IRCDM Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Pour Tea, I’ll Break Your Legs

“Good morning, residents. Today is Tuesday, March 4th, New Era 137…”

“Attention passengers, the final destination for KUGT233 train is E78, Space Research Institute, East Fifth District. The next stop is the East Fifth Commercial Center. The train will arrive in three minutes and twenty-four seconds. Passengers who are disembarking, please prepare.”

Liang Huan looked at the station display and map on his chip, listening to the unfamiliar broadcast. Li Yao hadn’t returned all night. He had to order takeout for breakfast. He asked the Small Panda delivery robot for directions and successfully boarded this train, which cost him one Condensed Coin. Now he only had 2.3 Condensed Coins left in his personal account.

On the way, he used his chip to check the detailed information of the Small Panda Takeout Company. This company was a subsidiary of a company called Dawn Star Group. Dawn Star’s main business was the research and development of bio-chips, and the Dawn Chip in his wrist was one of their products. It was said that Dawn Star was invested by the military and had a very strong background.

Last night, he spent almost all his time on the chip, gaining a general understanding of the social structure of the entire Eastern District. Unlike Northern Liang, the Eastern District did not have an emperor, but was composed of the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches of power, which checked and balanced each other. But in his opinion, the actual controlling force in the Eastern District was the so-called military. Unfortunately, there was very little information about the military in the chip.

Currently, he only knew that outside the entire Eastern District base, there were still a large number of territories that had not been re-incorporated by humans, collectively referred to as the Outer Regions. Zombies and abandoned low-level Heteromorphs roamed there, along with extremely rich resources. The main task of the current military was to collect resources and eliminate threats to expand the territory.

The so-called mercenaries were in a gray area. They were neither government-recognized institutions nor under military jurisdiction. They received missions and went out to collect resources in the gaps of the law, mostly trading with the Black Market. At the same time, mercenaries and the military had some cooperative relationships. For example, if a region was deemed extremely dangerous, mercenaries could be sent to avoid unnecessary military casualties and reduce mecha damage, etc.

In short, mercenaries were pawns and cannon fodder that could be sacrificed at any time. The mortality rate was extremely high in Outer Region exploration. Regardless of who they cooperated with, they would receive corresponding commissions. These commissions were higher than the salaries of ordinary jobs but far lower than the official military establishment. To encourage mercenaries, the mercenary base usually offered high bonuses.

Liang Huan roughly estimated the mortality rate of mercenaries and the corresponding bonus amount and found that the base was still very profitable. After deducting the rewards given by the military and the commission taken, all assets ultimately belonged to the base if a mercenary died without an inheritance heir.

The mercenaries probably knew this too, so they usually spent wildly after receiving bonuses and commissions. After all, they lived for the moment. It was better to spend the money than to save it.

He roughly understood why Li Yao was both poor and generous.

Liang Huan thought about it all the way. If he wanted to make a name for himself in this society, the best choice was to join the military. The salary was high, and promotions were fast, allowing him to access the center of power to the greatest extent. Unfortunately, his physical fitness level and hidden functional diseases blocked this path. His physique changed very slowly, and his high school diploma was not enough for him to take on high-paying jobs such as government official, doctor, or lawyer. Mercenaries didn’t have restrictions on mental power, but the physical fitness requirement was extremely high. For example, Li Yao’s physical fitness had reached an S+ rating, but the high mortality rate was not a good way out. Finally, he had no foundation in formal commercial industries, and the progress was too slow. A pure businessman could not participate in major decision-making.

Finally, the search on the screen landed on the Black Market.

The current boss of the Black Market was indeed surnamed Yu. If Wang Le Ren was telling the truth, then he was at least “acquainted” with this Mr. Yu. And yesterday, the mysterious mission issuer also mentioned “Mr.”, and wanted him to steal the “black box” about the Dawn Project from Li Yao. Through the statements of Wang Le Ren and You Zhao Chen, he could almost be sure that Li Yao was once related to the military, and his position was not low. He just didn’t know why he was reduced to a mercenary. Considering the above conditions, the mission issuer was likely related to the military. Even if not, he might be related to the Black Market…

The first thing he had to get rid of was this so-called “Mr.” – in any case, he would not put his life in the hands of others.

As for Li Yao, with his relationship with the military, keeping him around might be useful in the future.

The train arrived, and Liang Huan opened his eyes.

