Chapter 652: Chapter 652: Parentage

After returning to the space, Evelyn Ford went back to the log cabin for lunch. Afterward, she put on her gloves and joined everyone in washing the medicinal herbs they had dug up.

The roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of all the medicinal plants were processed separately. Ethan Dawson and Miles Vaughn used a chopper to cut the stems and leaves, while the others spread a clean oilcloth on the open ground in front. They then laid the herbs on the cloth to air-dry naturally.

"When those people found out their workday was extended by an hour today, they kicked up a fuss for a while. But Ethan Dawson handled it," Wyatt Vaughn said, sidling up to Evelyn Ford to fill her in on what had happened in the space.

"They can’t stir up any real trouble. At most, they’re just letting off steam." Evelyn Ford wasn’t worried about the laborers causing any major problems. Without her and Ronan Kendrick, no one who entered the space could get out.

"You came back a bit late today. Did something happen outside?"

Evelyn Ford shook her head. "Not really. A pregnant woman was going into labor, and after helping deliver the baby, I went to the classroom. I got held up for a bit before I left."

The incident in the classroom had been dealt with. The administration made all the students clean for a month as punishment, and the matter was considered closed.

On her way back, Evelyn Ford had stopped by the base’s supply distribution department to collect this month’s subsidy and ration tickets. She was working two jobs now, so she received a considerable amount of supplies. In addition to clothes and shoes, there was soap, toothpaste, flour, canned goods, and ration tickets for grain, cloth, and oil.

Even though they weren’t short on supplies in the space, she had put in the labor and felt she deserved her pay. So, after leaving the classroom, Evelyn had deliberately made a detour to collect everything.

"I heard from Quincy that the base sent out a few squads to search for survivors in the surrounding provinces."

"That’s right. Each squad has ten people, and they’re mainly going to Varden, Oakhaven, and Serena to search for survivors. Things are starting to stabilize, so the base wants to bring back all the survivors scattered outside and settle them together." ’Actually, finding people is just a secondary objective. The main reason the base sent them out is to search for various mineral resources and to survey the situation in the neighboring provinces.’

"The base doesn’t have it easy. I really admire Rhys Chase, managing so many people by himself. No wonder he has such dark circles under his eyes every time I see him. Liam Sterling says he only sleeps three or four hours a day. We’re the ones living comfortably—we don’t have to worry about a thing, just focus on growing our crops."

Joelle Finch, who was nearby, nodded in agreement. "If I had to work that long every day, I’d definitely die from exhaustion."

"He’s a workaholic. We regular people can’t compare." Evelyn Ford finished washing a basin of tubers. Miles Vaughn came over to take them away. Officer Graham and the others were in the back, slicing them. Once sliced, the pieces were carried to the nearby open area to dry.

Zoe had gone off to the breeding area to play, while Annie, unwilling to be idle, insisted on working alongside everyone. Ronan Kendrick and Liam Sterling weren’t in the space; they were out delivering supplies. The weather in Eldoria had improved over the last few days, and the temperature was slowly rising. ’I heard that fresh grass is growing on the prairie and the locusts have been completely wiped out. When March or April arrives, if we have time, we could take everyone out there for a picnic or a ride.’

After washing herbs all afternoon, Evelyn Ford’s hands were sore. On the way back to the log cabin, Wyatt Vaughn and Joelle Finch were complaining about their aching backs, so Evelyn went to the storehouse to get some pain-relieving balm for them.

Before dinner, Ronan Kendrick and Liam Sterling returned.

"Today was insane. We ran between several warehouses and dropped off so much stuff. I’m completely wiped," Liam Sterling said as he returned to the log cabin, collapsing onto the sofa without moving.

"You worked hard. Do you need to go deliver more supplies tomorrow?"

"Not for now. The base is gradually reaching capacity in every department. I estimate normal life will be restored in about six months." Liam Sterling pushed himself up from the sofa, grabbed the water on the table, and drained it in one gulp.

"Those people didn’t cause any trouble, did they?"

Ethan Dawson scoffed. "They caused a scene for a bit, but it was dealt with quickly. The ones who are still alive are all afraid of dying. They don’t dare to pull any real stunts, just complain a little."

"Liam, if the base has any more death row inmates, you should bring them over. Instead of executing them, they might as well come work for us. It would increase our productivity and save us time and effort."

Liam Sterling smiled. "I’d rather not have any more death row inmates at the base. Having people like that around makes life unstable for everyone."

"That’s true. The safety of the residents is more important than the extra labor."

"Dinner’s ready!" Taylor Vance announced from the kitchen. Quincy immediately stood up and headed outside.

"I’ll go get Zoe. That kid loves to play too much. She spends all day fooling around on White Wolf’s back, not even worried about getting stepped on by a Mammoth."

"There are a lot of birds in the breeding area. Zoe likes it over there. She says she can talk to the little birds," Wyatt Vaughn said.

"Zoe is much better behaved now. Right after we brought her back, she cried every day. By the way, are you two going to tell her about her origins?" Joelle Finch asked quietly.

Wyatt Vaughn shook his head. "I don’t want to. From the day we brought her home, she’s been my daughter. But I’m also afraid that if she finds out later, she’ll think I was selfish for keeping her origins from her."

Officer Graham suddenly spoke up. "She’s a good-natured child. You can tell from a young age. You don’t need to worry about that. If you feel it’s necessary for her to know her origins, then tell her. But frankly, I don’t think it would matter if she never knew. You and Quincy love her so much; finding out she isn’t your biological daughter is what would truly upset her."

Wyatt Vaughn nodded. "I understand."

By the time Quincy returned to the log cabin with Zoe in tow, the food was already on the table. Everyone ate while chatting about the day’s events and what they had seen.

Before going to bed that night, Evelyn Ford told Ronan Kendrick about the incident in the classroom.

"I promised the base I’d teach for six months, but it’s only been a few days and I’ve already discovered I’m not cut out to be a teacher. It’s so annoying. I don’t want to work. I want to retire early from the base."

Evelyn Ford took Ronan Kendrick’s hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Kendrick, hold me."

Ronan Kendrick scooped her up into his arms. "Want to go riding on the prairie?"

"Now?"

Ronan Kendrick nodded. "Now."

Without hesitating, Evelyn Ford nodded. "Let’s go."

Acting on the spur of the moment, Evelyn Ford changed into a tracksuit and pulled Ronan Kendrick out of the space.

Emerging from their vehicle, the two of them took a side path out of Eldoria. When they reached a deserted spot, Evelyn Ford summoned a horse. They both mounted it and galloped toward the prairie.

The nighttime temperature was low, only about fourteen degrees. As soon as they reached the prairie, a fierce wind whipped at their faces. Evelyn Ford took out a knit facemask and put it on. She sat in front, nestled securely in Ronan Kendrick’s arms.

"Slow walk or a fast run?"

Evelyn Ford looked back at Ronan. "Ronan, how about we each take a horse and race a lap? See who gets back here first."

Ronan Kendrick nodded with a smile. "Alright."

Evelyn Ford summoned another horse and swung onto its back. She spread her arms wide, embracing the cold night wind.

The moon was out tonight, illuminating the entire prairie. Vague shadows flickered across the ground, including the silhouettes of them on horseback.

"Go!" With a cry from Evelyn Ford, the two horses broke into a wild gallop.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.