Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 750: Returning to Normal

Translator: CKtalon

After laughing for a while, Shang Jianyao wiped his mouth and said with a yearning expression, “It’s almost winter. There should be mutton soup in the canteen.”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Long Yuehong’s eyes lit up. Just hearing the food’s name made him feel like he could taste that unique and strong aroma.

Bai Chen said, “You can also add stir-fried mutton.”

These were all dishes that weren’t in the canned food they had previously eaten. They had to be made on the spot to be delicious.

Upon hearing them list down a tableful of dishes, Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but pick up her cup and gulp it down. She then cleared her throat and said, “There’s still some time before the results of the test are out. I plan on using it to write a report. Do whatever you want, but you can’t leave the office unless it’s for the bathroom.”

“The computers have been taken in for review, so we can only work.” Shang Jianyao didn’t hide his grievance.

He picked up the printed information that belonged to the Old Task Force and casually flipped through it. This information was mainly regarding the Icefield area in the present day before the Old World was destroyed.

Long Yuehong wanted to just chat with Little White, but under the watch of everyone, it really wasn’t suitable for them to display their affection with each other, especially when Long Yuehong was a conservative and introverted person.

He also sat back in his seat and flipped through the information he hadn’t finished reading before setting off.

Bai Chen chose to follow the crowd.

As time passed, Long Yuehong gradually felt exhausted, and he began to fight his heavy eyelids.

He had experienced such an experience before. Back when they returned to the company from Redstone Collection, the entire team fell asleep and missed the cafeteria’s operating hours.

This was something that couldn’t be helped. In the Ashlands, one would always be tense no matter what; it was impossible to relax completely. Over time, physical and mental fatigue took a toll on them.

Only when he returned to this underground building and didn’t have to worry about sneak attacks, accidents, or being infected did he have a sufficient sense of security. His body and mind felt liberated bit by bit.

To be honest, he didn’t even sleep well in the Ashlands in the beginning. Even with Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao on duty, he was still worried and often woke up.

After a long time, perhaps it was because he was indeed too exhausted, or perhaps it was because he had thought it through and felt that he should trust his companions. After all, they were teammates who could trust each other with their backs. Only then did he truly sleep more soundly.

At some point in time, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen had fallen asleep on the table.

Shang Jianyao tried to stay awake and slid to the sofa in a totter before collapsing.

Jiang Baimian moved her gaze away from the computer screen and scanned the area before smiling.

Time passed minute by minute. She suddenly raised her left palm, bent her finger, and rapped the table.

Shang Jianyao stood up with his eyes closed and shouted, “Mealtime! Mealtime!”

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen straightened their bodies, swung their arms, and cast their gazes at Jiang Baimian.

Jiang Baimian glanced at Shang Jianyao. “I’m informing you guys that the test results are out. We’re all clear.”

At this point, she paused and smiled. “Since there’s no problem and it’s about time, we can go to the canteen.”

“Hooray!” Shang Jianyao finally opened his eyes. “I need an additional serving of sheep intestine in my mutton soup!”

This was very extravagant, but it didn’t matter. They had enough contribution points now.

After eating their fill in the small canteen on the 647th floor that warmed their insides, the four Old Task Force members split into pairs and headed in different directions.

…

495th floor, Zone C, Room 11.

Long Yuehong—who received his parents and sister’s worried concerns—looked around and straightened his back. “Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?” Gu Hong immediately became vigilant. Don’t tell me he’s going out again in the next few days? He’s been gone for more than half a year!

Long Yuehong replied shyly and proudly, “I have a partner.”

“Huh?” Gu Hong, Long Dayong, and Long Aihong exclaimed in surprise.

Gu Hong muttered in perplexment, “You just came back. I haven’t arranged a blind date…”

As for this year’s central assignment, Long Yuehong gloriously missed it again.

Long Yuehong suppressed the embarrassment that suddenly surfaced in his heart and said, “It’s my teammate.”

“Isn’t your teammate Brother Yao?” Long Aihong blurted out.

Long Yuehong’s expression almost froze as he quickly replied, “It’s not like I only have one teammate!”

Sister, use your brain more when you encounter something! No, I have to strictly control her Old World entertainment hours. I can’t let it affect her studies. She will have to take the university entrance exam next year!

Gu Hong was excited. “Which floor is she on? What’s her rank? What’s her name? Which family is she from? Maybe I know her parents or relatives.”

Long Dayong also had a gratified expression.

His eldest son actually knew how to take the initiative to pursue girls and even succeeded!

Long Yuehong organized his words and said, “She’s a foreign employee. She lives on the 622nd floor now.”

“Foreign employee…” Gu Hong’s expression froze before she smiled. “You guys are in the Ashlands every day, so it’s normal for you to develop feelings for each other. When are you bringing the lady back for us to take a look at?”

