Chapter 83: The Second Exile, Part 25

He Su hung his head in silence, looking utterly dejected. Madam He stepped forward to comfort him a few more times, and at last, mother and son left the team community.

Shi Xianyu let out a deep breath of relief in the courtyard.

Finally, they were gone!

She dreaded that kind of parent the most, always complicating what should be simple, and she couldn’t even reason with them. If pushed, those types would do anything for their precious child!

Shi Xianyu lingered at the gate for another moment, making sure they wouldn’t return, then prepared to close it.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone hiding behind the stairway door of the apartment across the street—it happened to be someone she knew: Radish!

Shi Xianyu couldn’t help but smile in exasperation, her gaze helpless as she looked over.

Realizing he’d been discovered, Radish sheepishly stepped out, wearing an awkward grin. “I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose, just happened to pass by.”

He lifted the toolbox in his hands as explanation. “I came to fix your car window.”

Though he admired her too, Shi Xianyu felt much more at ease around Radish. She smiled and asked, “Why aren’t you out on a mission with Sister Ye?”

“Boss took the newbies, so I got the day off.” Radish shrugged, unconcerned. “I’ve earned enough points this month anyway, missing a few missions doesn’t matter.”

“All these car repair tools and materials must have cost you quite a few points, right?” Shi Xianyu opened the car and got in. “Let me get you something to eat. I froze yesterday’s mung bean soup into popsicles—they’re perfect for this weather.”

Radish grinned. “Thanks, Sister Fish.”

The mung bean popsicle was frozen solid; a bite sent a chill straight through, just right for such a day.

While Radish nibbled on the popsicle, Shi Xianyu reminded him, “Don’t mention what you saw today, especially don’t let anyone know Madam He came looking for me, or there’ll be misunderstandings.”

“I know, I’m not stupid.” Radish laughed. “Madam He only has He Su, treats him like the apple of her eye—everyone knows. You did right not getting involved with He Su, Sister Fish! Otherwise, there’d be no end of trouble!”

Shi Xianyu smiled, “I didn’t deliberately ignore him, but honestly, we just aren’t right for each other.”

Recalling Madam He’s words earlier, she asked curiously, “She mentioned she couldn’t keep her earlier children. Why? Doesn’t Oasis have strict rules for childcare?”

Radish, munching his popsicle as he dug for tools in the box, answered vaguely, “Madam He used to be a birth mother. The children she bore belonged to Oasis, she had six or seven in a row, wore out her health and couldn’t have more. Out of pity, the authorities allowed her to raise her youngest, He Su.”

“Oh…” Shi Xianyu was surprised. “So, the children she had before—do they not know who their mother is?”

“Why should they? Isn’t there a Matron?” Radish shot her a puzzled look. “Birth mothers are valuable. After giving birth, they need to recuperate fast for the next artificial insemination. If every birth mother spent their time and energy raising kids, how could Oasis flourish?”

He said this with complete composure, as if stating the most ordinary fact.

Shi Xianyu thought of Lu Li and murmured, “So when Xiao Li grows up…”

“When she’s grown, she’ll serve Oasis. If she can have children, she’ll be a birth mother; if not, she can be a team captain like our boss, still impressive.” Radish slurped his popsicle, unconcerned. “I was raised by a Matron. Sometimes, seeing how strict Madam He is with He Su, I wish I didn’t have a mother—too much hassle!”

Though she disliked Madam He’s ways, Shi Xianyu couldn’t help but defend her a little. “You only see how strict she is, but not how much care she gives He Su.”

“Matrons care for us too,” Radish didn’t quite understand. “They’re trained professionals with experience. Are you saying Madam He’s better at being a mother than a Matron?”

Shi Xianyu was at a loss, unable to come up with a retort right away.

Would a professional mother outshine an ordinary one?

For a child, would a Matron’s care be better than a biological mother’s?

Her mind suddenly grew muddled. Then Radish spoke again beside her, “Some people, I don’t get them—they insist on bearing and raising their own kids, but the children still end up working for Oasis. What’s the difference? I think the Matrons are great: they teach us anything, we can pick any surname we like, and when we grow up, we don’t have to worry about taking care of parents.”

Radish paused in his work and said to Shi Xianyu, “Sister Fish, maybe you shouldn’t bother finding Xiao Li a mother. She seems fine at the nursery.”

Shi Xianyu hesitated, “I’m not sure… I still think there’s a difference between having a mother and not.”

“What’s the difference?” Radish asked, more seriously now.

He genuinely wanted to know what it felt like to have a mother.

But Shi Xianyu couldn’t put it into words.

She fell silent, and Radish didn’t press her, returning efficiently to repairing the window.

Watching him work, Shi Xianyu couldn’t help but ask, “Radish, you all grew up in the nursery without mothers—does that mean you didn’t have fathers, either?”

Radish nodded. “The sperm for birth mothers comes from carefully selected donors at the sperm bank. Our records show our biological parents and siblings, but we don’t have access, so we don’t know who our parents are.”

He paused, looking thoughtful. “Kids with fathers don’t go to the nursery. Those parents raise their own kids at home for the sake of family legacy. I think it’s pretty anti-human.”

Shi Xianyu was taken aback. “Huh?”

She’d thought all children lived at the nursery. So Oasis residents also raised kids themselves—probably the wealthy ones. Ordinary people could barely survive; who would have the energy to look after children?

Radish discussed earnestly, “Only the best-quality sperm gets chosen by birth mothers. Matrons always taught us it’s for the betterment of humanity. But who knows about those private kids’ sperm quality? How can they just do as they please? That’s why I say, they’re anti-human, Sister Fish. Don’t you agree?”

Shi Xianyu tilted her head, thinking, “Uh… isn’t that a bit… inhuman?”

Radish’s eyebrows shot up, righteous indignation in his voice. “Inferior genes don’t deserve reproductive rights! Those people are traitors to Oasis’s progress—scum!”

Shi Xianyu was speechless.

Radish calmed down and turned to her. “Sister Fish, it’s not about you. I just get mad thinking about it.”

Shi Xianyu laughed awkwardly, “Let me get you another popsicle.”

Radish grinned, youthful innocence shining on his face. “Sure! Thanks, Sister Fish!”