their things. With heavy hearts, they got into the cars and slowly drove toward Xichuan.

Since He Xiuyu and Qiao Qingyu were driving separate cars, they hadn’t managed to talk along the way.

Moreover, He Xiuyu had to go to the hospital, so Qiao Qingyu went home first.

Chaoxuan was sleeping at Zhao’s house, and it was past ten o’clock at night by the time Qiao Qingyu got home. Not wanting to disturb the child, she picked up her phone and called He Xiuyu to let him know she had arrived safely.

He Xiuyu was at the hospital.

Qiao Qingyu told him she had made it home and that the children were at Zhao’s house. He Xiuyu was reassured and said in a soft voice, "We have already informed the Chen Family parents, they will be here tomorrow morning. I’ll return to the base tomorrow morning..."

The remaining matters were left to Lu Ye to handle; He Xiuyu’s work was simply too busy to stay here.

But he had to wait for Tianliang’s parents to come before he could leave.

Qingyu’s voice was also low, "Okay, then you go ahead with your work, I’m fine here, let’s talk about everything once we’re back home."

Even though talking on the phone was very safe, what Qingyu had gone through, and what Xiu Yu was likely to have experienced too, was still best not discussed over the phone.

Nightfall swiftly enveloped the land. During the day, the sun had shone brilliantly against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds, but by the evening, dense clouds had gathered, and the moon had hidden itself behind them. Apart from the faint halo of yellow emitted by streetlights, the entirety of the land was plunged into boundless darkness.

Mr. Qian didn’t know that something had happened to Tianliang; he had a dream.

It was as though he had returned to more than a decade ago.

Loudspeakers from the commune were broadcasting a stirring and impassioned song.

He recalled that there were no more communes, and certainly no big loudspeakers.

Nowadays, any announcements were made through phone calls or messages, and these low cottages, thatched houses, and cave dwellings, this desolate scenery, it wasn’t Xiaxi Town, was it?

So was he dreaming?

Dreaming of a time many years ago?

Then what year was this? Before Mr. Qian could figure it out, an impatient woman’s voice said, "Why are you standing there with your toothbrush not brushing your teeth?"

Mr. Qian looked beside him and, to his surprise, saw his spouse, much younger by many years, with hair that was still jet-black—not like it turned gray later on—then dyed and permed like someone trendy would do. Yet now, it was simply pulled back into a bun.

But why so thin?

Mr. Qian knew he was dreaming, and he thought that even in a dream, he should brush his teeth, so with muffled agreement, he quickly brushed his teeth and began washing his face.

Before he could finish washing up, a young and joyous voice came from the doorway, "Vice Director Qian, I’m back."

Mr. Qian looked up sharply, his face turning ashen. This bastard—wasn’t this Tianliang, who had tricked his daughter?

Later, the bastard had shamelessly stayed in Xichuan, stayed in Yushu County. He had always hated him and would never approach him, no matter the reason. Mr. Qian didn’t want to deal with him, let alone see him in a dream.

He picked up the carrying pole beside him and roared, "You damn bastard, get out!"

Young Tianliang wasn’t angry at all and still wore a smile, "Vice Director Qian, I came to tell you, I’m not leaving. I’m going to settle down here. In a few days, I’ll come to propose. I like Xinghua, and I’ll treat her well for my whole life. I’ll also be filial to you, the elder ones."

Perhaps it was too exciting, Tianliang’s words were a bit disjointed, but his young face was brimming with a smile, seemingly full of longing for a new life.

And without realizing it, Mr. Qian put down the carrying pole.

It was very upsetting, even though it was a dream, even though these were the words from Tianliang he had secretly longed to hear a long time ago. But it was still a dream. Words spoken in a dream were false, visions he had covertly wished for during the day. Mr. Qian’s tears fell as he waved, "Go on, I don’t want to see you, I won’t blame you anymore."

Tianliang was visibly taken aback, not understanding why Vice Director Qian would say such things to him.

Mr. Qian didn’t want to see Tianliang in his dream. After putting down the pole, he turned around, intending to go back into the house for breakfast, but suddenly, he was frozen rigid in place.

A young girl walked out from the doorway, with arched eyebrows, bright almond-shaped eyes, a high nose bridge, and a shy smile on her face, sporting two lustrous black braids.

On the braids were two red hair ties he had bought for her in the city.

This was Xinghua, his daughter Xinghua, the daughter he loved and cherished the most.