In 2036, Tong Le made his first appearance in the group chat. The members were very enthusiastic, chatting with him about matters related to the future.
Apart from information concerning parallel worlds, Tong Le from 2036 answered almost every question.
The Tong Le from that timeline probably didn't have many chances to make friends, so he enjoyed chatting with them.
After exchanging a few words, Tong Yang exited the group chat. Seeing a message from Ye Huai, she immediately video-called him.
A few seconds later, Ye Huai appeared on the screen, wearing a white lab coat and a mask.
"When did you change professions?" Tong Yang teased.
She had never seen Ye Huai dressed like this before; he looked quite the part of a professional.
Ye Huai's eyes were a light color. He smiled, his eyes crinkling, and took off his mask. Perhaps the air wasn't great on his end, as he coughed twice before saying, "I'm at Bureau 749, conducting experiments with them."
Tong Yang asked, "What kind of experiments?"
"Artificial hearts."
Tong Yang raised an eyebrow. "What's the success rate?"
"The purpose of the experiment is to improve the success rate," Ye Huai replied.
Tong Yang nodded. "No rush. You should still have a few years left to live."
Ye Huai chuckled. "Well, I'll take that as a good omen."
After a pause, Tong Yang added, "Then you'd better live a few more years. Don't die before we've dealt with the parallel worlds."
"Don't worry," Ye Huai said. "Even if I were dying, I'd hold on until then."
Ye Huai's hereditary heart condition could only be cured by either injecting high-quality genes or replacing his heart.
The former was out of the question—neither Tong Yang nor Ye Huai would ever consider injecting themselves. The latter was undoubtedly the best option, but modern science hadn't advanced enough for it to be reliable, with a low success rate.
Artificial hearts were far superior to ordinary man-made ones, having almost no side effects and functioning much like a natural human heart. They didn't require frequent recharging, but more experiments were needed to ensure a higher success rate for the replacement procedure.
"And you? How are things on your end?" Ye Huai asked.
Tong Yang briefly explained the situation in the First World and her current circumstances.
"Have you contacted Dr. Wu?"
"Yes. He told me to do everything I can to reduce the death toll in the slums."
Ye Huai frowned. "That's asking too much of you. Even if the First World won't harm you in the short term, once they realize you're sabotaging their plans, it shouldn't be hard for them to control you."
"True, but he said someone could help me."
"Who?" Ye Huai asked.
"Maynard."
Ye Huai looked momentarily stunned. "Maynard? He's in the First World?"
Tong Yang said, "Wu Pingxue mentioned that he was originally from the First World. That's why Tong Yang from the First World spared the key members of the Maynard family and let them return."
Ye Huai fell into deep thought, murmuring, "What exactly is he trying to do?"
Ye Huai had doubted his own identity countless times, until Tong Yang proved he wasn't from a parallel world. But why would the First World's Maynard—also known as Ye Tianlin—want him to become a Maynard?
"Whatever his intentions, at least in Wu Pingxue's view, he will help the real world. If you get the chance to meet him again, you can ask him yourself."
Ye Huai nodded. "Alright."
He didn't dwell on the issue further.
After studying her through the screen for a moment, Ye Huai said, "Tong Yang, have you lost weight?"
Tong Yang didn't really feel it. She shrugged. "I just got out of the slums. It'd be hard not to lose weight."
Ye Huai pressed his lips together, looking at her.
Tong Yang said, "You haven't changed much, though. Your complexion is as pale as ever."
Ye Huai sighed helplessly. "Are you making fun of me?"
"No, I'm mocking you," Tong Yang said, her eyes smiling. "You're in a sorry state yourself, yet you still have the energy to worry about others."
Ye Huai couldn't help but laugh. "Then mock me all you want."
"That's enough."
"What's your next move?" Ye Huai asked.
Tong Yang replied, "According to Zhan Zicheng, Xue Wei wants me to participate in the 'Forerunner' training and selection."
Hearing this, Ye Huai's brow furrowed slightly. "You want to give it a try?"
"Yes. The Forerunner selection is extremely difficult, but they don't use gene injections. It might be a good opportunity to improve myself and get closer to the Unified Government."
