「Two days later.」
Iron Ring District, North Street.
On the rooftop of a tall concrete building, cooking smoke curled into the air. The savory scent of roasting meat drifted about on the dry, gentle breeze.
Several grayish-yellow awnings were set up on the rooftop, each enclosing an independent space of three to five square meters, creating a few relatively shady barbecue areas.
Under the canvas awnings were wide barbecue grills filled with charcoal and covered with metal grates. Skewers of meat sizzled as their juices dripped onto the hot coals.
"Have you heard?"
Six folding chairs, all occupied, were arranged around the sides of the barbecue grill.
On the far left, Xiaoyang was hunched over, carefully turning the skewers. He instinctively pulled his hand back when the hot oil spattered.
"More people have gone missing recently, especially in the northeastern part of the Iron Ring District." He sounded worried. "I don't know what's going on. It's probably seven or eight people in total by now."
"Who knows?"
Li Heng, who was clearly a size larger, grabbed a skewer. His cheeks bulged as he mumbled, "Maybe some gang is behind it?"
At his words, Lin Ze, Zhao Yuanqing, and the others joined the discussion.
Lu Chao sat at the very edge, not saying much. He just focused on the skewers in his hand, taking one bite after another.
Every so often, he would pour himself a glass of soda and tilt his head back to drink it down.
He swallowed a piece of spicy beef. 'A little spicy,' he thought.
Today was a get-together for their small circle of six from the orphanage, and he hadn't wanted to come.
But he couldn't resist when the organizer, Lin Ze, said it was his treat and there would be all the meat they could eat. Naturally, Lu Chao wasn't going to pass up a free opportunity to load up on nutrients.
"It wasn't necessarily a gang."
In the circle of discussion, Xiaoyang suddenly shook his head, refuting the others' guesses.
He then glanced around and lowered his voice. "I heard at the bar that people from the Hongyi Society have gone missing too."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, the expressions on Li Heng, Zhao Yuanqing, and the others changed slightly.
The Hongyi Society was powerful; few gangs in the Iron Ring District would dare to cross them.
So who was pulling the strings from behind the scenes?
The atmosphere tensed. No one could guess the answer, and the previous topic of conversation came to an abrupt halt.
"Forget it. Let's leave this headache to the Patrol Department."
Sensing the shift in mood, Lin Ze shook his head slightly, took a sip of his soda, and took the opportunity to change the subject.
"We just need to focus on living our own lives well. That's what really matters."
"By the way, how has everyone been lately?"
He was wearing a crisp, black short-sleeved shirt and slacks today, his leather shoes polished to a shine. Compared to two months ago, he carried himself with more confidence, looking like a true member of the social elite.
A self-satisfied smile he could hardly contain kept appearing on his lips. According to him, he had apparently secured his footing at Lianwei Heavy Industry, been promoted to a C6-level employee, and was on track to become a permanent B1-level officer in the second half of the year.
"Li Heng, you first."
"Me?"
Li Heng stopped eating his skewer, puffed out his chest, and said with a smile on his freckled face, "I just got my truck driver's license and transferred to a new position."
"Right now, I'm following my mentor on routes into the nearby wilderness, hauling materials. If I can pass the evaluation later, I should be able to make eight or nine thousand a month."
He explained his plans with a smile.
He had been holding it in and hadn't told anyone about this before. Now, he could finally let it out and feel a bit proud.
"Whoa, not bad, Li Heng! I didn't realize you were holding out on us."
Lin Ze was a little surprised. Beside him, Xiaoyang's eyes were filled with envy as he chimed in with agreement.
Across from them, Zhao Yuanqing snapped out of it and nodded thoughtfully. "The nearby wilderness routes are okay. They're not far from the city perimeter, so it's not too dangerous."
"But you should still be careful. The wilderness isn't the city, after all…"
As he spoke, the others recovered from their surprise, mostly nodding in approval.
Regardless, even though being a truck driver was tiring and leaving the city for the wilderness had its risks, it was at least a reliable way forward, especially for people like them.
