Rebirth after the apocalypse: I create a new world with space!

Upon hearing this, the woman's heart tightened again, her guilt intensifying. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the child's clothes, and she repeatedly stroked Xiaoyu's back to comfort him. She looked up at Li Luo walking ahead, her eyes filled with gratitude and unease, her voice soft, tinged with undisguised apology:

"It's a terrible tragedy. It was all Jianguo's fault for being so foolish. Not only did he betray the base, but he also caused you to risk your lives to rescue us in the middle of the night. Commander Li even got injured because of the child. How can we ever repay this kindness?"

Xiao Yu was nestled in his mother's arms, his little head peeking out from under her embrace. His tiny hands timidly clutched Li Luo's clothes, his face, dusty with dirt, looked up at Li Luo's retreating figure with bright, dark eyes, and whispered earnestly:

"Big sister, thank you, you're so amazing."

Li Luo was concentrating on using her mental energy to scan her surroundings, guarding against mutated zombies or remaining enemies in the mountains and forests, when she was stopped in her tracks by the soft, sweet voice. She slowly turned around, her gaze falling on Xiao Yu's small hand clutching the hem of her clothes, then looking up at the woman's face full of guilt. Her expression remained calm, but it lacked some of the coldness she displayed in battle, and her tone was gentle, without a trace of resentment:

"It's alright. You were innocent. Saving you was the base's decision. Don't worry about it."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently rubbed Xiaoyu's head, her fingertips carrying a faint warmth as she brushed away the bits of grass clinging to the corner of the child's clothes.

Xiaoyu was taken aback by this gentle gesture, then smiled with his eyes crinkling, tightened his grip on her clothes, and gently rubbed his head against her arm.

Seeing this, the woman's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly pulled the child aside and bowed slightly to Li Luo.

"No matter what, it's a great favor. We'll remember Commander Li's kindness for the rest of our lives. Once Jianguo understands the truth, we'll make him do everything in his power to atone for his sins and repay your and the base's kindness."

Li Luo nodded slightly, saying nothing more, but raised her hand to signal the team to quicken their pace: "The night road is not safe, let's get back to the base as soon as possible." After saying that, she turned around and continued walking ahead, a faint light-based ability quietly condensing in her palm, spreading a soft halo in front of her, dispelling the surrounding darkness, and illuminating the path for the women and children behind her.

Chen Xibao looked at Li Luo's retreating figure, her eyes filled with admiration.

Commander Li is a formidable fighter with decisive actions, yet he is not a cold-hearted person. He always has a soft spot for innocent women and children. With such strength and character, it's no wonder that he can win everyone's respect.

With the help of the aura of light-based superpowers, the team's steps became more steady as they strode quickly toward the base. Although the night was dark, no one felt fear anymore.

Back at the base, Xu Ying remembered that although Wang Jianguo was a traitor, his wife and children were innocent, so she specially arranged a brief reunion in the detention cell.

The heavy, cold alloy door slowly slid open, letting in dim yellow light into the cramped cell. Wang Jianguo abruptly stood up from the cold floor, his hands gripping the rusty bars tightly, his knuckles white. When he saw his wife standing outside the door, and his two children nestled beside him, his eyes instantly reddened, tears streaming down his face without warning, his voice choked with sobs, almost incoherent.

"You... I'm so glad you're all alright... I'm such a bastard, I'm so sorry..."

He leaned forward desperately, his forehead almost touching the cold railing, overwhelmed by self-reproach and lingering fear, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

Wang Jianguo's wife raised her hand and forcefully wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, then pulled her two children to stand a little further forward.