’My luck’s not bad today. All told, I should have over forty bottles...’

’Plus the cardboard boxes I picked up the last two days, I should be able to eat a full meal tomorrow.’

Taking stock of his recent haul, the scruffy-faced Li Heng stomped two more plastic bottles flat.

The harsh CRUNCH of plastic was accompanied by the stench of the trash can.

His hands were still tacky from the instant noodle broth and lunch box juices he’d touched while rummaging through the trash earlier. His cuffs were damp and cold.

He noticed the disgusted looks from the people passing by, the way they covered their noses in revulsion.

He subconsciously lowered his head even further, his body shivering slightly. His gaze fixed on the plastic bottles and burlap sack on the ground.

Memories flooded back like a tide—so-called friends who had watched his downfall with cold indifference, or even kicked him when he was down.

Instinctively, Li Heng tightened his grip on the metal tongs in his hand.

The instinct for survival was far stronger than any so-called dignity. His basic bionic kidney was low on power, its function failing, sending sharp stabs of pain through him.

Keeping his head down, he turned his attention to another trash can. As he lifted the lid, a nauseating stench wafted out, reminding him of his own vomit after a night of heavy drinking.

But right now, he couldn’t afford to care. He just wanted to find a few more plastic bottles so he could buy an extra synthetic boxed meal tomorrow, scrape by, and survive the winter.

THUMP!

Suddenly, a shadow fell over him.

The light from the streetlamp was blocked, and footsteps approached.

Staring at the shadow growing on the ground, Li Heng trembled.

’Are the gangs here for their money again?’

Hunching his stooped frame even lower, he instinctively looked up to plead for mercy. "L-Lord Blade, I beg you, just give me a little more time..."

His voice caught in his throat. Li Heng’s eyes widened, and he froze in place.

The young man had a crew cut and wore a clean, well-fitted gray hoodie. His angular face was decidedly masculine, and looked strangely familiar.

Though the powerfully built figure was just standing there, he seemed more poised and steady than any gang enforcer Li Heng had ever seen, standing firm like a boulder.

"Lu... Lu Chao... Lord Lu."

Li Heng’s stiff expression shifted. The disbelief on his face vanished, quickly replaced by a forced, ingratiating smile.

’And to think I once tried to talk him out of practicing martial arts.’

Now, whether as a combatant or a patrol officer... whatever his status, they were worlds apart.

A wave of regret washed over him as he braced himself for ridicule and scorn.

Just like his landlord, who had cursed him out in front of everyone, then kicked him away like a mangy dog.

"What happened to you?"

But, to his surprise, Lu Chao’s voice was calm and soft as he spoke.

There was no mockery or scorn in his eyes, only a bright, open sincerity that regarded him as an equal.

He remembered Li Heng mentioning at their last get-together that he’d gotten his commercial driver’s license and was working for a shipping company, specializing in the Wilderness routes.

And yet, here he was.

"I..."

Li Heng’s body tensed, and the forced smile on his face faltered.

A strange pang of sorrow welled up inside him. He forced a smile and scratched his head. "Half a month ago, my mentor and I were on a Wilderness run. We had some bad luck."

"A few saber-toothed boars came out of nowhere and surrounded us. The truck was totaled, and... my mentor was killed." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

At this, his voice dropped, and he lowered his head, unable to meet Lu Chao’s gaze. "I was lucky to get out alive. Guess I have a strong will to live."

"It’s just... the cost of the damaged truck and my surgery exceeded the insurance coverage..."

As he explained in a low voice, passersby cast confused glances, most of them wondering how these two could possibly know each other.

Lu Chao listened quietly, noticing that Li Heng had lost a lot of weight. There were telltale signs of bionic implants on his left arm and neck.

"But it’s okay!"

Suddenly, Li Heng grinned.

Maybe he was trying to hold on to his last shred of dignity, or maybe it was some other, unnamable emotion.

He lifted his head again and gestured to his body. "See? The new bionic parts work fine. Can’t even tell the difference from the real thing."

"Once I’m past the acclimation period, I’ll find some work. I’ll definitely be able to pay back the rest of my debt."

He tried to force some light into his dim eyes. His hunched body trembled slightly in the cold wind, and as if fighting through the pain, he managed to straighten his back just a little.

Their eyes met. The air was quiet, and a gust of night wind blew between them.

After a brief silence, Lu Chao reached into his pocket and pulled out the only three hundred-yuan bills he had on him.

"It’s not much, but take it."

Li Heng’s expression froze, and his body trembled.

Before he could refuse, Lu Chao stuffed the money into the pocket of his tattered black jacket and said softly, "As long as you’re alive, there’s hope."

’Isn’t that what they always used to say at the orphanage?’

With that, Lu Chao clapped the other man’s shoulder.

Their eyes met for a few seconds. He nodded, then turned and walked away.

’They weren’t particularly close, but two or three hundred yuan was a trivial amount for him now.’

’He did it all for his own peace of mind.’

