Chapter 134.2 – Fire Seed (3)
◎ Welcome to V587 ◎
Lin Youyou tilted her head back, holding back her tears, and softly asked, “When are you leaving?”
“In a week,” Song Ke replied.
Lin Youyou curled her fingers, “Then when you leave, I’ll see you off.”
“Okay.”
“You guys chat, I’ll go… check on Lin Xiu,” Lin Youyou abruptly stood up and walked out of the room, almost bumping into Su Cha.
Su Cha glanced back at the people in the room; his dark, inscrutable eyes revealed no emotions, but that was his usual demeanor, and no one minded. Finally, he nodded and silently followed Lin Youyou outside.
After the two figures disappeared, Xu Xing, confused, asked, “Aren’t they going?”
“They were temporary additions; we can’t force them,” explained Song Ke.
“Oh,” Xu Xing’s grudge notebook now had two fewer people in it, suddenly feeling empty.
Lu Xiaoyu redirected the conversation, “So, about District B, where do you plan to go first?”
Zhuang Qingyan considered before replying, “Probably several places in the North—Askar (District B9), Baishen (District B13, the largest independent research project incubation site)… or maybe the Northern Base (District B10).”
Entering District B not only required reaching the threshold of 500,000 points but also undergoing comprehensive awakener testing. Despite V587’s wealth, the entry city was crucial; it would be their calling card in the future, essentially their second home in District B.
Lu Xiaoyu blinked in confusion, “Why not prioritize the Northern Base? I just found out they’ve released a new recruitment notice, the first time openly recruiting high-tier awakeners from District C and below.”
Xu Xing found the notice Lu Xiaoyu mentioned and read it aloud, “Recruiting high-tier awakener team members now. Excellent benefits, joining the Northern Base grants equivalent treatment to District B awakeners, free accommodation in the central district apartments, access to professional awakener training rooms and breakthrough courses, comprehensive medical education, basic life services…”
“Apartment!” Song Ke exclaimed.
“Breakthrough!” Xu Xing cheered.
Fang Zhixu pondered, “Oh? Medical care in District B…”
Lu Xiaoyu argued, “The black market in the Northern Base is renowned; it has the widest range of materials.”
“…” Zhuang Qingyan remained silent.
“I suddenly can’t remember…” Lu Xiaoyu glanced at him and slowly said, “There was someone called Yin Xiao, almost at S-level strength, skilled with guns. Where was he from?”
“I know, I know, the Northern Base!” Xu Xing eagerly raised his hand to answer.
“Captain, you’re quite close to Yin Xiao, right? We can go seek refuge with a familiar face,” Lu Xiaoyu sincerely suggested.
“Huh?… Not that close,” Song Ke muttered softly.
Zhuang Qingyan stared at Lu Xiaoyu; a glint passed through the lenses, and suddenly, he smirked coldly, “You’re quite fond of riding on others’ coattails? Sure, let’s go seek refuge with familiar faces at the Northern Base.”
*
Lin Xiu ordered a bunch of fried chicken and beer, watching Lin Youyou’s early performance videos, specifically picking those edited by the haters, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Even though she was an AI and couldn’t eat the chicken or drink the beer, unable to sense the taste in the slightest, it didn’t stop her from enjoying the cheerful atmosphere.
Lin Youyou rested her chin on her hand, gazing absentmindedly out the window. Lin Xiu wanted to share some embarrassing stories with her several times but couldn’t draw her attention.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I parted ways with some friends,” Lin Youyou candidly mentioned V587’s decision to go to District B.
“Wow! That’s heartless, why’d they leave you behind?” Lin Xiu was initially indignant and then puzzled. “But why did you initially join through a trade?”
“Because… I did some morally questionable things…” Lin Youyou stuttered.
She confessed about snatching Mirror Lake’s crystal from Song Ke.
“Lin Youyou, you’re downright deceitful, the most treacherous!” Lin Xiu exclaimed in shock. “Did I teach you to be like this?”
“It’s all to save you! When you suddenly deteriorated, I was frantic!” Lin Youyou retorted.
Lin Xiu covered her mouth. “You’re yelling at me? How dare you yell at me?? Sob, I’ve long been dead, if I rot, I rot! Why are you fussing around when I’m already dead? No wonder people don’t trust you.”
Lin Youyou felt a stab in her heart.