"What about you, Yuanqing? The work at the repair shop can't be easy, right?"
Lin Ze turned his head to look at him, asking with a reserved air.
With all eyes on him, Zhao Yuanqing gave a cold snort and took the opportunity to share what he'd been up to as well.
He had recently been inspired by Lu Chao and wanted to push himself harder. Every day during his breaks at the repair shop, he would study cybernetic modification and practice on some spare parts.
"That's awesome, Yuanqing."
"Maybe one day you'll be a famous mechanical repairman. When that time comes, if I want to get a cybernetic implant, you'll have to give me a discount, you hear?"
Song Yuhan teased with a smile, her almond-shaped eyes bright and her features radiant and captivating.
Everyone's gaze paused and subconsciously turned to look at her.
In the past two months, if you had to say who had changed the most, it was undoubtedly her.
She wore a light-colored Bolai long dress. The design on the left side of her chest looked like a diamond, sparkling as it reflected the sunlight. It was a famous luxury brand.
The simple cloth bag she used to carry was gone, replaced by a brown leather handbag from the brand Celestial Moon.
"Haha, Yuhan, you're teasing me again."
Zhao Yuanqing scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
A strange emotion flickered in Lin Ze's eyes as he watched from across. After a moment of deliberation, he cut into the conversation.
"Yuhan, it seems the jewelry business really suits you."
"It feels like I haven't seen you in two months, and you've gotten even more beautiful."
They all knew she had closed several big deals. In terms of income, she probably earned more than anyone else present.
In response, Song Yuhan smiled. "Is that so, Lin Ze? I've actually just been lucky…" She then went on to share some of her experiences at the jewelry store.
She spoke of limited-edition designer pieces and picky, wealthy socialites.
The atmosphere livened up, and the aroma of barbecue continued to hang in the air.
Seeing this, a flicker of emotion crossed the eyes of Xiaoyang, who was sitting at the very edge. A bit crestfallen, he said, full of envy, "That's great… All of you are doing better and better."
"I wish I could make more money too."
He was still a waiter at the bar, not getting to sleep until three or four in the morning and waking up the next afternoon. He simply didn't have the energy for anything else.
As for his salary, it was mostly spent on food and drinks.
At this thought, he subconsciously glanced at Lu Chao, who was still silently devouring his skewers.
The two of them often saw each other at the bar, so he was well aware of Lu Chao's situation.
He'd been stuck at the boxing gym, unable to break through to the Fighting Level, and was about to be kicked out. The tens of thousands he'd spent were probably all down the drain.
'Well, at least I'm not the most pathetic one here. I'm better off than Ah Chao. I don't owe any money.' Nodding to himself at the thought, Xiaoyang felt a strange sense of balance restored in his heart.
The group soon finished chatting about their own affairs. Lin Ze then turned his gaze to Lu Chao, raising his voice slightly. "Ah Chao, don't just focus on eating. You're the only one who hasn't said anything."
"You're not still training at that boxing gym, are you?"
As he asked, Song Yuhan and Li Heng also turned to look.
For a moment, the air under the awning seemed to freeze. The SIZZLE of the roasting meat became exceptionally clear.
"Yeah, same as always."
Lu Chao swallowed a piece of cartilage and nodded lightly.
Beside him, Zhao Yuanqing said nothing, silently helping him turn two chicken wing skewers that were about to burn. The gesture was a subtle act of support.
"Lu Chao, does that mean you've broken through to the Fighting Level?"
Song Yuhan blinked and asked curiously, her eyes scanning his chest and arms. She could clearly see that Lu Chao's physique had become more lean and muscular.
The atmosphere tensed again as Lin Ze and the others waited in silence.
Xiaoyang gave a subtle, knowing smile.
Lu Chao paid them no mind. He simply poured another glass of soda, shook his head, and said softly, "Not yet."
"By the way, there's still soda. Does anyone want a glass?"
