Members of the Parent's Association filed through the Key Gate. Nangong Yuanyu and the other members of the Freemasons, along with Time Walker students from Whale Island Academy like Sun Chuci, stood on either side of the gate, handing them new shoes.
Over a hundred cargo trucks arrived, carrying supplies that had been prepared long ago.
The Parent's Association members discovered that as long as they reported their names in advance, the people receiving them could immediately produce properly sized shoes and clothing without taking any measurements at all.
Xiao Qi asked in confusion, "How did you know my shoe size?"
Nangong Yuanyu explained while keeping his head lowered over a tablet, compiling statistics. "Qin Shuli had already recorded it during your trek. You probably didn't know that he had been responsible for staying in contact with us. But this had to be kept secret from you, because once you passed through the Key Gate, a new life would be waiting for you. You had to complete these 7,600 kilometers without knowing that. And I don't mean straight-line distance. That's the distance of the winding route after modeling, including elevation changes."
The former top student of Luo No. 1 High School had also lost all traces of youthfulness from his face. All that remained was the hardiness of a soldier.
Nangong Yuanyu continued, "Qin Shuli was responsible for counting your numbers. He even had to record who had left, then make sure the supplies we handed out here were accurate enough."
Xiao Qi stood frozen in place. He suddenly realized that Qin Shuli had always known that this scene would happen as long as they made it past Jianmen Pass.
Qin Shuli knew they would meet comrades who came to welcome them. They would have food, water, new shoes, and