Ye Huai understood Tong Yang's personality. She would never pass up a chance to kill two birds with one stone. Moreover, even the trainees who failed the selection had managed to overpower them on Harker Island. Undergoing Forerunner training would undoubtedly yield great benefits for Tong Yang.
Ye Huai said, "Even if the First World doesn't know the identity or appearance of the Time Anchor, you look exactly like Tong Yang from the First World. Someone is bound to notice."
Tong Yang said, "I've considered that. I've heard that Tong Yang from the First World is unorthodox, uncontrollable, has offended many people, and killed quite a few. So far, only high-level officials in the Unified Government know what she looks like. I won't be interacting with government higher-ups in the short term, and there are many participants in the Forerunner training. It shouldn't be that easy to be discovered."
Tong Yang paused. "Besides..."
She had another thought, but if she voiced it, Ye Huai might not agree.
Unexpectedly, Ye Huai finished her sentence. "Besides, you think it wouldn't matter even if you were discovered."
Tong Yang looked at him, her expression complex, and nodded. "Exactly."
Ye Huai said, "They won't kill you. If they find out you've infiltrated them on your own, they might play along, pretending not to know, letting you enter the Unified Government right under their noses, hoping to control you."
Tong Yang said, "Exactly."
Ye Huai sighed. "So, whether they discover your identity or not, they probably won't stop you."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Ye Huai chuckled. "You know your own limits. Nothing I say will change your mind."
Once Tong Yang made a decision, others could only stand by and watch. In the past, she wouldn't even bother mentioning her plans before acting. At least her approach was a bit softer now.
"You know it well," Tong Yang said, quite matter-of-factly.
Ye Huai smiled. "Keep in touch. Communicate anytime something comes up."
Tong Yang nodded, then seemed to remember something. "What's the situation with Xu Junyue?"
The last message from Xu Junyue on her phone was sent over half a month ago, which was very unlike her.
Ye Huai said, "She's lost sight in one eye. It's different for her compared to others, but fortunately, her other physical functions are excellent. Mr. Du has already sent her for special training."
"I see."
Ye Huai continued, "I heard that after her final exams, Miss Chu also applied to join the training. She'll probably head over in a couple of days."
"Chu Shiyu?"
"Yes."
Tong Yang laughed. "She's never really suffered hardship. Now she wants to suffer alongside Xu Junyue."
Ye Huai said, "Miss Tang and the others are also on a secret mission. They'll all be able to help you when the time comes."
"That's good."
After chatting with Ye Huai for about ten more minutes, Tong Yang wrapped up the conversation, promising to connect when they had time, and hung up.
After putting her things away, Tong Yang pushed open the door and walked into the living room.
Miaomiao was sitting by the coffee table. She had somehow found paper and a pen and was scribbling away at something.
"What are you doing?" Tong Yang asked.
Miaomiao looked up, waving the paper in her hand. "I've written down everything we don't have at home."
Tong Yang walked over to the coffee table, took the paper, and saw it densely covered with all the instant foods they used to eat in the slums.
Tong Yang said, "No need to buy this instant stuff anymore. We'll cook for ourselves from now on."
Miaomiao said blankly, "But I don't know how."
"Learn."
"Oh..."
Tong Yang walked around the room herself. Pots, pans, bowls, and dishes were all there. Going out to buy some oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and ingredients would be enough.
The bathroom lacked more items and needed some supplies.
For the rest of the time, Tong Yang and Miaomiao went out together to buy some daily necessities. In the evening, they casually boiled a bowl of noodles.
"Wow! Sis, the noodles you made are so delicious!" Miaomiao exclaimed after taking a bite, utterly amazed. "Much better than that noodle shop in the slums!"
Tong Yang said, "I can teach you."
Miaomiao said, "As long as you don't make me learn math, you can teach me anything!"
"You have to learn math too."
"Sis..."
"Eat your food."
After the meal, Tong Yang had her wash the bowls while she herself ducked into the bathroom for a shower.
Xue Wei had said he would come find her after handling some matters, but over ten days had passed without any movement.
During this time, the slums had suffered a bombing. As for the casualties, no related reports appeared in the civilian district.
