RITAAB 91.2

PART 2

So when a new mutated beast-human hybrid team appeared, their family was excited. Yuan Qingning was just the right age, beautiful, with excellent manners and upbringing.

Attracting a young man shouldn’t be a problem.

But after some inquiries, they found that the team’s captain, Lin Lou, was already married, with a wife and son. The other man, although he didn’t have a wife, had a daughter.

The remaining member was unmarried, but a woman, and she had a younger brother.

Now, the best choice for Yuan Qingning was actually Song Wennan. Although he had a daughter, the absence of a wife made him an easier target. Of course, he wasn’t a young man, so pursuing him wouldn’t be too easy.

However, compared to other options, pursuing Song Wennan was the simplest.

Yuan Qingning, “Hmph, that Song Wennan, if he weren’t a mutated beast-human hybrid, I wouldn’t even spare him a glance. A man like him, in the past, would have been like a pebble on the roadside to me, too many to count.”

After she finished, she sighed. Honestly, she didn’t want this, but there was no other way. Mutated beast-human hybrids were the most worthy of her. As for his daughter, such a small child, once they were married and Song Wennan got busy, she could quietly get rid of her, couldn’t she?

But this still depended on how infatuated Song Wennan became with her. She was staking her beauty on this, was there anything she couldn’t accomplish?

After returning home, Yuan Qingning and her brother casually tossed the food into the kitchen. Yuan Zhuo and Jiang Meng were sitting in the spacious living room, maintaining their elegant posture even in casual relaxation.

Yuan Zhuo asked, “So, how is it? Are you prepared? It’s hard to pinpoint his schedule, but he generally leaves and goes to the cafeteria at relatively fixed times, as well as returning home.”

Jiang Meng addressed Yuan Qingning, “You saw Song Wennan from afar before, right? You thought he was alright, yes?”

Although he was married with a child, he was the only viable option. They were truly desperate.

Yuan Qingning replied, “Mom, I saw him before. He’s so-so, not unacceptable.”

Jiang Meng said, “Since you have no objections, then leave the rest to yourself. I have a feeling there’s nothing my daughter can’t achieve.”

Yuan Qingning smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Mom.”

Then Yuan Zhuo said, “Did you bring the things back? Let’s cook.”

Who would cook? Of course, the women. Jiang Meng stood up and went to the kitchen with Yuan Qingning. Seeing the meager amount of food, they both showed expressions of disdain. “Truly stingy.”

Yuan Qingning said, “Mom, don’t worry. We still have plenty of other food.”

Scattered on the kitchen floor against the wall were various items, mostly rice and flour, as well as the food rations they received for working in the fields.

These were all gifts Yuan Qingning had received recently, allowing them to live relatively comfortably. Although the variety wasn’t great, they weren’t starving like they had been before.

Jiang Meng’s gaze fell upon the half-sack of rice by the door. There were over twenty pounds of rice, a considerable amount. She was somewhat worried because the person who had given them the rice was a beast-human hybrid.

Although only an ordinary beast-human hybrid, his beast form was a wolf – an ordinary wolf, but still someone they couldn’t afford to offend. If he were to cause trouble, they likely wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Jiang Meng asked, “Qingning, have you figured out what to do about that ordinary half-beast-human hybrid?”

Yuan Qingning immediately thought of the shy and honest man. He seemed naive and easy to deceive. When he spoke to her, he would shyly turn his head, blushing and scratching his hair. He had carried the half-sack of rice on his back.

Recalling that image, Yuan Qingning couldn’t help but show a look of disgust. “It’s fine. He was the one who wanted to give it to me. I didn’t actively seek him out, nor did I ask him for anything.”

“He brought it upon himself. Even if I reject him in the end, he can’t blame me. After all, it’s his own wishful thinking.”

“He gave it to me, so it’s mine. It’s all free anyway. What’s wrong, Mom? You’ve met him too. Isn’t that kind of person the easiest to deal with? Don’t worry.”

Jiang Meng thought about it and agreed. She was usually a good judge of character. That ordinary beast-human hybrid was indeed honest and simple, a good man for ordinary women, no doubt.

But for them, he wasn’t a good man at all. He was a lower-class person, ordinary-looking, with an honest and simple personality, a hardworking man who only knew how to keep his head down.

He was merely a stepping stone for them to get through these difficult times. Once the Yuan family regained their footing, everyone who had ever wronged them would pay the price!

Just like before, they would definitely not let the Qin family and Liu Zhongyuan off the hook. Of course, especially Qin Jiuzhen, he would receive special attention in the future.

However, they also needed to be careful with Xia Liansheng. After all, Xia Liansheng was so fond of Qin Jiuzhen. If they truly angered a mutated beast-human hybrid, they definitely wouldn’t have a good life.

