Pressure

"Ying'er, if Cheng Jin really caused the beast tide, what was his purpose in doing so? If it was merely to win your favor, that would be far too dangerous. Once a Rat Tide broke out, even a War God-level powerhouse would not be confident of escaping easily!" Zhang Yi voiced the doubt in his heart.

Zheng Ru could not help nodding and added, "There's another question. According to what you said, Ying'er, before you lost consciousness, you, Cheng Jin, and the Sabertooth Tiger Squad were all in the same building. Then why did the Invincible War God who saved us only rescue you, instead of Cheng Jin and the Sabertooth Tiger Squad?"

At Zhang Yi and Zheng Ru's words,

Zhou Ying'er froze. Shen Hong, Li Min, and Cao Yingchun also frowned.

Indeed.

There were real issues with both of those questions.

"Perhaps that Invincible War God knew Cheng Jin and the Sabertooth Tiger Squad had caused the beast tide, so he did not save them and simply let them be swallowed by the Rat Tide," Cao Yingchun said after thinking it over. "As for Cheng Jin's purpose, I haven't figured it out yet. But one thing is certain: he was definitely targeting Ying'er."

Shen Hong nodded. "Brother Cao's words make some sense... But what we should be considering now is not Cheng Jin's motive, but the consequences this matter will bring."

As soon as she said that,

everyone's expressions turned grave once more.

Though the Rose Squad had some reputation in Mingyue Residential Area, they were utterly insignificant before the Cheng Family, one of the twelve conglomerates.

Even if the military discovered that the Cheng Family had caused the beast tide, the matter might ultimately be swept under the rug. Meanwhile, there was an eighty-percent chance that the Rose Squad would be targeted by the Cheng Family.

"I'm sorry..." Zhou Ying'er apologized again, but Shen Hong cut her off as soon as she spoke. "Ying'er, remember who you are. If you do this again, don't blame me for refusing to acknowledge you as my sister!"

Zhou Ying'er was deeply moved. Faced with the immense pressure of the Cheng Family, she had not expected Sister Shen to still recognize her as part of the Rose Squad.

Zhang Yi snorted. "What's there to fear? We'll deal with soldiers as they come and block water with earth as it rises. The Cheng Family has deep foundations, but if they want to deal with our Rose Squad, they won't dare do it openly. At most, they'll make a move in the Wilderness Zone. The worst-case scenario is that we hunt around the Military Supply Base from now on."

"That's right. Zhang Yi is correct, so don't worry too much. Besides, the Invincible War God who saved us may very well know that the Cheng Family caused the beast tide. He must be furious about it, or he would not have saved only Ying'er back then. Therefore, the Cheng Family may not have the spare capacity to deal with us!" Shen Hong said solemnly.

Zheng Ru, Li Min, and the others all nodded.

Shen Hong's analysis did make sense. The Cheng Family was powerful, but if they had to face the questioning of an Invincible War God, they would surely be hard-pressed to cope.

"All right, stop looking so miserable. It was already a great blessing that we survived the Rat Tide. Once we return to the base city, let's celebrate properly. Also, until the Rat Tide incident is thoroughly settled, our squad will rest and recuperate in the base city for the time being." Shen Hong clapped her hands.

Outside the train station.

Wang Rong anxiously scanned the passing crowds, unable to hide the worry on her face.

Yawning, Zhou Hao said, "Mom, didn't you call her already? Sis is fine, so stop worrying for nothing!"

Wang Rong sighed. "That was a Rat Tide. Plenty of people in the residential area said that when a Rat Tide breaks out, many people die. Your sister answered the phone, but she never mentioned whether she was hurt or how badly. How can I not worry?"

Zhou Hao said nothing more. Of course he knew his sister was fine; after all, he had personally sent her onto the fighter jet.

Before long, a train arrived at the station.

Many martial artists emerged from the train. Nearly half of them were seriously maimed or injured, struggling forward with the support of their squadmates.

The family members who had come to greet them immediately began to cry at the sight.

"Stop crying. I'm fine. Surviving this Rat Tide was already a blessing."

"It's only one leg. It's no big deal. Now that I'm injured, I can finally spend more time with you."

