Embers Ad Infinitum

Bai Chen kept to herself that she had firmly decided herself to be a member of the Old Task Force. Unless all her current companions had been replaced, she would definitely choose to continue. She didn’t wish to repeat her previous experiences.

She felt that the current reason was enough to persuade Long Yuehong. After all, this was indeed one of her thoughts.

Long Yuehong stammered, “B-but the probability of contracting the Heartless disease in the company is very low; it’s about the same as some terminal diseases. There’s no need to fear it.”

Since they couldn’t avoid contracting terminal illnesses, there was no need to worry too much about the Heartless disease.

Bai Chen calmly replied, “It’s completely different for me. Many terminal diseases can be prevented and avoided, but the Heartless disease can’t. Besides, one won’t immediately die after contracting a terminal disease. I will still have plenty of time to deal with all kinds of things and think of a way to clear my bucket list. Once I contract the Heartless disease, I will immediately lose all my rationality and no longer be human.”

“That’s true…” Long Yuehong couldn’t out-talk her at all.

The employees of Pangu Biology actually knew of such a difference, but they had already lived like this for decades, going on for generations. Most of the time, they would consciously or unconsciously ignore this to make themselves happier and more relaxed. Otherwise, what else could they do?

Shang Jianyao—who had changed his personality at some point in time and had given up on competing with Long Yuehong in single-hand push-ups—started a new topic. He looked at Long Yuehong and said, “Which job do you want if you were to leave the Security Department?”

Long Yuehong had really thought of this question in the dead of night, but he definitely couldn’t say that. He organized his words and said, “I’ll go wherever the company sends me.”

“Hypocrite,” the honest Shang Jianyao said. He called a spade a spade.

As Long Yuehong’s face flushed red, Shang Jianyao took the initiative to ‘consider’ this matter for him. “How about the Rec Center’s PIC? Look at Old Chen; he doesn’t have much to do most of the time. He only needs to carry a cup, sit there, listen to people chat, and sell things on the behalf of others. He can also leave the job of getting food to his staff; there’s no need for him to line up. When it’s crunch time, it’s just organizing activities—singing, dancing, playing chess, and playing basketball…”

Long Yuehong blurted out, “This doesn’t suit me. I don’t like dealing with people, much less organizing activities.”

At this point, he realized that his answer seemed to have been carefully considered. He quickly added, “I’m only a D5 now. Even if I’m promoted a rank this time, I’ll only be a D6. Yes, I can be promoted one more rank after leaving the Security Department, which makes me D7. However, the Rec Center’s PICs are all D8.”

“You still have to work hard!” Shang Jianyao patted Long Yuehong’s shoulder sincerely.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian—who had finished her report—walked in. Upon hearing their conversation, she smiled and said, “Little Red, don’t even think about it. Even if you can leave our team, you will probably stay in the Security Department. You will only be transferred to the Internal Affairs Department, and there’s a high chance that you will be doing intelligence analysis. Otherwise, won’t all your experiences be wasted?”

On the way back to Pangu Biology, she had a private chat with Long Yuehong. She said that according to the Security Department’s rules, members who were seriously injured and disabled could apply to be transferred out of the front line, making it necessary for them to consider their future.

For a member who had made significant contributions, the Security Department would seek their opinion when arranging their subsequent assignment. Therefore, Jiang Baimian’s words actually hid her personal suggestion.

“That’s good too.” Long Yuehong thought for a moment and realized that the job his team leader had mentioned suited him well. Furthermore, if he—who had lived on the surface—was transferred to a position that was completely isolated from the outside world, he would definitely feel a serious sense of loss and be unable to adapt quickly.

In comparison, doing intelligence analysis allowed him to come into contact with the outside world to a certain extent and understand what was happening on the surface.

For some reason, Long Yuehong didn’t want to delve deeper into his departure from the Old Task Force. He quickly changed the topic and said to Shang Jianyao, “Which job do you want to go to if you leave the Security Department?”

Shang Jianyao’s eyes lit up. “After I save all of humanity, I’ll apply to be transferred to the Rec Center as a PIC. I’ll hold a singing competition one week and organize a mass dance the next! This will keep alternating!”

What simple ideals… Don’t you think saving all of humanity isn’t compatible with your future wishes? Long Yuehong criticized inwardly and patronized him. “I hope such a day will come.”

Jiang Baimian stopped their chatting and clapped her hands. “Let’s start training.”

As they had just returned, the Old Task Force was under stress most of the time in the Ashlands. They had to be in condition and didn’t have time to train their bodies. Therefore, their first day of training was mainly for recovery and getting back in shape.

This was rather helpful for Long Yuehong—who had just recovered from his serious injuries. But even so, his weakened body perspired faster than usual. Before long, his clothes clung to his wet body.

“You have a tummy,” Shang Jianyao pointed out.

Long Yuehong almost flew into a rage out of humiliation. Why rub your nose in it?

