Xing Bi silently looked at him, and after two seconds, he curled his lips slightly. “Do you care about what Zhao Lü said?”
“Damn,” Qiu Shi froze for a moment. “You heard that?”
“Yeah,” Xing Bi responded.
“I don’t really care,” Qiu Shi said. “We’ve always talked like that, straight to the point, saying whatever comes to mind.”
“If you don’t care, why did you immediately know which part I was referring to?” Xing Bi asked.
“Impressive,” Qiu Shi clicked his tongue. “You were waiting for me here, huh?”
Xing Bi smiled but said nothing.
“This kind of thing,” Qiu Shi frowned, “it’s hard to explain. Saying I don’t care—well, we’ve talked like this since we were kids, and nobody’s ever really been in a relationship…”
As Qiu Shi said these two words, he rubbed his arm. “But saying I do care—yeah, I care. He sounded more serious than usual, almost like he meant it for real. It caught me off guard, didn’t even know how to respond.”
Xing Bi smiled and sighed.
“What’s up?” Qiu Shi asked. “It’s not like I’m treating you differently. Both of you are life-and-death friends to me.”
“Hmm.” Xing Bi made a sound of acknowledgment.
“Of course, it’s not exactly the same,” Qiu Shi added after thinking about it, “but I don’t know how to put it. You, being a master of quick responses and deep thinking, you must understand, right?”
“I know,” Xing Bi said.
“Do you really know?” Qiu Shi asked. “The fact that it’s not exactly the same doesn’t mean you’re less important than him.”
Xing Bi smiled. “I really know.”
“Forget it.” Qiu Shi sighed, propped himself up on his arm, and leaned over to give Xing Bi a hard kiss on the cheek, much louder than the one Zhao Lü gave earlier that day.
Xing Bi looked at him, not saying a word.
“What’s wrong?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Thank you,” Xing Bi said.
“…It’s not worth a ‘thank you,’” Qiu Shi replied. “When Zhao Lü kisses me like that, I usually cuss him out.”
“I just want to say thank you,” Xing Bi insisted.
Qiu Shi stared at him for a long time before finally saying, “You’re welcome.”
Xing Bi turned his head and chuckled.
“Is it funny?” Qiu Shi said. “You tell me, isn’t it funny? You thank me, and what am I supposed to do? I can only say you’re welcome.”
“I really mean it,” Xing Bi turned back. “I’ve never had this kind of experience before.”
“Being kissed?” Qiu Shi asked.
“No,” Xing Bi said. “We have emotions—likes, dislikes, joy, and sorrow—but most of the time, this refers to… We can perceive and understand human emotions: likes, dislikes, joy, sorrow, because human emotions are very complex.”
“I get it,” Qiu Shi lay back down, resting his head on his arm, looking up at the stone ceiling. “But you haven’t really had many opportunities to genuinely experience those emotions.”
“Liking someone, hating someone—basic emotions,” Xing Bi said. “It’s like someone knows what sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy taste like but has never tasted braised pork, fried dough sticks, or steamed fish.”
“Damn,” Qiu Shi said. “I don’t know those either. I’ve never even heard of them. Who knows what they taste like?”
Xing Bi laughed. “I know.”
“That’s too much,” Qiu Shi said. “But from what you’re saying, I think I get it. I like my brothers, I hate Director Zhang—these straightforward feelings, you can understand. But the subtler things, like…”
“A specific emotional connection with a particular individual,” Xing Bi said. “I haven’t really had the chance to experience that.”
“What about your mentors or partners?” Qiu Shi asked.
“In a world where everyone knows about bioroids, and understands we are not and never will be human,” Xing Bi said, “most people keep a clear boundary when interacting with bioroids.”
Qiu Shi stayed silent.
“Especially with a hidden guard like me,” Xing Bi continued. “We don’t need to form emotional connections with humans. That’s something only service-type bioroids are designed for.”
“I kind of understand now.” Qiu Shi sighed lightly. “So, you’ve never had a drink with a partner, soaked in a hot spring, or lay in bed talking, right?”
“Hmm,” Xing Bi smiled. “I’ve lived outside the human world.”
“Then… among the emotions you’ve experienced,” Qiu Shi frowned, “what’s the strongest one?”
“Hate,” Xing Bi said.
Qiu Shi withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Xing Bi. “Do you hate humans?”
