Prior to the revitalization of natural energy, the docks of all colonies didn't see too much activity.
However, since Colony Three in recent times has become responsible for rationing food supplies to the other colonies, its dock space tends to be filled with busy bodies at the near end of the month.
That being the case, Ling Cang Xue's plan was to head to the dock at the start of next month.
Activities at the docks then aren't as high, and it is generally the time when last minute supplies are sent out—making it perfect for someone to become a stowaway.
Having studied how to operate a shuttle beforehand, Ling Cang Xue is confident that she would be able to pilot one fine.
(Elder sister is serious about this…)
Towards the plan that Ling Cang Xue had just explained, Ling Xue Luo says—
"…Elder sister, I don't think it'd be wise to do something like that. …Let's assume that we did actually end up stealing a shuttle, but what if we run out of energy supplies? If that happens, won't we be left to drift until we die?"
In response to these questions, Ling Cang Xue opens her storage pouch, and pours out a small mountain of spirit stones, while replying—
"This should be enough to get a small-sized shuttle to the nearest star region. And by the end of this month, I'll receive a bit more."
"…"
Still unconvinced, but finding it difficult to not at least entertain Ling Cang Xue's idea, Ling Xue Luo replies—
"…Elder sister, you have to promise me that if we don't see a planet by the time our energy supply is half-way through, you'll turn the shuttle around."
Seeing nothing wrong with this, Ling Cang Xue raises her pinky finger, and says—
"I promise."
"…"
Wrapping her own pinky around Ling Cang Xue's, the two shakes on it.
In this manner, the two settled on their plans; however—
...…
On the morning of the day, where they had scheduled to execute their plans—
"…Why? Why did things end up like this?"
Outside of their bedroom, three caretakers stood—making it impossible for Ling Cang Xue and Ling Xue Luo to sneak away.
Facing each other with the door of their bedroom shut, Ling Xue Luo remarks—
"…Elder sister, isn't this a bit too coincidental? I think they already knew about our plans…"
"This doesn't make any sense…"
Following Ling Cang Xue's reply, one of the caretakers outside states—
"Give it up. All bedrooms of the orphanage have hidden cameras installed—to keep an eye on the people inside at all times."
Hearing this, Ling Cang Xue widens her eyes, and shouts—
"That's a complete intrusion of our privacy!"
"The cameras are there to make sure none of you have any unfortunate accidents. Besides, children being kept under adult supervision at all times is the norm. How else would you have found a caretaker so quickly when Xue Luo was unable to move her legs?"
Twitching an eye, Ling Cang Xue opens and closes her mouth, and eventually shouts—
"Th-This is…-! This is utter bullshit!"
"Language, young lady!"
As silence looms between the two sides, one of the caretakers outside raises a sigh, and remarks—
"Did you truly believe that crossing over to another star region would be so easy? The amount of spirit stones you have—it isn't anywhere near enough to cover the distance. At the same time, have you thought of how you'd enter a planet? Those shuttles, they weren't designed to endure the heat of atmospheric entry. You'd both be burned to death during the process."
"I-!"
Cutting Ling Cang Xue off, the third caretaker remarks—
"What you're doing is no different from committing suicide, while dragging someone else along with you."
"…"
Towards the third caretaker's statement, Ling Cang Xue turns silent.
"Elder sister…"
Staring at Ling Cang Xue's back, Ling Xue Luo parts her lips, but she's unable to think of any words to comfort the former.
"…"
Turning around to face Ling Xue Luo, Ling Cang Xue raises her hands, and covers the former's ears, while asking the caretakers outside—
"…Then what am I supposed to do? Am I just supposed to wait, and watch as my little sister dies?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Towards these questions, none of the caretakers outside had an answer to offer.
Receiving no replies, Ling Cang Xue continues to say—
"…I don't like that sort of ending. To you and the other adults, we're just products that can be made in a lab. Losing one or two children, it probably wouldn't matter much to you all, but…"
Unclear as to how she should describe her current emotions, Ling Cang Xue feels a sense of frustration towards her own lack of vocabulary.
