After receiving the principal's concise yet firm, four-word reply—"Watch how things unfold"—the apprehension in his heart finally subsided a little.
Having completed his patrol and confirmed there were no new anomalies, Li Wen turned and headed for the underground fortress of Changning City.
He passed through the heavy alloy floodgates and entered the core defensive zone deep underground, where the festive atmosphere was just as rich.
The cold metal corridors were adorned with strings of auspicious red electronic lanterns, and the side walls were even, quite unusually, decorated with traditional, handwritten Spring Festival couplets.
The ventilation system simulated a cool winter breeze, and the aroma of food, along with sounds of laughter and cheerful chatter, drifted faintly from the direction of the mess hall.
When the fortress's soldiers saw him, they all paused and warmly offered their New Year's greetings.
"Captain Li, Happy New Year's Eve!"