The Small Panda Takeout base was shaped like a giant panda, with a round belly and a silly smile. The square in front was densely packed with the same style of Small Panda robots. They received takeout boxes at their respective base stations, put them in their bellies, and then set off at an incredible speed to their destinations with their short legs.

He entered the headquarters and was taken to the waiting area by a staff member. There were an estimated hundreds of people inside, who should all be today’s interviewees.

As soon as Liang Huan entered, he instantly attracted a lot of attention. The room was noisy for a while, and many people were eager to make a move. He didn’t think it was inappropriate and sat in the most conspicuous position in the middle.

“Hey, are you here for the packing job too?” Someone came over and asked.

Liang Huan looked at him. The other person looked no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, with metal studs on his ears, nose, and even lips. His hair was cut very short and dyed green. The denim clothes he was wearing were tattered, and many of the holes were not sewn up.

“Yes.” Liang Huan looked at him, “Are you too?”

“My mom didn’t like me doing nothing at home all day, so she kicked me out.” The other person reached out to him, “Hi, I’m Cheng Xiaolei.”

“Liang Huan.” Liang Huan shook his hand.

“I don’t know what the environment here is like, or if the work is tiring. I came because they offer three meals a day.” Cheng Xiaolei sighed, “Brother Liang, you’re so handsome, why don’t you become a model or actor or something?”

“My husband won’t let me.” Liang Huan said calmly.

Some people around sighed and expressed their regret.

“You’re so young and you’re already married?” Cheng Xiaolei was shocked.

“Yeah.” Liang Huan leaned back in his chair and calmly scanned the people around him.

Most people lowered their heads or looked away the moment their eyes met his, not daring to look him in the eye. Even though this face looked very attractive, they felt a chill down their spines and an urge to submit from the bottom of their hearts.

How weird.

Liang Huan was a little disappointed. These people didn’t seem to be of much use, not even as good as Li Yao.

Soon, staff members in uniforms took them to the workroom.

“Everyone passed the interview. Please come over to collect your work clothes. Stand in front of your workstation according to your number. The more you complete, the more you earn.” The staff smiled.

“Ah, aren’t we only working six hours?” Cheng Xiaolei asked directly.

“Six hours is the basic time. You can only get the most basic salary. If you don’t complete the assigned tasks, your performance will be deducted.” The other person was a little unhappy but still smiled, “Please take on tasks as needed. The more you work, the more you earn.”

Cheng Xiaolei’s workstation was next to Liang Huan’s. He said angrily, “What the hell? The lowest task is two thousand boxes. You can’t finish it in six hours. They’re just lying! Why write six hours!”

An uncle across the aisle laughed, “It’s okay, you’ll get used to it. In a couple of days, you’ll be fighting to do the tasks. The person who’s been working here the longest does twenty hours, and they can earn nearly 30,000 Condensed Coins a month!”

Cheng Xiaolei’s eyes widened, “30,000!?”

Liang Huan didn’t react much. He only took the most basic task. He had studied the Small Panda Takeout packaging boxes before he came. If he was familiar with it, he could finish it in six hours.

“Uncle, why doesn’t the company use robots to pack?” he asked.

“Hey, robots consume too much electricity. Now every region has power restrictions from time to time, and commercial electricity is even more expensive. This is delicate work, and the electricity for packing robots would be enough to pay the salaries of tens of thousands of people.” The uncle said, “The only reason the delivery robots are used is because they’re fast. If they could use people, they would have switched long ago.”

Liang Huan nodded, “Then do you know why the Eastern District’s electricity and water resources are so scarce?”

“Hmph, scarce my ass. Isn’t it all being used by the rich people in the First District? They’re colluding with those bastards in the military, only knowing how to oppress us ordinary people.” The uncle said indignantly.

“I know this. My dad works at the water plant. It seems that the water outside is heavily polluted by Heteromorphs and zombies, and it needs to be purified extensively before it can be used by humans. Not to mention the cost is very high, but the water sources are especially difficult to find. I heard that a few days ago, a mercenary team found a water source, but as soon as they sent the location, they were wiped out by Heteromorphs. The military directly drove mecha over there.” Cheng Xiaolei said vividly, “When they went over, those mercenaries were chewed up by zombies, with only their heads and intestines left, floating on the water.”

