Chapter 28: Daily Infrastructure Routine

Chapter 28: Daily Infrastructure Routine

"So, the story goes that one day in the Lungmen Outer Ring, the world-renowned 'Mad Lion' Indra was eating barbecue at a roadside stall. Watching a master and her apprentice sparring across the street, she felt a sudden surge of excitement and shouted, 'Beautiful!' This incensed the pair, who mistook her exclamation for mockery."

"The master, leading the way, cupped her hands and said, 'I am Franka of Blacksteel Worldwide, wielder of the Thermite Sword. May I ask why you are laughing, Excellency?'"

"Indra, a woman of straightforward character, chewed on a skewer of crispy, oil-dripping meat and replied, 'Your swordsmanship is brilliant; I was simply carried away. Is it wrong to cheer?'"

"Franka could not gauge the depth of Indra’s prowess, but she could not lose face in front of her apprentice. 'Since you claim to see the profound nature of my art, I must ask you to enlighten me with a bout!'"

"Indra took a deep swig from her water cup, exhaled a puff of hot air, and shouted, 'Good water!' She picked up the heavy double-handed hammer leaning against her chair and stood up. The Mad Lion stood seven feet tall, her golden hair dancing in the wind. Dressed in a black leather jacket over a dark vest, a ferocious scar marred her chest. The hammer in her hand was a masterpiece by the renowned smith Vulcan, its sharp edges perfectly natural and in such harmony with the Mad Lion that she had reached the supreme state of unity between warrior and weapon!"

Zhou Jinru, holding Red in his arms, felt his throat go dry from all the storytelling. He took a long drink from his cup and continued: "That clash between the Mad Lion and the Thermite Sword was a duel for the ages. Hammer and blade collided, sparks flying like rain. They traded blows, each with their own unique style, but the Mad Lion was, after all, a world-famous hero, a titan of her craft. Franka the Thermite Sword was a notch weaker and gradually began to lose ground."

"Melantha, the apprentice watching from the sidelines, saw this and cast aside all concerns for martial chivalry. She drew her sword and rushed into the fray, joining her master. Indra, however, cared not how many enemies she faced; she only worried that the fight wouldn't be exciting enough. The Mad Lion is a battle-maniac—the more she fights, the madder she becomes, and the madder she becomes, the more she fights! The battle turned fierce, shaking the very earth, sending sand and stone flying across the Lungmen Outer Ring, until it drew the attention of another world-shattering figure: Skadi the Tide-Caller!"

Amiya walked in carrying a stack of files and immediately spotted the Doctor holding Red while spouting nonsense. She slammed the files onto the desk with a heavy thud and said with a huff, "Doctor, it is not time to rest yet. Please get back to work."

Zhou Jinru, having reached a point where he was struggling to figure out how to continue the plot, took the interruption as his cue. "To know what happens next, tune in for the next installment."

Red hopped out of his arms and waved her tail in front of him. "Touching the tail makes you happy. The Doctor is always unhappy. Red must go on patrol now. Goodbye, Doctor."

"Red’s intuition is always so accurate. Are you unhappy because you're homesick, Doctor?" Amiya asked with concern as she watched Red leave the command center.

Zhou Jinru leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. "Anyone would be unhappy if they had to work this late every day. But Rhodes Island is a good place; I'm not homesick at all."

He picked up a file from his desk, flipped through it, and asked, "Red Cloud's file has been processed. Which department are we assigning her to?"

"The permanent sniper department. She will also be responsible for a wilderness survival course. Most operators lack experience in that area, and there are very few references available. Red Cloud is perfect to fill that gap."

"I understand."

Zhou Jinru signed the bottom of the document, only to notice Amiya staring at him. He subconsciously touched his face. "Is there something on my face?"

"No, it's nothing. I was just thinking about why you left so suddenly back then, and why you returned just as suddenly."

Amiya remembered that day when the Doctor appeared in the operators' lounge wearing strange clothes. She had discovered him by chance, and it felt like a dream—a surreal, beautiful dream.

"It’s nothing, really. My family summoned me back. They intended to arrange a marriage for me with a woman I’d never met. No matter how well I performed, they always favored my younger brother. I was born to work for him; all my efforts were in vain. Besides, I was an adopted orphan; to the family, I was an outsider. So, I found a way to run back."

Zhou Jinru’s eyes were cold, as if he were telling the story of someone else.

Amiya asked tentatively, "Is your family in Yan?"

"Not in Yan. They are in a very distant place. They will never find me. From now on, Rhodes Island is my home."

He changed the subject and stood up to head out. "It's noon. Let's go to the cafeteria to eat."

"Doctor."

Amiya called out softly, her face flushing as she said shyly, "You can tell me if you need something, Doctor. Being hugged suddenly in the cafeteria with so many operators watching... it's embarrassing."

Recalling the scene from yesterday—the Doctor suddenly hugging her and shouting that he was starving and that she couldn't just watch him die—it really was too shameful!

The Doctor had said he had a "clever plan," and she had believed him so easily. The result was public humiliation. Though... it didn't feel entirely bad, being the person the Doctor relied on. Oh, what am I thinking?

Amiya gently patted her burning cheeks, feeling dizzy and unable to think straight.

...

"Eh, Doctor Gavial, do you really not need my meal card? You need three meals a day to maintain your physical output..."

Myrrh hurried a few steps to catch up with Gavial, looking at the meal card in her hand, confused about what was happening.

Gavial tucked the card away as lightly as a dragonfly landing on water, as if it were a precious treasure. "Don't worry about me."

Watching her friend leave, Myrrh scratched her head, still unable to understand.

"A smile on the lips, a peach-blossom glow in the eyes—your friend must have encountered someone capable of melting the ice in her heart. This is a good thing; not everyone is willing to accept physical anesthesia."

A man in a black overcoat leaned against the doorframe. His long black hair draped over his shoulders, the ends curled. His deep, dark eyes were filled with infinite tenderness. With ten long, powerful fingers crossed in front of him, he bowed slowly. "Midnight, greetings, Miss Myrrh."

His etiquette was impeccable, his temperament otherworldly, much like the noble sons found in novels. Myrrh hurried to ask, "Mr. Midnight, is something the matter?"

Midnight parted his thin lips, his words clear and his tone light, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. But what he actually said was quite different:

"It is like this: my companion provoked that child in the dormitory, so they are all currently lying down. I managed to make it here, hoping you could provide some... aid..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Midnight collapsed to the floor with a thud. Only then did Myrrh notice in horror that this elegant gentleman had passed out, and the back of his well-fitted black coat had been ripped open, exposing the skin beneath.