After Raising Monsters, I Was Loved by Everyone in the Wasteland – CH40

Two hours later, Li Yongming finally arrived.

Wen Xin faintly heard footsteps outside the door, followed by a low murmur of voices. A few seconds later, the waiting room door swung open, and a tall, rugged officer entered, scanning the room with a tense expression.

Wen Xin immediately made eye contact with him.

The officer visibly relaxed, his furrowed brows easing as he spotted Wen Xin sitting calmly on the sofa.

Without missing a beat, the officer strode quickly across the room, stopping right in front of Wen Xin.

Even before he was close, Wen Xin caught the sharp scent of gunpowder and faint traces of dried blood on Li Yongming’s uniform. It was obvious the man had come straight from the battlefield, only sparing a moment to wipe his face. His sleeves and collar still bore traces of dirt and grime.

Before Wen Xin could say anything, the officer apologized sincerely for the unexpected challenges they had faced during the rescue mission.

Wen Jinfeng, not wanting to draw attention to his family, had arranged for Wen Xin’s rescue through a private team led by the buzz-cut man. However, despite the secrecy, the team’s location had been compromised, leading to an attack by a colossal zombie they hadn’t anticipated.

Li Yongming’s voice dropped, a note of steely resolve in his tone, “Rest assured, we’re close to finding out who was behind this. We will give you answers soon.”

Wen Xin nodded, accepting the gravity of the situation.

The apocalypse might sound simple in words, but in reality, it had caused unimaginable suffering and countless lives lost. Wen Jinfeng’s early knowledge of the apocalypse meant he was either close to or involved in its epicenter. As his only remaining family, Wen Xin had known that he couldn’t avoid being drawn into this chaos.

From the moment he set foot on the G177 highway, Wen Xin had prepared himself for whatever lay ahead.

Noticing Wen Xin’s calm expression, Li Yongming looked slightly surprised. He hadn’t realized how much Wen Xin had prepared himself during the journey and assumed he was simply unaware of the real dangers.

In fact, Wen Xin’s background had been deliberately hidden well by Wen Jinfeng. Few people even knew Wen Jinfeng had a younger brother, let alone his age or appearance. Some had spread baseless rumors of Wen Xin being spoiled or difficult, but these were simply the product of idle speculation.

As Wen Jinfeng’s trusted subordinate, Li Yongming had only recently been given Wen Xin’s profile. He knew Wen Xin had been working as a cake decorator at a small bakery with a kind boss and friendly coworkers. Wen Xin led a peaceful life, rarely spending much or leaving home on his days off—a life devoid of scheming or hardship.

In the old world, it would have been an enviable lifestyle, but now, it was more of a shackle. In a world where survival brought out humanity’s darkest traits, the absence of structure and law meant the kind-hearted were more vulnerable.

Li Yongming’s gaze shifted, his expression laced with worry. Wen Xin noticed this and tilted his head in confusion.

The officer seemed moved by Wen Xin’s innocence, suddenly proclaiming, “Since Captain Wen entrusted me with your safety, I will make sure you’re well-protected.”

Wen Xin: “…?”

They were having a serious conversation, but the mood had suddenly become rather formal.

Also, the title “Captain Wen.”

If he remembered correctly, his brother had been managing a business not long ago, and just last month, he’d reached out to Wen Jinfeng’s assistant. When had his brother joined the military?

Wen Xin frowned, sensing another implication in the officer’s words.

“You said my brother entrusted me to you. Does that mean he’s not in City A?”

Wen Xin’s guess was spot-on.

Bound by confidentiality agreements, Li Yongming kept things vague, explaining only that Wen Jinfeng was out securing important resources for the city’s development, and making deals with other bases. He had hoped to meet Wen Xin upon his arrival, but delays on both sides had prevented it.

Upon hearing this, Wen Xin instinctively asked, “Is it safe for him out there?”

With so many infected and powerful mutants roaming the land, any journey was fraught with danger.

Li Yongming nodded reassuringly. “There’s no need to worry, Young Master Wen. Our best-armed forces are with him to ensure his safety.”

Comforted by Li Yongming’s confidence, Wen Xin felt a bit more at ease.

Having safely delivered Wen Xin to Li Yongming, the rescue team’s mission was complete, and they began preparing to leave. But Li Yongming noticed that one of the team members, a tall, slender man, kept glancing nervously in Wen Xin’s direction as if dreading what he might say.

Li Yongming’s expression hardened, and he turned to Wen Xin.

“My apologies for not asking sooner. How was the journey? I trust nothing too unpleasant occurred?”

One team member, Wen Li, went pale, his face tight with regret.

Throughout the journey, he’d been haunted by guilt over abandoning Wen Xin to rest for a few extra hours. Now, facing Li Yongming—known for his iron-fisted reputation—he could only think of his sister waiting back home and trembled, lips twitching.

But Wen Xin said, “It wasn’t smooth, but it would have been much harder without Captain Luo and his team.”

