As Leon's words fell, the atmosphere at the scene turned cold for a moment.
Colonel William narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Leon for half a minute. Seeing that the boy showed no fear as he met his gaze, the middle-aged colonel's expression softened slightly before he said:
"We're all homeless now, and we aren't opposed to joining another organization. But we know nothing about you. I can't rashly make a decision on behalf of my soldiers."
"Is Dr. Melpha still here? I hope I can speak with her."
Leon pondered for a few seconds before saying to Colonel William:
"We've cleared out a High-end Hotel outside the base. You and your soldiers can stay there temporarily. Once Dr. Melpha and I have confirmed the situation, you can enter the base alone and speak with her."
Colonel William nodded and said:
"No problem. We'll follow your rules."
After thinking for a moment, he added:
"There are more than forty survivors with us. We only helped them out of military principle. If you can persuade them to join your company, we won't object."
Leon gently shook his head, a faint, confident smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Let them observe for a few more days, just like you. They can look around more before making their decision."
At dusk, Leon invited Colonel William to dinner. Dr. Melpha and her husband, along with four professors from the Polytechnic Institute, joined them as well. This time, he did not host the banquet in his reception room, but moved it to the Public Cafeteria on the first floor.
Apart from banquets, Leon had only eaten at this cafeteria a few times. He ordered eight of the highest-grade set meals, complete with wine, meat, candy, and staple food. Each meal cost 50 Contribution Points, roughly equivalent to half a day's wages for an ordinary Logistics Department employee.
After the host and guests took their seats, Leon introduced everyone to one another in turn.
Then, with a smile on his face, he asked Dr. Melpha:
"Doctor, how are those students I assigned to you doing? They're all outstanding students from the biology department of the Polytechnic Institute."
Dr. Melpha still wore her usual stern expression. She said flatly:
"They're all right. They barely qualify to work here as interns and can serve as our assistants. But if we want them to truly become useful, they'll need at least five more years of training."
Leon smiled wryly and nodded.
"There's nothing we can do about that. There are too few survivors now, and finding talented people with specialized skills is even more difficult."
Dr. Melpha's expression softened slightly as she looked at Leon.
"You've worked very hard, Leon. I personally witnessed you build such a vibrant organization in just three months. It's practically a miracle."
After saying that, Dr. Melpha turned to Colonel William and spoke:
"Colonel William, I know why you're here. A few months ago, you followed your superiors' orders, took your soldiers away, and abandoned us. As a result, the staff of the entire research center either died or fled. Jenner and I nearly gave up our last hope as well."
"It was Mr. Castor who found us and took responsibility for everything, allowing our research to continue."
"In these past few months, he has saved more than several hundred people. I can stake my reputation on this: Mr. Castor is a trustworthy and good man."
Colonel William and Dr. Melpha looked at each other for several seconds before he nodded.
"I trust your judgment, Doctor."
Afterward, the people at the table began chatting. But apart from Leon and William, everyone there was a highly educated intellectual, and the conversation soon drifted into fields Leon could not understand at all.
Leon gave the equally bewildered Colonel William a wry smile, pulled a box of cigars from his pocket, and tossed it to him. He then leaned back in his chair and watched the people coming and going.
Most of those dining now were employees from the Logistics Department. Leon could tell that many of them looked familiar, but he could not remember the names of a large number of them.
They had finished a day's work, and traces of weariness still lingered on their faces. They had come here to eat with their families, and after chatting and joking around, they all revealed happy smiles.
Leon did not know whether they had many complaints in their hearts, but no matter what, he felt he had a clear conscience.
In one corner of the dining hall, Leon also spotted Shane and Rick's family. They were gathered around a dining table, faint smiles on their faces as they shared a roast chicken.
He had not seen this family for the past few days. He did not know how things had gone between Rick and Shane, but seeing how happy they looked now, things seemed to be developing in a positive direction.
They chatted until dinner was over, then everyone said goodbye and returned to their rooms. Before taking his leave, Colonel William said to Leon:
"Three days from now, I'll ask the soldiers for their opinions. Regardless of whether they're willing to stay, I will stay."
Early the next morning, after waking up, Leon discovered that he did not have much official business to handle. As it happened, several students from the Engineering Department who had been assigned to Hershel's farm were leaving that morning.
After thinking for a moment, he pinched Amy's little nose as she slept on his chest. Once the girl woke up, Leon asked softly:
"Beautiful lady, you've been cooped up here for a while, haven't you? Why don't you come with me to play near the farm today? We can ride horses, enjoy the breeze, and have some rustic country food."
The girl wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her soft body against him. She hummed in response, which counted as agreeing.
Hershel's farm was not very far from the base, roughly sixty kilometers away. Around ten in the morning, Leon drove his modified military jeep to the destination. Five students who had come to learn agricultural knowledge arrived with him.
When Leon helped Amy, dressed in a white dress, out of the vehicle, he saw an old man with white hair and beard waiting not far from the road with two young girls.
A few seconds later, a car sped over. Glenn hurriedly got out and said apologetically to Leon:
"Sorry, boss. We went to explore another town yesterday. We received your message this morning, but we were still a little late."
Leon smiled and patted Glenn on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. Do you really think I'm the kind of person who holds grudges over every little thing?"
"Come on. We can talk about it later. Don't keep our host waiting too long."
With that, he took Amy's hand and walked toward Hershel's family with a warm smile.
When the two groups drew closer, the stern old man with graying hair and beard smiled and said:
"Welcome, Mr. Castor. You're a long way from home. I've prepared a sumptuous lunch. Please join us."
"It is my honor, Mr. Hershel. I happened to bring my friend along to your farm because I wanted to experience true country life."
Leon reached out and shook Hershel's hand. The smile on his face grew warmer. With his handsome appearance, excellent bearing, and sunny, heartwarming smile, it was easy for him to win their favor.
"There's no need to be so polite. It's been a long time since our farm has had so many guests."
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