The First Order

Ren Xiaosu left after the banquet ended. As for Yang Xiaojin, she followed him back and did not stay around to catch up with Yang Anjing.

Yang Xiaojin did not say a word throughout the banquet. She neither refuted Yang Anjing nor Ren Xiaosu, and it was like she was just an emotionless eating machine.

After returning to their respective courtyard houses, Ren Xiaosu suddenly asked from across the wall, “I went a little overboard with my words earlier tonight. Are you unhappy that I contradicted your aunt like that?”

Ren Xiaosu heard Yang Xiaojin reply from across the wall, “No, because I often quarrel with her as well. Actually, our relationship has always been more like sisters as she’s only six years older than me. You can say she’s my grandpa’s caboose baby since he had her at 61.”

“Your grandpa is amazing,” Ren Xiaosu said.

It fell silent on the other side of the courtyard wall. However, Yang Xiaojin was not too affected by Ren Xiaosu’s remark. She continued, “But there’s one thing I would like to explain to you about tonight. Actually, she’s also a compassionate person. At least, that’s how I view her.”

Ren Xiaosu did not say anything further. He could sense that Yang Xiaojin had seemingly fallen into a trance as she continued talking at her own pace, “At that time, there were no longer any family ties to speak of in our Yang clan. After my parents got in an accident, there was no one to take care of me. Yang Yu’an only adopted me to inherit the resources my father owned before he died, such as his former subordinates and his authority. It was Yang Anjing who sent me to and from school every day. After school, she would even buy me food, sing nursery rhymes with me, read me fairy tales, and skip rope with me. She also gave me my first sniper rifle.”

The corner of Ren Xiaosu’s mouth twitched a little. That escalated way too quickly. It went from jumping rope with her aunt to being gifted her first rifle all of a sudden.

That was some twist!

However, Ren Xiaosu did not interrupt her. He recalled Yang Xiaojin’s proficiency in singing nursery rhymes and jumping rope and thought Yang Anjing really did seem like she used to spend a lot of time with her.

Yang Xiaojin continued, “It was also at that time when she saw the Yang clan’s attitude towards me that she started to feel disappointed in the entire Yang Consortium. I remember that after I pulled the trigger of a sniper rifle for the first time, she told me, ‘Xiaojin, this era is starting to change.’ I don’t know why she’s so insistent on ridding the world of nuclear weapons, nor do I know when she became the head of the Anjing House and the leader of the Saboteurs. She started getting busier and busier, but I’ve always received gifts from her on my birthday. She’s the only one who still remembers it.”

Ren Xiaosu immediately felt remorseful. “When is your birthday again?”

“April 18th of the Gregorian calendar,” Yang Xiaojin answered. If it were any other girl, they would probably be throwing a tantrum by now. However, she did not get angry and simply stated it matter-of-factly. Then she asked, “What about you?”

“I…” Ren Xiaosu’s voice softened. “I don’t know my birthday.”

Yang Xiaojin was clearly taken aback. She was rather surprised to hear there were still people in the world who did not know their birthday.

However, Ren Xiaosu laughed and said, “But someone tattooed a ‘3-16’ on the inside of my arm, so just take it that I was born on March 16th.”

“Who tattooed it?” Yang Xiaojin frowned.

“I don’t know.” Ren Xiaosu shook his head even though Yang Xiaojin could not see him shaking his head.

“You…” Yang Xiaojin suddenly felt a little puzzled. In her impression, Ren Xiaosu was a native refugee who grew up in Stronghold 113’s town. But what normal refugee would have a number tattooed on their arm?

As such, Yang Xiaojin tried hard to remember things, but she realized Ren Xiaosu had never mentioned his past.

Their way of interacting was very strange. Neither of them had ever delved into the other’s past, and they were like two rootless duckweeds in this era of the wastelands, mutually supporting one another just because they liked each other.

Ren Xiaosu smiled and said, “It’s very strange, isn’t it? Actually, I also find it quite odd. My memory is… incomplete.”

“It’s fine, that’s not important.” Yang Xiaojin said, “I’m not telling you all this today to change your opinion of my aunt. In truth, I don’t really understand what she’s trying to achieve right now. I just wanted to explain why I didn’t speak up for you tonight.”

“Mhm, don’t worry, I don’t mind,” Ren Xiaosu said.

Based on Yang Xiaojin’s character, she would only explain so much to him because she cared about his feelings. Thinking of this, Ren Xiaosu even felt a little happy.

He then wondered why the two of them were talking through the wall. They were both supernatural beings, so why should a wall obstruct them?

Would it not be better to have a talk late into the night in the same yard?

Thinking of this, Ren Xiaosu was about to jump over the wall to get to the other side. But when he poked his head over, he saw Yang Xiaojin holding her black sniper rifle in one hand and pointing it at his forehead. The ambiguous smile on her face seemed like she was silently mocking him. “Well, well, Ren Xiaosu. You’re getting bolder and bolder now, aren’t you? Well done.”

“Is that how you encourage me?” Ren Xiaosu said with a dark expression.

“What did you expect?”

“Haha, I just wanted to go over and see if you were feeling down. I’m relieved that you’re fine. Rest early, good night!” With that, Ren Xiaosu went back into his yard and ran off to the other side to harass Jiang Xu.

Yang Xiaojin stood alone in her yard and put her black sniper rifle away. She suddenly felt that Ren Xiaosu’s smile seemed to be hiding an even deeper sense of solitude. This solitude was not the kind where there was no one to accompany you. Instead, it was the feeling of living in this era of the wastelands and not being able to see your past or where you came from.

The young man was too strong-willed. He was so strong he did not need anyone’s pity nor wanted anyone to pity him.

Yang Xiaojin suddenly said softly, “I will accompany you… Ren Xiaosu?

“Ren Xiaosu?!”

Ren Xiaosu had already jumped over to Jiang Xu’s yard…

Ren Xiaosu strolled around the yard. Through the window, he saw Jiang Xu writing something in a book on the table. The tungsten bulb overhead was emitting heat and a warm yellow glow.

Jiang Xu inadvertently turned around and was surprised to see Ren Xiaosu’s face pressed against the windowpane. He got a heart attack!

He snapped, “What are you sneaking around for? Come in!”

Ren Xiaosu chuckled as he entered the house. “What are you writing?”

“I’ve decided to personally write the article about the AI.” Jiang Xu explained, “I feel its introduction will kick off a revolution for humanity, so it’s better to be more cautious in the reporting.”

“What did you write about?” Ren Xiaosu asked curiously.

“I’m writing about the changes the residents went through from the early stages of the AI’s governance til the point where the stronghold was fully managed by it. I can sense the residents are getting more and more depressed.” Jiang Xu said with a smile, “In any case, you can just interpret it as me talking bad about the AI.”

“You’re still in the Wang Consortium’s territory, y’know?” Ren Xiaosu curled his lips.

Jiang Xu laughed heartily. “Does reporting the truth have to depend on where we’re doing it from?”