The two sisters stared at each other for a while. Lin Xiu tentatively spoke, “So, what are you thinking now?”
“I can’t think of anything else. My home is here, and so are you. I’ll just stay here honestly,” Lin Youyou responded nonchalantly.
“But I feel like you want to go with them,” Lin Xiu said quietly. “You’ve always been stubborn since you were little, pretending to be indifferent while caring deeply. It seems so insincere.”
Lin Youyou’s shoulders slumped. “Song Ke was right. I have too many things I care about…”
“Wow, it’s the apocalypse out there, everything could be destroyed at any moment, and you’re worrying about attachments?” Lin Xiu sat beside her, patting her shoulder in the air. “Besides, aren’t I the one you care about?”
Lin Xiu snapped her fingers. “That’s an easy fix; after all, I’m currently a jobless wanderer. I can just take myself with me.”
Lin Youyou froze.
As she got no response, Lin Xiu waved her hand towards the side, “Hey, handsome guy, Su Cha, what do you think?”
Su Cha spoke softly, “I’ll follow her lead.”
“Such a loyal little dog…” Lin Xiu mumbled indistinctly, “So, what do you think of your former teammates?”
Su Cha paused, “They are… good people.”
Lin Xiu smiled satisfactorily, “There you go, it’s settled. You already have your answers inside. Trust me, taking that step isn’t that hard.”
Lin Youyou glanced at Lin Xiu, then at Su Cha. After a moment of silence, she suddenly burst into laughter without any warning.
Her laughter, with her features relaxed, vibrant, and radiant, seemed to release all the pent-up emotions, like a dazzling morning glow impossible to ignore.
*
A week later, at the Tongwan City gate.
The streamlined design of the Lu’s Starship engine roared as it circled slowly in low altitude.
Song Ke sat at the cabin’s doorway, swinging her legs as she peered into the distance, “They really didn’t come.”
“I told you, the most reliable way to work together is to bind through interests, but you insist on their willingness,” Zhuang Qingyan said casually. “Human hearts are the most unpredictable; who knows, they might have already figured it out, living in a villa in Ferrara, sipping champagne.”
Song Ke sighed deeply, leaned back, and inadvertently laid her head on Zhuang Qingyan’s thigh, looking up at him, her eyes glistening with an indescribable sense of grievance, “Not happy…”
Zhuang Qingyan couldn’t continue with the lecture, so he covered her eyes with his hand.
“Are we leaving?” Lu Xiaoyu poked his head out from the cockpit.
“Let’s go…” Song Ke, unable to see anything, sighed again.
As the starship ascended a bit, about to enter the orbit—
A rugged off-road vehicle rushed in, drifted 180 degrees when it neared, blocking the road. Its wild driving style was akin to Lu Xiaoyu’s. The car door opened, and a man and a woman jumped out, both wearing black sunglasses, carrying backpacks. They were tall and well-proportioned, surrounded by an aura characteristic of high-level awakeners, displaying an extraordinary demeanor.
The woman was dressed in a tactical jacket and jeans, her long hair styled into a single-sided braid that fell gently to one side. She wasn’t wearing a mask and had applied delicate makeup, looking radiant and lively.
“Hey, friends, mind if we hitch a ride with you?”
Xu Xing and Fang Zhixu heard the commotion and squeezed to the side of the hatch, waving excitedly at them.
“You guys, you came?” Song Ke let go of Zhuang Qingyan’s hand and looked at them, unable to contain her surprise.
And indeed, the two were Lin Youyou and Su Cha.
Lin Youyou smiled brightly and freely, “I’ve thought about it. Being a big star, I’ve had my fill of these years. But I haven’t been to District B yet. It’s a good thing to broaden my horizons, so count me in!”
Song Ke was about to speak when—
“Hey, don’t tell me about danger. Come on, Song Ke, it’s the end of the world now. Everywhere’s dangerous, right? I perform at the Sycara Theater, and I have to worry about zombies suddenly popping up from underground!”
“And don’t talk about what I’m attached to or not. I’ve got everything arranged. Look, this time I’ve brought my whole family.” Lin Youyou patted the screen stashed in the side pocket of the backpack and then casually patted Su Cha.
Amidst the airflow stirred by the starship, the two looked at each other for a few seconds. Then, Song Ke and Lin Youyou simultaneously broke into a smile.
“Welcome to V587!” With a hint of dimples on her cheeks, Song Ke said loudly.
