Chapter 73: The Road of Two Exiles, Part 15

“Hey, this guy’s awake too!” Ye Liuyun leaned close to the man’s ear and called, “Lin Yuan, how are you feeling? Can you sit up?”

Shi Xianyu was taken aback, staring at Ye Liuyun in surprise. “His name is Lin Yuan?”

“Yes! His name is Lin Yuan!” Before Ye Liuyun could answer, Radish eagerly jumped in, fishing out a keychain from the man’s pocket and handing the name tag to Shi Xianyu, brimming with enthusiasm. “Look, this is his nickname!”

The name tag had “Lin Ke” written on it.

Shi Xianyu’s expression was dazed; so it was just a coincidence…

Thinking about it, it made sense. How could Lin Yuan possibly appear in this world?

Lin Yuan slowly sat up, his eyes fixed on Shi Xianyu, and asked in a slow tone, “Do we… know each other?”

Ye Liuyun slapped him on the shoulder, mocking, “You guys, enough already! Your approach is worse than Radish’s!”

“Exactly! Why pretend to know her? How could you be acquainted with such a beautiful young lady?” Radish squeezed closer to Shi Xianyu, casting aside his usual gloom and proactively introducing himself. “I’m an elite member of the Dragon Rock Oasis Team 017! My name is Cheng Shaoluo, but everyone calls me Radish. What’s your name, miss…?”

“Get lost!” Ye Liuyun couldn’t stand his sycophantic behavior and kicked him aside, turning to Shi Xianyu. “Don’t mind him. If he ever bothers you, just tell me and I’ll handle him.”

Shi Xianyu smiled gently, speaking politely, “So you’re members of the Oasis team. Could you take us with you when you return? Xiao Li and I have been searching for the precise direction to the Oasis, but it turns out our map is outdated.”

Radish, despite the kick, wouldn’t give up his chance to make an impression. “That’s because the sandstorms have gotten worse these years! Many small oases have dried up, the dunes shift constantly, and the rock layers erode away. That’s why the map needs updating every three years—to keep it accurate!”

Ye Liuyun grabbed his ear and pushed him aside. “Pay attention to your manners, will you? You’re about to spray spit all over her face.”

Radish grinned sheepishly, glancing at Shi Xianyu, his ears reddening—whether from Ye Liuyun’s tug or embarrassment, who could say.

Ye Liuyun formally introduced, “I’m Ye Liuyun, captain of Team 017. The big guy here is my deputy, Yu Shengheng—just call him Beard. The smaller one is Cheng Shaoluo, but we all call him Radish…”

Radish was clearly displeased with Ye Liuyun describing him as “small,” and protested with a frown, “Boss! I’m not small! I’m only seventeen, still growing! Maybe by thirty I’ll be bigger than Beard!”

Beard snorted disdainfully, “Let’s see if you live to thirty.”

Ye Liuyun ignored Radish and continued, “The Oasis isn’t as lenient about taking in refugees as it used to be. If you want to come, you can stay with me for now. The child can be sent to the nursery. Don’t worry—she’ll get the best care and education the Oasis can offer.”

Shi Xianyu asked cautiously, “Is it possible to send her in for just a few days and then bring her out again? Xiao Li has always been with me, so I’m worried she might not adjust…”

“Relax, the Oasis has professional psychological therapists. In cases like yours, there’s usually a preliminary adaptation phase,” Ye Liuyun replied with an easy smile. “When it comes to children and expectant mothers, the Oasis is extremely thorough. Everything is designed to nurture the most outstanding offspring, so our future will have stronger teams and healthier mothers.”

Shi Xianyu was moved by everything except that last sentence. Hearing it, that old discomfort rose again…

“Well, then I’ll leave it to you.” Shi Xianyu smiled at them. “I’ll follow behind you by car and try not to cause any trouble.”

“No trouble at all!” Radish said quickly. “We’re headed back anyway, so it’s on the way! Really…”

He glanced at Lin Yuan out of the corner of his eye, his heart skipping a beat as his words stalled.

They were supposed to go back, but if this man still wanted to return to Qinghe Oasis, what then?

Lin Yuan seemed to catch Radish’s thoughts, shooting him a blank look. “I’m going to Dragon Rock Oasis too.”

“You’re not looking for that little girl anymore?” Ye Liuyun asked.

Lin Yuan nodded slightly. “No, not anymore.”

He wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but he was certain the person he was searching for was the little girl beside Shi Xianyu.

A powerful instinct in his mind urged him to find her mother.

Now that Shi Xianyu was taking the girl to Dragon Rock Oasis, he naturally had to go along.

Yet something felt strange… Every time he looked at Shi Xianyu, there was a sense of familiarity—why? Did he know her?

Lin Yuan quietly observed Shi Xianyu.

She was fair-skinned and delicate, utterly untainted compared to their sweaty, sand-covered appearances. She was like a white daisy blooming in the desert—fresh and adorable.

Her voice was gentle too, calm and soft as a flowing spring.

A faint red mark circled her milky neck, where the rough fabric of her collar had rubbed against her fine skin, leaving a trace. Strands of hair slipped down from her ears and tucked into her collar…

Lin Yuan’s heart suddenly raced.

He couldn’t say why, but he felt as if he had once held this body, breathed in her scent, perhaps… even shared a deeper intimacy.

He turned his gaze away, unable to meet Shi Xianyu’s eyes.

His eyes landed on the camper’s window, where his reflection showed his half-twisted, ugly face. He stared, lost in thought, unable to recover…

No one noticed his distraction. Everyone was gathered around Shi Xianyu, teasing the little girl behind her.

“What’s your name, sweetie?”

“How old are you? Are you excited to go to the Oasis?”

“Her braids are so cute! Did you do them? You’re really good with kids.”

“You could get a job at the nursery! Let our captain introduce you—he’s got connections!”

Lu Li shyly hid behind Shi Xianyu, her big black eyes blinking as she looked at everyone.

Shi Xianyu explained, “I met Xiao Li at Qinghe Oasis. She was living alone in an abandoned apartment building. Maybe because she’s been alone so long, she doesn’t speak. I hope this trip to the Oasis will help us find news about her mother… Oh, right.”

Remembering Lu Li’s drawing, Shi Xianyu looked at Ye Liuyun. “You all come and go through the Oasis often, so you must know a lot of people. Could you help me find someone? A man with a full beard and a scar across his face.”

“Do you know his name or age?” Ye Liuyun asked.

Shi Xianyu shook her head gently. The child’s drawing was so abstract, it was impossible to guess his age.