The Constant Star Train has been in the Shahe Plain for some time now, and no one on the Train Radio has ever spoken a disrespectful word about it.
Itâs evident that although the Constant Star is now just a level 4 train, no one wants to provoke such a monster.
Itâs indeed absurd.
As for the other reason, of course, itâs because... he wants to secretly settle a small grudge. Being friendly is one thing, but he still needs to take revenge for the mental breakdown he suffered in the S-class labyrinth. He has to let this guy know that heâs not weak; itâs just that youâre... too strong.
...
Inside the Constant Star train.
Biaozi glanced at Mountain Cat and his girlfriend, who were almost melted into one another not far away, with a hint of envy in his eyes. "Mountain Cat, youâre really lucky to find your family even in Doomsday."
Mountain Catâs girlfriend isnât stunning, with some faint freckles on her face.
But those freckles donât look unappealing; instead, they give her an elegant appearance, making her a beauty among ordinary people.
She could score six or seven out of ten, and thatâs only because there are no cosmetics in Doomsday. A little makeup would easily raise it to seven or eight.
"Hehe."
Mountain Cat tightly embraced his girlfriend, his eyes full of excitement. "Biao, Iâve already told her about the rules on the Constant Star. From now on, sheâll mine with everyone else, and the two of us will earn Fixed Star Coupons together, hoping to buy our own house on the Constant Star soon."
"Thereâs no rush for that."
Biao shook his head. Being apart for so long, itâs hard to say how deep the feelings run. If tomorrow goes smoothly and they get their Doomsday Marriage Certificate from Master Mang, then everything will be fine. Master Mang might even start them at first-tier resident treatment out of joy. But if it doesnât pass, they might have to start all over again.
"Didnât you ask her why she suddenly disappeared without a word before Doomsday?"
"I did ask."
Sadness flickered in Mountain Catâs eyes, but he forced a smile. "Just like Pig Train Captain guessed. Before Doomsday, she was diagnosed with ALS, which is almost an incurable disease. Sheâs even struggling to speak now, with not many years left."
"But in Doomsday, living a few more years is a gift. When she can no longer mine, Iâll take care of her. Iâll use Fixed Star Coupons to buy food for her. Donât worry, Biao, she wonât consume train resources for nothing."
"ALS?"
Biao frowned, looking at the woman in Mountain Catâs arms. Indeed, her body seemed a bit stiff. This disease canât be cured, and this woman is quite resilient. If he had ALS and faced Doomsday, he might just commit suicide instead of finding the courage to live.
"How did you end up in Yan Yaoâs safe house?"
"Biao... Biao." The womanâs voice was hoarse, whispering, "I donât know either. At the time, I was in a slum in Taiping City, monsters were killing people everywhere, and I just felt like I fainted. When I woke up again, I was already in Sister Yan Yaoâs safe house."
"Hmm, alright, I got it. You can squeeze onto a bed with Mountain Cat tonight, and weâll discuss it tomorrow when Master Mang wakes up."
Biao paused for a moment, then turned to Mountain Cat with a serious expression. "Sheâs been in the safe house all the time and doesnât know much about the outside world, so you must explain everything to her, Mountain Cat."
"Many rules from the peaceful times donât apply here."
"In Doomsday, we have Doomsday rules, and the Constant Star has Constant Star rules."
"If she breaks any rules..."
"Sheâll surely die."
"Do you understand?"
"I understand, Biao." Mountain Cat solemnly agreed, holding tightly to the womanâs hand by his side, as if afraid she would vanish again the next second.
...
Meanwhile, in the No. 5 womenâs advanced talent carriage,
Yan Yao looked incredulous as she faced Ji Chuchu. "Ji Chuchu, do you know what youâre saying?"
"Youâre telling me that this train is already the best treated in Doomsday?"
"I saw many people crammed into a carriage lined with blankets this afternoon, and others were even packed into ice... refrigerators, without even a mattress, sleeping on the floor like that. Even women openly soliciting customers, you call this train the only hope in Doomsday?"
"Ji Chuchu!"
"You werenât like this before!"
"..."
Ji Chuchu gazed complicatedly at Yan Yao, a trace of imperceptible jealousy and envy flashing deep in her eyes. She turned her head to look at the starry sky outside the window, remaining silent for a long time before weakly murmuring.
"Yan Yao, do you know, I really envy you, and Iâm also jealous of you."
"The chair youâre sitting in, the bed beside you where you can lie down, and the clean blankets and pillows, with ample food and water every day."
"You know these things..."
"I can only enjoy them after reaching the Constant Star. Do you know what kind of life I led when Doomsday began?"
"Worse than pigs and dogs."
"I didnât even dare to sleep, fearing being bitten to pieces by monsters in my sleep."
"And you?"
"You didnât have to worry about food or monsters after Doomsday, hiding in a safe house, and then the Constant Star Train came to rescue you. You can ask any member on the train, even those women you disdain for soliciting and selling themselves. Ask them, and every one of them is grateful for the Constant Star."
"Before they encountered the Constant Star, there was no such thing as soliciting."
"The Constant Star granted them the power to solicit. If you think the people in those carriages are crowded, I really wish youâd see other trains."
"Itâs really unfair, you know?"
"Youâve experienced none of the hardships Iâve gone through, yet you enjoy all the blessings Iâve had."
"Before Doomsday, it was the same. With your father being an official, you always relied on him during difficult situations, and I smiled as I helped you handle them. And after Doomsday, itâs even more so. Even in the future, Master Mang will favor you more just because youâre a virgin."
"However..."
"You fail to realize this a bit, and even take it all for granted."
Yan Yao shook her head, looking serious and determined.
"Ji Chuchu, Iâm not a stubborn person."
"Perhaps the Constant Star Trainâs treatment is indeed good in Doomsday, but I am a person with principles, and I canât accept serving Master Mang with my body. Iâd rather go mining."
"..."
Ji Chuchu remained silent for a long time before speaking softly, "Are you sure?"
"Iâm sure."
"Of course you can. The Constant Star Train provides everyone with ample choices." Ji Chuchu pulled out a walkie-talkie from under a nearby table, speaking softly, "Pig Train Captain, please send someone to escort Yan Yao to the rear carriage. Sheâs chosen to go mining."
"What are you doing?"
Yan Yaoâs expression slightly changed, "Arenât there so many empty beds here? Canât I sleep here at night?"
"You?"
Ji Chuchu shook her head, suddenly laughing, "This space can only be enjoyed by those with level 3 advanced talent benefits. Youâre only a level 3 resident; this isnât where you belong."
"Forgot to tell you."
"Every resident must mine a minimum of 10 units a day to enjoy corresponding level benefits and welfare."
"If itâs below that number, Biao will show you just how well the baton can whirl around."
"Fine, Iâll mine!" Yan Yao gritted her teeth slightly, looking at the men entering as they pushed open the carriage door ahead. "In my life, Yan Yao, I would rather die than rely on my body to eat!"
Ji Chuchuâs previously smiling expression suddenly froze slightly and retracted, speaking calmly.
"You wonât. Youâre overthinking it. As long as you mine seriously, the Constant Star wonât let you starve, nor will anyone kill you."
"You wonât die."
"This place is much safer than your safe house."