“Ah, I don’t know when these days will end.” Someone sighed, “When the apocalypse just ended, resources were so abundant, and technology developed so rapidly. Even mecha and spaceships were built in batches. Everyone thought they could live on new planets. As a result, Heteromorphs came one after another, and everything was over. It’s only been a few years, and humans can barely afford electricity, let alone find a new place to live.”

“It seems that the military doesn’t even have a 3S mecha anymore, right?” the uncle said.

“They’re long gone. Ten years ago, the Dawn Project took away all one hundred 3S mecha that the military had. As a result, they couldn’t even find the fragments of the 3S mecha. The mecha center was occupied by Heteromorphs twenty years ago. Now I guess there are only S-level mecha left. These military wastes haven’t even been able to take back the mecha center yet, and they still make us pay so much tax every day!” Someone said righteously.

Liang Huan interjected, “What is the Dawn Project?”

“Brother Liang, you don’t even know the Dawn Project?” Cheng Xiaolei was a little surprised.

The people around also cast doubtful glances. After all, as long as you were from the Eastern District, you would definitely know the Dawn Project. Even a fifteen or sixteen-year-old child like Cheng Xiaolei knew.

Liang Huan didn’t stop packing and said calmly, “My husband doesn’t buy me chips. I’ve been at home all these years and know almost nothing about what’s going on outside.”

“Your husband he–” The uncle frowned.

“Is a mercenary.” Liang Huan said without changing his expression, “I wash his clothes and cook for him every day, and he even hits and curses me. A while ago, he broke his leg doing a mission and lost his source of income, so he was willing to let me come out to find a job.”

For a while, the eyes of the people around him were filled with sympathy and deep regret. Even the full-time employee who had been urging them to work couldn’t help but take another look at him.

What a good person, why would he be so unwise and marry a mercenary? And he found such a scumbag.

“Ah, it’s not easy for you either.” The uncle sighed.

Someone saw that the atmosphere was depressed and couldn’t help but say, “When the Dawn Project failed, the military cleared most of the information on the internet. It’s normal not to know about it.”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Cheng Xiaolei echoed, “Actually, I’m not very clear either. I heard it from my dad.”

“The Dawn Project was a space exploration plan jointly organized by the four districts of East, West, North, and South and the Central District in 127, which is ten years ago. Humans had already begun exploring new places to live before the apocalypse came. Later, zombies and Heteromorphs came one after another, and the space plan was shelved for nearly a century… After the Heteromorphs withdrew, humans ushered in an era of technological explosion. The five districts formed the Dawn Army of nearly 100,000 people, taking all the 3S mecha and the joint fleet to set off. As a result, after a year, the Dawn Fleet was completely lost. A year later, the five districts joined forces to organize a space salvage team and salvaged a lot of spaceship and mecha fragments, but most of them were gone. The officials said they were swallowed by black holes, but some said there was a traitor who deliberately led the fleet to the wrong coordinates.” The uncle said.

Liang Huan looked up at him.

This person looked to be in his forties or fifties, with a deep furrow between his brows, and his fingers were covered with plasters. Saying so much didn’t delay his movements, and he packed very quickly. The nameplate on his chest read Mao Ming.

“The Eastern District Military punished a large number of people responsible for this back then, but it hasn’t ended yet. The court will probably try that Yi someone next week, right?” Cheng Xiaolei said.

“Yi Yuan was the deputy commander of the Eastern District fleet back then. I don’t know why he didn’t follow the main force. It’s hard to say about this matter. The parties have been involved for so many years, but they still haven’t convicted him, after all, there is no evidence to show that the failure of the Dawn Project was related to him.” Mao Ming said, “Alright, it’s useless for us to talk about it. It’s better to pack a few more boxes so we can buy a cigarette to smoke when we get back.”

Time passed quickly. The group chatted, and time passed quickly. Liang Huan mingled in the crowd and heard a lot of information that he couldn’t find on the chip, gaining a deeper understanding of this world.

Six hours later, Liang Huan put down the packing box in his hand and found the staff member in charge of their group.

“You’ve finished your task?” The other person was a little surprised.

“Two thousand, already packed.” Liang Huan gave him the counter, “Please settle today’s wages.”

The other person frowned, “Don’t you want to earn a little more? You’ll get more when you settle at the end of the month.”

“It’s time. I have to go back and cook for my husband.” Liang Huan looked down at him, “The contract says there is a ten-day probation period, and the salary can be settled daily during this period.”

