Tents stretched as far as the eye could see; generators were haphazardly connected, providing power for the camp.
Because of Ryan, many had escaped Shanghai; the resulting claims would bankrupt any insurance company.
However, the sight before him filled him with a strange mix of awe and apprehension.
It was late, yet the camp was bustling; a makeshift market had sprung up in the main street; survivors exchanged their salvaged belongings and sold processed food rations, seemingly trying to reclaim something from their losses.
"Huh? Here already?" Elysia rubbed her eyes, her eyes gleaming at the market. "It's lively! I've been wanting to see this."
"It's not like you haven't seen enough already. Whatever, you always find something different." Ryan sighed, shrugging. "Still, it's strange—bustle followed by destruction, destruction followed by bustle."
"Isn't that humanity? As long as they're not dead, they'll strive to survive. That attitude is beautiful, too." Elysia continued to smile, handing Ryan his clothes. "And look, you're very gentle, knowing how to please girls."
Ryan didn't know how to respond; he offered a wry smile, tossing the clothes onto the back seat, exiting the vehicle and heading into the camp.
He observed the stalls; the refugees' faces weren't happy, but they weren't utterly despairing.
This was the strangest time. World order and the financial system still functioned; casualties were limited; it wasn't a total societal collapse, so there was still a chance of returning to normal life.
Honkai Sickness hadn't spread widely; the third impact was more like a massive earthquake. Many had died, but the survivors had to live on.
They found a roadside stall; a crooked 'Noodle' sign was written on a piece of A4 paper affixed to a metal frame; a cast iron pot simmered on a stove.
"Two bowls of mixed soy sauce noodles. My treat this time." Ryan called out, smiling at Elysia, who was leaning on her hands. "Supplies seem plentiful; they even have spices. But 20 yuan for a bowl of noodles? I thought I was back in Huaihai Road."
"People haven't resorted to bartering yet; they're still making money. It's just that they've lost their homes, and Shanghai real estate is expensive."
"At least they don't have to pay mortgages. A lighter burden now." Ryan offered a dark joke, calming his somewhat restless mind.
As Elysia said, life continued; even 200km away in Suzhou, there was no sign of such devastation.
Two steaming bowls of noodles arrived quickly. Ryan chatted with the owner, who mentioned he was going to Songjiang to stay with relatives and planned to reopen a noodle shop using his compensation.
"What can you do? Life goes on. I'll get by on the compensation from my Shanghai business. We old timers can't just cry and die. At least we're alive; we're luckier than those who died or lost limbs."
Ryan nodded; others had already accepted it; he wouldn't offer empty platitudes. He picked up his chopsticks, noticing Elysia already eating.
Inhaling.
Strands of noodles and chili sauce disappeared into her small mouth. Ryan watched her satisfied expression and took a bite himself; it wasn't particularly delicious; the meat filling was made of processed meat.
"You're not picky at all."
"It tastes good. Seeing everyone's enthusiasm for life makes it taste even better." Elysia replied seriously, shaking her head slightly. "Just observe carefully; you can always find something beautiful; you can always find happiness."
Find happiness? Elysia seemed never to despair; that was a skill in itself.
Ryan smiled, seemingly catching her infectious optimism; the bland noodles tasted better now. Then Elysia unexpectedly asked:
"Hua is your junior martial arts sister?"
"More accurately, junior martial arts sister. How did you know her?"
"Because I'm training her for the team."
Ryan became wary, narrowing his eyes at the girl. "You… you wouldn't be teaching her any strange theories, would you?"
Hua had joined Fire Moth and was undergoing basic training.
"Really? How could you say that? There's nothing strange about it! I won't repeat Fire Moth's lofty ideals. I'm just teaching her useful skills to deal with certain… dim-witted individuals."
Elysia was brimming with excitement, suppressing her urge to reveal the answer.
"Why do I feel like you're mocking me? And Hua is quite innocent; don't bully her, especially not like Mobius…"
"Like me how?"
Ryan flinched slightly, slowly turning his head. A pair of slender, shapely legs clad in black stockings met his gaze; above them, a short skirt and lingerie, barely concealing a curvaceous figure. Above that, a beautiful face.
The woman narrowed her eyes; ornate golden earrings reflected the lights; a subtle smile played on her lips.
"Mobius, what are you doing here?" Ryan frowned immediately. Not only was she here, but her expression was strange—a smile that concealed irritation.
"Why can't I be here?" Mobius's smile widened; she glanced at Elysia, who waved at her. "I've been waiting for your report. You two seem very relaxed."
Report? Ah, that incident.
Ryan recalled his intention to participate in the warrior fusion project research, but he needed to relax a bit first, given Mobius's work intensity.