“There’s some of that,” Xing Bi’s voice was soft, “but it’s… not entirely accurate.”
“That’s actually normal,” Qiu Shi said. “When you don’t have a clear target, you end up hating everything. But once you have a clear target, they turn into Li Feng, Zhao Lü, Qiu Shi, Mayor Luo, Xiao Lei… and it’s different.”
“You…” Xing Bi paused. “You’re making me think the refugee school’s teaching standards weren’t too bad after all.”
“Refugee schools are useless,” Qiu Shi said. “These are the proof of my 25 years of life.”
“You’re a very special human,” Xing Bi said.
“That’s true,” Qiu Shi replied.
The door was knocked on very politely three times.
It was clearly Xiao Lei.
Qiu Shi sighed. The blanket was very warm at the moment, and he didn’t feel like getting up to answer the door.
“What is it?” he asked. “Captain Xiao.”
“Director Li will come to see you tomorrow morning,” Xiao Lei’s voice was low, as if delivering some secret order. After all, delivering messages was his only task now, so he had to convey it with a sense of great importance.
“Got it,” Qiu Shi cooperated, “but don’t write this in the work log, keep it confidential.”
“Mm,” Xiao Lei responded, “the brothers are almost all asleep. I’ll go take my shift.”
“You should sleep too,” Qiu Shi said, “what’s the point of the shift?”
“You go ahead and sleep, I know what I’m doing.” Xiao Lei finished speaking, and his footsteps went towards the lowest shelter, with a slithering sound. You could tell he had slid down.
“Tomorrow, I have to ask Li Feng,” Qiu Shi said, “Why did they send such an idiot like Xiao Lei to me?”
“Maybe there aren’t many like him in the security department either,” Xing Bi said.
“Are they really storing the Inner City’s flame with me?” Qiu Shi clicked his tongue.
“You are the flame,” Xing Bi said.
Having had a bit of alcohol, it was easier to fall asleep, although he still woke up during the night. But not as often, just twice. One time, he woke up and saw Xing Bi playing with the old cube-shaped phone he’d left on the table, and the other time, he was shocked to find Xing Bi lying there with his eyes closed as if he were asleep. And then he fell asleep again in shock.
The next time he woke up, Xiao Lei was knocking on the door. Xing Bi opened it, and Xiao Lei stood outside, fully in work mode, reminding him not to forget that Director Li would be coming.
“Damn it,” Qiu Shi rolled over, “there’s nowhere else for me to go. If he comes, he comes. If I’m not in the room, at most I’ll be outside peeing, would I be that hard to find…”
“Well, I’m going to catch some sleep,” Xiao Lei said, “I just finished my shift.”
“Are you insane?” Qiu Shi said. Not waiting for Xiao Lei’s answer, he asked again, “Are you insane?”
“Looks fine, not insane,” Xing Bi said.
When Qiu Shi heard his voice, he rolled over again and pulled the blanket off his head. “Did you sleep last night?”
“Mm,” Xing Bi replied.
“You fell asleep?” Qiu Shi suddenly didn’t feel tired anymore.
“Mm,” Xing Bi nodded.
“You really can fall asleep?” Qiu Shi looked at him. “I woke up earlier and saw you still playing with that phone.”
“I can fall asleep,” Xing Bi said, “I just don’t sleep much, not that I can’t sleep.”
“Do you dream?” Qiu Shi asked.
Xing Bi thought for a moment. “I guess I do, but sometimes I can’t tell if I’m thinking or dreaming.”
“So, what did you dream about last night?” Qiu Shi felt like he wasn’t going to fall asleep anymore. He got out of bed, shivering as he put on his clothes.
“Nothing,” Xing Bi said.
“Then your brain still isn’t good enough,” Qiu Shi said. “I dreamt all night about arguing with Li Feng. He insisted I fight the Symbionts alone.”
“That’s clearly a dream,” Xing Bi said.
“No kidding. He’d never send me alone,” Qiu Shi said.
“No, you’d never argue with him,” Xing Bi said. “You’d kick him first thing in the morning.”
Qiu Shi froze for a moment, then started laughing. “You know me so well.”
Xing Bi chuckled.
The group who had been drinking last night was still asleep in the big shelter. Only Zhao Lü was up, holding a can of food and preparing to heat it up.
“Make one for me too.” Qiu Shi jumped up to the top of the shelter and glanced around.
