"What are you doing?" Qin Luo's voice rang out, startling Rabbit Bro and Chicken Bro so much that they practically leapt into the air.

  Small animals are naturally alert to danger, so Mutants generally avoid staying too close to powerful Abilities users—their aura is simply too oppressive.

  As soon as Qin Luo appeared, Chicken Bro let out a panicked crow, and Rabbit Bro jumped straight up in fright, nding on a bench with his fur standing on end.

  Xu Duoduo looked at them both, her face full of innocence but struggling to suppress a ugh.

  This day just kept getting more and more amusing.

  Professor Ji, who had been delighted about Qin Luo’s breakthrough to the fourth tier of his ability and was pnning to apply for a high-grade Mutation Core for him to craft Diluted Mutation Core Serum, came out just in time to witness this "chicken-flying-rabbit-hopping" scene. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

  "Ji Yingjun, you need to take care of your voice. Don’t overwork yourself with so many side gigs, or you’ll lose your voice one day. And you, Le Tianyi, stop taking so many baths. You need to embrace your rabbit instincts—try dry cleaning more often," Professor Ji advised warmly.

  Professor Ji was truly a kind-hearted man. Although he was an ordinary human, his excellent memory allowed him to remember everyone’s names and conditions. Of course, Rabbit Bro and Chicken Bro were so conspicuous that it would’ve been hard for him to forget them even if he tried.

  Rabbit Bro and Chicken Bro felt a bit embarrassed but still showed respect towards the research and medical staff. After all, in this post-apocalyptic world, doctors were in short supply. Ordinary hospitals were already overwhelmed, so Mutants like them had no choice but to seek treatment alongside Abilities users, despite their timid nature.

  Professor Ji continued, "A community hospital specifically for Mutants is currently under review. It should be established after the New Year. Once it’s up and running, you can go there instead and avoid these scares. Are you feeling alright for now?"

  Qin Luo quickly apologized as well, "I didn’t mean to scare you, really."

  He was just worried about his little zombie and wanted to make sure no one was bullying her. His tone might have been a bit harsh, but it wasn’t intentional.

  Rabbit Bro and Chicken Bro were fttered and quickly waved it off.

  "Ah, ever since we became Mutants, we’ve been naturally timid. It’s ingrained in our genes; nothing we can do about it. We know you didn’t mean it. We just saw the new girl sitting here all alone and felt bad for her."

  "Yeah, yeah, she can’t even talk yet. So pitiful. It’s good to know she has someone looking out for her."

  The two Mutants expined the situation hurriedly. For them, being startled by Abilities users was just part of their daily life.

  However, when they heard Professor Ji mention the upcoming community hospital for Mutants, their attention immediately shifted, and they were filled with excitement.

  "Really? Isn’t that too much trouble for the base? Manpower is already stretched thin as it is."

  "Yeah, yeah, we can wait to come here when it’s less crowded."

  Professor Ji smiled and reassured them, "The research center is always as busy as a hospital. When is it ever not crowded? Don’t worry, these are basic facilities for the base. As members of the base who contribute to its construction, you’re entitled to these services. It’s your legitimate right, and we should fight for it."

  His words moved both Chicken Bro and Rabbit Bro deeply, and they couldn’t help but excim how wonderful the base was.

  Xu Duoduo was also touched by the conversation, but her inability to speak fluently sometimes frustrated her, dampening her mood.

  Qin Luo, as always, could instantly sense her feelings. He reached out and ruffled her white hair, messing it up.

  Professor Ji noticed her as well and offered comforting words, "Duoduo still can’t speak? That’s alright. Don’t stress about it. It’s not your fault. Just take it one step at a time. In this post-apocalyptic world, there are many things science can’t expin. We’ll figure it out slowly. When you’re ready to talk, practice a little more, but don’t force it."

  He added that even if she couldn’t speak, as long as she was healthy, that was already a blessing.

  Qin Luo agreed wholeheartedly, fshing his small tiger-like teeth in a grin. "I think so too. Whether she talks or not, our team can always understand what she means."

  It didn’t affect anything.

  Chicken Bro and Rabbit Bro were greatly relieved to hear this. "Oh, so the new girl has a job? That’s great." "You guys seem really close. What team are you in? I’m with the base’s community logistics team."

  Qin Luo grinned mischievously and replied, "We’re with the 3A Special Operations Team."

  At first, Chicken Bro and Rabbit Bro nodded along, but then their eyes widened in shock. "Oh, so you’re with an external operations team. Wait, WHAT?! 3A?! THE 3A?!"

  Rabbit Bro nearly jumped out of his fur again. "3A?! The super-famous 3A?!"

  Qin Luo’s smile grew even more devilish. "Yep, that’s us. And this here is our new member—well, not so new anymore—Xu Duoduo, the Zombie Mutant!"

  Chicken Bro and Rabbit Bro’s faces instantly froze in expressions of pure disbelief.

  They looked back and forth between Xu Duoduo and Qin Luo, their eyes wide with shock. This adorable white-haired girl was the infamous rookie who sughtered Mutated Creatures like it was nothing? But she looked so cute!

  The two of them were utterly fbbergasted, their minds blown.

  Not everyone in the base had access to the internet-enabled wristbands, nor could everyone go online. Mutants like them were simir to ordinary people in that they mostly relied on gossip or occasional news broadcasts on rge screens for information.

  While the 3A team was indeed famous, not everyone had seen them in person. Plus, the st time Xu Duoduo was photographed, she had bck hair as a zombie. Now, with her white hair, it was no wonder the two had mistaken her for a newcomer.

  Xu Duoduo felt a bit embarrassed and quietly hid behind Qin Luo. She wasn’t trying to deceive them; it was just that her personality wasn’t very outgoing.

  The two enthusiastic Mutants kept talking, but she couldn’t keep up with their energy and got a bit overwhelmed.

  Professor Ji, passing by again on his way to handle other matters, noticed that Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo were still there. He reminded them, "Since you’re here, Duoduo might as well do an Abilities test. There’s no one in line right now, but if you don’t feel like it, you can come back ter. Just don’t linger here too long; rules are rules."

  Qin Luo nodded in agreement. "Got it, Professor Ji. We’ll head out now."

  He found Mutants quite interesting. Since he didn’t usually interact with them much, he decided to show his apology for scaring them and his gratitude for their concern for Xu Duoduo by giving them each a pack of cigarettes and transferring 1,000 points to their accounts. "Just a little token of appreciation. Don’t be shy."

  Although their wristbands couldn’t go online, they could still be used for payments. Qin Luo transferred the points with a quick tap, and the transaction was completed instantly.

  Xu Duoduo also gave them some food before following Qin Luo away.

  It took a moment for Chicken Bro and Rabbit Bro to process what had happened. When they finally did, they were stunned. "So much stuff! Cluck cluck! A thousand points?! That’s months of hard work for me! Big boss is so generous. I want to cling to his leg too!"

  By the time they tried to catch up with Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo, the duo had already left.

  Still, they couldn’t help but feel grateful. To them, cigarettes were incredibly rare commodities. Even if they didn’t use them personally, they could trade them for favors or sell them for a good price.

  Big boss was just too kind!

  Chicken Bro puffed up his red comb proudly. "See? Didn’t I tell you? Good deeds are always rewarded! We should keep doing more good things!"

  Rabbit Bro nodded enthusiastically. "Chicken Bro is absolutely right!" Now the real question was, what should they perform at the New Year’s Eve party?

  AnnouncementMy Patreon early-access chapters have been updated up to Chapter 235! You're welcome to support my work. Wishing everyone a wonderful day! patreon.com/SuperBC