Embers Ad Infinitum

“Chronic gastric problems…

“Higher body temperature than normal people…”

Shang Jianyao repeated the two prices.

Something was squirming under his skin and clothes, right beneath his forehead, shoulders, chest, and gut, but it ultimately didn’t burrow out.

The woman in her thirties or forties standing in front of him asked in concern, “What’s wrong? Could it be that you are considering choosing the Arbiter of Fate domain? Although the abilities in this domain are very strong, they often pay the price of health.”

Shang Jianyao smiled. “I suddenly thought of something. Talk to you later!”

He turned around and walked to the building that represented the room’s exit before returning to the Mind Corridor.

The ruthless Shang Jianyao stuck his head out from his left shoulder and said with a solemn expression, “Mei Shou’an always burps. Su Yu has been running a fever.”

Mei Shou’an was the person-in-charge of the C-14 project.

Su Yu was a board member of Pangu Biology. Shang Jianyao had just met him and reported Mu Renjie’s death to him, which was suspected to be related to the Life Ritual parish. He requested that he be wary of moles and send someone to investigate.

Burping often meant gastric problems. A fever was definitely a result of having a higher body temperature than an ordinary person.

The Shang Jianyaos didn’t argue and made the same choice.

He returned to the real world, opened his eyes, and got off the bed. He then walked to the door and gripped the door handle.

At this moment, he suddenly slowed down and stopped.

After freezing for a few seconds, Shang Jianyao retracted his hand, turned around, walked to the bed, and sat down.

We didn’t do anything. Making a report is every employee’s duty, he muttered to himself silently. As for revenge, it’s even more impossible to take it on the day of my report…

Shang Jianyao hummed a song and leisurely lay down, waiting for Hou Yi to broadcast Newspoint.

Then, he heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Shang Jianyao suddenly sat up straight with an excited expression.

The person outside replied, “I’m here to install the phone. Don’t you know?”

“Oh right!” Shang Jianyao clenched his right fist and punched his left palm. He jumped off the bed, put on his shoes, and opened the door.

Outside the door was indeed an employee holding a toolbox and a telephone.

“You aren’t wearing a cap,” Shang Jianyao pointed out.

The male employee was confused. “Why must I wear a cap?”

He was about the same age as Shang Jianyao; it was obvious that he had only been working for a few years. The effects of genetic enhancement were better than Long Yuehong’s, and his skin was fairer because he had never been to the surface.

Shang Jianyao explained, “I’m referring to the kind of cap that can cover half of a face when pulled down.”

“Why should I wear that?” The male employee kept having the feeling that something was wrong with the other party’s brain and that they couldn’t communicate.

He didn’t live on this floor, nor did he have any relatives here, so he had never heard of Shang Jianyao.

Shang Jianyao sighed. “You’re not professional enough.”

He didn’t say anything else and pointed into the room. “Come in.”

Why is not wearing a cap being unprofessional? I’m just here to install a phone… The male employee rationally gave up on asking and walked into the room.

After looking around, he asked in surprise, “Are you sure it’s here?”

Who would install a phone in such a cramped room?

If one had enough contribution points, they would’ve long thought of a way to change to a bigger room. If one didn’t have enough contribution points, they wouldn’t even consider installing items that would rarely be used. A phone cost a sum of contribution points every month.

“That’s right, that’s right.” Shang Jianyao nodded in confirmation.

The male employee took out the list given by the higher-ups and confirmed the floor and door number again.

He was part of the Training Safeguard Department. This department’s role was to train new employees or transfer working people to new posts. It was also to provide logistical support for everyone.

After repeatedly confirming that there were no problems, the male employee began to busy himself.

Shang Jianyao retreated to the bed, sat down, and looked at the other party.

After the black telephone was installed, he still didn’t encounter any accidents.

He regretfully took the work order form from the other party and signed his name.

Although the male employee found it weird, he quietly left Shang Jianyao’s room since they weren’t familiar with each other and there was no need to chat. He then followed the address on the list to Room 11 on the same floor, Zone C.

Long Aihong skipped to the door and opened it, only to ask in confusion, “You are?”

“I’m here to install the phone. Don’t you know?” The male employee felt that it was his unlucky day.

“I don’t know.” Long Aihong shook her head in confusion.

The next second, her heart palpitated. She turned her body and head and shouted inside, “Bro! You got them to install a phone?”

Long Yuehong walked out of his room and glanced at his confused parents. He scratched his head with his left hand and said, “No…”

“Are you in the wrong place?” Long Aihong immediately turned around and asked the male employee confidently.

At this moment, Long Yuehong had an idea and recalled something: Shang Jianyao had once said that after submitting his experience regarding the exploration of new rooms, the reward he requested was to install a phone in his room.

Could it be… Long Yuehong walked to the door and probed the male employee, “Have you been to Zone B, Room 196?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” The male employee heaved a sigh of relief.

Long Yuehong confirmed his guess and asked, “How many phones are you going to install this time?”

“Three. The other one is for the 622nd floor,” the male employee replied truthfully. “But that one will be moved to another room later. The exact details haven’t been determined.”

Long Yuehong nodded. “I understand. Come in and do the installation.”