It had snowed quite a bit overnight. The whole wasteland had turned white, even the Dahei Mountain had become black and white.
“I heard from Xiao Lei that Li Feng is coming soon?” Zhao Lü grabbed two more cans and put them in hot water to warm up. “What’s he up to this time?”
“He’s up to a lot. I doubt I can avoid him,” Qiu Shi looked towards the tunnel entrance.
Zhao Lü sighed. “Xiaoling said this battle will definitely happen. Those Symbionts took Donglin Town, and they won’t spare Yun City either.”
“If it really comes to a fight,” Qiu Shi said softly, “I’ll let you know immediately. You take the others and run through the back mountain, bypass the small mountain by the waterfall, and keep heading south. You’ll reach Xima Town, the abandoned town where I brought back all those magazines last time.”
Zhao Lü said nothing, silently looking at him.
“There’s an underground parking lot in that town,” Qiu Shi said. “Hide there first.”
“Why are you risking your life for Yun City?” Zhao Lü asked. “None of us have ever lived in the city. Everything we eat and drink, we got through trades.”
“I used to think the same way. I didn’t want to bother with all this mess. What does it have to do with me?” Qiu Shi squatted down, looking at Zhao Lü, who stood next to the shelter. “We don’t get Yun City’s protection, and we don’t sacrifice ourselves for Yun City either…”
Qiu Shi sighed lightly. “Every time we say we’ll leave Yun City, but where would we go? We don’t know.”
Zhao Lü sighed as well.
“I don’t know where else we can go,” Qiu Shi looked toward the forest to the east of the Dahei Mountain. “The road to Donglin isn’t too far. You pass through the forest, cross the mountain, and then it’s swamps, rivers, nomads, bioroids… You’ll realize that a single life means nothing out there.”
Zhao Lü frowned, remaining silent.
“As long as we haven’t found a better place, there’s only Yun City,” Qiu Shi said. “With Yun City, these people don’t have to live so harshly outside.”
“If that’s the case,” Zhao Lü said in a hushed voice, “then it’s even less acceptable for us to hide while you go fight. What kind of deal is that?”
“This isn’t about fighting refugees or other humans,” Qiu Shi said. “It’s about fighting Xing Bi, who can communicate through fungus. Are you going to send these people to their deaths?”
Zhao Lü glanced at Xing Bi, who was sitting on top of Qiu Shi’s shelter, waving at him.
“It’s not hand-to-hand combat,” Zhao Lü said. “We have weapons. If a real fight breaks out, aren’t we stronger than the city defense guards? Also, those secretly deployed soldiers hiding in the back mountain—hell, I’ve spotted them eight times already, and they haven’t even seen me yet. What good are they?”
Across from them, Xing Bi chuckled.
“Damn,” Zhao Lü looked at him. “Can he hear us?”
“No,” Xing Bi jumped down from the shelter and walked over. “But I can see you.”
“Brother Bi,” Zhao Lü asked quietly, “what do you think…?”
“Listen to Brother Shi,” Xing Bi replied, also in a low voice.
Zhao Lü sighed again.
A black car appeared at the tunnel entrance. The corpse collectors, who had just woken up, quickly retreated into the shelter, and several gun barrels poked out from its shooting slots.
Though they all recognized Li Feng’s car, with the city defense forces and the army now stationed outside the city, they couldn’t afford to relax. Who knew if someone had stolen Li Feng’s car, or if Li Feng had been coerced?
The car drove all the way to the base of the slope. After stopping, it didn’t wait for Qiu Shi to come down as it used to. Instead, the door opened, and Li Feng stepped out.
“He’s driving himself?” Zhao Lü asked.
The passenger door also opened, and when Zhang Qifeng got out, Qiu Shi froze. “Damn, what’s he doing here?”
“Who’s that?” Zhao Lü asked.
“Zhang Qifeng from the city defense bureau,” Qiu Shi said.
“What are they here for?” Zhao Lü tensed up. “One from the security bureau is bad enough… Could he be heading to a checkpoint and just hitched a ride?”
“The two of them being able to sit in one room without a fight would be a great contribution to Yun City,” Qiu Shi walked out of the shelter, watching as Li Feng and Zhang Qifeng slowly walked up from the foot of the slope.
“Director Li,” Xiao Lei jumped out from a nearby shelter and stood at attention, “Director Zhang!”
