Doomsday Stewed Salted Fish C38.1

Hey, first of all, thanks for reading my lousy Machine Translation. To be honest, I’d really like it if you guys corrected the mistakes I made. But please speak nicely and politely. My heart is not strong enough to read your too-harsh comments. Have a nice day. 🙂

Chapter 38. (1/2)

October 15th marked the 50th anniversary of the Jiangnan base’s establishment.

The celebration was set to take place in the central square of the inner ring, with countless cameras already in position to broadcast live to the military and civilians in other rings.

Thanks to Lu Ya, Gu Fan had a spot on the best viewing stand at the square.

A giant screen stood at the square’s center.

Before the parade began, several elderly people in their seventies and eighties shared their cherished photos and videos, displaying the peace and joy of the free era on the big screen.

After the elders stepped down, the screen went dark. Suddenly, accompanied by countless beast roars, a video showing the apocalyptic arrival of the Great Radiation played, depicting helpless people fleeing in all directions while mutated beasts chased them madly. Just as despair made it unbearable to watch, the first ability users stood up.

The ability users led the soldiers in fighting back against the beasts, doing their best to protect more human comrades and bring them to a city stronghold.

In this stronghold, named Jiangnan Base, everyone actively contributed their strength. Ability users defended against the monsters at the outermost layer, researchers raced against time to develop protective shields, construction workers built high-rises with their hands, police maintained base security, and teachers diligently educated the new generation.

Gu Fan watched the screen silently.

Fifty years—a period she had lived through twice in her life. Her life had been uneventful, while this base had declined in prosperity and then revitalized by those who flocked to it.

The parade began.

The ability users were divided into air and land forces, marching with military precision past the central square.

Suddenly, Lu Ya’s handsome, cold face appeared on the big screen.

He wore his S-level battle armor, flying in the air, looking down at the troops below as if supervising and protecting them.

Low murmurs arose from the viewing stand, all in praise of Lu Ya.

The camera shifted to other scenes.

—

The celebration lasted most of the day, a festival for the base’s military and civilians, while the evening banquet was for the base’s power holders and elites.

Gu Fan received a box of chocolates from Lu Ya in advance and, before the banquet began, entered the hall with her arm linked through Lu Ya’s.

She hadn’t particularly dressed up, wearing a black dress Lu Ya had bought her. Compared to the other female guests’ gowns, hers was very conservative, revealing only her neck, arms, and a bit of calf, with no extra skin exposed.

However, as she walked into the hall with Lu Ya, the guests collectively stopped their conversations to look at them.

Gu Fan smiled slightly as Lu Ya introduced her to some elders.

“Where did you find such a beautiful girlfriend?” someone asked.

Everyone seemed aware of Gu Fan’s lack of ability, so they tactfully praised her beauty in front of Lu Ya.

Gu Fan played her role as a competent trophy girlfriend.

Then she noticed a short-haired woman in black battle armor standing alone by the window, her aura out of place with the surroundings. It reminded Gu Fan of someone.

She turned to Lu Ya and nodded toward the woman, asking, “Who is that?”

Lu Ya glanced over and whispered, “He Qing, the next heir of the He family army, second only to Marshal He Tao.”

Gu Fan understood.

At that moment, He Qing looked directly at them, her gaze lingering on Gu Fan’s face before she indifferently walked away.

“Second brother, announcing your relationship must have hurt Sister He,” came a familiar voice from behind.

Gu Fan turned to see Lu Yao in a white dress, her arm linked through Sheng Xi’s.

Lu Yao looked innocently at Gu Fan.

Sheng Xi, disapproving, gestured for her to stop talking, gave an apologetic smile, and led Lu Yao away.

Their behavior raised suspicion about whether Lu Ya and He Qing had a history.

Fortunately, Gu Fan’s relationship with Lu Ya was fake, so she was not interested in his potential romantic history.

“Where are Xinghe and the others?” Gu Fan asked, looking around in disappointment.

Lu Ya tightened his arm, drawing Gu Fan closer, and said, “In the matter of clearing monsters, He Qing and I often share the same opinion, which some elders misinterpret. We’re just fellow generals of the base, nothing more.”

Gu Fan smiled, “You don’t have to explain.”

Lu Ya pursed his lips.

Just then, the Xinghe team arrived.

Gu Fan remained in place, waiting for them to join her and Lu Ya. She slipped her arm from Lu Ya’s and naturally joined her friends.

Someone in the distance called for Lu Ya.

He glanced at Gu Fan and turned to socialize.

“You’re really not giving my cousin any face,” Meng Lianying said sympathetically.

Gu Fan shrugged, “I’ve already made a round with him, enough to show he has a girlfriend. Staying longer won’t make a difference.”

Meng Lianying asked, “Aren’t you afraid some persistent admirer will try to steal him?”

Gu Fan laughed, “If he wanted to be taken, he wouldn’t have chosen me as his fake girlfriend.”

After all, as a fake girlfriend, she wouldn’t worry about someone taking Lu Ya away.