Without any rehearsal, at that very moment, the members of the Special Affairs Office rose and saluted almost on instinct, their eyes red and their teeth clenched.
Compared with Sheng An and the others, their salutes might not have been as precise or as coordinated.
But those raised hands embodied their resolve in that moment.
Even Long Tianyu, who spent every day thinking about "rebellion," had reddened eyes.
They had previously been called "Aberrants." It was not really a derogatory term; it meant they were different from ordinary people. Even when Xiang Hanshuang had specifically brought up that designation, her concern had been the country's attitude toward them.
Back then, Sheng An had said the country would change it.
They had never known when the country would change it, nor had they cared. After all, the country's attitude toward them was clear, as was the treatment they received.
The designation itself had not mattered.
Li Wanyun had never imagined that the change would happen here and now, before the entire nation: "Aberrants" would become "Kindling," and the [kindling project] would be established.
It told the entire nation-they were humanity's hope, a hope the country cherished.
The leaders were saluting them.
Everyone present was saluting the Special Affairs Office.
On behalf of the country and all its people, this was a gesture of respect for them.
Jiang Yu had to hold herself back to keep from crying.
Even an ambitious figure like Gu Qiansheng felt, from the bottom of his heart, that with such trust, respect, and honor, this was already no less rewarding than becoming the city lord he had wanted to be.
Lou Mingwei clenched his teeth.
I can't let down these expectations, he thought.
Qiu Yu softly exhaled.
She glanced at Sheng An out of the corner of