But Mobius's subtly assertive manner made him wary; this woman needed to be controlled before he could cooperate.
"You didn't specify a time for the report; I can't carry that burden alone. Since you're here, would you like a bowl?"
"Fine. Rare to see you so generous." Mobius pulled up a plastic chair, then called out. "Klein, come and eat."
The green-haired assistant stood beside the vehicle, watching the group at the table: Mobius, brimming with competitive spirit; Ryan, impassive; Elysia, leaning back, watching with amusement.
"Doctor, I'm not hungry." She shook her head frantically, her survival instinct kicking in.
"Fine." Mobius didn't insist, casually ordering noodles, her gaze flickering between the two.
Ryan remained impassive, Elysia's amusement only adding to the tension.
She couldn't fully understand either of them, unsure of their intentions.
"You… are you two dating?"
Huh?
Ryan choked, unprepared for Mobius's blunt question; he'd braced himself for sarcasm.
"Nonsense! Your imagination is…"
"Yes, I like Ryan. Among my countless friends, he's truly unique." Elysia answered quickly, happily adding internally:
At least, so far, no one has ever fought a Herrscher with me.
Is Elysia serious?
Mobius furrowed her slender brows. They weren't simply good friends; she'd never understood Elysia's thoughts. She carefully scrutinized the smiling face opposite her; there was no sign of deception.
Ryan looked away, also seeing no clues. But he knew Elysia's nature; her sparkling eyes were filled with interest.
She's up to something. No, she genuinely wanted me to be a shield against Mobius's recklessness.
Ryan rubbed his temples, sighing. "Elysia, stop joking. Don't say things that could be misunderstood."
"Joking? Is my expression not serious enough?" Elysia tilted her head, feigning heartbreak. "Ryan, during your hospital visit, you said you liked me very much."
I said I didn't dislike you, and no one could dislike you.
Ryan's mouth twitched; his head began to ache. Elysia was difficult sometimes. His gaze flickered to Mobius.
The woman's smile faded, her expression visibly complex—a mix of anger and suspicion, as if regretting losing a valuable asset, but there was more.
Mobius said nothing, but her gaze sharpened, contrasting sharply with Elysia's laughter, leaving Ryan bewildered. His instincts screamed at him to escape.
These two women were too difficult to handle; staying here would only make him a target. Better to leave and let them settle things.
"I'll pay. Enjoy your meal."
"Thanks for the treat." Elysia nodded politely, then whispered. "Mobius, you scared Ryan away again."
"He's guilty; it's not my fault."
"Ha ha, then where does your guilt come from? You wouldn't be this free, coming for noodles in the middle of the night."
Elysia still smiled; Mobius didn't. She found herself unable to answer.
"You can't answer, can you? When Ryan's heart stopped, you were surprisingly nervous."
"Because he's extremely valuable. His death would be troublesome."
"Oh really? Then why are you rushing here tonight? Could it be…" Elysia covered her mouth, feigning shock. "You wouldn't think I'm trying to steal your assistant, would you?"
"Am I not allowed to be hungry? His personal life and his value are irrelevant to me; I don't care, and it's none of your business."
"Excellent. Then I'll go bother him." Elysia stood up immediately.
"Wait!"
Mobius blurted out, then saw Elysia tilt her head with a smile; she gritted her teeth.
"E-ly-si-a!"
"My dear Mobius, your stern expression is adorable. Ryan is truly magical; he's even made you interesting."
Still unreadable; what was she trying to do?
Mobius rubbed her temples, sighing. "You enjoy teasing me, don't you?"
"Quite the opposite; I'm concerned about you. Didn't you notice? After your request was rejected, you didn't mention the Herrscher of Thunder; you usually would have started clandestine research." Elysia spoke sincerely, her unusual seriousness making Mobius's expression freeze.
She hadn't noticed that detail; Elysia had tried to dissuade her after the Herrscher of Void's defeat, which she had scorned at the time. A touch of irony arose.
"So, you're toying with him? To trap me?"
"No, I genuinely like Ryan."
"What kind of liking?"
"Does liking need categories? For me, all love is equally intense."
"That's precisely the problem; you're inscrutable!"
Ha ha, now you're saying personal life is irrelevant.
Elysia tilted her head, smiling. "Care to guess?"
The dim light emphasized Mobius's sharp eyes, like a snake's. She scorned others' kindness and loathed being controlled.
Few dared to meet that gaze, yet Elysia's expression remained gentle, seemingly unaffected by her anger.
"I know you don't want to know, but worried girls are cute too. But my dear Mobius, tell me what you truly want to say."
A surge of emotion, Mobius felt a certain magic; her suspicions vanished; her hypotheticals and denials ceased; she disregarded logic and emotion, stating firmly:
"Ryan… he's mine!"