Chapter 72: The Road of Second Exile, Part 14

The thought flashed through her mind but was immediately dismissed—how could she, Captain Ye of the illustrious Team 017, stoop to such underhanded tactics?

Shi Xianyu said, “Little Li isn’t my daughter. I was inquiring about the Oasis because I want to send her somewhere safe to live. Of course, it would be even better if I could find her biological mother.”

Ye Liuyun was startled at this. “Ah, she isn’t? I always thought you were her birth mother!”

Shi Xianyu frowned. “What do you mean by ‘birth mother’? Is that some kind of profession?”

“A birth mother refers to women who can still have children,” Ye Liuyun explained, sharing what was common knowledge in this world. “Surely you know by now—the continent’s water, soil, and air are all contaminated with toxins. Humanity has all but lost the ability to reproduce; only a handful of women can still bear children. These women are fiercely protected in every Oasis, living in the Oasis Park and enjoying the highest standard of care: the purest water, the most nutritious food, sheltered from sandstorms—all so that humanity can continue to survive.”

Shi Xianyu listened, feeling a strange discomfort. She hesitated. “Given all that, do you think Little Li’s mother might be in this Oasis Park you mentioned?”

Ye Liuyun nodded. “It’s possible. But not certain. Everyone’s constitution is different. Some women lose their ability to have children after giving birth.”

“What happens to women who can no longer have children?”

“There’s a nursery in the Park. Women with experience raising children become godmothers—they look after the youngsters and teach new mothers, since not every woman is born knowing how to be a mother.”

Shi Xianyu asked, “Does every woman who loses her fertility become a godmother?”

“Not always…” Ye Liuyun replied, frowning in thought. “The ‘Park’ is the heart of the Oasis, and the nursery is its very core. Everyone wants to get in—if you do, you’ll never want for food or clothing. If not, you have to find work to scrape by.”

And given the current shortage of resources, any job would be grueling and harsh.

Shi Xianyu pressed for more details about the nursery and learned that children under fourteen, like Lu Li, would be cared for free of charge at any major Oasis. This finally brought her some small relief.

At least, if she could get Lu Li into the nursery—even if they couldn’t find her mother—the girl would have a relatively safe environment to live in.

“Oh, by the way…” Shi Xianyu remembered something else and asked Ye Liuyun, “If Little Li grows up and is able to have children, will she have to go into the Park and become a birth mother? Is it mandatory?”

Ye Liuyun was taken aback, puzzled. “Wait, you don’t want her to be a birth mother when she’s grown? Why? Birth mothers are treated the best in all the Oasis—even better than the lords. They’re crucial to humanity’s survival, the more they bear, the greater the contribution. Their names are remembered by all—there’s nothing more noble.”

Shi Xianyu felt a chill run down her spine and could only force a smile. “I was just asking. Little Li is only eight—she’s still so young... Let’s leave that for the future.”

Ye Liuyun nodded. “You’re right. It’s much too early to talk about this now.”

Shi Xianyu stood up. “You stay here. I’ll take Little Li to the vehicle to bring out more water. Your companions are still unconscious—they need to be hydrated regularly.”

Having chatted for a while and feeling less awkward, Ye Liuyun’s skin had grown a little thicker. She nodded her thanks. “Sorry to trouble you.”

Shi Xianyu took Lu Li’s hand and led her to the vehicle, taking the empty water dish from the giant lizard as they passed.

Back inside, Ye Liuyun was left alone with the massive spotted lizard. It was lying lazily to one side, seemingly harmless, but she still felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, a little tense.

She finished her mug of mung bean water, poured herself another, and glanced sidelong at the three bodies lying on the ground, silently urging, Wake up already, guys.

…

Shi Xianyu, holding Lu Li’s hand, bent down to discuss things with her. “That lady said all the children in the Oasis live in the Park, where there’s housing and a school. When we reach the Oasis, I’ll send you there to stay, and then we’ll look for your mother, all right?”

Lu Li nodded. The little girl had grown attached to Shi Xianyu and trusted her completely.

Seeing how obedient she was, Shi Xianyu felt a mix of emotions. The structure of this world was different from what she’d expected. Even if she got Lu Li into the nursery, living with the so-called godmothers, she doubted she could ever truly feel at ease.

Ultimately, she still had to find Lu Li’s mother as quickly as possible. Perhaps only a biological mother had the right to interfere with or decide what kind of life Lu Li should have.

Shi Xianyu forced herself to smile encouragingly and patted the child’s head. “Come on, let’s go bring some more water to the people outside.”

Lu Li nodded and beamed at her.

Shi Xianyu’s heart melted at her smile.

What a wonderful child. If only you could live in my world—a place with no mutant monsters, no scorching heat, no ruined cities, and no warped social rules. You would surely lead a happy life.

Such thoughts could only be buried deep in her heart, for the chasm between worlds was not so easily crossed.

Children seemed naive, but in truth were sensitive. Lu Li picked up her sketchbook and colored pens and wrote on the paper: “What’s wrong?”

Shi Xianyu smiled and stroked her head. “I’m fine…”

Before she could finish, Ye Liuyun’s voice rang out from outside—

“Finally awake! Radish, how are you feeling?…”

Shi Xianyu said no more to Lu Li, quickly grabbed a few bottles of mineral water, and got out of the vehicle.

Outside, Ye Liuyun was crouched, helping Radish drink water. The bearded man was already sitting up, resting against the van’s tire.

Radish, still dazed, saw Shi Xianyu stepping down and stared in astonishment, blurting, “An angel…”

Shi Xianyu was momentarily surprised, but couldn’t help chuckling.

Then Radish saw Lu Li and, still in a fog, exclaimed, “Little angel…”

Ye Liuyun grinned too, giving him a gentle knock on the head. “Not bad, kid—your eyes still work. Get up and drink your water!”

After the tap, Radish grew more alert, realizing he’d blurted out nonsense, and offered Shi Xianyu an embarrassed smile.

Shi Xianyu walked over and checked on him and the bearded man, her expression gentle. “You’re both all right now?”

Ye Liuyun pointed to the one who still hadn’t woken up. “He’s the only one left.”

“Want to try giving him more water?” Shi Xianyu twisted open a bottle, knelt, and tried to get some into the man’s mouth. She also scooped water into her hands, patting it onto his face, arms, and chest to help cool the surface of his skin.

This body was remarkably strong and solid—everywhere was hard as stone.

Half the water was gone when she was about to stand up. Suddenly, her wrist was gripped tightly. Looking down, she saw that the man—who had seemed unconscious—had woken at some point. His jet-black eyes were fixed on her, and his hand was firmly clasped around her wrist.