When lights appeared in the distance and the rumble of a convoy reached his ears, Xiao Ran's spirits lifted. He glanced at Sheryl, then toward the approaching vehicles, feeling inexplicably nervous and excited.
When the convoy stopped roughly thirty meters away, a squad of fully armed soldiers leaped from two troop carriers. Around two-thirds quickly spread out, while the rest hurried toward Xiao Ran and the others.
Nalo and Graham immediately moved behind Sheryl. One placed a hand inside his jacket, while the other rested a hand at his lower back, shielding Sheryl between them. Xiao Ran took a deep breath, stepped past the three of them, and stood at the front.
Under the lights, Xiao Ran spotted several familiar figures approaching briskly. Joy at their reunion appeared on his face. Once they stopped before him, he looked over them before finally settling his gaze on Mwu. He smiled faintly at the arrivals. "Everyone... it's been a long time."
Among them were Mwu, whom Xiao Ran had never forgotten; the cold-faced but warm-hearted Bargyll; and the seemingly perpetually lazy Mu.
"Yo, I thought you'd run off somewhere to enjoy yourself. Didn't expect you to come back at such a perfect time." Mu smiled and lightly punched Xiao Ran in the chest.
"Heh." Xiao Ran smiled as well. He was truly happy to see these friends again. The feeling of returning to familiar ground with such powerful strength at his back was genuinely wonderful.
Looking at Mwu, Xiao Ran's eyes held a trace of tenderness and nostalgia. He asked softly, "Mwu, have you been well?"
"Yes, I've been well." Mwu nodded gently and smiled at Xiao Ran. "I've been in Orb this whole time. Life has been fulfilling, and it feels meaningful too. I think I've found what I want to