“Park my car,” Li Feng handed him the keys.
“Park it behind, it’ll be more concealed.” Xiao Lei took the keys and ran down the slope.
“Director Li,” Qiu Shi looked at Li Feng and then glanced at Zhang Qifeng behind him. “Director Zhang.”
“Find a place where we can talk,” Li Feng said.
“Your car,” Qiu Shi suggested.
“Your house,” Li Feng countered.
“Alright.” Qiu Shi turned and led them into his house, closing the door after Xing Bi came in.
“What about the other corpse collectors?” Zhang Qifeng looked around the house, then sat down in a chair.
“As per the city defense bureau’s orders, they’re staying out of sight unless necessary, to avoid exposure.” Qiu Shi hooked his foot around another chair and kicked it over to Li Feng’s leg. Then, he and Xing Bi leaned against the table together.
“How did you rest last night?” Li Feng asked. “Are your injuries better?”
“Just say what you need to say,” Qiu Shi replied.
“The Symbionts’ activity around Yun City hasn’t stopped,” Li Feng said. “We now need to find their camps and establish a defense base south of Yun City.”
“I’m not going,” Qiu Shi responded without thinking. “Is Yun City out of people?”
“There are people,” Li Feng said, “but there are only a few level-one hidden guards we can use.”
Qiu Shi didn’t respond.
“You and Xing Bi will lead a small squad south. You’re familiar with the area,” Li Feng looked at him. “Those abandoned towns you’ve been to before, clear them and confirm the safe zones. The army will station there afterward.”
“A small squad?” Qiu Shi asked. “What kind of squad?”
“A ten-person squad made up of elite city defense and military personnel,” Zhang Qifeng said. “Plus, three Symbionts.”
Xing Bi looked up at Li Feng.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Qiu Shi asked. “Is Xing Bi going to take control?”
“Yes,” Li Feng nodded. “Xing Bi can now control more than five Symbionts.”
Qiu Shi turned to look at Xing Bi.
“Mm,” Xing Bi confirmed with a nod.
Since Xing Bi thought it was fine, then it was fine. Qiu Shi didn’t dwell on it. After all, Li Feng never left room for negotiation when he made decisions.
“There are three abandoned towns south,” Qiu Shi said. “Plus the nearby villages, and you’re only sending one squad?”
“There are three squads,” Li Feng said. “Lin Sheng has one squad with the same configuration as yours. Another squad is led by Colonel Xu personally.”
“Is this a death mission?” Xing Bi asked.
Zhang Qifeng glanced at him. “Don’t question the capabilities of military elites so casually.”
“He’s formally questioning them,” Qiu Shi said.
Zhang Qifeng took a deep breath, crossed his arms, and didn’t speak further.
“Who is Lin Sheng’s partner?” Xing Bi asked.
“That’s not something you should be concerned about,” Zhang Qifeng said.
“It’s someone personally selected by Colonel Xu,” Li Feng said. “They’ll do some cooperative training today, and all three teams will depart simultaneously tomorrow.”
Zhang Qifeng seemed a bit annoyed by Li Feng’s thoroughness in answering questions, but what surprised Qiu Shi was that he didn’t retort at Li Feng; all his dissatisfaction was merely reflected in his glaring eyes.
“List out what you need,” Li Feng said. “I’ll fulfill all reasonable requests.”
“And the unreasonable ones?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Depends on how unreasonable they are,” Li Feng replied.
“Team Leader Li?” Zhang Qifeng turned to look at him.
“Team Leader?” Qiu Shi was taken aback. “Are you the head of your group now?”
“Deputy Team Leader,” Li Feng corrected.
Qiu Shi chuckled. “Well, that’s impressive, Lord Li.”
“Regarding this matter,” Li Feng stood up. “Get some rest today. Make sure Xiao Lei lists out what you need as soon as possible; it will be delivered within an hour, and there will be a car to pick you up early tomorrow morning.”
Zhang Qifeng got up and walked out of the shelter.
“Director Zhang seems quite dissatisfied,” Qiu Shi whispered.
“Very much so,” Li Feng said. “The people in this squad were all selected by me. They’re not the kind of useless people you usually see. I’ll head back first if there’s nothing else.”
“About something,” Qiu Shi stopped him. “Xiao Lei.”
“Hmm?” Li Feng looked at him.
“Why did you leave him here?” Qiu Shi said. “I feel a bit sorry for him; there’s nothing for him to do here.”
