Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 80 You two are a couple too.

Red Heron drove the off-road vehicle steadily.

When the iconic massive dome outline of Eco-Base No. 3 appeared.

Hongkou couldn't help but point ahead and say, "Sister, someone brought me here before. We came to pick up supplies."

Her tone was tinged with regret: "If only I could have seen you back then."

The thought that she might have been so close to her beloved sister, yet they had missed each other, made Hongkou feel heartbroken.

Upon hearing this, Honglu turned her head to look at her younger sister: "You came from the direction of the main village, right? You went straight through the main gate?"

"I think so," Hongkou nodded.

"Qianli led us all the way from Longgu Village, mainly to load supplies."

“That explains it,” Honglu sighed softly and explained.

"People from the main village come to collect food supplies, and they usually go through the main gate, which connects directly to the central control area and the supply distribution point."

"Our No. 2 village is closer to the livestock breeding area of ​​the base, and we have more daily maintenance and perimeter cleaning tasks, so we usually use the dedicated side passage and entrance."

She pointed ahead to a forked road that was relatively narrow but smoother.

"Look, that's the road. It leads directly to the livestock operation area and management office of the base. We usually come here to pick up goods or report on our work, and we rarely go around to the main gate."

It turned out to be the case.

Hongkou quickly let go of her regret; it was good to be able to see her sister now.

The vehicle skillfully turned into the side passage.

ASH's identification light scanned quickly, and the alloy side door slid open silently.

The car drove into a relatively small, but equally bright, interior passageway.

After parking the car, Honglu led Hongkou and Poxiao through the passageway with practiced ease.

"Drake usually checks the list at the management office or cold storage at this time."

As Honglu walked, she talked, her steps quickening. She couldn't wait to introduce her sister to this old acquaintance who also came from the lighthouse.

I also want to be the first to share the momentous news of the arrival of the lighthouse.

Soon, they stopped in front of a door marked "Management Office".

Honglu knocked on the door and pushed it open without waiting for a response, clearly indicating that she and Drake were quite familiar with each other.

Inside the office, Drake stood in front of a huge holographic projection, which displayed real-time data and material reserves for various areas of the base.

He wore thin-rimmed glasses on his nose, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were deep in thought.

Hearing the door open, he didn't even look up. The only person here who would come in without waiting for his response was Honglu.

"Red Heron? You finished your perimeter work so quickly?"

However, when his gaze shifted from the projection to the three people at the door.

Drake froze instantly when he saw the young woman standing next to Honglu, who had dazzling red hair and a face that was extremely similar to Honglu's.

His calm and focused expression was shattered, instantly replaced by immense astonishment.

His eyes behind the glasses suddenly widened, and his mouth opened slightly.

"Red...red cardamom?!"

Drake's voice trembled, and he subconsciously adjusted his glasses, as if to confirm whether he was seeing things.

He looked at Hongkou, then at Honglu, and then at the one next to him... um, he didn't recognize this one.

Seeing Drake's flustered state, Red Heron couldn't help but smile.

She stepped forward: "Drake, you're not mistaken, this is Red Bloom, my sister Red Bloom."

"What's going on?"

Drake ignored the projection and quickly walked up to Red Heron and asked.

Honglu took a deep breath and explained in a steady voice, "Today, Xu Tong from the main village came to deliver antidote pills. During our conversation, he mentioned that two new people who had traveled from the lighthouse had arrived in the village, and their names were Hongkou."

Red Heron then recounted to Drake everything about the arrival of the lighthouse and how the neighboring settlement had taken in travelers.

After listening, Drake let out a long breath, as if to exhale all the shock.

He walked up to Hongkou, carefully examining her with a complex and unreadable expression.

"I never thought... I never thought I'd see you again, Hongkou, your sister from back then... and us..."

Red Heron patted Drake on the shoulder, interrupting his impending heavy reverie.

He immediately stopped speaking and did not continue.

Drake exchanged a glance with Red Heron, who shook his head slightly.

Drake, seeing Honglu's slight head shake, instantly understood her meaning. It seemed Honglu hadn't told Hongkou the complete story from back then.