In an instant, his footsteps faded into the distance.

Standing rooted to the spot, Li Heng’s eyes reddened. He clutched the bills in his pocket as his nose began to sting.

"Lu Chao!"

"Thank you!!"

He ignored the stares of the passersby and bellowed.

Without looking back, Lu Chao gave a small wave and disappeared around the corner.

...

「The next morning.」

Lu Chao finished breakfast with Zhao Yuanqing and they parted ways downstairs.

He watched his friend’s retreating back as he boarded a streetcar going in the opposite direction, then turned and headed for the Patrol Department.

On the way, he stopped at the supermarket as usual and bought some high-protein energy bars.

To his surprise...

"The price went up again?"

Lu Chao frowned, noticing the supermarket owner wringing his hands, looking awkward and helpless.

"Yes, Officer. There’s a war in the Wilderness, you know? The prices of a lot of goods have gone up because of it."

"That is... you can just pay a little less."

Mistaking his frown for impatience, the middle-aged shopkeeper ducked his head and stammered.

’As if I’d cheat him out of such a small amount,’ Lu Chao thought, shaking his head inwardly.

"It’s already paid."

He paid the difference, put away his wrist-watch, and left the supermarket.

On the street, he could hear people chattering about rising prices and the need to save money.

Even in the relative peace of Anning’s District Two, a shadow of gloom had quietly fallen.

’The Wilderness Warlord...’

Sighing, Lu Chao guessed this war wouldn’t be over anytime soon.

Lost in thought, he quickened his pace.

He walked straight into the Patrol Department headquarters.

The newly repainted black iron gate gave off a faint, pungent smell. Inside a blast-proof glass booth, armed patrol officers stood guard.

He passed through the main hall, weaving through the crowd, and quickly made his way to the second floor.

However, what he found was unexpected.

When he walked into the Squad Three office, it was completely silent.

The mahogany desks against the wall were piled high with files, and the computer at the workstation facing the door was still dark.

Chen Xiao and the other squad members were at their desks, but instead of the usual idle chatter and gossip, there was only a heavy, dead silence. From across the room, they frantically shook their heads at him, signaling with their eyes.

’What in the...’

Lu Chao was confused, but then he saw why.

A figure was sitting in his chair.

His hair was long for a man, just covering his ears, with his bangs swept to the side, leaving his forehead clear.

He wore a black leather jacket, open just enough to reveal the captain-grade patrol uniform underneath.

He appeared to be reading a case file, but looked up when he sensed Lu Chao’s arrival.

He had sharp, almond-shaped eyes, a strong nose, and remarkably handsome features. He looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five.

"You must be Lu Chao," he asked, his voice soft, his expression unreadable.

As those dark eyes stared straight at him, Lu Chao felt a chill, his instincts screaming danger.

[Carbon-based Human]

[Life Energy: 62 (Healthy)]

’Peak professional-grade, this young, and a patrol captain on top of that.’

’Even though I’ve never met him, I know exactly who this is.’

"Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Ruan Hui."

The long-haired young man stood up, closing the report and placing it on the desk.

He was about six feet tall and, though he appeared lean, he walked right up to Lu Chao.

"I heard all about the incident at the black market. I didn’t expect Qian Hu to act so rashly on his own."

With a faint smile, he casually brushed the matter aside, then looked Lu Chao straight in the eye. "Your skills are impressive. As it happens, Squad Two loves to recruit talent. That’s how Qian Hu and the others got my support."

"So, what do you say? Interested in joining my squad?"

As his words fell, the air became exceptionally still.

Chen Xiao and the other squad members stared wide-eyed. A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Chao’s face as well.

’He’s not here to cause trouble, he’s here to recruit me?’

Ruan Hui’s smile remained, as if he was patiently awaiting an answer.

After a moment’s silence, Lu Chao shook his head.

"My apologies, Captain Ruan."

"Captain Yang has been very good to me, and I like it here."

"Oh?"

Ruan Hui raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised.

He sized Lu Chao up with great interest, then nodded slowly.

"Impressive. No wonder Yang Wangtao values you so highly."

As he spoke, he took another step forward, closing the distance. A menacing amusement began to gleam in his eyes.

Just then...

...footsteps sounded, and Yang Wangtao walked in, dressed in his blue uniform.

"Captain Ruan."

Yang Wangtao’s voice was low, his square-jawed face as serious and calm as ever.

Ruan Hui stopped in his tracks and turned his head to look at him.

"Well, if it isn’t Captain Yang."

His expression was neutral, the look in his eyes once again unreadable.

He glanced at Lu Chao once more, then said nothing further and walked past him, brushing his shoulder.

Chen Xiao and the others held their breath, watching in silence.

But just as he was about to leave...

...he suddenly stopped again, right beside Yang Wangtao.

"Captain Yang’s new recruit really is something else."

"But."

His eyes narrowed, and he lowered his voice. "Next time, he might not be so lucky."