Having been in Modu for so long, they had come to realize how powerful mutated beast-human hybrids truly were, capable of things beyond human capability.

Yuan Qingning said, “I’m so envious. I also want to become a mutated beast-human hybrid, even an ordinary one. At least I could live a good life.”

Jiang Meng replied, “Silly child, what’s good about being an ordinary beast-human hybrid? Their beast forms are very common. Against those half-beast-human hybrids and animals outside, the chances of death or injury are high!”

“Could someone like you fight on the front lines against those animals and half-beast-human hybrids? Either become a mutated beast-human hybrid or find one to protect you.”

Yuan Qingning thought about it and agreed. “Right, right, I don’t want to be an ordinary beast-human hybrid. But if the beast form could fly, there wouldn’t be such concerns.”

Recently, the Yuan and Qin families had been spreading rumors to discredit Qin Jiulin and Liu Zhongyuan. While it had some effect, everyone soon shut up.

After all, they were two mutated beast-human hybrids, and they had received warnings from the military. Soon, both families ceased their efforts.

Now, they were brewing new, malicious schemes.

Meanwhile, Qin Jiulin and Liu Zhongyuan, taking advantage of the remaining time, made three more trips to the military base. Although the amount of ammunition they transported was insignificant compared to the base’s total stockpile, it was more than enough to supply them through the winter.

As time passed, the weather gradually turned colder. Qin Jiulin checked the temperature for the day.

“The lowest temperature today has dropped to 18 degrees. It’s estimated that winter will arrive in about half a month.”

Liu Zhongyuan asked, “Half a month, is that enough time?”

Qin Jiulin replied, “For some reason, most of the half-beast-human hybrids north of Modu have started moving to the outskirts. From our observations, it seems like they’re going to hunt animals in the wild.”

Liu Zhongyuan asked, “How many half-beast-human hybrids are left?”

Qin Jiulin, “Didn’t Captain Gao say before? In total, there are about three million. As long as we hurry, there’s still hope of taking over all of Modu before winter completely arrives.”

Liu Zhongyuan, “Then let’s step up our efforts during this time. The sooner we take Modu, the sooner we can rest.”

During this period, apart from resting and eating, they dedicated all their remaining time to clearing out the half-beast-human hybrids. Captain Gao was likely getting anxious, after all, winter was coming.

Recently, even Qi Yue and Duan Shuangshuang’s missions had become much heavier. Originally, Qi Yue was the only flying beast-human hybrid with offensive capabilities, but now there was Duan Shuangshuang as well.

Logically, Qi Yue’s workload should have been reduced, but recently, it hadn’t eased up at all; instead, it had become increasingly tiring. Every time Qi Yue returned, he had minor injuries.

The birds flying in the Modu sky would attack them. Initially, they didn’t dare to approach, but as time went on and the number of birds increased, they dared to engage directly.

Duan Shuangshuang also had many small wounds, fortunately, only scratches and minor pecks, nothing serious. They should have healed within two or three days of rest.

But they had to go out on missions every day, so before the small wounds could fully heal, new ones would appear, continuing up until now…

Liu Zhongyuan and Qin Jiulin glanced back and saw Qi Yue sulking on the sofa.

Qi Yue said, “Brother Qin, Brother Liu, are you making fun of me?”

The exposed parts of Qi Yue’s body – his face, neck, hands, wrists, and even his feet – were covered in small cuts and scratches. At first glance, it looked as though he was draped in a fishing net!

Qin Jiulin said, “No, how could we? These wounds are your medals!”

Qi Yue looked at him with suspicion. “Really?”

Qin Jiulin nodded seriously. “Yes, think about how you got these wounds. They’re all from carrying out the mission to reclaim Modu, from protecting other beast-human hybrids.”

Liu Zhongyuan added, not to be outdone, “These are your medals, proof of your strength, a symbol of your growth.”

Qi Yue’s confidence swelled from their praise. The unhappiness he felt earlier vanished, replaced by joy. He couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

Qin Jiulin looked at the sky outside. “Alright, go get some rest. You have a mission tomorrow.”

Embarrassed by the praise, Qi Yue quickly returned to his room.

Liu Zhongyuan said, “Our mission is also very heavy…”

Qin Jiulin replied, “There’s no helping it. This is a race against time. If it weren’t for the large number of half-beast-human hybrids who left, there would definitely be more than three million now, possibly even six million.”

Liu Zhongyuan, “And the ones who left were the strongest. The half-beast-human hybrids still wandering around Modu are mostly ordinary, with less noticeable beast-human traits. A small portion only have beast-human traits on one leg, one arm, or small patches on their bodies.”