One hundred and nineteen
The scorching red sun was scorching the earth. The hot summer wind blew through the new residential buildings. The temperature inside and outside the building seemed to be two different worlds. Father Lu stood in front of the window, stepping on the clean and bright tile floor, facing the air-conditioned wind, and saw his happy and somewhat dazed expression reflected in the glass.
He watched with his own eyes as this residential building was built within a month, but when he actually moved into his new home built free of charge by the federal government today, he still felt like he was dreaming.
"Oh! That's great!" Mother Lu carefully turned off the air conditioner. "The place we lived in before was stuffy and damp, and the cicadas kept chirping at night, so Xiaoshan couldn't sleep well."
"Xiaoshan, aren't you going to participate in the Youth Mecha Driving Competition? You must work hard, keep your spirits up, and strive to get a good ranking, do you understand?" Mother Lu said to Lu Xiaoshan.
Lu Xiaoshan put on his new schoolbag and got up from bed in a hurry. The lunch break was almost over and he had to go to the new school for classes.
"Got it! Dad, Mom, you guys should go to work too! I'm leaving first!"
Mr. and Mrs. Lu now work in a food processing factory. I heard it is Tangtang's brother's family's factory. The benefits are very good and workers can go home to rest at noon. The factory is also equipped with air conditioners, so many workers are reluctant to leave after get off work. Some even lay on the floor and take a nap in the factory.
Lu Xiaoshan decided not to go home for lunch tomorrow. He would rest at home, and his parents would definitely turn on the air conditioner. The electricity bill would definitely be very high. The classrooms in their new school also have air conditioning, and it would be very comfortable to take a nap lying on the table.
As he thought about this, he passed by a fully armed patrol team. The leader of this team was a white-haired officer who always looked bored, but when he drew his gun, he was decisive and seemed to enjoy killing.
But he knew the officer was a good man.
Once, a conflict broke out between the patrol team and a group of black market people. Many people died in a street gunfight. He and several friends who had just got out of school happened to witness the end of the conflict.
The white-haired officer killed the thug a second ago, squinted his eyes and yawned, then his gray eyes suddenly locked onto their hiding place.
For a moment, Lu Xiaoshan thought he was going to be killed.
Being unfortunately killed by stray bullets in a gunfight is a very common way to die in the slums. Sometimes the victorious party does not kill to their heart's content and will suddenly start a killing game on the street.
He wanted to run away, but he was afraid that his actions would irritate the slow-moving officer and make him die faster. Just as he was struggling with this, the officer took off his blood-stained gloves, took out a handful of candies from his pocket, and said to them lazily, "Kids, do you want some candy?"
He and his friends walked past the patrol team with candies in their hands, trembling with fear, and heard someone ask the officer, "Jiao Jian, do you know how to coax children?"
"Um."
"But why do you carry candy with you?"
"Quit smoking."
Lu Xiaoshan touched his pocket of candy and looked back at the patrol troop. The white-haired officer raised his eyes as if he sensed something and curled the corners of his lips at him.
The smile was so fleeting that Lu Xiaoshan almost thought it was an illusion caused by the hot weather.
In fact, everything seemed so good to Lu Xiaoshan that it seemed like an illusion. Every day before he went to sleep he would worry that this was just a dream and it would be gone when he woke up.
Today, a strict order has been established in the slums. Anyone who challenges the rules will be severely punished. People living here no longer have to worry about being killed by stray bullets or encountering robbers when they go out...
They went from being uncomfortable at first to maintaining order on their own initiative now.
Because order means hope.
Lu Xiaoshan once wanted to be a racer in the underground arena, but just yesterday, a racer who occasionally asked him to run errands and buy cigarettes told Lu Xiaoshan that he wanted to quit the circle.
The racer said that he was tired of the life-and-death struggles in the underground arena, and planned to try to join the slum patrol team after his contract with the underground arena expires. However, to join the patrol team, he had to pass a blind test first.
Thinking of those complicated test questions, the twenty-something racer couldn't help but start to have a headache, considering whether he should apply for night school. "Xiaoshan, I really envy you kids. You are catching up with the good times. When I was your age, I couldn't go to school and had to go to the mining area..."
Lu Xiaoshan continued walking towards the school. The new school was very close to his new home, only taking fifteen minutes to walk there.
The teacher who taught them the first class in the afternoon was Teacher Li.
Lu Xiaoshan likes teacher Li very much. Teacher Li's classes are entertaining and interesting. He will patiently explain things to them. During breaks, he often shares homemade cookies with them. He cares about the daily lives of each student and is so gentle that it reminds him of his mother.
Many years later, whenever Lu Xiaoshan recalled the moments he was taught by Teacher Li, he would sincerely thank this teacher for enlightening him about the precious values of life.
Just like this class, Teacher Li did not teach as usual, but played a live broadcast of the Mecha Cup for them.
The Mecha Cup was held in the largest stadium in the Federation, which can accommodate 100,000 spectators and has the most advanced environmental simulation technology in the Federation. The grand opening ceremony made the children in the classroom exclaim in amazement.
One of the children subconsciously said: "How much does this cost..."