"No thanks, Lu Chao."
Song Yuhan shook her head gently. The curiosity in her eyes faded, gradually replaced by a hint of distance and pity.
Beside her, Lin Ze's eyes flashed. As if seeing the perfect opportunity, he seized the moment to speak. "Ah Chao, this is where I have to call you out."
"I told you last time to be practical and find a stable, respectable job. Why didn't you listen?"
He sounded like someone disappointed that a person wasn't living up to their potential, but it also felt deliberate.
Lu Chao took another drink of soda. He saw the veins bulging on Zhao Yuanqing's face and the fist clenched tightly at his side.
With a gentle nudge of his elbow, he signaled that it was fine, stopping his friend's impulsive reaction.
"Sigh, we're all such good friends, after all. How about this…"
He sighed and slapped his thigh.
Unaware of these small movements, Lin Ze continued as if making some great sacrifice. "I'm planning to start a workshop with a colleague to take on some side jobs. We're a little short-staffed at the moment."
"Come work for me. I can't say I'll support you for life, but at least you'll have food on the table. It's a hundred times more stable and respectable than that lousy janitor job of yours."
It sounded like a sincere offer of help, full of concern.
But Lu Chao could feel the condescending, self-satisfied charity behind it.
"No, thanks."
"I'm doing fine as I am."
Lu Chao shook his head, rejecting the offer crisply and cleanly.
Hearing this, Lin Ze's brows furrowed slightly, a flash of displeasure in his eyes.
"Ah Chao, oh, Ah Chao, what are you thinking? Lin Ze is trying to help you."
Li Heng sounded exasperated, thinking Lu Chao was arrogant and couldn't recognize a kind offer.
Xiaoyang quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Beside them, Song Yuhan shook her head gently. She opened her mouth as if to persuade him, but then swallowed her words. 'Lu Chao, a person should really be realistic about themselves. If you don't have what it takes for martial arts, why keep insisting…' In the end, she suppressed what she wanted to say.
They weren't kids in an orphanage anymore. They were adults now, and they had to take responsibility for their own wrong choices.
In an instant, the mood shifted. The earlier harmony turned into a session of persuasion and accusation.
Zhao Yuanqing's face was flushed red. He opened his mouth to argue several times, but Lu Chao stopped him each time.
"I'm full. You guys take your time."
Lu Chao said, then made an excuse to take a break and stood up, leaving the circle.
The folding chair behind him gave a faint CREAK. He walked all the way to the rooftop railing, where the view was quite expansive.
Below him were the chaotic, low, gray rooftops of the Iron Ring District and its web of narrow streets. But looking into the distance, he could see the wide river that encircled the inner city.
It was noon. The waves were relentless, and the river mist had dissipated.
White Ash Ferries, loading and unloading giant containers, sailed across the river and docked at the port on the opposite bank.
In the distance, he could see the prosperous high-rises and glass curtain walls of the inner city, as well as the flying cars that streaked across the sky.
"Five years at most, and I'll definitely secure residency in the inner city."
"As expected of you, Lin Ze."
"Don't worry. As long as I have a bite to eat, I definitely won't forget about you guys."
The voices of Lin Ze, Li Heng, and Xiaoyang drifted over on the breeze from behind him.
Lu Chao also heard familiar footsteps approaching.
"Ah Chao."
Zhao Yuanqing handed him a bottle of soda, looking like he wanted to say something but was holding back. He seemed to want to comfort Lu Chao, feeling indignant on his behalf.
Lu Chao smiled slightly and took the soda.
"Yuanqing."
"Yeah?"
POP!
He flicked the soda cap off with his finger. Facing the rooftop breeze, a glint of light flashed in Lu Chao's eyes.
[Life Energy: 19!]
[Potential Progress: 94%]
He withdrew his gaze, then looked far into the distance again.
On the far bank, the inner city's sky-piercing tower stood tall. Lu Chao smiled, gesturing with his soda bottle as he raised it.
"To us."
"Cheers."