“I’m thinking of this Sunday.” Long Yuehong had long considered this problem. “When our team’s rewards are distributed, I’ll register our marriage at the Order Supervisory Bureau. When the time comes, we can be assigned a better room.”

He wasn’t asking for his parents’ permission but to inform them of his decision and hope to receive their blessings.

After experiencing so much, although his nature remained unchanged, his confidence and courage had undergone a qualitative change. He was no longer a timid child who obeyed his parents.

Long Dayong glanced at Gu Hong and deliberately showed his curiosity before taking the initiative to ask, “Your team seems to be promoted pretty quickly. What rank is your partner now?”

“D6. She should be promoted again this time.” Long Yuehong didn’t hide the truth.

“D6!?” Long Aihong exclaimed. “What about you, Brother? Will you still be promoted?”

She remembered that her brother had previously been a D7.

Long Yuehong scratched his head in embarrassment. “That’s possible.”

“Wow! Will you be our family’s first management level in the future?” Long Aihong helped her brother liven up the atmosphere as she fantasized excitedly.

“It’s not that easy to reach management!” Gu Hong glared at her daughter before saying to Long Yuehong, “It’s Sunday, right? I have to prepare some food in advance.”

After discussing this matter for a while, Long Yuehong walked out of his house and planned on going to the 622nd floor to tell Bai Chen the news.

As she watched his back disappear around the bend, Gu Hong sighed and said, “Why is it a foreign employee… Her genes won’t be too good.”

Without waiting for Long Dayong and Long Aihong to comfort and persuade her, she continued, “It works anyway. After all, children can undergo the latest generation of genetic enhancement. After they get married, they have to consider pregnancy according to the company’s rules. Once they are pregnant, they don’t have to carry out missions on the surface. In a year or two, their team probably won’t have a spot for them and can only transfer them out.”

Mom is far-sighted… Long Aihong—who was influenced by the Old World’s entertainment—gave a thumbs up inwardly. She then reminded them softly, “Actually, there’s no need to get pregnant. You don’t have to carry out missions on the surface from the moment of marriage until the child is a year old.”

“That’s right! I forgot!” Gu Hong slapped her forehead. “Then, I have to keep an eye on them and get them to register as soon as possible!”

Long Dayong scratched his head. “Sure, sure.”

…

622nd floor, Zone B, Room 59.

After Bai Chen returned to her room, she didn’t turn on the laptop and watch shows like she usually did. Instead, she sat in the chair, her gaze blank as her eyes gradually lost focus.

This was mainly because her computer had been handed over for review.

After a while, Bai Chen opened the drawer, took out pen and paper, and quickly drew all kinds of lines. Gradually, a few small figures appeared on the piece of paper—two large, one small—and a robot.

Although Bai Chen didn’t have much drawing skills, she still outlined the characteristics of different people. The male adult looked at the child affectionately, the female adult looked gentle, the robot was wooden, and the child had a bright smile with a hair clip.

As she looked at the drawing, a smile slowly appeared on Bai Chen’s face.

…

On the 647th floor, Room 14.

“Done!” Jiang Baimian saved the document and stretched her back. She then looked at Shang Jianyao—who was sitting on the sofa. “Why are you still in the office?”

Shang Jianyao replied righteously, “I’m afraid you’ll get lost!”

“Whoa,” Jiang Baimian replied angrily. “Although the price I paid has worsened, it’s not to the point of not being able to return home.”

After the matter regarding Tai City’s No. 1 Senior High School, she finally cleared the island of fear of death after a few attempts. Her abilities had increased by 50% in all aspects, and the corresponding price had worsened.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “Is that so? I don’t believe you.”

Jiang Baimian chuckled. “Take a good look then!”

She packed her things and walked to the door.

In order not to embarrass herself in front of Shang Jianyao, she thought for a moment and identified the area for a few seconds before choosing which direction to turn in.

She walked to the corresponding elevator with a steady gait while Shang Jianyao followed behind her at a moderate pace with his hands in his pockets.

After entering the elevator, Jiang Baimian made repeated confirmations before pressing ‘349.’

“How was it? I didn’t get lost, right?” she asked Shang Jianyao smugly as she pressed the button to open the door.

Shang Jianyao smiled brightly. “That’s right.”

He then waved his hand. “Goodbye!”

Uh… Jiang Baimian released the button and allowed the elevator door to close in front of her.

After the numbers began to jump, Shang Jianyao turned to another elevator and returned to Room 196 in Zone B on the 495th floor.

After cleaning up simply, he lay on the bed and raised his right hand to pinch his temples.

…

In the Mind Corridor, ten Shang Jianyaos were squatting, leaning, or standing around Room 102 as they glared at each other.

The rash Shang Jianyao and the one seeking novelty would be eager to rush over and open the door from time to time, but they were held back by their peers in time and pressed down.