If this money is used to build slums...
Even though Lu Xiaoshan told himself to be content and grateful, this thought came to his mind unconsciously.
Teacher Li walked down from the podium and said in a gentle voice: "The Mecha Cup did cost the Federation a lot of money, but children, we have to look at the problem from a different perspective. Just like we built new houses and new schools here, it looks brand new and gives a better impression to outsiders. The Mecha Cup is a business card of the Federation to the world. When other countries see this feast, they will realize the prosperity of the Federation..."
"This Mecha Cup is not only a grand event, it is also a stage for the Federation to show its strength. Through this Mecha Cup, we tell the world that we are strong enough and we are not afraid of war."
The Mecha Cup Competition held its opening ceremony under the watchful eyes of the public.
The spherical stadium extinguished all lights. In the whispers, this building, which embodied the most advanced environmental simulation technology of the Federation, simulated the vast universe.
Countless virtual stars floated out from the 100,000 spectator seats, illuminating the entire dark stadium.
Those spots of light gathered into a dazzling mecha cup, as if it was placed in the center of the darkness by the gods.
When the trophy was formed, the host's passionate voice and magnificent music sounded together: "Ladies and gentlemen, the first International Mecha Cup Competition of the Federation has officially begun!"
The opening ceremony was very spectacular. The grand performance perfectly demonstrated the integration of technology and culture, which was dazzling. Whenever the performance reached a wonderful part, the audience would burst into applause and cheers.
Tang Bai sat in the family seat for the contestants and watched the wonderful opening ceremony performance with Xie Ruheng.
"The omega leading the dance is a senior from the dance department of our etiquette academy." Tang Bai was particularly excited to watch the beauty dancing. "Originally, Director Huang contacted me and asked me if I wanted to participate in the opening ceremony performance, but I know myself well. My level is only good enough to dance the cheerleading dance."
Xie Ruheng recalled the cheering dance that Tang Bai had performed for them during military training. The youthful little omega was full of energy for him. Whenever he recalled it, his heart was moved. Xie Ruheng said seriously: "I like your dance more."
Tang Bai glanced at his boyfriend, whose love filter was a hundred meters thick. He hooked his finger at Xie Ruheng, and when that handsome face came closer, Tang Bai lowered his voice and whispered, "Then, Brother Xie, do you want to see me wear a bunny suit and dance for you alone?"
Xie Ruheng: “!!!”
Tang Bai smiled with eyes crooked, and her long eyelashes could not cover the tiny fragments of light: "The kind with round bunny tails~ As long as you win the championship, I will only dance for you~"
Xie Ruheng was so overwhelmed by Tang Bai's few words that his mind was filled with indescribable thoughts.
Seeing Xie Ruheng like this, Tang Bai smiled with satisfaction.
He recently choreographed a bunny cheering dance for the pink bunny mecha, and sure enough, Xie Ge would like it very much.
As the opening performance, which lasted more than two hours, was about to end, Xie Ruheng stood up from his seat and walked to the backstage through the shortcut.
Contestants from various countries gathered backstage, a total of fifty contestants, ten from each country. In addition to the five places for the military academy, the Federation also had five people selected from the auditions.
Athletes from different countries wore different attire. The Federation's uniform was black, calm and stern, with a strong military aura blowing across their faces.
The small country of Proya, which is on good terms with the Federation, has a tradition of tattoos. They have dark skin, wear white uniforms, and have silver-white birds of prey resting on their exposed skin.
The most flamboyant team belonged to the Empire, with medals hung from exquisite red diagonal ribbons and golden ceremonial armor that made them look very heroic.
One of the players from the Empire team who was surrounded by people had golden curly hair and beautiful eyes. Although he was not tall, he was full of the majestic bearing of a strong man.
Xie Ruheng knew the identity of this player, Andre, a member of the imperial royal family.
His operational level is average, but he is said to be one of the more competitive princes and a peace advocate.
The Empire's attitude towards the Federation is divided into pro-war and pro-peace. The implantation of the virus in the holographic game assessment was most likely done by the pro-war faction. In the month after the chief examination, the Federation conducted many military exercises, and the Empire sent Andre, a pro-peace faction, as a contestant this time, which can well illustrate the Empire's attitude.
The Empire had no immediate intention of going to war.
When Xie Ruheng was about to look away, Andre suddenly met his eyes with a strong and restrained look, as if he was examining him. Then Andre slowly revealed a faint, arrogant and reserved smile.
"...Next, please welcome the Empire's representative team!" The host's introduction echoed throughout the entire stadium, and Andre and a group of members of the Empire walked out with dignity.
Gu Tunan stood beside Xie Ruheng and said, "I came at the right time. I just happened to hear the players of the Empire team teasing the crown prince..."
"He said he likes Tang Bai."
Because this part of the story is a little difficult to write, I'm worried that if I force myself to do more chapters, the quality will be bad, so I'll slow down for the next two days. Once I get the hang of it, I'll make up for the chapters I'm overdue. Don't worry, everyone, I'll do the chapters next month to celebrate every 10,000 nutrient solutions sold. Even if I can't finish them this month, I'll finish them next month!