Momentarily—
"If you're unable to take responsibility for a living creature, then don't bring them into being. A responsible parent would take such matters into consideration, but with the way our world is right now, that simply wasn't something that had crossed our minds."
Saying this was a voice that didn't belong to any of the three caretakers.
In the distant past—several centuries before the Great Calamity had befell this world, a child could only be created when the two genetic materials donors had agreed to it beforehand.
However, since the colonies had all been in a rush to make preparations for the first selections event, and had wanted the best talents possible—
"To the more sharp-witted children, I suppose our rashness for the procurement of elite talents is inhumane."
Hearing the sound of a hand being placed onto the doorknob, Ling Cang Xue turns around, and in the same instance, the door is opened.
"…"
Standing in the doorway was a young woman—dressed in a long white coat.
Held in the young woman's right hand is a smoking pipe, while resting itself on the former's shoulders is a black serpent.
"…"
Seeing the respectful looks on the caretakers' faces, Ling Cang Xue parts her lips. She doesn't recognize the young woman's face, but judging by the reactions of the caretakers, the person can't be someone of ordinary status.
"…"
Approaching the Ling siblings, Sui Yan raises a subtle smile, and remarks—
"They say that there is a troublemaker in the orphanage, who refuses to be adopted by the visiting guardians. Are you the troublemaker?"
"…"
Instinctively taking a step back, Ling Cang Xue directs a wary gaze at Sui Yan, and replies—
"…I didn't refuse. They were the ones who were unable to fulfill my conditions."
"And what conditions did you have?"
"My first condition was that they have to adopt my little sister as well. As for my second condition, they need to be able to fix my little sister's health."
"…"
Glancing at Ling Xue Luo, Sui Yan says—
"The first condition isn't anything difficult. But-"
Cutting Sui Yan off, Ling Cang Xue says—
"If you're just going to say the same thing as everyone else, then I don't want to hear it…"
Puffing out a smoke, Sui Yan continues to say—
"The task might be difficult, but it isn't impossible."
Parting her lips, Ling Cang Xue asks—
"…You have a way?"
"I do, but whether or not I should use this method on her… Well, it will depend on your performance in the selections event."
"…My performance?"
"Obtain first place in the selections event for Colony Three, as simple as that."
"…"
Hearing this, Ling Cang Xue raises a frown. Confidence isn't something that she lacks, but the opponents that she will be up against are individuals with the same amount of talent as herself.
And for the sake of obtaining the first merging opportunity, the other colonies couldn't have been stingy with giving their key participants the best resources available.
Towards Ling Cang Xue's reaction, Sui Yan asks—
"Something the matter?"
"…"
Glancing at the bloodstained tissue-filled trash bin, Ling Cang Xue gestures for Sui Yan to lean forward.
Crouching down, Sui Yan leans her ear close to Ling Cang Xue, who maintains a strong front, while whispering—
"…Obtaining first place, it isn't anything difficult. But… With the selections event being three years away, would my little sister even be able to live for that long as she currently is?"
"Hmm."
Moving pass Ling Cang Xue, Sui Yan sits beside Ling Xue Luo, who parts her lips.
Taking hold of Ling Xue Luo's hand, Sui Yan closes her eyes, and in the next instance—
"…?"
A comforting sense of warmth courses through Ling Xue Luo's body—starting from her held wrist, causing her to widen her eyes.
Momentarily, Sui Yan reopens her eyes, and releases Ling Xue Luo's hand, while asking—
"Feeling any better?"
"Un. Just now-?"
Nodding her head, Ling Xue Luo was just about to ask what treatment method Sui Yan had used, but—
"Good then."
Rising off the bed, Sui Yan glances at Ling Cang Xue, prior to turning towards the caretakers, and says—
"Prepare the adoption papers for us."