“Captain Luo” was the buzz-cut man.

Li Yongming held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “I see. You’ve all worked hard.”

“I’ll authorize some rest for you all. It was a long journey, and you deserve a break.”

Though they were all under Wen Jinfeng’s command, Li Yongming’s rank was higher, so his words carried authority. The team could choose to collect their rewards now or have them sent to their homes.

Money had largely lost its value in this world; instead, they were compensated with valuable survival resources and equipment.

The team left with smiles of relief and gratitude, but as they did, Li Yongming turned back to Wen Xin with a fatherly concern. “Kindness is admirable, but in times like these, it can also lead to harm.”

He had noticed Wen Li’s grateful glance at Wen Xin, and he wasn’t convinced nothing had happened.

Wen Xin pondered this, then shook his head. “They’re mercenaries, not military. If you punish him, it might not look good if word gets out.”

While Wen Xin didn’t fully understand City A’s structure, he knew that, as a former baker, it wasn’t his place to interfere in military protocol.

Li Yongming hadn’t expected Wen Xin to consider the implications for him, glancing up in mild surprise.

“And besides, Captain Luo addressed it along the way,” Wen Xin continued. “He disciplined Wen Li in front of me, and Wen Li’s pay was cut in half. Since they didn’t cover it up, I don’t see a need to pursue it further.”

Li Yongming couldn’t argue with that.

Wen Xin then added, “And there was one man named Xu Qiang. He looked out for me a lot along the way.”

“Xu Qiang?” Li Yongming immediately sensed that Wen Xin was vouching for him.

In fact, Li Yongming thought Wen Xin could afford to act more entitled given his status as Wen Jinfeng’s brother. He wouldn’t mind seeing a little more fire in him.

But Wen Xin, sitting politely beside him, spoke with such warmth and restraint, always mindful of others’ feelings.

Seeing Li Yongming’s prolonged silence, Wen Xin rubbed his nose, worried he might be making things difficult. “I was just mentioning it… feel free to disregard it.”

Li Yongming chuckled. “No, it’s fine. Actually, I’ve heard of Xu Qiang.”

He remembered that Xu Qiang had previously applied to join the formal military. Officially joining the military came with benefits that mercenaries didn’t have, and the selection process was strict.

But managing to complete a rescue mission, safely returning from miles of zombie territory, said a lot about Xu Qiang’s capabilities.

Since Wen Xin thought highly of him, doing him this favor wouldn’t hurt.

Li Yongming quickly explained that, while the application process wouldn’t be bypassed, Xu Qiang would likely pass without issue.

Wen Xin was glad for Xu Qiang; it felt good to repay the kindness shown to him.

After a bit more small talk, Li Yongming drove him and Hei Tuan to their residence.

Sensing Wen Xin’s hesitation, he explained, “Captain Wen thought it’d be safer if you stayed at my place and posed as my cousin. Captain Luo’s team will keep everything confidential.”

Wen Xin quickly accepted the arrangement, surprising Li Yongming.

Watching him carefully, Li Yongming decided to ask the question Captain Wen had hinted at.

“Captain Wen also wanted to know… what your plans are from here on out.”

Captain Wen’s instructions had been a bit… contradictory. One moment, he’d suggested making Wen Xin his assistant; the next, he’d insisted on leaving him alone to avoid trouble.

But as Li Yongming had turned to leave, Wen Jinfeng had halted him with a quiet, almost resigned sigh.

“Let him do what he wants as long as he stays out of trouble. He’s harmless… can’t stir up much, anyway.”

Li Yongming was struck by the contrast between Wen Jinfeng’s decisive leadership and his hesitant uncertainty when it came to his brother. It reminded him of stories about Wen Jinfeng’s years of waiting, wanting to reach out to his brother but finding no valid reason until the outbreak.

But he quickly dismissed such thoughts, waiting for Wen Xin’s reply.

Most people who arrived at the base were clueless about their future, some more resourceful than others. Given Wen Xin’s baking background, Li Yongming assumed he might lean toward culinary work.

Until Wen Xin, after carefully considering, lifted his head and said with conviction, “I want to help my brother.”

Li Yongming blinked, stunned.

“I want to stand by him and have the skills to save him if he’s ever in danger.”

Li Yongming felt his mind reel at the implication.

“If that’s not enough, then I’ll surpass him, even if that’s what it takes to make sure he’s safe.”

Li Yongming was dumbfounded.

Wen Xin… wanted to protect Wen Jinfeng. If necessary, to outpace even his brother’s achievements?

Li Yongming, a seasoned soldier, hadn’t dared to dream that big.

Seeing the unwavering determination in Wen Xin’s gaze, Li Yongming’s mind flashed back to Wen Jinfeng’s casual assumption that Wen Xin couldn’t stir up any trouble.

He swallowed hard, his disbelief and shock mingling.

Captain, he thought, your “harmless little brother” might be more than you ever imagined.