Living in the civilian district was simply too expensive. If things continued like this, the savings Tong Yang had wouldn't last more than a few months. Left with no choice, she found a part-time job nearby, taking care of delivery dogs every day.
Most deliveries in the First World relied on machine dogs. You just needed to put the item in its belly, input the address, and it would deliver the item to the customer within the stipulated time, overcoming all difficulties and dangers.
Tong Yang's job was to label each item with its destination and occasionally observe the delivery situation through the monitor on the dog's eyes.
Besides the delivery dogs, the shop also had machine meal delivery, machine cleaning, and machine service. The two other employees and herself were bored out of their minds. The work that should have been done by them had already been taken over by machines.
"Little Yang, do you know how to play cards?"
One of the employees sneakily pulled Tong Yang aside.
Tong Yang glanced at him and said, "I'm working right now."
"Pfft! What work needs you? The robots are more than enough."
Even so, Tong Yang had never liked slacking off or wasting time. She refused, saying, "You guys play. I'll keep working."
What Tong Yang called "work" was sitting in front of the computer during the delivery dogs' trips, observing through the monitors for any abnormal situations in the surroundings.
Usually, there were no abnormalities because the Coalition Government had issued very strict protective measures for machine-produced items like delivery dogs, even more rigorous than the protection for humans in the civilian district.
The attendant complained a couple of times, then found a table with the other person to play cards.
Tong Yang put on her headphones. The delivery dogs could pick up all surrounding sounds, which was perfect for eavesdropping. Maybe she'd get an unexpected harvest.
However, based on the situation during this period, there had been no harvest at all.
Tong Yang didn't like leaving her brain idle. Even though she knew she wouldn't get any useful information, she still watched the electronic screen very seriously.
She didn't know how much time had passed. Wearing the headphones, Tong Yang sensed someone standing behind her. Unsure who it was, she didn't turn around rashly, pretending she knew nothing.
The two attendants were sitting not far away, playing cards especially happily. Tong Yang had no intention of warning them.
"Well done."
Suddenly, the person standing behind her patted Tong Yang on the shoulder.
Tong Yang turned to look. The boss, with a large head and big ears, looked at her with a very satisfied expression.
The two attendants also noticed the boss and hurriedly put away their playing cards.
Then, the boss looked at the two of them, his smile gradually fading. "Neglecting your duties during work hours. You're fired."
"What..."
"Boss, we know we were wrong! We, we only did it when there was nothing to do..."
The boss wore an expression of strict impartiality. "Nothing is an excuse for your dereliction of duty. Look at the new Little Yang here, what an earnest work attitude she has!"
The two stood up, flustered and nervous. "Boss, give us another chance. Jobs are hard to find now."
The boss sneered, "So you know jobs are hard to find now? I've been more than generous, keeping you idle folks on the payroll for nothing. Who knew you were so unambitious, even playing cards during work hours? Hurry up, pack your things and get out!"
Nowadays, robots had already replaced some of the tasks ordinary humans could do. The labor of ordinary people would become cheap, to the point that having them or not didn't affect normal operations. Then, they would be discarded.
Discarded ordinary people could only struggle on the poverty line. If they failed to pay rent or living expenses for over a year, they would be stripped of their civilian status and thrown into the slums, with no chance of ever climbing out again.
The two attendants probably realized the real reason the boss was firing them and left, their faces ashen.
"Keep it up, work hard." The boss turned back, smiling at Tong Yang.
"Mm." Tong Yang replied flatly.
Driving away two full-time employees and keeping her, a part-timer, was probably because her wages were lower.
The shop basically didn't need supervision; machines could handle most of the work. The boss wandered around for a bit and then returned to his office.
At that moment, the delivery dog had finished its delivery and was on its way back. A conversation came through the monitor.
"Heard she's working part-time nearby?"
"Yes."
"That short on money? I told her to wait for me."
"Brother Xue, it's been almost half a month. With little savings, they'd have to find work."
"Where's she working part-time?"
"Brother Xue, don't disturb her at work. Just wait for her at home."
"That works too. Have her quit that lousy job."
"Don't worry, Brother Xue. Since you're willing to offer her this opportunity, how could she give it up for such a pittance? She'll definitely be grateful to you."
