Embers Ad Infinitum

The Old Task Force deliberately took a detour, crossed the Red River from elsewhere, and returned to First City from the southeast. This was because they were afraid that the advance base camp’s garrison would report the fact that they had many military exoskeletons. When the time came, even their acquaintances wouldn’t help them and might even add to their troubles.

Compared to the North Shore entrance, there were a large number of manors southeast of First City. Many citizens came and went every day, so the inspection wasn’t that strict. In addition, the matter of capturing the colosseum assassination’s accomplices had been going on for many days. The soldiers were definitely not putting in as much effort as before.

After entering the city and returning to a safe house, Jiang Baimian looked at the sky and said, “Today’s mission is to rest and recuperate. There are three things to do tomorrow. The first is to return the car and get another one. We’ll also change the jeep back to its original paint job. The second is to go to the Golden Grain Zone to find the Mirror Church’s Smith. The third—which is the most important—is to visit Xiaochong.”

Be it to prevent this King of Heartless from instinctively influencing First City residents or asking him for help in certain matters, the Old Task Force had to visit him and ‘chat.’

To Shang Jianyao, meeting a friend was a very important matter.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao clapped for Jiang Baimian’s arrangement.

“Xiaochong should be pretty friendly to us…” Long Yuehong muttered in a tone of self-consolation.

Bai Chen echoed, “As long as we don’t anger him and go along with him, nothing will happen.”

At this moment, Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “Since it’s a visit, shouldn’t we bring some gifts? Otherwise, it might appear rude?”

Long Yuehong was a little confused and subconsciously wanted to say: “There’s no need for that, right?”

Among Pangu Biology’s ordinary employees, they didn’t have the habit of giving gifts during festive seasons or daily visits because of their limited quota, limited contribution points, and insufficient supplies. Their interactions were more about visits for socializing.

“That’s true.” Bai Chen agreed with her team leader. Among wilderness nomads and Ruin Hunters, it was normal for people to be short on supplies, food, and clothing, so there was no custom like bringing gifts for a house visit. But the less supplies there were, the more effective the bribery effect gifts had. Bai Chen occasionally did something ‘illegal.’ When she sought convenience, she would pool together resources with a few people and bribe the guards or the supervisor.

Genava had a rich database regarding human gifting, so he directly asked, “What should we give?”

Jiang Baimian glanced at Shang Jianyao and realized that he had no interest in discussing this topic at all. He looked as if he was saying: “A true friend appreciates the thought, not the gift.”

“Erh, food?” Jiang Baimian retracted her gaze and thought for a moment before saying, “I remember Xiaochong saying that he also eats, but that he doesn’t eat a lot. Furthermore, he taught those Superior Heartless how to use fire to roast and cook.”

“Bring a pile of beef, canned food, and potatoes for Xiaochong?” Long Yuehong was especially enthusiastic when it came to this topic. He felt that this was a gift that no human in the Ashlands could resist.

Of course, Xiaochong might not be considered ‘human.’

“Won’t it be a little strange? He still has to prepare the food himself.” Jiang Baimian evaluated politely.

“I usually give food that’s convenient to eat.” Bai Chen recalled her past experiences. “There’s no problem with canned food, so we can strike off the potatoes and beef. They can be switched to bread. There’s also First City’s more unique pizza. It’s best to choose the kind with cream. You can buy it on Red Wolf Zone’s streets that are in better condition. Children prefer such food.”

“You seem to be good at coaxing children.” Jiang Baimian laughed.

Bai Chen fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “Sometimes.”

“Is this because they remind you of your childhood?” Genava asked questions for anything he didn’t know.

You stupid robot, pay attention to your EQ! You’re about to form a Heng-Ha[1] duo who are always in cahoots with each other! Jiang Baimian couldn’t stop him in time and could only curse Old Ge inwardly.

Bai Chen pursed her lips and said after a few seconds, “Yes.”

Her voice was very low and unclear, but she wasn’t angry, nor did she seem embarrassed.

Jiang Baimian quickly changed the topic. “Apart from food, we can also consider Xiaochong’s favorite games.”

“A gaming cartridge?” Shang Jianyao perked up as if he wanted to personally choose one for Xiaochong and play with him.

Xiaochong’s Old World game console used cartridges.

“There are very few game cartridges that remain to this day, so it’s not that easy to obtain them.” As she spoke, Jiang Baimian laughed. “However. we have many computer games.”

It was part of the Old World’s entertainment they had gathered in Tarnan.