"Son, even though Dad lost an arm, I'll be able to stay with you properly from now on."

For a time, grief spread through the station entrance.

Seeing this, Wang Rong's expression grew even more anxious, her heart hanging in her throat.

Soon,

the Rose Squad members came out.

"Mom."

"Xiao Hao."

The moment Zhou Ying'er saw Zhou Hao and Wang Rong, she hurried over.

Wang Rong rushed forward as well, anxiously looking Zhou Ying'er over from head to toe while her hands kept feeling her over. Once she saw that her daughter had not lost any limbs, she let out a heavy sigh of relief, tears welling in her eyes. "It's good that you're all right. It's good that you're all right!"

Shen Hong and the others were all in rather heavy moods. They stepped forward to greet Wang Rong, then left.

Upon returning to Mingyue Residential Area,

many family members of martial artists saw that Zhou Ying'er was completely unharmed and came up to greet her. "Ying'er, you're back!"

"This Rat Tide broke out so suddenly. Many martial artist squads were injured, and four or five squads from our residential area never returned... Sigh, Sister Wang, it's truly fortunate that your Ying'er came back alive!"

"Shen Hong and the others came back too, and none of them were hurt. As expected of the Rose Squad. I'm even thinking of having someone from my family consider joining the Rose Squad!"

Wang Rong answered them one by one. "Yes, we were lucky. Yes, yes, truly lucky. Later, I'll pray to the gods and thank them for watching over my daughter!"

Zhou Hao curled his lip as he listened.

The moment they entered the living room,

Wang Rong could not help saying, "Daughter, stay home for a few more days this time. Don't go to the Wilderness Zone again. When I heard that the Rat Tide had broken out, I was so frightened I could barely walk!"

Zhou Ying'er hurriedly nodded. "Mom, don't worry. I'll stay home longer this time. I probably won't go to the Wilderness Zone again before the New Year!"

Only then did Wang Rong relax.

"Ying'er, go wash up first. Mom will go to the supermarket to buy some ingredients. Today, I'll welcome you home properly and drive away the bad luck!" With that, she left the living room.

Zhou Ying'er took off her combat uniform, revealing a pale yellow tank top. She also slipped off her pants, wearing only her short underlayers, her long, straight legs exposed to the air.

"Sis, can you have some awareness? There's still someone here!" Zhou Hao sat on the sofa with his arms crossed.

Zhou Ying'er did not even glance at Zhou Hao. "You're only three years old. What could you possibly understand? Go peel an apple for your sister. I'll eat it after I finish showering."

As she spoke, she walked into the bathroom beside them.

Before long, the sound of running water filled the room.

"Oh no, I forgot to bring a change of clothes. Xiao Hao, go to your sister's room..."

Before she could finish,

Zhou Hao shouted, "You really don't treat me like a person at all! Get it yourself. I'm going upstairs!"

Whoosh.

He dashed up to the second floor at astonishing speed.

After hearing the commotion, Zhou Ying'er muttered, "He's already this sharp at three. How am I supposed to bully him when he grows up?"

After a while,

Zhou Ying'er, freshly showered and changed into clean clothes, sat on the sofa eating an apple.

Zhou Hao came back downstairs and dropped onto the seat beside her. "Sis, are you really not going to the Wilderness Zone again before the New Year?"

"That's right. For the next two or three months, your sister will stay home and properly raise you, little guy." Zhou Ying'er crossed her legs, reclining comfortably on the sofa as she stretched. "Home is still the most comfortable place—easy and free!"

Zhou Hao muttered, "If you don't go to the Wilderness Zone, how will you make money? I still want to go to Limit Martial Hall headquarters!"

Bonk!

A loud flick landed on his forehead.

Zhou Ying'er snapped angrily, "You little brat! I nearly lost my life in that Rat Tide, and you still want your sister to go to the Wilderness Zone? You don't care about me at all!"

Zhou Hao rubbed his head. "I was wrong, Sis. Oh, right, why didn't Cheng Jin come pick you up this time?"

"Him? He won't be coming ever again!" Zhou Ying'er immediately frowned, worry appearing at the corners of her eyes.

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