“Just for some experience,” Li Feng said. “He’s a decent person; if he stays in the Protection Agency, he’ll be wasted eventually. It’s better to leave him here.”
“What if he gets hurt?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Who can guarantee not to get hurt these days?” Li Feng turned and said, “I’m leaving.”
Qiu Shi didn’t follow him out and leaned against the table.
Xing Bi also stayed still, standing beside him.
“Do you think this trip is dangerous?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Not really,” Xing Bi said.
“Why aren’t we going out from the north?” Qiu Shi pondered. “We’ve run through there before; we’re the only ones familiar with it, right?”
“There’s Donglin Town over there,” Xing Bi said.
“Has Donglin re-established contact with Yun City?” Qiu Shi thought for a moment.
“Yeah,” Xing Bi replied. “Yun City should have agreed to re-ally, so the northeastern direction can temporarily be entrusted to Donglin.”
“It’s been a long time since I went to those towns,” Qiu Shi clicked his tongue. “I was saying that if a fight breaks out, I’ll have Zhao Lü take this bunch to wash their horses in town to hide… If we’re talking about defense, that’s actually a good place.”
“How’s your injury?” Xing Bi asked.
“It doesn’t hurt much. As long as no one punches me on the wound, it should be fine,” Qiu Shi said. “I’ve realized something; this is just my fate. My injuries can never be healed by lying in bed; I can only heal them on the road.”
Xing Bi smiled.
Zhao Lü appeared at the door with several cans.
Qiu Shi tilted his head at him. “Come in.”
“Eat something first.” Zhao Lü tossed a can each to him and Xing Bi.
Qiu Shi caught the can, which had already been heated up, feeling quite comfortable holding it. He opened the can and asked while eating, “Did everyone see it?”
“They’re all waiting for me to gather intel,” Zhao Lü said.
“We’re going out tomorrow,” Qiu Shi said, “towards Xima Town. Yun City wants to expand the defense perimeter.”
“That’s to leave some space for fighting,” Zhao Lü said. “If a fight breaks out, it’ll happen between Yun City and Xima Town, giving Yun City some buffer, unlike last time when they were bombed straight into the inner city.”
Qiu Shi smiled but didn’t say anything.
“So here we are,” Zhao Lü pointed at the ground beneath him, “will be the battlefield from now on.”
“Go tell them,” Qiu Shi said. “I’m just scouting the way, not a dangerous mission. Just let everyone stay at ease.”
“Okay.” Zhao Lü acknowledged but seemed to want to say something else. He paused, merely tilted his head back and poured the contents of his can into his mouth before turning to leave.
“Do you have any thoughts?” Qiu Shi asked, pinching a piece of meat. Today’s meat can felt better; he didn’t feel as nauseous.
Humans are quite adaptable.
From the first time Li Feng had tricked him into visiting that damned nest to today’s mission towards Xima Town, he had adapted well, transitioning from anger to calmness.
He didn’t know if it was because he had no choice, or because of Xing Bi, or maybe he truly was that noble, wishing to provide a place for those weak ones who couldn’t live well but still stubbornly clung to life in this chaotic and brutal world.
…It shouldn’t be this noble.
“I don’t have any thoughts,” Xing Bi said.
“Controlling three symbionts,” Qiu Shi said, “will it affect you?”
“Shouldn’t,” Xing Bi said. “If anything goes wrong, don’t hesitate to control me; that’ll also control the three of them.”
“Got it.” Qiu Shi frowned.
“Later, you’ll learn ‘Happy Birthday’ by listening to it a few more times,” Xing Bi said.
“Why?” Qiu Shi asked.
“I’m worried that if something happens,” Xing Bi said, “I won’t recognize the song when you sing it.”
Qiu Shi didn’t respond, holding back laughter for a moment before he chuckled, “Damn.”
“I’ve memorized the off-key parts,” Xing Bi said, “but every time you sing, it’s different.”
“Your ancestors,” Qiu Shi laughed as he drank the broth from the can, casually pinching Xing Bi’s clothes to play with his fingers. “Let’s consider this a trip. I actually thought that if nothing else happens, I’d take you out to have fun.”
“Sure,” Xing Bi nodded. “I’ve never traveled before.”
__
Author’s Note:
Xing Bi actually understood everything. He’s an old antique who has lived for so long.