Upon seeing Long Yuehong’s perplexity, Jiang Baimian added, “We’ll gift Xiaochong the latest computer model and install all kinds of games in it!”

From then on, the King of the Heartless will be completely obsessed with games and will never want to destroy the world again… This thought inexplicably surfaced in Long Yuehong’s mind. He then subconsciously said, “It’s very expensive.”

It was especially expensive in First City.

“The latest portable computer here costs about 800 to 900 Oray, or even more,” Bai Chen gave the price.

“800 to 900?” Jiang Baimian was shocked. She knew it was expensive, but she didn’t expect it to be this expensive.

In Mechanical Paradise’s Tarnan, the latest portable computer was only about 100 Oray. A slightly inferior older model could be obtained for 50 to 60 Oray.

“It’s around that price.” Genava confirmed Bai Chen’s words.

When Mechanical Paradise’s delegation transacted with Weed City, they paid attention to the value of the corresponding electronic products in the surrounding area.

Jiang Baimian quickly calmed down and deliberated before saying, “There are two possibilities. The first is to use the funds we applied for on this. In any case, we’ll just keep the tiny bit we owe the Blackshirts after the payment. They probably won’t rush us even if we drag it out for another week or two. The second is to squeeze one from the team for Xiaochong. Hmm, let’s use mine.”

“Use mine. Yours has many documents and data,” Bai Chen calmly suggested.

“That works.” Jiang Baimian waved her hand with feigned lavishness. “I’ll make it up to you later!”

After settling this matter, Jiang Baimian hesitated again. “Isn’t it inappropriate to give such an expensive gift from the beginning? I wonder if Xiaochong has heard of the saying: One who is unaccountably solicitous is hiding evil intentions…”

Bai Chen and Long Yuehong looked at each other and thought for a moment. “We can give it to him on our second visit. We’ll bring some food on the first visit for a pure chat. Don’t mention anything that requires help and focus on deepening our relationship.”

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “This plan is relatively safe.”

“Team Leader, should we bring a set of clothes along?” Long Yuehong took the initiative to add, “I remember that Xiaochong only brought the game console and its components when he left the basement. He didn’t bring any clothes.”

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “Not for the time being. I’m afraid that there’s a special meaning to that set of clothes, so getting him to change might result in something terrifying. But now that you mention it, I remember a situation. Xiaochong really wanted to eat tomato omelet back then. Yes, we can bring some tomatoes and some eggs. We’ll decide if we should cook for him based on the situation.”

“That works!” Shang Jianyao wiped the corners of his mouth.

“Then, it’s decided.” Jiang Baimian exhaled and took out her radio transceiver. As they were only receiving and not sending out signals, they didn’t go to a designated safe house.

At the agreed time, Pangu Biology responded to their report from last night: “As long as you don’t enter Wasteland Ruin 13 again, everything will be fine in three days.”

“I guess it will be tough on us for the next three days.” Jiang Baimian waved the telegram in her hand.

Long Yuehong heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the company’s clear instructions.

…

The night passed uneventfully; nothing happened to the Old Task Force.

They returned the car they had rented and went to another rental company to rent a multi-purpose car. They then bought the food they had agreed on.

On the way, they even sprayed their team’s jeep back into its original grayish-green color.

After finishing these matters, the two cars drove into the Red Wolf Zone one after another and went straight to the street Shang Jianyao had gone to in his dream. Before long, they arrived at their destination and found the building by the street.

They walked up to the fifth floor step by step, and Shang Jianyao ran to the door on his right and started banging on it. This time, he didn’t shout, “Xiaochong.”

After dozens of seconds, the door creaked open. What greeted Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and the others was a terrifying cat creature with exposed blood-red muscles.

“Meow~” It wasn’t Slumber Cat who meowed but Shang Jianyao. He tried to greet the other party with his newly learned cat language.

The Slumber Cat glanced at him disdainfully and made way for him to enter the room.

Jiang Baimian looked over and saw the large television, black game console, and corresponding controller. She also saw the black-haired boy in a yellow outfit, Xiaochong.

His red school bag was beside him.

“Xiaochong!” Shang Jianyao shouted sincerely. “Have you eaten? I brought you some pizza and cream buns, as well as tomatoes and eggs. We can make you tomato omelet.”

Xiaochong hesitated for a few seconds before pressing the pause button. He reluctantly stood up and said, “Alright.”

Gulp.

He gulped down a mouthful of saliva.

[1] Heng and Ha are two generals of the Shang dynasty in Chinese mythology, featured within the 16th-century Chinese fantasy novel Investiture of the Gods.