Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 107 -

Just as we were about to leave, the woman called out,

"Wait."

We stopped.

She turned toward the boys and said, "Come here, all of you."

They gathered quickly.

Standing together, they really did look alike. Their faces were similar, their builds close, and even the way they stood carried the same quiet restraint.

For a moment, I just looked at them.

Then I said, "This will be confusing."

One of the boys frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You all look too similar," I replied. "If I call one, five of you might answer."

A few of them almost smiled.

I continued,

"I will give you numbers for now, just to keep things clear while we work."

They exchanged looks but did not argue.

"That is fine," the eldest said.

I nodded.

"Good," I said. "You will still keep your names, but during work, I will call you by number."

I paused, then added,

"Tell me your surname."

The eldest answered first.

"Zhao."

The others nodded.

"Zhao," I repeated. "Alright."

I looked at them again and said, "From you to you, one to five."

I pointed as I spoke, assigning each of them a number.

They listened carefully and nodded.

Then I turned to their mother.

I reached into my sleeve and brought out two taels.

"This is for now," I said as I handed it to her.

She looked at the money.

Then at me.

"This is too much for just an agreement," she said.

"It is not too much," I replied. "It is to make sure things are settled properly before we begin."

She hesitated for a moment.

Then she took it.

I could see the slight change in her expression.

Relief.

Behind her, the younger ones were already looking at the money, their eyes bright in a way they tried to hide but could not.

Two taels.

It was enough to feed them for a few days.

That alone made a difference.

The eldest stepped forward again.

"When do we start?" he asked.

"Tomorrow," I replied.

"Where?" he asked.

I told him the location clearly.

He listened without interrupting.

"We will be there," he said.

The others nodded immediately.

I studied them for a moment.

Then I said, "Come early."

"We will," he replied.

There was a brief silence.

Then—

Soft footsteps approached.

Two girls walked toward us from the side.

Each of them held a small tea cup carefully in their hands.

They were dressed simply, just like the others, but their faces were clean, and their features were delicate.

They looked alike.

Very alike.... Though not identical.. they had some similar features.

Their movements were quiet, but steady.

They stopped beside their mother.

The woman glanced at them and said,

"These are my daughters."

She paused slightly before continuing,

"They are twins."

I looked at them.

They lowered their heads slightly in greeting.

"What are your names?" I asked.

The one on the left spoke first.

"Zhao Yin," she said softly.

The other followed.

"Zhao Yue."

I nodded once.

"I see."

They stepped forward and handed the tea to us.

I took mine.

"Thank you," I said.

I held the cup in my hand, but my eyes stayed on the two girls.

There was something calm about them.

The one called Zhao Yin stood a little straighter than her sister, her gaze steady even though her head was slightly lowered.

Zhao Yue stood beside her, softer in expression, but just as observant.

I took a small sip of the tea, then looked at Zhao Yin.

"You prepared this?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Yes."

Her voice was soft, but clear.

Not hesitant.

I tilted my head slightly.

"You did not spill a drop while walking," I said. "That is not easy."

She paused for a moment, then said,

"I am used to carrying things carefully."

I watched her for a second longer.

"Used to it," I repeated.

She nodded again.

"We do not have the luxury of wasting anything," she said.

Her answer was simple.

But there was thought behind it.

I almost smiled.

"You think before you speak," I said.

She did not look surprised.

"I try to," she replied.

Zhao Yue glanced at her sister, then at me, as if trying to understand the direction of the conversation.

I asked another question.

"If there is not enough food in the house, what would you do first?"

Zhao Yue looked unsure.

But Zhao Yin answered.

"We reduce portions first," she said. "Then we decide who needs to eat more."

I raised a brow slightly.

"And how do you decide that?"

"The ones who work more need more strength," she replied. "If they collapse, then no one eats later."

I nodded slowly.

That answer..

"You are not simple," I said.

She lowered her gaze slightly.

"I only think about what is needed," she replied.

I did not say anything else, but I had already made a note.

This one...

Was useful.

Beside me, Fu Sheng had been quiet the entire time.

Then he finally spoke.

He turned to their mother.

"What will you do about the recruitment notice?" he asked.

The woman’s expression changed slightly.

She let out a quiet breath before answering.

"Only three of my sons are within the age they are looking for," she said.

Her voice was steady, but there was weight behind it.

Fu Sheng nodded.

"That is still a risk," he said.

She shook her head.

"They will not be taken," she replied.

I glanced at her.

"Why?" I asked.

She looked at us.

"They already have fiancées," she said.

For a moment—

Fu Sheng and I both paused.

We exchanged a look.

"Fiancées?" I repeated.

The woman gave a small nod.

"Yes," she said.

Then she added,

"Not just in words."

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"What do you mean?"

She adjusted her grip on the money in her hand before explaining.

"Their names are already registered," she said. "In the records."

Fu Sheng’s expression shifted slightly.

"They are already considered married," she continued. "Only the ceremony has not been done."

I understood immediately.

"So when the time comes," I said, "they will just hold the wedding."

She nodded.

"Yes."

Zhao Yue looked between us quietly, while Zhao Yin remained calm, as if this was nothing new to her.

Fu Sheng spoke again.

"That is enough to keep them from being taken?" he asked.

"Yes," the woman replied. "Married men are not their first choice."

I glanced at Fu Sheng again.

This time, neither of us spoke.

But the thought was already there.

I looked back at the woman.

"You planned this early," I said.

She gave a faint smile.

"In times like this," she replied, "you either prepare early..."

Her voice lowered slightly.

"...or you regret it later."

The courtyard fell quiet for a moment.

Then I took another sip of the tea.

My thoughts had already begun to move again.