Honglu changed the subject at the right moment, her tone relaxed and natural: "By the way, are you done with your work here? I saw you were checking data just now."

Drake paused for a moment, then realized what he meant: "Huh? Oh! I'm done, I'm done!"

He nodded quickly, as if to prove that he was really done, and even raised his hand to turn off the huge holographic projection floating in the air.

"It's just a routine check of reserves, nothing important."

He turned to Hongkou and Poxiao, his smile widening, with the concern of an elder: "You've come all the way from the main village, you must be hungry, right? Come on, let me take you to eat first."

Hongkou did feel a bit hungry. Her emotions had been fluctuating a lot during training, and the bumpy car ride had taken its toll.

Upon hearing the word "eat," she subconsciously touched her stomach, a slightly embarrassed smile appearing on her face.

Dawn nodded in agreement.

“Okay, we’ll do as Drake says.” Honglu smiled and made the decision, naturally putting her arm around Hongkou’s shoulder.

"Let me show you what our food is like here."

Drake led the way, and the four of them left the management office.

Walking down the bright corridor, Drake enthusiastically introduced the area: "The cafeteria is over in the living area, not far away."

“Although we have a lot of people here, we have plenty of supplies and food.” He deliberately slowed down and walked side by side with Hongkou and Poxiao.

He asked gently, "Red Bloom, Dawn, are you staying directly in Dragonbone Village?"

Hongkou knew Drake and felt completely at ease, replying.

"Yes, it was a little difficult to adjust at first, but the villagers were very kind and took good care of us. Life on the ground... is completely different from life at the lighthouse."

As she spoke, she glanced at Dawn beside her, who gave her an approving smile.

“Yes.” Drake nodded with a sigh, his eyes behind his glasses filled with a deep meaning.

"There was clearly another way to live."

He said this as if he were speaking to Hongkou, but also as if he were speaking to himself and Honglu.

Soon, they arrived at the canteen in the living area. It was a spacious and bright space.

The air was filled with the warm aroma of food.

It was lunchtime, and the room was already quite full of people, mostly field team members from Village No. 2 and base staff. The atmosphere was relaxed and lively.

Seeing Honglu and Drake bring in two unfamiliar faces, especially Hongkou's striking red hair and face that was extremely similar to Honglu's, was quite surprising.

Many people cast curious glances and whispered among themselves.

Drake was clearly familiar with the place, and he led the three of them to the food pick-up area with practiced ease.

The food selection is quite extensive, including steaming stews, fresh vegetable salads, golden-brown toast, and various meats.

"Don't be shy, help yourself to whatever you want!" Drake said warmly, taking a plate for himself first.

“Honglu, you take care of Hongkou, I’ll take Poxiao to see her.”

Honglu nodded and accompanied Hongkou in choosing food, quietly introducing the various dishes to her.

The four of them found a spot against the wall and sat down.

Hong Lu watched as Hong Kou ate with small, satisfied bites, and couldn't help but ask, "How does it taste? Is it to your liking?"

"Mmm! It's delicious!" Hongkou nodded vigorously.

Drake laughed heartily, looking very happy: "That's good! Eat more! Dawn, don't be shy, we're all family."

Upon hearing the words "family," Hongkou looked up, her eyes darting between Honglu and Drake sitting opposite her.

"Sister," Hongkou asked softly.

Honglu looked at Hongkou with gentle eyes: "What's wrong, Hongkou?"

She glanced at her sister sitting opposite her, then at Drake sitting next to her sister, and lowered her voice slightly.

With a hint of girlish curiosity, she asked in a low voice, "Sis... are you and Brother Drake... together?"

When Honglu heard her sister's question, her hand trembled, and the bread almost fell into the soup bowl.

On her usually resolute and calm face, two unusual blushes rose, spreading all the way to her ears.

Drake's expression remained unchanged, still bearing a faint smile.

"Oh~"

Hongkou laughed: "Sure enough, I always thought that Brother Drake liked my sister."

　I'm experiencing writer's block. I need to think about the plot tonight, and try to update four chapters tomorrow.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)