"Why are they all here?"
Seeing familiar faces from the security team, Ansheng's small fox face showed a surprised expression, as if he hadn't expected them to appear here. But since Ah Qing was still present, Ansheng didn't go to greet the tough group.
Meanwhile, Ah Qing, carrying the little fox, walked into the cafeteria chatting and laughing with Momo and the others.
"Ah Qing!"
In the cafeteria, when Ma Xiaoling from the agricultural class saw Ah Qing, she gasped and quickly gobbled up all the dumplings on her plate.
"Lingling? Haven't seen you for a summer? I missed you!"
Hearing Ma Xiaoling's instinctive exclamation, Ah Qing looked over and greeted her with enthusiasm.
"Stop, stop, let me finish eating first, today's cafeteria breakfast offers dumplings...."
Ma Xiaoling ate voraciously, while beside her, the students from the north also had a collective change of expression.
Dumplings are one of the culinary delights found all over the country, tracing back to the Spring and Autumn Period in the major exam provinces.
The common dipping sauces for dumplings include soy sauce, garlic sauce, various vinegars, and different chili sauces.
However, people from Xia Dong have different opinions; traditional Xia Dong people like sweet chili sauce with everything, while the new generation of Xia Dong youths prefer ketchup with everything.
But Ah Qing prefers a middle ground, with seventy percent sweet chili sauce and thirty percent ketchup in a dipping dish...
The main offering for breakfast in the cafeteria is dumplings.
Having studied together for years, gossip-loving Ma Xiaoling naturally knew Ah Qing's preferences.
"They looked like they'd seen a ghost when they saw you." Tang You remarked, seeing the locals from the north finishing their food quickly and making a hasty retreat.
"Can you get rid of your sweet chili sauce? They've agreed to tolerate white vinegar and garlic paste, why not give in to them?"
"But the sweet chili sauce is so tasty..." Ah Qing said, in a slightly pitiful tone.
"Haha...."
Ansheng let out a fox-like giggle.
Sweet chili sauce is pretty good too, if you really insist that Ah Qing change her sauce, according to the traditional virtue of Xia Dong people...... You will witness a heavy combination of fish sauce + lemon juice + chili rings, very substantial.
...
Some students who arrived late were hurrying to the school, while the students sitting inside the cafeteria maintained a leisurely pace.
After breakfast, they went back to their dorms to pack up, waiting for the school's security team to load the agricultural machines onto carts and secure them tightly before departing at nine o'clock sharp.
"Professor..."
The students from the School of Animal Science, who departed a bit later, looked at the advanced plant protection drones held by the Agricultural Science students, then at the Happy brand blades in their hands, and pouted.
"Don't ask."
"Professor....."
"Mind your own business when it comes to the College of Agriculture."
By their third year, the Agricultural Science students had already been exposed to small plant protection drones, and by the fourth year, they needed to obtain a license for beyond-visual-range plant protection drone operation.
The Agricultural Research Institute, financially well-off, provided the students with training plant protection drones of the most advanced types available on the market, with a very futuristic appearance.
Students from the School of Animal Science, on the other hand, only used high-tech equipment in certain cases involving genetic technology, animal health and disease prevention, or aquatic observation.
Ninety percent of the time, a pen, notebook, medical box, and experience were enough to handle their work worldwide.
If one were to quibble, at most, this might include a strong flashlight and a branch picked up by the roadside.
Disciples of the Beast Taming Sect watched helplessly as the Medicine King Sect's disciples got their mechas.
While they were still stuck with blades, stones, and branches, almost enviously urinating blood.
After taking a headcount, the professors from the School of Animal Science signaled to the Border Collie, who rounded up all the delinquent students and herded them onto the bus like sheep.
The counselor followed onto the bus.
The professors and the dean took another vehicle.
The entire Xinxing Agricultural Science College emptied, dividing into different convoys heading to their destination, Qinling Town.
Shortly after the students left, a convoy of engineering vehicles entered the school, dragging fiber optics. Simultaneously, they unfastened the expensive equipment inside the lab building and transferred it uniformly to the underground shelter.
Old professors invited from the archaeology department of Southwest University stayed directly on site, waiting for the items to arrive.
Another cart followed the students' convoy, carrying boxes of weapons.
...
"Why did you all come to Chang'an?"
While Ah Qing was chatting away with classmates, Ansheng sneaked to the back of the bus and inquired of Bai Tao and Su Qiyuan.
"Actually, we were supposed to arrive in Chang'an City a week ago."
"But due to an unexpected incident, the organization temporarily gave us a few days off."
Bai Tao looked at the Fox Lord, then glanced at Su Qiyuan's behind and said, "The fruit ripened, and Senior Su entered the emergency room pale-faced."
"His behind is worth two bottles of Spirit Particle Potion."
Su Qiyuan, with an embarrassed face, said, "Well, actually, I was planning to accumulate some more vacation time and then add up the annual leave to get it... sorted out."
"But my behind was really uncooperative, I had no way around it."
Forest Rangers are different from Woodcutters, who usually stay put in one place without moving.
Forest Rangers move according to the assignments, but usually follow the north-south or south-north route.
Different regions and climates of forests have varied biological environments and dangers, no matter how skilled a forest ranger is, going to a new forest area requires a long time for acclimation and additional lessons. It's not a straightforward task.
But Bai Tao and Su Qiyuan are exceptions, as the foxes they observe would buy business class airfare.
"That large fist-sized thing, did you finally have it dealt with?" Ansheng casually asked.
"It was dealt with, but the doctor advised me to maintain a good lifestyle. Otherwise, it might become difficult to even cut it...," Su Qiyuan said in a bitter tone.
"The senior is saying that if you cut too much skin, the openings become smaller. If it further develops to such a serious level, his excrement outlet might become the size of a cigar, lose elasticity, and remain firm as a constant," Bai Tao thought for a moment and translated the senior's vague words into plain speech.
"Is that really possible?"
Ansheng glanced sideways, not quite understanding, as his work environment never involved long sitting periods, and whether in his past life or present, he'd never encountered hemorrhoids.
Su Qiyuan looked bitter: "I've been through too much suffering...."
"It's nothing; with today's advanced medicine, it's not a big problem if you have to put out a drainage pipe. Besides, your medical insurance and workplace injury coverage are quite substantial...."
Ansheng patted Su Qiyuan's leg, offering a bit of comfort to this unlucky fellow, then turned to Bai Tao and said:
"Since you came because of me, what's with that creature?"
Ansheng, truly serious, pointed with his thumb to the back, indicating the situation with the Fungal Parasitic Beast.
"Its mood is very calm, and with the Fox Lord also in Chang'an City, the Security Bureau transferred the Fungal Parasitic Beast from the research institute and appointed it as a specialist to assist the woodcutters in investigating the Qinling anomaly," Bai Tao said.
The appearance of the Fungal Parasitic Beast here was entirely because the Fox Lord was here, ensuring the Fungal Parasitic Beast remained under control.
After internal discussions, the Security Bureau decided to send the Fungal Parasitic Beast, which had been idle at home, on the mission.