At this moment, Gu Hong came over and hesitantly said, “What’s the use of installing this phone? There’s nobody to call, and it costs dozens of contribution points every month.”

“Shang Jianyao got a ‘buy one, get two free.’ It doesn’t cost us any contribution points.” Long Yuehong smiled. “After I married Little White, I definitely had to move out. Don’t you want me to call back often?”

“Can’t you just come back?” Gu Hong nagged without stopping the installation.

She and Long Dayong couldn’t hide their smiles.

Telephones were a rarity, just like portable computers. It was enough to make the neighbors envious!

After installing the landline, Long Yuehong accompanied the male employee to the 622nd floor and explained the matter to Bai Chen. Finally, he used the number pasted on the phone and happily called home to test it out.

…

The next morning, Room 14 on the 647th floor.

As soon as Shang Jianyao entered, he grumbled at Long Yuehong and Bai Chen. “The two of you didn’t even call me after installing a phone!”

He looked abandoned.

“Huh?” Jiang Baimian looked at them in confusion.

Long Yuehong quickly recounted last night and said, “You have to pay additional contribution points to make a call.”

He was explaining why he didn’t call Shang Jianyao.

Shang Jianyao scoffed. “Don’t you know that the monthly fixed fee includes 120 minutes of free talk time?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Baimian testified.

“Is that so?” Long Yuehong was delighted; he planned on chatting on the phone with Bai Chen tonight!

Before he could calm down, Shang Jianyao turned to look at Jiang Baimian. “I learned something from Room 506’s trauma last night.”

“What is it?” Jiang Baimian asked seriously.

“It’s regarding the commonly seen price in the Arbiter of Fate domain.” Shang Jianyao’s expression turned serious.

Bai Chen pursed her lips. “What is it?”

Long Yuehong sensed that the atmosphere wasn’t right and unconsciously held his breath.

Jiang Baimian first confirmed that there were no wires or electrical appliances in the room before nodding. “Speak.”

Shang Jianyao said unhurriedly, “On top of what we know, there’s chronic gastric problems and a higher body temperature than normal people. I remember that Mei Shou’an always burps, while Director Su likes to perspire and likes to drink water in large mouthfuls. His hands are warmer than mine.”

An indescribable silence suddenly appeared in Room 14.

Everyone knew that Shang Jianyao meant that Su Yu and Mei Shou’an might be members of the Life Ritual parish. Although not all Awakened in the Arbiter of Fate domain believed in this Kalendaria, the possibility was definitely higher than that of other domains.

By reporting Mu Renjie’s death to Su Yu, it was akin to lodging a complaint at the person in question.

After a while, Long Yuehong slowly said, “Everyone knows that the company has Awakened in the Arbiter of Fate domain. It may be surprising that Director Su and Superintendent Mei are in this domain, but it’s reasonable. It’s not worth fussing over.”

“Back when the Life Ritual parish’s members were investigated, people like them should be the focus of attention, but the company didn’t discover any problems.” Bai Chen tried to eliminate the corresponding possibility from other angles.

“But why didn’t they put their price in the information?” The honest Shang Jianyao had a different opinion.

The Shang Jianyao that valued relationships explained, “Maybe it’s to effectively protect every Awakened’s secret. Those we often come into contact with won’t have their price listed on the information given to us.”

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged it. “In any case, we’ve reported the matter. Regardless of whether there are any problems with Director Su’s investigation, the subsequent matters have nothing to do with us. At most, Hey will mention it when he explores the Mind Corridor’s depths and is qualified to meet other directors.”

The meaning behind her words was that this matter ran deep. It was fine if there was no problem, but if there was really a problem, it was very easy to encounter something overwhelming if they continued investigating. Therefore, it was best to extract themselves first, observe the situation, and slowly plan.

Furthermore, the reason for their suspicion was relatively far-fetched. If not for the fact that Shang Jianyao held a grudge over the deaths caused by the Life Ritual parish, Jiang Baimian would’ve previously advised him to ignore Mu Renjie’s death.

“Alright.” Shang Jianyao was very serious this time.

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen also felt that this was better. At the very least, they didn’t have to worry about revenge for the time being.

…

622nd floor, Zone B, Room 59.

Long Yuehong—who had planned on returning home to make a call to Bai Chen—decided to stay the night when he thought of the parent-meeting session tomorrow.

The two of them slept early, not wanting to look exhausted the next day.

In a daze, Long Yuehong had a dream.

In his dream, he realized that Mei Shou’an was indeed from the Life Ritual parish. However, he couldn’t immediately find Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao. He could only report to the management he had seen—the Security Department’s deputy minister and the Old Task Force’s immediate superior, Xenny.

After Xenny heard his recount, she stretched out her hands. As she smiled, she assumed a rocking posture as if carrying a baby.

This was the Life Ritual parish’s salute!

Long Yuehong woke up with a start. He panted heavily, glad that it was only a dream.

Bai Chen sat up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Long Yuehong described his dream and smiled bitterly. “I had what I was thinking about in the day reflected in my dreams. I scared myself.”

Bai Chen’s expression changed slightly as she whispered, “I had the same dream.”