Shang Jianyao then gave instructions. “Little White, hold his legs and let him train his core more.”

“Alright.” Bai Chen didn’t refuse.

Long Yuehong was stunned. “O-okay…”

“Weren’t you the one who did this in the past?” Jiang Baimian glared at Shang Jianyao. She was helping them in the face of injustice.

Shang Jianyao boldly said, “I forgot that I had to pay the doctor a visit for my follow-up review of my mental problems the moment I returned.”

As he spoke, he walked to the entrance of the training room.

Long Yuehong shook his head and began training his abdomen and core with Bai Chen’s help. During this process, he recalled his conversation with Shang Jianyao and the future they looked forward to.

He suddenly sighed with emotion. If the Heartless disease didn’t exist and there were ample supplies, our lives would really be beautiful…

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Long Yuehong looked at Bai Chen and then at his team leader—who was doing the aerobic exercises. He couldn’t help but add, In fact, now is pretty nice too if there’s no need to go out into the field or worry about the Heartless disease…

…

Pangu Biology, basement three.

Shang Jianyao met Dr. Lin at the usual place.

This lady in her thirties had her black hair coiled up. She wore a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses, making her appear mature and intellectual.

She found Shang Jianyao’s file, picked up a black fountain pen, and said in a casual tone, “I thought you wouldn’t come until a few days later.”

Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “I’m mainly here to tell you that there shouldn’t be any need for further treatment or observation.”

“You believe you have completely recovered?” Dr. Lin didn’t show any emotion; she had seen many patients say such things.

Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “No, the problem has worsened. It’s hopeless.”

Dr. Lin—who was hearing a patient give such an evaluation of their condition for the first time—was clearly stunned for a few seconds. “Whether it’s recoverable or not isn’t something you can determine for yourself.”

Shang Jianyao revealed a sunny smile. “We’ve already reached an agreement and have a sufficiently perfect negotiation mechanism. It’s pretty good now, so there’s no need for further treatment. There’s no way to treat it either. We can’t kill a few living people just for treatment.”

We… Dr. Lin secretly hissed and followed Shang Jianyao’s tone. “Are you sure y’all have no differences at all?”

“Yes, but the general direction is the same—that’s enough. We seek common ground while putting aside minor differences.” Shang Jianyao was so spirited that he didn’t look like a patient at all.

Dr. Lin probed, “What general direction did you reach an agreement on?”

“Saving all of humanity!” Shang Jianyao’s expression suddenly turned serious.

Dr. Lin’s grip on the black fountain pen suddenly tightened. She hesitated for a few seconds and said seriously, “I’ll jot down what you… y’all said and report it. That’s fine, right?”

Her initial idea was to urge the higher-ups to take forceful measures against Shang Jianyao and send him to the hospital to receive the corresponding drug treatment.

“Sure.” Shang Jianyao was rather calm and not afraid at all.

…

On the 647th floor, Room 14.

After finishing their morning training, Jiang Baimian and the others took a shower and returned to the office to wait for the canteen to ‘open.’

As soon as Shang Jianyao entered the room, he asked Long Yuehong—who was flipping through some information, “Did you go to the Rec Center last night?”

Long Yuehong shook his head. “Where would I find the time? There were many questions from my parents, brother, and sister.”

“Sigh.” Shang Jianyao had a look of regret. “You haven’t even shown them your mechanical arm. This is something worth envy!”

Frankly speaking, Long Yuehong actually had an inferiority complex on this matter. It was also a reason why he didn’t go to the Rec Center last night. But after hearing Shang Jianyao’s words, he inexplicably felt that a mechanical arm wasn’t a bad thing. It was just like the portable computer from before—the envy of his neighbors.

Jiang Baimian could vaguely grasp his thoughts and reminded him with a smile, “If you really can’t get used to a mechanical arm, you can choose a biological prosthetic limb of your choice when the bonuses are distributed. Don’t choose the free ones; they’re scams!”

“Yes, I’ll consider it.” Long Yuehong wavered.

He didn’t really want to undergo surgery again. It wasn’t something good.

Jiang Baimian interrupted this discussion in time and looked at Bai Chen. In line with the topic, she asked curiously, “Little White, what do you usually do when you return to your floor?”

Bai Chen calmly replied, “Use the computer or sleep.”

“Don’t you go to the Rec Center?” Long Yuehong interrupted and asked.

Bai Chen shook her head. “People on our floor don’t like to go to the Rec Center.”

Most of your floor is filled with foreign employees. There’s still some distance between them… Jiang Baimian laughed. “This means that your Rec Center’s supervisor isn’t qualified. I’ll get Hey and Little Red to take you to another floor later to see how lively the Rec Center elsewhere is.”

“Sure, sure.” Shang Jianyao agreed directly.

Jiang Baimian was just about to say something when the phone on the table suddenly rang.