Many people looked over when they heard this.

The person in charge was caught in a dilemma, and he had also heard about Liang Huan’s “tragic” encounter in the morning. He had no choice but to transfer today’s wages to Liang Huan’s chip and couldn’t help but ask, “Why don’t you apply for a divorce in this situation?”

Liang Huan looked at the 33.3 Condensed Coins that had been added to the balance and said, “I can’t leave him.”

Person in charge: “…”

Amidst a crowd of disappointed gazes, Liang Huan left with his packed dinner.

—

Li Yao almost thought he had entered the wrong door when he returned to the dormitory.

The floor was mopped clean, the shoes at the door were neatly arranged, the pots and pans in the kitchen were shining brightly, the clothes were washed, dried, and neatly folded in the closet, and even the bedding on his bed had been replaced with a brand-new bright yellow set. The dilapidated little sofa was replaced with a comfortable recliner, and there was even a brand-new tea set on the coffee table.

He backed out and looked at the door number uncertainly again.

“You didn’t go to the wrong place.” Liang Huan walked out of the bathroom. He was wearing a bright yellow silk pajama set. His freshly dried hair looked clean and fluffy. He raised his hand to block Li Yao, “Take off your shoes before you come in.”

The soles of Li Yao’s shoes were covered in mud and blood, and his clothes would shed half a pound of dust when shaken. He subconsciously took half a step back, not stepping on the reflective floor, and said in shock, “Where did you get the money?”

“Credit card application center. Eastern District residents who are married and have a fixed residence can apply for a credit card with a limit of 30,000 Condensed Coins for 36 Condensed Coins.” Liang Huan sat on the recliner, picked up the tea and took a sip, raised his eyes to look at him, “Aren’t you going to take a shower?”

Li Yao threw his shoes outside the door, still not recognizing his room, “Did you clean all this?”

“Household robot.” Liang Huan said dissatisfiedly, “How could I (zhen, I – used by the emperor) do these chores?”

Li Yao: “…”

When Li Yao came out after taking a shower, Liang Huan was already watching a movie on the chip machine. The holographic projection was immersive. Li Yao didn’t expect him to adapt so quickly and raised his hand to turn off the projection.

Liang Huan tapped his temple, and the virtual glasses in front of him disappeared. He raised his eyes to look at Li Yao, “What is it?”

Li Yao sat directly on the ground, where a soft and clean wool carpet was laid. He put the steaming meal on the coffee table and took two bites before raising his head and saying, “Didn’t I tell you not to go out?”

“Eastern District marriage law stipulates that even a spouse has no right to interfere with the other’s freedom.” Liang Huan lay in the rocking chair, “Otherwise, I can apply for a divorce.”

Li Yao: “Are you normal?”

“I (zhen, I – used by the emperor) have always been normal.” Liang Huan raised his hand, “Pour tea.”

“…” Li Yao snorted, bit his chopsticks, picked up the teapot and filled it for him.

Normal my ass.

“The law is useless to mercenaries. If you dare to go out casually again in the future, I’ll break your legs.” Li Yao continued to eat his meal, “Did you hear me?”

Liang Huan raised his eyebrows, “You can try.”

Li Yao put down the lunchbox, his body was still covered in the bloody aura, “Did I make you misunderstand by being too nice?”

Liang Huan didn’t speak.

“If you still can’t remember, you’re just a waste to me.” Li Yao said, his upper body naked, his sharp eyebrows and eyes carrying a fierce hostility, “If you don’t want to be sold into the Black Market, then get the hell out of here as soon as possible.”

Liang Huan slowly drank a sip of tea, “Okay.”

His attitude suddenly softened, and Li Yao couldn’t react for a moment. He saw Liang Huan suddenly straighten up and get closer, giving him a slight smile, “You must have worked very hard today.”

Li Yao’s breath was slightly stagnant, and the impatience on his face had not had time to disappear when he felt two cigarettes added to his arms.

“Li Yao, thank you for taking me in.” Liang Huan patted him on the shoulder and wiped away the bloodstains that he hadn’t washed away from the corners of his eyes, “As a reward, I will do my best to help you.”

Li Yao was a little dizzy from the sandalwood-scented shower gel on his body, frowned deeply, and all the threats were stuck in his throat, and his tone was stiff, “Just knowing is enough.”

Was he… a little too fierce just now?