Tong Yang checked the time, silently took off her headphones, turned, and walked to the door of the boss's office.
She knocked on the door. After a moment's wait, the boss told her to come in.
"Boss, it's almost time to get off work. I'm here to collect today's wages."
Being a part-timer, she was paid her wages at the end of each day.
The boss pushed the red envelope prepared in advance towards her, squinting his eyes. "You did well today. Added three hundred for you."
"Thank you, boss." Tong Yang took the red envelope and put it away.
"Little Yang, considering becoming a full-time employee? Monthly salary, twenty-eight hundred."
Tong Yang glanced up at him. Did he think she was young and easy to bully? The two full-time employees he fired had monthly salaries of over five thousand. For her, he directly halved it?
Hiring new employees specifically to then fire the old ones? So new employees are easier-to-cut chives?
Tong Yang paused and said, "By the way, boss, I won't be coming tomorrow."
The boss was stunned. "What did you say? You're not coming tomorrow?"
Tong Yang said, "I'm just a part-timer. What's wrong with not coming tomorrow?"
"What about after that?"
"Most likely, I won't be coming back in the future either."
The boss twitched his jowly face and said, "Is it because the pay is too low? We can still negotiate."
"No, I said it was a part-time job from the very beginning." Tong Yang glanced at the time. "My shift is over, I'm leaving."
Tong Yang turned and left the office. Not far away, she heard the boss's voice on a phone call from inside the room.
"Hey, I've thought about it. You usually work quite diligently. How about I give you five thousand five hundred, and you come back to work tomorrow?"
"What? You've already found another job? That fast?"
...
"Hey, I've thought about it. You usually work quite diligently. How about I give you five thousand five hundred, and you come back to work tomorrow?"
"What? You've found another job too? At the same place as him?"
Before Tong Yang had even left the restaurant, the boss came striding out, panting, "Little Yang, I'll give you four thousand a month. Come back to work tomorrow, alright?"
Tong Yang asked, "Didn't you offer them five thousand five hundred?"
The boss gritted his teeth. "They have more experience than you. The most I can give you is five thousand!"
Tong Yang nodded. "Let's talk about it if there's a chance. I'm leaving."
With that, Tong Yang walked straight out of the restaurant without looking back.
Although machines had replaced part of the labor force, they still couldn't operate independently. Just like delivery bots, they required human input for addresses.
Following the current trend, cheap labor would inevitably be replaced by machines.
But definitely not now.
Two thousand eight hundred? Five thousand five hundred? In the commoner district, where the cost of living was high, there were no wages lower than those.
Even though the job was easy and only suitable for someone like Tong Yang in a brief transitional period.
Tong Yang returned to her lodgings with a red envelope containing three hundred yuan more than usual.
After opening the door, she found Xue Wei and a woman with an ingratiating smile sitting in the living room.
"Long time no see. Surprised?" Xue Wei said.
The woman stood up and extended her right hand to Tong Yang. "Hello, Miss Yang. I'm Lin Luqing."
Tong Yang looked at the face before her, subtly narrowing her eyes without a change in expression.
She shook Lin Luqing's outstretched hand and said, "Hello. You look very familiar."
Lin Luqing fawned, "Really? I also feel like Miss Yang and I hit it off right away!"
Tong Yang found the smile on her face utterly incongruous. She never expected Officer Lin from the First World to be playing such a role.
Tong Yang shifted her gaze and asked, "Where's Miaomiao?"
"She's resting in her room."
Tong Yang said, "What did you come to see me for?"
Xue Wei said with a smile, "I'd like to invite you to participate in a certain training."
"What kind of training?"
"Training to become a 'Pioneer'."
"Why?"
Xue Wei said, "Your physical capabilities are excellent. One could say you have great potential to become a 'Pioneer'."
Tong Yang said expressionlessly, "What's in it for me if I join the training?"
By becoming a 'Pioneer', you can go directly to the affluent district and enjoy all its resources.
Tong Yang said, "That's too far off. I want benefits I can see in the short term."
Xue Wei and Lin Luqing looked at each other. After a moment, Lin Luqing asked, "Miss Yang, what do you mean..."
"Participating in the training doesn't guarantee becoming a 'Pioneer', right?" Tong Yang led them on.
Lin Luqing nodded. "Yes."
"In that case, why should I give up present opportunities for an uncertain future?" Tong Yang's gaze swept over both of them. "I need to earn money to support my family. Can you understand that? Instead of wasting time on training, it's better to seize the chance to make enough money to stay in the commoner district. Otherwise, Miaomiao and I will end up back in the slums sooner or later, won't we?"
Xue Wei raised an eyebrow. "So, you're going to waste your talent."
Tong Yang sighed. "For the sake of survival, there's no other choice."
"This..." Lin Luqing was deeply troubled.
Xue Wei scoffed. "Just say it. What do you want?"
Tong Yang didn't hesitate. "This apartment and two hundred thousand."
Xue Wei pursed his lips. "You really dare to ask, don't you? Brazenly trying to take advantage of me."
Tong Yang said indifferently, "You want me to join the training. I want an apartment and money. An equivalent exchange. What's the problem?"
Xue Wei was amused by her words. "No problem. Since you put it that way, how could there be a problem?"
Tong Yang said, "Good. When can we handle the transfer procedures?"
"Not so fast. I have one precondition."
"Let's hear it."
Xue Wei said, "You must at least last until the sixth round before being eliminated. Otherwise, I reserve the right to take back the apartment and the two hundred thousand at any time."
The sixth round? That would already be at the level of a trainee soldier. In World A, Chu Shiyu was eliminated in the third round.
Tong Yang didn't hesitate for too long and agreed. "No problem."
Anyway, she planned to get close to the unified government; she would at least need to become a trainee soldier.
"Good. I can transfer the apartment to your name tomorrow."
"No need. Transfer it to Miaomiao."
"I want to join the training too!"
Just then, Miaomiao rushed out of the room.
Tong Yang glanced at her, then said to Xue Wei, "Sorry, I have one more condition."
"What?" Xue Wei asked curiously.
"Find a school for her."
Miaomiao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Sis..."
Tong Yang frowned. "Be obedient."
They had made an agreement earlier: Tong Yang would keep her by her side, with the sole requirement being obedience.
Miaomiao looked at her, her eyes gradually reddening.
Xue Wei said, "There happens to be a middle school next to the training base."
"Mm, that works."
Instantly, Miaomiao's eyes lit up. "Then can I see Sis at school?"
Xue Wei said, "You can during holidays."
"Great! I'll go to school."
Lin Luqing remarked with feeling, "You sisters have such a good relationship."
Tong Yang and Miaomiao exchanged a glance.
"Average."
"Not bad."
Xue Wei looked them over, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
The next day, Xue Wei took them to handle the transfer, putting the apartment under Yang Miao's name.
Immediately afterward, Tong Yang was to depart with Xue Wei for the training base. Because the commoner district followed the same timeline as the real world, schools were on summer break. For now, Miaomiao could only stay in the apartment under Lin Luqing's care.
Hearing that the middle school had an entrance exam, before leaving, Tong Yang specially bought her some study materials. Reviewing over the summer, plus the tutoring she'd received earlier, should be no problem.
By the time Tong Yang arrived at the training base with Xue Wei, it was already evening.
"This year, there are quite a few more people participating in the 'Pioneer' training and selection compared to previous years," Xue Wei said.
Another person walking beside them said, "The Second World sent a batch of people over."
"So that's why."
Tong Yang followed behind the two. The parallel world sent a batch of people? Among them, there wouldn't happen to be someone who knew her, would there?
It probably wasn't likely. Even in the parallel worlds, there weren't many living people who knew her.
Stopping outside a room, Xue Wei said, "Rest here tonight. Assembly is at six-thirty tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
With that, Tong Yang showed no reluctance and turned to enter the room.
Entering the room, she bumped shoulders with someone coming the opposite way.
Her brow furrowed slightly, and she looked up at almost the same moment as the other person. Their eyes met, and for an instant, the familiar face left them both momentarily stunned.
Then, as if nothing had happened, they both averted their gaze with practiced ease, a wordless understanding passing between them.
Sometimes, some things just happen to align this way.
